Every day had become the same.
Over the past several days, Kokushibo had lost count of how many times he had imagined Gyokko arriving with good news.
Yet every report ended the same way.
An ugly face emerged from a porcelain pot, bringing nothing but disappointment.
The investigations carried out by his subordinates were no better.
The Manjusashiro creatures were far more troublesome than anyone had anticipated. Their smaller forms crawled through forests, mountains, and villages with astonishing speed. They were tiny, difficult to track, and capable of disappearing into cracks and tunnels that even demons could not easily follow.
Even when demons occasionally managed to track a larger Manjusashiro specimen, they were usually discovered almost immediately.
What was even more alarming was that these creatures had begun displaying signs of intelligence.
They no longer acted solely on instinct.
Instead, they deliberately lured humans and demons into carefully prepared ambushes, using smaller insects as bait before surrounding their targets with overwhelming numbers.
Both Saito Arashi and Kazuma Kuchiki had encountered such traps during their investigations.
"This is not a good sign."
Kokushibo frowned deeply.
The last thing he wanted was an army of highly intelligent creatures with regenerative abilities similar to demons.
If they continued evolving at this pace, they would become a threat even greater than the Demon Slayer Corps.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, an unexpected development occurred.
One night, Tamayo was spotted while gathering supplies.
The one who recognized her was none other than Rengoku Makijuro's Kasugai Crow.
Years ago, Tamayo had secretly treated Ruka Rengoku's illness. Because of that, Makijuro's crow had memorized her appearance.
The moment it spotted her, it immediately reported her location to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Upon receiving the report, Kagaya Ubuyashiki immediately summoned both Makijuro and Kyojuro.
The Master of the Demon Slayer Corps looked far weaker than before.
Pain covered his entire body.
The curse marks on his face had spread further and were slowly approaching his mouth.
Even so, his voice remained gentle.
"I know this request may place a burden upon you both."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But if we are to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan, we must seek Tamayo's assistance."
Kagaya's breathing was shallow.
Yet his eyes remained unwavering.
"Please tell her that the Demon Slayer Corps is willing to fulfill any request within our power."
"As long as it contributes to Muzan's defeat."
Supported by his daughters, Kagaya bowed deeply.
The Rengoku father and son were startled.
As Hashira and former Hashira, they knew how much this request meant.
Neither hesitated.
"We understand, Master."
The next day, the two set out for Tamayo's hidden residence.
After following the directions provided by the Kasugai Crow, they arrived in a seemingly abandoned area.
Kyojuro stared at the wall before them.
"Father, there appears to be no path forward."
Makijuro trusted his crow completely.
Without questioning it, he stepped confidently toward the wall.
A moment later
BANG!
His forehead collided directly with solid stone.
Makijuro immediately crouched down, clutching his nose while unleashing a stream of curses.
His Kasugai Crow fluttered down and landed on his shoulder.
"Idiot! Idiot!"
"You went the wrong way again!"
The crow pointed toward another section of the wall.
Embarrassed, Makijuro rubbed his aching nose.
Nearby, Kyojuro maintained his usual bright smile.
Unfortunately, that only made the situation feel more humiliating.
Following the correct route, they finally passed through Tamayo's concealment barrier.
A magnificent residence appeared before them.
From the outside, it had been completely invisible.
Even its presence had been concealed.
The two approached the entrance.
The door was locked from within.
After a brief pause, father and son simultaneously grabbed the lock.
Applying overwhelming physical force strengthened by Total Concentration Breathing, they twisted it apart.
The lock surrendered immediately.
The door opened.
If the lock had possessed emotions, it would likely have been weeping.
The two entered cautiously.
The house appeared empty.
After searching several rooms, they eventually discovered a concealed entrance beneath the floor.
Following the passage downward, they arrived at a hidden underground chamber.
There they found Tamayo and Yushiro.
The moment they appeared, Yushiro stepped protectively in front of Tamayo.
His expression was filled with hostility.
Every instinct in his body warned him of danger.
The two men standing before him were among the strongest swordsmen alive.
"Lady Tamayo, stay behind me."
Makijuro stopped several steps away.
"Tamayo."
"It has been a long time."
Kyojuro nodded respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Lady Tamayo."
Yushiro's face immediately darkened.
If not for the overwhelming difference in strength, he might have attacked on the spot.
Tamayo stepped forward and bowed politely.
"Mr. Rengoku."
"Kyojuro."
"It has indeed been a long time."
Makijuro wasted no time.
He immediately explained Kagaya's request.
He also conveyed the promise that the Demon Slayer Corps would do everything in its power to fulfill any reasonable condition she asked of them.
Tamayo was stunned.
For a moment, she simply stared at them.
A demon.
A former servant of Muzan.
And yet the Demon Slayer Corps was willing to trust her.
The thought felt almost unbelievable.
Yushiro remained skeptical.
"Lady Tamayo."
"Don't trust them so easily."
"How could humans truly trust demons?"
"They're not even as trustworthy as Lord Kokushibo."
Kyojuro immediately understood the source of his suspicion.
He smiled warmly.
"You don't need to worry."
"The Demon Slayer Corps already shelters demons."
"Kanae Kocho is a demon."
"Nezuko Kamado is also a demon."
"And both are accepted by everyone."
Yushiro looked unconvinced.
Tamayo, however, cared little about those concerns.
Her goal had never changed.
Everything she had done for centuries had been for a single purpose.
Destroy Muzan Kibutsuji.
If cooperation with the Demon Slayer Corps could bring that day closer, then she would accept.
"I agree."
"I will help."
Yushiro's eyes widened.
"Lady Tamayo!"
Tamayo gently placed a hand against his cheek.
"Yushiro."
"I won't force you."
"If you wish to remain here, then we can part ways."
The mere thought of separation nearly shattered him.
Yushiro immediately straightened.
"I refuse."
"I'll follow you anywhere."
That evening, members of the Kakushi arrived to assist with moving Tamayo's equipment, research materials, medicines, and laboratory supplies.
Escorted by Makijuro and Kyojuro, Tamayo and Yushiro safely reached the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
Tamayo looked around in admiration.
"So well hidden."
"No wonder Muzan never found this place."
Upon hearing of her arrival, Kagaya personally came to welcome them despite his deteriorating condition.
"Thank you."
"Thank you for trusting the Demon Slayer Corps."
He began to bow.
Tamayo immediately stopped him.
"There is no need."
"Our goals are the same."
"Only by working together can we destroy Muzan."
She paused.
A distant look appeared in her eyes.
"And besides…"
"Long ago, it was a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps who helped me escape Muzan's control."
Thus, without Kokushibo realizing it, Tamayo officially established contact with the Demon Slayer Corps.
A perfect infiltration from the Corps' perspective.
Unfortunately for Kokushibo, he was currently occupied by something far more important.
At long last
News regarding the Manjusashiro had arrived.
"Good news!"
"Good news!"
Gyokko burst into the Infinity Castle screaming excitedly.
"I found them!"
"I found the Manjusashiro nest!"
The moment those words were spoken, Muzan immediately ordered Nakime into action.
The biwa echoed throughout the Infinity Castle.
Moments later, every member of the Twelve Kizuki appeared within the castle.
Upper Moons.
Lower Moons.
All assembled.
The atmosphere became solemn.
Muzan stood before them.
His crimson eyes swept across every demon present.
"This operation must succeed."
"We will eradicate every Manjusashiro we find."
The instant he finished speaking, Nakime struck her biwa.
The space around them distorted.
In a flash, the Twelve Kizuki were transported to the foot of a remote mountain identified by Gyokko.
As for Muzan himself
True to his cautious nature he chose to remain safely within the Infinity Castle.
At the mountain's base, Rui immediately acted.
Countless spider threads spread silently through the forest canopy.
The threads formed invisible pathways, allowing demons to travel without leaving obvious traces.
After all, nobody knew whether the enemy possessed surveillance methods capable of detecting intruders.
Under the pale moonlight, the Twelve Kizuki advanced deeper into the mountain.
The hunt had begun.
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