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"No!!" Hearing Tamayo's words, Yushiro struggled even more fiercely.
"Don't, Lady Tamayo, run!!"
"Yushiro," Tamayo shook her head. "You know, after my husband and children passed away, I should have died long ago. My only purpose for living has been to completely destroy Muzan."
She smiled as she looked at Kaito.
"Though you used a technique resembling a Blood Demon Art, based on years of research, I can tell you're not a demon. So, what you said about cooperating with Ubuyashiki-sama should be true."
Kaito merely nodded in response.
"Yushiro, calm down."
Tamayo stepped forward slowly, coming to Yushiro's side and standing before Kaito.
"I was wondering why Muzan's demons have suddenly gone quiet lately. It seems it's because of you, Uchiha-san."
"You could say that," Kaito replied. "Five of the six Upper Moon demons under Muzan Kibutsuji have already been killed through my cooperation with the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen."
"That's wonderful," Tamayo's smile became more genuine. "With your help, it seems the Demon Slayer Corps truly has a strong chance of defeating Muzan for good."
"I'd say it's a certainty," Kaito said without humility. "Ubuyashiki-sama and I have a flawless plan. Muzan won't escape like he did centuries ago."
Tamayo said with slight surprise, "I was going to remind you of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's lesson back then, but it seems you're already prepared. That's good."
"Rest assured," Kaito said gently. "So, can you depart in peace?"
"Yes." Tamayo nodded calmly.
"Though it's a pity I won't witness Muzan's demise, someone as steeped in sin as I am has no right to hope for survival."
"You bastard!!" Yushiro couldn't hold back, glaring fiercely at Kaito and shouting, "Why?! Lady Tamayo was merely a victim of Muzan! All these years, she's been healing and saving people! If you want to kill demons, come at me!! Kill me, you bastard!!"
"Kid." Kaito patted Yushiro's shoulder, sealing his mouth with spiritual energy.
He gave Tamayo an apologetic smile. "Sorry, though you two may be different from other demons, I cannot allow you to continue existing as demons."
"Not even Yushiro?" Tamayo's composure faltered. "I'm the one who turned him into a demon. He's never harmed anyone!"
"Mmmph!" Yushiro glared at Kaito with venomous eyes.
"Sorry," Kaito shook his head.
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of the world. Demons disrupt that order. Entrusted by Lord Hakuten, the first assistant to Lord Enma of the underworld, I must eliminate demons, these beings that break the cycle of reincarnation."
He gave a reassuring smile and continued, "Don't worry. If this young man is truly free of evil deeds, the underworld's judgment will be lenient. Perhaps he'll even be sent to Heaven."
"Uchiha-kun is correct."
With a sudden voice, Hakuten appeared in a tailored suit and top hat, looking like an urban gentleman, materializing amid a swirl of black mist.
"A demon?"
Seeing Hakuten's sudden appearance, Tamayo stepped back in alarm.
"Has Muzan found us here too?"
Unlike the shinigami invisible to ordinary people, Hakuten chose to reveal himself this time, allowing both Tamayo and Yushiro to see him.
"Ah, Lady Tamayo, this is Lord Hakuten I mentioned, a demon god of the underworld and the first assistant to Lord Enma," Kaito introduced.
"Go to the underworld without resistance, sinners," Hakuten said with a slightly sadistic smile. "But if you're innocent, Lord Enma's fair judgment won't issue punishment."
"My apologies," Tamayo said, realizing through his aura that Hakuten was different from man-eating demons, and she hurriedly gave a trembling bow.
"Speaking of which, why are you here in person, Hakuten?" Kaito asked.
"Ah, I'm on vacation in the mortal world these days and happened to be nearby, so I came by," Hakuten explained.
"I see. No wonder you're dressed differently," Kaito noted.
"This is the latest fashion in Tokyo, Western-style clothing," Hakuten said, tipping his hat to reveal the horns on his forehead. "I like to try new things while vacationing in the mortal world."
Kaito nodded approvingly. "No wonder the underworld keeps up with the times—it's all thanks to you."
"I don't deserve such praise," Hakuten said humbly. "I'm merely an assistant under Lord Enma."
'If I hadn't seen you torment your boss, I might've believed you.'
Kaito smiled outwardly while inwardly rolling his eyes.
"Having such a capable assistant must be Lord Enma's good fortune."
He offered another compliment before changing the subject. "So, you're personally escorting these two to the underworld?"
"Indeed."
Black mist swirled around Hakuten as he reverted to his usual underworld attire—a black kimono and a massive spiked club.
"Do it, Uchiha-kun."
"Alright."
Kaito pulled several paper talismans from his sleeve, then formed a hand seal with one hand, releasing the bindings on Yushiro.
"Everything clear, Lady Tamayo, Yushiro-san?"
He held up the talismans between his fingers.
"Though I'm sorry, it's time for you to go where you belong."
"I understand," Tamayo said calmly. "If not for my obsession with revenge, I might have longed for this day."
She gave Yushiro an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Yushiro. Turning you into a demon might have been a mistake."
"No, Lady Tamayo," Yushiro said, no longer furious, gazing at her deeply as if to etch her into his memory. "You gave me a choice back then, and I chose to become a demon. No matter what, I'm grateful to you. The years by your side were the happiest of my life."
"And I'm grateful to you, Yushiro, for your companionship," Tamayo said, smiling at him before turning to Kaito. "Please proceed, Uchiha-san."
"Here we go," Kaito said, giving a heads-up. The talismans between his fingers glowed with warm sunlight as he formed another seal.
"It's sunlight… It's been so long since I felt it…"
Tamayo basked in the light, closing her eyes.