Inside the exquisitely decorated house, Tamayo apologized to Aomori with a flushed face: "I'm so sorry. That was very rude of me. It was just a subconscious reaction… I sincerely apologize!"
"Tamayo-san!" A green-haired boy next to her glared furiously at Aomori: "You don't need to apologize to someone of unknown origins like him!"
"Yushiro! Don't be disrespectful!"
"Hmph!" Yushiro, who harbors indecent intentions toward Tamayo, was naturally very hostile towards the strikingly handsome Aomori.
"Well, he is only a child in his thirties, so don't be too hard on him," Aomori said casually.
"It seems Aomori-san knows quite a lot about both of us."
Otherwise, he wouldn't know Yushiro's age so clearly.
"Heh, just the basics. The Demon Slayer Corps' intelligence work is still lacking. We only know that Tamayo-san suffered from an incurable disease over 500 years ago, was deceived by Muzan and turned into a demon, and accidentally killed your husband and child. Then, during the battle in the bamboo forest, Muzan fled in defeat, and you took the opportunity to break free from his control, hiding ever since until today. That's all we know."
The more Tamayo listened, the more alarmed she became. All her secrets had been completely exposed. Under Aomori's gaze, she felt utterly exposed, instinctively crossing her arms over her chest.
Yushiro grew furious again: "Stop staring at Tamayo-san with those perverted eyes!"
Unfortunately, he lacked the fighting ability to defeat Aomori, so he could only resort to trying to kill him with his gaze.
Aomori ignored the love-struck Yushiro. His expression grew serious as he said, "Tamayo-san, I assume you have always wanted revenge on Muzan. Since we share a common goal with the Demon Slayer Corps, we can establish a close and cooperative relationship."
Tamayo calmed herself down and spoke after a moment, "Fine. How do you propose we cooperate?"
"Hmm, first, let's start with a full body check-up for me."
"?"
...
In the Infinity Castle, using Nakime, the Scummy Boss Muzan once again summoned his elite cadres for a staff meeting.
Only this time, one seat was empty.
"Gyutaro is dead. The Upper Moons are now incomplete."
"I anticipated Gyutaro's death, but I didn't expect him to be defeated so thoroughly.
"Who can tell me why an Upper Rank Demon I personally cultivated would be so vulnerable in front of humans?" Muzan looked the same as always, the wounds from his last encounter seemingly healed long ago.
But he was in a terrible mood. Ever since he met the man who sent a tremor through him that day, the desire to evolve into a perfect being and the fear of being killed had intertwined, tormenting his soul every single day.
The death of Upper Rank Six only made his mood worse.
"How could this be?" Upper Rank Five, Gyokko, rushed to say, "I've encountered several of the humans' strongest Hashira myself, and weren't they all turned into my art?"
"Oh?" With a flick of his finger, Muzan tore off Gyokko's head and said coldly, "Are you questioning me?"
"N-no, not at all! Muzan-sama, I was wrong!" Gyokko quickly pleaded for mercy.
"I can't find the Blue Spider Lily, I can't find the Ubuyashiki family, and I can't find that man. Tell me, what good are you all to me?" As core staff members, their performance metrics were all subpar, and Muzan was thoroughly vexed.
He was considering layoffs again.
The Upper Rank Demons lowered their heads in fear.
"Waaah, waaaah, Muzan-sama, those Demon Slayers have been very arrogant lately. Many demons I know have been killed by them," the timid Upper Rank Four, Hantengu, seemed to be the Upper Rank most mindful of the Demon Slayers' movements.
"Since yesterday, it seems there have been Demon Slayers staking out the entrance to my Eternal Paradise Faith, but they're quite sharp, and I haven't found a chance to capture them," Upper Rank Two, Doma, said with a smile.
"So, what is your conclusion?"
"They must be planning to make a move on Doma-dono. We can use this opportunity to teach those swordsmen an unforgettable lesson, and while we're at it, force the address of the Ubuyashiki family out of them!" Gyokko rushed to answer.
Muzan tossed Gyokko's head away and warned, "I have spoiled you too much until now. From now on, you will have to fight with your lives on the line. Gyokko, Hantengu, the two of you return with Doma and complete the mission to the best of your ability. Otherwise, do not come back to see me."
"Oh my, what if I'm mistaken?" Doma said, resting his fan against his chin.
"There is no 'what if,' Doma. I only want to see the result I desire."
"Yes, Muzan-sama."
Muzan lost the mood for further admonishment and waved his hand, leaving the Infinity Castle.
Nakime then played her Biwa, sending them off one by one—naturally, Gyokko, Hantengu, and Doma went together.
Returning to the headquarters of the Eternal Paradise Faith, Doma looked at Gyokko and Hantengu beside him and covered his mouth with a giggle: "It's been a long time since my comrades came to visit. I must treat you well."
"No need, no need, Doma-dono. Completing Muzan-sama's mission is the priority," Gyokko was still terrified from his recent scare.
"Waaah, waaaah, I think so too. Why don't we launch a preemptive attack?" Hantengu agreed.
"No, no, don't be so tense. With the three of us working together, any number of Hashira would just be serving themselves up on a platter. We should just wait quietly for them to deliver themselves to our doorstep."
In the end, Gyokko and Hantengu couldn't argue with Doma and agreed to hide and wait for the Demon Slayers to attack.
"That's much more fun, wouldn't you agree?" Doma flashed an "excited" smile.
...
The Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Ubuyashiki Mansion.
Kagaya was presiding here, centrally coordinating the various squads.
When the news of Upper Rank Six's successful kill returned, Kagaya couldn't help but shout out loud: "Muichiro, Tengen, and Sanemi, they did splendidly!"
"Kagaya, please don't get too agitated. Be careful of your health," his wife, Amane, stayed by his side.
"I can't help but be excited! Do you know what this means? It means that the stalemate that has lasted for a hundred years is finally about to change. This is a sign, showing that a huge change in fate is coming. We are going to launch a counterattack!" The flush-faced Kagaya fully expressed his emotions.
"Yes."
"This is all thanks to Kakado-san. He is our Child of Destiny!"
"Mm, I'm sure more good news will be reported soon."
"You are right." Kagaya's mood calmed slightly.
"Report!" A Kasugai Crow delivered the latest message. "Rumble Hashira Kakado has given the order that all Hashira are to drop their current tasks and proceed immediately to the Eternal Paradise Faith Headquarters to jointly attack Upper Rank Two, Doma!"
"Are we going to attack Upper Rank Two?" Although Kagaya had faith in Aomori and the others, he was inevitably worried.
"Relay this message to the Hashira immediately! Quickly!"
This was the only thing he could do.
...
"Upper Rank Six is dead? Shinazugawa and the others did a good job! I must work hard, too." Kyojuro laughed heartily, raising his flaming Nichirin Blade and slashing at the demon before him.
...
"Please, spare me! I was forced! I repent! I want to turn over a new leaf!" The demon despaired, looking at the mountain-like strong man before it.
Gyomei raised his flail and smashed the demon into a pulp: "Go repent thoroughly to the Buddha in Hell. Namu Amida Butsu."
"Upper Rank Two, Doma. It will be his turn next."
...
The other Hashira all received the message and rushed towards the Eternal Paradise Cult Headquarters.
The great battle is about to erupt!
————
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]