Poor Muichiro.
Sometimes, the more you worry about something, the more likely it is to happen.
Kyojuro kept reassuring him that everything would be fine.
The Flame Hashira was outstanding in almost every aspect, but his overly straightforward personality was impossible to hide. On his very first day, a customer immediately pointed at him in confusion.
"That's a man, isn't it?!"
Completely unaware that he had already exposed himself, Kyojuro maintained his bright smile and answered with complete sincerity.
"No! I am the geisha Kyojuko!"
The proprietress, Tamayo, could only apologize repeatedly, explaining that "she" was a little absent-minded and asking the customers not to take offense.
In the end, Kyojuro was reassigned to support duties. His appearance was simply too recognizable, and many people had already seen him during previous battles against the mysterious Manjushiro creatures. If he remained on the floor, he would inevitably be recognized.
Obanai's greatest strength lay in dancing. Since he neither needed to speak nor reveal his face, the black veil covering his scars only enhanced his mysterious charm.
Customers became fascinated with this exotic dancer whose mismatched eyes peeked out from beneath a dark veil.
Standing beside "her," Mitsuri worked as a maid. Although she possessed a graceful figure and extraordinary beauty, she was completely overshadowed by the mysterious veiled beauty who danced as gracefully as a serpent.
She simply couldn't compete.
Even Mitsuri laughed about it in private.
"See? Everyone clearly likes you more than they like me."
Obanai gave a snort and refused to acknowledge it.
"Those shameless men are all just lustful."
Rather than getting upset, Mitsuri teased him proudly.
"At least Mr. Iguro is far more popular than Mr. Tomioka."
That much was undeniably true.
Giyu, dressed as a woman, possessed a beauty so striking that even Shinobu Kocho found herself momentarily stunned.
Yet every customer reacted in exactly the same strange way.
"Is she beautiful?"
"Beautiful!!!"
The deafening cheers nearly lifted the roof off the building.
"So… should we choose her?"
"…"
Instant silence.
Even the customers themselves couldn't explain it. It was as though some mysterious force prevented every single one of them from choosing this beautiful geisha.
As time passed, Obanai slowly emerged from his gloomy state.
Giyu, however, became even more withdrawn.
He frequently locked himself inside his room, drawing circles on the floor with a stick while quietly muttering,
"I'm not disliked… I'm not disliked…"
Worried that he might eventually spiral even further, Shinobu visited him every day to comfort him.
"If you're not popular, then you're not popular. We're not actually here to become geisha. This is only a disguise for the mission."
Even with Shinobu's reassurance, Giyu continued to brood over the strange feeling of being rejected by everyone.
Tanjiro and Zenitsu had it much easier.
Since they rarely appeared in front of customers, they never had to endure such emotional damage.
The one suffering the most, however, was Inosuke.
Not only was he forced to wear uncomfortable women's clothing, but every day he had to practice dozens of different smiles. Every expression, every movement, every angle of his face was strictly corrected.
If the food hadn't been so plentiful, Inosuke would have abandoned the mission long ago.
As for the customers foolish enough to try touching him…
Every single one received a brutal beating.
Afterward, Tamayo would quietly use her Blood Demon Art to cast convincing illusions over the injured customers, ensuring they remembered an entirely different experience.
As a result, it became a common sight for bloodied customers to be carried toward the hospital while shouting excitedly,
"I can still go another round!"
Since neither the Demon Slayer Corps nor the mysterious Manjushiro faction intended to make the first move, Kokushibo decided he would force both sides into action.
Inside the Infinity House
"What did you say?"
After hearing Kokushibo's proposal, Muzan could hardly believe his ears.
"Didn't you insist we should keep a low profile? And now you want to hold a parade?"
Naturally, the ever-cautious Demon King refused immediately.
Fortunately, Kokushibo had already anticipated that reaction.
Still dressed in elegant women's clothing, he calmly knelt beside Muzan, gently taking Muzan's hand while speaking in a deliberately soft tone.
"Muzan-sama… that's far too conservative."
"We won't expose our true identities. We'll simply lure them into revealing themselves."
"Once both the Demon Slayer Corps and those Manjushiro creatures gather at the same location…"
"They'll inevitably begin fighting one another."
"Then we can appear at the perfect moment and reap all the rewards…"
"Heh… heh… heh…"
He covered his lips with his sleeve as he chuckled.
Watching this spectacle from the side, Rokuro stood frozen.
Was he really the only normal demon left?
How had every single member of the Twelve Kizuki become like this?
Even Daki, who had once seemed relatively sensible, now looked as though she was beginning to accept this increasingly ridiculous atmosphere.
Eventually, Muzan finally surrendered under Kokushibo's relentless persuasion.
"Fine… fine. I agree."
"But I won't personally attend the parade."
"I'll return to the Infinity Castle while all of you are outside."
Just as expected of the exceedingly cautious Muzan Kibutsuji.
Once Muzan gave approval, Kokushibo immediately began organizing every detail of the procession.
Daki attempted to offer advice based on her years of experience as the unrivaled oiran of Yoshiwara.
Kokushibo rejected every suggestion.
"We don't want tradition."
"We want spectacle."
"We want something unforgettable."
Thus, Gyokko the current star attraction of Infinity House was placed in the very center of the procession.
The parade was arranged as follows.
At the front marched the attendants, Byakuya and Nue, carrying two ornate ceremonial chests.
Behind them came an enormous, magnificently decorated palanquin.
It had to look grand enough to dominate the entire street.
Inside sat Gyokko, completely concealed behind elegant curtains, greeting the crowds with the countless beautiful voices that had made "Lady Tamako" famous throughout Yoshiwara.
Following Gyokko came another luxurious palanquin.
This one carried Doma, the second most popular geisha of Infinity House, surrounded by an entourage of attendants.
Behind Doma walked Akaza.
The remaining "geisha" of Infinity House followed one after another in elaborate palanquins, dressed in gorgeous kimono that stretched in an almost endless procession through the entertainment district.
The parade extended from the northern entrance of Yoshiwara all the way to the southern streets.
As for Kokushibo himself…
Naturally, he had no intention of joining the procession.
With Muzan safely absent, this was the perfect opportunity for him to stir up even more chaos behind the scenes.
Wasn't he worried the Demon Slayer Corps would discover the truth?
Of course not.
The Twelve Kizuki were merely putting on a performance.
They weren't carrying out an actual mission.
With so many civilians filling the streets, the Demon Slayer Corps would never openly attack.
If they truly had the courage, they could always storm the Infinity Castle during daylight.
By then, every member of the Twelve Kizuki would simply retreat into the Infinity Castle, leaving only the exposed Demon Slayer Corps and the Manjushiro creatures to clash with one another.
The more Kokushibo considered it, the more flawless the plan appeared.
Once every arrangement had been completed, he ordered thousands of promotional flyers to be printed and distributed across Yoshiwara.
The flyers read:
To thank everyone for supporting Infinity House, a grand parade will be held tonight!
We sincerely invite every guest to attend!
Perhaps… you may even catch a glimpse of Lady Tamako herself!
Using Lady Tamako as the centerpiece of the promotion instantly caused an enormous sensation throughout the entire pleasure district.
Countless people eagerly anticipated the parade.
Even visitors from neighboring districts hurried toward Yoshiwara, afraid they might miss the legendary Lady Tamako.
As a result, customer traffic throughout the entertainment district nearly doubled that very day.
Naturally, such blatant advertising was viewed as a direct challenge by the other brothels.
The proprietress of Kyogoku House refused to be outdone.
She ordered Warabihime to participate in that night's parade to suppress Infinity House's growing fame.
Without the slightest hesitation, Daki refused.
Although Gyokko ranked only as Upper Rank Five one position above the Gyutaro siblings
Within the Twelve Kizuki, hierarchy was absolute.
Trying to steal customers from another Upper Rank's operation?
Was she looking for death?
Besides, Daki had already guessed that the mastermind behind this outrageous parade was none other than Muzan-sama and Kokushibo.
As nothing more than an employee following orders, she wisely decided to stay out of it.
Unable to persuade Warabihime, Kyogoku House reluctantly abandoned the idea.
Meanwhile, Tokito House sent its famous courtesan Koika to compete with the parade.
At the same time, Ogimoto House dispatched its two newly recruited "geisha" Moko and Barons to create trouble.
Meanwhile, everyone inside Wisteria House stared at the news in complete disbelief.
Had that newly opened brothel truly become this outrageous? Or was someone deliberately trying to provoke the entire Yoshiwara District into open conflict?
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