[{"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-89":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},2336015,4566,"Chapter 89: What Is Love?","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-89",89,"\u003Cp>Villa estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aizoen… really dead?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The transformed child, Muzan, sat in the study and, through Aizoen’s final perspective, clearly saw Aizoen overcome decapitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought this would let me kill everyone present!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that damn Zero, just a few words, awakened Aizoen’s memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he walked into the sunlight himself, turning to ash beneath it, as if finally freed…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aizoen… I never thought you’d sink so low! Useless trash! You actually died!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tearing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enraged, Muzan tore the book in his hands into shreds, his vertical pupils turning blood-red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged on his face, his hatred for Zero reaching its peak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He longed to eat his flesh, drink his blood—only then could his rage be quelled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Muzan knew Zero’s strength all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling those events, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over him—he deflated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, it’s you again, you damned fool! You’ve thwarted my plans time and again… just wait! One day, I’ll seize the secrets hidden in your body!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Infinity Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibo stood motionless, head tilted upward, eyes tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aizoen’s… presence… gone… he was defeated…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aizoen… weren’t you supposed to… defeat me… you’d already… overcome decapitation… just one step away from entering the pinnacle of martial arts…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet you abandoned the pinnacle of martial arts yourself… how utterly weak!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Kokushibo’s core, countless blade auras erupted, instantly reducing all surrounding structures to dust!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he showed utter disdain for Aizoen’s performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elsewhere, within the Infinite Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While indulging with his female followers, Douma felt Aizoen’s presence vanish in that instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Aizoen’s connection disappeared… how pitiful~ His aura suddenly turned strange—was it my imagination?~ Aizoen seems to have become some other kind of creature~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the female followers stepped closer, pressing against him, and asked: “Lord, who is Aizoen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my, Aizoen was my dearest friend~ His death truly saddens me~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Douma put on a heartbroken expression and shed tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord, you clearly care deeply for your friend—don’t be sad~ I’m still here with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes~ I still have this lovely disciple to keep me company~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female follower giggled and clung to Douma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to go further, she suddenly saw everything in the room begin to spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even saw her own headless body…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning to the Demon Slayer Corps, the wounded were gradually taken to Butterfly House for treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro’s injuries were severe—he’d been pierced by a stinger in the abdomen, rupturing blood vessels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his condition was stable; after surgery, he only needed several months of rest to fully recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojuro received some treatment at Butterfly House, then returned to the Rengoku household to reassure his father and younger brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojirou was sweeping at the gate and, seeing his elder brother return unharmed, broke into a wide smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder brother, welcome home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, Kyojirou, I’m back! How’s Father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father is in the backyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go see him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the backyard, he found Rengoku Kyojirou sitting alone, gazing at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Rengoku Kyojirou snapped: “Hmph! Useless! You couldn’t even defeat Upper Rank Three and got wounded! You still haven’t mastered Flame Breathing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Father! I’ll train harder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Rengoku Kyojuro left the backyard and returned to his room to rest for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Rengoku Kyojuro didn’t know that the moment he turned to leave, Rengoku Kyojirou couldn’t hold back his tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re back… you’re back…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojirou knew well how strong Upper Rank demons were—without Zero’s help on this mission, he might have…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already lost the woman he loved; he couldn’t bear to lose his child too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ruka… Kyojuro… he truly tried his hardest…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero… thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene returned to Butterfly House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mitsuri rushed toward Zero like a newlywed reunited after long separation, leaping onto him and wrapping him in a tight embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also gave him two sweet, fragrant face smacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, welcome back! You’re incredible! You’ve slain another Upper Rank demon again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, Mitsuri, get down before you turn me into a widower~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah~ Sorry sorry, hehe~” Mitsuri playfully stuck out her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he set Mitsuri down, two more figures lunged at him, hugging him tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Say, Kanae, Xiao Yue, are you trying to suffocate me?” Zero said, half-laughing, half-exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae and Xiao Yue exchanged a glance and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae, Xiao Yue: “Zero\u002FMaster, welcome back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment of warmth, Zero felt his heart overflow with happiness and replied: “I’m back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting with them a while longer, he planned to take Nezuko back to the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Tanjiro’s request—he wanted Nezuko to spend more time with her family, and once he recovered, he’d visit their mother and younger siblings himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing through Butterfly House’s backyard, he spotted Kanao standing alone beneath a cherry tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle breeze blew, scattering cherry petals; Kanao’s figure looked like a butterfly dancing among the blossoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she seemed troubled, clutching the hem of her haori, hesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kanao, what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her name, Kanao turned and saw Zero, stammering: “Zero-nii… I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? Do you have something on your mind? You can tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao reached for a coin to make a decision, then quickly stopped herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if making a momentous choice, she spoke her heart: “Zero-nii… what is… love?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Love? That’s not something you can explain in a few words… How to put it… well, when someone enters your heart, you think of them constantly, always worrying about them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you speak to them, your heart races like a startled deer—beating wildly. You hope they’ll come to you, even just to see them makes you happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when you hear they’re in danger, you fear for them, terrified you might never see them again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero spoke his thoughts in one breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao listened, falling into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really did sound true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait… Kanao, are you in love with some little boy?” Zero said, incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which lucky kid had slipped into Kanao’s heart and made her fall for him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking for a moment, Zero had three candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu? Impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sleazy guy, infatuated with every girl he sees—he couldn’t possibly be it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had to admit, Zenitsu sometimes did show real courage, standing up for friends and girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke? Also impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That brute had a violent temper, often arrogant and always itching to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he was at least a genuinely sincere kid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That left only one: Tanjiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Tanjiro’s gentle nature, it was entirely possible he’d have entered Kanao’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Kanae had told him Kanao’s childhood was harsh—she’d grown up in a poor urban family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From infancy, she endured violent abuse from parents hardened by poverty and despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her traumatic childhood left her utterly incapable of making her own choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when her stomach growled from hunger, she’d just sit motionless, waiting for someone to tell her what to do…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tanjiro truly became close to Kanao, it might be a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro’s gentle nature could balance Kanao’s, helping her escape her childhood shadows sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Zero teased: “Kanao, do you have someone you like? Let me guess… Tanjiro?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to Tanjiro, Kanao visibly stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dared not show it, only lowering her head in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it really is him~ Good job, you little brat~ You’ve actually stolen my little cabbage~ Looks like I’ll have to personally train you when I get the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no… no…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Isn’t it Tanjiro?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao broke into a cold sweat, unsure how to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero patted Kanao’s head and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There, there, Kanao, I’m just teasing you~ I’m glad you found someone you like. Tanjiro’s still recovering—when he’s better, go see him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, just as Zero was about to leave, Kanao grabbed his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong, Kanao? Is there something else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-nii… thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero pulled Kanao into his arms and comforted her: “You should thank yourself. You made your own choice—that’s already a great effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero’s embrace gave Kanao the warmth of being protected and cared for by an older brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, as she bid Zero farewell, Kanao paused, then firmly walked to Tanjiro’s ward to visit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, Shinobu’s scream rang out from the room: “Aaaahhh! Tanjiro, you bastard! Letting Zero-nii take care of Nezuko is one thing, but you… you… APOLOGIZE! CUT YOURSELF OPEN AND APOLOGIZE!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the fury in Shinobu’s eyes, Tanjiro hurried to explain: “No no… it’s not like that, Shinobu, let me explain—Kanao… she’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care! It’s not fair! Aaaahhh!!” Shinobu began thrashing and rolling on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duang!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinkai Aoi delivered Shinobu a thunderous knuckle bash, instantly silencing him and leaving him dazed in the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Kanao, sitting beside Tanjiro’s bed, exhaled in relief—Shinobu was so loud~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t even properly watch Tanjiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, a month passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a month of rest, Tanjiro felt his body had nearly recovered and decided to take a walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as he stepped outside Butterfly House, he encountered someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man had two gleaming, razor-sharp kitchen knives tied to his head, and held two more in his hands!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, his entire body radiated murderous intent, as if he had transformed into a Special-Rank Cursed Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nn-nn-nn-nn-nn-nn!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Σ(?д?|||) Steel Tomb-sensei!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… again… broke my knives… Huh! Huh! What the hell are you thinking, you bastard?! You deserve to die! I’ll kill you, aaaaahhh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry sorry I’m so sorry! Aaaahhh! Help me, aaaaahhh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die die die! Bastard! Even that person never broke my knives—yet you broke them twice! Stop right there, aaaaahhh! I’ll kill you!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Tanjiro once again fled under Steel Tomb Hana’s relentless pursuit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, Zero had just completed his mission and was returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed Butterfly House, two gusts of wind swept past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? What’s going on? Hmm? Where’s my scythe?” Zero’s head filled with question marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whirr~ Whirr~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more gusts passed—and the Sun Wheel Scythe returned to Zero’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the scene felt strangely familiar to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he seen this somewhere before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Love is like a tornado—after it passes, you’re left dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, two gusts swept by, his scythe vanished mysteriously, and now it was back in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry sorry I’m really sorry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You broke my knives?! I’ll kill you! Aaaahhhhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice, Zero paused for 2.5 seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To turn around, return to Butterfly House, sit on the wall, and eat a watermelon split in half with a spoon, watching the show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Tanjiro was chased by Steel Tomb Hana for a full day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From morning to noon, then noon to sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero had already finished several watermelons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Zero somehow produced a large pile of Mitarashi dango, which distracted Steel Tomb Hana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Tanjiro escape death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I’m saved…” Tanjiro hid nearby, gasping for breath, his legs trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro, you’re impressive~ You managed to run this long under Steel Tomb Hana’s chase~” Zero teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-nii, don’t mock me—I nearly died…” Tanjiro smiled weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, get used to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You look mostly recovered. Next, we’ll begin physical function recovery training—except this time, I’ll be the one running it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Tanjiro felt a bad premonition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sensed that Zero-nii’s “physical function recovery training” sounded terrifying…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must be overthinking it. Zero-nii is such a gentle person—how could it possibly be that scary…” Tanjiro reassured himself.\u003C\u002Fp>",1919,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","81bf0c1619e61fe7a3089080a5a5dc9473546d399302518cc51a72f5d241cf13","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-90","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-88",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]