[{"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-96":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},2336022,4566,"Chapter 96: Little Jiji","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-96",96,"\u003Cp>“What? Zenitsu is missing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro arrived at the rendezvous point and heard Inosuke say Zenitsu was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, Zenitsu and Inosuke had received the summons from the messenger crow Snow and gone to change back into their original uniform outfits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, Inosuke changed back into his uniform, retrieved his Nichirin Blade from the Muscle Mouse, and sensed movement from beneath the ground, along with the aura of a demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he sensed another familiar aura among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to pursue, but the aura vanished shortly after; Inosuke sensed for a long while but could no longer detect it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to abandon the chase for now and go find Zenitsu to head to the rendezvous point together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zenitsu was gone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He searched the Oginaya for a long time but found nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furious, Inosuke assumed Zenitsu had abandoned him and gone ahead to meet the others alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the rendezvous point and still seeing no sign of Zenitsu, he finally remembered the demon’s aura—and the other familiar one—he had sensed earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen, standing nearby, listened to Inosuke’s report and fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to wait… I was too eager to save my wife, and made a mistake—I’ve doomed you all…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen spoke with self-reproach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Zero’s signal is given, leave immediately. The rest is up to me and Zero… These demons are Upper Rank; your rank is too low to handle them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, Master Uzui, we—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No buts. Don’t feel ashamed—surviving is victory. Don’t miss your chance… Time is nearly up. Zero’s signal is coming soon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen vanished from his spot and went alone to the heart of the Flower District, standing on a rooftop to await Zero’s signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our rank is too low… so we’re not trusted?” Tanjiro said, disheartened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re already [Geng] rank! Look, check the display!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Inosuke’s back, the character [Geng] appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Slayer Corps’ ranks are inscribed on the back of the hand by a special technique called “Wisteria Carving,” granted to all who pass the Tengxishan  trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through speech and muscular expansion, the current rank can be displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these past months, Tanjiro and the others had been on missions, advancing from [Gui] rank to [Geng] rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So we don’t need to leave—we’ll fight together!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke brimmed with battle spirit, showing no sign of retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. Then we wait for Brother Zero’s signal and do what we can!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly what I was thinking!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, both prepared for battle and waited for the signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyokuyoku House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zerozi felt the time had come and once again went alone to the chamber of the courtesan Jueji .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, she encountered Sanjin, the madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zerozi, are you… going to see Jueji ?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I still have matters to attend to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Sanjin hesitated, then couldn’t help asking: “Zerozi… do you know something…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zerozi smiled faintly, leaned close to Sanjin’s ear, and whispered: “Didn’t you already guess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin had merely suspected—but now hearing it confirmed by Zerozi’s own lips…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The revelation was overwhelming, and she was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zerozi, you… you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shhh…” Zerozi covered Sanjin’s mouth with her fan and murmured: “Sometimes, pretending you know nothing lets you live longer… The demons—I’ll handle them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that said, Zerozi trusted Sanjin would know what to do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering Jueji ’s chamber, she saw her kneeling in a simple floral kimono.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Jueji  saw Zerozi at the door, her eyes betrayed uncontainable joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tonight, once the Demon Slayer Corps’ matter was settled, Zerozi would be hers alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she could savor her fully, just as she wished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she knew she must pretend as if nothing had changed from last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zerozi slowly approached the courtesan Jueji , lifted her chin, and smiled: “Little Jiji… are you waiting for Your Imperial Highness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Jueji  didn’t care how Zerozi addressed her—she’d soon be “fully drained” anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because… I want to possess you alone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~ Interesting~ What makes you think you can possess Your Imperial Highness? Or rather…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Zerozi leaned close to Jueji ’s ear and whispered: “Or rather… because you are Upper Rank Six? Is that how you think you can possess me? Am I right, Daki?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jueji … no, Daki’s eyes widened in shock, and she blurted without thinking: “You… you’re a Demon Slayer?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~ You’re not entirely stupid… but only just.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn you, die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daki swiftly whipped her obi toward Zerozi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t believe she’d been teased by a Demon Hunter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zerozi merely turned aside, effortlessly dodging the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she dodged, she withdrew a Nichirin Scythe from her Nanospace and sliced the obi into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Nichirin Scythe, Daki recalled events from years ago in the Infinite Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s you! You’re that white-haired Demon Hunter… a Pillar! I never thought you’d dress as a woman—how disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling last night’s teasing by “Zerozi,” she felt nauseated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was bad enough—but her own body had reacted with arousal…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory now made her feel sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daki now revealed her true demon form: black hair, golden eyes, floral hairpins, floral tattoos on her left cheek and right forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore revealing attire, undeniably sensual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep abyss of her chest stared at Zero—but to Zero, it meant nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not nearly as beautiful as Muzan’s… I mean, Mitsuri’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she had split into many obi clones, Daki was currently in a weakened state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you’re a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, what can you do? Can you abandon ordinary people?” Daki sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero paid no heed to Daki’s words—she had already prepared everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, her [Analytical Glasses] deactivated their invisibility mode and appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the [Analytical Glasses], she triggered explosives she had planted earlier in sparsely populated areas of the Yoshiwara Flower District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Multiple locations across Yoshiwara erupted in massive explosions, igniting fires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely, the fires did not spread to ordinary civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, the civilians had ample time to flee Yoshiwara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, when unknown panic strikes, people’s first instinct is to escape immediately, fearing they’ll be caught in the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was precisely the situation outside now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the buildings, everyone heard the commotion and saw the raging fires—they began fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid the flames would reach them in the next second, burying them in fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Daki’s heart churned with turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet in an instant, a flash of cold light passed—and Daki’s head was severed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her headless body knelt on the floor, clutching her own head, face filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cut… cut off… I was decapitated?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the explosions, Uzui Tengen knew: it was Zero’s signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leapt from the rooftop, drew his twin blades, and removed the cloth wrappings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sound Breathing. First Form. ROAR!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his blades downward; a massive explosion accompanied by thunderous sound tore a gaping hole into the ground, opening directly into the cavern below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Uzui Tengen leapt down through the hole he had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he reached the depths below, he found it matched Zero’s description exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as Zero said—there’s a cavern here. The demons captured the missing people and stored them as food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cavern floor was littered with white, skeletal remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above, countless obi hung from the ceiling, and many women were trapped within them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could clearly sense the life force of humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…” Uzui Tengen noticed three figures bound by obi not far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maki, Hina, Sumire!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his three wives still alive, his heart finally eased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he also noticed another figure tied to a sash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this guy was captured too… how ungraceful…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other figure on the sash was Zenitsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey! You idiot, how dare you barge into someone else’s granary!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind Uzui Tengen came a woman’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around—but it wasn’t a woman. It was just a sash with a pair of eyes and a mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell is this? So ungraceful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh～\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew a deep breath into his lungs, and in the blink of an eye, launched his attack—cutting every single sash cleanly without harming the women inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This aura… it’s a Pillar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sash that had spoken earlier never imagined the granary would attract a Demon Slayer—let alone a Pillar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she considered how to deal with it, she felt her master calling her. Instantly, she seized the remaining sashes and flew out through the hole Uzui Tengen had smashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen didn’t chase. Before him stood three women—his wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maki, Hina, Sumire, I’m sorry I’m late. Seeing you all still full of spirit, I’m relieved!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Tengen…” x3\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re amazing—no wonder you’re my wives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three women rushed into Uzui Tengen’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After savoring the softness of six large white rabbits, Uzui Tengen gently patted each of their heads and said: “Take care of everyone here. I’m going to help Zero and slay the Upper Moon demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Lord Tengen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Uzui Tengen grabbed Zenitsu—who was still asleep beside him—and left the underground cave!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons’ Sister reattached her head. Zero didn’t stop her. He simply watched from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More sashes flew in through the window, striking her body and merging into her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her appearance returned to normal: silver hair with green tips, golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect another Pillar! Hehe… hahaha! Perfect! If I kill these two Pillars, Lord Muzan will be overjoyed!” Demons’ Sister giggled maniacally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero couldn’t help but slap his forehead—he was sure Demons’ Sister had a brain defect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she traded all her IQ for looks?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she fought Uzui Tengen herself, she’d just be crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were her brother fighting Uzui Tengen… well, that might be another story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You cross-dressing freak—die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four sashes shot out from behind Demons’ Sister, converging into one, striking Zero’s head at speeds far faster than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sashes didn’t hit Zero. Instead, they pierced through several walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero’s figure had already vanished before her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Jiji, do you think… you’re doing well again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did he appear behind me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the voice from behind, icy dread spread through Demons’ Sister’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero had appeared behind her without warning, one hand looping around her neck, gently squeezing her chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Jiji, why don’t you call your brother to help you? Otherwise, you’ll die terribly~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero whispered into Demons’ Sister’s ear, his warm breath brushing her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sashes behind her multiplied from four to eight—each hardened to steel, extending dozens of times their length, attacking outward from her body as the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding houses shattered instantly into ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, everyone in the area had already fled Yoshiwara’s pleasure district—no casualties so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zero’s figure vanished from Demons’ Sister’s sight again, just as before, evading the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pathetically weak. Pathetically stupid!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero appeared before Demons’ Sister in an instant, kicking her chest and sending her flying—crashing through multiple walls before stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Zero charged forward with his Nichirin Scythe and severed her head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Demons’ Sister could react, she once more saw the world turn upside down—her body kneeling, clutching her own head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again… cut off again… Aaaah! Why?! Why do you keep cutting off my head?! You bastard! Why?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re weak, idiot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense?! I’m not weak! I’m strong! You don’t get it—I’m Upper Moon Six! The Lord himself gave me a number! I am Upper Moon Six!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No credibility at all~ Idiot~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying that, Zero turned to leave, searching for a place to change clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing this outfit was suffocating—when he lifted his leg, it felt cold down below. Uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop right there! Where are you going?! You cut off my head—you can’t just walk away! And how dare you call me ‘Little Jiji’? That’s a disgusting name! I’ll eat you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: (?ー`?′ー）\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up, you useless, brain-dead, low-intelligence idiot! You’re a fake Upper Moon Six—what’s there to brag about?! Don’t you know your own strength? Do you even know the difference between A and C?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After yelling, he walked off without looking back, heading for a corner to change clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zero’s insults, Demons’ Sister felt deeply wounded—uncontrollable tears streamed down her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she couldn’t hold back—she screamed, clutching her head and sobbing loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“??o·(????????????)?o·? Waaah! Why is everyone picking on me?! I’m Upper Moon Six! The Lord himself gave me a number! Why?! Why?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Uzui Tengen heard the commotion and arrived—only to see Demons’ Sister hugging her head, weeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you kidding? A demon is crying?! Did your brain explode? So ungraceful~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Uzui Tengen quickly noticed something else—this demon’s head had been severed, yet she hadn’t dissolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing something was wrong, he immediately assumed a battle stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons’ Sister continued wailing, her headless body pounding the ground, screaming: “Die! Die! All of you die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“O-Nii-San!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2137,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","dfbaa13dc1ed3f3c2aab29832aff4affba69d699f38bb52bd75e25c128023e87","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-97","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-95",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]