Two nights later, the Yoshiwara Entertainment District.
The Entertainment District is synonymous with the red-light district, and Yoshiwara is one of the most famous, home to countless geisha and courtesans.
"According to the intel provided by Kakado, the Upper Rank Six of the Twelve Kizuki, Gyutaro and Daki, are hiding in there."
Perched in the shadows on the eaves opposite a brothel bearing the sign "Kyogoku House," Muichiro, Tengen, and Sanemi were observing the situation across the street.
"I say, why don't we just charge in and chop her up? Are you saying the three of us Hashira can't defeat one Upper Rank Demon?" Sanemi was, as always, impatient.
"Agreed." Muichiro stood up expressionlessly, looking ready to jump down.
"Hold it!" Tengen stopped him, saying, "There are still many ordinary people inside. Rushing in would put them in danger, and she might be holding human hostages. You want to complete the mission flashily and not be looked down upon, right?"
"?"
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Hmm, we'll do this and that, in this and that way. How about it?"
"Hmph, what a pain."
...
In front of Kyogoku House, two young attendants were enthusiastically soliciting customers.
The taller of the two suddenly brightened and called out, "Oh, sir, would you like to come into Kyogoku House for a song?"
As soon as she spoke, she regretted it, for the person she saw had a fierce expression, like a menacing bully looking for trouble.
Sure enough, the bully yelled back at her viciously, "Where's your Oiran? I'm dying to see her."
"Please come inside, sir. The Oiran sister is waiting for you," the tall attendant said, forcing herself to remain calm while subtly winking at the shorter attendant beside her.
The shorter attendant understood and promptly slipped away.
"Hmph!" The bully, Sanemi, walked in with an arrogant, heedless swagger.
Why do I have to be the one to do this? It's such a hassle.
As he entered the brothel, a burst of perfume assailed his nose. A mature, graceful proprietress came forward, flattering him, "Sir, what poor timing. Warabihime Oiran is feeling unwell today. How about I call another young lady for you?"
"Oh? Are you looking down on me, you old hag?"
The moment Sanemi entered, he had sensed a hidden, malicious gaze fixed upon him. Realizing the fish had taken the bait, he played along. "How disappointing. I won't have any fun here, then."
"Safe travels, sir," the proprietress quickly apologized.
Leaving Kyogoku House, he ducked into another brothel, where he stayed until past midnight before finally leaving alone.
When he reached a secluded, deserted area, Sanemi smiled and said, "Following me for so long, what are you trying to do?"
A beautiful woman emerged from the shadows. She had six ornate hairpins in her hair and flower tattoos on her left cheek and right forehead. Her demeanor was seductive, and the characters "Upper Rank" and "Six" were carved into her left and right eyes, respectively.
It was none other than the Upper Rank Six, Daki.
She licked her lips, tilting her head to look at Sanemi sideways, and sneered, "Such a strong body… you must be a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. To stumble upon a Hashira like this... sometimes I get lucky too. Offering your head to that man will surely make him happy."
"Upper Rank Demon? It's too early to say who's lucky." Sanemi stripped off his outer jacket, revealing the Nichirin Blade at his waist.
"Hahaha, you think you alone can defeat me, a demon who has already taken seven Hashiras' heads?"
"Idiot, don't compare me to those others!"
Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!
Sanemi launched the first attack. In the blink of an eye, his Nichirin Blade thrust toward Daki. The accompanying high-pressure wind blew her into the air.
Crap! He's not an ordinary Hashira! Brother, save me! Daki, only now reacting, showed a look of terror.
Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist!
A massive black wind blade surged upward from below, destroying all the obi sashes blocking its path and perfectly severing Daki's neck.
Daki's head dropped to the ground, skewered by Sanemi's blade.
"You ugly old hag, you're too weak."
"Ugly old hag? Brother, kill him for me, now!" Daki, reduced to just a head, continued to shriek.
"Daki, don't rely on me for everything." From the back of Daki's body, an ugly man drilled his way out. His eyes were also carved with the characters "Upper Rank" and "Six."
"Well, the main event has arrived, but I have backup, too."
Gyutaro: "?"
Mist Breathing, Second Form: Eight-Layered Mist!
Blood splattered. Gyutaro, who had just emerged, dodged frantically but still had his right arm severed.
To avoid detection, Muichiro had kept his distance and only now rushed onto the scene.
"Why are you the only one? Where's Uzui?" Sanemi demanded, displeased.
"He went to rescue the hostages."
"Tch! Fine." Sanemi kicked Daki, who was under his foot, back toward Gyutaro. "Hey, brat, finish them off quickly with that move. They're disgusting and getting on my nerves."
Muichiro nodded.
The two flanked Gyutaro and Daki, sandwiching them as they unleashed their ultimate technique together.
Wind-Mist Combined Technique, First Form: Wind Scroll Cloud Dissipation!
Sanemi and Muichiro vanished instantly. A powerful whirlwind formed in the space between them. Brilliant streams of mist-like light shot out from the storm, illuminating the area as bright as day.
"How is this possible?!" Gyutaro struggled desperately but couldn't escape. His figure was swallowed by the whirlwind, leaving only his final cry: "I haven't even fought yet!"
When the Wind Scroll Cloud Dissipation faded, Gyutaro and Daki were reduced to rapidly dissolving remnants.
This was the effect of coordinated teamwork. Powerful as they were, the Upper Rank Demons were vanquished in a single strike.
However, such a perfect Combined Technique could only, for now, be executed by Sanemi and Muichiro.
"Ha! That was exhilarating! Let's go to Tokyo. I can't wait to cut down Muzan."
"Shouldn't we wait for Tengen?"
"No need, no need."
Tengen: "Ah-choo!"
...
Asakusa District, Tokyo.
Here, high-rises stand row upon row, making it the most prosperous area in the island nation.
But even the most bustling places have secluded corners, sustaining various people struggling to survive.
On this day, Aomori arrived here.
In the past two days, he had searched every street and alley using Mind's Eye. He had not only located Muzan, who was currently engrossed in role-playing, but also his primary target for this mission.
The wall in front of him looked perfectly ordinary, but in Aomori's Mind's Eye, it was a straight path leading to a small alley.
He let out a soft chuckle and walked straight through, arriving in front of a house. He politely knocked on the large door.
"Hello, you have a package delivery. Please open the door to receive it."
There was no answer. Aomori was not anxious and waited quietly at the entrance.
After about half an hour and several muffled arguing voices, the door finally opened a crack. A beautiful, dignified noblewoman peered at Aomori through the gap. She furrowed her lovely brows and asked suspiciously, "I don't recognize you. Who are you looking for?"
Aomori pulled aside his coat, revealing the two Nichirin Blades at his waist. He spoke gently and courteously, "Tamayo-san, correct? I have an invitation I hope you'll accept. Oh, it's an invitation to a front-row seat to watch Muzan take a sunbath."
"Muzan?" The beautiful woman, Tamayo,'s pupils contracted. Slam! She shut the door.
Shut... she shut the door?
————
You can read the ahead chapter on Patr if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]