Akaza's expression hardened at the Demon King's sudden outburst. Even Kokushibo looked at Muzan with faint pity.
'Douma is giving Muzan-sama a lot of stress…'
Finally, after about a minute, Muzan heaved a sigh of frustration.
His eyes were almost hollow as he spoke.
"Hozuki has been changed."
The information stunned Akaza but didn't surprise Kokushibo. He could already guess what happened from Muzan's outrage.
"Sigh, I can't believe this rainbow-eye could deal such a terrifying mental blow to the demon progenitor."
A soft voice whispered, the words barely audible. However, everyone in the room were high-ranking demons. How could they not hear the words clearly?
All eyes turned to the figure at the door. It was Kurayami. Lower Moon Six. Everyone thought he was the weakest among the lower Moons. However, his strength was actually enough for him to contend for Upper Moon Six. A whole leap in tier.
That aside, his fate was pretty critical right now. Because of his uncontrolled tongue, he had spoken his mind for everyone to hear.
Muzan's gaze turned cold, making his body shudder.
"Kurayami. Since when did you grow so bold?"
The Demon King growled in a domineering voice.
Yet, despite the threat he felt, the yellow-eyed demon spoke unreservedly.
"I'm sorry but Lord Muzan doesn't seem as scary as bef—"
Before he could continue his words, Akaza had ripped his head off with a scowl. Blood sprayed from the neck stump and flooded the ground, yet the demon remained standing.
His head, which had been thrown away, continued to speak.
"Do my words irk you, Lord Akaza? If so, I'm sorry."
His body regenerated a new head. However, it wasn't covered by his usual clothing. Everyone finally got a chance to see what this demon looked like.
His skin was pale, his body thin and seemingly frail. His eyes were black with only his irises yellow. His face was utterly ordinary with no remarkable features except the cross scar on his forehead.
"Kurayami…"
Despite feeling an immense amount of rage, Muzan restrained himself from erasing this demon. Kurayami was the only true talent left among the lower Moons. The others were good, but would need years to mature. However, how could Muzan not punish him?
"Remove every tendon in your body within ten minutes without regenerating."
His order was as clear as the moonlight outside the building.
Akaza's eyes widened. Even he hadn't expected that level of cruelty from Muzan.
Unable to resist Muzan's order, Kurayami diligently tore at himself and hurriedly pulled out his tendons while screaming in pains.
Satisfied, Muzan gave a sadistic grin, feeling refreshed.
"Are all the demons gathered?"
He turned to Kokushibo.
The six-eyed demon nodded. "Yes, Muzan-sama."
Receiving his confirmation, Muzan's small grin widened.
....
The next morning, in the Ubuyashiki Mansion, all the Hashiras had gathered again, ready to hear Shinobu's report. Unfortunately, Kagaya couldn't attend due to his worsening condition. Even Lady Amane couldn't show up.
"So? Has he agreed?"
Tanjiro asked, his eyes shining with hope. He really wished they could get a big help in this war.
Shinobu looked around, then nodded. "Yes. He agreed. As for Sanemi-kun's request, well, he agreed too."
Sanemi snorted, but remained silent.
After hearing Shinobu's words, Gyomei and the others appeared relieved.
However, Obanai wasn't sharing their relief.
"Have you heard?" He started slow, drawing their attention. "The sudden lack of demon attacks. No village across the country suffered an attack."
Giyu frowned. "That… is strange."
This time, Sanemi agreed with Giyu. "What are those demons planning? Could they be gathering their forces?"
Shinobu hesitated, then nodded. "That's possible. After all, the lower moon we met last night said something about Muzan's summons."
"You met a lower moon last night?" Tanjiro was surprised. He'd rarely seen demons recently.
"Yes. On our way back from Douma's… place, Mitsuri and I ran into the demon." Shinobu explained, gently smiling at the Sun Hashira.
After his appointment as a Hashira, Tanjiro had been given the title Sun Hashira since he was the only demon slayer who could use Sun Breathing.
Suddenly, the unusually silent Inouske spoke up. "Did you kill the demon?"
Everyone was surprised. Not because he suddenly spoke, but because of the content of his words.
'When did this boar become so thoughtful?'
They thought collectively.
Still, the question remained hanging in the air. All eyes shifted to the Love Hashira and the Insect Hashira.
Sensing their desire for a truthful answer, Shinobu said. "No."
"What?! You let the demon go?!" Sanemi shot up, his eyes blazing with anger.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Mitsuri hurriedly backed her up.
"Wait a minute! It's not what you think! Douma-kun knocked the demon unconscious and took her away. She has some kind of relationship with someone he knew."
Hearing her explanation, the Hashiras relaxed slightly, but still remained doubtful. What if this was just part of Douma's plan to prevent the demon's death? Could he be secretly cooperating with Muzan? Their questions remained unasked and unanswered.
They all remained silent, unsure what else there was to discuss. Because of the silence, they heard Obanai's soft whisper.
"Douma…-kun?"
His green and yellow eyes appeared lost for a moment. He couldn't help but process the implication behind that name. Every other Hashira immediately sensed what was wrong, and tried to speak up. However, Zenitsu beat them to it.
"Eh? Mitsuri-san, you mentioned 'Douma-kun'. Could it be, you actually like him?"
The question silenced the whole courtyard as the other Hashiras glared at the Lightning Hashira for his loose mouth.
Mitsuri, ever innocent, felt her face grow hot from the question. Indeed, Douma was strong, handsome and all. In fact, she admired him a bit. However, liking? She couldn't really say she liked him… right?
'Iguro-kun is the one I like.'
Unfortunately, the Love Hashira's blushing face said otherwise for everyone around her. Sensing the sudden awkwardness, Tengen gave a strained smile.
"This is getting out of topic. We should be discussing relevant matters here."
Naturally, Zenitsu also sensed the change and shrunk. "Ah, my bad."
Unfortunately, the damage had been done. In the next moment, Obanai Iguro… collapsed.