"We will not help you contact Lord Tengen or the Demon Slayer Corps."
Even though she had become a prisoner, Hinatsuru still maintained the dignity and resolve of a kunoichi.
She understood exactly what Kokushibo intended to do.
He wanted to use them as leverage.
As bargaining chips.
If not for the fact that she still had responsibilities she could not abandon, she would have preferred death to becoming a burden to Tengen.
Kokushibo, however, remained remarkably calm.
He sat leisurely in his chair as though discussing the weather.
"That is entirely your choice."
His six eyes slowly opened.
"But unless you die immediately, I can always turn the three of you into demons."
The room instantly became silent.
Then he continued.
"Imagine it."
His voice was frighteningly gentle.
"If you become demons and accidentally consume a human…"
He paused deliberately.
"I wonder how Tengen Uzui would react."
A sigh escaped him.
"What a tragedy."
"Such a flamboyant and admirable man."
The expression on his face was so sincere that anyone unfamiliar with him might have thought he was genuinely mourning Tengen's future suffering.
The performance was flawless.
Even professional actors would have felt inferior.
Suma immediately burst into tears.
"I don't want to become a demon!"
She clung tightly to Makio.
"I don't want to eat people!"
Outside the room, Saito Arashi and Kuchiki Makoto listened to the commotion with complicated expressions.
After several moments, Saito scratched his head.
"Lord Kokushibo really shouldn't be saying things like that…"
Makoto nodded.
"Exactly."
"They already have a husband."
"This situation is becoming increasingly strange."
The two exchanged looks.
For some reason, the misunderstanding in their minds was becoming even more severe.
If Kokushibo learned what they were imagining, neither man would enjoy the consequences.
Inside the room, Kokushibo ignored the chaos entirely.
"I merely want information."
He crossed his arms.
"If I truly transformed the three of you into demons, Tengen Uzui would suffer far more than I would gain."
The statement caused Hinatsuru to hesitate.
She remembered something.
During previous conversations, Tengen had mentioned Kokushibo more than once.
Although the Upper Rank One was undeniably a demon, his actions toward the Demon Slayer Corps had often been unusual.
At times he had shown restraint.
At times he had spared lives.
Particularly where Kyojuro Rengoku and Muichiro Tokito were concerned.
After a long silence, Hinatsuru finally spoke.
"…I will contact Tengen."
Kokushibo nodded.
"Wise choice."
Thus, an agreement was reached.
Hinatsuru would deliver the message.
Makio and Suma would remain behind as hostages.
Naturally, Makio immediately protested.
"We are prisoners of war!"
"No."
Kokushibo corrected her calmly.
"You're hostages."
"There's a difference."
Makio looked ready to throw something at him.
Before dawn arrived, Kokushibo ordered Saito Arashi and Kuchiki Makoto to relocate the captives.
The two demons looked somewhat reluctant.
"Wouldn't it be safer to stay here?"
Saito asked.
"What if the Demon Slayer Corps arrives during the day?"
Makoto immediately shook his head.
"Being trapped in a building after sunrise?"
"That sounds like a terrible idea."
Neither demon wanted to discover whether sunlight could enter through an unexpected crack.
As a result, Hinatsuru was released and sent toward the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters alone.
She traveled with all possible speed.
Hours later, exhausted and barely conscious, she collapsed near the entrance to the Ubuyashiki Estate.
The guards immediately recognized her.
News spread rapidly.
Before long, Tengen Uzui arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.
When Hinatsuru finally regained consciousness, she found herself surrounded by concerned faces.
The moment Tengen entered the room, he moved directly to her bedside.
"What happened?"
His voice was unusually serious.
"Why are you here alone?"
"Where are Makio and Suma?"
Hinatsuru quickly sat upright.
"Tengen-sama."
Her expression became urgent.
"Makio and Suma were captured by demons."
The room instantly became silent.
Tengen's expression changed.
Anyone familiar with demon encounters understood the implications.
Being captured by demons rarely ended well.
Normally, it was considered a death sentence.
However, the fact that Hinatsuru had been released suggested something unusual.
After ensuring no one else was listening, she explained everything in detail.
From the encounter in the alley.
To the interrogation.
To Kokushibo's demands.
As the story progressed, Tengen's face became increasingly grim.
Especially after hearing a certain name.
"Kokushibo…"
A headache immediately formed.
Of all the demons in existence, why did it have to be him?
Upper Rank One.
The strongest demon beneath Muzan.
A monster whose strength surpassed virtually every Hashira.
Even multiple Hashira fighting together would struggle against him.
When Hinatsuru finally mentioned Kokushibo's proposal, Tengen frowned.
"He wants information about the Demon Slayer Corps?"
That condition troubled him.
Recently, Tamayo and Shinobu had achieved several major breakthroughs.
Research regarding anti-demon medicine continued progressing rapidly.
Efforts to suppress the Ubuyashiki Curse had begun.
Several projects remained highly confidential.
If Kokushibo learned about any of it and relayed the information to Muzan, the consequences could be disastrous.
Unfortunately, Makio and Suma were still in danger.
The situation exceeded what Tengen could handle alone.
Therefore, despite Kokushibo's warning against bringing reinforcements, Tengen sought help.
Specifically, help from two individuals who already possessed an unusual relationship with Upper Rank One.
Kyojuro Rengoku.
And Muichiro Tokito.
"He specifically told me not to bring anyone."
Tengen folded his arms.
"However, I believe these two are special cases."
Kyojuro immediately raised a fist.
"Excellent!"
"I shall accompany you!"
His voice echoed throughout the building.
Tengen nearly jumped.
"Keep your voice down!"
Muichiro tilted his head.
Although surprised by the request, he still nodded.
"Alright."
Secretly, he was also curious.
What exactly was his ancestor planning now?
Thus, the three Hashira departed together.
Whether they could rescue Makio and Suma remained uncertain.
But Tengen had no intention of abandoning his wives.
Meanwhile, Kokushibo's group had already relocated to a small mountain south of Mito.
The location was remote and isolated.
Most importantly, it was far away from Kokushibo's various human operations.
Mito had become increasingly valuable to his long-term plans.
He had no intention of exposing it unnecessarily.
As the group waited, Kuchiki Makoto suddenly remembered something.
After several minutes of serious contemplation, he spoke.
"Shouldn't we be delivering blood supplies to Lady Tamayo soon?"
Saito Arashi blinked.
"Huh?"
Makoto frowned.
"The blood."
"The regular delivery."
Saito immediately looked away.
"Oh."
"Right."
"That."
"Probably."
Makoto sighed deeply.
Clearly, Saito had forgotten again.
Nearby, a loud growl interrupted the conversation.
Makoto looked down.
"My stomach hurts."
Saito nodded in agreement.
"I haven't had blood in days."
Then both demons slowly turned toward the nearest available food source.
Makio and Suma.
The two women froze.
Suma immediately burst into tears.
"Don't eat me!"
"I'm not delicious!"
Then she pointed directly at Makio.
"Makio is always angry!"
"She must taste terrible!"
Makio's eye twitched violently.
"You idiot!"
Now thoroughly offended, she immediately retaliated.
"You cry all day!"
"Your meat is probably salty!"
Suma looked horrified.
"I was trying to save you!"
The argument resumed instantly.
Meanwhile, the two demons casually pulled blood packets from their pockets and began drinking.
Neither had any intention of touching the captives.
Watching the women argue was simply more entertaining.
High above them, Kokushibo sat atop a tree branch.
His eyes remained closed.
Outwardly, he appeared to be resting.
In reality, he was planning.
The mysterious insect creatures.
The Demon Slayer Corps.
Muzan's growing ambitions.
His own expanding influence.
Countless possibilities occupied his thoughts.
Perhaps he should investigate the source of the insect creatures first.
Perhaps he should focus on the Demon Slayer Corps.
Or perhaps
An even more ambitious idea crossed his mind.
At that exact moment, his senses detected several familiar presences approaching.
Kokushibo opened his eyes.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Uzui Tengen…"
His voice carried through the forest.
"You actually brought both of them."
The approaching figures stepped into view.
Tengen Uzui.
Kyojuro Rengoku.
Muichiro Tokito.
Only after they arrived did Kokushibo leap gracefully from the tree.
Landing lightly upon the ground, he spread his arms.
"Well, well."
His smile widened.
"Look who decided to visit."
His gaze shifted toward Kyojuro.
"Long time no see."
Then toward Muichiro.
"You as well."
Kyojuro smiled brightly.
"It has indeed been some time!"
Muichiro simply nodded.
"Hello."
The atmosphere immediately became strange.
Tengen stood between them, suddenly feeling extremely out of place.
On one side stood two Hashira.
On the other stood Upper Rank One.
Yet somehow the conversation sounded less like enemies meeting and more like distant relatives gathering after a long separation.
Tengen's eye twitched.
For a brief moment, he genuinely wondered if he should introduce himself again.
Then he remembered the reason they had come.
His wives.
Immediately, his expression hardened.
The negotiations had begun.
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