Garp let out a hearty laugh.
"Roy boy, this guy sure knows how to talk!"
He then turned to look at Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"Since you're all being so sensible, why not let this world join us? What do you say?"
Faced with Garp's demand, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's expression remained unchanged, though he had already weighed the pros and cons in his heart.
He knew that, against the strength of Roy and Garp, resistance was meaningless.
Rather than struggling in vain, it was better to go with the flow and fight for a chance of survival for this world.
"It would be this world's honor," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said quietly.
The Pillars stood nearby, their expressions grim, yet helpless.
They had never imagined they would feel so powerless.
Wind Pillar Shinazugawa Sanemi clenched his fists, anger and resentment flickering in his eyes, but he also knew that his own strength, before Roy and Garp, was no different from the gap between an ant and the sky.
"My lord..." Water Pillar Tomioka Giyuu murmured softly, understanding that Kagaya Ubuyashiki's decision was to protect this world, yet still feeling a trace of humiliation in his heart.
Mist Pillar Tokito Muichiro stood nearby with an expressionless face, though a flicker of confusion passed through his gaze.
Tanjiro looked at the expressions of the Pillars, and a wave of conflicting emotions rose in his heart.
He knew that Roy and Garp had come to help them deal with Muzan, but now...
"Mr. Roy..." Tanjiro said quietly, his tone hesitant.
At the same time, Muzan led the Upper Ranks in silently closing in on the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Today, he would bring the Demon Slayer Corps' existence to a complete end.
However, just as they were about to launch their attack, a terrifying pressure suddenly surged from the direction of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
That pressure swept forward like the collapse of heaven and earth.
"This... what is this?" Akaza came to an abrupt halt, for he had never felt such terrifying pressure before, as though it emanated from an existence that transcended demons entirely.
"Lord Muzan, this power..." Doma's voice carried a faint tremor, and though that eerie smile still hung on his face, a flash of panic crossed his eyes.
Muzan's expression also grew grave, his gaze fixed hard on the direction of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
He could feel that this power was far more terrifying than he had imagined.
"Impossible... how could such a power exist in this world?"
Muzan could not believe it.
Yet his greed and madness quickly overwhelmed the fear in his heart.
'This is just an illusion.'
'There cannot be an existence stronger than me in this world.'
He coldly issued his command.
"Keep moving! No one can stop me, no matter who it is!"
The Upper Ranks exchanged glances, their hearts filled with unease, but under Muzan's orders, they had no choice but to steel themselves and press on.
Inside the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Roy and Garp had withdrawn their pressure, yet the Pillars' hearts remained troubled.
Wind Pillar Shinazugawa Sanemi gripped his fists tightly, his knuckles white from the strain.
He felt humiliated deep inside, yet in the depths of his heart he could not help but acknowledge that, before the power of Roy and Garp, they truly had no means of resistance.
"My lord... are we truly going to submit to them?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki let out a sigh.
"Sanemi, I know you are unwilling. But their power... has already surpassed our understanding. Resistance will only bring needless sacrifice."
Water Pillar Tomioka Giyuu stood nearby and asked quietly, "But... is this choice the right one?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head.
"For the future of this world, we must make a choice."
Roy stood to one side, watching all of this with a calm gaze.
He had considerable admiration for Kagaya Ubuyashiki's pragmatism. Although the strength of these people was negligible in his eyes, as the finest in their world, their natural talent was by no means low.
If he were to bring them to the One Piece world and put them through systematic training, they might well grow considerably stronger.
Roy quietly calculated this in his heart, a hint of deeper meaning flickering in his gaze.
Garp was clearly entertaining the same idea.
He stroked his chin, then suddenly moved in a flash, appearing before Tanjiro in an instant.
His movement was so fast it was almost impossible to follow, and Tanjiro felt only a blur before his eyes before Garp's hearty, laughing face was right in front of him.
"Ha ha, kid, come join the Navy with me. This old man will train you well."
Garp brought both hands down heavily on Tanjiro's shoulders, his tone carrying undisguised admiration and anticipation.
"Work hard toward becoming the King of the Navy!"
Tanjiro was caught off guard by Garp's enthusiasm, and a trace of awkwardness rose on his face.
But he quickly sensed Garp's sincerity and open-heartedness, and a feeling of warmth grew in his heart.
He nodded, his tone resolute.
"Mr. Garp, I will do my best!"
Garp laughed heartily and patted Tanjiro's shoulder.
"Good kid, this old man knew he hadn't misjudged you!"
Nezuko stood nearby, watching the interaction between her brother and Garp, looking somewhat at a loss.
She was clearly confused by the situation before her.
However, just at that moment, Roy's figure suddenly appeared before her.
"So you are the demon girl who has overcome sunlight?"
Roy looked at Nezuko with considerable interest, for the girl before him was truly a natural beauty, her delicate features carrying a trace of resilience and gentleness.
Nezuko felt uneasy under Roy's gaze, her instincts telling her that the person before her was terrifyingly powerful.
Her body trembled slightly, a flash of panic crossing her eyes.
Yet Roy made no threatening move, and instead reached out and gently patted Nezuko on the head.
Nezuko was startled, then felt a warm energy pass from Roy's palm, as though it dispersed the fear and unease in her heart.
She could not help but nuzzle her head against Roy's hand, but quickly realized her own forwardness and stopped, a blush rising on her face.
Roy gave a faint smile, his tone gentle.
"There is no need to be nervous. I mean you no harm."
Nezuko lifted her head, gave a small nod, and said softly, "Th... thank you."
A deeper meaning flickered in Roy's gaze as he murmured quietly, "A demon who has overcome sunlight... what a fascinating existence."
At the same time, the exchange between Garp and Tanjiro grew ever more spirited.
"Kid, your talent is good, but you still need much more training."
Garp said with a great laugh, "Once we've settled things here, this old man will take you to Marine Headquarters and let you see what real training looks like!"
Tanjiro nodded, a light of anticipation shining in his eyes.
"Mr. Garp, I will do my best!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki watched this scene, and a trace of relief rose in his heart.
He knew that, although the strength of the Demon Slayer Corps was negligible before Roy and Garp, their arrival might well be the new beginning this world needed.
Roy looked Nezuko over.
Although Nezuko was a demon, she showed no fear of light at this moment, and in fact seemed to have a particular dependence on the sun.
---