[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong-":3,"chapter-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-77":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Pillar in Demon Slayer Is Extremely Strong but Overly Cautious",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336003,4566,"Chapter 77: The Pill Tribunal [Part 2]","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-77",77,"\u003Cp>\"If you wish to deny this fact, the party denying it must pay a price greater than the one being denied! Do you understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words left Shinobu Kocho and Rengoku Kyojuro speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Shinobu Kocho still could not accept it, saying: \"I don’t understand, my lord—if it were a human, letting her live would be fine, but a demon is unacceptable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Shinobu Kocho raised his Nichirin Blade and slashed a deep gash across his own arm, blood gushing out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero helplessly covered his face. Here we go again...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that healing was wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, let me prove just how ugly a demon truly is! My blood is the rarest of rare blood—no demon can resist its allure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his gaze turned to Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero knew exactly what he intended, and carried the wooden box into the room where Ubuyashiki Kagaya was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive the intrusion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the box on the floor and opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko poked her head out, looking around curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zero, she excitedly flung herself into his arms, nuzzling her head against his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After soothing Nezuko, Zero looked at Shinobu Kocho and said: \"Demons cannot be exposed to sunlight. Are you certain you still want to stand there bare-armed to prove your point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned their gaze to Shinobu Kocho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho felt embarrassed—he had been so focused on proving his point that he’d forgotten this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just stood there stupidly with his arm raised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood on his arm had long dried into clotted stains under the sunlight and breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, my apologies!\" Shinobu Kocho entered the room and slashed another deep cut across his arm with his Nichirin Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his arm toward Nezuko.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko, held in Zero’s arms, looked utterly bewildered—glancing between Shinobu Kocho and Zero, unsure why he was doing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nezuko!\" Tanjiro started to rush in, but Tomioka Giyuu grabbed him. \"Trust her!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Tomioka...\" Tanjiro looked at Nezuko again, silently shouting: \"Nezuko, you can do it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zero, if you’re holding her, she won’t reveal her true nature,\" Shinobu Kocho said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine.\" Zero set Nezuko down, patted her head, pointed at Shinobu Kocho, and said: \"Nezuko, it’s up to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though confused, Nezuko followed Zero’s instruction, walking up to Shinobu Kocho and grabbing his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as everyone expected her to reveal her demonic nature, Nezuko placed Shinobu Kocho’s hand on top of her own head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes curved into crescent moons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko thought Shinobu Kocho was reaching out to pat her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his wounded arm wrapped in his sleeve, she extended her own arm and gently patted his head too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to say: \"Pat pat, it doesn’t hurt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone watching found this utterly unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ubuyashiki Kagaya found it astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho, seeing this, was reminded of his younger siblings in childhood—always wanting him to pat their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing, Nezuko ran back to Zero and wrapped both arms tightly around his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Under these circumstances, it’s clear Nezuko won’t harm humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubuyashiki Kagaya’s voice brought everyone back to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tanjiro, even now, there will be those who resent Nezuko’s existence—you must prove yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From this day forward, Tanjiro and Nezuko shall fight as members of the Demon Slayer Corps, offering their strength.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Tanjiro immediately knelt before Ubuyashiki Kagaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this feeling? So light... Hearing his voice, my head feels weightless, wonderfully surreal!\" Tanjiro thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Defeat the Twelve Kizuki, and others will recognize you—your words will carry weight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! My sister and I will slay Muzan Kibutsuji! My sister and I will surely wield our blades to break the chains of sorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro was brimming with passion, his voice ringing with grand resolve, as if his body overflowed with power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next words from Ubuyashiki Kagaya and Zero made him want to crawl into a crack in the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubuyashiki Kagaya: \"Tanjiro, you’re not ready yet. First, defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: \"Tanjiro, forget Muzan Kibutsuji—for now, can you even decapitate a Lower Moon demon? Hehe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes... I... I understand...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro’s face turned as red as a monkey’s rear, utterly embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His earlier fiery, heroic speech had been doused like a bucket of ice water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Pill users all kept their heads down, shoulders trembling as they barely held back laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri Kanroji: No... no no... I can’t laugh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojuro: Hmm, I was prepared for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen: So ungraceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho: What are they laughing at?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this brief interruption, Ubuyashiki Kagaya spoke: \"The Pill users of the Demon Slayer Corps are pillars of strength, forged through grueling trials, constantly teetering on the edge of life and death, to reach the Twelve Kizuki.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is why the Pill users enjoy the highest privileges—Tanjiro, you must be more careful with your words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I understand,\" Tanjiro replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Shinobu Kocho, Kanao—stop bullying the lower-ranked children.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho \u002F Kanao: \"Yes, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tanjiro’s matter is concluded. You may withdraw. The Pill Meeting is about to begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, we at Butterfly House will take charge of Sanemi Tanjiro for a while,\" Kanao said, clapping her hands. Behind her, Goto and another Insect Division member rushed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goto bowed deeply to the Pill users and Ubuyashiki Kagaya, then grabbed Tanjiro by the back of his robe and bolted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry about that earlier!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Insect Division member bowed respectfully to Zero: \"Zero Pill Master, please entrust her to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\" Zero lowered his head to soothe Nezuko, pointed at the wooden box, and said: \"See you tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko obediently shrank her body and slipped into the box. The Insect Division member slung it onto his back and swiftly departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone prepared to move to Butterfly House for the Pill Meeting, Tanjiro suddenly turned back and ran again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the two Insect Division members punched and kicked him, he refused to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hugged a wooden pillar and shouted: \"Wait! I’m going to headbutt that hedgehog-haired bastard! He wanted to hurt Nezuko—and he insulted my sensei, Rengoku! Isn’t headbutting him allowed under the rules...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up right now!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up! Shut up! Let go of it!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho, who had just picked up a small stone to teach Tanjiro a painful lesson, noticed Zero had appeared behind Tanjiro without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hand was a strange black object, emitting a faint \"zzzt\" sound of blue electric arcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed it directly against Tanjiro’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m definitely going to headbutt that hedgehog—aaah! Ooooh!\" Tanjiro, still unaware of the danger, was instantly paralyzed by the shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you two. Take him away,\" Zero said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Zero Pill Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goto immediately slung Tanjiro over his shoulder and fled as if escaping a demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tanjiro, slung over Goto’s shoulder, opened his mouth to speak, the Insect Division member punched him square in the nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut your mouth! Don’t say another word!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zero Pill Master is angry! He’s never been angry with us lower-ranked members before!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pill Masters are terrifyingly strong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I nearly pissed myself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Apologize! Apologize now!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro: \"S-sorry...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Tanjiro and the Insect Division members left, Zero noticed the strange looks from the Pill users.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He casually returned the [Taser] to his [Nanospace], speaking in a bright, gentle tone: \"Don’t worry—it won’t harm the body. Of course, if anyone has trouble sleeping, I’d be happy to help them with it. No need to be polite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some Pill users, like Uzui Tengen, immediately shook their heads, declining—and wondered what they might have done to offend Zero recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao was already thinking about how to apologize to Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho instantly sheathed his Nichirin Blade—he was hot-tempered, but not stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu Kocho casually tossed away the small stone in his hand, pretending nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What’s that bird called up there?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, everyone had rediscovered another side of Zero—just as cunning as Kanao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew who he’d learned this from...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Kanae and Mitsuri Kanroji, they weren’t worried at all—Zero was their husband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He treated them both with tender, thoughtful care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he treated the Kamado family the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, children, let’s continue our Pillar Meeting. Zero, stop scaring my children.\" Ubuyashiki Yōsuke quickly spoke up to defuse the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is anyone here?” A member of the Hidden Division carried Tanjiro into Butterfly House and called out inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no response, he left the building and circled around to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, he saw Kanao Tsuyuri standing at the edge of a small pond, several butterflies fluttering around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That one seems to be a ‘Successor’—her name is… Kanao Tsuyuri.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s a ‘Successor’?” Tanjiro asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Successor is a disciple personally trained by a Pillar. Only those with exceptional talent are chosen,” Goto explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tanjiro saw her face—and felt he had seen her before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he remember: she had been his fellow candidate during the same Fujibayashi Mountain examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had noticed last night who had kicked him in the head, he wouldn’t have been so surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, we’ve come here on Lady Butterfly’s orders. May we enter?” Goto asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao Tsuyuri said nothing, maintaining her smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um… may we come in…?” Goto, unsure, hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he hesitated, a loud voice rang out from behind: “Who are you? What are you doing here?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning around, they saw a girl in nursing attire with twin braids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinazugawa Aoi, Butterfly House’s nurse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, it’s not… we’re here on Lady Butterfly’s orders…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you from the Hidden Division? Is there an injured person? Bring him over here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinazugawa Aoi appeared before them from behind, moving too fast to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So fast…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Shinazugawa Aoi, they entered the ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the ward, Tanjiro heard loud crying and shouting from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was unmistakably Zenitsu’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five times?! Five times a day?! And I have to drink this for three months straight?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaahhh!!! No! Help me!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Shinazugawa Aoi stormed into the ward, roaring: “Shut up! Be quiet! I’ve told you a hundred times—if you don’t drink your medicine properly, I’ll tie you down! Honestly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without looking back, she left to check on other patients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu, terrified by the shout, curled up under the covers, sobbing and refusing to show his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zenitsu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the familiar voice, Zenitsu peeked out and saw Tanjiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you okay? How did you get hurt? Did you go into the mountain…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro… Waaah!! Listen, I got bitten by a stinking spider and got poisoned… I I… that girl just now was terrifying…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinazugawa Aoi, not far away, turned and glared at Zenitsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu trembled violently under her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zenitsu, where’s Inosuke? And Mr. Murata?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know about Murata, but Inosuke is right next door.” Zenitsu pointed to the next bed, where Inosuke lay wearing his boar mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inosuke?! I’m glad you’re alright!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke gave no reply, lying quietly on the bed, filled with gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just hard to tell because of the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Goto: “Hey! Don’t wipe your snot on me, you bastard!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the battle at Mt. Spider, all of Tanjiro’s group suffered injuries of varying severity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro: multiple abrasions on face, legs, and arms; muscle strains and tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu: most severe condition—hands and feet shrunken and paralyzed, left hand spasming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke: damaged throat and vocal cords; multiple fractures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko: severe sleep deprivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Pillar Meeting at Butterfly House ended, Zero arrived at Tanjiro’s ward to visit them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good evening, Tanjiro.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-brother, good evening. Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve come to take Nezuko to reunite with your family. Once you’ve recovered, you can join us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Thank you, Zero-brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu stared at Zero, remembering the person who had saved him last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figures matched perfectly—and a wave of disappointment washed over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why wasn’t it a girl? A girl would’ve been so much better…” Zenitsu muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zero couldn’t possibly have missed that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Shinazugawa Aoi, who was changing another patient’s bandages, and said: “Aoi, double Zenitsu’s dosage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Zero… Zero Pillar-sama.” Shinazugawa Aoi blushed involuntarily at Zero’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?! Waaahhh! No! Zero-brother, I’m sorry! That medicine is really bitter…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up and be quiet!” Shinazugawa Aoi shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After exchanging a few more words with Tanjiro, he slung his wooden box onto his back and returned to his estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>",2054,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","31c98966dc23c822d9ed1334c09b6332c9341baa30bb883ace7a631e3c820e43","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-78","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-76",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]