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After discovering Yoriichi wasn't affected by the mark's side effects, I'd also pondered the reasons.
Because when I used my power, mark-like patterns would also appear on my face, I once suspected whether a connection existed between the two.
If marked swordsmen died from overdrawing their life force, then replenishing that missing life force—could death be avoided?
Unfortunately, after Yoriichi, marked swordsmen became increasingly rare. Soon none appeared again.
And at that time I didn't know Tamayo yet, had no research into medical principles myself. This matter was temporarily shelved.
But I had confidence in Ritsuka. If anyone was most likely to awaken the mark now, it was definitely her.
And according to usual patterns, once a marked swordsman appeared, marks would successively appear on nearby companions too.
But dying at twenty-five was an insurmountable barrier. If possible, I still wanted to find a solution.
However, Sun Breathing was still taught to Ritsuka according to the original plan.
She'd originally learned Stone Breathing following Gyomei. Just as I'd guessed, her constitution was more suited to Sun Breathing. After adjusting her Breathing Style, her strength rose another level.
When the swordsmith visited, he brought her a brand new Nichirin Sword. That blade turned deep black in her hands, but under sunlight shone with red.
Ritsuka stared at her first sword for a long time before carefully putting it away.
Thinking she wasn't the type to get stuck in dead ends, and Gyomei was tight-lipped, I simply told them both about the mark and the price that must be paid.
Exactly how to awaken the mark, I wasn't too clear either. The specific method they'd have to explore themselves.
After hearing this, Ritsuka showed her usual lack of expression. Instead, Gyomei carefully instructed her not to attempt things randomly on her own. In all matters, she had him as her master to explore first.
Don't know if she accepted this. But given this kid's single-minded personality, probably not.
Because she had two powerful rivals. One was the exceptionally talented Sabito. The other was the late-blooming Giyu.
Many Corps members passed selection this time, basically assigned to different regions... and these three happened to be in the same area, seemingly running into each other constantly.
Once they collided—thunder met earth fire and directly exploded. Poor Giyu stuck in the middle had to mediate both sides.
Under the pressure of her mortal enemy's relentless pursuit, expecting Ritsuka not to research the mark was impossible.
Moreover, her mouth wasn't tight either. Don't know when she told Sabito and Giyu about the mark.
The three sneakily huddled together, devising all sorts of crooked experimental methods.
If Ritsuka hadn't shown some restraint—aside from Sabito and Giyu, didn't broadcast it to others—I'd definitely have to beat her.
A year later, the three of them earned the chance to be promoted to the Nine Pillars for killing two Lower Rank demons.
But Ritsuka didn't accept. She always felt that since Yoriichi left the Demon Slayer Corps, she was atoning through merit. Being an ordinary Corps member was enough. The Nine Pillars weren't suitable.
Ritsuka refused, which also meant Sabito refused.
Out of this-and-that competitive consciousness I couldn't understand—probably felt that if Ritsuka didn't accept, accepting himself would seem like being beneath her.
Giyu saw neither of them accepted. Originally was about to open his mouth to refuse too. Result—these two bastards blocked his mouth, pressed down his head, forced him to agree.
Sabito's mouth still said high-soundingly: "All three of us refusing wouldn't be good. You go become Water Hashira, also make Mr. Urokodaki happy."
Because of this, when Giyu came to attend the Hashira meeting for the first time, he looked extremely aggrieved.
The previous generation of Nine Pillars were also slowly aging. Either retired or died in battle. Now couldn't even gather nine people.
Gyomei was originally the youngest Stone Hashira. His prestige steadily increased. Now he'd already become the most trustworthy senior.
Knowing Giyu had a good relationship with Ritsuka, Gyomei even specially came to look after this young junior, incidentally asked about Ritsuka's recent situation.
However, Giyu wasn't the only newcomer. Before him, there were two other new Pillars.
Just that I'd been busy cleaning up my own messes, running around outside. Hadn't had a chance to meet the new Pillars.
Just taking advantage of Giyu becoming Water Hashira and catching the Hashira meeting, I simply came to meet these new members.
Calling them newcomers wasn't entirely accurate. To me, everyone present was an acquaintance.
The first to rush over and greet me was the Sound Hashira. A few years passed and he'd grown considerably taller. Muscles bulged on his arms. Looked robust in build, completely not inferior to Gyomei.
I was still inside the room dawdling with my cushion, pondering where to sit during the meeting. He burst into the room, eyes bright and spirited staring at me. "As I thought, it's you—super flashy demon miss!"
He wrapped his hair in cloth, face painted with gaudy makeup... if not for this build, honestly wouldn't be so easy to recognize.
I thought a moment. "Uzui Tengen?"
He swept aside the bangs on his forehead. Movement dashing yet straightforward. "That's me!"
Already mixed his way to Pillar position so fast—seemed his abilities weren't bad.
I hadn't seen Sound Breathing yet. Heard from Tengen it was a Breathing Style he researched himself after deeply studying Thunder Breathing. The techniques were very flashy.
Hearing him say this, I inevitably felt my hands itch. Made an appointment to spar later, also let me see Sound Breathing's characteristics.
Walking over a few steps behind him was the only woman present—Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho. Also that girl I'd met once before.
Her figure was light and tall. Standing beside Tengen, their body types differed considerably.
Unlike Tengen's occasionally brainless straightforward speech, Kanae's voice was gentle. Her speaking tone elegant and peaceful. "Meeting you again, Miss Chihaya."
Speaking of fate—the sisters Gyomei told me he'd saved on his first mission back then were Kanae and her younger sister Shinobu.
The number of female swordsmen in the Corps was far fewer than males... due to innate differences in physique and strength, they faced greater risks against demons, also more easily suffered casualties.
To become a Pillar at such a young age, Kanae had likely put in considerable effort.
Seeing so many new faces present, Kagaya was obviously also very happy. Talked with everyone for a long time.
His illness grew worse day by day. Though he still wore the bracelet I made him constantly, the illness marks still slowly extended down from his forehead, about to reach his eyes.
Aside from truly defeating Muzan, this curse ultimately had no solution.
As usual, besides discussing and exchanging intelligence and Corps management work, the Hashira meeting also had to introduce my existence and Muzan's weaknesses to newcomers.
Learning Muzan possessed numerous hearts and brains, and could split himself into chunks of flesh to escape at the last moment—everyone hearing this for the first time had a moment of blank expression.
Kanae reacted fastest. Her eyes turned lightly, immediately proposed a suggestion: "If we could develop new poison targeting his weaknesses, would it work?"
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