Kanroji Mitsuri observed Yoriichi.
Yoriichi was also observing everyone.
The world in his eyes was completely different from that of humans.
Due to the existence of Touhou Sekigan, he could clearly see each person's talent and current strength.
As expected, the monk in the lead was the strongest, and his talent far surpassed anyone he had ever seen.
At his age, without activating his Demon Slayer Mark, even his own brother was not his equal...
After a while, during Ubuyashiki Kagaya's introduction, Yoriichi heard his name and also learned the names of the other Pillars.
"...Gyomei Himejima?"
"Stone Breathing..."
"Not bad."
"He's almost entered the Touhou Sekigan..."
Nodding slightly, Yoriichi looked at the others.
Rengoku, Shinazugawa, Uzui, Iguro, Kochou, Tomioka, Kanroji...
Oh, and there was also Yūichirō Tokitō, this child sat alone in the corner, lost in thought, giving Yoriichi a very special feeling.
His aura was restrained, his thoughts empty, like a walking corpse...
Wait...Tokito?
Just then, a memory suddenly surfaced in Yoriichi's mind.
As he recalled, about several decades ago, after his brother became a demon, his wife learned of it and changed her and her child's surname.
If he remembered correctly, their surname was Tokito...
Considering his physical attributes and current identity...
"My brother's descendant?"
Rustle~
Yoriichi subtly placed his hand on his Zanpakuto, he didn't ask, but instead looked at Yūichirō's back.
Since recovering his third-grade spiritual power, his Shikai could be activated at any time.
Through this ability, he could see various souls in this world.
His gaze projected over, and sure enough, two pale figures accompanied Yūichirō.
The three looked very similar, probably father and son, the younger one, or perhaps a younger brother?
Yoriichi wasn't sure, because after a person dies, their appearance freezes at the moment of death.
His thoughts churning, he slowly loosened his grip on the Zanpakuto.
This scene was observed by Rengoku Shinjuro nearby.
At first, Shinjuro wanted to draw his sword, as gripping the sword hilt in front of the Master was a very dangerous thing.
It was recorded in the Flame Pillar's records that when Tsugikuni Michikatsu betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps back then,
He used a sneak attack to cut off the head of the then-Master, and it was from that point on that a new rule was added.
—All Pillars, when meeting the Master, must not carry weapons.
However.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi was an exception.
The Demon Slayer Corps couldn't control him.
He himself...was the employer.
That's what he originally thought, but before he could act, Yoriichi loosened his grip on the sword...This scene made Rengoku Shinjuro's mood even heavier.
He couldn't understand Yoriichi's actions...
Of course.
Soon after.
He understood.
...
...
The Pillar Meeting gradually came to an end, and when discussing the matter of demons turning back into humans, Ubuyashiki Kagaya softly asked Tsugikuni Yoriichi:
"Mr. Tsugikuni, I wonder if this child is an isolated case or a common occurrence?"
Knowing he was referring to the Spider Sister, Yoriichi looked sideways and calmly replied:
"If there's an opportunity, an isolated case can become common."
"But I don't recommend you do that. The reason I was able to turn her back into a human is that her soul's age was still thirteen."
"If a demon's age surpasses their human age, like a demon over a hundred years old..."
"Even if they turn back into a human, they will instantly die of old age."
"...This is the price."
"Price?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya repeated the word, then he asked,
"Does this mean that if we can capture a group of Freshman demons,"
"We can turn them back into humans without any price?"
"Yes." Yoriichi slightly raised his eyes, "However, my ability is limited."
"I understand your Demon Slayer Corps' intentions, but not every demon wants to become a human."
"..."
This was indeed a problem.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya pondered for a moment.
The gentle sunlight penetrated the thin paper window, shining on his warm face.
He looked up, and his gentle voice continued:
"Then, what about Nezuko?"
As his words fell.
His gaze passed over everyone and looked behind him.
There was a sliding door there.
"Tanjirou, come in."
Whoosh—
Following Ubuyashiki Kagaya's command, the door was pulled open, and Tanjirou entered, carrying his sister on his back.
He cautiously surveyed the room, and finally, he bowed and sat down in a dimly lit spot.
All the Pillars looked at him, their cold gazes mixed with scrutiny—simply because the one on his back was a demon!
Shinazugawa Sanemi hated demons the most, because his entire family, except for his younger brother, was killed by his mother who had turned into a demon.
He wished he could kill all the demons in the world, and even though Nezuko's existence was guaranteed by Tsugikuni Yoriichi, a tangible killing intent was born in his heart.
The air gradually turned cold, and the atmosphere became silent with Tanjirou's appearance.
Tanjirou lowered his head, only muttering in his heart: "So scary...Are they all Pillars? Mr. Tomioka is here too..."
He actually didn't want to come, but who knew that Mr. Tsugikuni had found a way to help demons turn back into humans...
For his sister, he had to come.
Even if he was disliked by the Pillars, whose duty it was to hunt demons, he would not hesitate.
His thoughts scattered, Tanjirou lowered his head and remained silent, one hand subconsciously shielding Nezuko behind him.
Seeing this, Yoriichi nodded and said: "Tanjirou, we meet again."
"According to the information you gave me, I didn't find Muzan in Asakusa, but I met an old friend."
"It was a different kind of gain."
"Are you here today because you want me to help turn your sister back into a human?"
"Yes!" Tanjirou sat up straight and looked up abruptly.
His hands were on his knees, his posture steady, and his tone sincere:
"I beg you to turn my sister back into a human! Nezuko...shouldn't suffer like this."
As if he felt the atmosphere wasn't solemn enough, he leaned forward and prostrated himself directly:
"It's been two years..."
"Every time I think of that morning, I feel as if my heart is being cut..."
"Mother died, Rokuta died, Takeo died, Hanako died, Shigeru died..."
"I only have this one sister left, but she turned into a demon..."
"If I can't cure her, I truly cannot face my parents and my younger siblings!"
"Mm..." Yoriichi's expression didn't show much fluctuation. After ninety years, he had long seen through life and death.
Tanjirou...was ultimately not Tanjiro.
However...
"I see your sincerity. Let's do this, if you're in a hurry, we can perform the ritual now."
Yoriichi gripped his Zanpakuto, and instantly, he saw five illusory figures behind Tanjirou, as expected.
These should be the relatives he just mentioned.
Yoriichi nodded slightly towards them and then said:
"Let me state beforehand, the prerequisite for me to turn a demon into a human is to kill them first."
"Only then can I purify their souls, pull them from the other side, and then resurrect them in human form."
"Theoretically, there's no chance of failure, but there's never an absolute in this world...Tanjirou, are you ready?"