After the others departed, Yōya invited Horitake to the veranda, where the two sat across from each other for a private talk.
Yōya's two young daughters served them tea, setting the stage for their conversation.
Once the tea was poured, Yōya spoke first, offering Horitake an apology:
"Horitake, I'm sorry for putting you on the spot to rally the Hashira without prior warning. It was sudden, and I owe you an explanation."
Horitake blinked, realization dawning. So that's why he kept me back!
"No need for apologies, my lord," he replied with a grin. "I like to think I've got some sense of duty. If my role as Sky Hashira can spur the others on, I'm fine being tossed into the fire. Pure gold fears no flame!"
Seeing Horitake's earnest tone, free of any resentment, Yōya relaxed.
Horitake was a vital ally, and Yōya had worried their bond might fray over this. But Horitake's magnanimity put his fears to rest.
"Even so," Yōya said, "I regret that my actions nearly turned the Hashira against you."
"My lord, you're too kind," Horitake laughed. "Back home, we have a saying: If you don't spark envy, you're merely mediocre. My presence pushes the Hashira to strive harder, doesn't it? That just proves how exceptional I am!"
Yōya chuckled. "I'm relieved you see it that way, Horitake."
Horitake's tone shifted, a playful glint in his eyes.
"That said, my lord, your plan to motivate the Hashira caught me in its net, too. If I slack off now, the others will overtake me, and I'll be the laughingstock! You've cornered me into pushing harder just to stay ahead. What a cunning move—a brilliant scheme to keep me on my toes!"
Horitake's teasing jab left Yōya momentarily flustered. Raising his teacup, he offered a wry smile.
"My mistake, my mistake! Allow me to atone with this cup in place of wine."
He drained the tea in one gulp.
Yōya's knack for handling situations with grace always put Horitake at ease. This self-deprecating apology, tinged with boldness, only deepened Horitake's admiration.
"Haha! If only your health permitted, my lord, I'd make you drink until you collapsed to settle this score!"
Yōya sighed, a wistful note in his voice.
"If only I could share a drunken night with you, Horitake. That would be a joy."
Sensing a trace of melancholy, Horitake leaned forward.
"Don't worry, my lord. I'll hunt demons and hone my curse-breaking skills. I'll master them soon and lift your curse. Once you're healthy, we'll drink to our hearts' content!"
Yōya's eyes lit up, imagining a future free of his affliction. His voice surged with vigor.
"It's a deal! We'll drink until we drop!"
Their shared enthusiasm sparked a lively exchange, the two men bonding over their camaraderie.
Only when Yōya's energy waned did Horitake take his leave.
In high spirits, Horitake stepped out of the Ubuyashiki estate. But no sooner had he left than the System stirred.
Ding! "Host has become the Sky Hashira and shone brilliantly at the Hashira Meeting, humbling Sanemi Shinazugawa and earning the awe of the Hashira. This has disrupted fate, triggering a negative butterfly effect: Mitsuri Kanroji's position!"
Horitake froze outside the estate, stunned.
Through his mental link, he grumbled at the System:
"So, I become Sky Hashira, show a bit of strength, and that disrupts fate again? Another negative butterfly effect, and it involves Mitsuri? I don't get it—how does this affect her? Come on, you shady System, quit teasing and give me the mission!"
The System promptly complied:
Ding! "Mission issued: Resolve the negative butterfly effect concerning Mitsuri Kanroji's position!
The Host's rise to Sky Hashira has completed the Demon Slayer Corps' original nine-Hashira structure. However, Mitsuri Kanroji, destined to become the Love Hashira, has yet to claim her place.
System analysis reveals that the Host's Sky Hashira position has, through the threads of fate, displaced Mitsuri Kanroji's chance to become the Love Hashira. Her likelihood of joining the Hashira has plummeted.
Mission: Help Mitsuri Kanroji become a Hashira!
Friendly reminder: This is the Host's doing. You caused this mess, so you must fix it. You owe Mitsuri Kanroji, so it's on you to make it right!
Only the Host, unbound by this world's fate, can alter Mitsuri's destiny and guide her to Hashira status. No one else can.
In plain terms: She's your woman. If you don't help her, who will?
Reward for success: Stand-in Doll.
Penalty for failure: Mitsuri Kanroji may never become a Hashira, depriving the Demon Slayer Corps of a vital elite. Fate will unravel further, and the butterfly effect will collapse."
Horitake stood speechless, processing the mission.
This blasted System! Can't it phrase things less infuriatingly?
"Your woman, so you help her?" What kind of nonsense is that?!
…And yet, he had to admit, it made sense. She's my woman. If I don't help her, who will?
This butterfly effect was clearer than past ones. Unlike before—when showing Tanjirō the heights of strength caused Tamayo's crisis, or learning the First Form led to Tanjirō and Nezuko's peril—this was straightforward. His rise to Sky Hashira had displaced Mitsuri's destined role as Love Hashira.
Simple. Logical.
"Logical, my foot!" Horitake roared inwardly at the System.
"There's no limit to the number of Hashira! No rule says that my becoming Sky Hashira means the Corps can't have more than nine!
This is absurd! How does my position block Mitsuri's? What's the connection?!"
The System listened calmly to Horitake's rant, then replied with infuriating composure:
"The Demon Slayer Corps has no limit on Hashira numbers, but fate does. Fate decrees that nine Hashira is the maximum to maintain balance. Any more disrupts destiny's equilibrium."
"Fate, my ass!"
"If the Host dislikes the term 'fate,' the System can use another word."
"What word?"
"Plot."
"Pl—!" Horitake nearly choked.
The System continued in its maddeningly calm tone:
"In the original story, the plot demands a maximum of nine Hashira to balance the forces of good and evil. After the final battle, all demons are vanquished, and the nine Hashira are nearly wiped out.
This balance ensures Demon Slayer is a tale of sacrifice, not a true demon-slaying epic. It's Hashira Slayer, not Demon Slayer!"
Horitake stood frozen, chest heaving with indignation.
After a long pause, he could only mutter to the System:
"You managed to justify that? System, you're one hell of a genius."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you guys wanna check it out.