Hearing Horitake's account, Ubuyashiki Yōya frowned. "I see… This incident is a lesson for the Corps. Demons fear sunlight, but some can act in daylight."
Horitake nodded. "Yes. Special Blood Demon Arts, like the Earth-Diving Demon's, allow daytime activity with proper cover. But such abilities are rare. If common, we'd have noticed demons acting in daylight. Be vigilant, not overly worried."
Yōya and the others nodded. He praised Horitake: "Thanks to your swift action, the demon was slain. If it escaped or grew unchecked, it could've become an Upper Moon, or worse, shared its ability with Muzan. That would've been catastrophic."
Horitake demurred. "Hardly. Senior Himejima arrived at Fujikasane Mountain. With his strength, he'd have easily killed it."
Gyomei clasped his hands. "If the demon emerged, perhaps. But hiding underground? My methods would've failed. Only your Thunder Breathing's lightning could pierce the earth. Your refined techniques were key."
Yōya's eyes lit up. "You refined Thunder Breathing?"
Horitake clarified, "Not quite. I built my own version atop traditional Thunder Breathing."
Before Horitake could deflect, Yōya turned to Mitsuri. "And you, Kanroji Mitsuri. I heard from the Flame Hashira you derived Love Breathing from Flame Breathing, correct?"
Mitsuri, touched, replied, "I'm honored you've heard of me, Master. I did create Love Breathing, but it's immature, and my strength pales compared to Lord Horitake's."
Yōya encouraged her warmly. "Everyone grows. Horitake, Mitsuri, I believe you'll become Hashira, slaying stronger demons. Seeing you prodigies, I can envision Muzan's end—perhaps the demon scourge ends in our generation."
His confidence inspired them. Mitsuri declared, "Yes, Master! I'll become a Hashira and slay more demons!"
Gyomei chanted, "May the demons' sins end in our time. Amitabha."
Horitake smiled cryptically. "Perhaps the Master's intuition is right. Muzan's end may be near."
Knowing the original plot, Horitake was certain Muzan's days were numbered. The story demands his death. Butterfly effects may shift things, but I'm here to control them. With Tanjirō and me, Muzan's doomed.
Yōya, perceptive, caught the conviction in Horitake's words. "Oh? You seem certain. Why?"
Horitake met his gaze, pointing to his eyes. "Your clan has foresight, Master. Coincidentally, my eyes see what others can't—souls, health, faint glimpses through objects… even fragments of past, present, and future."
The room gasped.
Horitake was bluffing; his Spirit Vision couldn't see time. But his plot knowledge needed a cover, and Spirit Vision was perfect.
Yōya, excited, asked, "Can you truly see the future?"
Horitake shook his head. "Not so grandly. Just fleeting glimpses. If I could fully see time, demons would be gone already."
Yōya calmed. "Fair point…"
"I've seen the past," Horitake continued, "gaining intel. For instance, Upper Moon One, Kokushibō, has six eyes."
Yōya nodded. "Correct. Our records confirm it."
"I saw Upper Moon Two, Dōma, strikingly handsome, unlike a demon, and a cult leader."
"Yes, our records align."
"Upper Moon Three, Akaza, honed his martial arts for centuries, with fearsome combat prowess."
Yōya kept nodding, then asked eagerly, "And the future? Have we defeated Muzan?"
Horitake paused, evading. "I've seen some futures, Master, but I can't say."
"Why not?"
"The future's uncertainty defines it. Speaking it alters destiny, changing what I saw."
Yōya, seasoned, understood and calmed himself. "My apologies, Horitake. I was hasty."
Horitake offered a hint to ease Yōya's worry. "Don't fret, Master. Fate is set. What must happen will; what must end will. Just nurture your health to witness Muzan's fall, and don't falter before dawn."
Yōya froze. The others were stunned. Does he mean the Master will…
Gyomei wanted to ask but, recalling Horitake's words, refrained, praying silently for Yōya. Mitsuri, too, stayed quiet, sensing the heavy mood.
Yōya smiled serenely. "If dawn comes, my life is a small price. Cursed by Muzan, I won't live past thirty. If my sacrifice aids his defeat, I'm willing."
Tears streamed from Gyomei's blind eyes. "Master, please don't say such things."
The mood grew heavy.
Horitake's heart sank. Can the Ubuyashiki curse be broken? Must I watch this leader waste away? He activated Spirit Vision, gazing at Yōya.
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