After discussing the matter, the group decided to send Kotoha to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters for protection.
However, she refused immediately.
"The Master said he'll come to pick me up. I'm not going anywhere."
The members of the Demon Slayer Corps were left speechless.
Just what kind of charm did that demon possess?
Yes, Doma was undeniably handsome… but he was still a demon!
"I'm not leaving," Kotoha said firmly. "Besides, Lord Kokushibo already told me that Monjushiro's followers have infiltrated the various houses throughout the Entertainment District."
The Demon Slayer Corps had already received the same intelligence.
However, the situation was becoming increasingly troublesome.
If they attacked Monjushiro's forces, the Twelve Kizuki would inevitably reap the benefits.
If they chose not to fight, the stalemate would simply continue.
Neither option was ideal.
Unable to decide, they ultimately sought the opinion of their Master.
A Kasugai Crow swiftly carried the latest intelligence back to Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
By now, thanks to Tamayo's improved medicine, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had successfully suppressed the spread of his curse.
Science versus fate.
Science claimed another victory.
Lady Tamayo truly deserved to be called a goddess.
After listening to the Kasugai Crow's report, Kagaya remained silent for quite some time.
Things were becoming more complicated with each passing day.
Yet, as the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, he quickly reached a decision.
"A probing operation."
Since Monjushiro's forces were already hiding throughout the Entertainment District, waiting any longer would only increase the risk to civilians.
Rather than waiting for them to strike first…
The Demon Slayer Corps would make the first move.
Their mission would be to infiltrate every establishment, gather intelligence, identify Monjushiro's location, and lure them into battle before eliminating them.
Thus, on the second night, members of the Demon Slayer Corps disguised themselves as customers and began investigating the various houses throughout Yoshiwara.
Muichiro, despite being a Hashira, wanted to participate as well.
Almost everyone rejected the idea.
After all…
He and Inosuke had become the two most sought-after "geisha" in the Wisteria House.
Many customers came specifically to see them.
Removing them now would immediately arouse suspicion.
Therefore, those assigned to the investigation were Tengen, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Giyu.
Coincidentally…
Giyu was the only one nobody ever requested.
The four disguised themselves as ordinary patrons and visited several establishments, asking to meet the newest girls.
However, after visiting three different houses, they all received the same answer.
"The new girls are feeling unwell today."
"They won't be meeting guests."
Tengen sighed helplessly as he stood atop a rooftop afterward.
"They figured it out ahead of time and hid."
Although everyone shared the same suspicion…
There was no evidence.
They couldn't simply break into private rooms.
If they barged in without proof, it would only cause chaos throughout the district.
Beside Tengen, his two extraordinarily muscular Ninja Mice copied his sigh perfectly.
They even mimicked his pose.
A truly flashy pair of assistants.
Giyu remained expressionless.
He had absolutely no ideas.
As for the least useful members…
Tanjiro and Zenitsu looked far too young.
Even with fake moustaches stuck onto their faces, most establishments refused to let them inside.
The moment Tengen saw them…
He burst into laughter.
Zenitsu glared at him.
"What are you laughing at?"
After being forced to dress as a woman…
And now as an old man…
His patience had already reached its limit.
Yet Tengen was still laughing.
"I just remembered something that made me happy."
Zenitsu narrowed his eyes.
"What happy thing?"
Tengen smiled proudly.
"I have three wives."
"…"
Zenitsu nearly exploded.
If Tanjiro hadn't grabbed him in time, Thunder Breathing might have appeared right there on the street.
Just then…
Even Giyu suddenly let out a small laugh before quickly covering his mouth.
Zenitsu looked as though his soul had left his body.
"And what are you laughing about, Mr. Tomioka?"
Giyu answered honestly.
"I remembered salmon daikon."
"…"
Zenitsu collapsed to his knees.
He no longer wished to speak.
Their investigation ultimately yielded no useful results.
The group could only return to the Wisteria House.
None of them noticed the tiny insect-like creatures quietly observing them from the shadows.
Meanwhile…
Kotoha had already returned to the Mugen House in the northern district.
Although Inosuke had tried desperately to persuade her to stay, she remained firm in her decision.
That very night…
Gyokko once again shattered the Mugen House's previous sales record.
The three wealthy brothers returned as usual.
This time, however, the biggest spender was Watanabe Sansui.
"My honored guest…"
"I hope we share another wonderful evening together~"
Gyokko's enchanting voice instantly captivated Sansui.
However, he hesitated.
"Miss Tamahime… could you please use a slightly more mature voice tonight?"
"A mature voice?"
"Oh…"
"I understand."
Without missing a beat, Gyokko effortlessly shifted into the alluring voice of an elegant older woman.
"How about this, my dear guest?"
Sansui's eyes immediately lit up.
"Perfect!"
He respectfully handed over a carefully prepared script.
Tonight's entertainment would follow the dialogue written within it.
The attendant accepted the paper before passing it behind the folding screen to Gyokko.
Gyokko cleared his throat dramatically.
"Ahem…"
"Mr. Sansui…"
"You are the most perfect man I have ever met."
"You possess wealth, status, influence… everything."
"I stay beside you because I truly love you."
"It has nothing to do with the fact that you're the heir to an enormous fortune."
"I still remember the day you took me beside that little river."
"We carved our names into the tree together."
"Please…"
"Allow me to call you 'Darling' one last time."
"I have to leave now…"
"…because my husband has returned."
…
Even Gyokko found the script unbearably strange.
Still…
Professionalism came first.
Sansui, meanwhile, had already entered another world entirely.
He never cared what Miss Tamahime actually looked like.
He simply adored that incomparable voice.
"If only Miss Tamahime were ugly…"
"Then nobody would try to steal her away from me…"
Little did he know…
He had accidentally guessed the truth.
Author:
"…Where did I put the script again?"
Business at the Mugen House continued as usual.
Meanwhile…
Kokushibo quietly visited the Wisteria House.
Since he entered openly as an ordinary customer, the Demon Slayer Corps couldn't reveal his identity.
There were far too many civilians inside.
Shinobu Kocho personally brought over a cup of tea.
"Please enjoy."
Her smile was warm and polite.
Inside, however…
She wished she could pour every single wisteria blossom she possessed into that teacup.
This man had turned her beloved elder sister into a demon.
Kokushibo completely ignored the hostility.
Arguing with Shinobu now would accomplish nothing.
Instead, he calmly spoke.
"I'd like to request Miss Muichiro."
Inside another room…
Muichiro nearly buried himself underground upon hearing those words.
His great-grandfather had come again.
This was simply too embarrassing.
He absolutely refused to appear dressed like this.
Left with no alternative…
Kokushibo reluctantly changed his request.
"Then I'll take the quiet charcoal seller instead."
A short while later…
Tanjiro entered the room and quietly sat opposite Kokushibo.
Although he wasn't exactly the most popular attraction…
Ordering Tanjiro came with an unexpected bonus.
Nezuko quietly followed behind him and entered as well.
Kokushibo looked Tanjiro up and down before speaking bluntly.
"Wipe that makeup off."
"It looks terrible."
"It's even worse than the makeup Rui once put on me."
"Judging from this disaster…"
"Tengen must have been the one who did it."
Tanjiro didn't dare argue.
He quietly wiped away the cosmetics before loosening his hair.
After a long silence, he finally asked,
"Mr. Kokushibo…"
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
"I truly don't understand."
"Are you helping the Demon Slayer Corps destroy Muzan?"
"Or are you helping Muzan destroy the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Kokushibo smiled faintly.
"I stand with both."
He paused before continuing.
"Or perhaps…"
"It's more accurate to say…"
"I'm trying to make both the Demon Slayer Corps…"
"…and Lord Muzan…"
"…stand with me."
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