Horitake was troubled.
Based on the system's reward, he deduced he'd likely need the Substitute Doll.
From the doll, he inferred a near-certain lethal crisis awaited.
How could he not worry?
Suddenly, a thought struck him! The system's lengthy prompt mentioned the doll wasn't just for him—anyone could use it with the same effect!
What did this mean?
Horitake's face darkened.
Did the system imply the crisis might not target him, but someone close to him?
Who were his closest people? Three: Kanroji Mitsuri, Shinobu Kocho, Nezuko Kamado.
That's who he thought of.
Did the system mean not just he, but his three women, could face a lethal crisis? Yet it only gave one doll! How was he supposed to choose?
Of course, this was just Horitake's speculation, unconfirmed.
But speculation was what scared him.
Before entering the Ubuyashiki estate, he'd had a bad feeling. Combined with the system's hint, his mood soured.
Damn system, don't pull any stunts, or I'm done!
(Horitake points his blade at the author, seething: "Don't mess around, got it? If you dare let anything happen to me or my women, I'll quit! How will you write then? How will you face the readers?")
(The author, facing Horitake's blade, pleads: "Mercy! I swear I won't let anything happen to you or your women. If I did, neither you nor the readers would forgive me!")
(Horitake retracts his blade, nods satisfied, and leaves.)
Though worried, Horitake had no immediate solution. He'd stay vigilant and adapt.
Thus, Mitsuri became the Love Pillar, and Horitake completed his long mission, earning a life-saving tool.
Yoyoi, smiling, instructed Mitsuri:
"At the next Hashira meeting, you, as Love Pillar, must attend to meet the other nine."
Mitsuri nodded eagerly.
Looking at Horitake and Mitsuri, Yoyoi was genuinely delighted:
"With another Pillar, our Corps now has an unprecedented ten. Our strength is unmatched! Perhaps this era will see us end Muzan!"
Yoyoi's excitement pulled Horitake from his worries.
Horitake, serious yet inspired, responded:
"Lord Yoyoi is right. We must end Muzan in our generation, sparing our descendants this cruel fate. My visit isn't just for Mitsuri's promotion—it's to temporarily end your clan's wretched curse!"
The Ubuyashiki family of seven gasped in joy.
Though they'd anticipated something, they weren't certain.
Amane, clutching Yoyoi's hand, asked urgently:
"Horitake, can… Yoyoi's curse be lifted!?"
Her trembling voice betrayed her usual calm.
Horitake smiled confidently:
"Yes! I'm certain I can lift Lord Yoyoi's curse!"
The family exclaimed:
"Really!?"
Mitsuri chimed in:
"Don't worry! For months, Horitake practiced tirelessly. His method is perfected. If he says he's sure, it's certain!"
Horitake's confidence shone:
"From summer to deep autumn, it's time to end Lord Yoyoi's curse!"
Yoyoi, the patient, smiled:
"Truly, that's wonderful."
Now, Yoyoi was just a patient, his words ignored. Amane took charge.
Standing decisively, she asked Horitake:
"Can we lift my husband's curse now?"
Horitake used Spirit Vision to check Yoyoi's condition and nodded:
"Lord Yoyoi's health is good. We can proceed."
"What do we need? I'll prepare immediately!"
"Nothing. Just a quiet room, silence, Lord Yoyoi's cooperation, and no interruptions."
"Easy enough!"
Amane, showing her matriarch's resolve, declared:
"There's a quiet, secure tatami room nearby. We'll all stay silent, and my husband will cooperate fully. Right, darling?"
Amane smiled at Yoyoi.
Yoyoi, sweating, could only nod.
Amane, satisfied, opened the door and sternly instructed Goto outside:
"Goto! Guard this door. No one enters. My husband has critical business and must not be disturbed. No visitors, not even the Emperor!"
Goto, rarely seeing Amane so serious, saluted:
"Yes, Lady Amane!"
As Amane gave orders, Kiriya Ubuyashiki asked Horitake worriedly:
"Big Brother Horitake, when you lift Father's curse, can we stay by his side?"
Horitake nodded:
"You can, but stay quiet, understood?"
Kiriya, acting mature, nodded firmly, as did Yoyoi's four daughters.
Seeing Kiriya's serious demeanor, Horitake chuckled:
"Young Master Kiriya, don't be nervous yet. After I lift your father's curse, you're next. You have a curse too, not fully formed, but it needs removing."
Kiriya, shyly:
"Father comes first. I'm not in a rush."
"Naturally. Your father's curse can't wait. The longer we delay, the less certain I am."
Amane, finished with instructions, opened a sliding door, revealing a spacious, quiet tatami room.
"Is this suitable?"
Horitake nodded:
"Yes. Lord Yoyoi, please."
No longer the Corps' leader but a patient, Yoyoi obeyed.
Following Horitake's instructions, Yoyoi entered the room and lay on the tatami as directed.
------------------------------
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