บท 23: Chapter 23: I Want to Fight Eight of Them!
"Welcome, Master!" The Eight Pillars spoke in unison.
"Good afternoon, everyone. The weather today is beautiful, just like my current mood. I'm delighted to see you all again," said Kagaya Ubuyashiki with a gentle and soothing voice.
His voice was as warm as water, lifting the spirits of Tanjiro and the others, creating a sense of euphoria in their minds.
"Lord Master, we are also delighted to see you in good health," said Gyomei Himejima with tears in his eyes, his voice choked with emotion.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded with a smile and, assisted by two young girls with white hair, sat down on a tatami mat, signaling the Pillars to do the same.
After a couple of coughs, Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued, "I've called for this emergency Pillar meeting because of crucial information related to our ultimate goal, Kibutsuji Muzan."
The Pillars had already received some information and were prepared, so they didn't show much excitement.
Kagaya's "gaze" swept around the room, and then he focused on Aomori as he softly said, "Mr. Aomori, please inform us of the situation you encountered."
In an instant, all eyes in the room were on Aomori.
Aomori remained calm as he stepped forward and, in an unfluctuating tone, began to recount his encounter with Muzan.
"Red eyes, a young man, dressed in formal attire..." Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed, "It seems that Muzan has been disguising himself as a human and hiding among us for many years. Finally, we've caught a lead on him."
"Mr. Aomori, could you please collaborate with our artist later to create a portrait of Muzan based on your description? This will help us in our search for his whereabouts."
"Of course. I'm willing to cooperate with you on eliminating Muzan and his demons. In return, I hope to have the authority to command the Pillars and access the highest-level resources within the Demon Slayer Corps." Aomori stated directly, not mincing words, given the urgency of the situation.
This statement shocked everyone in the room except Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who remained calm.
Sanemi couldn't contain himself any longer and turned to Aomori, questioning, "Hey, do you even know what you're saying? You want to command us? We're not even sure if what you encountered was really Muzan; it could have just been a minor demon."
"I share the same doubts. How can you be sure that what you encountered was Muzan? You should provide some evidence," said Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, candidly.
"I'm afraid he can't," said the Snake Hashira.
Gyomei meditated, while Muichiro Tokito looked at the sky, showing no expression. Both remaining silent.
At this moment, Giyu stepped forward and said, "I believe in my own judgment. Only Muzan would leave behind such a remarkable demonic aura."
"Ha, well, I only trust my own judgment," scoffed Sanemi.
"Tomioka, as far as I know, you were not there at the time, so it's not very convincing. Sure enough, Mr. Aomori has to come up with reliable evidence." Kanae also stood on the side of Sanemi.
Aomori shook his head. "I don't have any evidence. If I have to prove I'm not lying, how about I defeat all of you here?"
"You want to defeat us?" Sanemi clenched his fists, cracking his knuckles, and gave a menacing smile. "Alright, that's just what I wanted!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Kyojuro Rengoku burst into hearty laughter. "This is getting my blood pumping!"
"As the God of Festivals, I don't believe humans can defeat me," said Tengen Uzui confidently while adjusting his hair.
Iguro Obanai smirked. "Humans always underestimate themselves."
Kanae shook her head and prepared for the possibility of having to treat Aomori's injuries later.
Muichiro Tokito remained lost in his thoughts.
Tomioka glanced at Sanemi Shinazugawa and said, "Mr. Aomori is stronger than me."
"Are you saying Aomori is stronger than you, which means stronger than me?" Sanemi Shinazugawa's anger continued to rise.
"In challenging the Pillars like this, I can't just ignore it," finally, Gyomei Himejima, who had been observing silently, spoke. He bowed to Kagaya Ubuyashiki and continued, "Lord Master, let us have a match with Mr. Aomori. If we lose, we'll agree to his terms."
"You are all my dear children, and I don't want to see any of you get hurt. However, this could be a mutually satisfying solution for both parties. I suggest we have the match without weapons, just our bare hands," Kagaya Ubuyashiki proposed. He didn't want them to accidentally die at each other's hands, so he chose a compromise.
"I agree with Lord Master's proposal. Namu Amida Butsu," Gyomei Himejima said first.
The other Pillars also expressed their agreement, as it was not a fight against demons and didn't require them to use their full strength.
Aomori nodded in acceptance; this was exactly what he wanted.
In a contest of bare-handed combat, Aomori, a practitioner of the Flowing Rock fist, felt that everyone present was beneath him.
"Come at me together?" Aomori didn't wait for them to set rules; he beckoned them forward.
"Brother Aomori, do you plan to fight 5 of them alone?" Tanjiro was surprised. He instinctively excluded Giyu Tomioka, The gentle looking big sister Kanea, and the always aloof Muichiro from this challenge.
"No, I'm planning to take on all eight of you."
Such arrogance!
Similar thoughts crossed the minds of the Pillars. They were among the strongest swordsmen in the world, and being looked down upon like this was intolerable.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the hothead, couldn't stand it any longer and charged at Aomori. "Let's see you back up your words after I knock you down!"
The Pillars teamed up to surround Aomori!
Flowing Rock Fist, First Form: Flowing Water!
However, in the next moment, Aomori, a single man, disappeared from their sight, and an irresistible force pressed down on them, sending Sanemi crashing to the ground.
His forehead collided with the ground, leaving Sanemi Shinazugawa with a throbbing headache. In his dazed state, he heard that infuriating voice, "Is that enough?"
At this moment, Tanjiro, who didn't know what had happened, saw the intimidating figure of Aomori pressing down on him. The concrete ground beneath them displayed a web of cracks.
"He's not from this world," Tanjiro instinctively took a few steps back, keeping a safe distance to avoid being affected.
"Amazing! Here comes my punch!" Kyojuro Rengoku praised as he took a few steps forward, launching a powerful right straight punch accompanied by scorching waves of heat towards Aomori.
At the same time, Tengen appeared behind Aomori, large palms wide open, aiming for Aomori's ears. Double Peaks Pierce the Ears!
On Aomori's left side, Iguro Obanai had somehow appeared there, and his two small hands stabbed toward Aomori's waist like daggers.
On Aomori's right side, Kanae launched a swift whip kick.
Not yet done! Muichiro Tokito, who had been sleepwalking earlier, somehow jumped onto Aomori from above. His oversized clothing concealed his limbs, making it impossible to predict his attack.
While Tanjiro was still shocked by the defeat of Sanemi Shinazugawa, Rengoku and the others, despite their surprise, capitalized on the opportunity to surround Aomori.
They seized the chance to land fatal blows, relying on their status as Hashira, the strongest demon slayers in the Demon Slayer Corps, to maximize their fighting skills.
Unfortunately, their opponent was Aomori.
Flowing Rock Fist: Flowing Rock Crush Fist!
Five consecutive crisp sounds echoed as Rengoku and the others were simultaneously sent flying.
A hand landed on Rengoku's back, catching him.
"Thank you, Gyomei," Rengoku said as he rubbed his wrist. "Be careful; he's incredibly fast."
Gyomei Himejima, with his blinded eyes, relied on his exceptional hearing to sense more than Rengoku did. "Speed isn't his only attribute."
He removed his monk's robe, revealing his rock-solid muscles, and extended his arms like a bear, embracing Aomori.
Meanwhile, beside them, Tomioka spread his right hand wide, watching closely. He retracted his fingers one by one into his palm, forming a fist, and took measured steps towards Aomori. He had also joined the battle.
The Eight Pillars had Aomori surrounded!
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