Compared to the calm Pillar Meeting of the Demon Slayer Corps, the gathering inside the Infinity Castle was tense and suffocating.
The remaining members of the Twelve Kizuki knelt trembling before Kibutsuji Muzan, not daring to utter a sound.
Muzan seized the neck of Lower Rank Four, the one closest to him, dragging the demon forward. His expression was ice-cold as he asked:
"Tell me—why is it that in such a short span of time, three of your number have already been killed?"
"Muzan-sama… I–I do not know…" Lower Rank Four answered, his breath ragged with fear.
A sickening tearing sound echoed through the chamber—Muzan ripped the demon's head off with his bare hands.
He tossed the head aside as if discarding garbage.
"Which of you can tell me why?!" Muzan's furious voice thundered through the Infinity Castle. "Since the moment I ordered you to attack the Demon Slayer Corps, not a single Hashira has fallen. Again and again you disappoint me! I am beginning to wonder what use you even serve, for me to have created you at all!"
As his voice rose in anger, a powerful shockwave burst out across the Infinity Castle. All the Upper Ranks spat blood, while the Lower Ranks collapsed on the ground, grievously injured and unable to rise.
Only after unleashing his wrath did Muzan regain composure. He recalled the moment Lower Rank Five, Rui, died—visions of the two siblings appeared in his mind: Kamado Tanjirō and Kamado Nezuko.
Muzan had once tried to control Nezuko, yet received no response at all. And those hanafuda-patterned earrings Tanjirō wore… those weighed heavily on his thoughts.
"Tsukumogami. Select someone and bring those two—the boy with the hanafuda earrings and the demon girl—back to me alive."
Images of Tanjirō and Nezuko flickered in Tsukumogami's mind.
He knelt on one knee. "As you command, Muzan-san."
"From this moment, Nakime shall take the position of Upper Rank Five. Your task: gather intelligence on the locations of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Gently plucking the strings of her biwa, Nakime responded: "Yes, Muzan-san."
Casting a frigid glance across the assembly, Muzan vanished from the Infinity Castle.
The other Upper Ranks departed as well, leaving only Tsukumogami.
He looked down at the three gravely wounded Lower Ranks and shook his head in disdain. Ever since Yōsuke slew Gyokko, unease had spread through the Twelve Kizuki.
Tsukumogami was no exception. If he were to cross paths with Yōsuke, his own survival was far from certain. He had thought about seeking an Upper Rank to partner with on the mission, but they had all left.
After all, though they all served Muzan, the demons' thoughts were far from united. As for Tsukumogami himself, he held nothing but contempt for Dōma. Rather than cooperate with him, killing him would feel like a more practical option.
Squatting down before Lower Rank One, Enmu, Tsukumogami said casually:
"You'll do."
At that very moment, Yōsuke was at Tamayo's hidden residence.
After slaying Gyokko, he had brought the demon's blood straight to Tamayo, handing it over for her research.
On a bed nearby sat a newly turned demon, bewildered as he observed his surroundings. Tamayo held out a cup of human blood and asked gently:
"Do you want to drink this?"
The demon nodded. Though the craving in his eyes was strong, he made no attempt to snatch it away.
Tamayo passed him the cup. He drank it all in one gulp.
Afterward, she asked, "Do you want more?"
The demon shook his head, indicating he was satisfied.
"Now, repeat a name after me: Kibutsuji Muzan. If you feel anything strange, stop immediately."
The demon obediently repeated: "Kibutsuji Muzan."
Tamayo exhaled in relief. She set aside her medical garb and stepped up to Yōsuke.
"It worked! Nezuko's blood is truly extraordinary. While studying it, its composition transformed several times. With a medicine derived from her blood, demons can be freed from Muzan's control. And with just a small amount, they can survive without excessive blood consumption.
Thanks to you and Tanjirō bringing me the blood of the Twelve Kizuki, my research into a medicine that can turn demons back into humans has entered the right track. It's not complete yet, but progress has accelerated greatly—I believe success is close at hand."
"Well done. You've worked hard, Tamayo," Yōsuke praised.
She shook her head softly. "Compared to what you all endure, my struggles are nothing. Right now, I'm researching a toxin that can directly affect Muzan himself. But… the creation of poisons isn't my strong suit. My progress has stalled for some time."
Yōsuke smiled. "If it's poisons against demons you need, I know just the person. She's my disciple. She should be able to help you. Would you like to come with me to meet her?"
From the side, Yushirō shook his head frantically, screaming inwardly: No! Please don't agree, Lady Tamayo!
But Tamayo nodded readily. "All right. I'd like to meet your disciple."
Yushirō's face darkened at once, his shoulders slumping like a dejected dog.
At the Butterfly Mansion—
Thanks to Kanae's careful treatment, Tanjirō, Zenitsu, and Inosuke had recovered most of their strength.
Under Shinobu's direction, the three began rehabilitation training, practicing Total Concentration: Constant breathing.
One night, as Tanjirō trained diligently atop the roof, focusing on maintaining Total Concentration, a gentle voice spoke at his side.
Turning, he saw Kanae sitting beside him.
"You really are hardworking. Doesn't it get lonely, training alone? Your two companions are already asleep."
Tanjirō, brimming with energy, replied: "Not at all! Once I master it, I'll be able to teach them how to do it too!"
Kanae smiled faintly. "Your heart is so pure."
Tanjirō looked at her profile and asked curiously:
"Um… what kind of person is Yōsuke-san?"
Kanae thought back. "In many ways, he's like you—his heart is gentle. Once he sets a goal, no matter what obstacles appear, he charges forward without hesitation."
She recalled the day she first met Yōsuke. Though strangers then, he had trusted her completely, even entrusting Nezuko with a precious pair of earrings.
"So… is that why you brought us to the Butterfly Mansion and started guiding us? Because of Yōsuke-san?" Tanjirō asked.
"In part, yes. But you three were also badly injured," Kanae replied. Gazing at the moonlit sky, she whispered: "And… in you, I see a dream gradually taking shape."
"A dream?" Tanjirō tilted his head.
Kanae's smile deepened. "Yes. The dream of humans and demons living together in peace. You've already achieved it, Tanjirō. So please—keep moving forward. Please protect Nezuko."
"I promise I will!" Tanjirō declared firmly.
"Your Total Concentration Breathing… you've let it slip," a voice called out from afar.
Kanae leapt to her feet in surprise as Yōsuke's figure descended onto the rooftop.
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