Ren studied the map, immediately filtering out the blue and orange zones to stare fixatedly at the red areas.
What was the point of dealing with a bunch of small fry? If he was going to fight, it had to be the Twelve Kizuki.
After some careful consideration, he finally chose the Tokyo area, which was marked with the deepest shade of red.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya frowned and said, "Ren, are you certain you want to be stationed in Tokyo? There are many demons there, and dealing with them is quite troublesome."
It was the Taisho era, and Japan had already implemented the Sword Ban Order. Aside from the police and the military, ordinary citizens were prohibited from carrying katanas in public.
Since the Demon Slayer Corps was an organization not recognized by the government, they naturally couldn't wear their swords openly either.
In small towns, it was manageable, but in a major metropolis like Tokyo, Corps members had to keep their weapons well-hidden when out and about.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya couldn't help but glance at the Nichirin Heavy Sword on Ren's back, and then at Kocho Shinobu, feeling astonished.
'That heavy sword is taller than Shinobu; are you sure you can hide that?'
However, Ren nodded. "Master, I've made up my mind. I'll station myself in the Tokyo area. The high density of demons there suits my intentions perfectly. As for the Nichirin Heavy Sword, please rest assured, Master, I have a plan!"
Ren had chosen the Tokyo area after careful deliberation. First, Senso-ji Temple was in Tokyo, and the demon doctor, Tamayo, had her clinic in the vicinity of the temple.
Kocho Shinobu had already injected high concentrations of wisteria poison into her body. If anything went wrong, only Tamayo could save her.
Moreover, Ren knew that in two years, Tamayo would successfully develop a drug to turn demons back into humans and an aging drug. She would successfully restore the demonized Nezuko and age Muzan by nine thousand years in a single night—she was a force that could not be ignored.
Although Nezuko hadn't turned into a demon thanks to his arrival, as long as he kept killing the Twelve Kizuki and providing Tamayo with Muzan's blood, he believed she would eventually create the human-restoration drug.
In that case, if any accident befell Kocho Shinobu, he could turn her into a demon first, then use the drug to restore her to humanity.
This was the contingency plan Ren had prepared. No matter what, he would not let Kocho Shinobu sacrifice herself. It would be too cruel to let such a wonderful girl die.
Furthermore, Tanjiro's current home was very close to the Tokyo area. If Tanjiro's family was in danger, Ren could rush over to help in time.
Not only that, but to the northwest of Tokyo lay Mount Natagumo, where the Lower Rank Five, Rui, resided. If the opportunity arose, he could go there and slay him!
"Since you have already decided, I support your idea. Go forth with confidence and give it your all! Also, Shinobu and Giyu, although Ren's strength exceeds yours, he is still your junior, so please make sure to protect him well."
"Yes, Master!" the two replied in unison.
"Good. I declare this Hashira Meeting adjourned. You may all return to your assigned areas."
"Yes! Take care, Master!"
With that, everyone left the Ubuyashiki estate one after another. Ren, having advanced a year's worth of salary, departed alongside Kocho Shinobu and Tomioka Giyu.
Generally speaking, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps did not have a fixed salary; they could take as much as they needed. So, Ren simply took 200,000 yen.
This was not a small sum in the Taisho era, but for the wealthy Ubuyashiki family, it was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Ren had prepared this money for Tanjiro's family. It wasn't easy for Kamado Kie, a single mother, to raise six children.
Ren hoped their family could live a better life so Tanjiro wouldn't have to work so hard.
After leaving the Ubuyashiki estate, Kocho Shinobu suddenly asked, "Ren, what are your plans now?"
"I plan to get settled in the Tokyo area first."
Ren took out the map and pointed to Tokyo. "As you can see, there are many demons in the Tokyo area. So, once we arrive, I'll go kill a few. You know that memories are shared between demons, so Muzan will definitely know I'm in Tokyo. If he really intends to target me, he will surely send the Twelve Kizuki to Tokyo to assassinate me."
Speaking to this point, he addressed both Shinobu and Giyu, "So, when that happens, I want you two to hide and move in the shadows. When the Twelve Kizuki come to assassinate me, you can strike suddenly with lightning speed and catch them off guard! If we can slay a few of the Twelve Kizuki, the boost to the Demon Slayer Corps' morale will be unprecedented! What do you think?"
"Hmm! I think that works..." Kocho Shinobu nodded slightly. She couldn't find any fault with Ren's plan. She then looked at Giyu beside her.
"Mr. Tomioka, what do you think?"
"I have no objections. let's do it."
"Alright then, let's go!"
...
A day later, the three arrived in the Tokyo area. Although automobiles were only seen in major cities, trams, cable cars, and trains were already operating in some smaller cities.
It was thanks to these modern means of transportation that the three could reach Tokyo in just one day.
Ren had bought a long, slender wooden box. He wrapped the Nichirin Heavy Sword in bandages and placed it inside the box to conceal the weapon.
If they encountered a demon, he only needed to smash the wooden box with a punch to draw his sword and fight.
As for the bandages on the heavy sword, they would burn to ash within seconds of activating the Crimson Red Blade. Since both the wooden box and bandages were very cheap, this method was simply economical and convenient.
So now, Ren could be seen carrying a wooden box on his back, walking swaggeringly down the street side-by-side with Giyu and Shinobu.
Passersby couldn't help but turn their heads and look at the three with strange expressions, but Ren's expression remained normal.
As long as he didn't feel awkward, the awkwardness belonged to others.
"Ren, are you sure about hiding the weapon this way?" Kocho Shinobu frowned slightly. "It will be troublesome if the police come over to question us."
"Hehe, Miss Shinobu, you don't understand, do you? This is called hiding in plain sight."
Ren smiled and explained, "I'm carrying a big box; who would guess there's a weapon inside? Even if the police do come to question me, so what? I'll just say it's a collectible. After all, my weapon weighs several hundred pounds. Unless they see it with their own eyes, no one will believe I can lift such a heavy weapon with one hand!"
"That's true," Giyu nodded. His and Shinobu's Nichirin Swords were relatively short, so they were easy to hide.
The three quickly found an inn. Ren immediately said, "Let's find a place to settle down first, get prepared, and then go kill demons tonight!"
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