"And Kanawo also became a shrine maiden! Now she can always be with Miss Butterfly, and just thinking about it feels so heartwarming!"
Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but imagine Shinobu Kocho and Kanawo living a warm life in the shrine, dressed as shrine maidens, with a gentle deity saying things like 'You've worked hard.'
Pfft~ Mitsuri Kanroji cupped her slightly flushed cheeks with both hands, congratulating Miss Butterfly on her future happy life. Then she felt a little disappointed.
I wonder when I'll meet a man who wants to marry me… There probably isn't a man who would be willing to marry a wife stronger than himself.
Next, Shinobu Kocho slowly recounted her experiences from last night, and everyone listened intently, as it was about a true deity.
When they heard about the power of 'Favor of God' and the possibility of becoming a deity in the future, the Hashira's worldviews were completely overturned, leaving them utterly astonished.
"After being granted the Blessing, even though I haven't yet achieved the growth in basic abilities that Lord Xia Wei mentioned, my current strength has multiplied in my normal state."
"My current strength can be said to have completely surpassed everyone else."
Shinobu Kocho said with confidence. This wasn't confidence in herself, but confidence in possessing the 'Favor of God.'
At this point, her gaze fell upon the strongest Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Stone Pillar Gyomei Himejima.
Perhaps he was the only one she couldn't defeat for now.
The Stone Pillar was the guide for her and her sister; he was already a Pillar before they joined the Demon Slayer Corps. After their parents were killed by demons, she and her sister asked him to let them join the Demon Slayer Corps.
However, the Stone Pillar, wanting her and her sister to live normal lives, set a test to discourage them: if they could push a human-sized boulder one hundred meters within a month, he would agree to let them join the Demon Slayer Corps.
In the end, she and her sister completed the test in just three days. Of course, she and her sister didn't push it; they leveraged it with a wooden stick. Then, the Stone Pillar grudgingly admitted that she and her sister had completed the test.
"After all, it is a Blessing bestowed by the Supreme God upon mortals to become deities. Such an unimaginable deity." Gyomei Himejima was moved by such a compassionate and generous deity, and tears streamed down his face, soaking his clothes.
"How compassionate, the God of Destiny, to bestow such a Blessing so generously in order to fulfill Miss Butterfly's wish to slay all evil demons in the world."
"Namu Amida Butsu…"
Sanemi Shinazugawa, having processed the knowledge about Favor of God that Shinobu Kocho had shared, felt a bit eager and spoke frankly: "I'm not doubting what you said, Insect Pillar, but I want to know, are you really that strong now?"
The Hashira had worked together for so long, even sparring occasionally, so they all understood what Sanemi Shinazugawa meant, and everyone looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Shinobu Kocho said with a smile, "Does Mr. Shinazugawa want to spar with me?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's expression was serious: "I do want to spar with you, who has received the Favor of God, to see how big the gap between us is now. If it offends that deity, then pretend I didn't say anything."
He would not offend a deity, especially a real one. The Insect Pillar's current identity was that deity's shrine maiden, and offending a shrine maiden was tantamount to offending a deity. Provoking trouble for no reason was pointless and might even incur divine retribution; only a brainless person would do something so foolish.
Shinobu Kocho nodded: "Alright, I also want to know how strong my current power is."
She had only received the Favor of God less than a day ago, and had only tried out magic; she hadn't used her skills yet and didn't know what it felt like when a skill was triggered.
Yaozai Ubuyashiki saw this and did not stop them: "Then, everyone, let's spar outside in the courtyard, as the Insect Pillar wishes."
"Then we apologize for our disrespect, Master," Kyojuro Rengoku quickly said. Although he felt it was a bit inappropriate to start sparring now, since both the Insect Pillar and the Master agreed, he could only participate.
"The Blessing of becoming a deity is so powerful and sacred, to be honest, I also want to spar." Uzui Tengen couldn't help but feel a surge of fighting spirit, his face full of excitement. Just listening to the Insect Pillar's explanation seemed incredible. Then he looked at the others strangely.
"Hey, by the way, are only the Wind Pillar and I eager to spar, or do you guys have no thoughts?"
Giyu Tomioka shook his head, his expression very calm: "I have no thoughts."
Muichiro Tokito said calmly, "Is sparring like this meaningful?"
Iguro Obanai also shook his head: "To eagerly propose a spar right after having my hidden injuries healed by the Insect Pillar's magic, isn't that a bit too impatient?" He pulled at the bandage on his face with his fingers.
Although he respected Shinazugawa's desire to spar and see the current gap, he didn't approve of proposing a spar right now; at the very least, they should wait a few days.
Mitsuri Kanroji blinked, feeling a bit lost and unsure what to do. She looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa, then at Shinobu Kocho, and then at Yaozai Ubuyashiki: 'Eh~ why are they suddenly fighting again?'
The Hashira all came out to the courtyard, where there was a path paved with pebbles. For the Hashira, they could spar anywhere.
Shinobu Kocho held a wooden sword specially used for training, looking at Sanemi Shinazugawa, who was confronting her. A hint of mischievousness appeared in her gentle, smiling expression.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, you won't be my match alone." As she said this, she looked at Sound Pillar Uzui Tengen: "Mr. Uzui, you can team up with Mr. Shinazugawa."
Uzui Tengen spread his hands: "Let's forget it. Even if I agree, the Wind Pillar won't."
A vein popped on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead, and he instantly felt his pride somewhat wounded: "It's just a spar. It's normal to lose, after all, it's the Favor of God. I don't think I can truly win." After all, he had already felt the power of magic, and according to the description, skills were no weaker than magic.
"I'll make my move when I count to three." Sanemi Shinazugawa gripped his wooden sword tightly, his aura instantly surging with the use of his Breathing Technique, creating an oppressive feeling.
Although they were all Hashira, in a real fight, his strength was definitely second only to the monster-like man that was the Stone Pillar.
Shinobu Kocho's expression also grew serious. She took a deep breath, looking at Sanemi Shinazugawa, her mind constantly replaying the night her sister was killed by that demon with blood-stained hair and colorful eyes.
The anger and hatred in her heart erupted instantly.
Her skill, 'Revenge Valkyrie,' was a freely activated skill.
As long as she believed she was fighting an enemy, it could be triggered.
Moreover, even if she wasn't fighting an enemy, as long as she deceived herself that the person in front of her was the object of her hatred from memory, the skill would still be triggered.
The moment the skill was triggered, Shinobu Kocho felt an endless surge of power in her body. Her arm strength, speed, and reaction capabilities all skyrocketed, and even her mind became exceptionally clear.
Whoosh—
The oppressive force that instantly erupted from her body directly overwhelmed Sanemi Shinazugawa's aura. The Hashira's expressions changed, and Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but hold her head, screaming internally: 'Wow! Miss Butterfly suddenly became so scary!'
Sanemi Shinazugawa's already bloodshot eyes instantly became even more veined: "This oppressive feeling…"
He had only felt this kind of oppressive feeling from the Stone Pillar!
In other words, the Insect Pillar's current strength was at least on par with the Stone Pillar's!
Shinobu Kocho's eyes were filled with pure hatred, and her normally gentle voice took on a hint of gritted teeth: "Mr. Shinazugawa, are you ready?"
Upon hearing this, Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately used his sword form, raising his voice in a shout to boost his aura.
"Wind Breathing! Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm—"