Horitake couldn't believe his luck.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the most abrasive Pillar, had unwittingly tossed him a golden opportunity.
Not seizing it would be a crime against himself.
With the Pillars' eyes locked on him and Shinobu, Horitake flashed a mischievous grin.
"My relationship with Sister Shinobu? Well, I did spend last night at the Butterfly Mansion."
The words struck like a thunderbolt.
The Pillars' jaws dropped.
He stayed at the Butterfly Mansion!? Are they living together!? That's way too fast! How was there no whisper of this!?
Except for the perpetually distracted Muichiro and the aloof Giyuu, the other five Pillars turned wide-eyed, their gazes darting between Horitake and Shinobu like curious beans.
Shinobu's signature smile wavered.
A vein pulsed on her forehead, but she clung to her composure.
"Don't get the wrong idea," she said, her voice laced with forced sweetness.
"This guy rolled into headquarters last night, homeless and pathetic, practically doomed to the streets. Out of my boundless kindness, I let him crash at the Butterfly Mansion."
Cradling her cheek, she added with mock innocence, "I planned to stick him in the woodshed, but our dear Aoi took pity and gave him a decent room. Such a pity—he's only fit for firewood storage."
Horitake nodded, playing along with a grin.
"Exactly! Thanks to Sister Shinobu's generosity and Aoi's soft heart, I'm eternally grateful."
The Pillars weren't fools.
From their banter, they pieced it together: Horitake was chasing Shinobu, but she hadn't bitten—yet.
A romantic drama among the Pillars?
The Corps had never seen such a spectacle!
Their reactions were a mixed bag.
Obanai's brow creased slightly.
He had no romantic feelings for Shinobu, but their comrade's bond made him wary.
She's the lone flower among the eight Pillars, and this rookie wants to pluck her? That's bold.
Kyojuro and Tengen were unfazed, merely tickled by the gossip.
Gyomei's emotions were tangled.
Having rescued Shinobu and brought her into the Corps, he wondered if he should meddle in her future happiness.
Sanemi's feelings were odder still.
He'd loved Shinobu's late sister, Kanae, and saw Shinobu as a quasi-sister, yet knew he had no right to interfere.
As for Muichiro and Giyuu?
One was lost in the clouds, the other couldn't be bothered.
Shinobu read their faces like an open book.
She held her tongue—explaining further would only muddy the waters.
With a discreet glare at Horitake, she slipped into the Pillars' line.
Now, only Giyuu and Horitake stood apart.
Horitake couldn't join the line—he wasn't a Pillar yet.
Giyuu, meanwhile, was just… Giyuu, isolated by his own nature.
They stood in silence for a few minutes.
Then, Oyakata Ubuyashiki appeared, supported by his two daughters.
Kiriya trailed behind, not assisting but carrying himself with the poise of a young successor.
Horitake saw Oyakata's plan: grooming Kiriya while slowly stepping back from leadership.
Oyakata and Kiriya reached the veranda.
The Pillars dropped to one knee in unison, voices ringing out, "Lord Master!"
Giyuu, somehow back in line, knelt with them.
Horitake, true to form, offered a deep bow with clasped hands, skipping the kneel.
The Pillars side-eyed his unique greeting.
Tengen, steeped in ninja hierarchy, whispered, "Horitake, isn't that a tad rude?"
Horitake's voice was steady but firm.
"Forgive my stubborn pride. I can't explain it, but it's my line in the sand. My respect for the Master is no less than yours."
The Pillars caught his use of "Master" instead of "Lord."
They were floored.
Sanemi, usually quick to erupt, stayed silent, noting Oyakata's lack of objection.
Oyakata, standing on the veranda, offered a warm, heartfelt smile.
"My children, please rise."
As the Pillars stood, their glances lingered on Horitake, who'd outshone even Giyuu in standing out.
Oyakata eased the tension.
"You may not know, but Horitake's father hails from across the sea. As such, he's exempt from formal bows."
The Pillars nodded, the explanation settling their unease.
Oyakata continued, his voice gentle yet profound.
"In my heart, you're all my beloved subordinates, my children. Grand gestures aren't necessary—just hold respect in your hearts."
Gyomei, tears streaming down his face, clasped his hands in prayer.
"Lord, you're mistaken. Propriety matters. You've poured your heart and soul into the Corps—we owe you our respect and love. Namu Amida Butsu…"
The other Pillars nodded, echoing his sentiment.
Oyakata, with a wry smile, relented.
Horitake stood in thought.
Kneeling wasn't his way—pride forbade it.
But always standing apart at meetings risked alienating the Pillars, which could undermine their unity in battle.
He needed a solution.
A rough idea formed in his mind for future gatherings.
With that, the Pillar meeting officially began.
The first order of business: Horitake.
Oyakata's spirit visibly lifted, his voice ringing with pride.
"By now, you've all heard the news: Horitake slew Upper Moon Five, Yushiro, in Tokyo's Asakusa District!"
"For centuries, the Upper Moons stood as invincible titans."
"Horitake shattered that deadlock, becoming the first in our history to fell one."
"His achievement is colossal!"
"Such merit and strength cannot go unrewarded."
"Therefore, I proclaim Horitake the ninth Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, titled: Heavenly Pillar!"
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