At the Ubuyashiki family compound.
The current leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, the young Ubuyashiki Hideo, had a pale complexion.
Especially after hearing the report from Ichiei and Tenjurō.
He considered a possibility!
"Pathological? Oboro instilled this ideology in him?"
"He must have been influenced. Of course, based on what we knew before and the boy's own circumstances... he was easily swayed and deeply believed it." Ichiei nodded.
"First, teaching the Demon Slayer Corps breathing techniques, and now constantly transforming demons... there are definitely more people like Zekawa." Hideo's fingers trembled.
"Although I don't know exactly what Oboro said, I can guess some of it. Judging from my father's assessment of this person and some deductions, the belief he instills in people's hearts is nothing more than making the deceived believe that everything they do is right. They are righteous executors... heroes."
"This Zekawa believes he is saving this world, saving everyone like him... Even though it's malicious intent, in these people's hearts, it's full of positive energy."
"This kind of spiritual driving force is terrifying."
"In other words, he knew from the beginning that Zekawa would go to the Shogunate and target the national ruler. The belief he conveyed had already predetermined the outcome. Even if it wasn't the ruler, it would be other high-ranking officials or retainers of the Shogunate—important figures who could influence national affairs! But Zekawa was not instructed by him; it was an act from his heart. He is toying with human nature... he has seen through humanity."
"He is deliberately creating chaos, turning this world into a living hell... making everyone's survival incredibly difficult."
The more he spoke, the more sweat appeared on Hideo's face. He couldn't help but clench his fists.
His heart trembled.
What kind of man was this?
Could he truly cope with such a person?
His father, Ubuyashiki Kuya, had only interacted with Oboro; there was no true 'contest.' Now, without a doubt... for the next decade or so, his small body would have to contend with him.
The Ubuyashiki family had always accumulated wisdom. Hideo dared not say his strategies and acumen surpassed his father's.
But at least... all he had learned so far had been gained by his ancestors at the cost of their lives. He had a great advantage in not having to experience many things firsthand.
"Your father once said that in his generation, though he didn't do much for the Demon Slayer Corps, his greatest pride was raising an excellent successor like you."
Ichiei noticed Hideo's unusual state and said this sincerely.
These words made Hideo's eyes stir, gaining some insight.
He then exhaled a deep breath. "My apologies, I lost my composure a bit."
Regardless of whether he could contend with Oboro, he could not retreat.
He carried a mission.
"I will find a way to deal with the Shogunate. Zekawa's death can be considered an explanation for them... But I think later, as more and more demons are transformed by Oboro, and the belief he conveys becomes more pervasive, the situation will inevitably change. The most direct point is that the Demon Slayer Corps' system will still be infiltrated by the Shogunate. From a secular perspective, we have no way to escape political control... However, I will do everything possible to protect the core strength of the Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira, to prevent everyone from being disturbed."
Hideo thought calmly, "On another note... as my father said, everyone does everything with a purpose. From Oboro's actions, it seems he doesn't aim to target either our Demon Slayer Corps or Muzan, nor does he aim to seize political power."
"To be honest, based on current observations of this person, with his cunning and status, I wouldn't be surprised if one day he replaced the Tokugawa line and became the new national ruler. He is perfectly capable of it, and it wouldn't even be difficult."
"What he wants to do... or rather, what he is doing, is to overthrow this world, fundamentally changing the ecosystem of all life."
"The environment gives birth to different forms of life... just as there are fish in the sea and birds in the sky. If the overall environment changes, then people like us, including Muzan and his demons, must adapt to the times and change."
At this point, Hideo was more serious than ever, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
"Survival of the fittest?" Ichiei frowned, offering an answer.
It sounded somewhat like forcing everyone to evolve.
"This is just my guess... I only sensed a little something from his actions..." Hideo took a deep breath. "He... is very dissatisfied with the current world."
"However, he deliberately left a backdoor for both us, the Demon Slayer Corps, and the demons."
"You mean?"
"Yes, for us, it's the breathing techniques... For Muzan's side, it's unclear for now, but it's likely related to the demons he transforms."
Hideo said softly, "I finally understand a little why my father was so wary of him."
"I admit I am very afraid of him. Although I have never met him face-to-face, the true reason for my fear is... that achieving this as a 'human' is basically impossible! Even Muzan and his demons can't do it... But this person, this Oboro... I always feel like he can."
"We need to plan our strategy in advance."
"Call everyone else. We will hold a joint Hashira meeting."
"Yes."
Ichiei was also somewhat shocked, but Hideo's calm thinking and judgment, especially the composure he displayed at such a young age, gave him great confidence in the future development of the Demon Slayer Corps.
...
In contrast to the Demon Slayer Corps having to deal with the troubles from the Shogunate.
Muzan's side was simply suffering from a forced shortage of manpower.
During this period, he, who could have been a daimyō, sitting calmly in his mansion and enjoying peace, was constantly rushing around, completely overwhelmed.
He continuously selected fresh blood and transformed them into demons.
Because the number of demons was rapidly dwindling, now, not only the Demon Slayer Corps but also ordinary citizens and the Shogunate's army were targeting demons.
As soon as a demon appeared, it would immediately be hunted down.
Although ordinary people could only cause limited trouble, this would quickly attract Demon Slayer swordsmen.
This led to the demons under his command having nowhere to hide.
Fortunately, internal strife had been rampant across the country recently, and the Shogunate, in its effort to stabilize the situation, didn't have much energy to deal with them.
However, public awareness and rejection of demons grew increasingly widespread.
Counting carefully, in the short period of less than two years since Oboro appeared, the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Demon Moons had changed twice over. Especially after the ruler's death, due to various factors, the demons' situation became very difficult.
Furthermore, the Demon Slayer Corps' swordsmen had grown stronger, particularly the Hashira, who had already achieved the feat of slaying Lower Ranks.
This made Muzan consider temporarily lying low.
He decided to stop transforming demons for now, to create the illusion among the populace that demons had disappeared.
Regrettably, recently there had been new rumors spreading in various regions about demons causing trouble.
Muzan was very certain that those so-called demons were not his pawns at all.
Therefore... the only explanation was Oboro.
This made it impossible for him to "calm things down" and divert external attention.
Muzan was even more baffled as to how Oboro was transforming people into demons.
Yet, he dared not confront Oboro directly.
However, the situation turning out this way wasn't entirely without benefits.
Firstly, the survival pressure on demons surged, making the game more difficult. This resulted in every demon still alive today possessing exceptionally strong overall abilities.
The weak simply couldn't survive.
Secondly, although external hostility towards demons increased, the current widespread misery and bloodshed created better "hunting" conditions for demons.
Of course, the same applied to members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The stronger the demons, the stronger the demon slayers would become.
It was reciprocal.
However... Muzan deeply disliked this situation where things were spiraling out of his control.
It felt like he was being pushed along... and was powerless to stop it.
What frightened him even more was that the demons Oboro transformed were also unaffected by his blood.
Given the complex relationship between them, those demons would eventually come for him one day.
What would he do then?
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