"What?!"
Upon hearing these words, everyone in the room first showed a moment of confusion, then simultaneously revealed expressions of shock.
Only Kanae's brows remained slightly furrowed.
[Miss Mitsuba went to Mount Fujikasane?]
"Master! How could Upper Rank One appear at the Final Selection? Don't the demons on Mount Fujikasane have no way to enter or leave?!"
"Regarding this question, I cannot provide an accurate answer."
Facing everyone's confusion, Ubuyashiki Kagaya simply shook his head slightly.
"But according to the testimonies of the survivors at the scene, she seemed to possess some means of instantaneous transportation.
I believe she likely used this method to bypass the wisteria forest surrounding Mount Fujikasane…"
"There were actually survivors at the scene?!"
Hearing Ubuyashiki Kagaya's words, the expressions on everyone's faces grew even more shocked.
After facing Upper Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki—the strongest demon in this world aside from that Demon King—there were actually people who survived?
Were this year's candidates really that formidable?
"Yes, and more than one."
Nodding lightly, Ubuyashiki Kagaya solemnly explained everything that had happened on Mount Fujikasane to everyone in detail.
Among these details, he particularly emphasized the fact that Mitsuba had resurrected the demon hunters she had killed.
"Forgive me for speaking frankly, Master."
After quietly listening to Ubuyashiki Kagaya's account, Sabito immediately raised his hand to pose a question.
"How can you be certain that what those candidates described as 'resurrection' was truly resurrection, and not some deceptive illusion?"
"Amitabha. The resurrection of the dead has never occurred in this world. Master, please do not be misled by children's wild tales."
Himejima Gyomei also spoke up immediately from the side.
"Hmph! It must be those brats getting scared out of their wits by that demon, then being fooled by some illusion it created…
Resurrection of the dead? How could such an absurd thing possibly exist in this world!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi sneered coldly, completely disbelieving this claim.
"When people are killed, they die."
Giyuu also nodded in agreement, though the others couldn't quite understand what he was trying to say.
"What everyone has said is reasonable."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya seemed to have anticipated this reaction from everyone.
He merely nodded lightly, then posed another question.
"However, I wonder if everyone still remembers the title given to this Upper Rank One in our Demon Slayer Corps' historical records?"
"The Karma Demon."
The first to answer Ubuyashiki Kagaya's question was Kanae.
"Upper Rank One, the Karma Demon. The specific effects of her Blood Demon Art, as well as her name and appearance, are all unknown.
It is said that this demon likely had some connection to the legendary progenitor of breathing techniques, though the authenticity of this record is questionable.
According to Demon Slayer Corps records, during the early Edo period, this mysterious demon may have even initiated a war of annihilation against the Demon Slayer Corps.
After this battle, the Demon Slayer Corps of that time was nearly completely destroyed. Large amounts of materials were lost, and it took several decades before their strength was restored…"
The Demon Slayer Corps' internal records regarding Mitsuba were somewhat limited.
But they were only somewhat limited, and most of them couldn't be analyzed to produce any meaningful information.
Only this strange title of "Karma Demon" that had been passed down might contain some crucial intelligence…
"In the past, I never quite understood what this so-called 'Karma Demon' meant.
But after the events of this Final Selection, I gradually developed some theories…"
Nodding and smiling at Kanae, Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at everyone once more and shared his analysis.
"I suspect that this Upper Rank One's Blood Demon Art likely grants her some unique ability to manipulate human karma, or perhaps fate.
The resurrection of the dead described by those children on Mount Fujikasane was likely neither false nor an illusion.
Rather, this demon can truly bring dead people back to life, provided certain conditions are met."
Resurrection of the dead…
As Ubuyashiki Kagaya's words fell, the room fell into deathly silence once again.
Among those present, most had regrets about relatives or close friends who had died prematurely for various reasons.
If there truly existed a demon who could bring the dead back to life…
Wouldn't that mean this demon could also make those people they had once cared about in their hearts… return once more?
Everyone remained silent.
"Master."
In this deathly silence, Sabito raised his hand once again, breaking the silence.
"Assuming that what you've said is all true, there's one thing I don't understand.
This Upper Rank One—why would she resurrect those dead demon hunters?
After all, as a demon, is she really capable of such a thing?"
What demon would resurrect demon hunters, especially those they themselves had killed?
"I believe this was her provocation, her demonstration."
The one who answered Sabito was still Kanae.
She lowered her head slightly, raised her hand to touch her chin, and spoke in a deliberately thoughtful tone:
"Carefully reviewing the events on Mount Fujikasane, I believe there are two crucial details worth noting.
The first, naturally, is the bizarre phenomenon of the dead returning to life.
And the second, is the 'Demon Slayer Mark' mentioned by that demon.
This Upper Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki seems to have lived an extremely long life, likely even born in that distant Sengoku period.
Even in our Demon Slayer Corps' records, it was speculated that she might have some connection to the progenitor of breathing techniques.
Based on all of the above, I boldly speculate that this demon's understanding of breathing techniques likely far exceeds our own.
She very possibly knows some special powers related to breathing techniques that have now been lost to us.
The Mark she spoke of is likely one of them.
According to the Master's account just now, this Upper Rank One's purpose in going to Mount Fujikasane seemed to be to help that boy named Kamado Tanjiro awaken this thing.
Then have this boy bring its awakening method to us…
As an enemy, yet making such blatant 'aiding the enemy' behavior, and even using that most unbelievable act of resurrecting the dead to wantonly flaunt her immense power before leaving… This is simply provocation!"
Bang.
Kanae slammed her hand heavily onto the table before her.
Her face, which normally always bore a gentle smile, now had veins bulging with anger.
"She is mocking us for being too weak—so weak that we even need a demon like her to help us become stronger!
This is the ultimate contempt! She doesn't see our Demon Slayer Corps as a threat at all!"
Turning sharply to look at Ubuyashiki Kagaya, Kanae placed her hand over her chest and spoke with an unprecedented seriousness:
"Master! I have never believed that there exists any demon in this world that cannot be defeated!
After all, even that legendary Demon King was once driven to desperate straits by us demon hunters! Let alone merely one of his subordinates, Upper Rank One?
No matter how powerful she appears, we will certainly find this demon's weakness! Kill her completely!
I propose that, before all doubts are clarified, we temporarily seal the truth of the Mount Fujikasane incident to avoid causing panic within the Demon Slayer Corps.
At the same time, deploy personnel to secretly establish a specialized investigation team responsible for collecting and analyzing intelligence related to this Upper Rank One!
If the Master does not object, I, Kochou Kanae, voluntarily apply to serve as the leader of this investigation team!
I will do my utmost to completely uncover the true face of this demon!"
…
(The Demon Slayer Corps perspective temporarily concludes. Next, it's time for some sweet campus romantic comedy, meow~)
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This story has ended in chapter 315, you can read on patreon.com/dzeref887 for faster access or wait until August to read on WebNovel until the story ends.