The Wind Hashira, Kamiji Kento, glared at Yosuke standing in the doorway, his body radiating bloodlust.
"Master, demons cannot be trusted—least of all the Demon King!"
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he drew his Nichirin blade and slashed at Yosuke.
Yosuke gave a tired sigh. Really? I can't beat Yoriichi… but you think I can't handle you?
Just as Yosuke was about to retaliate and put the arrogant Hashira in his place, the sharp ring of clashing steel filled the room.
It was the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinzuka Shō, who had intercepted Kento's strike.
"Kento, do not act so rudely in our Master's presence!"
"Out of my way, Shinzuka Shō!" Kento snarled, shoving aside the blocking blade, preparing to strike at Yosuke again.
But then Kagaya Ubuyashiki's frail voice, warm and gentle despite its weakness, filled the chamber:
"Kento. Do not be rash before me. Yosuke of the Ubuyashiki bloodline is our clan's ancestor—and one whom I acknowledge."
At once, Kento sheathed his sword, bowed deeply, and sat back in proper seiza, silent and obedient.
Kagaya continued, his tone patient yet firm.
"I ask you all to recognize Ubuyashiki Yosuke. Though he bears the title of Demon King, he has never once harmed a human. On the contrary, before the age of Breathing Styles, it was Ancestor Yosuke who roamed the world, slaying demons. He bought time for our Corps to survive in an era when humanity was nearly overrun."
But the Stone Hashira, Shimazawa Daigo, pressed his palms together, his expression grim as he objected to his master.
"Even so, his identity as a demon is undeniable. Forgive me, Master—but even by your request, I cannot accept him."
The Thunder Hashira, Sakaya Raihui, voiced his agreement.
"I too oppose this. If it were any demon, it would already be intolerable. But the Demon King?"
The Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinzuka Shō, also shook his head firmly.
"Master, though my respect for you is boundless, this decision I cannot understand. I must stand in opposition as well."
Only the Water Hashira, Tokimoto Eriko, bowed her head in support.
"For me, any order from you, Master, I will follow without question."
Yoriichi sat in silence, neither agreeing nor refusing.
At last, the hostile Wind Hashira lowered his head to the tatami, pressing his forehead against the floor.
"To slay demons—that is the purpose of the Corps! Master, I beg you—permit us to execute this demon at once!"
Kagaya listened patiently to each opinion. Only then did he answer, his voice calm as still water.
"Forgive me, for failing to account for your feelings. I will personally vouch for Ancestor Yosuke. If he ever brings harm to humanity, then I, who insisted upon this path, shall take full responsibility—by committing seppuku."
"Master!"
Every Hashira cried out in shock. The very thought of Kagaya pledging his life so readily struck them with panic.
But Kagaya's gaze was unwavering.
"I have faith in Ancestor Yosuke. With your unmatched strength, and with his power as one who shares Muzan's origin, I believe this time we can at last destroy Kibutsuji Muzan. I truly believe the day is near at hand."
The Wind Hashira, Kento, clenched his fists, eyes bloodshot. Finally, he bowed in reluctant concession.
"Understood."
The other Hashira fell silent as well. Kagaya might have been frail, his life hanging by a thread—but his words carried such weight that none could defy him. Their respect for him was absolute.
Still, Kento's glare burned with hostility.
"I will be watching you constantly. If you so much as step out of line, I'll cut you down before things spiral out of control."
Yosuke rolled his eyes and ignored him. When someone's already made up their mind with prejudice, no explanation matters—it all sounds like excuses.
Kagaya raised his hand slightly, bringing the room to order.
"Enough. Now, let us formally begin our council to discuss the eradication of Kibutsuji Muzan. Among us, none knows him better than Ancestor Yosuke. Please, Yosuke, speak first."
Yosuke cleared his throat, his expression solemn.
"Not long ago, I engaged Kibutsuji Muzan directly in combat."
The words shook the chamber.
Even Tamayo gasped in disbelief.
"What?! You faced Muzan himself? Why didn't you tell me?"
Yosuke gave her a small nod, then addressed the others.
"Muzan seeks something—he sent out countless demons to search for it. Because I interfered, slaughtering his demons and delaying his progress, Muzan himself came after me."
"Something? What is it?" the Hashira asked at once.
Kagaya's face darkened, his voice faltering.
"If I am not mistaken… what he seeks is the Blue Spider Lily."
Yosuke inclined his head, confirming Kagaya's fear.
The Hashira exchanged baffled glances. Kagaya explained.
"According to our clan's records, demons are all burdened by a fatal weakness—sunlight. That is why Nichirin blades, infused with the sun's power, can cut them down.
"But the Blue Spider Lily… it grants demons the ability to overcome that weakness. To become a flawless, ultimate being—without defect."
At this revelation, every face went pale. If Muzan obtained it, the Corps' only advantage—the sun—would vanish.
Even Yoriichi, usually calm as still water, frowned deeply. My Sun Breathing, born to mimic the power of the sun… If Muzan truly overcomes sunlight, will even that lose its meaning? If so… this world will fall, and all humanity will become his demons.
Sensing the heavy air, Yosuke offered quiet reassurance.
"There's no need to despair yet. Muzan has not found it. In truth, no one even knows if the flower still exists."
He spoke from experience. Yosuke himself had once searched for the Blue Spider Lily. But it bloomed only in the day, and only for the briefest of moments. He had even hired humans to aid his search—yet all efforts came to nothing.
Even so, the others' expressions did not lighten.
Kagaya's voice was grave.
"We must always prepare for the worst. If Muzan does find the Blue Spider Lily, it will be too late. Our campaign against him must begin without delay.
"Ancestor Yosuke, since you have fought him face-to-face, can you give us an assessment of Muzan's abilities?"
Yosuke nodded and began.
"Muzan's body possesses multiple vital organs. With numerous hearts and brains, he wields an inhuman regeneration and seemingly limitless stamina. A Nichirin blade can cut him—yet he heals in the instant it strikes.
"He also generates whip-like appendages filled with his blood. A single strike can utterly destroy the victim's cells, killing them outright.
"His Blood Demon Art—Black Blood, Brambles—creates countless black spikes from his own blood. He can also unleash wide-area shockwaves of immense destructive force."
The room fell into a suffocating silence as the weight of Yosuke's words settled over them. Every face was grim, and the air heavy with dread.
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