2610 Words!
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"Well, this is just great. I'm completely lost."
Kaidō stood at the intersection of brightly lit streets, lanterns casting warm glows across the festive decorations. Every direction looked identical—a maze of unfamiliar roads leading to unknown destinations.
He tried asking for directions, but the moment people caught sight of his unusual appearance—the flowing white hair, the golden eyes, the strange clothing—they gave him a wide berth, as if proximity alone might curse them with misfortune.
Worse still, while cutting through an alley earlier, he'd been accosted by a group of drunk idiots.
"Well, well, well... hic... what do we have here? Such a pretty little lady... hic... walking alone in a dark alley this late at night. Very dangerous, you know? hic How about I escort you home? Or better yet... hic... you could come to my place instead. Hehehe!"
The rage had been immediate and overwhelming.
Kaidō had used what he generously estimated as "a tiny bit" of force to flatten all of them. Then he'd walked away. But the more he thought about being called "little lady," the angrier he became.
'I'm a grown-ass man, for god's sake...'
Well, okay, a five-foot-tall "grown man."
Still.
The indignity burned so fiercely that he'd marched back and delivered several well-placed kicks to their... sensitive areas. The drunks had passed out from the pain, and for good measure, Kaidō had stripped them naked and dumped their clothes in a garbage heap several streets away.
"I just wanted directions," he muttered to himself. "Why does everything have to be so complicated?"
He exhaled slowly, centering himself. "Alright, one more try. If this doesn't work, I'll just have to figure it out myself. Dammit system—would it kill you to provide a map or at least a compass??"
Kaidō had a destination in mind: Mount Sagiri, where he intended to seek out Sakonji Urokodaki and eventually participate in the Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane.
Two reasons drove this decision.
First, he needed to strengthen himself. Second, the system had finally issued a quest after its extended silence during his time with the Kamados.
Apparently, the system had been undergoing an upgrade for the past two weeks—hence the lack of missions. Now that the upgrade was complete, it had dropped this task in his lap the moment he'd left the Kamado residence.
[Quest: Journey to Mount Sagiri and seek training from Sakonji Urokodaki. Participate in the Final Selection.]
[Rewards: Phantom Eye, Mental Enhancement Serum x2, Dragon Breathing Seventh Form, Dragon Breathing Eighth Form, 100,000 Yen.]
Phantom Eye — Nullifies all illusionary techniques and prevents mental manipulation. Can also trap enemies within illusions. The stronger the user's mental fortitude, the longer the duration of control.
Mental Enhancement Serum — Strengthens mental resilience and sharpens cognitive function. Greater mental strength equals stronger willpower and clearer strategic thinking.
Dragon Breathing, Seventh Form: Eight-Directional Blitz — With the user as the epicenter, unleash devastating sword strikes in all eight cardinal directions simultaneously. The faster the blade, the more projections generated. Scales with the user's combat prowess.
Dragon Breathing, Eighth Form: Serpent's Pierce — Linear assault technique. Draw the blade and strike forward at blinding speed, like a dragon lunging through water. The stronger the user, the faster the execution—enemies fall before they can even register the attack. (Inspired by Hakurou from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.)
Kaidō mentally reviewed the rewards with satisfaction.
"The Phantom Eye will be invaluable if I run into demons who use mental manipulation Blood Demon Arts—like Lower Rank One, Enmu. Perfect counter."
"The system was going to reward all four remaining Dragon Breathing forms, but since I developed the Fifth and Sixth Forms myself, it substituted the Mental Enhancement Serums instead. Fair trade."
"The Seventh Form is a defensive-offensive hybrid—perfect for when I'm surrounded. Even if enemies close the distance, they'll take catastrophic damage trying to breach the blade storm."
The Eighth Form is pure assassination—blink and your opponent's already in pieces. Merciful, in a way. They won't even feel it.
"As for the money... I haven't even spent the last reward yet."
His stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.
"Right. Can't exactly journey to Mount Sagiri on an empty stomach." He glanced around. "Food first, then navigation."
Finding a food stall in this upscale district proved more challenging than expected, but eventually, he spotted one—a small ramen stand operated by a bald man puffing on a pipe.
Kaidō froze mid-step.
Wait a second. Why does this guy look so familiar?
Realization struck like lightning.
This is the noodle stand from the anime! The one Tanjiro visited with Nezuko after she became a demon. Which means... this is where Tanjiro encountered Muzan Kibutsuji. And after Muzan fled, Tanjiro met Tamayo here.
His mental gears clicked into place.
'That means I'm in Asakusa!'
"Boss! One bowl of yam udon!" Kaidō called out, sliding onto a stool.
"Coming right up, customer!" The bald proprietor sprang into action, his movements practiced and efficient.
Minutes later, a steaming bowl appeared before him.
"Here you are! Enjoy!"
"Slurp—mmm—huff—this is excellent! The broth especially!" Kaidō's genuine enthusiasm broke through his exhaustion.
"Ah, you've got a good taste, young customer! This recipe has been passed down through my family for generations..." The owner launched into an enthusiastic explanation of his culinary heritage, clearly delighted by the praise.
...
"Thanks, boss. Keep the change—the food was great." Kaidō placed his payment on the counter and stood.
"Thank you! Please come again!"
After leaving the noodle stand, Kaidō resolved to find one more person to ask for directions. If that failed, he'd navigate to Mount Sagiri on his own, even if it took weeks.
That's when he spotted them—two figures standing in a sparsely populated side street.
Not people. Demons.
The woman wore an elegant purple kimono adorned with floral patterns, her hair styled in an intricate updo. Purple eyes regarded the world with calm intelligence—a mature beauty who carried herself with quiet dignity.
Beside her stood a young man with green hair and a perpetually hostile expression, as if the entire world had personally wronged him. He positioned himself like a guard dog, snarling at anyone who dared approach the woman.
In his eyes, only she existed. Only she mattered.
Tamayo and Yushiro.
"Well, that's convenient," Kaidō murmured. "I can ask them for directions to Mount Sagiri. But if I just call them by name, they'll get suspicious..."
An idea crystallized.
'Wait. There's something I could tell them—something that might convince Tamayo to help me.'
He approached directly.
"Excuse me. Sorry to bother you, but could I ask for directions?"
"Get lost! Don't you dare come near Lady Tamayo!" Yushiro's voice crackled with aggression.
"Yushiro, that's incredibly rude!" Tamayo's rebuke was gentle but firm.
"Yes, Lady Tamayo." His tone shifted immediately to one of reverent obedience.
'Even when Lady Tamayo scolds me, she's beautiful,' Yushiro thought dreamily.
"I apologize for my companion's behavior," Tamayo said, turning to Kaidō with a warm smile. "He means no harm—his temper simply runs hot. How may I assist you, young miss?"
"Hmph. Ugly girl," Yushiro muttered under his breath.
Kaidō's eye twitched. "Uh, actually... I'm a guy."
Tamayo blinked. "Oh! My apologies. Your features are quite... delicate. I mistook you for a young woman. Now then, how may I help you?"
"I'm trying to find the way to Mount Sagiri. I need to visit someone there and participate in the Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane."
Yushiro's expression transformed from irritation to alarm.
"Lady Tamayo, run! I'll hold him off!" He lunged forward, fist cocked back.
Kaidō sidestepped the telegraphed punch with almost insulting ease. The fist passed within an inch of his face. In one fluid motion, he caught Yushiro's arm, pivoted, and executed a textbook over-the-shoulder throw.
THUD.
Yushiro hit the ground hard. Kaidō planted one foot on his back, pinning him in place.
For someone who'd consumed the Body Enhancement Serum and mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, Yushiro's attack had been laughably slow—like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
"I mean no harm," Kaidō said calmly, addressing Tamayo. "I only want directions to Mount Sagiri so I can train and join the Demon Slayer Corps. After all, you'd like nothing more than to avenge your husband and children by destroying Muzan Kibutsuji—wouldn't you, Lady Tamayo?"
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees.
Tamayo's expression remained serene, but her eyes sharpened with sudden intensity. "This isn't the place for such conversations. Please, come with me. And could you release Yushiro? He's only trying to protect me. Surely you understand."
"Of course." Kaidō stepped back, allowing Yushiro to scramble to his feet.
Yushiro immediately positioned himself between Kaidō and Tamayo. "Lady Tamayo, this person is definitely suspicious! He must be one of Muzan's assassins. Or even if he's not, he's definitely a Demon Slayer. We can't trust him!"
"Yushiro, I'll make my own judgments. Besides..." Tamayo's gaze lingered on Kaidō with unsettling accuracy. "If he intended to kill us, I doubt we'd survive the encounter."
"This gentleman is...?"
"Ryūjin Kaidō."
"Then, Kaidō-san, please follow me."
...
They approached what appeared to be a solid wall. Tamayo and Yushiro walked through it as if it were made of mist. Kaidō followed, stepping into the hidden courtyard beyond.
The illusion concealed a modest mansion—elegant in its simplicity, yet clearly designed with care.
I knew about this from the anime, but seeing it in person is something else entirely.
They entered the main hall and settled into the sitting area.
"That wall back there," Kaidō said casually, "was Yushiro's Blood Demon Art—Blindfold, correct?"
Yushiro stiffened. "How did you—"
"It seems you know quite a bit about us, Kaidō-san," Tamayo observed.
"I know you were turned into a demon by Muzan without your consent, and that you killed your own husband and children before you even understood what had happened. I know you encountered Yoriichi Tsugikuni—the first Breathing Style user—and that he helped free you from Muzan's control."
Kaidō's voice remained steady, almost clinical.
"I know you possess the ability to transform humans into demons, but you always ask for their consent first. Yushiro is proof of that. I know you don't consume human flesh—you purchase blood from people in need, offering them money in exchange. I know you have exceptional medical knowledge and have dedicated yourself to researching ways to destroy Muzan."
He leaned forward slightly.
"And I know the only thing you truly want in this world is revenge."
Silence hung heavy in the room.
Yushiro's hands clenched into fists. "Lady Tamayo, you see? He's definitely sent by Muzan to eliminate us! Even if he's not, he's planning something!"
"Yushiro!" Tamayo's sharp tone froze him in place.
"Yes, Lady Tamayo."
He sat rigidly, though his inner monologue continued. 'Even when she's angry, Lady Tamayo is breathtakingly beautiful.'
Tamayo turned back to Kaidō, her expression unreadable. "If you didn't possess human body temperature, human scent, and a human heartbeat, I would be convinced you were one of Muzan's demons. Your knowledge is... troubling."
"So will you help me?" Kaidō asked. "And in exchange, I'll grant you one favor. Any request within my power. How does that sound?"
...
"I can agree to that." Tamayo's voice was measured, contemplative. "Though I confess, I don't understand how you know so much about us. But everyone has their secrets, and I respect that."
She folded her hands in her lap. "My condition is simple: I need you to collect blood samples from the Twelve Kizuki whenever possible. Their blood is closest to Muzan's in composition, which makes it invaluable for my research."
"Done." Kaidō didn't hesitate. "We have a deal."
"Yushiro, please show Kaidō-san to a guest room."
"Yes, Lady Tamayo."
They walked in silence down the corridor, footsteps muffled against tatami mats. Kaidō waited until they'd put some distance from the sitting room before speaking.
"Why don't you just tell her?"
Yushiro stopped mid-stride. "Tell her what?"
"How you feel, you moron." Kaidō's tone was almost conversational, which somehow made it sting worse. "You're so obviously head-over-heels for her that it's painful to watch."
"That's... I don't... you have no right...!" Yushiro's face flushed crimson beneath his green hair.
"No right? Really?" Kaidō turned to face him fully, golden and purple eyes boring into Yushiro with uncomfortable intensity. "Listen, if you can't even tell the woman you love how you feel, what happens when it's too late? When she's gone and you never got the chance?"
His voice dropped lower, taking on an edge that suggested personal experience.
"It's better to say it now and risk rejection than to live with regret for the rest of your existence. At least if she turns you down, you'll know. You won't spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if.' You won't have that weight crushing your chest every time you think about her."
Yushiro opened his mouth to argue, but Kaidō wasn't finished.
"And I'll tell you something else—something you need to hear whether you want to or not. One day, Tamayo is going to sacrifice herself to destroy Muzan. She'll throw her life away for revenge, and when that happens, it'll be too late to tell her anything."
The words hit like a physical blow. Yushiro actually staggered back a step.
"You're lying—"
"I'm not." Kaidō's expression softened slightly, genuine sorrow flickering across his features. "Believe me or don't—that's your choice. But I know what it's like to lose someone before you could say what needed to be said. I know what it's like to realize you'll never get another chance to—"
His voice caught. For a moment, the mask slipped, and Yushiro saw raw pain in those mismatched eyes.
"I can't be with my family anymore," Kaidō finished quietly. "My mother. My sister. I'll never get to tell them..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Don't make the same mistake I did."
Silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable.
...
"We're here." Yushiro's voice had lost most of its hostility. "This is your room for the night. Get some rest."
Maybe it was Kaidō's words—the genuine emotion behind them—or maybe Yushiro just recognized a kindred spirit in pain. Whatever the reason, his attitude had shifted from outright hostility to grudging neutrality.
"Thanks." Kaidō moved toward the doorway, but Yushiro's question stopped him.
"Is it true? What you said about Lady Tamayo?"
Kaidō didn't turn around. "I can only tell you this, Yushiro: don't let yourself have any regrets. Whatever you need to say, say it while you still can."
...
The Next Morning
Yushiro arrived at Kaidō's room carrying a breakfast tray and a small travel pack. He set the food on the table, then held out the bag.
"Lady Tamayo asked me to give you this. It's got a map to Mount Sagiri, some travel money, and dried provisions. Follow the route marked on the map and you'll reach your destination."
"Thanks. Tell Tamayo-san I appreciate everything."
Kaidō reached for the pack, but Yushiro didn't release it immediately. The demon's expression was conflicted—like he was wrestling with something internally.
"Can I... ask you for a favor?"
"Depends on what it is. But if it's something I can actually do, sure."
The night had been long. Yushiro had spent hours lying awake, turning Kaidō's words over and over in his mind. The thought of Tamayo sacrificing herself—of losing her without ever expressing what she meant to him—was unbearable.
He'd made a decision. Whatever it took, even if he had to trade his own life, he would make sure Tamayo survived.
"Tell me..." Yushiro said, voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me how to stop Lady Tamayo from sacrificing herself to destroy Muzan."
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