Chapter 7: Pillar Meeting

“Zero, I hope you will accompany me to the Pillar Meeting. I believe everyone would like to meet you.”

“Sure, anything’s fine!”

“I’ve already arranged for people to build your residence. If you don’t mind, stay temporarily at the Butterfly House for now.”

“Thank you, my lord!”

“Compared to what you’ve done, this is nothing.”

Afterwards, Ubuyashiki Kyojuro, led by his two daughters, walked to the courtyard of the Ubuyashiki estate to meet everyone, with Zero and Xiao Yue sitting on his shoulder following behind.

The eight Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps had already arrived and were waiting in the courtyard, including Butterfly Kanae.

Regarding the Pillars, Zero had also gathered some information through his Analytical Glasses: they were the highest-tier combat force within the Demon Slayer Corps, and their status, next only to the Lord, was the very pillar holding up the organization.

“Kanae-san, is it true that the boy who slew two Lower Moon demons has arrived?” asked a man with a headband studded with many gemstones, red patterns painted around his eyes, and fingernails painted in different colors.

“Oh my! Yes! And he’s incredibly strong—he nearly killed an Upper Moon demon!”

“Oh? That’s truly magnificent, hahaha! I’d love to meet this magnificent boy!”

Another man, with a white spiky haircut, three long scars across his face, and his body covered in wounds, scoffed: “Tch, just an Upper Moon demon? If it were me, I wouldn’t have let him escape!”

A calm, serious black-haired young man spoke up: “Then your strength must indeed be enviable.”

“Tomioka Giyu, what are you talking about?!”

“Nothing.”

“Amitabha, please all be quiet. The Lord is about to arrive.”

Himejima Gyomei spoke, and the others fell silent, halting their arguments—after all, Himejima Gyomei was the eldest of the Demon Slayer Corps, his power immeasurable, and his words carried weight.

Not long after, two girls’ voices came from afar.

“The Lord has arrived!”

Instantly, all the Pillars in the courtyard knelt on one knee in respect.

“My beloved swordsmen, I’m glad to see you again. The sky today is such a beautiful blue.”

Yet when everyone looked up and saw Ubuyashiki Kyojuro’s face, all except Butterfly Kanae were stunned.

For they saw that the disfiguring marks left by his curse had largely vanished.

“My lord, I’m overjoyed to see you still in good health! But I don’t understand—why is that man behind you not kneeling?” asked the man with spiky white hair, his tone completely different from his earlier argumentative one.

“Thank you, Jiguro. But the two things I wish to announce today concern him. He is Zero, the one who slew the Lower Moon demons, and the one who saved Kanae from an Upper Moon demon.” Ubuyashiki Kyojuro turned and smiled at Zero, nodding for him to introduce himself.

Zero understood. He stepped forward from behind Ubuyashiki Kyojuro, and only then did everyone see his true appearance.

At that moment, a girl with three long pink-cherry braids, grass-green tips, and a large chest couldn’t help exclaiming: “So cute!”

Zero suddenly felt an extremely faint killing intent fixed on him—he realized it was a tiny child with heterochromatic eyes and a white snake coiled around her neck staring at him.

He didn’t understand why—this child was someone he’d never met, had never wronged—why would she radiate killing intent toward him?

“Hello, I’m Zero. This is Xiao Yue. Due to special circumstances, I shrank her.” Zero pointed to Xiao Yue on his shoulder.

“Hello, I’m Xiao Yue… Zero’s sister.”

Xiao Yue had intended to say she was Zero’s assistant, but just then she received Zero’s instruction and changed her words to say she was his sister.

“Oh my, Xiao Yue, did you rest well last night?”

“Mm! I rested very well in Master… brother’s pocket!” Then she floated up and landed on Kanae’s shoulder.

The others were again stunned by this feat, wondering how it was even possible.

“Wow! So adorable! Hi, I’m Kanroji Mitsuri—can we be friends?” The large-chested girl, Kanroji Mitsuri, couldn’t resist reaching out to gently touch Xiao Yue’s head.

“Of course!”

“So adorable!” Kanroji Mitsuri immediately cupped Xiao Yue in her hands and rubbed her face against her repeatedly.

Ubuyashiki Kyojuro placed a finger to his lips to signal silence: “The first thing I must say is that I wish for Zero to become a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. I hope you will all accept him.”

“My lord, I do not accept it!” Jiguro was the first to object.

Zero used his Analytical Glasses to scan Jiguro’s data.

【Fuyuhara Jiguro—18 years old】

【Demon Slayer Corps Pillar: Wind Pillar】

【Breathing Style: Wind Breathing】

【Special Physiology: Rare Blood. His blood is an exceptionally rare subtype that renders demons intoxicated upon smelling it.】

【Personal Info: Temperamental and volatile; eyes turn bloodshot when agitated. Holds an extraordinary hatred toward demons. Treats his younger brother, Fuyuhara Genya, harshly—but in truth, he is protecting him, trying to push him out of the Demon Slayer Corps so he may live a peaceful life.】

【Note: Detected full-body scarring. Can be treated via Healing Pod in Repair Mode.】

“My lord, although he slew two Lower Moon demons, he has never undergone the official examination! Moreover, I sense no trace of any Breathing Style in him. If he can become a Pillar without these, many will surely resent it!” Jiguro spoke with clear, rational logic—no trace of his usual volatility.

All the Pillars present, except Butterfly Kanae, Kanroji Mitsuri, and Tomioka Giyu, agreed with Jiguro.

“Jiguro is right—I also think it’s unacceptable!” said a man with long hair of red and gold, sharp eyebrows, and piercing eyes, his voice booming.

While Jiguro had been speaking, Zero had already analyzed this Pillar’s data through his Analytical Glasses.

【Rengoku Kyojuro—17 years old】

【Demon Slayer Corps Pillar: Flame Pillar】

【Breathing Style: Flame Breathing】

【Personal Info: Exceptional leadership and judgment. A charismatic, cheerful man who loves caring for others like an older brother. He gets along easily with anyone, regardless of age or gender.】

【Note: Detected ruptured eardrums. Can be treated via Healing Pod in Repair Mode.】

“Even so, I magnificently agree with Jiguro’s view.”

【Name: Uzui Tengen—male】

【Age: 20 years old】

【Demon Slayer Corps Pillar: Sound Pillar】

【Breathing Style: Sound Breathing】

【Personal Info: Former ninja, powerfully built, bold and generous. Can forcibly stop his heart with muscle control to slow poison spread. Always uses the word “magnificent.”】

“Amitabha—if he can prove himself, then why not?”

【Name: Himejima Gyomei—male】

【Age: 24 years old】

【Demon Slayer Corps Pillar: Stone Pillar】

【Breathing Style: Stone Breathing】

【Personal Info: The strongest Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. Gentle and composed, always reciting sutras while weeping, speaking with “Amitabha.” Full of compassion for others, yet utterly despises demons.】

【Note: Detected blindness. Can be repaired via Healing Pod.】

Watching the opinions of these children, Zero felt no emotion. After all, by age, they were merely his juniors.

“Actually, whether or not I become a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps is irrelevant to me. In other words, even if I don’t, I lose nothing.”

“Kid, are you scared?!” Jiguro sneered.

“Kid? Heh…” Zero found Jiguro calling him “kid” amusing.

In an instant, Zero appeared behind Jiguro, leaning down to whisper in his ear: “Child, to me… you’re still far too young.”

Everyone was stunned—they had seen nothing, not even a blur of motion.

“So fast!! When did he get behind me?!” Jiguro thought, his hand tightening on his sword hilt, a bead of cold sweat forming.

He knew now—if this man were a demon, he would already be dead.

“I don’t know what your Demon Slayer Corps’s examination entails, nor what your rules are. But I can state this clearly.”

Zero stepped from behind Jiguro to face the group, withdrew a Nanometal Type-IV from his Nanospace, and attached it to his lower back, drawing one blade and holding it horizontally before him: “Whether you resent me or refuse to acknowledge me—I accept your challenge. As for becoming a Pillar—it means nothing to me.”

Though Zero had come to this world and was under dimensional suppression, limiting his power to roughly half, it was still more than enough.

Most were already stunned by Zero’s ability to summon weapons from thin air, and after what had just happened, many had begun to accept him—except Jiguro, who still resented him.

“Fine! I’ll challenge you! My lord, please grant permission!”

Ubuyashiki Kyojuro said nothing, only looked at Zero.

Zero nodded, indicating consent.

Everyone immediately stepped back, clearing ample space.

Jiguro stood opposite Zero, gripping his sword in combat stance. Zero assumed a diving posture, extending his mechanical left hand to rest the Type-I blade’s back edge across his palm.

“Child, three strikes.”

“Damn it, kid, don’t get too cocky!”

Wind Breathing. First Form: Dust Whirlwind—Slicing Cut!

Jiguro struck first, lunging at high speed and leaving behind rotating wind blades capable of easily slicing the ground.

As the Nichirin Blade neared Zero, he showed no panic—only sidestepping slightly to evade, then stomping forward with a burst of speed, swinging the Type-I blade to send a flat, semicircular slash straight at Jiguro.

Jiguro immediately raised his Nichirin Blade to block.

Clang!

But he hadn’t expected the impact to chip a notch into his blade.

He leapt backward to create distance, preparing to strike again—when Zero turned defense into offense and attacked him directly.

“Wind Breathing. Third Form: Clear Sky Wind Tree!”

Jiguro spun on his axis, unleashing three powerful wind blades to block Zero’s advance.

Zero saw the three blades and instantly shifted from sprinting to a sliding posture, dodging them all. Then, using his mechanical arm to brace against the ground, he launched himself upward with a flying kick that struck Jiguro’s abdomen and sent him flying.

“Damn it!” Jiguro’s face twisted in rage, his eyes filling with bloodshot veins.

Wind Breathing. Eighth Form: First Blazing Wind Slash!

Launch another assault, circling Zero with the speed of a gale, slashing around him in a full revolution while summoning powerful spiral wind blades around his body.

The wind blades relentlessly swept around Zero, tearing through his clothes; seeing this, Zero instantly drew his Second Style and alternated rapid slashes to block each attack.

Immediately after the assault ended, he sprinted behind Fushiguro Jirou.

Sensing Zero behind him, Fushiguro prepared to strike again—when Zero struck his wrist with the flat of his First Style, disarming him, then pressed the edge of his Second Style against his throat.

Fushiguro prepared to grip his Nichirin Blade between his toes to continue fighting—his special technique, meant for when both hands were restrained.

But he felt an overwhelming killing intent spreading behind him, sweat pouring down his back; all the Pillars sensed this killing intent.

Turning back, they saw Zero’s red eyes had deepened into a far more crimson hue; had it not been for Zero’s ability to stand in sunlight, they might have suspected he was a demon himself.

He sheathed his First and Second Styles, picked up Fushiguro Jirou’s Nichirin Blade, and returned it to him.

“I lost!”

Though Fushiguro Jirou still resented it, he had lost—he accepted defeat with honor.

He sheathed his own Nichirin Blade and returned to the ranks.

“I want to challenge you too,” said another Pillar, stepping forward from the ranks to stand before Zero.

【Name: Ii Koyanagi - Male】

【Age: 18 years】

【Demon Slayer Corps Pillar: Serpent Pillar】

【Pet Companion: Kaimaru】

【Breathing Style: Serpent Breathing】

【Personal Info: Habitually speaks with sarcasm, but deeply values his comrades. Like Jirou, he despises demons and rarely trusts outsiders—only fully opens his heart before the Lord and Mitsuji.】

【Note: Detected a crack on this individual’s lip—can be treated using the Recovery Pod】

After reading Ii Koyanagi’s information, Zero understood why he had shown faint killing intent and a hint of jealousy—it was because of that busty girl.

He had also obtained some data on the busty girl through his analysis glasses.

【Name: Mitsuji Kamado - Female】

【Age: 16 years】

【Demon Slayer Corps Pillar: Love Pillar】

【Breathing Style: Love Breathing】

【Special Physique: Eightfold Muscle Density】

【Personal Info: Cheerful and lively; blushes and sweats profusely when embarrassed, seeking a lifelong partner.】

Now that he understood the situation, looking at Ii Koyanagi standing before him, he realized why he wrapped his face in bandages.

Combined with the information he’d gathered on the others, he now saw that each bore some form of injury—his mind turned to a new plan.

“You’re Ii Koyanagi, right? I accept your challenge.”

He drew his Dark Alloy Fourth Style again.

Ii Koyanagi drew his weapon—a curved, serpent-blade Nichirin Blade.

Thus, Ii Koyanagi clashed with Zero, his attacks taking sharp, unpredictable angles.

……