The situation in Infinity Castle was roughly as described.
Meanwhile, on Horitake's side, Demon Slayer Corps reinforcements—Shinobu Kocho and Obanai Iguro—arrived.
Seeing Horitake blood-soaked, they were shocked. Horitake was the Corps' strongest, so what enemy could wound him like this!?
Horitake welcomed his comrades warmly.
Addressing their shock, he explained that Byouyo, Lower Rank Three, nearly caused a plague in Kusatsu but was slain by Miri. The one who clashed with him, causing this commotion, was Upper Rank One, Kokushibo—truly formidable.
"What!? Upper Rank One, Kokushibo!?"
Shinobu and Obanai were stunned.
"Yeah, I didn't expect to encounter him here. Here's what happened…"
Horitake recounted everything—from meeting the children in Kusatsu last night to his clash with Kokushibo.
Shinobu and Obanai listened, hearts pounding.
Horitake and Miri had come to Kusatsu for a brief rest, yet stumbled into such chaos.
If Horitake hadn't acted swiftly, a plague could've spread nationwide via Kusatsu's crowds. The consequences…
Imagining it, Shinobu and Obanai shivered.
It would've been catastrophic! Thank goodness Horitake stopped it!
Kind-hearted Shinobu sincerely thanked him: "Horitake-san, your actions were so timely! You saved countless lives and averted a disaster!"
Obanai, still shaken, praised: "As expected of the Heaven Pillar—decisive and quick. Without you, the outcome would've been unthinkable."
"Exactly! Only Horitake-san could handle this so perfectly," Shinobu added.
Her praise might seem exaggerated, but it wasn't. Horitake's spiritual vision allowed him to detect and eliminate the plague source swiftly—something no one else could've done.
Horitake basked in Shinobu's radiant praise: "Haha, Shinobu-neesan, you flatter me. I just did my duty as the Heaven Pillar."
A voice chimed in behind him: "Eh? Are these the Insect Pillar, Shinobu Kocho-sama, and the Serpent Pillar, Obanai Iguro-sama?"
Horitake's eyes widened. Oh no! I forgot!
He spun around, glancing at Miri, then at Shinobu.
Disaster!
Miri stepped forward, greeting the Pillars: "Hello, I'm Kanroji Miri, successor to Rengoku Kyojuro-sama! Pleased to meet you!"
Shinobu and Obanai returned the courtesy.
Horitake stood aside, uneasy.
The relationships among the four were… complicated.
He and Miri were lovers. He and Shinobu weren't there yet but were heading that way. So, Miri and Shinobu were… potential love rivals? Ideally, they'd become good sisters in a harmonious family.
In the original story, Miri and Obanai were a couple, though now they'd just met. So, he and Obanai were… rivals? Not quite.
The dynamics were messy.
Horitake sensed trouble brewing with the arrival of these two.
He quietly resented Yushiro. Master, why send these two? Are you testing me because my life's been too easy?
Yushiro would argue: Shinobu runs the Butterfly Mansion, the Corps' medical expert—perfect for a plague. Obanai was free and closest to Kusatsu. Logical choices.
Yushiro would say: Horitake, don't blame me. Your messy relationships are your own fault!
Horitake was exhausted.
He stopped untangling the four's dynamics, focusing on two priorities:
First, keep Obanai away from Miri to prevent any original-story romance. Miri was his girlfriend and loyal, but if Obanai developed feelings, it'd complicate things. As the saying goes: Don't fear a thief stealing, fear them coveting. No—thieves must neither steal nor covet! Guarding against Obanai like a thief would suffice.
Second, manage Shinobu and Miri's relationship. Their meeting was inevitable. Horitake's goal was to keep things civil, even if they clashed subtly. Surface harmony was essential.
He also had to soothe both girls. His playboy nature was exposed, but he couldn't let their affection plummet. He needed damage control.
Horitake sighed. So tiring. Clashing with Kokushibo all night wasn't this exhausting.
He began subtly managing the group's dynamics.
Miri finished greeting the Pillars. Obanai said: "I heard Flame Pillar had a successor, quite strong. That's you, Kanroji-san?"
Before Miri could reply, Horitake interjected, boasting: "Exactly! Miri's incredible. Last night, we split up. Miri held off Byouyo, Lower Rank Three, alone and killed him!"
Obanai nodded: "Impressive."
Horitake continued: "Miri's slain many demons. After this, I'll recommend her for Pillar. She'll join you soon."
Obanai nodded, saying little. To him, this girl tied to Horitake was strong and accomplished—a fine Pillar candidate.
Horitake studied Obanai's clear gaze, relieved to see no improper interest.
But his relief was short-lived.
Shinobu, smiling, asked Miri: "Oh? But Kanroji-san, as Flame Pillar's successor, why are you with Horitake-san?"
Her question cut straight to the heart of her concern.
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