The next morning, the magistrates rushed to Oboro's residence with urgent news.
The incident was straightforward yet horrifying. Someone had committed a violent crime in Youguo the previous night, leaving hundreds dead or injured.
As expected, Oboro led everyone from the magistrate's office to the crime scene, showing no surprise.
Even hours later, the scene was shocking. Several houses had collapsed into ruins. Numerous corpses lay in rows on the street, covered with straw mats, and dried blood stained the ground.
The Executive Office received the news earlier and rushed to the scene to handle the situation. However, concerned about disturbing Oboro so late at night, they delayed reporting until early morning.
"Sir, witnesses claim the murderer is a young orphan boy named Zechuan. They say he had a vicious dog with him," the magistrate's officer explained.
"Fine," Oboro replied.
But he wasn't truly listening to the report. Instead, he silently analyzed the situation.
Zechuan didn't unleash his killing intent indiscriminately. He selectively targeted his victims, which meant that he hadn't lost control after gaining his new power. He executed his plan methodically. Most of the dead were evildoers, drunkards, and warriors who frequently terrorized the area.
There were some civilian casualties, but the proportion was relatively small. This way, the births of Gyutaro and Daki wouldn't be affected."
"Hundreds dead? That's a rare occurrence. Once news spreads, it will shock the entire city.
"Block the news and send a few people to investigate. They're just untouchables," Oboro said indifferently.
"Yes, sir," replied Yu Li, also known as Hayado Daisuke, without hesitation.
As police chief, Yu Li wasn't surprised by Oboro's attitude. In slum areas, people died almost daily from various causes, and officers rarely patrolled such districts. Moreover, the untouchables were rarely taken seriously, especially by someone of Oboro's stature with shogunate connections. Still, hundreds dying at once was an alarming number.
Furthermore, the details about the murderer seemed peculiar. How could a teenager cause such devastation?
After providing a few more instructions, Oboro returned home. The entire case was handled perfunctorily.
Business in the slums would likely suffer for a while, but things would eventually return to normal. Time had a way of healing all wounds. People still needed to make money to survive.
"Hmm?"
Before boarding his sedan, Oboro noticed several swordsmen in distinctive attire, demon slayers from the Demon Slayer Corps. Their uniforms differed from those of later generations.
"That was quick enough."
He smiled slightly as he watched them wander the streets, questioning survivors about the previous night's events.
Oboro was certain that Zechuan had already left Youguo.
"Since his goal is to save the world, his cleansing must begin with the ruling class. If nothing unexpected occurs, Zechuan has already made his way to Edo Castle."
This reflected the clash of different wills. If they were Muzan's demons, they wouldn't have acted this way. Attacking the shogunate would draw the attention of the secular authorities, which could potentially bring down the government that had always turned a blind eye. This was an outcome that Muzan wouldn't want because it would only make matters worse for demons.
Additionally, Oboro's blood carried his personal will. After being absorbed by Zechuan, it could suppress the power and curse of Muzan's cells. In short, it could free Zechuan from Muzan's control. However, Zechuan would still be vulnerable to sunlight and a Nichirin sword.
Similarly, he would still need to consume humans to become stronger.
The Youguo incident was neither insignificant nor catastrophic. Under Oboro's management, it didn't cause much of a stir.
During this time, Oboro stayed home and exercised daily to improve his physical condition. He didn't practice martial arts as intensely as he had when he was a full-time practitioner, training only three or four hours a day.
He gathered information continuously from the northern and southern magistrates' offices, as well as from the shogunate, to monitor the current situation across the country.
Meanwhile, progress was evident within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Over time, the swordsmen became more familiar with and knowledgeable about Breathing techniques. The Demon Slayer Corps's overall combat effectiveness finally showed significant improvement.
The results were particularly encouraging among the Pillars.
In just one year, their number increased from six to eight, and several lower-ranked demons were consecutively slain.
One day, at the Ubuyashiki clan's residence, Ubuyashiki Kuno, whose health was deteriorating rapidly, summoned all the Pillars. He announced that after his death, his son Kagaya Ubuyashiki would succeed him as the clan's leader.
Though only twelve years old, Kagaya had been by his father's side since he was old enough to understand, learning and growing alongside him. From the look in his eyes, he appeared ready for the responsibility.
None of the eight Pillars objected.
"Have you found the demon?" Kuno asked, looking at Kagaya, who had his gaze lowered.
"I'm sorry, but no trace has been found," Kagaya replied calmly.
"Ah, it's truly difficult," Kuno sighed.
"That demon's power is obviously different from the others'. The boy named Zechuan is from Youguo. He caused so much destruction and killed so many people. As the leader of the Northern District Magistrate's Office, Oboro must have known about it. The blood concentration he received closely resembles what Muzan himself would give, but this wasn't Muzan's doing. Most likely, it was Oboro's doing."
"What is this man planning?"
Worry shadowed Kuno's eyes. After speaking, he suddenly coughed up blood.
"My Lord!" The other Pillars' expressions changed dramatically.
Over the past year, Kuno had been pondering Oboro's motives and the purpose behind his actions. Years of mental exertion focused on such matters had naturally further shortened his lifespan.
First, Oboro helped the Demon Slayer Corps. Then, he trained Pillar-level swordsmen. He disdained his identity as a demon and Muzan's bloodline. These actions seemed to align him with the Demon Slayer Corps.
However, he had now created new demons with his own hands and was allowing them to run rampant.
Despite his intellect, Ubuyashiki Kuno couldn't decipher Oboro's intentions:
"Does he want to replace Muzan? If so, there'd be no reason to help the Demon Slayer Corps.
A young boy had transformed into a demon. The source of the demonic blood was unknown, but it was clear that it had nothing to do with Muzan, Oboro had not allied with him.
Kuno had investigated the boy's background.
An orphan
Six months before the Youguo incident, the boy received money from a wealthy benefactor and bought a puppy for companionship. The dog was named Soumaru. Zechuan loved Soumaru deeply. However, due to the corrupt atmosphere in Youguo, Zechuan was unable to protect his beloved pet if it were seen publicly. Therefore, whenever Zechuan went out, he locked the puppy in a box at home to keep it safe.
The boy and the dog depended on each other for survival.
However, as the puppy grew larger, it became increasingly difficult to hide.
Eventually, someone discovered that Zechuan had a dog. To protect Soumaru, Zechuan was forced to pay hush money daily to the person who had found out about the dog. To earn enough money, Zechuan stole and begged. He was exhausted nearly every day.
Kuno didn't need details to understand what happened next.
The boy's resources were limited, and he couldn't generate money indefinitely. Once he failed to pay the hush money, the consequences were predictable.
As for the wealthy benefactor who had given the young man money, based on descriptions from Youguo locals, he could be none other than Oboro. His black haori was quite distinctive.
"Save the boy?" Kuno murmured to himself, considering Oboro's character. Then he shook his head. "Impossible. There are many ways to save him. With Oboro's abilities, it would be easy to persuade the boy to do what's right. There's no need for bloodshed. Like Otomo Issui, he acts with a deeper purpose that almost always involves human life and blood."
"Father, please stop thinking about this."
"My lord, you must rest."
Seeing that he was still straining his mind, those around him tried to dissuade him.