Demon Slayer: Tanjiro becomes a ghost, Nezuko becomes a pillar!

Chapter 117 Complete Collection - Chang Zhong

Looking at the pure, almost transparent girl before her, Shinobu's smile grew even gentler and warmer, and a genuine emotion flickered deep in her eyes.

Throughout the entire process, Mizuko never inquired about when she would be promoted to a Pillar, nor did she ask what honors a Grade A swordsman would possess.

The only thing she cared about and the only thing she desperately wanted to confirm was whether she could continue to stay by her brother's side.

As long as I can be with my brother, I don't care whether I'm in a high position or just an ordinary frontline worker.

For Nezuko, wherever Tanjiro is, that's home, that's the place she's willing to risk everything to protect.

Shinobu Kocho nodded gently, the tenderness in her eyes transforming into the most reassuring promise. Her tone was soft yet incredibly firm, giving the brother and sister the answer they most longed for and felt most at ease with.

"Of course you can. You can always walk side by side and never be separated again."

The moment the words left her lips, Midouzi's eyes lit up, as if she had fallen into a whole sky of starlight.

She immediately turned to look at her brother beside her with delight, only to find that Tanjiro was already gazing at her tenderly, his eyes filled with doting, comfort, and burning warmth.

In the instant their eyes met, no words were needed; all the peace and joy flowed quietly in the exchange of glances.

Zenitsu and Inosuke watched this scene quietly, their hearts deeply moved by the profound sibling bond that was etched into their very bones.

The two, who had been at odds, fell silent and stood side by side, watching the brother and sister embracing and smiling. Even their quarrelsome thoughts vanished, leaving only a deep sense of emotion.

Shinobu Kocho did not disturb this rare moment of warmth; she simply stood quietly to the side, patiently waiting for the brother and sister to slowly recover from the excitement of their reunion and promises.

Once the four of them had calmed down, she spoke again, her smile fading slightly, replaced by a more serious tone, and her voice becoming more composed.

"While it is good that you can continue to be together, what I am about to say is the most crucial and important decision made at this meeting, and it is also the important matter that the Lord entrusted me to convey to you."

With just one sentence, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke all looked up at Shinobu Kocho.

The relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense, and everyone held their breath, quietly waiting for her to continue, their eyes filled with seriousness and anticipation.

It turns out that, in addition to the Pillars reporting their achievements in slaying demons in various places, organizing information on the demons' movements and intelligence, and discussing frontline defenses, this Pillars meeting also included...

Ultimately, the core of all the issues boils down to Tanjiro Kamado.

After deliberation and consideration throughout the meeting, Kagaya Ubuyashiki finally decided to entrust Tanjiro and Nezuko entirely to Shinobu Kocho, entrusting her with the care and guidance of the Butterfly Mansion.

During this period, there was no surveillance, no control, and no form of vigilance or restraint.

The Demon Slayer Corps will not send anyone to secretly monitor them, will not restrict their movements, and will not mistreat them as "demons".

The only arrangement was for Shinobu Kocho to personally guide and fully enhance Nezuko's combat abilities.

At the same time, it helps Tanjiro to control the power within his body more smoothly and freely, and to explore and perfect his own breathing technique.

All of this stems from a startling detail revealed by Sanemi Shinazugawa himself at the Pillar Meeting.

During the fierce battle between Shinazugawa Sanemi and Tanjiro, he once swung his sword at Tanjiro in a fit of rage.

But just as the blade was about to touch Tanjiro's body, Tanjiro vanished into thin air before his eyes.

The next second, it appeared on the other side, perfectly avoiding the fatal blow.

That scene greatly surprised all the Pillars present. Almost everyone subconsciously assumed that it was Tanjiro's Blood Demon Art as a demon, a demon's superpower, and definitely not a human technique.

But only Sanemi Shinazugawa, with his extremely keen battle intuition and eyesight as the Wind Pillar, asserted with absolute certainty.

That's definitely not Blood Demon Magic.

He clearly remembered that in the instant before Tanjiro disappeared, he heard the other man's breathing suddenly become heavier and unusually steady.

The breathing was deep, long, and rhythmic, just like the breathing techniques used by Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen.

It was this resolute statement that sent the entire Zhuhe Conference into an unprecedented upheaval.

A ghost actually managed to induce a reaction similar to breathing techniques on its own?

This was an absurd event, unprecedented in thousands of years, yet it actually happened to Tanjiro Kamado.

Based on this crucial clue, Lord Ubuyashiki Kagaya's attention finally fell on Shinobu Kocho, who was the Insect Pillar and was proficient in both the basic theory of breathing techniques and the art of body conditioning.

He proposed that if Tanjiro truly possessed the potential to master the Breathing Technique, Shinobu Kocho should lead him first, starting from the most basic parts, systematically guiding him to learn, comprehend, and master the Breathing Technique, and to unlock this power.

This proposal was met with strong opposition from Obanai Iguro and Gyomei Himejima.

They did not distrust Tanjiro's character, nor did they deny his value; rather, it stemmed from their extreme concern for all of humanity and for the future of the Demon Slayer Corps.

A ghost that has overcome sunlight and defied fate is beyond all known knowledge and possesses unpredictable potential and danger.

If he were to learn the strongest human methods for fighting demons...

If he were to combine the powerful physique of a demon with the power of breathing techniques, how terrifying would Tanjiro's strength become?

If this power gets out of control, it will be a more terrifying disaster than Muzan Kibutsuji.

For the Demon Slayer Corps, this is a huge risk that is completely uncontrollable and unpredictable.

The lord naturally understood the concerns of the two men and also knew the unease and fear in the hearts of all the pillars.

He did not forcefully suppress the dissenting voices, but simply told everyone gently but firmly.

Since the Demon Slayer Corps has chosen to accept Tanjiro, acknowledging him as our comrade and family, we should accept him completely and trust him completely.

Just like back then, the Demon Slayer Corps accepted every wounded and determined young man as a member, and every Pillar who risked his life to protect humanity.

To accept Tanjiro, one must trust his true heart, his perseverance, and that he will never betray this bond and promise.

True acceptance is never a half-hearted compromise, but a complete and unreserved entrustment.

The Lord's words were gentle yet carried immense power, striking the softest yet most steadfast belief in the hearts of every Pillar.

Obanai Iguro and Gyomei Himejima remained silent for a long time before finally letting go of all their concerns and nodding in agreement with their lord's arrangement, acknowledging the decision to have Shinobu Kocho instruct Tanjiro in the Breathing Technique.

After listening to the entire discussion and decision-making process of the Pillars meeting, Tanjiro and Nezuko were filled with shock and gratitude, and their original joy was further warmed by a burning feeling.

They never imagined that they would gain such deep trust from their master and all the Pillars, not only being accepted as members of the Demon Slayer Corps but also receiving the opportunity to systematically train and enhance their power.

Upon learning that they could train peacefully at the Butterfly Mansion, the brother and sister could hardly contain their excitement.

For Nezuko, she has always longed to become stronger, and the Insect Pillar Shinobu Kocho in front of her is a battle-hardened Pillar, a strong person who is proficient in breathing techniques and combat skills.

She was finally able to learn from Shinobu Kocho and explore her own fighting style.

They even tried to create their own unique breathing method.

For Tanjiro, this was an opportunity he had been dreaming of.

He has always relied on the Hinokami Kagura he inherited to fight, but although he can use it, it is never smooth enough.

Now, with Shinobu Kocho personally guiding him and systematically learning the foundation and principles of breathing techniques, he can more skillfully control Hinokami Kagura.

Seeing that Tanjiro and Nezuko not only showed no resistance, but instead looked expectant and excited.

Shinobu Kocho's lips curved into a gentle smile once more, her eyes filled with approval and expectation, as she slowly spoke.

"Then, from this day forward, I will lead you in the formal study of the Complete Collection of Classical Texts."