The next day, on the snow-covered streets of winter, Oboro walked through town dressed in traditional samurai attire.
The eyes of passing pedestrians filled with awe and timidity. Though the late Edo period had diminished the samurai's former glory from the shogunate's peak, ordinary citizens still deeply respected them.
Here, samurai were equivalent to nobility.
Moreover, Oboro's identity carried significant weight. He resided alone in a sprawling mansion not merely because of his samurai status, but because he served as a minister of the Bugyosho essentially a high-ranking government official wielding considerable power.
Some passing warriors bowed respectfully upon spotting Oboro.
Several were fellow "Retainers" of the Bugyosho. These Retainers maintained the city's public security, equivalent to police officers of later generations.
This is the world of Demon Slayer.
Oboro found himself in the Youguo District a famous locale for romance, wine, and pleasure.
"Ahem"
He walked without a sword and without an entourage, simply leaning on a cane while wearing a heavy haori coat.
Every few steps, he needed to pause and rest. The cold wind mixing with air in his lungs made his already pale face appear even more sickly.
"This body is really" Oboro shook his head.
He looked up at the surrounding low, thin wooden houses that lined the street.
Youguo's fame in the Demon Slayer world stemmed naturally from its prominence in the storyline specifically the scene where Tanjiro accompanies the Sound Pillar to confront Daki and her brother Gyutaro.
A wooden house door creaked open slightly, revealing a half-naked woman who deliberately slipped her patched gown from her shoulders. After hesitating momentarily, she cast a timid glance his way.
Her intentions couldn't have been more obvious.
Oboro smiled at her before moving on.
Had he still fully embraced his Hunter x Hunter mindset, he probably wouldn't have acknowledged her presence, perhaps even frightening her with a single glance. But after his experiences in the previous world, especially upon leaving Hunter x Hunter, reflecting on his past made Oboro understand certain truths. In his previous life, he had been excessively cautious, perpetually worried, focused solely on pursuing power. He never truly "appreciated" or "explored" the Hunter x Hunter world because he sacrificed too much in his quest for strength.
Power mattered, certainly, but the journey's scenery shouldn't be overlooked.
Better to relax a little.
The woman watched him walk away, disappointment visible in her eyes. She could tell this gentleman possessed a gentle nature. If she could earn his sympathy perhaps
"Such misery," Oboro sighed after walking a while longer.
Youguo's lowest district was essentially a slum.
In the bitter winter cold, most residents lived in simple, tiny wooden structures offering minimal warmth. People wore thin linen clothing, and many children walked barefoot through snow. Fancy attire was rare here, which explained why his appearance alone intimidated people, keeping them at a distance.
Most samurai who ventured here were mere retainers, some even masterless ronin.
Though samurai commanded respect, their standing had diminished, creating distinct social tiers.
The truly wealthy and powerful sought entertainment in Youguo's genuine red-light district rather than places like this.
"A completely different era and setting from Hunter x Hunter," Oboro observed, stopping as he witnessed a drunk man selling his daughter to a heavily made-up brothel madam. Despite the daughter's tears and pleas, her father remained unmoved, hurrying away with his payment.
He didn't even look back.
The madam spotted Oboro and bowed hastily, offering a flattering smile before continuing her rounds, collecting girls from house to house.
Youguo emanated an overwhelming atmosphere of worldly affairs that had "infected" neighboring areas. It symbolized the Edo period's impending conclusion a world in recession, the shogunate's power waning.
This slum corner sprawled extensively. Given Oboro's current physical condition and the harsh weather, walking even a few streets would be an achievement. Completing a full tour was impossible.
He had merely ventured out to relax and learn about this world.
Shortly after reaching a street intersection, he found sedan chair bearers who had been waiting there for some time.
Four bearers per sedan.
These square, compact sedan chairs typically used by wealthy families could accommodate only a single passenger.
Speaking of which, this world's background resembles Earth's history, completely unlike the setting of Hunter x Hunter.
"Heh" Oboro chuckled.
Time travel's advantage was the inevitable comparison between multiple realities.
The sedan bearers dismounted and respectfully invited Oboro to board.
Oboro paused, turning to observe a boy who had been following him for some time. Barefoot with disheveled hair, the child panicked when Oboro's gaze fell upon him. Though he'd shadowed Oboro for quite a while, attempting several times to speak but ultimately retreating, the boy possessed the keen perception common to those surviving at society's lowest rungs.
Oboro beckoned to him.
The boy approached timidly.
"What's your name?" Oboro asked.
"Your Excellency My name is Zechuan," the boy replied, swallowing nervously.
"Do you know any family with the surname of a prostitute around here?"
The boy shook his head.
Oboro asked nothing further but withdrew a banknote from his sleeve and offered it.
The boy's eyes brightened as he reached for the money, nodding repeatedly in gratitude.
Oboro noticed nearby adults eyeing the exchange with undisguised greed. He gently touched Zechuan's head, his gentle tone suddenly shifting to cold steel: "An innocent man is guilty of possessing treasure You need money, but you need to keep yourself safe even more."
"I will return. I hope you're still alive when I do"
With those words, Oboro entered the sedan chair.
The bearers shouted in unison as they carried him away.
The boy clutched the coins tightly, bowing deeply toward the departing sedan.
Then, seeing the approaching adults, he gritted his teeth and fled.
"Ahem" Inside the sedan, Oboro couldn't suppress another coughing fit.
He was desperately weak a completely infirm person.
He'd tested his limits but dared not practice martial arts or exercise, as his physical foundation was too fragile. Even minimal exertion might endanger his life.
Oboro felt frustrated.
Demon Slayer featured many sickly characters with Muzan and Rui among them. He hadn't expected to join their ranks.
It's no solution to merely drag along with my soul I can't determine whether the siblings were born during this period, nor when Doma will appear. I should become a demon first I want to experiment. Forget using spider lily to escape the sun's bondage with my current soul, can I resist the curse attached to your blood Muzan?
Oboro smiled.
Though his soul had weakened considerably, he still wanted to test Muzan's willpower.
Since this world offered lower power levels he would create his own entertainment.
After becoming a demon, one cannot defy Muzan's will or even speak his name without alerting him.
This restriction intrigued Oboro deeply.
He would examine Muzan's blood to see if he could resist its control.
He could also assess Muzan's willpower
In Hunter x Hunter, he had encountered countless powerful individuals. Those who mastered Nen inevitably possessed extraordinary willpower.
So compared to this world's Muzan, what level could he reach?