To onlookers, it was a miracle; the severely injured Rengoku Kyoujurou and Sanemi Shinazugawa recovered completely in just three days.
They rushed to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters for a meeting.
Rengoku Kyoujurou recounted every detail, and the full story unfolded before everyone.
Everyone's hearts sank; it was even more exaggerated than they had anticipated.
The demon named Yasuo was actually able to seize other demons' Blood Demon Arts for his own use.
Unlike other simple-minded, brawny demons, Yasuo cleverly used Rengoku Kyoujurou to slay Pei Lang, then seized Pei Lang's Blood Demon Art.
It showed his resourcefulness.
If Yasuo continued to develop, gathering all the Twelve Kizuki's Blood Demon Arts, they dared not imagine what kind of monster would be born!
"From now on, we must treat Yasuo as an Upper Moon!" Ubuyashiki Kagaya said softly.
"Yes!"
The Pillars responded, their expressions wary.
A demon that could seize other demons' abilities—they had never heard of such a thing; he was truly a troublesome fellow!
"Kyoujurou, are there any other details you need to add?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya asked.
"The rest is about that bean…"
Rengoku Kyoujurou replied, recounting the process in full; while pursuing Yasuo, the demon inexplicably threw a bean to him.
He would never have used something from a demon, but seeing Sanemi Shinazugawa in danger, he swallowed it out of necessity, and then a miracle occurred.
His injuries and stamina from the battle were completely restored!
It was thanks to that bean that he was able to continue fighting until nearly dawn.
Fortunately, he hadn't thrown that bean away.
How could such a miraculous item be given to him by the demon named Yasuo?
Could there really be such a thing as a free lunch in the world?
However, according to their speculation, Yasuo was likely experimenting on Rengoku Kyoujurou's body.
A common plot in mythical stories.
Elixirs of immortality are often cultivated from human flesh and blood, essentially taking others' lives to extend one's own, which is extremely cruel.
"Alas!"
Everyone shook their heads and sighed; even after a thousand years of conflict, their understanding of demons was still very limited.
Seeing the somber atmosphere, Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled, "Let's talk about something more cheerful, Kyoujurou, congratulations on your promotion to Flame Pillar!"
"It's still not flashy enough!"
"Just keep struggling!"
"Congratulations, namu amida butsu!"
…
Everyone offered their congratulations in their own ways. Rengoku Kyoujurou's slaying of a Lower Moon demon, and one ranked quite high among them like Pei Lang, was enough for a Pillar-level promotion.
"Thank you!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou thanked them loudly, a smile on his face; he could finally take over his father's work.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya said, "Next, it's about Doctor Kamihara Tetsuya…"
Everyone's gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell on Sanemi Shinazugawa, as Kamihara Tetsuya's name had left a deep impression on them because of him.
When Sanemi Shinazugawa first woke up, his man-eating expression made him look as if he wanted to devour that young man.
However, it was also a fact that the other party blocked Upper Moon Three's last two attacks, saving Sanemi Shinazugawa and Rengoku Kyoujurou, so such strength deserved a promotion.
Obanai Iguro said, "You're quite calm now, Shinazugawa. If that young man had tried a bit harder, he might have been able to keep Upper Moon Three in the sunlight."
"Shut up!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa, covered in bandages, retorted, "What's the point of being angry now? Upper Moon Three isn't coming back. I was too weak and couldn't hold out until daytime."
Later, Sanemi Shinazugawa understood.
It wasn't a matter of the last few minutes.
Instead, Upper Moon Three likely hadn't used his full strength, and Kamihara Tetsuya going up there would truly have been a suicide mission.
Hearing this, everyone's mood grew heavy; Upper Moon demons were on a completely different level from any demons they had encountered before.
Obanai Iguro asked, "Speaking of which, what rank of swordsman is that guy?"
Everyone exchanged glances, as if to say, 'You ask me, who should I ask?'
Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who remembered the names of all swordsmen, even the fallen, said softly, "That young man hasn't even passed the Final Selection yet."
…
Butterfly Mansion.
"…That's how it is, Young Tetsuya. This is a recommendation letter for the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection." Rengoku Kyoujurou handed over a letter.
Kamihara Tetsuya took the letter.
Rengoku Kyoujurou continued, "Lord Ubuyashiki has promised that once you pass the Final Selection, you will immediately be promoted to a Kinoe-ranked member!"
Comparison reveals disparity.
Two Pillars were severely wounded fighting Upper Moon Three, and it was even speculated that Upper Moon Three might not have used his full power.
Kamihara Tetsuya's feat of blocking Akaza's two attacks without injury continued to gain significance.
Kinoe-ranked, the highest rank just below Pillar-level!
Lower Moon demons are rare encounters; others usually spend several years slaying dozens, even hundreds, of demons to slowly climb to Pillar-level.
Kamihara Tetsuya, by going through the process, could jump straight to Kinoe-rank—not only for his Achievements of stopping Akaza but also because his exquisite medical skills were recognized.
But it was meaningless to him!
He had to become a Pillar to get the reward.
Kamihara Tetsuya was helpless; it was indeed too much to expect to be promoted to Pillar-level just by blocking two of Akaza's attacks.
"I accept the Final Selection!"
Kamihara Tetsuya said with a smile. His strength was already nearing Lower Moon One, so going to clear the first stage of the novice village (Final Selection) felt somewhat peculiar.
"Good! I look forward to fighting alongside you!" Rengoku Kyoujurou laughed loudly.
Kamihara Tetsuya said meaningfully, "I look forward to it too."
"I still have a mission, so I'm off!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou didn't catch Kamihara Tetsuya's hidden meaning and rushed out in a hurry.
Kamihara Tetsuya watched his vibrant back and marveled at the immense power of the Senzu Bean.
"Shinobu-Miss?"
A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Kamihara Tetsuya knew who had appeared behind him without even looking.
Kochou Shinobu's delicate face wore a sweet smile that increasingly resembled Kocho Kanae's.
After these days of training, Kochou Shinobu rarely showed emotional fluctuations; she remained unfazed even when faced with great challenges.
Unless a certain demon named Yasuo was mentioned.
"Mr. Tetsuya, when you participate in the Final Selection, could you please look after this child?" Kochou Shinobu smiled and turned to look behind her.
Kanzaki Aoi timidly stepped out from behind.
"That's no problem," Kamihara Tetsuya said indifferently. Guiding someone through a novice village quest was effortless.
Kanzaki Aoi breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you."
"Kanzaki Aoi… Kanzaki Aoi…" Kamihara Tetsuya muttered to himself. He remembered something: Kanzaki Aoi was in the same During the same period as Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Pillar.
This meant Muichiro Tokito would be in this Final Selection.
Kamihara Tetsuya suddenly found himself a little interested.
Unlike others, that Mist Pillar was a true genius, becoming a Pillar within two months of wielding a sword.