Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 143 You all seem to be waiting for me
At the same time that Fang Yi was slowly moving towards the Demon Slayer Corps' base, the atmosphere inside the Demon Slayer Corps' base was somewhat solemn.

Although Ubuyashiki Yoya did not officially convene a meeting, several "Pillars" had already arrived at the meeting place notified in advance.

This morning, two 'pillars' died, one was injured, in front of everyone. At the same time, according to the conclusion of Insect Pillar, Kocho Shinobu, who was responsible for treating Kasumi Pillar, Tokito Muichiro.

This talented swordsman missed the best time for treatment and was unfortunately pronounced dead.

Considering the previously deceased Snake Pillar, the missing Flame Pillar, and the Wind Pillar who has lost his combat effectiveness and is just able to walk, although none of the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps have shown any desire to escape, they have also rarely mentioned a pessimistic attitude towards the battle.

But the mood of depression and frustration still spread among the swordsmen. After all, Ubuyashiki Kōya did not fabricate the battle report to deceive people, and the Demon Slayer Corps' previous battle line had been shrinking.

From the Nine Pillars to the A-class swordsmen, and even some low-level swordsmen, all suffered heavy losses, and seeing familiar companions die has become a common occurrence.

Death, despair, depression, and even a doubt about the meaning of staying in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Naturally, some swordsmen would feel uneasy and doubt whether they could defeat the legendary Ghost King.

They even discussed whether the legendary swordsman named Fang Yi, who killed the Third Upper Moon and several other Upper Moons, was a fictional creation to boost low morale.

On the way to the meeting, Wind Pillar, Fushigawa Shigeya, had already heard several such words.

There are swordsmen who begin to question the authenticity of the news about Fang Yi's existence.

"I think the man named Fang Yi was fabricated by the leader to boost low morale."

"After all, according to previous records, one Upper Rank requires at least three Pillars to fight against."

"The rumor that he could fight against four upper-rank warriors alone is a bit exaggerated. It's too unrealistic."

There are people who have witnessed Fang Yi's style and believe in Fang Yi.

"No, I've seen that swordsman. Although he seems unremarkable at first glance, with nothing special about him besides his looks, he's clearly a man of great ability."

"According to the swordsman from the Asakusa stronghold, he cleared out the ghosts from an entire street in just a few seconds. The swordsmen who were cleaning the streets that day had to go back and forth several times before the streets were clear."

"At the same time, he also unearthed two new 'pillars', who are obviously the protagonists of the story."

"It's obviously possible for such a person to achieve the achievements rumored."

There is also rational analysis based on reality.

"The strength is definitely there, and the record should be real, but attributing the glory to one person is an act of deification."

"After all, the Demon Slayer Corps needs a hero like this, even if he's fake."

"It should have the combat power of a 'Pillar', but not that terrifying."

Listening to these swordsmen, who he considered to be weak, using the "Emperor plows the ground with a golden hoe" to speculate based on their own strength, the Wind Pillar, Fushigawa Shima, was speechless.

This group of swordsmen actually questioned the strength of the swordsman named Fang Yi, and speculated that Ubuyashiki Yoshiya released false information to create a god.

Although he has not met the swordsman named Fang Yi yet, it does not affect the Wind Pillar, Fushigawa Shima's recognition of the strength of this new "Pillar".

As the Wind Pillar walked towards the courtyard, he muttered his opinion of Fang Yi.

"With the strength of Tomioka Giyuu and the combat power of Kocho Shinobu, it must be Fang Yi who put in most of the effort in fighting against the Upper Three."

"The unreliable character of Kanroji Mitsuri and the strength of Nakamori Yuto won't be of much use."

"This swordsman's record is quite impressive. It's a pity that I haven't fully recovered yet, otherwise I would definitely learn a thing or two from him."

Then, as soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw a face that he quite hated.
-
Tomioka Giyu walked over expressionlessly and said something to Busei Kagawa suddenly.

"You're still alive. Why are you attending the meeting in this state?"

If Fang Yi were here, he would be able to immediately translate the true meaning of Tomioka Giyu's words.

"It's great that you're still alive. You've just recovered from a serious injury and your body needs rest. Wouldn't it be a bit too much for you to attend the meeting?"

But obviously these words directly ignited the anger of Fuzukawa Minoru, who had a very bad relationship with Tomioka Giyuu due to a misunderstanding.

The Wind Pillar's words were full of thorns, and he opened his mouth and began to fight back forcefully.

"Aren't you still alive? You are such a lucky person."

"During the battle against the Upper Three, there was actually a swordsman with the potential to be a 'Pillar', and that swordsman named Fang Yi took action."

"I don't have your luck. I only managed to escape by relying on my special physique to reduce the ghost's reaction."

Tomioka Giyu opened his mouth, wanting to say that at that time, Nakamori Yuto was still an ordinary swordsman who had never killed a lower-rank demon and could not defeat the last lower-rank demon. He was indeed lucky enough to meet Fang Yi.

But he thought for a moment and decided to omit some words in his usual speaking style.

He stopped, said something to Uzui Uzui that made the Wind Pillar furious, and then sat down.

"I am indeed different from you and the other 'pillars'."

When Fuzukawa Minoru heard these words, his scarred face instantly became ferocious, and he was obviously angry.

"You are very arrogant. Your strength is indeed much stronger than before, but the gap between you and other 'pillars' is not as huge as Fang Yi's."

"How dare you say that you are so confident and different from others?"

"I also heard that you were going to vouch for the swordsman whose sister turned into a demon. Are you so inflated by such a small improvement in strength?"

Tomioka Giyu replied indifferently.

"I guarantee that the ghosts that swordsman brought will not eat or injure anyone. There is a reason for this. The outcome of this trial is already determined."

What Tomioka Giyu said can be translated as "Ubuyashiki Kōya wants to pardon the Kamado siblings, and he has already gathered enough votes in favor."

But obviously this sentence went deeper and angered Fushigi Nozomi.

The Wind Pillar walked straight towards the courtyard where the Kamado siblings were temporarily controlled, ready to do something to prove that this demon was harmful to his companions in the Demon Slayer Corps.

"I won't cooperate with a demon, Tomioka Giyuu, I'm going to show you the true face of a demon right now."

"Let me show you what kind of creature you're guaranteeing!"

"Ghosts and humans only have the options of being killed or eaten."

Fuzukawa Minoru was about to pick up Nezuko Kamado to demonstrate the demon's aggressiveness towards humans, but he was stopped by Tomioka Giyu.
-
In the courtyard, the Wind Pillar, Mushikawa Shigeya, who had recovered from a serious injury but had currently lost most of his combat power and whose face was covered with scars, looked a little irritable.

The reason for his anger was very simple. It was Giyu Tomioka who stood in front of Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado.

The two protagonists of this trial were under strict surveillance by several members of the Demon Slayer Corps early in the morning. At the same time, Zenitsu Agatsuma and other members of the original protagonist group were also waiting for their fate.

Looking at the Water Pillar, who had been at odds with him before and whom he hated very much, the Wind Pillar, Fushigi Michiya, still refused to give in in momentum despite having lost most of his combat power.

"Move aside, Tomioka Giyuu, are you going to protect a ghost?"

"I know that this swordsman was the one you recommended to the former Water Pillar and trained, but..."

With a serious expression, Fuzukawa Miyabi gave his own opinion, which was also shared by most members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Ghosts are our enemies. They must eat people to survive."

"People killed by demons cannot be resurrected. Even if you kill many demons or commit seppuku, you can't bring back the dead."

"For the safety of my companions, and to avoid losing more companions due to betrayal, I must kill this ghost here." "Even if you will resent me for this, I am responsible for the safety of my companions."

Fushigawa Sane's words were obviously recognized by Rock Pillar, Gyoumei Hiramashima.

This strongest of the Taisho Nine Pillars, who was far superior to the others, also expressed his opinion.

"No matter what, the safety of the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps is very important. We must do our best to eliminate any destabilizing factors."

"People like Liao Lin and Chen Cheng made great contributions to the Demon Slayer Corps before they betrayed us. They still chose to betray us and even passed on news that caused us heavy losses."

"If you and Shinobi hadn't met that incredibly talented swordsman named Fang Yi, you would have died there too."

Tears welled up in the eyes of the blind Rock Pillar, and he tried to persuade the Wind Pillar, Fushigi Mitsuya.

"Fang Yi hasn't arrived yet, and the meeting hasn't started yet. There's no need to get so confrontational now."

"We are all comrades fighting side by side, why make such a fuss?"

"Why don't you listen to Fang Yi's opinion first? I believe that you, Tomioka Giyu, are willing to believe Fang Yi's judgment."

However, Busei Kagawa shook his head firmly and said stubbornly.

"There's no need to wait until everyone is present to test the ghost. We'll know if this ghost can survive once we try."

"There's no need to waste everyone's time, especially Fang Yi's. If we test it now, the meeting will be over quickly."

"If that swordsman finishes the meeting sooner and practices more with his swordsmanship, he might achieve a new breakthrough."

"My blood is very attractive to ghosts. This ghost passing the blood test is the first step to survival."

Fuzukawa Saneya was aggressive, but Tomioka Giyu remained silent.

There was a brief silence.
-
On the other side, Tanjiro Kamado, who was temporarily controlled by other swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, struggled and shouted.

"My sister didn't eat people. She recovered through sleep."

"She fought alongside me and killed the unsuccessful demons from the Twelve Demon Months. I became a swordsman just to make her a talent."

"In the past two years, she hasn't hurt or eaten anyone."

The Wind Pillar, Fuzukawa Miyabi, shut up Tanjiro Kamado with just one sentence.

"Can you resurrect someone killed by a demon?"

"Even if you and Tomioka Giyu both committed seppuku, would your dead companions be resurrected?"

Fushigawa Miyabi looked at the vacant seats among the Nine Pillars, and the figures of the dead Cloud Pillar, Tokito Muichiro, and Sound Pillar, Uzui Tengen appeared in his mind.

A very young genius who became a pillar in two months, with great potential for development; a ninja who changed his career halfway and although a little clumsy, he was very serious in carrying out his missions.

There is also the deceased Snake Pillar. Although he was a bit eccentric, he was not a bad person.

But they all died at the hands of Liao Lin, a traitor and fellow Demon Slayer swordsman.

He looked at Rengoku Chijuro, who had a childish face and had just become a "Pillar", and thought of the missing Rengoku Kyojuro, the Flame Pillar who was full of enthusiasm and willing to help others.

The Flame Pillar disappeared because of the traitor Liao Lin.

My body was still aching all over. Because of the betrayal of Class A swordsman Chen Cheng, I had lost most of my strength and was afraid that I would not be able to make it to the decisive battle.

Fuzukawa Miyabi roared at Kamado Tanjiro.

"If you have a record of killing upper-rank monsters like the swordsman named Fang Yi, I will believe you."

"But you didn't! How can I trust you?"

"If those humans who killed lower-rank demons could betray, how much more so you who are carrying a demon with you?"

Fushigawa Shigeya's words plunged everyone in the courtyard into deathly silence.
-
Tomioka Giyu was speechless. He was not good at speaking and could not give any reason to refuse.

If Fang Yi were here, he would definitely be able to give a reason.

Shinobu Kocho, who looked calm but actually hated demons, also added a sentence.

"I want to coexist peacefully with ghosts, but I think it would be best if the ghosts were dead. However, it would be best to wait until everyone is gathered before discussing it."

Let's see what Fang Yi thinks. I think his opinion is more important.

Mitsuri Kanroji raised her hand and added foolishly.

"Me too. I think it's better to wait until Fang Yi comes back before discussing this."

I listen to Fang Yi and agree with everything he says.

Nakamori Hayato also expressed his views.

"In principle, I hope to pardon this swordsman, but I will have to wait until Lord Fang Yi returns before voting."

Rengoku Chijuro also gave his own opinion.

"I think it makes sense, but my judgment is not good enough. My father told me to listen to Fang Yi, so I have to wait for him to come back before making a decision."

Ubuyashiki Yoya nodded when he saw this situation. As the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, informing several of the Pillars in advance and trying to pardon the Kamado siblings was the best he could do.

"Let's just wait for Fang Yi to come back and talk about this matter."

"Shiya, sit down and rest for a while. You have just regained your mobility, so don't get excited."

Fuzukawa Miyabi glared at Kamado Tanjiro fiercely, but instead of sitting back, he attacked Agatsuma Zenitsu who was standing beside him.

"Besides the matter of Tanjiro Kamado, there is one more thing I want to tell you."

"This swordsman named Agatsuma Zenitsu is a swordsman of the [Thunder Breathing] school, right? He has a fellow disciple named Gyoyue, right?"

Agatsuma Zenitsu nodded in surprise.

"Just admit it. The swordsman from the Asakusa base saw Gyotake transformed into a demon on that street."

"The swordsman who was familiar with him recognized him and the sword he carried. The handle was dark gold and the scabbard was black."

"There are traces of the [Thunder Breathing] sword technique in the venue. How do you explain it?"

Fuzukawa Miyabi turned his head and spoke to everyone word by word.

"In their team, one person brought a ghost with him, and one of their fellow disciples turned into a ghost."

"I think these people are extremely untrustworthy and are a destabilizing factor, so they must be eliminated."

Fang Yi, who had just put on the navy blue haori given to him by Mitsuri Kanroji and stepped into the venue, found these words somewhat interesting.

[It's okay for the protagonists to be mistaken for traitors. ]

Seeing everyone's eyes on him, Fang Yi put on a standard smile.

"I seem to be late, but I have brought a solution that satisfies everyone."

(End of this chapter)