Horitake opened his right hand before the Ubuyashiki family.
Within his hand, amid the lightning, an ominous black miasma writhed, bound by purple thunder, struggling futilely to break free.
The family's expressions were complex, dominated by disgust.
Yoyoi, frowning, stared at the miasma with his right eye:
"This is the curse that tormented me for years?"
Horitake nodded:
"It's what caused your decline, nearly draining you to death!"
Yoyoi, regaining his usual calm, nodded:
"Then, Horitake, please… destroy it!"
Horitake's palm surged with purple lightning, instantly annihilating the miasma. The curse vanished without a sound.
As it disappeared, the family exhaled, a mix of relief and lingering loss.
Horitake withdrew his lightning, congratulating Yoyoi:
"Congratulations, Lord Yoyoi, the curse is gone. With proper care, your body should recover to normal!"
Yoyoi's heartfelt joy shone through:
"I never thought I'd see the day my health returned!"
Facing Horitake, Yoyoi spoke with solemn gratitude:
"Horitake, this is all thanks to you. Without you, the curse would've consumed me. You're my savior—our family's savior!"
With that, Yoyoi bowed deeply to Horitake!
Amane, Kiriya, and the four daughters followed, bowing in unison as if rehearsed.
The solemn gratitude flustered Horitake!
This was his boss, his boss's wife, and their heir. Despite his deed, he couldn't accept such reverence!
"Too much, too much! Lord Yoyoi, your family doesn't need to do this! Please, rise!"
Horitake hurried to lift them.
But they wouldn't budge.
Yoyoi insisted on his gratitude. Horitake couldn't force him up, fearing harm.
Amane, a married woman, he couldn't touch.
Kiriya and the children he could pull up, but as one rose, another bowed, leaving Horitake overwhelmed.
Hearing the commotion, Mitsuri, guarding outside, opened the door and peeked in:
"What's happening? How's Lord Yoyoi?"
She saw the family bowing to Horitake, who scrambled to help them up.
After much persuasion, Horitake reluctantly accepted their gratitude.
The family rose, elated.
Horitake could finally speak calmly.
Mitsuri, seeing this, was puzzled:
"So… Lord Yoyoi's curse is gone?"
The chaos settled.
In the tatami room, the Ubuyashiki family sat with Horitake and Mitsuri.
Their gratitude toward Horitake was palpable.
Seeing their barely contained excitement, Horitake gave a wry smile:
"Lord Yoyoi, it was just within my ability, a small effort."
Yoyoi shook his head, resolute:
"To you, a small effort. To me, it's like being reborn!"
"Not at all, Lord Yoyoi."
"It is!" Yoyoi, impassioned, revealed his heart: "The Ubuyashiki clan, cursed by Muzan, sees its men die before thirty, tormented by pain. This tragic fate has changed with me! I'm free of the curse, the pain, and can live longer, serve the Corps, and be with my family. This is a debt beyond measure!"
The family's gratitude was clear.
What could Horitake do but accept it?
He became the Ubuyashiki clan's savior, his importance immeasurable.
This deepened their bond, elevating Horitake's status in the Corps.
Already a step above other Pillars as Heaven Pillar, Horitake now neared Yoyoi's own standing—second only to the leader.
Overwhelmed by their thanks, Horitake shifted topics, turning serious.
He looked at Kiriya:
"Lord Yoyoi's curse is gone, but Young Master Kiriya's remains. It's not fully active, but it's best removed preemptively. That said, while I can remove individual curses, I can't break the clan's bloodline curse. Kiriya's descendants will likely bear it. To end this, we must destroy the root of all tragedy—Muzan! Only his death will resolve this."
Yoyoi agreed fervently:
"Exactly. It all comes down to Muzan, the source of all evil. With my curse gone, my foresight has strengthened. I sense Muzan can be defeated in our generation. Horitake, with your skill and strength, you'll be key."
Horitake smiled:
"Lord Yoyoi, I alone am not enough. The entire Corps must unite."
Yoyoi laughed:
"True, it takes us all."
Mitsuri, seeing Yoyoi's vitality, was thrilled.
Her lord free of the curse—great news!
Watching Horitake converse with Yoyoi as an equal, she felt pride.
Her Horitake was incredible, curing Yoyoi, earning the family's respect, and likely rising higher in the Corps!
Horitake was… so cool! So amazing!
While Horitake spoke calmly with Yoyoi, his mind raced.
Why hadn't the system spoken?
Curing Yoyoi's curse should've triggered a butterfly effect.
Was it a positive effect, so no mission?
But his earlier premonition…
Huh!?
As Yoyoi spoke, Horitake's face shifted to shock and gravity!
The system's belated voice sounded:
Ding! The Host cured Ubuyashiki Yoyoi's curse, aiding the family and strengthening the Corps, altering fate and triggering a negative butterfly effect: the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters' exposure!
------------------------------
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