Demon Slayer Corps, Ubuyashiki Residence.
After seeing Cain off, Ubuyashiki Amane looked at her husband beside her.
"Are you really going to agree to his request?"
"Cain claims to be a deity. Do you think that's true or false?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya did not answer directly but posed a different, specific question.
"This... I think it's true."
Ubuyashiki Amane hesitated for a moment before replying.
Coming from a family of shrine priests and being aware of special existences like Kibutsuji Muzan, Ubuyashiki Amane understood well that the world was not simple.
Although Cain's claim to be a deity was astonishing, considering his circumstances, the credibility of this statement was quite high.
"Kagaya, are you worried that refusing Cain would bring hidden dangers to the Ubuyashiki Clan?"
"That is one of the reasons."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded.
Like Ubuyashiki Amane, he too believed Cain's claim of being a deity.
However, compared to Ubuyashiki Amane, his reasons for belief were more rational.
Based on the investigations of the Ubuyashiki Clan and his several interactions with Cain, the intelligence gathered so far was as follows:
1. Cain appeared out of thin air in the slums a few months ago. No records of him could be found prior to that, as if he never existed.
2. Cain's growth rate was incredibly rapid. After learning the Breathing Technique, it took him only a few months to slay an Upper Rank Demon, demonstrating astonishing combat prowess.
3. Cain could manipulate lightning, knew various secrets, and had even just mentioned that Kibutsuji Muzan was originally a member of the Ubuyashiki family.
Combining these three points, Ubuyashiki Kagaya found it hard not to believe Cain's claim of being a deity.
However...
"My choice to believe Cain is not solely because he is a divine reincarnation."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya said, "Even among deities, there are distinctions between benevolent and malevolent gods."
"If Tsugikuni Yoriichi was a benevolent god, then in my view, Cain also belongs to that category."
"What is your reasoning?"
Ubuyashiki Amane asked.
Having lived together for so many years, she knew Ubuyashiki Kagaya well. He was not someone who made judgments based on intuition alone.
If Ubuyashiki Kagaya believed Cain was a benevolent god, there must be a reason.
"The reason is actually quite simple."
Under Ubuyashiki Amane's gaze, a faint smile appeared on Ubuyashiki Kagaya's face.
"Cain chose the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Chose the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Amane, in your opinion, given Cain's abilities, which path to obtaining the Evolution Potion would be easier for him: through the Demon Slayer Corps, or through Kibutsuji Muzan?"
"!!!"
Ubuyashiki Amane's eyes widened in shock.
At that moment, she finally realized why Ubuyashiki Kagaya had agreed to Cain's request.
Indeed, just as Ubuyashiki Kagaya said, Cain's options were never limited to one.
As a divine reincarnation who also knew the conditions for producing the blue spider lily, he could have very well collaborated with Kibutsuji Muzan.
But Cain did not do that.
Between the simple and the difficult, he chose the more troublesome method.
"Power itself is neither evil nor just. What distinguishes evil from justice is always the person."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya withdrew his gaze from the distance and looked at his wife, who had now grasped the truth.
"Amane, please write a letter for me to Lady Tamayo, inviting her to visit the Ubuyashiki Residence."
...
Elsewhere.
After leaving the Ubuyashiki Residence, Cain found Uzui Tengen and the others.
"Cain, you're here."
The Hashira, who had been discussing who would be responsible for guarding Gyutaro next, stopped their conversation and turned their attention to him.
"How did the talk with Master go?"
"He agreed. Now it's up to whether you all can accept it."
"Is that even a question? Of course we accept."
Uzui Tengen crossed his arms without hesitation and gave his answer: "Who wants to be short-lived if they can live longer? I certainly don't want to win a battle only to die young because of the side effects of the Mark."
"What if I said the method to cancel the Mark's side effects is to become a demon?"
"Then I'd still accep... Huh?"
Replying out of habit halfway through, Uzui Tengen suddenly realized something was off.
"Wait! What do you mean by 'become a demon'?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Cain raised a fist: "Activating the Mark leads to dying young because, in essence, it puts immense strain on the body and Overdrafting life (overdraws one's lifespan)."
"Conversely, if there's a way to replenish this Overdrawn vitality (overdrawn life force), the side effects of the Mark can be offset, leading to longevity."
Cain looked at the silent group: "Now you should understand why I said earlier this method involves taboo matters."
"We understand that now, but this matter of becoming a demon... How on earth did you convince Master?"
A look of confusion appeared on Uzui Tengen's face.
When he first heard that Ubuyashiki Kagaya had agreed to Cain's plan, his initial reaction was that it was only natural.
After all, Ubuyashiki Kagaya cared deeply for every member of the Demon Slayer Corps. If there was a method for longevity, he naturally wouldn't mind a little taboo.
But after hearing Cain's explanation, he suddenly felt this might be a bit too taboo.
"No matter how open-minded Master is, he wouldn't agree to all the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps becoming demons, would he?"
"'Demon' is just a term for your understanding. In reality, there are some differences."
"What are the differences?"
"No need to eat people. Drinking some blood will suffice."
"That does sound much better."
Uzui Tengen pondered briefly, then turned to the others: "What are your thoughts on this?"
Tomioka Giyu remained expressionless: "I can accept dying young."
Himejima Gyomei clasped his hands together: "I am too old. It would be better to become a demon to offset the side effects, lest I die of old age during battle."
Kochō Kanae looked left and right, finally turning her gaze to Cain: "If we become demons, will our sense of taste change?"
"I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"
"For the sake of delicious food, of course." Kochō Kanae wore a perfectly natural expression: "If becoming a demon means I can only drink blood and can't eat the food you make anymore, I think the price would be a bit too severe."
"Don't worry. That won't happen."
Cain replied: "Once I defeat Muzan and obtain the complete Evolution Potion formula, I will help you perfect it to eliminate the demon's side effects."
Cain looked at Tomioka Giyu: "If the term 'demon' makes you feel disgusted, you can understand it as 'new humans'."
Tomioka Giyu: "New humans?"
Cain: "If a demon doesn't eat people, commits no evil, and can walk freely in sunlight, do you think he is a demon or an evolved human?"
Tomioka Giyu: "... A human?"
"Correct. The essence of a demon is a new human who evolved incompletely and was influenced by Muzan."
Cain looked at the others: "Don't reject this method just because of the term 'demon'. Whether one commits evil ultimately depends on the individual."
"Demons are incompletely evolved new humans... I've never heard that explanation before."
Uzui Tengen made his decision: "Since you put it that way, I'll accept it."
"Using demon power to defeat the Demon King... Thinking about it carefully, that's quite interesting."
Kochō Kanae nodded: "With a different term, I don't feel much pressure about it either."
"What about you?"
Cain looked back at Tomioka Giyu: "If you become a new human, your physical abilities can improve further. You probably don't want to hold everyone back, do you?"
"... I understand."
After a moment of silence, Tomioka Giyu finally agreed.
Compared to the original story, the Demon Slayer Corps' high-end combat power was far too limited.
To increase their chances of defeating Kibutsuji Muzan in the final battle, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were no longer so averse to demon power.
After all, Cain had said they weren't becoming demons, but new humans.
Mentally repeating 'new human' a hundred times for self-comfort, Tomioka Giyu looked at Cain.
"How do we activate the Mark?"
"Oh right, I almost forgot about that."
The gazes of Kochō Kanae and the others fell on Cain in unison: "We know the method to cancel the Mark's side effects now, but what about the method to activate it?"
"By using a Breathing Technique, raise your body temperature to 39 degrees Celsius, with a heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute."
Cain took a deep breath, pushing his body to its limit. His temperature began to rise.
A few seconds later, a golden lightning pattern appeared on Cain's arm.
"So, that's basically it for the Demon Slayer Mark. If you can't manage it, you can try sparring with each other. It's easier to activate the Mark during battle."
Cain looked at Himejima Gyomei. "You're too old, so don't try it for now. Wait until after... after you become a new humanoid being before attempting it."
"When will that happen?"
"That depends on the doctor's speed."
Cain looked towards Tokyo. "If she's fast enough, she could arrive tonight."
...
Tokyo, underground a certain mansion.
As usual, Tamayo was in her room, researching a drug to use against Muzan.
Just then, Yushiro pushed open the door and entered, holding a letter.
"Lady Tamayo, a letter has arrived from the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Hmm, I understand."
Tamayo took the letter from Yushiro's hand.
She wasn't surprised by the communication from the Demon Slayer Corps.
Ever since Cain appeared a week ago, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had been sending her frequent messages.
In her view, this letter was likely another discussion about Cain...
"Huh?"
After staring at the letter in her hand for a moment, Tamayo looked at the young man standing beside her.
"Yushiro, are you certain this letter was delivered by the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"It was the Demon Slayer Corps."
Yushiro nodded.
To evade pursuit, their location was hidden by a Blood Demon Art.
The reason the Demon Slayer Corp's Kasugai Crow could find them was because he had provided a guiding talisman.
"Lady Tamayo, is there something wrong with that letter?"
"Well... how should I put it? It looks like the ramblings of someone who's drunk."
Tamayo's gaze returned to the letter.
[Cain's true identity has been confirmed. He is the reincarnation of a deity.]
[To defeat Kibutsuji Muzan, we have decided to execute a Demon Transformation operation.]
[We request Miss Tamayo to come to the Ubuyashiki Residence to perform the Demon Transformation Surgery on the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.]
The content of the letter wasn't extensive, but every line left Tamayo profoundly shocked.
Staring at the words 'Demon Transformation Surgery' at the end for a moment, she sighed and stood up.
"Yushiro, pack our things. We leave for the Demon Slayer Corps tonight."
T/N- Behold author's bullshit no-jutsu.
...
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