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"A Blood Demon Art that manipulates space?!" Kanae exclaimed, and the other Pillars furrowed their brows in unison.
For a moment, no one spoke, the only sound being the gentle babbling of the stream flowing through the courtyard behind them.
"Blood Demon Arts that manipulate space on a small scale aren't uncommon," Giyu said suddenly. "We've encountered them before."
"But what Mr. Uchiha is talking about isn't some trivial Blood Demon Art, is it?!" Sanemi shot him an irritated glance.
Still as bad at communicating as ever! Making it sound like we're overreacting! Forget it, I won't argue with an idiot! Sanemi turned his head away.
"Of course," Giyu replied, glancing at Sanemi with confusion. "What I want to know is, how large is the range of Muzan's random movements?"
Kaito answered, "When I cast the curse, his movements were confined to the Tokyo area. However, after Upper Rank One Kokushibo's death, his range expanded to the entire Kanto region. I can't rule out the possibility of it expanding further."
"That makes things tricky," Kagaya said. "The speed at which our swordsmen can travel can't match spatial movement. Even if you locate him, unless we can kill him immediately, he might escape using a Blood Demon Art."
"That's indeed a possibility," Kaito agreed.
Kagaya continued, "Muzan is likely the most cowardly creature in this world. According to records, when he was cornered by the swordsman who used the original Sun Breathing, he split his body into over 1,800 fragments to escape, ultimately surviving."
He sighed. "That was likely the closest he ever came to death. Afterward, he vanished for decades, only reappearing after that swordsman passed away."
"Over 1,800 fragments!" The swordsmen present felt a chill run down their spines.
They knew that even if they gained the upper hand, stopping so many fragments would be impossible.
Kaito nodded. "It seems the best approach now is to lure him out and trap him within a pre-set barrier to ensure his capture."
"The only thing that could lure Muzan out is the Blue Spider Lily," Kagaya said. "It's what he's been searching for over a millennium to overcome his fear of sunlight."
Hearing this, Kaito raised an intrigued eyebrow. "To know such critical information, you must have a special ally—one who's broken free from Muzan's control?"
"You're quite perceptive," Kagaya said with a smile, then explained to the swordsmen, "There's a demon named Tamayo who escaped Muzan's control when he was driven to the brink by that original swordsman. She modified her body with drugs, allowing her to survive on minimal blood."
"So it's really possible for demons and humans to coexist peacefully?" Kanae asked, her voice filled with excitement.
This had always been her hope, until she nearly died at the hands of Douma, realizing how unrealistic her dream was. Now, hearing of a real case from Kagaya, she couldn't contain her enthusiasm.
"No way!" Sanemi and Iguro said in unison, their hatred for demons evident.
"Tamayo may be an exception," Kagaya said. "She escaped Muzan's control at that unique moment. Filled with hatred for him, her goal is revenge. Thus, she has had some contact and exchanges with the Ubuyashiki clan."
Kaito mused, "To break free from his curse using drugs? While not as remarkable as the doctor who turned Muzan into a demon, it's still an impressive feat."
"Indeed," Kagaya said, looking at Kaito. "So, Mr. Uchiha, do you know of the Blue Spider Lily?"
"I do," Kaito nodded confidently.
"Where is it?" Sanemi asked urgently. "We can't let that thing fall into Muzan's hands!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Shinazugawa," Kaito said with a smile. "Unlike the red spider lily, the Blue Spider Lily is an extremely delicate plant. In today's world, where mystery is fading, there's no soil left for them to grow."
"That flower might only be cultivated by someone with spiritual power like myself."
Perhaps only that divine beast in the so-called Peach Blossom Land has it, he thought, recalling a rumor he heard while passing through this world's underworld. (T/N: The Peach Blossom Spring, or Peach Blossom Spring Story or The Peach Blossom Land was a fable written by Tao Yuanming in 421 CE about a chance discovery of an ethereal utopia where the people lead an ideal existence in harmony with nature, unaware of the outside world for centuries.)
"Moreover, from what I know, that flower only blooms during the day, and its flowering period lasts at most two or three days."
"I see. So the flower no longer exists in this world, and even if it did, it would bloom under the sun," Kagaya said with a complex tone. "No wonder Muzan has had his demons search for a millennium without success. It's quite the irony."
"Then how do we lure Muzan into acting?" Rengoku asked loudly.
"What about… the chance to completely wipe out the Ubuyashiki clan? That might pique his interest," Kagaya suggested.
"Lord Ubuyashiki!!"
"How could you put yourself at risk?!"
"Please reconsider this idea!"
"…"
The swordsmen, visibly anxious, voiced their objections one after another.
"Because of my presence, even if you offer such bait, there's a high chance Muzan won't take it," Kaito said, shaking his head. "At least based on what you've said about his character."
Kagaya nodded, understanding, and asked, "Do you have any other methods?"
"I might be able to obtain a real Blue Spider Lily," Kaito said uncertainly.
"You mean…?" Kagaya's expression shifted, glancing downward at the ground.
"So I'll need to confirm," Kaito said, slowly standing. "Also, aside from the Pillars here, the other swordsmen are still out slaying demons, correct? I'd like to ask them to collect demon blood. I need more of Muzan's blood."
"The blood of lower demons contains too little of Muzan's essence!" Rengoku declared loudly, with others nodding in agreement.
"No matter—every bit counts. Until we meet again," Kaito said, forming a hand seal. He took a step forward and vanished from sight.
"Then let's rest for now," Amane said, emerging from the house.
"We'll wait for Mr. Uchiha's return," Kagaya added.