Knowing when to stop

"Oh..."

Sanemi gave a cold laugh.

"If you want him, then let him be your younger brother!"

"That guy still comes to bother me every now and then, acting like he can't live without his older brother and sister, it's so annoying!"

"If he weren't not a ghost, I would have killed him!"

"You..." Shinobu Kocho opened her mouth angrily, but didn't know what to say.

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned to varying degrees. After all, in this day and age, family members are arguably the closest people to everyone.

"Amitabha..."

Gyomei softly chanted a Buddhist prayer to attract everyone's attention, then slowly said:

"Actually, I've known about those two brothers for a long time!"

"Hmm? How did you know?" Obanai asked, looking at Gyomei.

Gyomei said, "I took Genya as my disciple before, and I've heard some stories about the two brothers from him."

"Hmph..." Sanemi sneered, "He's always gossiping and talking nonsense. I'll definitely beat him up next time I see him!"

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned slightly, but due to their relationship, they couldn't bring themselves to criticize.

After all, although everyone is a pillar, they usually only see each other two or three times a year.

We've only met about ten times in the past four or five years. If we don't communicate privately, we can't really be considered very close.

Gyomei continued, "Actually, Genya has known for a long time that he misunderstood Sanemi back then, and has always wanted to apologize to Sanemi, but Sanemi has never been able to accept it!"

"Hmm? Why not accept it?" Obanai her head to Sanemi and asked.

"Heh, why should I have to accept it?" Sanemi sneered.

Having said that, seemingly worried that the crowd would continue to persuade him, he turned to look at them and said:

"I'll say it again, I have absolutely nothing to do with him anymore! He's not my brother, and I'm not his older brother!"

"And I advise you not to meddle in other people's business, or don't blame me for getting angry!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone frowned again, but Sanemi had already said so much, they had no choice but to remain silent.

Teiichi looked at Sanemi and asked, "Are you doing this to protect him?"

Upon hearing this, Sanemi seemed to have been provoked, slamming his hand heavily on the table in front of him and saying irritably:

"Didn't I already say? I have nothing to do with him anymore. Whether he lives or dies is none of my business. It would be best if he died out there, so he wouldn't bother me anymore!"

Having said that, Sanemi turned to look at Teiichi and said fiercely:

"Besides, didn't I just say that if you try to persuade me again, don't blame me for getting angry? You think you can ignore what I said just because you're stronger than me?"

His words were brimming with malice.

Seeing this, Kanae gently reached out and Teiichi's arm, signaling him Teiichi stop talking for the time being.

Teiichi turned to Kanae and gave her a reassuring smile, then, ignoring Sanemi's words, turned to Sanemi and asked:

Do you remember what we were going to talk about at this meeting?

"Isn't it just about discussing what to do in the final battle with Muzan Kibutsuji?" Sanemi asked, frowning.

"You still remember!" Teiichi nodded with a look of difficulty.

"What do you mean?" Sanemi asked irritably.

Ignoring Sanemi's question, Teiichi continued:

"Do you think you can persuade your brother to quit the Demon Slayer Corps during this time?"

"I told you, I don't have a younger brother, he's not my brother anymore, whether he leaves the Demon Slayer Corps or not has nothing to do with me!" Sanemi said irritably.

Seeing that Sanemi hadn't realized it yet, Teiichi continued:

"I'll answer that for you: he definitely won't leave the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"That means he will definitely participate in the final battle!"

"Fine, I'll participate. What does it have to do with me!" Sanemi realized something was amiss, but still stubbornly insisted.

Teiichi looked at Sanemi and continued:

"If this final battle goes smoothly, then it will simply mean that we have successfully eliminated Muzan Kibutsuji!"

"But do you think it's possible that no one died during that time?"

"And if things don't go smoothly, then it means Muzan Kibutsuji still alive, but many people have died—everyone who was alive is dead!"

At this point, Teiichi paused slightly, took a sip of tea, and then looked at Sanemi, who was staring at the table with a furrowed brow, and said:

"In other words, this period of time may be the last time you two brothers can spend together!"

Teiichi finished speaking, the room immediately fell silent.

Although everyone knew the final battle was coming, most felt a sense of relief, knowing the final battle was finally about to begin.

After Teiichi said this, everyone realized that this might be the last period of time for many people, or even everyone.

"I've already told you, I have nothing to do with him!" Sanemi still stubbornly insisted, though her voice was noticeably softer than before.

Teiichi glanced at Sanemi, but didn't reply. That was enough.

Sanemi can abandon his past behavior and reconcile the two brothers ultimately depends on him.

The room fell silent again as everyone pondered what they should do during what might be their last moments.

After a long while, Teiichi looked at the next person, Kyojuro Rengoku.

Seeing that Teiichi was looking at him, Kyojuro immediately spoke up, without having any reason to hesitate.

"As you all probably already know, the Rengoku Family Clan is a family of Demon Slayer; our family has existed as Demon Slayer for generations."

"In the Demon Slayer Corps, the position of Flame Hashira is almost always held by someone from our family."

"Therefore, naturally, being born into the Rengoku Family, I joined the Demon Slayer Corps and became the Pillar I am today!"

"My Ueya has been quite ordinary, nothing much to say. Even my deceased mother died from an illness; it had nothing to do with ghosts!"

Everyone nodded silently upon hearing this.

Compared to the people before them, this is indeed quite ordinary, but it's the kind of ordinariness that everyone desires.

Unfortunately, for those who join the Demon Slayer Corps, even such ordinariness is an unattainable dream.

Teiichi turned his gaze to the opposite side of their row, next to Giyu.

"Is it my turn?" Muichiro asked calmly.

After Teiichi firm decision, he nodded before speaking:

"I don't remember anything from before, I only remember that I had to kill demons!"

"I learned the gist of my past from my Master!"

"It's like this: a demon attacked my house and killed my brother. Then I killed the demon, joined the Demon Slayer Corps, met my master, and that's how it's been!"