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"I'll wait in the underworld for Muzan's arrival. Please, you and the Demon Slayer Corps must achieve victory."
In her soul state, Tamayo said these final words to Kaito before following Hakuten, alongside Yushiro, into the Gate of the Underworld.
"You will," Kaito said with a smile, then, to the surprise of Tamayo and Yushiro, he stepped into the gate after them.
"Lord Hakuten," he addressed Hakuten, "I need to return to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters quickly. Since I've run into you, I'll take a shortcut through the underworld this time."
"By all means," Hakuten replied. Despite his mischievous nature, he was courteous toward Kaito, who had come to this world to assist him.
Thus, Kaito followed them to the underworld, where Hakuten opened another Gate of the Underworld leading to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
"Then we part here, Lady Tamayo, Yushiro-san. I hope in your next lives, you'll be reborn as happy humans in a world free of demons."
Kaito gave them a final smile before stepping through the gate.
…
On a mountain path near the Butterfly Mansion, Kaito appeared silently in his soul state.
He casually took out a paper doll, pressed it to his chest, and restored his physical form.
Looking up at the sky, he began walking, passing the Butterfly Mansion and heading straight to the main residence of the headquarters.
In the courtyard, several children playing turned to look at him.
They were the five children of the Ubuyashiki family.
Though there were four girls and one boy, for the sake of easier upbringing, the sole boy was dressed in the same female clothing as his sisters.
"Uchiha-san, you're back?"
The only boy, six-year-old Kiriya Ubuyashiki, ran over and bowed to Kaito.
"Father has been waiting for you."
"I see. Thank you, Kiriya," Kaito said, bending down to smile at him before heading into the house.
Lady Amane was already pushing Kagaya, seated in his wheelchair, to meet him.
"Uchiha-san, I didn't expect you to return before the Kasugai Crow delivering the message," Kagaya greeted.
Kaito then remembered the unfortunate crow.
"I originally planned to return tomorrow," he said, as he had told the crow. "But an unexpected event brought me back early."
Kaito removed his geta sandals, stepped onto the wooden corridor, and sat cross-legged.
He then recounted the events in Tokyo to Kagaya.
"I didn't expect you to encounter Lady Tamayo," Kagaya said with a sigh.
"Neither did I," Kaito said, lowering his eyes. "The original plan was to deal with the demons not under Muzan Kibutsuji's control, like those converted by Lady Tamayo, after his defeat."
"You don't need to feel guilty, Uchiha-san," Kagaya said gently, noticing his subdued mood. "As you said, demons violate the world's natural order. Even if Lady Tamayo hasn't harmed humans in recent years, since the underworld's demon gods don't permit their existence, sending them away fulfills the task entrusted to you."
"I'm not upset over this," Kaito said, lifting his eyes with a calm expression. "I just realized I overlooked something."
He reached into his right sleeve with his right hand and pulled out the worn Nichirin Blade.
"To awaken this Nichirin Blade, I followed underworld intelligence and killed Lower Moon Five."
He placed the blade on the wooden floor before him.
"But I forgot to capture a demon alive," he said, looking at Kagaya with an apologetic smile. "We need to feed a demon the Blue Spider Lily as bait to ensure Muzan Kibutsuji can't resist coming."
"Leave that to the swordsmen," Kagaya said with a smile. "If there's no lead on demons, Mount Fujikasane, where the Demon Slayer Corps entrance exam is held, still holds many demons."
"Then please send someone to capture the strongest demon there," Kaito nodded, satisfied.
Kagaya shook his head. "I'm afraid Mount Fujikasane, used for initial trials, only holds the weakest demons."
"Then we'll go to another place farther away," Kaito said. "According to prior intelligence, there's a location where the former Lower Moon Six was based."
He pulled a small scroll from his sleeve.
"Here's the information."
"Very well," Kagaya said, opening the scroll to review it before calling a Kasugai Crow and assigning the task.
"It's assigned to the Flame Hashira's Tsuguko?" Kaito said, catching the familiar name. "Miss Kanroji. I promised the Flame Hashira I'd help her, but I haven't had the chance to awaken her mark."
Kagaya nodded. "Let this mission serve as a trial. Though Mitsuri Kanroji's strength is recognized, fighting demons is different from sparring with comrades. If she can successfully capture that demon alive, you can awaken her mark."
"I understand," Kaito said, grasping his intent.
"Also, everything you requested is ready," Kagaya added, shifting topics. "The legacy blades from the Swordsmith Village and the wood urgently delivered from the Ise Grand Shrine."
"Since they're here, it's time for me to get to work," Kaito said, standing and gazing at the picturesque courtyard.
"Ubuyashiki-sama, are you sure you want to set the main battlefield here?"
"Absolutely," Kagaya said, his gaze following his children playing in the courtyard, a gentle expression flickering across his face. "To defeat Muzan, everything is worth it."
"Rest assured," Kaito said, also looking at the children. "With the barrier I'll set up, everyone outside it will be safe."
"Then I leave it to you," Kagaya said, suddenly bowing deeply from his seated position.
"It's my duty," Kaito said, helping him up.
The two shared a smile.
"No amount of gratitude is enough. Thank you for your help," Lady Amane said, also expressing her thanks.
"No need," Kaito waved it off. "Please, Lady Amane, tell me where the blades and wood are stored. I need to prepare them."
"It sounds like a lot of work. Will you need assistance?" Kagaya asked.
"The Hidden Corps can help," Kaito said. "It's mostly physical labor, so we won't disturb the swordsmen's training."
"Understood," Kagaya nodded. "I'll make the arrangements."