Chapter 107 The Target of the Flame

"oops."

"Oh? Hahaha."

Rengoku Kyojuro's words surprised everyone, and Kocho Shinobu glanced at him sideways. Uzui Tengen smiled with interest, but Shinazugawa Sanemi was clearly angry.

"Hey, hey, hey... Kyojuro Rengoku, right?"

He tilted his head, and even when he curled his lips, his scarred face exuded a dangerous aura.

"You're quite confident. But being a pillar isn't as simple as you think. It's not something you can just decide to do."

Rengoku Kyojuro blinked and responded loudly, afraid that Shinazugawa Sanemi might misunderstand something.

“Of course, I know the conditions for promotion to the Pillar.”

"Oh? Then let me see what you're really made of."

As Shinazugawa Sanemi spoke, he stood up. Hisame Yukimichi tried to pull him back, but Shinazugawa Sanemi refused.

"Please don't stop me, Mr. Beimingyu. My lord, please forgive my rudeness."

With that, Shinazugawa Sanemi charged at Rengoku Kyojuro, swiftly striking Rengoku Kyojuro's arm as he was defending.

"Immortal River!"

To everyone's surprise, Shinazugawa Sanemi directly attacked his teammate, startling Himejima Gyomei and Uzui Tengen. Shinazugawa Sanemi ignored them, turning and unleashing a barrage of punches, his fists raining down like a storm.

"Hurry up and become a pillar! Running around searching for ghosts!"

He shouted, pounding his fists incessantly, glaring and grinning, but his tone was unusually unfriendly.

"The pillar's seat has been empty the whole time. When are you coming? When are you going to sit down? Hurry up, you idiot."

Rengoku Kyojuro raised his hands in front of him and retreated to defend against the attack, which made Shinazugawa Sanemi even more dissatisfied.

"Ouch, what's wrong? Fight back!"

"bump--."

Rengoku Kyojuro raised his hand to block Shinazugawa Sanemi's elbow strike, then turned his face forward and shouted at Shinazugawa Sanemi.

"How could I possibly make a move? The Demon Slayer Corps forbids its members from fighting each other! Besides, hitting people is wrong in the first place!"

As he spoke, Kyojuro Rengoku stepped forward and hugged Sanemi Shinazugawa, effectively immobilizing him. Ignoring Sanemi's frozen state, Rengoku released him and patted him on the shoulder, saying happily, "Besides, I didn't want to hit you at all! Even though your words were barbed, I know you have a kind heart! Thank you! I'll keep trying!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa was stunned for a moment, then swatted away Kyojuro Rengoku's hand and shouted angrily.

"You actually thank the person who punched you! Are you out of your mind?!"

Although Rengoku Kyojuro didn't retaliate, not everyone could withstand or neutralize a Pillar's attack. Uzui Tengen watched with some surprise, not expecting his opponent to have some skill. Kocho Shinobu withdrew her gaze, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tomioka Giyuu staring intently at Tokito Muichiro.

“Sanemi”.

Shinazugawa Sanemi reacted immediately, kneeling down to bow: "I am very sorry, I acted impulsively without thinking."

"Um."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki responded calmly, then turned to Kyojuro Rengoku and said kindly, "Kyojuro, you should be familiar with the conditions for becoming a Pillar."

He paused, then looked at Kyojuro Rengoku, who was already kneeling, and spoke earnestly.

"I've received intelligence that the demons appearing near the capital are likely the Twelve Demon Moons. I'd like to assign this task of exterminating them to you."

These words shocked everyone present. Shinobu Kocho looked up at Kagaya Ubuyashiki and said.

"My lord, if I may be so bold, then since it may be the Twelve Ghost Months, we should be the ones to go there."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head; he had made up his mind, and that was the decision.

"You must also take responsibility for the security of the areas guarded by the vacant pillars. Moreover, those areas were originally under Shinjuro's jurisdiction."

He looked at Kyojuro Rengoku and said, "Since you yourself said you can handle the work of a Pillar, then don't just talk the talk, show us the walkthrough. Then everyone will accept you. Show us your strength, Kyojuro."

"yes!"

Rengoku Kyojuro listened and responded happily, then bowed and left under the gaze of others.

"My lord, did you foresee the future where that young man defeats the Twelve Demon Moons?"

Unlike the other Pillars, this was the first thing that came to his mind.

"Is it... intuition?"

“It’s not intuition,” Kagaya Ubuyashiki said. “It’s more accurate to say that I’m certain he can do it. Kyojuro Rengoku, it won’t be long before that kid becomes one of the members who changes the fate of the Demon Slayer Corps.”

"Yes, my lord."

The others responded, and only after watching Kagaya Ubuyashiki leave did they slowly stand up.

"It seems there will be a new pillar in the future. Shinazugawa."

Uzui Tengen said with a wicked grin, earning a glare from the other party. As everyone dispersed, Tomioka Giyu stepped forward and grabbed Tokito Muichiro.

"The man in the purple kimono who was with you during the mission last winter seems a bit off. Can I meet him?"

Giyu Tomioka's words caught Shinobu Kocho's attention, and she stopped and looked at the two of them.

Tokito Muichiro looked at Tomioka Giyuu strangely. He had never seen the other man before, and at that time he was recuperating at the Butterfly Mansion because of his battle with the Twelve Demon Moons.

"You've made a mistake."

He glanced at Yoshiyuki Tomioka strangely, but the other man showed no sign of letting go and was still staring straight at him with those blue eyes.

"Go to the Butterfly House to get your brain checked when you have time."

"Ichiro Tokito said coldly, then shook off Giyu Tomioka's hand and turned to leave."

"?"

Yoshiyuki Tomioka watched Muichiro Tokito's retreating figure, looking at his hand that had been flung away, pondering the meaning of the other man's words.

"The new kid Xiazhu is saying you're mentally ill and should go see a doctor."

Shinobu Kocho reminded Giyu Tomioka, and couldn't help but smile as she saw his obviously stunned expression.

That's really interesting.

"And the other party was at the Butterfly Mansion at that time."

Shinobu Kocho's words silenced Giyu Tomioka; he had indeed seen her.

"Don't think about it anymore, maybe you've mistaken me for someone else."

Shinobu turned away; she had to go on another mission, leaving Giyu Tomioka deep in thought.

——

Yan Sheng originally wanted to take a look at the storybook while the two left, but then he saw a wooden door appear in front of him.

"Lord Kokushibo".

Doma emerged from the wooden door with a grin and gave Iwakatsu a very awkward bow.

"?" Why is he here?

Iwakatsu asked Nakime a question, but only received a silence in response.

never mind

Iwakatsu looked at Doma, put down the storybook in his hand, and looked at Doma with his eyes, asking what he was doing.

“Yes, Xiaomei has noticed some bugs recently, but as you know, Lord Kokushibo, she doesn’t seem to be very good at finding hidden bugs. My church has been a bit busy lately, so I thought I’d ask you to take a look.”

Iwakatsu thought of the deaths of the two Upper Moon Six in the original work, and felt that it was probably because the Sound Hashira's wife gave something away when she infiltrated.

He shook his head; he didn't intend to affect this plot point, so he refused Doma's offer.

"Alright~ Then, Lord Kokushibo, next time we meet, I will bring you two famous novels among women as a gift."

Doma nodded and said mischievously the moment he stepped through the wooden door.

"..." Damn, their eyes are so sharp.

Iwakatsu felt offended. He picked up the book but had no desire to read it. Just as he was about to put it away, the door was suddenly kicked open. He stared in shock at the door, which was now shattered on the floor, and heard Yoriichi Tsugikuni's voice in his ear.

"Brother, are you alright? I just sensed the presence of a ghost."