Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 136: Converging Lights (Part )
After Fang Yi's words, Shinobu Kocho seemed to be finally persuaded and stopped crying. Although her eyes were still a little red, she no longer had the desperate look as before.

Therefore, Fang Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was able to stop this person from having the idea of ​​self-destruction, which was certified by the main god space.

After all, the antidote given by this person before did play a significant role, and killing Douma was also an indispensable part of Fang Yi's plan.

Fang Yi was happy to inform the other party in advance and improve their friendliness at the same time.

Some things are better said as soon as possible. It is best to speak out what is in your heart and not let others guess. Otherwise, it will take dozens of episodes to be put into various third-rate soap operas.

At the same time, the task reminder sound of the main god space also came.
-
【Challenge mission has been triggered】

[Shinobu Kocho's long-cherished wish]

[Mission Requirements: Kill the Upper Rank Two, Douma, and keep the Reincarnation No. s12891 alive]

[Mission Reward: Unknown, Demon Slayer Contribution]

[Faction contribution is awarded based on actual combat performance]

[Hint: The whereabouts of Upper Rank Two, Douma, are uncertain, but it seems that he is currently searching for Flame Pillar, Rengoku Kyojuro.]
-
Watching Shinobu Kocho gradually regain her composure, except for a slight blush on her face, she became much more normal.

The Insect Pillar took a deep breath, as if trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. Her eyes became firm, as if she had made some kind of resolution.

Fang Yi silently turned off the [Mind Confusion] trait.

According to the description, this trait sometimes has some strange effects on highly friendly objects. Now that the goal has been achieved and the task has been given, it is better to turn it off to prevent it from affecting your next itinerary.

But after the shutdown, the blush on the Insect Pillar's face seemed to be more obvious. At the same time, he pulled Fang Yi and spoke reluctantly, as if he wanted to talk about his dreams and so on.

Although Fang Yi really wanted to communicate with the Insect Pillar for a while, he had more plans to do at the moment, so after much hesitation, he politely refused the other party.

He gave, "Prepare the haori for me. When I kill this Upper Rank Two and come back, I'll have plenty of time to listen to what you have to say. It won't be too late to tell me anything then."

After Fang Yi made this "kill Hua Xiong with warm wine"-style speech, he walked out of the Butterfly House without looking back.

He was already preparing to talk to Nakamori Yuto and Rengoku Chijuro about Tanjiro Kamado. He didn't plan to waste too much time on Shinobu Kocho, and he had to find another person next.

Watching Fang Yi's back as he walked away, Butterfly Shinobu felt a mixture of emotions. She stood there, her eyes following Fang Yi's every step until his figure gradually blurred and disappeared around a corner.

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing a hint of coolness, just like Fang Yi's previous words, dispelling the melancholy and uneasiness in her heart.

Shinobu Kocho's eyes were filled with mixed emotions. She knew that Fang Yi's trip was no ordinary one, and even the Rock Pillar, the strongest member of the Demon Slayer Corps, couldn't guarantee a victory against the Second Upper Moon.

The other party's journey was destined to be a journey full of dangers and challenges. But for some reason, Shinobu Kocho was willing to believe that the other party could fulfill that promise.

It was just as powerful and convincing as what he said when he first met him and faced the extremely hopeless Upper Three, "I will defeat it."

The smile on his face was like the figure of the Upper Three facing an overwhelming stunt, who decisively took him in front of him and blocked him with a sword with one arm.

Warm, solid, trustworthy, and at the same time, like an omnipresent gravity, it gathers all trust and hope.

She actually had a lot of things she wanted to say to him, but facing Fang Yi who was about to leave, she found herself unable to speak.

【Isn't it a bit inappropriate to talk about coming back alive now? 】

[You clearly trust him so much, yet you say such discouraging words? ]

Those words that were buried deep in her heart now felt like a heavy stone pressing on her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Not until Fang Yi's back had disappeared from her sight did Kocho Shinobu finally muster up the courage to whisper what she had always been afraid to say, "I wish you good luck in martial arts."

These few simple words contained her infinite blessings and expectations for Fang Yi.

Shinobu Kocho's voice was almost trembling, and with a hint of sob, she whispered, "Live."

It sounded like he was talking to the other person, but also like he was talking to himself.
-
Fang Yi walked out of the Butterfly House and took half a second to think of where to find Nakamori Yuto.

As expected, after Fang Yi asked a few ordinary swordsmen for directions and learned the location of the training ground of this stronghold, as soon as he stepped into the training ground with his left foot, he saw Nakamori Yuto and Tomioka Giyu practicing with wooden swords, and Rengoku Chijuro watching on the side.

After experiencing several near-death battles and Fang Yi's repeated guidance on "diligent study and improvement", Nakamori Yuto's strength has greatly improved.

It has only been five days since Fang Yi entered the scene that night.

But Nakamori Yuto's strength has made an unimaginable leap. On the first night, he was responsible for fighting the Lower Moon Five, and then he fought the Lower Moon Two and the Lower Moon Three together. On the second night, Asakusa fought three reincarnations.

On the third day, I practiced swordsmanship all day and obtained [Breath of Fire] at the same time. Then on the fourth night, I fought against two upper-rank clones.

It's the fifth day now, and he is already almost at a disadvantage in sparring with Tomioka Giyu. This is when he has only used [Breathing of Water] and has not yet activated [Red Blade], a skill for special attacks against ghosts in actual combat.

Nakamori Yuto's swordsmanship and fighting style are basically a replica of Fang Yi's. His swordsmanship is simple and swift, efficient and precise.

As Fang Yi approached, Nakamori Yuto and Tomioka Giyu started another round of sparring.

Both sides attacked at the same time, and the wooden swords drew sharp arcs in the air at the same time.

Nakamori Yuto took the lead in launching the attack. His movements were swift and decisive. With the basic attribute enhancement brought by [Burning Heart], each of his slashes and thrusts was full of power and speed.

However, Giyu Tomioka was not panicked. His defense was tight and steady, and every block seemed to be done with ease. Swordsmen who are proficient in the [Water Breathing] style are all good at defense.

The two men's wooden swords collided in the air, making a crisp sound and vibrating the surrounding air.

Nakamori Hayato's attack was like a torrential rain, continuous and uninterrupted, while Tomioka Giyu was as solid as a rock, with opportunities for counterattacks hidden in his defense.

After several rounds, Nakamori Yuto gradually changed his tactics. He began to try to insert more feints into his sword moves, attempting to tear open Tomioka Giyu's seamless defense.

Suddenly, Nakamori Hayato dodged sideways and swung his sword with lightning speed. Tomioka Giyu immediately realized his opponent's intention and stepped back in time, blocking the blow with his wooden sword at the critical moment.

The two men instantly distanced themselves from each other, adjusting their breathing and preparing for the next confrontation.

After catching a glimpse of Fang Yi, the two men realized that Fang Yi had something to say, so they ended the sparring.

Tomioka Giyuu breathed heavily, but still spoke in a somewhat stiff tone, "You are now qualified to become a 'Pillar'."

Fang Yi smiled secretly. This sentence was the normal performance of this Water Pillar. In fact, this sentence should be what Giyu Tomioka wanted to win the vote to pardon Tanjiro Kamado after Hayato Nakamori became a "Pillar".

But from the mouth of this water column who is not good at speaking, it has a different taste.

[Since Tomioka Giyu has secured Nakamori Yuto's support, I'll just go straight to Rengoku Chijuro to save time.]

Fang Yi turned his head and was about to talk to Rengoku Chijuro, who was watching the battle and had gained something, but Nakamori Yuto's answer stopped Fang Yi in his tracks.

After hearing what Tomioka Giyu said, Nakamori Yuto shook his head and gave his own answer, "No."

"I don't want to be a 'pillar' anymore."
-
Fang Yi found it quite interesting. He remembered that during the two days at the Purgatory family, the other party had asked him about the conditions for becoming a 'Pillar'. It was obvious that the swordsman was dreaming of becoming a 'Pillar' at that time.

But now that his strength has become stronger and his battle judgment and command abilities have greatly improved, the opponent no longer wants to become a 'pillar'.

Fang Yi vaguely guessed the reason, and decided to wait for Nakamori Yuto to finish speaking before considering using a suitable method to persuade the other party to become a "Pillar".

Nakamori Yuto paused for a moment before explaining to Tomioka Giyuu, "I longed to become a Pillar because I thought becoming one would allow me to be more helpful to you, Brother Giyuu, and Master Fangyi."

"I want to be someone like Lord Fang Yi, who can gather everyone's strength and shoulder everyone's hopes."

"But now I think about it, it's really putting the cart before the horse."

This swordsman seemed to have a deeper understanding of the responsibilities of a Pillar.

"You don't actually need to be a 'pillar' to do these things."

"After all, I don't have any extraordinary talents. I'm just lucky. I'm not worthy of the title 'Pillar' yet."

"I can't get to where I am today without the help of Lord Fang Yi. Even my sword skills, fighting style, and command style are all learned from him."

"As long as I'm still slaying demons and saving those harmed by them, what does it matter if I don't have the title of 'Pillar'?"

Tomioka Giyu was silent for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

He originally wanted to let the other party become a "Pillar" naturally, and then ask him to guarantee Tanjiro Kamado.

But the other party's words were sincere and came from the heart, and Tomioka Giyu was a little unable to say what was next.

He could only bite the bullet and persuade, "Your achievements in becoming a 'Pillar' are enough. The lord is also happy to have a new 'Pillar', and you will be able to receive better treatment."

Nakamori Yuto said firmly, "Becoming a Pillar is not my goal. Besides, I may not survive this battle, so there is no need to waste a haori and salary."

"Rather than becoming a 'pillar', becoming stronger and making more contributions right now is more important."

"Let's continue sparring, Brother Yiyong."

Tomioka Giyu wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say, and he became impatient and uneasy.

Fang Yi walked over and decided to resolve the matter with a few words.

【Tomioka Giyuu is not a fool after all. Can't this kind of thing be resolved with just a few words?】
-
Seeing Fang Yi approaching again, Nakamori Yuto stopped what he was doing and prepared to listen to Fang Yi's instructions.

In the swordsman's opinion, Fang Yi should be judging his sword skills just now.

However, he didn't expect that Fang Yi did not teach him sword skills, but gestured for him to put down the wooden sword and sit aside to chat.

After the two of them sat down, Fang Yi began to deceive people.

"You just said it very well. Such a person is the most suitable person to be a 'pillar'."

Seeing that the other party wanted to say something, Fang Yi smiled and pointed at Tomioka Giyu and asked Nakamori Yuto.

"What do you think is the difference between a 'pillar' and an ordinary swordsman?"

Nakamori Yuto hesitated for a moment and answered tentatively.

"Haori, different uniforms, stronger strength, subordinate organization, responsible for the district."

"But, if the decisive battle is approaching without any unexpected events, all of this will actually be meaningless, right?"

Fang Yi answered with a smile.

"'Pillar' actually means responsibility, and it also represents the courage to take responsibility, Yuto."

"There's a clichéd and somewhat morally charged phrase I'd like to give you."

"With great power comes great responsibility."

After saying that, Fang Yi stood up and looked into the distance while adding.

"The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility."

"Rather, the greater the ability and the more information a person possesses, the greater the responsibility they can shoulder."

He pointed at Nakamori Yuto, then pointed into the distance, and began to express his point of view.

"As an ordinary swordsman, you have no way of knowing that several swordsmen several kilometers away have lost contact after accepting a mission."

"People with low strength and weak perception cannot detect that there is an evil spirit committing a crime just across the wall."

"And you have become stronger, able to sense the evil spirits committing crimes through the walls, and able to become a 'pillar', so you can know that a swordsman has disappeared several kilometers away."

"You can do more to change everything. This is the true meaning of 'with great power comes great responsibility' in my heart."

Seeing that Nakamori Yuto's eyes were gradually shining and he had some understanding, Fang Yi stretched out his hand to him and delivered a fatal blow.

"Are you willing to take on this responsibility? Or are you willing to accept this difficult challenge?"

"It will be difficult, it may cause you pain, and you may regret it."

"However, there is no doubt that Nakamori Yuto is different now and can become a 'Pillar'."

"Want to try the same as me?"

Nakamori Yuto looked at Fang Yi's outstretched hand in front of him. The words he said when he inserted the Nichirin Sword into the stronghold a few days ago were still echoing in his ears.

"Who are you exactly?"

"Demon Exterminator"

Who am I?

Nakamori Yuto held Fang Yi's hand and gave his own answer in his heart.

[I am Nakamori Yuto, an ordinary person, a person with no talent, a person with a little luck]

[He is also a person who follows the 'Demon Slayer']

[I'm betting my life on this. I want to win this final battle for Master Fang Yi.]

"Okay, I'll become the 'Pillar' and take on this responsibility that I can handle."

Fang Yi gave his response with a smile.

"The upcoming battle against Muzan Kibutsuji will be unusually difficult, but I will promise."

"This battle."

"It will win."

(End of this chapter)