Pillar-Level Swordsman

There are nine Pillar-level swordsmen in total.

They are the most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps, responsible for leading various branch groups, guiding junior members, and jointly discussing countermeasures on major issues. They are the backbone of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Normally, for an ordinary member to become a Pillar, they must defeat at least fifty demons or be a member of the Twelve Demon Moons, and they can only become a Pillar if there is a vacancy among the Nine Pillars.

Now, a newcomer has emerged who is qualified to become a pillar.

The lord waved his hand, indicating that the Kamado siblings, who were not involved in the matter, should leave.

"Then my mansion will take care of it."

With a smile, Kocho summoned the Hidden Force members and gestured for them to be taken to the Demon Slayer Corps' professional medical department, the Butterfly House, where Tanjiro could receive the best medical care.

The Hidden Force members carried Tanjiro and the wooden box containing Nezuko, bowed respectfully to everyone, and hurriedly left.

During this time, Tanjiro insisted on headbutting Sanemi Shinazugawa to vent his anger on Nezuko, who had been stabbed, but he was knocked dizzy by several accurately aimed pebbles and gave up.

Although the person who made the move looked very young, he exuded a dangerous sword intent that made even the birds turn their heads.

"You mustn't interrupt the lord..." He is the Mist Pillar, Tokito Muichiro.

Before leaving, the lord did not look at Tanjiro, but spoke as if he knew everything: "Tanjiro, please give my regards to Lady Tamayo."

No one understood this seemingly random sentence, but no one bothered to ask further, since it was just a private matter for an ordinary team member.

"Alright, let's begin the Pillar Meeting. First up is Asuka, your matter..."

The lord, supported by two white-haired girls, sat down and invited Jiuzhu into the house to sit down before speaking:

"As you all probably heard on your way here, this is Shichihachi Asuka, a Geng-rank member, who killed a Lower Moon Demon Moon two days ago."

Some remained silent, some cast approving glances, and others, like Obanai Iguro, gave indifferent looks of disapproval.

Surprisingly, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the hot-tempered Wind Pillar, remained quiet and unresponsive, as if it were perfectly normal for Asuka to kill a Lower Moon demon.

"Not bad! Very impressive! To be able to fight alone is truly remarkable! Which moon is it?"

The man with long, golden-red hair loudly praised the bird, his passionate enthusiasm almost igniting the air.

He is the inheritor of the Flame Breathing technique, the Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku.

The lord glanced in the direction of Tomioka Giyuu, who immediately understood and spoke calmly:

"The fourth of the waning moons."

"Hey, Tomioka, how do you know it's Lower Moon Four? Speaking of which, whether this kid killed Kizuki or not was something you said yourself, right? I think I should test him myself." Obanai Iguro retorted somewhat discontentedly.

This wasn't entirely because Asuka had offended him earlier; it was also because he and Giyu Tomioka didn't get along very well.

Giyu Tomioka wasn't angry. He calmly explained, "I've gathered information about the Lower Moon Four in the villages to the north. I won't mistake her demonic aura."

"I believe Mr. Tomioka wouldn't joke about something like this, and I also believe Mr. Asuka has the ability." Shinobu Kocho maintained her smile and nodded to Asuka. "After all, he just severely injured Lower Moon Two not long ago."

"Oh! That's incredible! Amazing!" Rengoku Kyojuro exclaimed again, showing no doubt that Asuka's record was exaggerated. "We Pillars rarely have the chance to encounter Onizuki, I'm so envious!"

"Tch..." Seeing that Shinobu Kocho and Kyojuro Rengoku were also speaking up for this kid, Obanai Iguro fell silent.

The birds remained calm as always, because what they said was simply the truth.

This calm demeanor seemed quite cool to Kanroji Mitsuri, causing a flutter in her heart and her eyes to sparkle.

At the same time, it made Obanai Iguro, who had a good impression of Kanroji, even more unhappy.

"Asuka, your ability to force Lower Moon Two to retreat and defeat Lower Moon Four has already proven your capabilities. Theoretically, you are now qualified to become a Pillar-level swordsman," the lord said with a smile.

"However, throughout history, only nine Pillar-level swordsmen can exist at the same time, so for now, we can only promote you to [A]-level swordsman, giving you the right to discuss matters with the Pillars. Consider this a recognition of your abilities."

"I will obey your instructions."

Asuka didn't care about status or anything like that; he cared more about practical things.

He took the initiative to speak up: "If possible, I hope to learn from the other Pillars, as my strength is still insufficient."

"Oh? You're quite the hard-working kid... Good for you. What would you like to learn?"

Asuka looked at the Pillars present and pointed at Shinobu Kocho, Muichiro Tokito, and Kyojuro Rengoku.

"I want to learn body techniques, sword techniques, and breathing techniques."

"What?!?!"

Upon hearing Asuka's request, Shinazugawa Sanemi, who had been silent all along, suddenly frowned, looked in Asuka's direction with an unfriendly tone, and prepared to rise, leaning on his Nichirin Blade.

"Hey! Kid... Has Teacher Tetsushin been too lenient with you? Does he make you think that swordsmen from Hayama need to learn other breathing techniques?"

"I don't think you need to learn from anyone else. I'll take care of you! I'll teach you well..."

"Sanemi".

As soon as the lord spoke, Shinazugawa's anger, which was about to erupt, instantly subsided. He forcibly swallowed his dissatisfaction and silently returned to his original seat.

"This is quite a sight," the bird thought to itself.

After calming Shinazugawa Sanemi down, the lord looked at Asuka with a puzzled expression: "Although I am an ordinary person who is not skilled in swordsmanship, I have heard that the styles of different breathing techniques are very different. I hope this kind of training will not affect your health."

"Thank you for your concern, my lord... This is my only request."

Physical health? Compared to gaining more power to seek revenge on Aizen, this is nothing.

He knew that if that guy could command so many black-clad swordsmen, he himself was certainly no ordinary person.

He was merely a lowly demon struggling with the Lower Moon using the power of the monstrous beast; how could he possibly achieve revenge?

Moreover, he had already discovered that even though he had never relaxed his practice of Wind Breathing, he always felt that he could not achieve the same feeling as Arashi-sensei, of becoming one with the wind.

Was it because he hadn't tried hard enough? He wanted to find out where his problem lay by observing and learning other sword techniques and breathing methods.

Seeing that Asuka was adamant, Ubuyashiki couldn't say anything, so he agreed to his request and specifically instructed Tokito Muichiro, one of the three, to remember to cooperate with Asuka's training.

Afterwards, Asuka stepped aside, and the meeting of the Nine Pillars was led by the Lord, moving on to deeper topics:

"As you have reported, the activities of the ghosts are becoming more and more frequent."

"Muzan's vulnerabilities are increasing, and he's getting more and more impatient. He's started creating chaos to divert our attention."

"People's lives are under unprecedented threat, and I think we should increase the number of Demon Slayer Corps members."

"My children (swordsmen), you are the strongest generation of Pillar-level swordsmen since the swordsmen who mastered 'Initial Breathing' in the Warring States period."

"Perhaps Muzan Kibutsuji's evil will end with our generation!"