"Giyu!"
Another voice rang out.
A golden light shone from the side; it was the Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku.
His blade, imbued with the aura of flame, slashed towards Higashino Makoto's waist.
It is as fast as lightning and as powerful as a mountain.
Higashino Makoto didn't dodge. He extended his left hand and pinched the blade between two fingers.
Kyojuro Rengoku stopped moving. His eyes widened, and Higashino Makoto's calm face was reflected in his golden pupils.
"Good technique, but not fast enough."
Higashino Makoto loosened his grip and took a step back.
Kyojuro Rengoku stood there, gripping his sword, breathing rapidly.
But that signature smile still lingered on his lips.
"Amazing! Really amazing!"
His voice was still loud, but Higashino Makoto could hear the tremor in it.
"Again!"
He raised his knife, preparing to attack again.
"Anjuro."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice rang out, calm but undeniable.
"Step back."
Kyojuro Rengoku stiffened for a moment, then sheathed his sword and took a step back.
"Yes."
But the others did not withdraw.
The Wind Pillar, Sanemi Shinazugawa. His sword, accompanied by the roar of the wind, attacked from the side.
It was incredibly fast, with cyan wind blades wrapped around its blade.
Higashino Makoto reached out and pinched the blade between two fingers.
Sanemi Shinazugawa's pupils contracted, and the veins on his arm bulged as he tried to draw his sword, but the sword seemed to be welded shut and the Unassailable.
"Wind Breathing... that's pretty violent."
Higashino Makoto loosened his grip and took a step back.
Sanemi Shinazugawa stood there, gripping his sword, breathing rapidly.
His face was covered in scars, and his purple eyes burned with anger and resentment.
"Hateful--"
"Sanemi."
Sanemi Shinazugawa gritted his teeth, sheathed his sword, and took a step back.
But the attacks did not stop.
Serpent Pillar: Obanai Iguro. Love Pillar: Mitsuri Kanroji. Mist Pillar: Muichiro Tokito. Sound Pillar: Tengen Uzui.
One after another, one cut after another.
But the result is the same: pinch the blade between two fingers, then release.
In less than three minutes, all the pillars were standing in the courtyard, but no longer holding knives.
Their knives were easily taken away by Higashino Makoto, and neatly arranged in a row in front of him.
However, even if they had weapons, they would not continue their attack.
It's not that they're afraid; they have no fear when facing ghosts.
But just now, the other person said, "The weather's bad; such an interesting fight should take place in the sunshine."
As the man spoke, he lightly snapped his fingers, and then something unbelievable happened.
The dark clouds in the sky instantly dispersed, and sunlight fell on everyone's faces, including Higashino Makoto and Momo.
The other party wasn't a ghost!!!
"Does anyone else want to try?"
Higashino Makoto looked around, his golden eyes sweeping over every face.
No one spoke.
Higashino Makoto nodded, turned around, and walked to Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"Now, can we talk?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at him, his purple eyes flashing with a complex light.
Who exactly are you?
"I told you, traveler."
Higashino Makoto sat down opposite him, with Momo standing behind him, her purple eyes watching everything, her tail swaying gently behind her.
"A traveler from a very far place."
"A very far place... how far is it?"
"Far away, you wouldn't even know."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki remained silent for a moment.
"You came here just to find a tour guide?"
"Real."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"I'm very interested in this world. I want to travel around and see it all. I need someone familiar with this place to show me around."
Why did you come here?
"Because it's more interesting here."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gazing at the cherry blossom tree overhead.
Just because it's interesting?
The courtyard fell silent once more.
Those pillars, those team members, those standing around, some holding knives, some without, all looked at Higashino Makoto, at that calm face that revealed no emotion.
If you just want a tour guide--
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke, his voice calm.
I can give it to you.
"My lord!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's voice rang out, filled with anger and confusion.
"This person--he--he--"
What's wrong with him?
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at him.
He defeated you all, but didn't kill a single one. He broke in, but didn't harm anyone. He's not a ghost, not an enemy.
Sanemi Shinazugawa opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out.
"So, I'll give him a tour guide."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned his head and looked at Higashino Makoto.
But I have one condition.
"Explain."
"Help us destroy Muzan Kibutsuji."
Higashino Makoto fell silent.
He looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki, at the burning, resolute, and Indomitability light in those purple eyes.
"No."
His answer was concise and to the point.
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to. And the price you offered wasn't enough."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Why should I help you kill ghosts? It can't be because I have power. Ghosts have power too, so why don't you see them protecting humans? Even if you want to ask the gods for blessings, you should at least offer enough tribute and incense first, right?"
The courtyard fell silent once more.
Sanemi Shinazugawa's hands trembled, not from fear, but from anger.
What did you say?
I said, "I don't want to."
Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to the center of the courtyard, and looked up at the cherry blossom tree.
"I am not your god. I have no obligation to do anything for you. I am here simply because I wanted to. I am looking for a guide simply because I wanted to. That's all."
He turned around, looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and a wicked smile appeared on his lips.
But I can give you something.
"What?"
"A spot for resurrection. Of course, there's a price to pay."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's pupils contracted slightly, not paying much attention to the word "cost".
Isn't it only natural to pay a price for something like resurrection?
"Resurrected, like a ghost?"
"No, completely, entirely, resurrected as a human being."
Higashino Makoto walked back to him and stopped.
"I can resurrect a dead person. As long as her body or soul exists, I can bring her back to life."
He paused.
"However, the reward for hiring a tour guide is a bit too much. So the one who was resurrected needs to fulfill one condition of mine."
The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze.
All eyes were on Higashino Makoto.
Shock, doubt, anticipation, and fear—a mix of emotions swirled together.
Are you kidding me?
Sanemi Shinazugawa's voice was hoarse.
"I'm not joking."
Higashino Makoto spoke calmly.
"I have conditions."
What are the conditions?
"First, the person resurrected must be a lovely woman with a certain level of strength."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"Because I like it."
Higashino Makoto's answer was perfectly reasonable.
"Secondly, the person being resurrected must be a member of your Demon Slayer Corps. Or, in other words, someone who died fighting a demon."