Demon Slayer: The Ultimate Defense System

Now everyone finally understood—when Yohan said he'd end the fight in a single move, it wasn't arrogance. He truly had the strength to back it up.

"I know that working with demons might be a shock to you all," Yohan began, his voice calm yet commanding. "But I've already discussed this matter with your master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki."

"And let's not start throwing around words like 'demonic conspiracy.'" His gentle smile remained, but the chill in his voice made the temperature in the room seem to drop. "Tell me—what do you think I could possibly be scheming against you?"

In truth, this was one of the reasons he had originally refused to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Yohan had always understood the unwavering resolve of the Demon Slayers to destroy demons—but that didn't mean he agreed with how black-and-white their views were. Now, his decision to appear here was simply meant to show that he held no ill will. He'd chosen to come only because this place was hidden well enough... and because Kanae, Shinobu, and the others were here.

But if he truly got fed up with them, he'd leave without a second thought. From the beginning, he had never regarded them as anything more than temporary partners.

"Yohan-kun, please forgive their rudeness. They all have their own reasons," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said as he struggled to stand, his frail body trembling. "If anyone must be blamed, let it be me. I am, after all, their leader."

The master's effort to rise from the ground despite his illness stunned the entire group. It was true that he had intended to gauge Yohan's strength, but what Sanemi had done just now—acting out of rage and even drawing on his Breathing Style against a human—was absolutely inexcusable.

Regardless of Sanemi's personal motives, using Breathing Techniques to attack someone other than a demon was a violation of the Demon Slayer Corps' most basic principles. The Corps had been founded for one reason: to destroy Muzan Kibutsuji. And in accordance with that mission, they were forbidden from ever raising their swords against their own kind.

Even if Yohan hadn't officially joined the Corps, he was still a guest.

Kagaya hadn't expected Sanemi to lose his temper so completely.

But as the master of the Corps, if one of his Pillars made a mistake, he had to take responsibility.

"Master!" 

The rest of the Pillars cried out simultaneously.

"You don't need to go that far, Master. I only hope we can continue to work together peacefully," Yohan said, the anger in his voice dissipating. Sanemi was already unconscious, and the others had ceased their questioning.

Moreover, the fact that Kagaya Ubuyashiki had risen to his feet—despite his condition—just to apologize, showed his sincerity. Yohan's irritation completely faded.

He took a seat once more, and the room once again fell into a heavy but composed silence, like when the master had first begun speaking.

Cough, cough.

"I trust you all understand now," Kagaya said, his voice weak but unwavering. "Yohan and his companions have no malicious intent."

"I hereby declare that from now on, they will be our allies and will reside at the Butterfly Mansion. I hope you can all set aside your biases."

"Our purpose, after all, is the same—to destroy Muzan Kibutsuji."

"Understood, Master!"

The Pillars responded in unison, not a single word of protest left.

To them, Ubuyashiki Kagaya might have appeared physically weak, but as a leader, he commanded their absolute respect.

And now that the master had made his decision, they would follow it.

"Yohan, I hope you won't mind their behavior," the master added, turning toward him again.

"Not at all. But Master, you really should take better care of your body."

Yohan's tone softened.

Looking at Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who seemed far more ill than when they last met, Yohan felt a rare twinge of concern. He understood it wasn't just physical weakness—the Ubuyashiki family was cursed ever since Muzan became a demon. Every newborn in the clan was born frail, plagued by illness. And the older they grew, the heavier the curse became.

To this day, not a single Ubuyashiki had lived past the age of thirty.

This master before him likely didn't have long left either.

Yohan had asked the system if his "Blood Vitality Technique" could help... but the answer was a cruel one. It only treated physical trauma. It couldn't undo the curse.

There was only one way to save him now: kill Muzan Kibutsuji as soon as possible—and erase the curse at its source.

"This meeting is now adjourned."

"Then we'll be heading back first, Master," Yohan said, getting up with Tamayo and heading for the Butterfly Mansion. As for what Kagaya would instruct the Pillars afterward, he had no interest in eavesdropping.

"Mm. Yohan—thank you," Kagaya replied with a nod, his usual gentleness unchanged.

After Yohan and Tamayo left, the rest of the Pillars remained where they were. Such full gatherings were rare. Most of the time, Pillars were scattered across their territories, handling missions, gathering intelligence, and defending their regions.

So, whenever a meeting like this ended, they often stayed behind to catch up and share updates. Kagaya would also use the opportunity to issue new assignments.

"Once Sanemi wakes up, have him come see me."

The unconscious Wind Pillar, who had been smashed into a wall by Yohan's punch, had already been taken for medical treatment. Of course, he had no idea what had happened after he blacked out.

"And one more thing—" Kagaya looked around at his Pillars. "I know many of you are only accepting this alliance because of my decision."

"But I hope you'll try to truly get to know him. To feel it for yourselves."

"This time, Yohan's arrival gave me a very powerful feeling."

"Muzan Kibutsuji will fall in our generation!"