Suzuki Makoto walked out of the Butterfly Mansion, and the waiting Kasugai Crow, Swain, flew down.
"Are you saying that the demon the Flame Hashira was tracking before has shown no signs of activity since the Mugen Train suspended its service?"
Swain nodded obediently. This information had been relayed back by the Corps members investigating on the front lines.
"Tell them not to let their guard down for now. Try to find the current location of that train called 'Mugen.' Since that demon has appeared on this train before, I can identify it by its scent."
"Understood."
Swain immediately flew off to report back.
"I remember that demon was Lord Rengoku's mission, wasn't it? Is Mr. Suzuki in charge now?"
The master of the Butterfly Mansion appeared before the man.
"That's right. Mr. Rengoku was in a hurry to go home to see his father and also wanted to continue his Flame Breathing training. To not waste his time, I took over this mission."
After the polite exchange, Suzuki Makoto was about to leave but was stopped by Shinobu Kocho.
"Miss Kocho, is there something I can help you with?"
"It's nothing in particular. I just wanted to apologize to you, Mr. Suzuki—on Mount Natagumo, my actions were too impulsive, and I even drew my sword against you."
"Please don't worry about it. That was your first time seeing the Kamado siblings, whereas I had already met them at Mr. Urokodaki's and confirmed that Nezuko Kamado had never eaten a human."
Suzuki Makoto waved his hand, not minding at all.
"If you had my abilities, I don't think you would have struck a fatal blow against Nezuko either. During the Hashira Meeting, when Shinazugawa failed to provoke Nezuko with his own blood, the smile on your face wasn't as hollow and false as it was before, or as it is now."
Shinobu Kocho subconsciously touched her cheek, the smile on her face vanishing once again.
Is my expression right now really that false?
"By the way, Miss Kocho, you're about to get busy, aren't you?"
"Yes, the poison development facility the Master ordered needs to be established immediately, so I'll probably be leaving the demon-slaying front lines for a while."
"In that case, would you be willing to have a sparring match with me?"
The man asked tentatively.
He could tell that Shinobu Kocho's emotions were in a terrible state. The feelings she was suppressing were like volcanic magma; if they never had a chance to erupt, it would surely lead her down a path of self-destruction.
But he had no idea how to comfort a girl—so he'd rather use his sword, which he was best at. At the very least, allowing her to vent her emotions would surely have some effect.
"Eh, me?"
"Yes. After blocking your attacks that day, I found them very interesting. Your blade is quite fascinating as well, so I've been wanting to experience the techniques of Insect Breathing."
Shinobu Kocho let out a small laugh. It was the first time she had ever heard someone describe her techniques as 'interesting.'
"Very well."
--------------------------------------------------
Muzan Kibutsuji watched the blood splatter before him, feeling the anger in his heart finally subside.
"Nakime, clean this up."
"Yes, Lord Muzan."
All the filth vanished in an instant, leaving the glossy floor as pristine as new.
Muzan sat down. This was why he liked keeping Nakime around—just a moment ago, Muzan Kibutsuji had killed all the Lower Rank demons except for Lower Rank One.
He had never been so furious with the incompetence of the Lower Ranks. For a hundred years, the positions of the Upper Ranks had never changed, while the Lower Ranks and the Hashira constantly traded victories and defeats. This time, the death of Lower Rank Five, Rui, was the fuse that lit his rage.
The sudden terror of that night, the boy with Yoriichi's earrings, the ever-elusive Ubuyashiki family, and the Demon Slayer Corps members who were like cockroaches, impossible to exterminate completely!
No matter how many Lower Ranks there were, they were all useless trash. It would be better to give Lower Rank One enough blood and see if he could reach the standard of an Upper Rank.
"Enmu, do not disappoint me."
With a hint of expectation, Muzan Kibutsuji reverted to his current human identity and returned to the mortal world.
This was the reason why the demon on the Mugen Train seemed to have vanished along with the train itself—as Lower Rank One, Enmu was doing his utmost to absorb the blood Muzan had bestowed upon him, searching for an opportunity to make a comeback.
Suzuki Makoto, of course, knew none of this. During this time, he simply continued to rush about on the demon-slaying front lines. What puzzled him was that the strength of these demons was truly unimpressive; he hadn't even encountered a single demon of a Lower Rank's level.
"This demon active near the railway, known as 'The Ripper,' is it the same one Lord Flame Hashira was pursuing?"
Looking at the dissipating demon corpse, Suzuki Makoto asked the Corps member behind him.
"It's probably not. The Ripper's fighting style is completely different from the demon active on the Mugen Train. Those passengers disappeared without a trace, whereas The Ripper's victims are brutally tortured and killed, with parts of their bodies left behind. They should be two different demons."
Just as he thought. He had been thinking this demon was just a little fast and not at all on the level of the Twelve Kizuki, making it unnecessary for the Flame Hashira to be pursuing it.
It seemed he still needed to find the Mugen Train after all.
"Haven't you found that train yet?"
"I'm very sorry, we are screening the data, but due to the sheer volume, we may need you to wait a little longer, Lord Suzuki."
Hmm, speaking of which, should I really be thinking of a Hashira title for myself?
Suzuki Makoto thought idly, then suddenly looked up at the night sky.
"Found it! Found it! The Mugen Train is currently stopped at a maintenance workshop 160 kilometers away! It's undergoing repairs and will be put back into service tomorrow at 5 p.m.!"
"Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira are heading to the station to assist Lord Suzuki in solving the mystery of the Mugen Train!"
Suzuki Makoto was a little surprised. Had those three recovered from their injuries so quickly? He wasn't sure if it was their natural talent or Miss Kocho's amazing medical skills.
He had originally planned to rush over overnight, but since Tanjiro and the others were coming, there was no need to be in such a hurry. If he could use Tanjiro to bait Muzan, that would be the most direct solution.
"Mr. Suzuki, what should we do now...?"
"Have someone monitor the place first. We'll head over to investigate. If there are no issues, then tomorrow I will board the train with the three who are coming to support me and escort the passengers."
"Yes!"
Suzuki Makoto picked up his Nichirin Blade, his gaze falling on the inscription at its base.
"A single blade to stand against all demons under heaven, cleaving flesh, cleaving ice, cleaving moonlight."
Just how am I supposed to awaken you? It's truly a puzzle.
_____
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