Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
In the quiet of a candlelit room, Ubuyashiki Kagaya lay motionless on his bed, his body wrapped in thick white bandages. The deadly purple poison had now spread completely across his once-kind face. Every breath was an effort, each word accompanied by a coughing fit. Still, he listened attentively as his wife, Ubuyashiki Amane, gently reported the results of the Swordsmith Village battle.
Despite his frailty, his pale, unseeing eyes lit up with a sense of peace as he heard of their hard-won victory.
James had repelled one of the Upper Rank demons.
Kanroji Mitsuri and Tokitou Muichirou had awakened the Madara pattern.
And Tanjirou… had made astonishing progress.
It was a battle soaked in blood, effort, and sacrifice—but they had triumphed.
Kagaya exhaled slowly, his voice rasping as he spoke. "It seems… the hope of defeating Kibutsuji Muzan lies in this generation… Amane… please help me write a notice."
Amane took out a sheet of parchment and an ink brush, ready to write his words as he dictated them.
"…Also… please pay close attention to the next Pillar Meeting. I'll leave it in your hands."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked toward Amane with fading yet affectionate eyes. Though he could not see her, his gaze was filled with the warmth of a lifetime of gratitude. Amane, moved by his tone, couldn't stop her tears from falling.
"Yes," she whispered, voice trembling.
---
Butterfly Mansion – Recovery Wing
Tanjirou sat upright in bed, wolfing down rice and side dishes as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. Outside the open shoji doors, Kanzaki Aoi and the trio of little girls played cheerfully with Nezuko, whose laughter rang through the air like a song of spring.
It felt strange.
He had left this place not so long ago, and yet it already felt like another life. To be back here, safe, surrounded by familiar faces… Was it fate?
Tanjirou suddenly paused, chopsticks halfway to his mouth. I can't keep getting injured like this… I need to be stronger.
Still, the most comforting thought of all—Nezuko had overcome her demon weakness to sunlight.
That alone was worth all the pain.
---
"You know," said Yin, the Kakushi standing guard beside him, "your sister… she's pretty incredible."
"Eh?" Tanjirou blinked. "You really think so?"
He scratched his head, clearly uncertain. He had no idea what Nezuko meant to others now. To him, she was still just his little sister.
"But Lord James is something else," Yin continued. "They say the Upper Rank One and Five attacked him at the same time—and he not only survived, but he killed the Upper Rank Five and forced back the strongest of them all."
The awe in Yin's voice was palpable. The Demon Slayer Corps had never witnessed such a swordsman in recent history. Perhaps only those from the First Generation could compare. In this era, James was the first of his kind.
"Yeah, yeah! James is amazing!" Tanjirou agreed wholeheartedly. "He taught me a lot of powerful moves. Without him, I might've died in the Swordsmith Village…"
Tanjirou's admiration was clear as day.
"Wait… he taught you swordsmanship? Doesn't that make you Lord James' stepson?"
"Pfft—cough!" Tanjirou nearly choked on his rice.
"Stepson?!" he cried, sweat pouring down his face. "No, no, no! James and I are the same age! That's too weird!"
---
Just then, a ruckus erupted outside the window. Loud voices echoed down the corridor, and a familiar voice roared from the next room.
"NO ROAD RAGE!"
Genya, lying on the bed beside Tanjirou, shouted angrily before pulling his blanket over his head and groaning in frustration.
The shoji doors burst open.
"Tanjirou!" shouted Zenitsu, rushing in dramatically and grabbing his shoulders with a deadly serious face.
"…Where's Inosuke? I'm going to kill him."
"Eh?" Tanjirou blinked.
"That bastard! He taught Nezuko to say his name before mine! He's shameless! She should've learned my name first!"
Zenitsu wailed, throwing a full tantrum. Genya groaned louder and curled deeper into his blanket. Tanjirou, on the other hand, smiled warmly.
"Zenitsu… I'm really glad to see you."
Zenitsu stopped mid-scream. Tanjirou's smile made his eyes well up. Then he hugged Tanjirou with all his strength.
"…Do you really think I'll forgive Inosuke just because you said that?!" he shouted, letting go and storming out with his sword, vowing revenge.
---
"Your friends are… lively," Yin commented dryly.
Suddenly, glass shattered.
CRASH!
Someone flew in through the window in a perfect somersault.
It was Inosuke.
"Hahaha! Tanjirou! Training is about to begin!"
Kanzaki Aoi burst into the room, stunned at the broken window and scattered glass.
Moments later, Inosuke was bowing on the floor, hands on the tatami, apologizing profusely as Aoi scolded him.
Tanjirou raised a hand.
"Uh… Aoi-san, could I borrow Inosuke for a second? I promise to return him right away."
Aoi sighed, letting it go—partly out of respect for Tanjirou, and partly out of exhaustion from dealing with Inosuke and Zenitsu.
"Inosuke… what training?"
"Heh!" Inosuke grinned. "The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps has declared an all-corps training program starting today! Better heal fast, or you'll be left behind by Master Inosuke!"
Tanjirou sat up straighter.
Training from the top? What kind of program is this?
Zenitsu reentered, looking thoroughly exhausted. "I'll explain… Inosuke won't remember anyway."
---
Pillar Training Schedule:
Sound Pillar – Endurance Training
Mist Pillar – Speed Training
Love Pillar – Flexibility Training
Snake Pillar – Swordsmanship Correction
Wind Pillar – Fierce Attack Training
Stone Pillar – Muscle Strengthening
Sun Pillar (James) – Final Comprehensive Training
---
Tanjirou's heart pounded.
The Pillars themselves were going to train the corps? That was unprecedented.
After the battle at Swordsmith Village, Tanjirou knew all too well—his strength wasn't enough.
If I had stronger muscles… would Fuzhan have fewer side effects? If I had been faster… could I have saved Muichirou sooner?
He clenched his fists.
No more excuses.
He picked up his rice bowl and started shoveling food into his mouth again.
He would recover—fast.
Because the next stage was here.
---
A Few Days Earlier – James' Residence
A cuckoo fluttered through the window, landing softly on the table. James reached out and gently caught it in his hand.
The bird bore a message—several, in fact.
"Lord James," said a Kakushi outside. "These are notices from Lord Ubuyashiki. And… some personal letters for you."
James scanned the first letter. It was a warm commendation from Ubuyashiki Kagaya, expressing gratitude and admiration for his heroics at the Swordsmith Village. There was also a formal notice summoning him to a Pillar Meeting the following morning.
Another scroll was addressed to the whole Demon Slayer Corps—an official retelling of the Swordsmith Village battle, offering praise for all who had participated.
James smiled softly.
He opened the remaining letters—one from Shinobu, with a mixture of medical queries and sarcastic remarks; another from Muichirou, a sincere thank-you.
He set them aside and sat cross-legged in the center of the room.
"Open the panel."
---
Name: James
Strength: First Level
Spiritual Power: 250 / 250 (human limit in this world)
---
Core Skills:
Japanese (Grandmaster): 1700 / 7500
Swordsmanship (Grandmaster): 10,000 / 100,000
Medicine & Poison (Grandmaster): 100 / 50,000
---
Breathing Techniques:
Sun Breathing – Extreme (Breaking Limit): 40,000 / 100,000
Sun Breathing – Extreme: 4,300 / 100,000
Red Blade (Grandmaster): 30,000 / 50,000
Transparent World (Proficient): 100 / 10,000
Breathing Fusion (Entry): 100 / 100,000
Temporary Talent: Almost Tao
Evaluation: First-Class Supreme!
---
He was still getting stronger.
But James had no intention of slacking off. He sat quietly, focusing on his breathing as the room fell silent again.
Outside, however, the world was anything but quiet.
The news of the Pillar Training Program—led by none other than James—was sweeping through the Demon Slayer Corps like wildfire.
And it was about to change everything.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)