Chapter 86

"Lord, is this the world you come from? It feels completely different from mine."

In the midst of a bustling city, a dimly lit street was suddenly illuminated by a flash of light, and two figures slowly emerged from the shadows.

One of the figures was dressed in modern attire, a youth of striking appearance.

The other was clad in a white kimono, with a graceful and alluring figure.

These two were none other than Yūto and Jūhime, who had returned from the Demon Slayer world.

At first, when Yūto said he was not from the Demon Slayer world, Jūhime was somewhat skeptical. However, after Yūto actually brought her through the portal, Jūhime, now in a state of shock, looked at the drastically changed environment.

To bring Jūhime through, Yūto spent another 500 reputation points, and the cost of converting her into a demon further drained his resources, leaving him feeling quite depleted.

Although he successfully acquired a beautiful woman, to find more demons under his command, he still needed to look for demons in his own world.

While the idea of finding demons in other worlds was feasible, the cost was simply too high.

How much reputation did Yūto earn from a single mission? Just bringing one demon back to the main world almost nullified his efforts.

If it weren't for the reputation points provided by the Demon Slayer Corps members, this trip would have been a waste.

However, the results were still quite good. After spending two years in the Demon Slayer world, his gains and improvements were comparable to years of effort in the main world.

The system had a reason for sending him to other worlds to train and grow stronger.

To be fair, although the combat level in the Demon Slayer world was not high, Yūto learned a lot there.

The A-rank Sun Blade, the self-created Demon Breathing Technique, and bringing back Jūhime—this trip was fruitful in many aspects, except for the reputation points, which remained about the same.

After returning to the main world, the system informed him that time in the Demon Slayer world was frozen, and if he returned, he would reappear at the same time and place he left.

Tanjiro's trial by the Hashira, as Yūto had predicted, had some twists, but ultimately, Nezuko was accepted by the Demon Slayer Corps.

During the vote, Yūto, as a Hashira, vouched for Nezuko, deeply moving the other Hashira.

When the other Hashira learned that Yūto treated Tanjiro and Nezuko like his own siblings, the previously neutral Flame Hashira and Love Hashira, among others, sided with Yūto.

Additionally, Tanjiro presented a letter from鳞泷左近次 (Ginryu Sakonji), who confirmed that he had lived with Nezuko for a year, proving that she was harmless.

Wind Hashira Shinobu Kocho, however, remained unconvinced and proposed a test, slashing her own palm to lure Nezuko into attacking her.

It was well-known that demons, upon smelling blood, would enter a different state, so Shinobu intended to use this to provoke Nezuko.

If Nezuko attacked, Shinobu, as the Wind Hashira, could justifiably kill her.

Unfortunately, while Nezuko drooled, she refused to leave the box, much to Shinobu's frustration, who then slashed the box.

This act enraged Tanjiro, who, as a devoted brother, could not tolerate his sister being harmed in front of him.

Without hesitation, Tanjiro lunged at Shinobu, but before he could strike, Giyu Tomioka, sensing the situation, held him back.

"If you act now, both you and your sister will be finished.

Ordinary Demon Slayer Corps members who attack a Hashira are considered traitors."

Hashira were in a managerial position, far above ordinary Demon Slayer Corps members. While everyone sympathized with Tanjiro, his attack would change the situation.

"Tanjiro can't act, but I can, right? I'm a Hashira too, after all.

Shinobu Kocho, you want to provoke Nezuko's hunger, right? I'll help you by making a few large cuts on your body!"

Yūto swiftly snatched Nezuko from Shinobu and struck her, sending her flying.

His action heightened the tension in the room.

Sound Hashira and Rock Hashira, seeing Shinobu fly, stood guard in front of Yūto, wary of the situation.

They had opposed Nezuko, but now the issue was the internal conflict among the Hashira.

After working together for over a year, Sound Hashira and Rock Hashira, though not close to Yūto, knew he had a short temper.

While usually calm, he was ruthless when angered.

They intervened not to fight Yūto but to prevent the Wind Hashira from being seriously injured.

Yūto's strength in the Demon Slayer Corps was no secret; he could take on more than half of the Hashira in a one-on-one fight, and this was a real performance, not just boasting.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him. I'll just put him in bed for a year or two."

Hearing Yūto's words, Sound Hashira and Rock Hashira's faces darkened. A year or two in bed was not just a minor injury...

Determined to cut the Wind Hashira, Yūto's actions left the Love Hashira and others at a loss, unsure of whom to support in the chaotic situation.

"Enough! This is a Hashira meeting, and you are role models for all Demon Slayer Corps members. How much longer do you intend to act like this?"

A voice filled with anger came from behind the curtain, and everyone except Yūto knelt in self-reproach.

They had never seen the usually gentle Kyōjurō Rengoku lose his temper, but their behavior was indeed disrespectful.

"The matter of Nezuko Kamado is settled. The Demon Slayer Corps acknowledges her as a harmless demon, and this will be announced to the entire corps."

"As for the Wind Hashira, who acted without regard for the Hashira meeting's vote, she will be confined for three months and have her salary docked for one month.

The Demon Hashira will also have his salary docked for one month. This matter is closed."

While Kyōjurō Rengoku could punish Shinobu as the leader, he was truly at a loss with Yūto.

Given their current relationship, akin to that of an employer and employee, he could only dock Yūto's salary.