"Lord Asuka, the Master is already waiting in the study."
Early the next morning, Asuka had barely stepped out of the guest room when he saw a Kakushi member who had clearly been waiting for some time.
He brushed back his loose hair. "Does the Master wake up this early every day?"
"Yes... because of his illness, the Master's sleep is intermittent," the member replied respectfully. "When the pain becomes unbearable, he gets up to work. When it eases, he tries to rest for a while..."
'What remarkable strength,' Asuka thought.
"Lead the way."
The lighting inside the study was dim, and the air carried a strong scent of medicinal herbs.
Ubuyashiki was in relatively stable condition today. He sat quietly on the tatami while the black-haired child, Kiriya, recited his lessons beside him.
Hearing the sliding door open, he turned toward Asuka and smiled gently.
"Who has arrived? That set of footsteps and breathing... it must be Asuka."
"Good morning, Lord Kagaya."
"No need for formality. Please, sit."
Though blind, his eyes carried a deep and thoughtful wisdom as he looked toward Asuka with curiosity.
"If you have come to see me alone, it must be something very important."
Asuka had originally planned to meet him the night before, but upon hearing that Kagaya had already retired for the evening, he abandoned the idea. Unexpectedly, the meeting had been arranged so early the next morning.
"It concerns reinforcements," Asuka said, straightening his back. He was not someone who liked beating around the bush. "In the final battle, we should make use of every available force."
Kagaya tilted his head slightly.
"That is true. But what reinforcements are you referring to?"
"Upper Rank Three. Akaza."
Clatter.
Kiriya's textbook fell onto the tatami in shock, his eyes filled with confusion.
Even Kagaya, who had experienced countless storms and possessed remarkable composure, widened his hollow eyes slightly. His expression froze for several seconds.
"Oh? Cooperating with a member of the Twelve Kizuki... that is certainly unexpected."
Upper Rank Three had existed for hundreds of years and had slaughtered countless Hashira-level swordsmen. He was one of Muzan's core forces.
"Could you explain in detail?"
"He has already betrayed Muzan."
Asuka briefly recounted how, after he killed Doma, Hakuji regained his human memories, assisted him, and eventually broke free from Muzan's control.
"...The demonic nature in his blood is fading. Whether this change is permanent remains unclear, but for now, his hatred toward Muzan may be no less than ours," Asuka said solemnly.
Kagaya fell into deep thought.
His fingers lightly tapped his knee, a habit of his when pondering extremely difficult problems.
"To be honest, reason tells me this could be a demon's trap," he said with a faint smile. "They are skilled at deception and disguise, willing to do anything to achieve their goals."
"But using two Upper Rank demons as bait... emotionally, I find it hard to believe Muzan has that kind of courage. Since both you and Giyu witnessed the betrayal with your own eyes, it is likely genuine."
"And this would not be the first case."
Asuka was slightly surprised. He had expected to spend considerable effort explaining why a man-eating demon might rebel. Hearing Kagaya's final remark made him frown slightly.
Kagaya sighed and turned his gaze toward the bright sunlight outside the window.
"Asuka, there are things I have never told anyone. Even the current Hashira are unaware."
"You have experienced Nezuko's case, so you understand that in the minds of most swordsmen, the conflict between humans and demons is irreconcilable. If that belief wavers even slightly, a moment's hesitation in battle could cost a swordsman his life."
Asuka recalled reading in the Flame Hashira's records that Yoriichi once spared a female demon who had broken free from Muzan's control, which led to him being judged and expelled by the Corps.
"Is that female demon still alive?"
"It seems you know of the incident," Kagaya said. "Yes. Her name is Tamayo."
"She once served as an attendant to Muzan. But hundreds of years ago, when Muzan was on the brink of death under Yoriichi's blade, Miss Tamayo seized that opportunity and successfully broke free from the bloodline's shackles."
"Now she hides within human society, searching for a way to oppose Muzan. I have been observing her all this time, though I have yet to make contact."
Asuka had thought discovering Akaza's abnormality was a shocking secret. He had not expected the Ubuyashiki family to have already been conducting similar efforts in secret.
"I see. It seems my concerns were unnecessary," Asuka said, letting out a breath.
"No, they were not unnecessary at all," Kagaya said seriously. "Miss Tamayo's case was an extremely rare coincidence. It was a miracle made possible only through the intervention of someone like Yoriichi."
"But Akaza's situation is different. According to your description, he broke Muzan's mental control through his own will, using fragments of emotion from his human life. This proves that Muzan's absolute control over his subordinates is not unbreakable."
A sharp glint flashed in Kagaya's eyes. The decisiveness and wisdom of a commander revealed themselves in that moment.
"We cannot waste this opportunity."
"What do you intend?" Asuka asked.
"He now goes by Hakuji, correct?" Kagaya smiled slightly, his tone carrying the cunning of a seasoned strategist. "Asuka, I want you to contact him again. He does not need to attack the demon stronghold immediately, but I require his intelligence."
Asuka's eyes shifted.
Indeed, the Demon Slayer Corps' greatest disadvantage at the moment was the imbalance of information.
Where exactly was Muzan? What Blood Demon Arts did the remaining Upper Rank demons possess? What were their weaknesses? Were there special defenses protecting Muzan's hiding place?
Such secrets were usually discovered only through the deaths of human swordsmen. Even the smallest piece of intelligence could prevent countless casualties.
Kagaya coughed lightly, and Kiriya quickly stepped forward to pat his back.
Waving his hand, Kagaya continued speaking.
"I need him to compile as much detailed information as possible about the demons under Muzan—their abilities, locations, and characteristics. If possible, it would be best if he could also tell us about Muzan's abilities. That will be crucial for the final battle."
"Will he cooperate?" Asuka asked doubtfully.
Even if Akaza had betrayed Muzan, someone obsessed with martial combat like him might not care to betray others in this way.
"He will," Kagaya said firmly. "He has remembered the things he once wished to protect—things that were ultimately destroyed by his own identity as a demon."
"His only desire now is to bring this century-long nightmare to an end. And the only way to end it is by joining forces with us."
After a moment of silence, Asuka nodded.
"I understand. I will send a crow to Hayama."
"Asuka, this matter must remain confidential."
Kagaya reminded him, while also ensuring Kiriya listened carefully.
"Even the other Hashira must not know for now. Iguro and Shinazugawa... their hatred toward demons runs too deep. If they discover we are contacting Upper Rank Three, it could cause unnecessary chaos."
"Before the final battle, the Demon Slayer Corps must remain completely united."
"I understand."
Asuka stood up and bowed deeply to Kagaya.
"Then I will take my leave. I will also do my best to cooperate with the Hashira Training."
Listening to Asuka's departing footsteps, the illness that Kagaya had been suppressing suddenly erupted.
He leaned against the cushion, coughing violently as blood stained the silk handkerchief in his hand.
"Father..." the child beside him murmured anxiously.
"It's alright. I can still endure," Kagaya whispered. "A century-long fate... will finally end in this generation."
Hundreds of miles away, deep within a remote mountain forest, a young man sat on the edge of a cliff.
He wore a Demon Slayer Corps uniform, had black hair, blue eyes, and a magatama pendant hanging from his neck.
"Tch... I heard that useless guy defeated an Upper Rank together with someone else. How ridiculous..."
"What's with this big training camp nonsense... Does that mean I'll have to watch that trash strut around in front of me? Disgusting."
He stared at the moon in the night sky, his resentment growing stronger.
A cold wind swept past.
Suddenly, the young man felt an intense killing intent rising behind him. Uneasy, he turned around—and his eyes widened in terror.
Standing there was a tall swordsman with a high ponytail, the killing aura around him so thick it felt like ink dripping from the air.
Most horrifying of all...
The man had six eyes.
When the young man saw the patterns within those crimson pupils, his entire body trembled. He could not even draw his Nichirin Blade. Instinctively, he nearly dropped to his knees to beg for mercy.
The tall swordsman looked down at him and spoke in an ancient, heavy tone.
"Do you wish to become stronger?"
"That lord is in need of subordinates."
"Become a demon."