Is it a wise decision to go against Muzan, especially when he's still a demon enhanced by his own blood?
The obvious answer is no.
Yet, Dōma decided to do it anyway.
Has he lost his mind?
Of course not. After all, to lose one's mind, one must first have a fully functioning mind to begin with.
Dōma hasn't exactly been in his right mind since his reincarnation into this hollow body.
The Blood Demon Art: Paradise of Vanity managed to prevent the passive destruction of the emotions inherited from Jay.
Unfortunately, this power came a little too late, and Dōma began replacing his lost genuine emotions with artificial ones in his daily life.
This is also why Dōma often seeks stimuli through questionable actions, like that night with Nakime.
He enjoys distinguishing between his real emotions and those he fabricates with his power.
So yes, Shota Dōma is akin to a puppet controlled by himself for a good portion of his time.
This is why Dōma is not entirely sane.
However, he is not suicidal, unlike many of his cult followers.
As Muzan had already speculated, Dōma is like a cold machine devoid of innate or artificial emotions.
He thinks logically and will not do anything harmful to his interests or bothersome.
Thus, he didn't contradict or interfere with Muzan out of altruism or some shōnen protagonist syndrome.
The ice demon had decided to bet on Muzan, just as he had once done when he was mortal.
'Muzan Kibutsuji is a selfish person according to Jay's memories,' Dōma analyzed, still held in Muzan's embrace.
From Dōma's understanding of his boss, this was absolutely true.
Yet, who on Earth isn't selfish?
The most concrete example of human selfishness is the adoption of a capitalist system.
A system that guarantees a "just" evolution of society but offers no real solution to poverty.
Many would say this universe is fictional, but Dōma considers the Ubuyashiki clan selfish as well.
Is it a clan that hunts demons out of pure kindness? No, they are cursed because of Muzan's existence.
Their survival depends on their ability to eliminate him.
There is no selfless act, unlike Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was literally born to kill Muzan.
All this to say that humans are creatures who prioritize their own interests above all else.
As for the rest? They're secondary.
In the past, Dōma had bet on Muzan's pride to ensure he wouldn't take an interest in his life or his memories of Earth.
Now, he was betting on his selfishness.
Regardless of his current demonic nature, Muzan was once human and retains a certain level of humanity within him.
His selfishness is proof of that, as it embodies his desire for immortality at the expense of others.
'If I'm right, then…'Dōma opened his mouth again.
"Muzan-sama, if my sincerity isn't enough, then I can put my life on the line right here." After Dōma's words, the dangerous atmosphere dissipated.
Dōma's bold statement managed to unsettle the Demon King, though he wasn't entirely detached from him yet.
"Your life? But it's already in my hands, Dōma."
The Demon King's words carried no malice but held a cold reality.
Dōma had nothing to offer Muzan, as the Demon King already had access to everything, according to his knowledge.
"Indeed, but isn't my mind an asset? Besides…" Dōma paused briefly to heighten the tension he felt emanating from Muzan through their blood bond.
"I can guarantee that Gyutaro will become an Upper Moon. If I fail, my body can be devoured by him to keep my word, or simply destroyed by you for my insubordination." Dōma's tone was detached as he spoke of his potential fate.
All the demons present had varied reactions, but Akaza was the only one to show joy.
'Wait a minute, why isn't anyone else happy with me?' The Third Upper Moon felt strangely isolated.
Outside the demon situation, the foreigners who came to the festival were terrified after Kokushibo's actions.
From their perspective, they were enjoying fun activities, and then there was a small explosion nearby.
Fortunately, the humans were quickly calmed by the cult members.
The latter had already received instructions for handling incidents during the festival and managed to pass off Kokushibo's actions as part of a performance.
But these minor details were of no interest to Muzan.
He abruptly lifted Dōma, carrying him like a future adopted child, one that Tanjiro would observe alongside Muzan.
"I'm not taking your kid Mori, but if Gyutaro fails to meet my expectations…" Muzan didn't finish his sentence and left with Dōma without another word.
The tense atmosphere dissipated, but Muzan's words left a deep unease in Dōma's heart.
The ice demon wasn't one to believe in premonitions but in logic.
Yet, the words that best described what he felt were indeed a bad premonition.
'Kill you? Devour you? Ridiculous… how would I read the next chapter of "Boku no Pico"?'
When Muzan thought of the manga in Dōma's mind, the idea of devouring the Upper Moon vanished.
After all, who would kill their golden goose?
'Dōma has never failed to meet my expectations, but I'll punish him if he does.' Unconsciously, Muzan's arm tightened around Dōma's small body.
Aside from this unfortunate incident, the group had an excellent evening, much to Muzan's surprise.
Even Nakime enjoyed herself in a small musical event organized by the cult.
The only real loser was Dōma, stuck in Muzan's arms like a teddy bear.
The only proof of his plan's success was Nakime's emotional state toward him.
The biwa demoness was even considering another date.
In the end, the entire group stood on a hill not far from the town as the festival came to a close.
Why a hill? Because Dōma had discovered that this spot offered the best view of the festival and the fireworks.
"Tch, this evening was a waste of time," Akaza grumbled. But no one took him seriously.
The Upper Moon was literally walking around with several prizes on him.
He had played every game related to offering a gift to a loved one after a victory.
Why such an act? Akaza himself didn't quite know.
But with each victory, he felt compelled to offer his prize to someone.
Yet, he didn't know who.
He even had flashes of a woman overlapping with Muzan, which led the Demon King to believe Akaza wanted to offer him a monkey plushie.
Did Muzan take the gift? No, he pointed to Dōma in his arms and declared that he was already fulfilling that role perfectly.
"Akaza~ you're complaining, but you're the one who played the most," Dōma said, still carried by Muzan, smiling over the Demon King's shoulder.
"Get down from there if you're a man!"
Unfortunately for Akaza, he forgot who he was talking to.
Dōma had never lost a battle against him.
Of course, the time he ran away after offending him in the forest doesn't count in the ice demon's mind.
Dōma considers that a strategic retreat.
"Haha, you're funny. But I'm a demon, my dear Akaza," he replied, letting his hair grow longer.
Dōma didn't transform into a woman like Muzan, as he wasn't comfortable with such things.
He simply lengthened his hair.
"For us, gender is a matter of choice, so Akaza… would you hit a little girl?" he said in a teasing tone.
However, Dōma's plan was too effective against Akaza. The Upper Moon turned his face away in annoyance after his superior's jest.
– Boom!
The fireworks finally began, just as Dōma was about to continue provoking his favorite target.
The night sky slowly lit up with various lights, embellishing the darkness of the starry night.
"I-It's beautiful… but grrr… w-who is Koyuki?" Akaza clutched his head as the silhouette of a woman formed under a sky identical to the one he was seeing now.
(Image)
The Third Upper Moon didn't understand everything, but… he was crying.
'It's just fireworks, why am I crying? Who is this woman, damn it!' Akaza couldn't clearly remember his human life after his transformation into a demon.
However, Dōma's fireworks and the pleasant atmosphere he was experiencing in good company awakened something in him.
An unfamiliar voice whispered a single sentence, which Akaza barely caught before it faded: "Stop fighting and killing."
"Uh… are you crying? If I'd known, I'd invite you to the cult's festivals more often."
Unfortunately for Akaza, Dōma's annoying voice prevented him from fully grasping what was slipping away.
As if that misfortune wasn't enough, the ice demon hadn't used the Blood Demon Art: Paradise of Vanity.
He hadn't noticed the supernatural phenomenon the Upper Moon was experiencing at that moment.
****
Author's Note: Unfortunately, the GOAT Akaza didn't remember his past and didn't break free from Muzan because of Dōma.
Unfortunately, we haven't reached that number one spot yet, but I'm posting the 300-stone chapter in advance (I know you'll give the stones because this story is worth it).
As for the 500-stone chapter, I've lost hope, lol!