[{"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-86":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},2336012,4566,"Chapter 86: Goodbye, Enmu!","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-86",86,"\u003Cp>Shu! Shu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Infinite Train, Zero and Rengoku Kyōjurō darted back and forth through the last seven carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Zero activated the He blade, he temporarily suppressed Enmu’s regenerative power, making this battle relatively easy for both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, they changed their battle strategy: Shinobu and Nezuko only needed to protect the passengers’ safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero and Rengoku Kyōjurō would simply cut off the tentacles within the eight carriages, giving Tanjiro and Inosuke time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene shifted to Tanjiro and Inosuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were alternating attacks against the arms created by Enmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were too many, and they struggled to defeat them quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! These arms are such a nuisance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast Breathing. Second Fang. Blade Cross Slash!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke landed from midair, crossing his two swords and slashing downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The metal plate on the train floor instantly shattered, revealing the demon’s cervical vertebrae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the demon’s neck!” Seeing the exposed vertebrae, Tanjiro immediately launched his attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water Breathing. Eighth Form: Waterfall Pool!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fierce strike hit the demon’s cervical vertebrae, sending multiple torrents of water soaring upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly, an anomaly occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro’s attack did not sever the demon’s neck as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, a flood of arms tightly shielded the cervical vertebrae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blocked!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, more fleshy walls and arms surged forth, launching a counterattack against Tanjiro and Inosuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the situation turn dire, Tanjiro rushed forward, grabbed the conductor, and pulled him and Inosuke to safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t cut the demon’s neck this way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted to Inosuke: “Inosuke, coordinate our breathing! One attacks forward, the other immediately severs the bone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see! That’s a great idea—I should praise you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both prepared for another attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Tanjiro took one step forward, a colossal tentacle shot up before him, covered in dream-eyes inscribed with the character “Dream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood Demon Art: Forced Sleep Gaze!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who locks eyes with these dream-eyes falls into Enmu’s dream—only suicide within the dream can awaken them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a Blood Demon Art! Lock eyes and you’ll fall asleep!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro met the dream-eyes’ gaze and realized danger—he shouted before falling into the dream: “Inosuke, in the dream, cut your own neck to wake up...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Tanjiro was already trapped in the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dream, he raised his Nichirin Blade and slashed his own neck—immediately waking up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But things were far simpler than Tanjiro thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dream, the self-decapitated Tanjiro had barely awakened when his eyes met the dream-eyes again—and he fell back into the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Idiot! After waking, close your eyes immediately—or you’ll just get trapped again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slashed his neck again in the dream, woke up—and met the dream-eyes once more...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Repeating this cycle, Tanjiro could no longer distinguish reality from dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, Tanjiro kept his eyes tightly shut, believing he was still in the dream, and raised his Nichirin Blade to his neck, preparing to slit it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke arrived just in time, severed the surrounding tentacles, and gripped Tanjiro’s arm to stop him from his foolish act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t a dream—it’s reality!! Don’t fall for this stupid trap! Don’t throw your life away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inosuke?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yahahaha! I’m wearing the Mountain Lord’s mask—these things can’t see my eyes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Inosuke swung his twin blades, shattering every dream-eye around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro suddenly remembered: Inosuke wore a mask—no one could tell where his gaze was directed, so he never fell for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! Now I’ll sever the demon’s neck! Iyaahahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, the conductor Tanjiro had saved held a pickaxe, his eyes filled with murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t ruin my dream!” He lunged at Inosuke, driving the pick straight for his vital point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inosuke!!” Tanjiro shouted, yanking Inosuke aside and taking the blow himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plosch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pick plunged fully into Tanjiro’s abdomen, blood gushing out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conductor tried to yank the pick free for another strike, but Tanjiro delivered a palm strike that knocked him unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Santaro!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine! We must cut the demon’s neck now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast Breathing. Fourth Fang: Shattered Blade Rain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke understood the urgency and swung his twin blades in rapid succession against the train floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon’s cervical vertebrae, hidden beneath the fleshy walls, was once again exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, bless this strike—let me sever the demon’s neck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro, right behind him, shifted Water Breathing into Flame God’s Dance and slashed at the vertebrae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame God’s Dance. Azure Heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A circular slash wreathed in flame descended from above, instantly severing the cervical vertebrae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train’s front separated from the eight carriages behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gaaaaaahhhhh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enmu, decapitated, let out another piercing scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if preparing for a final desperate act, countless tentacles erupted from the eight carriages, attacking the passengers, ready to devour them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zero and Rengoku Kyōjurō moved faster—he slashed every tentacle in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Enmu was fused with the Infinite Train, losing his head meant the train had lost control and would soon derail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The train’s going to flip, Inosuke...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front of the train, Tanjiro’s abdominal wound worsened from violent shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to be thrown out, he jammed his Nichirin Blade into the train floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But due to untreated wounds and ruptured vessels, he lost his grip on the blade—and was flung out of the train cab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! Kyōjurō, buy me three seconds!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm! I understand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Zero kicked through the train window and leapt out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyōjurō continuously used battle techniques to stabilize the carriages, minimizing damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Battle Mech: Activate]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive mech descended from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero swiftly entered the mech’s cockpit, piloted it to leap onto the first two train carriages, and slammed them down, dragging the runaway train backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this prevented derailment, the violent force caused the mech to slide along the tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even sparks of red flame erupted beneath the mech’s feet from friction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Warning! Warning! Mech legs damaged!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Warning! Warning! Mech arms damaged!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the mech cockpit, the screen flashed red alerts: legs and arms suffering varying degrees of damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it, stop... STOP ALREADY!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero clung to the mech’s control lever with all his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew: if he let go, the train would escape his control and derail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zero gritted his teeth and held on, the train’s speed slowly decreased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds later, the train finally stopped sliding—all passengers were unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled in relief, placed more [Energy Crystals] into the cockpit, and activated the mech’s [Auto-Repair Program].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Repair Program Activated]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Estimated Time: 3 Hours]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky had not yet fully brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, everyone was safe—for now, nothing more to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, are you alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyōjurō came to Zero’s side and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero waved his hand, indicating there was no problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyōjurō glanced again at the mecha crouched beside the train, his eyes seeming filled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell me, which man could resist the allure of a mecha?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, I never expected your steel beast to be this powerful—thank goodness you’re here! Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s nothing. Let’s go see how everyone is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Tanjiro, thrown clear, lay on the ground, adjusting his breath to dull the pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you alright, Sanjiro?! Hold on!” Inosuke leapt down from above the train and rushed to Tanjiro’s side to check his injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inosuke… you’re alright… that’s good…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I’m fine—thanks to the demon’s flesh acting as a cushion, bouncing me right back! How’s your stomach…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t move yet… go save the others first… the conductor…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph! That guy’s foot is pinned—he’d be better off dead!” Inosuke felt deeply irritated, remembering how the conductor had stabbed Tanjiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s already been punished enough… save him… please…” Though reluctant, Inosuke did as Tanjiro asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Hmph! Fine, I’ll go! Who else is gonna be your boss? This is a little brother’s request! After I pull him out, I’m going to pluck every single hair off his body—from head to toe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though reluctant, Inosuke did as Tanjiro asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after Inosuke left, a lump of flesh crawled out from beneath the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bore only one eyeball marked with the character 【Lower One】 and one arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was turning to ash, slowly vanishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza’s heart burned with resentment as he stared fixedly at Tanjiro ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his view, his plan had been flawless—Tanjiro, this brat, had ruined everything!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single one of the two hundred passengers had been eaten, and not a single demon slayer had been killed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My body can’t regenerate… why? Why?! This plan was perfect, yet it failed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t accept this… I haven’t even used my full strength… the chance to merge with the train and devour so many humans—all wasted…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And those two Pillars… especially the white-haired one with the scythe—why is he so strong? Is this what a Pillar’s power truly is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I going to die? Am I losing? I wish I could start over… I really, truly wish I could start over… This must be a nightmare…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of the outcome, resentful Akaza ultimately turned to ash and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro, hold on—I’ll bandage you first!” Zero opened a medical kit, took out medicine and gauze, and applied emergency treatment to Tanjiro’s wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Kamado, you’ve mastered Total Concentration: Constant! Impressive, very impressive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Zero, Master Rengoku…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyōjurō watched Tanjiro’s outstanding performance with deep satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He taught Tanjiro how to use Total Concentration: Constant to stem his bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, Tanjiro, I’ve treated your wounds. Once you return to the Demon Slayer Corps, rest well—your injuries will heal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes… thank you, Big Brother Zero, thank you, Master Rengoku—I’ll work hard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure descended from the sky, landing behind them with a thunderous crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro, lying on the ground, lifted his head slightly. When the dust cleared and he saw the figure’s true face, his pupils shrank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Upper Rank Three?! Why is he here…?” Tanjiro was filled with confusion and shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present except Zero felt the terrifying aura and oppressive pressure radiating from Upper Rank Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Akaza?!” Zero hadn’t expected the arrival of his old acquaintance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long time no see, Zero! Finally found you again—become a demon and fight alongside me, hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, Akaza, long time no see~ How’s that idiot idiot grandson of ours doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza’s eyes blazed with battle lust as he saw Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body surged with bloodlust, as if ready to burst free!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t hear a word of what came after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he noticed the other person beside Zero, his battle lust intensified further!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the seasoned battle aura on that man—though not as potent as Zero’s crimson aura, it was infinitely close to the highest realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another strong one… heh… Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet soon, Akaza’s gaze turned sharp and disgusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the weakling shielded behind the two strong ones, and felt a wave of nausea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing intent surged!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged forward, diving from midair, and punched straight at Tanjiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get the hell away from me!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUD!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero kicked out with his leg, meeting Akaza’s fist head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Breathing: Second Form—Flame Sky Soar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately following was Rengoku Kyōjurō’s upward slash, carving a gash across Akaza’s chest and forcing him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the combined assault, Akaza leapt swiftly backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gently touched his wounds and his fractured left arm, praising: “Excellent coordination, Zero—your strength keeps growing. You were always meant to become a demon, hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, his wounds healed automatically, regeneration complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his gaze turned to the other man. “Your sword is impressive. You’re a Pillar too, right? What’s your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am Rengoku Kyōjurō, the Flame Pillar of the Eleven Pillars!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyōjurō, why don’t you become a demon and fight alongside me? I can tell—you’re strong too!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I refuse. And I hate you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Zero was utterly speechless—he couldn’t understand why Akaza always acted like a salesman, relentlessly pushing people to become demons…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grew tired of the nonsense, drew his Sun-Crescent Scythe, and prepared to strike first and kill Akaza.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could move, Rengoku Kyōjurō stepped forward to stop him. “Zero, let me fight him first—I want to know just how far I am behind an Upper Rank demon!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero paused, considered it, then agreed. He stepped back slightly, yielding the space to Rengoku Kyōjurō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was better this way—sometimes, real combat experience is more valuable than any observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Rengoku Kyōjurō challenge him, Akaza laughed excitedly: “Hahaha! How delightful! Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technique Unleashed: Destruction Art—Luo Zhen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath Akaza’s feet, a twelve-pointed snowflake-shaped technique array unfolded, marked from 【One】 to 【Twelve】.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right hand opened into a palm aimed at Rengoku Kyōjurō; his left fist rested at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t become a demon, then I’ll kill you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>",2112,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f6168a94ab63a2ec64a3141cbdc78e0569654bb44f6ec52cd9bfd56903f1b202","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-87","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-85",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]