I entrusted the clinic to Tanjuro and Nezuko, packed so slingshots and wisteria poison, bought gifts with the Ubuyashiki sisters, and then moved to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. I had already explained the reason to the sisters, so they didn't ask any questions.
This ti as well, we enjoyed snacks, drinks, and boiled eggs while admiring the scenery, so the sisters were happy. They had changed significantly from the expressionless dolls they were when they first arrived, now naturally showing emotions like ordinary people.
After a long journey, we arrived at the headquarters and drove inside. The sisters went off to give their gifts to their younger siblings, and I was guided to where Kagaya was. As before, Kagaya was sitting in the living room, drinking tea.
"Long ti no see. Thanks for the wedding gift."
"Sword Saint, it's good to see you. I'm glad you liked the gift."
I placed two boxes in front of him.
"I'm not your agent, but I made an extra hundred slingshots besides the hundred you ordered. I'll only take paynt for the hundred."
"I see. Thank you."
I also sat down, drinking tea, and told Kagaya about everything that had happened. The situation was more serious than I expected.
"Currently, the number of missing and dead people in Japan is rapidly increasing. Moreover, demons have occupied a large island bordering the Pacific, built fortifications, and are creating a nation of demons. The authorities are currently debating whether to reveal the existence of demons to the public."
Kagaya drank a cup of tea and continued, "Also, I don't know what thod they used, but I've heard of entire villages disappearing. It's highly likely to be an unknown demonic ability. The governnt is cooperating and providing support. They too seem to realize that this is no ordinary situation."
The demonic ability Kagaya ntioned was probably the Infinity Castle. The Infinity Castle could create passages to travel anywhere, covering most of Japan's territory. So if they occupied an island and used the Infinity Castle, they wouldn't need to sail out by ship.
"Hmm... Why do you think Muzan made this choice?"
"Personally, I think he felt a sense of crisis as the Demon Slayer Corps Hashira grew stronger and even Upper Moons were captured, so he shifted from a small elite force to a war of attrition."
"I see. Do you have any information about the island?"
"That island is far from the mainland, but it's covered in dense tropical rainforest, so even at midday, sunlight doesn't penetrate well. And because it's a large island, quite a few people lived there, but now there's not even a shadow to be seen. I suspect they all fell victim to demons."
This was starting to feel like 'Demon Slayer' was turning into 'Demon Slayer: The Island Arc'. It was already far too different from the original.
"So what do you plan to do now?"
"We plan to receive military support and mobilize the entire Demon Slayer Corps to attack the island."
"Hmm... Attacking is fine, but I'd like you to wait a bit."
"Why is that?"
I told Kagaya about Tamayo.
"So you're suggesting we join forces with a demon nad Tamayo to create a drug that will weaken Muzan?"
"Yes."
Kagaya quietly considered this, then spoke.
"Even if she holds a grudge against Muzan and no longer eats humans, can we trust a demon?"
In the original story, he had been more generous and trusting of Tamayo. Here, he doubted. Perhaps it was because Nezuko had never beco a demon here.
"Do you know Tanjiro?"
"Yes, I do. He's a strong Demon Slayer who just joined this intake. His nickna is 'Muscle General', I believe..."
Kagaya covered his mouth, trying not to laugh at the nickna. I waited a mont and then continued.
"Tanjiro has a younger sister who beca a demon. I am protecting her. She also does not eat humans."
"I was aware. I left her in your care, thinking that with the Sword Saint there, nothing would go wrong."
As expected, Kagaya was quick with news. He had already known that Hanako had beco a demon, and it seed he trusted and left her to my judgnt.
"I appreciate that. Anyway, if Tamayo succeeds in turning that little sister back into a human, it might not only save others who have beco demons but also provide another ans to weaken Muzan."
"So you're saying we should give Tamayo so ti."
"Yes. And to research the drug, she'll also need blood from demons that have received high concentrations of Muzan's blood. That's why I'm asking for the Demon Slayer Corps' cooperation."
"I see..."
Kagaya thought for a mont, then said, "Then I will give you half a year. We cannot wait any longer as civilian casualties are increasing. And during those six months, we will do our utmost to obtain demon blood for you."
"Given the circumstances, I suppose it can't be helped. Understood."
Thus, I bought half a year. We already had Muzan's blood, so the situation was better than in the original story. I was confident Tamayo could succeed.
"Ah, and there's sothing I haven't ntioned. I've captured Upper Moon One."
Kagaya, unable to believe , asked again with a surprised look. "Is that true?"
"Yes. He ca after Tamayo, and we crossed paths, so I captured him."
"Th-Then, does that an the demons also consider Tamayo important?"
"I don't know. I only heard that he ca to capture a fugitive."
"Hmm... I see. In any case, thank you. Capturing Upper Moon One is a great gain for us."
Kagaya sincerely thanked . After chatting about various things, I was guided to my lodging. All the Ubuyashiki children had gathered there, seeming quite excited about the board gas.
So I went to the car, brought out the board gas, and played with them until dinner. This ti, they particularly enjoyed playing Monopoly. Even though they were young, they were smart children, so they had no problem enjoying the ga.
"Excuse , Sword Saint, but are there really spaceships that can travel into space?"
During dinner, 'Ubuyashiki Kiriya' asked about the space travel in Monopoly.
"Not yet. But couldn't they be built in the future?"
"Then maybe soday we can go to the moon. I'd be so happy if I could et the moon rabbit."
I thought it was an absurd statent, but considering the era, I could see why he might think that.
"Then, if you went to the moon and t the moon rabbit, what would you do?"
"First, I'd want to ask how to make the immortality elixir. If we could make it, we could break our family's curse."
In this era, Japan believed that the moon rabbit was making the immortality elixir with a mortar and pestle, so his answer made sense.
"Wouldn't immortality be another curse?"
At my words, Kiriya thought for a mont and then said, "Then, if we obtained and analyzed the elixir, and modified it to only extend lifespan, I think that would solve the problem."
"There's another problem. Rabbits wouldn't give away such an elixir easily. How would you solve that?"
"Well... hmm... Rabbits like cabbage and carrots, so couldn't we barter with them? Or perhaps develop the rabbits' economy so they understand the value of money, and then... blah blah..."
The conversation was gradually shifting from a fairy tale to sothing more realistic.
'I wonder what this kid would say if I actually took him to the moon...'
After everything was over, it might be fun to take him there. And since this world actually had an afterlife, there might really be a moon rabbit.
While playing with the sisters, two n and won ca to the headquarters. They were none other than Shinobu and Giyu.
"Oh my, Sword Saint. Long ti no see. So you were here."
"Long ti no see, Shinobu. Giyu."
"Long ti no see, Sword Saint."
I exchanged greetings with them and went with them to where Kagaya was.
"You've co, Shinobu, Giyu. Co in."
"We ca as you commanded, Master."
Shinobu and Giyu greeted Kagaya and sat down.
"I'm sorry for calling you so suddenly when you're all busy."
"Not at all. We believe you must have a reason for calling us, Master."
"Thank you for saying so, Giyu."
Strangely, as they spoke, crows flew in one by one, delivering ssages to Kagaya.
"My children have suffered many casualties. There might be a Twelve Kizuki there. That's why I called you."
Giyu and Shinobu simultaneously answered, "As you command."
"I'll go this ti too. If there's a Twelve Kizuki, we need its blood."
Truthfully, that was an excuse. Hearing the description, it was the 'Mount Natagumo' arc, and I wanted to see how much Tanjiro had grown.
"Oh my, this mission should be easy. With the Sword Saint coming with us."
Shinobu smiled, pleased. But Giyu tried to get out of going since I was coming.
"Master, I'll go elsewhere. If the Sword Saint goes, the matter is as good as solved."
Giyu wasn't wrong, but it was a rather cold thing to say. Besides, wasn't there supposed to be sothing going on between him and Shinobu?
"Hmm... I see. Very well. But there's going to be a Hashira eting, so stay here until it's over."
"Understood, Master."
Kagaya told Giyu to stay and rest until the eting. Giyu agreed and was guided to his lodging. As in the original, it seed the Hashira eting would proceed as planned after the Mount Natagumo incident.
"We'll depart now."
I spoke to the sisters and was about to leave with Shinobu. Then a cute girl with a ponytail followed us.
"Who are you?"
"Ah, this girl is 'Kanao Tsuyuri'. She's my younger sister, working with as a Demon Slayer at the Butterfly Mansion."
Shinobu introduced her, and Kanao bowed her head to .
"Hello, Sword Saint."
She was the person who would eventually marry Tanjiro in the future. Unfortunately, for a heroine, she had far less screen ti than heroines in other works. As a result, she was less popular as a heroine compared to others.
"Nice to et you."
"Huh? Sword Saint, why are you looking at Kanao with such a pitying expression?"
Shinobu noticed my expression. I was apparently too obvious. I couldn't say, 'It's because you're less popular than her.'
"It's nothing. Let's go."
We exchanged brief greetings and departed. We didn't use a car. The destination was too rural, and since we expected to fight on Mount Natagumo, bringing a car would only be a burden. Besides, it didn't seem far from the headquarters. So we traveled at a relaxed pace.
On the way, Shinobu said to , "Co to think of it, the wisteria poison you make has a higher purity and works better. Could you sell so to ?"
"Really? I'll send it along with the shipnt to headquarters. You can take so. I'll make it for free."
"Really? Thank you, Sword Saint."
I could make it for free, so sending extra wasn't a problem.
After following the Kasugai Crow for about four hours, we finally arrived at Mount Natagumo. Quite a few Demon Slayers had survived, and they were already coming down the mountain with their wounded comrades and the bodies of the fallen. Seeing this, Shinobu approached one and asked.
"What happened?"
"Well..."
The slayer explained that it was indeed a Twelve Kizuki, that it was still fighting up on the mountain, and that they felt utterly powerless to intervene, so they were descending with their dead and wounded.
"Then who is still up there fighting?"
"That Muscle General, a guy in a boar mask carrying strange twin swords, and a yellow-haired crybaby they say is closest to becoming a Hashira next."
From the description, it seed Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were still fighting.
"I see. Understood. Sword Saint, let's go up."
"Okay."
When Shinobu called 'Sword Saint', the other Demon Slayers began murmuring.
"Did she just say Sword Saint... that rumored strongest?"
"Even all the Hashira together couldn't defeat him..."
"He's silver-haired and incredibly handso, just like the rumors."
Hearing this, Shinobu smiled at . "Heheh~ Sword Saint, you're quite popular."
"Ahem... Let's go. If we're late, there might be more casualties."
"Okay."
We quickly climbed the mountain. As we ascended, we could see Rui, Lower Moon Five, engaged in fierce combat with Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu. Shinobu moved to step in, but I raised my hand to stop her.
"Let's watch for now. This could be a chance for them to grow."
"I see. Understood. But if it gets dangerous, I'll intervene."
In my eyes, they were fighting well, so I planned to watch a little longer. But there was a difference from the original. Tanjiro had grown taller in the ti I hadn't seen him, and his muscles were even more developed.
"Muscle Breathing, Fifth Form! Diamond Falling!!"
'Huh? What did Tanjiro just say? Did I mishear?'
Tanjiro spun once, using his body's elasticity to powerfully strike down at Rui. Rui barely blocked the attack with his webs.
"Muscle Breathing, Eighth Form! Heavenly Flash Slash!!"
This ti, using his powerful strength, he spun and was tearing through Rui's webs.
'What in the...'
Tanjiro, having apparently abandoned Water or Sun Breathing, had created a bizarre new breathing form to attack Rui. What was flustering was that it was actually working.
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