Abel and Kagaya sat facing each other. Looking at the man before him, cursed as he was, Abel couldn't help but feel admiration from the bottom of his heart.
He was a man who remembered the names and lives of everyone who died slaying demons.
He was a man who prioritized the lives of swordsmen over the removal of his family's curse.
He was a gentle man who wasn't afraid of death, leading the charge himself and boosting his teammates' morale.
Similarly, his wife and daughters were also great people.
As Abel pondered, Amane, Kagaya's wife, brought over the brewed tea with her children.
"Please have some tea."
"Thank you." Abel nodded slightly.
Asia, Miko, Hana, Shizuka, Liliana, and Erica all received tea and expressed their thanks as well.
Kagaya smiled faintly and spoke, "Abel-san, is it alright if I address you as such?"
"Any address is fine, whatever is convenient. Ubuyashiki-san, it seems you already knew of my existence."
Although Abel knew of the man's ability, he still said this.
Hearing Abel's words, Kagaya clarified for him, "Abel-san, every head of the Ubuyashiki family can see a brief glimpse of the future, and the future observed recently has changed, becoming different. I have a premonition that you are the one who will resolve all of this."
Abel listened to his words without responding.
Kagaya's brief premonitions only provided a general idea, but he was indeed correct. Muzan had to be killed, and roasted outdoors at that.
However, Abel also felt as if the current leader of the Demon Slayer Corps knew his identity. No, it seemed he already knew.
But none of this mattered to Abel. It was just that two little butterflies would need some proper discipline tonight.
Looking at this man who had borne everything since childhood, Abel thought for a moment and blurted out, "Ubuyashiki-san, you must be very tired."
Hearing Abel's words, Kagaya paused slightly.
Tired?
If anyone was tired, it was the swordsmen who revered him. They trained, killed demons, and saved people.
Even the Kakushi and the children in logistics did more than he, the leader, did.
Compared to them, what were his own problems?
Kagaya looked at Abel and said, "Compared to me, these swordsmen who revere me, and the children in logistics, must be more tired than I am."
"I only wish to end the Ubuyashiki family's grudge with Kibutsuji Muzan in this generation, to bring it to an end with me, for the sake of future generations who will not be harmed by demons."
Listening to Kagaya's words, Abel's admiration for him grew even more.
Kagaya and Abel quietly gazed at each other, neither said anything.
Then, Kagaya respectfully knelt before him, performing a dogeza. "Abel-san, I learned of your identity yesterday. I wish to ask you to resolve this millennium-long conflict."
His wife and five children followed Kagaya in performing a dogeza towards Abel.
Looking at the family before him, Abel was very calm. "Then, what can you offer?"
Admiration aside, he was a devil. It was a clear transaction, fair to all. Let's see what conditions this family head could propose.
Kagaya raised his head, looking at Abel with his remaining eye, and said, "Abel-san, I am willing to exchange my broken soul and everything of the Ubuyashiki family for this opportunity to slay Kibutsuji Muzan."
Abel looked at Kagaya and uttered two words, "Not enough."
The scene fell silent, no one dared to speak.
Asia, who was nearby, wanted to say something but was stopped by Erica.
Kagaya's wife and children also said, "Abel-san, we are also willing to offer our souls as a trade."
Abel remained silent, the scene utterly still. In his heart, he gained a deeper understanding of this family's resolve.
After a long moment, he asked, "Are you sure?"
Kagaya said earnestly, "As long as Kibutsuji Muzan can be slain, my soul, my body, my family, everything I have is yours."
Abel looked at the family's determined expressions and couldn't help but smile. He was a new generation devil, they could keep their souls.
"Kagaya, be my subordinate in this world." Abel extended an invitation to Kagaya.
"Subordinate?"
Kagaya was slightly stunned, evidently not expecting Abel to propose such a condition, but he quickly reacted, a flicker of determination in his eyes.
He bowed deeply. "I, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, am willing to become your subordinate."
—
On the street, Abel strolled around alone.
After the Ubuyashiki family became his subordinates, he had asked Kagaya to teach his Peerage members the so-called breathing techniques. Any increase in strength was an improvement.
Of course, Abel didn't forget to ask where Yoriichi's grave was, but Kagaya didn't know, as there was no record in the family.
Then, only Upper Rank One and Tamayo would know.
"Then next, I'll go find Tamayo and see if I can find Yoriichi's grave, to see if his soul is there." Abel muttered to himself.
He then closed his eyes, picturing Tamayo's appearance. As a gentle breeze rose, information about Tamayo was carried by the breeze.
"Found her. Wind, take me to her side."
Abel stood in place and transformed into a gentle breeze, the people around seemingly unaware.
—
A small house with poor lighting in a certain cherry blossom area.
A woman was conducting an experiment, while a young man beside her looked on happily at her actions.
This was Tamayo, and her follower Yushiro.
As the breeze swept through, both of them froze simultaneously.
Immediately after, a feeling of dread came over them, a sensation of being observed by a higher-level life form.
Cold sweat formed on Tamayo's forehead. This feeling was even more terrifying than that scoundrel Kibutsuji Muzan.
"Who!"
Yushiro reacted quickly, immediately shielding Tamayo and looking around vigilantly.
"Good evening, Tamayo-san."
A chill ran down both their spines, and they quickly turned their heads.
Abel was sitting on Tamayo's experimental table, shaking a test tube in his hand.
Looking at the man before her, Tamayo instinctively felt a sense of fear, a feeling that even Kibutsuji Muzan couldn't evoke.
Tamayo gulped.
This guy in front of her was even more troublesome than Muzan.
"Tamayo-sama, quickly leave! I'll hold off this gu—"
Yushiro, who was blocking Tamayo, didn't finish his sentence before his whole body went limp, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Yushiro!"
"Relax, Tamayo-san, he's fine, just unconscious."
"What do you want?!"
"Simply to ask a few questions."