Kanae's good impression of Ryuya rose sharply.
While Tamayo went to retrieve the medicine, Ryuya didn't remain idle.
He found the syringes Tamayo used for blood sampling, drew three test tubes of his own blood for her research, and gathered a few empty tubes to collect blood from other Upper Ranks and Muzan.
"Ryuya, your wound needs to be bandaged immediately!"
Seeing the needle marks on his shoulder, Kanae—ever gentle and attentive—quickly grabbed a cotton swab to stop the bleeding.
But before she even touched him, the tiny puncture wound had already closed completely.
"Miss Kanae, a demon's body heals its own wounds," Ryuya said, half-teasing, half-helpless.
"I—I'm sorry, I forgot!" Kanae covered her face in embarrassment.
Seriously, how could she forget something like that!?
"Miss Kanae, here is the medicine you need," Tamayo said as she returned.
She explained calmly, "Whether it is the medicine that suppresses the desire to eat human flesh, or the medicine that slowly breaks Muzan's control, both require long-term use. They will not take full effect after a single dose."
"Understood, Miss Tamayo," Ryuya replied.
It was perfect timing—before separating from Muzan, he needed to pave the way for his future self.
Weakening Muzan's forces was essential.
This entire visit satisfied Ryuya greatly.
Not only did he obtain what he came for, but he also successfully established a connection with Tamayo.
Tamayo and Yushiro walked them to the door. Before leaving, Ryuya spoke again.
"Miss Tamayo, please be careful. Because of my special Blood Demon Art, Muzan cannot sense your location through me—but caution is still necessary. Kibutsuji Muzan has eyes everywhere, and many subordinates."
"Um… Miss Tamayo, if you're willing, you can come to the Butterfly Mansion! It's very safe there!" Kanae offered earnestly.
"The Butterfly Mansion serves the Demon Slayer Corps, correct? Yushiro and I may not be well-received there, due to our identity. Miss Kanae, Mr. Ryuya, please don't worry—we know how to protect ourselves."
With Yushiro's Eye-Concealing Blood Demon Art, as long as they didn't attract attention, Muzan would have difficulty locating them.
"Miss Tamayo… if you don't mind, may I be included in your plan to kill Kibutsuji Muzan?" Ryuya said.
He had long made up his mind.
Once he broke free from Muzan's curse, the outcome would be either Muzan's death or his own.
To survive, he had to kill Muzan. And having Tamayo as an ally was invaluable.
[Achieved cooperation with the demon doctor Tamayo. Gained talent: Healing Blessing (doubles the effectiveness of beneficial medicines on the user and nullifies harmful poison effects).]
The sudden System voice startled and pleased Ryuya.
The System was always unpredictable—no missions, just occasional sudden rewards.
He hadn't expected this pleasant surprise. A faint smile curved his lips.
"Really…?" Tamayo whispered, stunned. Her eyes trembled with emotion.
With Ryuya joining her cause, the probability of success increased dramatically.
"Then… can I be included too?" Kanae asked with a bright smile.
"Of course, Miss Kanae!" Tamayo replied, voice thick with gratitude.
For hundreds of years, she had walked her path alone. To finally find comrades… it moved her deeply.
"Then we'll be taking our leave, Miss Tamayo," Ryuya said, stepping away with Kanae beside him.
As they walked deeper into the dim city streets, Ryuya suddenly asked:
"Miss Kanae… can you promise not to tell anyone about what happened today? Not the Demon Slayer Corps. Not even your sister."
"Mm… alright." Kanae hesitated for a moment but agreed.
Hearing that, Ryuya dismissed the plan he'd been considering—using his Blood Demon Art on her.
"I hope you don't lie to me," he said lightly. "I hate it when people lie to me most."
For some reason, those calm words made Kanae's stomach flip.
A gut feeling told her… she must never deceive Ryuya. Not even once.
At that moment—
Sister Daki, who had been playing hide-and-seek, completely ran out of patience.
"Big Brother Ryuya! Why haven't you found me yet?! I ran out of patience so I came to look for you myself!"
Daki pouted adorably as she wrapped her arms around Ryuya's waist, refusing to let go.
Kanae's eyebrows twitched. This scene made her extremely uncomfortable.
But then she remembered—Ryuya was tricking this oblivious little girl, and she was still clueless.
Instantly, Kanae's mood improved.
"Big Brother Ryuya, where did you go? Was Xiaomei hiding so well? Wait—why is there another woman here?!"
Daki's eyes widened. Her sweet voice sharpened instantly.
"You… hello?" Kanae offered politely.
"Hello what?! Who are you?! Why are you standing next to Big Brother Ryuya?!" Daki snapped.
With her childish intelligence, her anger was painfully obvious. Ryuya wasn't surprised.
"Big Brother Ryuya! What's your relationship with this woman?! Do you know her?!"
"Xiaomei, a girl isn't cute when she's angry. You should get some sleep."
Before she could react, Ryuya chopped the back of her neck with precision.
Daki's eyes rolled, and she fell limp into his arms.
"Blood Demon Art: Memory Erase."
Ryuya placed his hand on her head. Daki's memories flashed before him—like scenes on an editing timeline.
He removed everything from the moment before their hide-and-seek game until now.
"Blood Demon Art: Memory Fabrication."
He replaced the missing memories with ones of his own creation—completely seamless.
Daki would experience them as reality.
This was the power of his Blood Demon Art.
He could use it on himself or others—but only if the target had no resistance or awareness.
A fainted Daki was the perfect subject.
This way, even if Muzan inspected her memories, he wouldn't detect anything abnormal.
"Miss Kanae?"
Kanae stood frozen, expression distant and dazed.
Ah… is it because of my Blood Demon Art? Hah.
Ryuya leaned close to her ear, exhaling softly. "Miss Kanae, what's wrong? Do you also want to experience the taste of my Blood Demon Art?"
"I—I—I don't!" Kanae shook her head frantically.
Ryuya's Blood Demon Art had shaken her to her core.
"Ryuya… does your Blood Demon Art truly erase memories?"
Blood Demon Arts were diverse and strange.
Kanae had seen many variations among the demons she'd slain, but nothing like this.
"That's right, Miss Kanae. Do you also want your memories erased? Which part…? The memories with your sister? Or all your memories as a human?"
He smiled.
And Kanae's heart skipped a beat.