In an instant, all nine Pillars knelt on one knee before the Lord of the Demon Slayer Corps, Ubuyashiki Yoyoi. Whether it was Iguro Obanai lying on the tree or the irritable Fujigawa Miya, all of them quietly and neatly knelt before Ubuyashiki Yoyoi, while Tanjiro went down on one knee beside Tomioka Giyu.
Tomioka Giyu held Tanjiro by the neck, making it clear he wanted Tanjiro to follow his lead and bow to Ubuyashiki Yoyoi. Xander simply bowed his head slightly in greeting.
"Good morning, sir."
Ubuyashiki Yoyoi looked at Xander, smiled slightly, and said, "Xander, last time you mentioned you would join the Demon Slayer Corps in about two years, but only a year has passed. Did something happen?"
Xander smiled easily, glanced at Tanjiro beside him, and said, "Well, some interesting things happened, so I couldn't resist joining the Demon Slayer Corps."
Seeing Xander's glance, Ubuyashiki Yoyoi also understood that he joined the Corps because of Tanjiro and Nezuko.
"I see. We'll discuss your matters later."
Hearing this, Xander stepped aside.
The words and tone of Ubuyashiki Yoyoi instantly surprised the Nine Pillars. Ubuyashiki Yoyoi had indeed dismissed Xander.
"Excuse me, but before we start the meeting, I would like to explain to this team member named Xander and Kamado Tanjiro, who brought a demon. What do you think?"
At this moment, except for the scars on Fujigawa Shima's body that gave him a somewhat warrior-like appearance, his words and actions were entirely rational.
"Yes, sorry for the disturbance."
Upon hearing this, Ubuyashiki Yoyoi first apologized and then continued:
"I recognize Tanjiro and Nezuko, with Xander as their overseer, and I hope everyone will acknowledge them."
Hearing that Ubuyashiki Yoyoi, as the Lord, had effectively recognized Tanjiro and Nezuko, the Pillars were somewhat shocked and found it difficult to accept.
"Ah! Even if it's the Lord's request, it's hard for me to agree!" expressed the Stone Pillar, Beiminyo Shinmin, the first to assert his stance.
"I also strongly object. It's hard to accept a demon slayer with a demon," stated the Sound Pillar, Uzui Tengen, conveying his position second.
"I will follow the leader's orders in everything!" The Love Pillar, Kanroji Mitsuri, held a contrary view and decided to heed Ubuyashiki Yoyoi's words. At the same time, she was very pleased that the Lord accepted Xander and Tanjiro.
"I don't care. I'll forget about it immediately," said the Mist Pillar, Tokito Muichiro, dispassionately.
Kocho Shinobu said nothing and kept her head down, her thoughts unclear.
As for Tomioka Giyu, he had made his decision a year ago.
After a few seconds of silence, the Serpent Pillar, Iguro Obanai, shook his head and said:
"I can't trust him. After all, he is the most repulsive demon."
"Though I respect the Lord with all my heart, I truly cannot comprehend this idea." The Flame Pillar, Rengoku Kyojuro, did not express his position, but from his words, it could be inferred that he opposed it.
Finally, Fujigawa Saneya was extremely displeased and emphasized again:
"The Demon Slayer Corps is meant to kill demons. I hope you can punish Kamado, Xander, and Tomioka!"
Xander did not expect to take on the additional role of overseer, but in just 0.1 seconds, he understood everything.
"It seems it's all about the letter from Grandpa Urokodaki."
Ubuyashiki Yoyoi was not angered by someone opposing him, but he was unwilling to change his decision. Instead, he spoke to his daughter on the right:
"Fetch the letter."
"Yes!" replied the small girl with white hair, Ubuyashiki Yoyoi's daughter, as she took a letter from her pocket, opened the envelope, and took out the letter.
"This is a letter from the former Water Pillar, Lord Urokodaki Sakonji! Allow me to read its contents aloud!"
Hearing this, Tanjiro focused his attention on the letter. He was curious to know what his master had written.
Xander had already guessed what it contained.
"Please allow Tanjiro to be with his sister, who is a demon. Nezuko relied on her strong mental fortitude to maintain her sanity as a human. She did not eat people even when she was hungry and has been in this state for over a year. Although it is incredible, it is a proven fact"
"Moreover, Xander will accompany them on their journey. He is steadfast in his beliefs and will not spare any demon that harms humans. As an overseer, if Nezuko attacks people, Xander will punish Nezuko, and Kamado Tanjiro, Sakonji Urokodaki, and Tomioka Giyu will commit seppuku to apologize."
After the little girl finished reading the letter, Xander lowered his head in thought.
"Just as I thought, Grandpa Urokodaki treated me like his own grandson, so he didn't want me to be fully involved in this matter, which is why he assigned me the role of overseer.
"But he was ready to sacrifice his life for Tanjiro and Nezuko. How both selfish and magnanimous!"
Xander smiled. For the first time in 17 years of living in this world, he felt a sense of belonging, a familial bond.
Tanjiro did not expect Sakonji Urokodaki and Tomioka Giyu to do this. Tears welled up in his eyes and flowed uncontrollably.
"What does seppuku prove? If you want to die, just go and die! It's not a guarantee!" Fujigawa Shima did not choose to release Hayashi, Tanjiro, and Tomioka Giyu just because of Sakonji Urokodaki's promise at the cost of seppuku.
"As Fujigawa said! If you kill people to eat, there's no justification for it! The people killed won't come back!" The Flame Pillar, Rengoku Kyojuro, continued speaking to Ubuyashiki Yoyoi after Fujigawa Sanei's words.
"Brother Purgatory is right, that's why I'm the overseer, isn't it?" On the road, I saw Nezuko helping and protecting people, so I believe that Nezuko will not harm humans.
Xander spoke slowly and then suddenly changed the topic.
— But! Brother Rengoku! If people kill all demons, regardless of whether they are good or not, based on their innate prejudices, how are we different from demons?
Ubuyashiki Yoyoi looked at Xander's figure and smiled slightly, then said:
— Indeed, Xander has been with Tanjiro and Nezuko all the while, and there is no evidence that Nezuko attacked anyone, and she was killed before any evidence of her attack appeared. Isn't this what Xander said?
Hearing this, Fujigawa Saneya fell silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.
And Ubuyashiki Yoyoi continued:
— And these three have staked their lives for Nezuko. If you want to deny this, then the opposing side must also offer something of greater value. Do you have such a desire?
What Ubuyashiki Yoyoi said caused all the pillars who held the opposing viewpoint to suddenly fall silent.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Ubuyashiki Yoyoi continued:
— Furthermore, I would like to inform my swordsmen of something else. Tanjiro and the others encountered Muzan Kibutsuji.