Chapter 243: Rest and Recuperation

"Pillar Meeting? At this time?"

"Mr. Himejima, has something happened?"

"It's nothing."

Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Pillar, is currently the strongest swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps. To the swordsmen of the Corps, this man, who stands over two meters tall, is a figure who brings a sense of security.

Strong, kind, and compassionate.

He is a flawless warrior.

But, if possible...

Gyomei Himejima would rather not bear the title of the strongest.

"It's already been three years..."

Three years.

How many three-year periods do the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps have? Many are like dazzling fireworks, shooting into the sky to bloom in their most beautiful moment.

And then... they fade.

Gyomei Himejima remembers the swordsman who fell three years ago. If he were still alive, the situation in the Demon Slayer Corps would be much better. He was such a genius. If only he had survived like me...

Thinking of this, sorrow wells up in his heart. Tears stream endlessly from his eyes.

"Mr. Himejima, are you thinking about the Sun Pillar again?"

Genya Shinazugawa asks. He is a young man with scars on his face.

He has been training under Gyomei Himejima for some time now. Though he has no talent for Breath Techniques, he possesses the ability to devour demons. However, without the corresponding strength, relying solely on his innate ability is not enough to defeat demons. Thus, he has been training under Mr. Himejima.

After spending some time with Gyomei Himejima, one would come to know that this tall monk often reminisces about a swordsman from three years ago...

The Sun Pillar.

A once-in-a-lifetime genius.

From learning Breath Techniques to his death in battle, it was only two years. Yet, he was able to fight on par with Upper Moon Three. Gyomei Himejima often says that if he had been given three more years to grow, the Demon Slayer Corps could have taken the initiative to hunt down and kill the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

"Yes. Because two days ago, the Flower Pillar successfully killed an Upper Moon."

The Flower Pillar, Kanae Kocho. Genya Shinazugawa knows of her. Among the current Pillars, there are two women, which is extremely rare.

—This is because, in combat, women are naturally at a disadvantage compared to men.

But as for the Flower Pillar, Genya Shinazugawa has mostly learned about her from Mr. Himejima.

"Does the Flower Pillar still cling to her previous belief?" he asks.

Almost everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps believes that the Sun Pillar died in battle. Only a few, including the Flower Pillar, believe that he is missing. She has always firmly believed that he is still alive.

"Yes, she still believes he is missing. Genya, sometimes I wonder, if I had died in that battle instead, and he had survived, would he now have the strength to kill Muzan Kibutsuji?"

"Mr. Himejima, you don't need to be so sad. You're already so strong. Surely you can handle Muzan Kibutsuji."

"No, I am no match for Muzan Kibutsuji," Gyomei Himejima says with absolute certainty.

"Mr. Himejima?"

"Because it's the truth, child."

Yes, it's reality.

Gyomei Himejima knows of Lady Tamayo's existence. He was opposed to cooperating with a demon, but the Corps Leader vouched for her, and the late Sun Pillar also supported her. Over time, everyone in the Corps has come to trust her.

Lady Tamayo has brought more than just an additional researcher. More importantly, she has provided crucial information. For example, she was present when Muzan Kibutsuji was on the verge of death.

In other words, she knows the true extent of Muzan Kibutsuji's power.

In other words, she knows what it takes to kill Muzan Kibutsuji.

As the strongest swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei Himejima once demonstrated his strength in front of Lady Tamayo, but she simply shook her head. She said he was still far from the level of Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a swordsman from hundreds of years ago. The originator of all Breath Techniques, and the only being Muzan Kibutsuji has ever feared.

"What a pity..."

"What's a pity, Mr. Himejima?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking, if he were still alive, you could fulfill your wish and become an outstanding warrior."

The matters of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Lady Tamayo cannot be disclosed to Genya Shinazugawa. Even though this young man's older brother is a current Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Genya himself is not yet a swordsman. Moreover, even if he were, this information would not be shared with him.

Gyomei Himejima decides to share something else instead.

"Why do you say that, Mr. Himejima?"

"Because the Sun Pillar mastered a technique that allowed him to kill demons without learning Breath Techniques or wielding a Nichirin Blade."

To this day, Gyomei Himejima remembers his first meeting with that young man.

Despite having no signs of physical training, no knowledge of Breath Techniques, and no Nichirin Blade, he was able to corner a demon. In their subsequent conversations, Gyomei learned of this technique.

"The 'Softening Technique.' It's a skill that allows one to dissipate force. I once sparred with him, and no matter how much strength I used to strike him, it had no effect.

I've told you before, during his battle with Upper Moon Three, the Sun Pillar engaged in hand-to-hand combat. At that time, he had the body of an ordinary swordsman."

Even Gyomei Himejima himself would not dare to engage in hand-to-hand combat with a monster like Upper Moon Three. Compared to demons, the human body is too fragile.

Yet, Li Mo was an exception.

"The Softening Technique."

What a miraculous skill. But no one else has been able to learn his unique technique.

Genya Shinazugawa understands what Gyomei Himejima is trying to say.

The Sun Pillar used this technique to fight demons with a human body. If he could learn this technique, then with his demon-devouring ability, he would have an overwhelming advantage in battle.

But alas...

"Genya, my personal advice is that you should give up. For you, becoming a swordsman is too difficult."

Breath Techniques and Nichirin Blades are the only two weapons against demons. Nichirin Blades, as external tools, require precious resources to produce. Thus, only those who master Breath Techniques and pass the Final Selection are able to obtain a Nichirin Blade.

Learning Breath Techniques is almost a prerequisite for obtaining a Nichirin Blade.

For Genya Shinazugawa, who has no talent for Breath Techniques, obtaining a Nichirin Blade is extremely difficult.

"I won't give up!" Genya Shinazugawa respects the Stone Pillar in all other matters, but on this point, no one can change his mind—not even his own older brother!

Gyomei Himejima says, "I understand. Next, I will attend the Pillar Meeting, where I will meet your brother. Do you have any message for him?"

"No," Genya Shinazugawa replies.

"Namu Amida Butsu, I understand."

Gyomei Himejima nods. He begins to look forward to this Pillar Meeting.

What could be the reason for the Corps Leader to call an emergency Pillar Meeting? Could it be related to the "Blue Spider Lily"?

He waits.