Whoosh!
An absolute silence fell over the Infinity Castle. At their master's silent command, the Twelve Kizuki rose to their feet in perfect unison. But this time, the air was different. It was heavy with a feeling that went beyond simple fear. It was awe. Even Kokushibo, the formidable Upper Rank One, did not dare to meet Tsukihiko's direct gaze.
He could feel it. Everyone could. The man on the throne was not the same Muzan Kibutsuji they had served for centuries. He was a different being entirely.
For as long as any of them could remember, Muzan's strategy had been one of secrecy and shadows. He operated from the darkness, his every move a covert action designed to keep his own existence hidden. It was a necessary precaution. With the progression of the eras and the ever-present threat of the Demon Slayer Corps, survival for demons in Japan had become a constant struggle.
Of course, the Twelve Kizuki were far stronger than any common demon. But in the end, they were still beings of flesh and blood, albeit a far superior kind. Their bodies were different from humans, yes. In more scientific terms, their muscle density and cellular activity were vastly more vigorous. This was what allowed them to regenerate lost limbs in an instant and fight without feeling the exhaustion that plagued mortals.
But the real reason for the profound change in the Twelve Kizuki's demeanor wasn't just their master's new name; it was his completely new way of doing things. He had summoned them not for a berating, but for a war council. He had given almost every demon a specific task, dividing battlefields and objectives with terrifying clarity.
And the results were nothing short of brilliant.
In an astonishingly short amount of time, they had completely conquered Mount Sagiri and Mount Fujikasane. The former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, was now their prisoner. The demon girl, Nezuko, was successfully captured. They had even managed to defeat and apprehend three other active Hashira. Even the traitor Tamayo had been easily dealt with by Tsukihiko himself.
This was on top of Kokushibo's ongoing assassinations, Doma's widespread chaos, and the successful infiltration of the Yoshiwara red-light district by Gyutaro and Daki. Their combined power had grown to an unimaginable level. Such strategic victories were something they could have never dreamed of under the old Muzan, who was more skilled at firing his subordinates during meetings than he was at planning a real operation.
"Our operation has been a resounding success," Tsukihiko's calm voice echoed from the throne, cutting through the demons' thoughts. "However, this is only the beginning."
At the sound of his voice, the faces of the Twelve Kizuki became masks of perfect, silent focus. As their creator and master, Tsukihiko held everything in his hands: their every move, their Blood Demon Arts, and their very lives. They couldn't even speak his original name, Muzan Kibutsuji, without triggering the curse that would instantly destroy them.
But that was a loyalty enforced by fear. Now, after witnessing his strategic genius, the demons were utterly convinced. They followed him not just out of fear, but out of genuine reverence for his power and intellect.
"While it's just a start, it is a good one," Tsukihiko continued, his voice cold and ancient in the vast, twisting space of the Infinity Castle. "Now, we must expand on this advantage. Kamado Nezuko is in our custody. With Tamayo's knowledge and skill, she will undoubtedly develop a drug to suppress the demonic need for human flesh in a short time."
A faint smile touched Tsukihiko's lips.
"In fact, Tamayo was already close to this breakthrough herself, but the medicine she created was still imperfect. Furthermore, Kamado Nezuko's unique constitution is the key. It will take time to adapt what works for her to work for the rest of demonkind."
Tsukihiko's gaze shifted, landing on the six-eyed demon standing at the front. "Upper Rank One. How is your assignment progressing?"
"Everything is proceeding as you have commanded, my lord," Kokushibo replied, his six eyes blinking in sequence. The aura he radiated was chilling and immense. "As of now, we have slain more than a seventh of the cabinet members of the Japanese government."
He continued his report swiftly. "However, most of the high-ranking military officials are protected by Onmyoji and the Shrine Maiden clan. Some of them also possess Marechi blood, which has made assassination somewhat difficult. And the Emperor Taisho… he is too heavily guarded. We have not yet found an opportunity to strike."
Though Kokushibo spoke with a detached calm, the other demons understood that his mission was the most dangerous and challenging of them all. This was the Taisho era. The times had changed. It was no longer the Sengoku or Heian period, where a single samurai could cause chaos in the capital. The Japanese military was now equipped with firearms and other modern weapons, making them a formidable foe.
"Good," Tsukihiko said, offering no further comment. His gaze moved to the next demon. "Doma, report on your tasks."
"My lord!" Doma chirped, fanning himself with a flourish. His ever-present smile was filled with reverence. "The Eternal Paradise Cult under my control has swelled from over one hundred thousand followers to more than three hundred thousand! And among them, nearly a third have been turned into our demonic brethren. We've also followed your instructions perfectly, causing demon incidents in various prefectures across Japan. It's greatly disrupting the deployment of the Japanese military!"
While the government's cabinet and the Imperial Family controlled the centers of power, the local military controlled the nation's armed forces. Tsukihiko knew that Ubuyashiki and the Shrine Maiden clan had infiltrated these structures, so targeting them was undoubtedly the correct move.
"And the Yoshiwara red-light district… what is the current situation?" Tsukihiko's voice sounded again.
"Reporting to your majesty," Gyutaro and Daki's voices chimed together. "In a single night, we identified and converted all the wealthy merchants who regularly visit the district. Now, over eighty percent of their fortunes are under our control."
The Yoshiwara district wasn't home to the entire upper class of Japan, but anyone with that much disposable wealth in the Taisho era was a significant asset. Those merchants likely never imagined that the gentle places they sought for comfort would become their graves. Now, all their money belonged to Tsukihiko.
"Excellent," Tsukihiko said, a glint of cold indifference in his eyes as he surveyed his powerful subordinates from the throne. "For our next phase, we will focus our efforts on the Ubuyashiki clan, the Shrine Maiden clan, and… Japan's transportation networks."