The Pillar Meeting was held at the Ubuyashiki Estate.
The meeting was almost over, with the primary discussion centered on the issue of expanding the Demon Slayer Corps' roster of Swordsmen.
"The Spider Mountain incident clearly shows how low the quality of the current Swordsmen in the corps is; they're almost useless," Sanemi Shinazugawa stated bluntly while kneeling.
"Is that kid who cut you also useless?" On-bashira Tengen Uzui asked with a teasing smirk, stroking his chin.
Sanemi glanced at the Sound Pillar, surprisingly not offering a rebuttal.
"If the Corps recruits people like Mr. Lucas, then I support expanding the Swordsman ranks!" Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku declared energetically.
What had left the deepest impression on him today? Sure, the demon who could resist Sanemi Shinazugawa's rare blood was one thing, but the most profound impression was undeniably Mr. Lucas.
Not only had he injured Sanemi, but he had also displayed the ability to use Blood Demon Art.
Both feats lingered vividly in Kyojuro's mind.
The other Pillars turned to look at him, bewildered. Did the Flame Pillar really mean it?
Recruiting Swordsmen like Lucas? How could that be possible?
Just reaching the Kino rank in two months through selection was no ordinary feat. Moreover, Mr. Lucas could use Blood Demon Art—an ability most demons possessed, but now, apparently, it was in the hands of a human.
Such cultivation speed and talent were reminiscent of Mist Pillar Muichiro Tokito, weren't they?
Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head. "Mr. Lucas is special. Let's focus on recruiting regular Demon Slayer Corps Swordsmen for now."
Even finding someone like Tanjiro and his two companions would be a challenge.
The disappointment flashed across the Flame Pillar's eyes, but his spirit quickly reignited.
"Kibutsuji Muzan's sudden appearance, coupled with the commotion caused by Lower Moons Five, gives me a premonition that Kibutsuji might be about to make his move."
"I hope my children are always ready for battle."
"Once an opportunity arises, we must spare no effort to kill Kibutsuji Muzan!"
After the Pillar Meeting concluded, the sky had already begun to darken.
Lucas stood watch at the entrance of the Ubuyashiki Estate, his gaze fixed on the open gates.
The first to emerge was the Mist Pillar.
Lucas studied Muichiro Tokito and shook his head slightly. Muichiro wasn't quite there yet. His mind wasn't open enough, and at this point, he saw almost no one but his Master. It was such a shame for someone with such extraordinary aptitude.
Initially, Lucas had thought Muichiro's aptitude and comprehension were both extraordinary, given his rapid rise to Pillar rank in just two months. But the system panel didn't lie. Muichiro's aptitude was extraordinary, but his comprehension was merely superior.
As expected, Muichiro walked past Lucas without even noticing him—Lucas might as well have been invisible.
Next, the Snake Pillar and the Love Pillar emerged together.
Lucas saw this as an opportunity. Though approaching Kanroji Mitsuri in front of Obanai might seem like tempting trouble, Lucas bit the bullet and went for it.
Kanroji Mitsuri's personality was bubbly and friendly. As long as Lucas didn't overstep, there was no reason she would refuse his request.
"May I befriend you, Miss Kanroji?" Lucas asked, standing confidently but respectfully.
At that moment, he could feel Obanai and Kaburamaru's sharp glares cutting into him. The eyes of the man and the snake were like freshly drawn blades, and Lucas felt the pressure.
"Ah? Me? Of course!" Kanroji Mitsuri blurted out, her face flushing as she smiled shyly, her cuteness making Lucas lose his composure for a brief moment.
[Ding]
[Successfully added Love Pillar Kanroji Mitsuri as a friend!]
[Detected Love Pillar Kanroji Mitsuri and host's friend intimacy is 'Initial Acquaintance,' a random reward will be granted!]
[Obtained Aptitude: Superior!]
[Do you wish to fuse Comprehension: Superior now?]
[No]
The system notification caused a flicker of disappointment in Lucas's eyes.
Each person had a Breathing Style suited to their attributes, and cultivating a different style to the level of mastery was not something that could easily be achieved, even with extraordinary aptitude and comprehension.
Lucas had hoped that adding Kanroji Mitsuri as a friend would grant him the Love Breathing, but it wasn't guaranteed. It depended on luck.
Suppressing his emotions, Lucas smiled and shook Kanroji Mitsuri's hand, nodding as he thanked her.
Obanai, watching the handshake with narrowed eyes, had a visible reaction. His pupils turned vertical, and Kaburamaru flicked its tongue at Lucas menacingly.
Sensing the cold atmosphere, Lucas let go of Kanroji's hand and turned to Obanai.
"Ahem, friends?" Lucas asked, trying to break the tension.
Obanai blinked, then turned and continued walking. He stopped after two steps, realizing Kanroji hadn't followed. He turned back to wait for her.
Lucas shrugged. Befriending Obanai wasn't part of his plan, and after choosing Kanroji Mitsuri, he wasn't going to waste time trying to gain Obanai's favor for now.
He quickly said his goodbyes to Kanroji Mitsuri and turned his attention back to the remaining Pillars.
The Insect Pillar, Shinobu Kocho, and the Water Pillar, Giyu Tomioka, had already walked away.
Lucas had plenty of time to become friends with Shinobu Kocho later at the Butterfly Mansion, and Giyu Tomioka wasn't someone who could be befriended quickly anyway, so it was fine that he left.
The remaining Pillars were the Rock Pillar, Sound Pillar, Flame Pillar, and Wind Pillar.
Lucas had no intention of befriending Sanemi Shinazugawa after their tense fight earlier.
Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku would be met again during the Infinity Train arc, so there was no need to rush. The same applied to the Sound Pillar.
That left the Rock Pillar, Gyomei Himejima. Lucas was certain that he would only meet Gyomei again during the Infinity Castle decisive battle, so it would be better to befriend him now rather than later.
Lucas squared his shoulders and walked over to Gyomei Himejima. With a slight bow, he clasped his hands together in respect.
Though Lucas respected Kagaya Ubuyashiki for his almost selfless noble character, his respect for Gyomei was purely based on his overwhelming strength.
Gyomei Himejima was widely acknowledged as the strongest Pillar in the Corps, without exception. During the decisive battle at Infinity Castle, with his Crimson Blade and Transparent World activated, Gyomei briefly suppressed Upper Moon One, Kokushibo.
"Respected Rock Pillar, may I befriend you?" Lucas asked, his voice steady but filled with respect.
"Poor child, of course," Gyomei responded, his voice filled with warmth, though his tears streamed down his face. He noticed the bandage on Lucas's wrist.
Lucas's heart swelled in appreciation. The bandaged wrist had done its job—Gyomei's reaction made it worth the effort.
Although Lucas's injury wasn't severe enough to require gauze, he had wrapped it up intentionally to make a good impression on Gyomei.
It might have been a bit shameless, but Lucas knew that in the pursuit of strength, nothing could be deemed shameful.
[Ding]
[Successfully added Rock Pillar Gyomei Himejima as a friend!]
[Detected Rock Pillar Gyomei Himejima and host's friend intimacy is 'Initial Acquaintance,' a reward will be granted!]
[Obtained Skill: Rock Breathing Third Form: Stone Skin (Mastery)]
[Do you wish to fuse Skill: Rock Breathing Third Form: Stone Skin (Mastery) now?]
[No]
Lucas's eyes lit up as he read the system's notification. If he remembered correctly, the Rock Breathing Third Form, "Stone Skin," had been used by Gyomei to block Muzan's Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Thorny Whips during the Infinity Castle battle.
If it could block Muzan's powerful attacks, the Third Form's power was undoubtedly immense.
Moreover, Lucas had lacked a solid defensive Breathing Style, and Stone Skin perfectly filled that gap.
Suppressing his urge to fuse the skill immediately, Lucas exchanged a few words with Gyomei, then watched as the Rock Pillar left, his mind already racing with possibilities.
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