I, the spiritual mentor of beautiful girls from all over the world

She remains a mystery.

A terrifying mystery.

They witnessed her first year.

It was a horrific burning; she used her own flesh and blood as fuel, attempting to consume all the ghosts in the world.

She wielded her knife like a madwoman, her eyes filled with a resolute determination to cut down everything.

Everyone thought that the flame would soon be extinguished.

However, no.

The flames did indeed go out, but they did not turn to ashes.

Instead, after two years of silence, it has been tempered into a kind of "rationality" of absolute zero.

When it reappears, it is a deity walking among men, or rather, a precise machine disguised as "compassion."

The "Butterfly Network" she created was less of an intelligence network and more of a living entity.

It permeated every corner of Japan in incomprehensible ways, like a giant, invisible spider web, and Shinobu Kocho was the god sitting at the center of the web, coldly watching everything.

The life and death of the team members, the success or failure of the mission, the movements of the ghosts... to her, they are all just cold data streams on this chessboard.

She forcibly reversed the Demon Slayer Corps' casualty rate and mission success rate in an almost miraculous way.

But this victory brought no warmth whatsoever; instead, it sent chills down the spines of everyone in the know.

Because they understand that they are no longer standing shoulder to shoulder with a "comrade-in-arms," ​​but are playing their roles under the watchful eye of an unparalleled being.

She no longer wields her sword, yet she is more terrifying than any swordsman who does.

Because what she severed was her own emotions, and everything about being a "human being".

……

After taking in everyone's reactions, Shinobu lowered her gaze and stood there quietly without saying a word.

Just then, two petite figures, like dolls, appeared silently under the eaves.

"My lord, you have arrived."

A clear, childlike voice rang out, instantly calming all the restlessness in the courtyard.

The pillars, who were just moments before exuding different auras and clashing head-on, all knelt down on one knee and lowered their proud heads.

Including the incredibly arrogant Shinazugawa Sanemi.

Supported by his two daughters, a pale-faced man with a purple brand on his forehead slowly walked out—he was Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the 97th head of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The visitor wore a gentle smile that seemed to encompass everything.

Despite his blurred vision, his perception was alarmingly accurate, without the slightest deviation, landing directly on Shinobu Kocho.

His focus was so intense, it was as if his vast world at that moment could only accommodate this one child.

"Tolerate."

He first called out softly, without using his surname or post number.

The term of endearment was so intimate that it stirred the hearts of all the pillars.

"You've carried Kanae's wishes for the past three years. You've worked hard."

These seemingly ordinary words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the silent courtyard.

It not only mentions the name of the previous Flower Pillar, but also directly points out Shinobu Kocho's deepest obsession and pain.

This is no longer a lord welcoming his subordinates, but an elder showing affection and understanding for a child.

The lord's gentle words carried immense weight.

Shinobu's body trembled almost imperceptibly for a moment.

She lowered her eyes, concealing the fleeting ripples in them, and bowed her head in a very light and slow gesture.

This simple gesture was both a sign of respect as a subordinate and the only response she could give at the moment.

These seemingly ordinary words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the silent courtyard.

It not only mentions the name of the previous Flower Pillar, but also directly points out Shinobu Kocho's deepest obsession and pain.

This is no longer a lord welcoming his subordinates, but an elder showing affection and understanding for a child.

The silence in the courtyard was stretched to its extreme.

Even the usually unmoved Xia Zhu trembled slightly with his eyelashes.

Sanemi Shinazugawa clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He couldn't understand or accept this unique favoritism.

All of this was observed by Tanjiro Kamado, who was pinned to the ground.

He was so shocked he almost forgot to breathe.

···Requesting flowers··· ···

He couldn't comprehend who this man was, whose mere appearance could command the submission of those powerful pillars, who were as strong as gods. There was a strange power in that voice, gentle yet brooking no argument.

What puzzled him even more was that, despite such a caring remark, the atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became so sad, jealous, and tense.

He sensed a deep, suppressed grief emanating from the young woman, and from the white-haired man beside him, an even sharper, needle-like resentment.

Tanjiro didn't understand, but he instinctively felt that he was already in the center of a huge vortex.

After speaking, Kagaya Ubuyashiki cast his all-encompassing perception upon everyone.

Good morning, my children.

"The weather is really nice today. Isn't the sky so blue?"

He ignored the eerie undercurrents lurking beneath the tense atmosphere in the center of the courtyard.

It simply and calmly states a very simple fact.

"I feel very happy to see you all again at the biennial meeting of the Central Committee."

"...Especially, the joy of having everyone here today is even greater for me."

Sanemi Shinazugawa took a deep breath, but it did not quell the anger in his chest. Instead, it compressed and condensed it, turning it into a sharp blade about to be drawn.

That resentment towards favoritism and hatred for evil spirits were all transformed into a fleeting, resolute glint in his eyes as he lowered his head.

He bowed his head respectfully: "We are deeply humbled by your good health, my lord."

After he finished greeting him, he did not look up.

That drooping head was more like the eye of a storm brewing.

His kneeling body remained motionless, but the muscles in his back beneath his uniform bulged, almost bursting the character "灭" (extinction); his clenched fists had pale knuckles, as if his bones were groaning in pain.

An almost tangible murderous aura permeated the air, sucking out the air in the courtyard and causing the wind, light, and even breathing to become stagnant.

It silently declares: some things are more important than etiquette.

Finally, Shinazugawa's voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a texture like sand and gravel, yet sharp as ice, scraping against the nerves of everyone present.

"However... before the Pillar Meeting begins, I would like to ask, my lord, for an explanation regarding this member who carries a demon—Tanjiro Kamado!"

The wind in the courtyard has completely stopped.

Veins bulged on Shinazugawa Sanemi's face as he practically ground the last two words between his teeth, each syllable like a steel nail striking the silence.

Silence, however, is more powerful than a roar.

The Serpent Pillar, Obanai Iguro, fixed his heterochromatic serpent eyes on Shinazugawa's back, silently supporting the execution.

Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku suppressed all his heat, his golden-red eyes transforming into a blazing inferno of judgment.

Sound Pillar Uzui Tengen's lips curled into a magnificent yet dangerous smile as he lightly tapped the hilt of his sword, setting the stage for the impending blood sacrifice.

Even the sound of the prayer beads in the hands of the sadhu Xingming was urgent, like the angry gaze of a Vajra.

This is an unspoken consensus among the "pillars," an "iron wall" forged from deep-seated hatred.

however--

A completely different wave stirred in the calm, ocean-like eyes of the Water Pillar, Giyu Tomioka.

He didn't look at anyone, but his gaze was like a cold, unsheathed blade, silently confronting all his murderous colleagues beside him.

His hand had somehow found its way onto the hilt of the Nichirin Blade.

That wasn't an attack stance, but rather a... resolute defensive posture.

On the iron wall called "Pillar," a tiny but solid crack appeared due to his opposition.

An undercurrent is already surging beneath everyone's feet.

In the entire courtyard, everyone except Lord Ubuyashiki Kagaya held their breath.

It was an unspoken consensus, an instinctive resistance stemming from deep-seated hatred.

They are the "pillars," the last bulwark against evil spirits, while the "demons" are their irreconcilable enemies.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's smile remained unchanged.

"Really? I'm sorry I startled you."

His voice remained gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority, like a clear spring that easily extinguished the flames that were about to ignite, but also made the undercurrents beneath the surface even more turbulent.

"I have already given my approval to the matter concerning Tanjiro and Nezuko."

"Therefore, I hope that everyone here can accept them."

As soon as the words were spoken, the air in the courtyard seemed to freeze.

It wasn't extinguished, it was frozen.

That gentle, spring-like warmth has now transformed into bone-chilling cold, gripping the heart of every pillar tightly.

The sun was still shining brightly, and the wisteria flowers were still in full bloom, but everyone felt a chill rising from the soles of their feet.

Accept?

To accept a ghost?

This question, like an invisible hammer, slammed into everyone's hearts, shaking their beliefs to the point of almost shattering them.

They found it incredible.

As swordsmen who risk their lives to fight demons, the ironclad principles they have upheld throughout their lives are now being shaken by their revered lord.

This made them feel more dizzy and terrified than any other ghost's blood demon magic.

"I am sorry, but I cannot comply!"

Chapter 57: The Poison Dragon Strikes! A Showdown with the Wind Pillar, Shinazugawa!

"I am sorry, but I cannot comply!"

The first to speak was the most imposing of the "Pillars," Gyomei Himejima, who was also universally acknowledged as the strongest.

He clasped his hands together, tears silently streaming down his face, his voice heavy and compassionate like a rock: "Namo Amitabha... My lord, please forgive my bluntness."

"Letting ghosts accompany our team members is an absolute rule. Our swords are meant to slay evil spirits and bring solace to the countless innocent souls who perished in the darkness."

"If we tolerate this, how can we face the souls of those...the children who have passed away...it is too tragic."

"I disagree as well!" Rengoku Kyojuro said, his eyes burning with conviction, his voice booming and filled with undeniable righteousness.

"The Demon Slayer Corps' ironclad rules are a defense line forged with the lives of countless predecessors! Our duty is to burn away all the darkness that threatens the people with our breath!"

"To allow a ghost to live in the team is tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house. This would shake the very foundation of the organization, and I cannot comply!"

"Ha, what an unglamorous topic." Uzui Tengen tossed aside his falling silver hair, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Of all the people, he had the least reverence for his lord.

This was not disloyalty, but rather his instinct as a former ninja.

For him, the 'lord' was less a symbol of faith and more an employer who needed to be rewarded with 'splendid' results.

"In my opinion, the most elegant way to end this is to deal with these two illogical siblings right now, immediately, quickly and decisively."

"Huh?!" Shinazugawa Sanemi's forehead veins bulged. He even stood up and took half a step forward, making no attempt to hide his anger. His tone was sharp, almost like an interrogation.