Oyakata's decision to promote Horitake to a Pillar was indisputable—perfectly reasonable.
But the title? Heavenly Pillar? That was staggering!
When the words "Heavenly Pillar" rang out, even Horitake's heart skipped a beat.
The weight of the title was immense—too immense.
Heavenly Pillar? Like a jade column holding up the sky or a golden beam spanning the seas?
It was too much.
Horitake, a rookie in the Demon Slayer Corps, felt he couldn't bear such a grandiose name.
The other eight Pillars were equally shocked.
Shock gave way to discontent.
Heavenly Pillar? Didn't that subtly place him above them?
A newcomer, outranking seasoned Pillars?
On what grounds? Just because he slew Upper Moon Five?
Sure, killing Yushiro was impressive, but Heavenly Pillar?
That was over the top.
Horitake, deadly serious, immediately declined.
"Master, that's too much! The title Heavenly Pillar is excessive.
Please retract it—I can't accept it."
Oyakata looked at him, his voice warm with encouragement.
"Horitake, you're worthy."
"Master…"
Before Horitake could protest further, Oyakata cut him off.
"Horitake, Pillar titles are based on their Breathing Styles.
Take Obanai—his unique Snake Breathing makes him the Snake Pillar.
Or Muichiro, whose Mist Breathing makes him the Mist Pillar.
You, Horitake, evolved Thunder Breathing into Heavenly Thunder Breathing, rivaling nature's own lightning.
So, Heavenly Pillar fits perfectly."
Horitake gave a wry smile, caught between amusement and exasperation at Oyakata's impeccable logic.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the least convinced, muttered under his breath.
"Tch. I think Thunder Pole would've been better."
Oyakata sensed the Pillars' unease.
And why wouldn't they be uneasy?
They were veterans, established Pillars, and now a rookie was named Heavenly Pillar, seemingly outranking them.
Who could stomach that?
So, Oyakata began to soothe their ruffled feathers, addressing the eight.
"I know you're unsettled.
A newcomer overshadowing you, the seniors—it stings your pride, doesn't it?
No need to hide it. I can read my subordinates' hearts.
In a way, promoting Horitake so swiftly might seem unfair.
I acknowledge that and apologize."
With that, Oyakata bowed to the Pillars.
His sudden apology threw them into a frenzy.
Their earlier discontent dissolved into panic as they scattered to avoid his bow, their voices overlapping in protest.
"No, no, Lord Master! That's too much!"
"You don't need to do this! We can't accept it!"
"Please, Lord Master, stand up!"
Despite their efforts to dodge, Oyakata held his bow, deep and unwavering.
The Pillars, forced to accept it, stood uneasy even after he rose.
Horitake, watching from the side, clutched his forehead in distress.
*Master, really? Bowing to appease their resentment toward me?
All because I might lift your curse?
Is this worth such effort?*
With the apology done, the mood settled, and Oyakata spoke earnestly.
"It's natural to feel resentment over Horitake's title as Heavenly Pillar.
My decision carries special intent.
First, his achievements are undeniable.
Since joining the Corps, Horitake not only slew Upper Moon Five, Yushiro, but also felled dozens of demons in mere months.
No one can dispute that record."
The eight Pillars nodded, conceding the point.
Even Sanemi, grudgingly, agreed.
"I hate to admit it, but his feats are real."
Oyakata continued.
"More crucially, Horitake's strength is extraordinary.
He defeated Yushiro single-handedly and emerged virtually unscathed.
Did you expect that?"
The Pillars' eyes turned to Horitake.
He spread his arms and patted his chest, grinning.
"Last night at the Butterfly Mansion? Purely crashing, not healing. No injuries."
The Pillars' gazes shifted, a new respect dawning.
Unscathed against an Upper Moon? This guy's no joke.
Even they, facing weaker Lower Moons, had to tread carefully and often got hurt.
Yet Horitake soloed an Upper Moon without a scratch?
Oyakata drove the point home.
"I'll say it plainly: among you eight, only Gyomei could stand a chance against Horitake.
The rest? You wouldn't win."
The Pillars' eyes snapped to Gyomei.
The Rock Pillar clasped his hands.
"When I first met Horitake, he'd just passed Final Selection.
Even then, he could slay a demon with Lower Moon strength, rivaling you all.
Now? I can barely gauge his depths.
If we fought, I'm not confident I'd win."
The Pillars knew Gyomei was the strongest among them.
If he wasn't sure, did that mean… Horitake was stronger than Gyomei?
A rookie Pillar, already the mightiest?
As they reeled from the revelation, Oyakata fanned the flames.
"Don't forget—Horitake's been in the Corps for just a few months."
The Pillars froze.
Months? And he'd already reached this level?
If he kept growing at this pace… Unthinkable!
He'd slain Yushiro now.
Next time, would he chase down Muzan himself?
Chasing Muzan was a stretch, but it showed how shaken they were.
Oyakata's words sank in.
The Pillars, now aware of Horitake's feats and potential, felt their resentment toward his title fade.
Shifting to the bigger picture, Oyakata addressed them gravely.
"Horitake's defeat of Yushiro broke centuries of Upper Moon invincibility, bringing new hope to our demon-slaying cause.
I have a premonition: the war between humans and demons may end in our generation.
What does that mean?
It means every one of you could fight in the final battle!
Horitake's emergence strengthens my belief.
This era needs heroes, role models, someone exceptional to chase.
You've seen Horitake's strength and his meteoric rise.
He's ready for that final battle, to face the ultimate enemy.
Are you?
Not yet, I suspect.
So, do you have the resolve to catch up to him?
To match his steps?
To stand shoulder-to-shoulder against the most terrifying foe?"
Oyakata's barrage of questions lit a fire in the Pillars, their blood pumping with determination.
Horitake, watching, was dumbfounded.
So that's it. My Heavenly Pillar title is Oyakata's way to spur them on!
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