A few minutes later, Kurozawa tore off his blood-soaked haori and casually tossed it onto the ground.
Beside him, Iguro Obanai kept his head down, not daring to look at Kurozawa in his current state.
Around them lay bodies, scattered haphazardly – a total of fifty-three. Just moments ago, they were alive and surrounding them, but now their eyes were covered with the light of deathly silence.
Kurozawa reached out and ruffled Iguro Obanai's head. "What, are you scared of me?" Iguro Obanai didn't answer, so Kurozawa added, "These women were all venomous, raising demons and taking lives. If they were left alive, they would only continue to do evil."
Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen are not allowed to attack ordinary people, not even wicked individuals like the women of the Iguro Family.
Because swordsmen possess strength far beyond that of ordinary people, the Demon Slayer Corps Leader discovered many generations ago that when swordsmen realize that human lives are like ants in their hands, their mindset can undergo irreversible negative changes.
Thus, relevant rules were established.
But Kurozawa didn't care about these things. He joined the Demon Slayer Corps not to be bound by its rules, but merely to utilize its information system to search for traces of demons. Traveling long distances to complete Demon Slaying Missions was his way of repaying them.
"It's not fear... it's just..."
"They... they are people with the same blood as me..."
With his head lowered, Iguro Obanai's voice was somewhat dazed, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened before his eyes. He had only wanted to escape the dungeon, but he hadn't intended to kill the people of the Iguro Family.
Essentially, Iguro Obanai was a kind person.
Kurozawa shook his head and said, "You're wrong. Even if you share the same blood, or even look alike and have similar habits, it doesn't mean you are one of them."
"Ask yourself, could you raise Demons and plot to take others' lives?"
Iguro Obanai looked up and then said blankly, "I can't."
"I also advised my sisters not to do that, but no one listened."
The people of the Iguro Family had special physiques; no matter what, they only gave birth to girls. As the first boy, Iguro Obanai was considered ominous from a young age, confined to the dungeon, and not treated as a gift to the Snake Woman Demon.
But even so, Iguro Obanai held no hatred towards the Iguro Family; he only hated himself.
"Then that's fine. Come with me."
"Your current understanding is still too shallow. Wait until you leave Hachijo Island and see the outside world, then you can think about solving your own problems."
Kurozawa could see that many complex emotions were weighing on Iguro Obanai's heart. This might be the root of the Serpent Pillar's taciturn and gloomy personality in the future of the original work.
Unfortunately, Kurozawa wasn't some life coach; being able to offer a few words of comfort was already good enough. Iguro Obanai's worries should be left for him to resolve himself.
Following behind Kurozawa, Iguro Obanai stepped over the bodies on the ground, his head lowered so his expression couldn't be seen.
Kurozawa had acted quickly, destroying their brains in a flash, without causing much pain. Many of the bodies on the ground still held their previous expressions, mostly those of fear.
I was always trapped in the dungeon, and I couldn't stop my sisters. Was it power that I lacked?
If I had strength like Master Kurozawa, could I have avoided many things from happening?
Seeing the formidable strength Kurozawa displayed, Iguro Obanai's state of mind underwent some different changes. As the two walked out of the Iguro Compound towards the coastal port.
Iguro Obanai made up his mind: "Master Kurozawa, could you teach me?"
"I also want to have strength like yours, to save people and punish evil."
Kurozawa stopped in his tracks, looked at Iguro Obanai, and observed him closely for a moment.
The future Serpent Pillar's talent was undoubtedly far beyond his own, he didn't need to think about it. If he introduced him to his master, he would be very happy, after all, he was a good seedling with high talent.
As for his experiences and personality, those were not matters Kurozawa needed to consider. Sakonji Urokodaki had taken in many problematic children and had disciplined them well.
"Since you've said so, then come back to Mount Sagiri with me."
Originally, Kurozawa had intended to hand Iguro Obanai over to Shinjuro Rengoku, letting the Rengoku family handle him, but now he thought that since he had rescued him, he should take responsibility to the end. His master was now focused on being a good Cultivator and would teach Iguro Obanai well.
About twenty minutes later, Kurozawa arrived at the coastal port where he had parted ways with the Flame Pillar and saw a familiar figure.
Since it was the middle of the night, the docked ferryboats were empty, and they would have to wait until daytime to leave Hachijo Island.
"Finished the mission tonight? That's very efficient."
A hand patted Kurozawa's shoulder.
Shinjuro Rengoku had been lying on the beach, a wild blade of grass in his mouth from who knew where, gazing at the starry sky. When he heard Kurozawa's footsteps, he quickly got up and walked over.
"This is?"
Iguro Obanai stood beside Kurozawa, looking up at Shinjuro Rengoku, while Shinjuro Rengoku was also observing him.
The slightly chilly night wind continuously blew against Kurozawa's bare torso, but he didn't seem to notice. He turned around and said, "The Iguro family the boatman mentioned indeed had problems. They worshipped demons as gods, and I have completely annihilated both the demons and the people."
"This is Iguro Obanai. He was imprisoned by the Iguro family since childhood and is different from those wicked individuals."
The moment Kurozawa turned around, the smile on Shinjuro Rengoku's face froze, and then his expression quickly turned cold.
"Completely annihilated?"
He saw Kurozawa's calm expression, smelled the pungent scent of blood on Kurozawa, and also vaguely felt the Power of Despair belonging to humans. However, as a Pillar, his willpower and strength allowed him to remain unaffected by the Power of Despair on Kurozawa.
Shinjuro Rengoku didn't know what the Power of Despair was; he just felt that Kurozawa gave off a dangerous feeling, like the oppressive aura of a high-level predator he felt when he first encountered a Demon when he was still weak.
Kurozawa gave him the same feeling, though it was still very faint, making it difficult for Shinjuro Rengoku to be certain.
And Kurozawa's words were the real reason Shinjuro Rengoku's expression turned cold.
Kurozawa didn't seem to notice Shinjuro Rengoku's sharp gaze at this moment and continued on his own, "Yes, they were all scourges. Complete annihilation is the best option."
After receiving Kurozawa's confirmed answer, Shinjuro Rengoku took a deep breath, his expression extremely solemn.
"This morning, we talked about the word 'rules'. You said rules are rigid, and I agree."
Kurozawa nodded, meeting the Flame Pillar's gaze directly.
"However! Everything has a limit!"
"Intimidation, I can accept, but when humans make mistakes, it should be handled by human law. This is not the responsibility of us in the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"As a swordsman! This kind of behavior has crossed the Demon Slayer Corps' bottom line!"
"Surrender and come back to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters with me. Depending on the circumstances, you will be punished."
That's right, the Demon Slayer Corps, as the name suggests, is an organization that targets only Demons and eradicates them. For human errors, to avoid many disputes, the Demon Slayer Corps does not interfere; they are simply left to be handled by human law.
Kurozawa looked at the Flame Pillar, whose aura was gradually condensing and locking onto him firmly, showing no sign of fear.
"Is that so? Then, tell me, Flame Pillar, how will human law handle the matters committed by the Iguro Family?"
"If you can answer this question for me, then I will willingly go with you."
With over 500 Potential Points accumulated and Water Breathing Stage Four already activated, ready to break through to Stage Five at any moment, Kurozawa had plenty of confidence.
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