Infinite: The Main God Space Starting from Naruto

Chapter 219 Resurrection Pillar

At this moment, Zenitsu felt suffocated by the Pillars' gazes.

Shinobu Kocho put down the report in her hand: "Don't be afraid, we just want to understand the situation in Aono Town."

"I...I really don't remember anything," Zenitsu's voice trembled. "It was terrifying; there were monsters everywhere."

"This is an emergency!" A loud shout interrupted him. Shinazugawa Sanemi slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly.

"Can you be serious?! The entire town has been wiped out in just a few days!"

Zenitsu shuddered at the sudden roar: "I-I'm sorry, but I really..."

"Sanemi, calm down," Giyu Tomioka said calmly.

"Tch!" Sanemi Shinazugawa sat down heavily, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and his face was full of impatience.

Just then, the door was gently pushed open. A tall, upright young man walked in. He had deep red hair and red eyes, and a noticeable scar on his forehead.

Although he wasn't exactly handsome, his eyes were exceptionally warm, giving people a sense of reassurance.

"Tanjiro!" Zenitsu's eyes lit up, as if he had found his pillar of support. He rushed over from the corner and grabbed Tanjiro's sleeve tightly.

"It's alright, it's alright." Tanjiro gently patted Zenitsu's back, a gentle smile on his face. "I heard you were injured. Are you feeling better?"

Seeing this, Giyuu Tomioka's eyes softened slightly: "You're back?"

"Tanji-kun!" Mitsuri Kanroji waved cheerfully. "Great! Long time no see!"

"I was on a demon-slaying mission in the north." Tanjiro nodded, his expression turning serious. "I rushed back immediately after receiving an urgent message from headquarters. I've already heard some things about what happened in Aono Town on the way."

Sanemi Shinazugawa turned his head away and snorted coldly. He had always disliked Tanjiro's gentle nature.

Even so, he had to admit Tanjiro's strength.

From the moment Tanjiro first participated in training, he displayed extremely superb swordsmanship, even surpassing the talent of the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito.

In the final selection, all the demons were annihilated in an unprecedented manner, and none of the selectors were injured or killed.

He also mastered the legendary Breathing of the Sun, and became the new Flame Pillar after the original Flame Pillar sacrificed himself. Even the other Pillars could not see through his true level.

"Zenitsu," Tanjiro's voice pulled everyone back to reality, "tell us what happened back then?"

"I remember that night." Zenitsu took a deep breath. "We drank the old woman's soup and got poisoned. Then a group of police officers who had turned into monsters appeared and started shooting at us."

"Then that person appeared." Zenitsu's voice trembled. "Blonde hair, looked Western, I think his name was Dior."

The meeting room fell silent. Just as Shinazugawa Sanemi was about to speak, he was suddenly interrupted by a series of hurried footsteps.

"Report!" A hidden figure strode to the door. "Lady Kamishiro Tsubaki has woken up."

"Let him in," Shinobu Kocho said immediately.

A moment later, Tsubaki Kamishiro was carried into the conference room on a stretcher by two Hidden Ones. His entire left arm was missing, his body was wrapped in bandages, and large burns and small wounds were faintly visible under his clothes.

Although the wound had been bandaged, dark red blood could still be faintly seen seeping out.

Tanjiro's nose twitched slightly, and his brows suddenly furrowed. There was a strange smell emanating from Tsubaki Kamishiro, not the smell of festering wounds, but a colder, more sinister aura of death.

"Brother Tsubaki!" Zenitsu's voice was filled with panic as his gaze fell on Tsubaki's missing left arm.

"No, these injuries are nothing." Tsubaki Kamishiro's voice was a little hoarse. "I have something more important to report."

"Speak," Yoshiyuki Tomioka said briefly.

"After escaping from Aono Town that day, they took me to a new village."

Tsubaki Kamishiro took a deep breath: "That guy named Dio... his abilities are different from other demons. He can not only quickly transform demons, but also fuse humans and animals to create terrifying monsters."

He paused, his voice trembling: "I saw with my own eyes a woman who was transformed into a half-human, half-dog monster by him for his own amusement."

The air in the conference room froze instantly. Kanroji Mitsuri covered her mouth, her eyes filled with terror.

Sanemi Shinazugawa's fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Beast!"

"Namo Amitabha Buddha." Beimingyu Xingming chanted softly, his hands clasped together, tears welling in his eyes. "Such cruelty towards living beings is truly..."

"He wanted information about the Demon Slayer Corps from me," Tsubaki Kamishiro continued, her voice growing weaker. "I didn't tell him, so he..."

He looked down at the wounds on his body.

"Then how did you escape?" Obanai Iguro's tongue darted out slightly, her snake-like eyes narrowing.

"They were careless," Tsubaki Kamishiro gasped. "I escaped when the guards weren't paying attention. They chased me to the door, but it was already daytime outside, which is how I survived."

Tanjiro stood in the corner, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. Every word Tsubaki Kamishiro said made sense, but his scent clearly betrayed a lie. But why lie?

Muichiro Tokito keenly noticed Tanjiro's unusual behavior: "Tanjiro, what did you notice?"

"It's nothing." Tanjiro shook his head, but his eyes remained fixed on Tsubaki Kamishiro. Without solid evidence, revealing the truth rashly might complicate matters further.

Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen, stroked his chin: "This is really not glamorous at all. It seems we are about to face an unprecedented enemy."

Giyu Tomioka pondered for a moment: "Judging from your description, this Dio is not invincible. If he is a swordsman of rank A or above, we should be able to put up a fight."

"That's not the problem," Tanjiro shook his head. "He's smart; he won't confront us directly. He's secretly building up his power, which is more terrifying than mere brute force."

Just then, the door was gently pushed open. A faint fragrance wafted in, and everyone's eyes turned to the doorway.

"My lord!" The swordsmen present immediately knelt on one knee.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was helped in by two women. He was covered in bandages, with only his gentle eyes showing.

"Get up, all of you." Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was weak, but it carried a firm tone. "I've already heard about it."

He turned to the others: "This being named Dio is probably just as dangerous as Muzan. A monster from a foreign land, using such cruel methods to harm people."

Ubuyashiki's voice trembled slightly: "Such a demon must not be allowed to run rampant."

"My lord is right," Shinobu Kocho continued, "We cannot allow a second Muzan to cause trouble."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned to Tsubaki Kamishiro: "Your injuries need time to heal. Leave the rest of the battle to others."

Kamishiro Tsubaki bowed her head: "Yes, my lord."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded.

A man rushed in, clutching a scroll of official documents, sweat beading on his forehead: "My lord! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's wrong?"

"The shogunate... the shogunate has ordered the confiscation of all our properties nationwide!" The hidden man's voice trembled. "Not only that, they've also issued arrest warrants, accusing us of having a privately-run armed force and plotting a rebellion!"

"What?!" Shinazugawa Sanemi suddenly stood up, the chair scraping against the floor with a screeching sound.

Kanroji Mitsuri exclaimed in shock, "W-How is this possible? We've been protecting the people the whole time!"

"Calm down." Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised his hand to stop the murmurs, his voice still gentle: "Dio must be manipulating things behind the scenes. It seems he has already infiltrated the shogunate."

"My lord," Tomioka Giyuu stepped forward, "what should we do?"

"This Dio is more dangerous than we imagined..." Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat firmly in the seat of honor: "Have all peripheral members temporarily conceal their identities and move important supplies to the backup base." He paused, "But we must not stop the demon-slaying operation."

Beimingyu Xingming stepped forward: "My lord, do you wish to leave headquarters temporarily? The situation is dangerous, and your safety is of utmost importance."

"No need." Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. "This place is secluded enough. Besides, if even I choose to flee, how will the other soldiers fighting on the front lines cope?"

"But."

"I believe in everyone here." Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked around at everyone. "Whether you are a Pillar or an ordinary soldier, you are all fighting to protect others. This belief will not be shaken by a single imperial decree."

"Meeting adjourned." Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood up and left the meeting room with the help of a maid.

Tanjiro did not leave immediately; he gave Giyu Tomioka a wink.

Giyu Tomioka understood and stayed where he was. After everyone else had left, Tanjiro spoke up: "Tsubaki Kamishiro smells strange, like she's lying."

"Should we send someone to keep an eye on him?"

"Hmm." Tanjiro pondered for a moment, "Find a few reliable hidden guards to take turns keeping watch. But be careful not to let him find out."

………………

Five days later, in the evening.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki listened to his subordinate's report.

Although the shogunate has shut down many businesses in recent days, the shops and warehouses hidden underground are still operating. Although their scale has been reduced by half, they can barely maintain the organization's basic expenses.

Soon, night fell.

The moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, and the mountains and forests were pitch black.

An army moved silently through the dense forest; the sound of gunfire was muffled by strips of cloth, and only the faint sound of footsteps could be heard.

The leading general raised his hand, signaling the troops to halt. He pulled a yellowed map from his pocket and examined it carefully by the dim moonlight. A hidden complex of buildings was marked on the map.

I'm currently reading the error-free version! This is the first time I've published this novel.

"This is the map His Majesty gave us," the general said in a low voice. "The rebel headquarters is just ahead."

He turned to his men behind him: "Proceed according to plan. Surround the entire area. Remember His Majesty's orders—leave no one alive."

The soldiers skillfully pulled back the bolts, the clanging of metal particularly clear in the quiet night.

The general squinted at the faint outline of buildings in the distance: "These traitors who dare to defy the shogunate will pay the price tonight."

He drew his command sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight: "All units, take your positions and await my signal."

The soldiers split into several teams and stealthily approached their target like venomous snakes.

……

Late at night, in a quiet hospital ward.

At this moment, only the even breathing of Tsubaki Kamishiro could be heard.

Suddenly, a faint friction sound reached my ears.

Tsubaki Kamishiro opened her eyes, her gaze falling on the ground. In the moonlight, the floorboards were making a "ripping" sound, and soon a black hole appeared.

Then a deformed head emerged—a monster with a human-headed pangolin, its body covered in hard scales.

On his back was a long sword and a package, the very one Dio had given him earlier.

Kamishiro Tsubaki glanced out the window out of the corner of his eye. Two hidden figures were monitoring the area from different positions. He gently shook his head, gesturing to the pangolin.

The pangolin seemed to understand something, and its movements became even gentler. It carefully placed the package at the edge of the cave entrance, and its throat suddenly began to move.

"vomit--"

It opened its mouth, and a delicate little crossbow slid out of its throat. The pangolin extended its tongue and skillfully hooked the crossbow's trigger.

Having done all this, it immediately turned around and burrowed back into the ground.

About a minute later.

"thump!"

"thump!"

Two dull thuds came from next door, like something falling to the ground. A slight smile played on Tsubaki's lips, a cold glint in her eyes.

Then Tsubaki Kamishiro got up, quietly picked up the package, and walked towards the door.

Meanwhile, Tanjiro was fast asleep in his room.

A faint smell of blood wafted into his nose, and he suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils instantly contracting.

"This is..." Tanjiro sat up and grabbed the Nichirin Blade that was placed beside the bed.

He followed the scent to Tsubaki Kamishiro's room and pushed the door open. In the moonlight, two corpses dressed in black team uniforms lay on the ground, with small wounds on their necks and the blood already congealed.

"Hidden!" Tanjiro gritted his teeth. "There was definitely something wrong. Damn it!"

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and carefully discerned the scents in the air. The smell of Tsubaki Kamishiro was still fresh, extending westward.

Tanjiro, sword in hand, gave chase. He crossed the courtyard, leaped over the wall, and the scent grew stronger, eventually pointing to an unexpected place.

"The cemetery?" Tanjiro stood at the entrance of the cemetery, his brows furrowed. This was the final resting place of the Pillars who had sacrificed their lives throughout the ages, and few people came here on ordinary days.

This includes the Flame Pillar who once taught him—Kyojuro Rengoku.

Tsubaki Kamishiro was now standing in the center of the cemetery.

He placed the package on the ground, gently opened it, and took out a wooden box. In the moonlight, a dozen glass bottles were neatly arranged inside, each containing a dark red liquid.

"Stop!" Tanjiro's voice came from behind.

Tsubaki Kamishiro slowly turned around, a strange smile on her face in the moonlight: "Heh, I didn't expect you to find out. As expected of the current Flame Pillar, your nose is really sharp."

"You've been controlled by Dio!" Tanjiro gripped the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed on Tsubaki Kamishiro's every move.

"Control?" Tsubaki Kamishiro threw her head back and laughed, a hint of madness in her voice. "No, you're wrong. This was my own choice. Lord Dio showed me what lies beyond the limits of humanity. That power, that eternity that transcends life and death."

His voice was filled with fervor: "How could you frogs in a well possibly understand the greatness of Lord Dio!"

Suddenly, a burst of gunfire erupted in the distance, followed by screams. Flames lit up the night sky, illuminating half the horizon.

"What?!" Tanjiro turned his head sharply in the direction from which the firelight was coming.

"The operation has begun!" Tsubaki Kamishiro exclaimed with an excited smile. "Lord Dio's plan is absolutely perfect!"

In that split second, Tsubaki Kamishiro took a bottle from the box. The liquid inside gleamed eerily in the moonlight.

Tanjiro turned around abruptly; the scent was a hundred times more evil than demon blood.

Tsubaki Kamishiro raised the glass bottle high, her voice filled with fanaticism: "This is Lord Dio's blood! A blood that can shatter the very rules of life and death!"

"Stop!" Tanjiro pushed off with his feet, shooting out like an arrow.

"Too late!" Kamishiro Tsubaki suddenly activated Water Breathing, and her long sword drew a silver gleam in the moonlight.

"Water Breathing - Second Form, Waterwheel!"

The blade struck the ground, and the immense impact instantly cleaved a tomb in two.

The coffin planks shattered, revealing the skeleton beneath. Tsubaki Kamishiro flicked her right hand, and the glass bottle arced through the air before falling into the coffin.

Tanjiro was already in front of him, the back of his sword aimed straight at Tsubaki Kamishiro's face, but just then, the ground suddenly shook.

"boom!"

A loud bang was heard, and debris flew everywhere. Large amounts of soil and gravel gushed out from the ground.

Tanjiro's steps suddenly stopped.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Suddenly, a heartbeat-like sound came from underground, followed by a nauseating stench of decay, mixed with the smells he knew best.

Tanjiro's hands began to tremble, his knuckles turned white from gripping the sword, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his breathing became rapid.

"No, that's impossible."

As the smoke cleared, Rengoku Kyojuro's figure was fully revealed, but he was no longer the spirited Flame Pillar. Maggots crawled all over his rotting skin, and an eerie red light flickered in his empty eye sockets.

(End of this chapter)