The Pillar Meeting was held at the Ubuyashiki Estate.
By the time it reached its later stages, most of the discussion revolved around expanding the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"The incident at Natagumo Mountain clearly shows how low the overall quality of our current swordsmen is," Sanemi Shinazugawa said while kneeling. "Most of them are practically useless."
"Is that so?" Tengen Uzui replied lazily, stroking his chin with a grin. "Then does that include the kid who managed to cut you?"
Sanemi shot him a glance.
Surprisingly, he did not refute the remark.
"If the Corps recruits swordsmen like Raiden, then I fully support expansion," Kyojuro Rengoku said brightly.
What had left the deepest impression on him today?
The demon girl who resisted Sanemi's rare blood was one thing, but Raiden stood out far more.
Injuring Sanemi Shinazugawa was already shocking enough.
Adding Blood Demon Art on top of that made it unforgettable.
Several Pillars turned their heads at Rengoku's words.
Recruit swordsmen like Raiden?
Was the Flame Pillar serious?
Reaching the Kinoe rank within two months of Final Selection alone was already far beyond normal standards.
On top of that, Raiden could use Blood Demon Art.
That level of talent and growth was comparable to Muichiro Tokito, was it not?
Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head gently.
"Raiden is a special case. For now, we will focus on recruiting ordinary Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen."
Finding someone like Raiden was unrealistic.
Even finding another Tanjiro, Zenitsu, or Inosuke would be difficult.
The brief disappointment in Rengoku's eyes quickly vanished, replaced by renewed passion.
"Kibutsuji Muzan's sudden appearance, along with the disturbance caused by Lower Rank Five, gives me a bad feeling," Kagaya said softly. "I sense that he may soon make his move."
"I hope my children are always prepared."
"When an opportunity presents itself, we must give everything we have to kill Kibutsuji Muzan."
…
By the time the Pillar Meeting concluded, dusk had already fallen.
Raiden stood near the entrance of the Ubuyashiki Estate, watching the open gate calmly.
The first to leave was the Mist Pillar.
Raiden glanced at Muichiro Tokito and shook his head slightly.
Not yet.
At this stage, Muichiro's mind was still closed off. His world revolved almost entirely around Kagaya. For someone with such frightening talent, it was a pity.
Raiden had once assumed Muichiro possessed extraordinary aptitude and comprehension.
The system panel, however, was honest.
Muichiro's aptitude was extraordinary, but his comprehension was merely superior.
As expected, Muichiro walked straight past Raiden without the slightest acknowledgment, as if Raiden did not exist at all.
Next came the Snake Pillar and the Love Pillar.
The two walked side by side.
Raiden clicked his tongue.
Trying to befriend Kanroji Mitsuri right in front of Iguro Obanai was basically inviting trouble.
But strength came first.
As long as he did nothing excessive, Mitsuri's personality meant she would not reject him.
Raiden stepped forward.
"May I befriend you, Miss Kanroji?"
The moment he spoke, Raiden felt a sharp gaze pierce his side.
No, two gazes.
One belonged to Obanai.
The other belonged to Kaburamaru.
The man and the snake looked like freshly sharpened blades, making Raiden's cheek sting faintly.
"Ah? Me?" Mitsuri blinked, her face instantly turning red. "Of course!"
Her expression was so earnest and bright that even Raiden paused for a split second.
[Ding]
[Successfully added Love Pillar Kanroji Mitsuri as a friend]
[Friend Intimacy: Initial Acquaintance]
[Granting random reward]
[Obtained Aptitude: Superior]
[Do you wish to fuse Comprehension: Superior now?]
[No]
Raiden's eyes flickered with brief disappointment.
Every breathing style aligned with specific traits.
Even with extraordinary aptitude and comprehension, mastering incompatible breathing styles was not guaranteed.
Love Breathing would have been the most valuable reward.
Unfortunately, luck could not be forced.
Suppressing his thoughts without showing anything on his face, Raiden smiled politely and shook Mitsuri's hand.
Obanai watched their joined hands.
His pupils narrowed sharply.
Kaburamaru raised its head, flicking its tongue toward Raiden.
Feeling the sudden chill in the air, Raiden released Mitsuri's hand and turned toward Obanai.
"Ahem, friends?"
Obanai froze for a moment.
Then he turned away and continued walking.
After two steps, he realized Mitsuri was not following and stopped to wait for her.
Raiden shrugged.
Obanai had never been part of his plan. Choosing Mitsuri meant Obanai was off the table for now.
After a brief farewell to Mitsuri, Raiden shifted his attention to the remaining Pillars.
Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka had already left.
There would be plenty of time to deal with Shinobu at the Butterfly Mansion later.
As for Tomioka, forcing that friendship would be pointless.
That left four.
The Wind Pillar was an obvious no.
After today's fight, Raiden had no interest in befriending Sanemi Shinazugawa.
The Flame Pillar and Sound Pillar would both appear again later, so there was no rush.
That left only one choice.
The Rock Pillar.
Raiden approached Gyomei Himejima, clasped his hands together, and bowed slightly.
Raiden respected Kagaya Ubuyashiki for his noble spirit.
But the respect he held for Gyomei Himejima came purely from strength.
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei was acknowledged as the strongest Pillar without dispute.
During the final battle in the Infinity Castle, with the Crimson Blade, Demon Slayer Mark, and Transparent World active, he had even suppressed Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, for a short time.
"Respected Rock Pillar," Raiden said sincerely. "May I befriend you?"
"Poor child," Gyomei replied, tears streaming freely as he sensed the bandage wrapped around Raiden's wrist. "Of course."
Raiden's heart lifted slightly.
The bandage had done its job.
His wrist injury had not been severe enough to require gauze.
But for the sake of befriending Gyomei smoothly, he had wrapped it anyway.
Shameless or not, strength was never something to be ashamed of.
[Ding]
[Successfully added Rock Pillar Gyomei Himejima as a friend]
[Friend Intimacy: Initial Acquaintance]
[Granting reward]
[Obtained Skill: Rock Breathing Third Form, Stone Skin (Mastery)]
[Do you wish to fuse now?]
[No]
Raiden's eyes lit up.
Stone Skin.
He remembered this clearly.
Gyomei had used it to block Muzan's Blood Demon Art, Black Blood Thorny Whips, during the decisive battle.
If it could block Muzan, its defensive power was unquestionable.
More importantly, Raiden lacked a true defensive breathing form.
Stone Skin filled that weakness perfectly.
Suppressing the urge to fuse it immediately, Raiden exchanged a few respectful words with Gyomei and watched the Rock Pillar depart.
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