Uzui's neck bobbed as if she were gulping something down.
Could it be...?
Is she actually drinking the blood dripping from my lips?
I tried to shove Uzui away at once, but she clung to me relentlessly, as if refusing to let go.
I'd never seen her eat before, but from what I knew, Uzui didn't turn into a demon by consuming a demon's flesh, like Minase did.
There are no records of an ordinary person ever becoming a demon by ingesting demon blood—but still, what good could come of a human drinking demon blood?
What on earth are you thinking, Uzui?
When the kiss ended, Uzui finally released my lips, her eyes flickering with lascivious delight as she licked the blood from her mouth.
"Young master's blood… it really is delicious."
A chill ran down my spine without my even realizing it.
At that moment, Uzui closed her eyes, and her body began to change.
I peered into her body with my [Mental Realm] vision.
The [Mental Realm] revealed the truth to me.
Uzui had forsaken her humanity.
Her bones, her muscles, her blood—every tissue in her body was being reconstructed, transformed.
A human body was beginning to shift into a demon's form.
About fifteen minutes later, the violent convulsions subsided, and Uzui opened her eyes.
What in the world...?
While I was still reeling, a fool's voice burst from inside me.
"…Could it be that she ate your blood?"
It was the voice of [Kibutsuji Muzan], begging the connection be severed before talking to [Tamayo].
I had plenty to say, but that wasn't what I needed to ask first.
Why had Uzui become a demon?
I'm not Muzan.
My blood shouldn't have the power to turn someone into a demon.
So why had she changed?
Muzan sighed before replying.
"I don't know either."
What?
"I said I don't know."
That bastard… If you don't know, who does?
Muzan kept complaining, repeating that he had no idea.
Then Kokushibo spoke up.
He too sounded surprised by the outcome.
"My theory… is that she ate Muzan's heart."
What? Because she ate Muzan's heart?
"I suspect that is the cause. Otherwise, it makes no sense. By consuming the original heart, it seems she aligned herself with its nature."
This is troublesome.
So that means I could make demons too.
"Even so, the original blood is a potent poison. Even if it's weaker, it won't be without toxin."
"For someone of frail constitution… it would be best not to use it."
I have no intention of spawning demons recklessly, either.
What worries me more is Uzui's state now.
The demons I've faced—apart from [Tamayo]—were brutal and unhesitating in their cannibalism.
[Muzan] said he created demons not to indulge barbarity, but to find those who could overcome the sun; so not every human before turning demon had been a monster in mind.
Yet if one becomes a demon, the likelihood of moral ruin is high.
I didn't undergo any change of mind when I became a demon, but Uzui…
"How do you feel…?"
I asked her gently.
Uzui examined her own body before answering.
"My strength has heightened splendidly, but I don't feel much else has changed."
Her tone was the same as ever.
It seemed her personality remained intact.
"That's a relief…"
I sighed with genuine relief.
Then I looked her squarely in the eyes.
"Why did you do it?"
Uzui, if you're still in your right mind, you wouldn't have dared drink my blood blindly.
You must have anticipated this outcome.
So why?
She looked unchanged outwardly, but now she was undeniably a demon.
No longer could she walk under the sun or eat human food; she would live eternal life as a cursed being.
"It was half a gamble," she said quietly.
"That's not the question…!"
Her nonchalant tone made my voice rise before I even noticed.
Why did you become a demon for my sake?
Even with superhuman strength and eternal life, you cannot coexist with humanity and cannot walk in sunlight.
So why did you choose this fate?
Because I became aware of Uzui's heart—because of that, I resented the thought that she too must bear this life.
I could handle this cursed existence alone.
"Your life will be far from glorious."
"I know."
"Then why…"
"Because I am your kagemusha."
Her faint smile as she met my gaze said it all.
Kagemusha.
I stared at her silently.
Kagemusha.
And then—
"Isn't that over?"
"It isn't over yet."
Uzui's brazen expression was enough to shame even the bravest.
It was absurd.
At her childlike stubbornness, the tension in my face melted away.
Kagemusha… kagemusha.
Yes, that's what you were.
You have always been my ninja attendant.
You were the first teacher who taught me how to fight.
Seventeen years we spent together as family and comrades.
Yes, you were the kagemusha of my life.
What word could be more fitting?
All right, do as you wish.
"You are a strange one. What is it about me that you care for?"
"Because I caught your affliction, young master. You must take responsibility."
After finishing our conversation, we returned to [Amano Ruka] and [Tamayo].
They both seemed relieved, as if they'd concluded their own talk.
I'm not sure what they discussed, but I needn't ask.
How curious.
I expected Amano to be cold toward Tamayo, after all, she was once a demon.
As a Hashira, I thought Amano would harbor hostility, yet he treated Tamayo as if she were just another person.
Perhaps his conversation was some kind of declaration of non-hostility.
In any case, I wonder what Amano thinks now that Uzui has become a demon.
My head ached.
But the headache was brief.
"You've gone demon first, I see."
Huh?
Amano spoke as if already in the know.
I couldn't hide my surprise at his reaction.
So you already knew?
What does that mean?
And why first?
Amano, please don't say such ominous things; I feel like my brain might short-circuit.
As if reading my thoughts, Amano approached with a teasing smile.
I couldn't move at his gaze—something in his expression was drawing everything in.
Tamayo looked uneasy beside me, and Uzui simply smiled as if she had predicted this.
Amano held out his hand and said:
"Now, I must have some of that blood, too."
Damn.
No, I'm not public property.
Time kept flowing.
And in a certain hour, the ceaseless turning gears finally halted.
On that day, unlike any before, the moon rose red in the sky.
It was the night of a crimson [Full Moon].
Under that full moon, an elderly couple sat on the veranda, gazing at the large scarlet orb.
To some, the clock stopping forever meant a present that never moved.
To others, it became a distant past that rushed by, impossible to grasp.
Time is both cruel and fearsome.
The red hair once praised as the "Child of Innovation" had long since turned white.
Wrinkles marked his face, and the weight of years bent his shoulders.
The [Sun God], once lauded as the strongest of all, had become an old man.
Yet the birthmark that signified his short life remained clear upon his brow.
Every bearer of those marks had never lived past twenty-five—except this old man.
Then another figure appeared before them.
This man sat on the veranda like the old man, yet he was his contrast.
While the elder was ravaged by time, this man stood unchanged, as if time had stopped for him.
Despite bearing the same mark, he had not suffered a short life; his prime stayed undiminished.
Upon seeing him, the old man smiled, bowing respectfully.
"You have come, elder brother."
"Indeed."
The younger man returned the greeting with a smile.
In the elder brother's eyes, there was no contempt or questioning as he looked upon his aged younger brother.
Only a gentle smile.
"You have grown old, Yoriichi."
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