Yoyoi entered the tatami room and lay flat as Horitake instructed.
Mitsuri voluntarily stood guard outside, gripping her Nichirin Blade, acting as both protector and precaution.
Amane, seeing Mitsuri at the door, nodded gratefully, then entered the room with her four daughters, closing the sliding paper doors.
The room became quiet and secure.
The family sat around Yoyoi, eyes fixed on Horitake, the lead surgeon.
Amane, worried, asked:
"Horitake, is there any risk?"
Horitake, serious, replied:
"Lady Amane, there's always risk. Even a cold carries risk these days, let alone something this complex. But I'll minimize it with all my skill."
With that, Amane nodded, entrusting everything to Horitake.
Unexpectedly, Yoyoi spoke up from the tatami:
"My lady, Horitake, I have a request. If anything happens to me, please support Kiriya as the new Corps leader. He's young but capable of carrying the Demon Slayer Corps."
His words threw the calm room into chaos!
Amane's composure broke, tears falling as she stifled sobs, clutching Yoyoi's arm:
"My lord, don't say such ominous things!"
Kiriya's voice cracked:
"Father, what are you saying!?"
Horitake's temper flared:
"Lord Yoyoi, do you doubt me? Or yourself!?"
Yoyoi's four daughters scolded their father.
Yoyoi smiled, realizing his misstep.
But the closer to life-and-death, the more he overthought. Hesitating, he looked at Horitake and began:
"Horitake, if Kiriya…"
Though unfinished, Horitake, catching Yoyoi's gaze, understood instantly.
A classic scene flashed in his mind: Liu Bei's deathbed entrustment at Baidi City. Despite entrusting his heir Liu Shan to Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei said:
"Your talent surpasses Cao Pi tenfold. You can secure the state and achieve great things. If my heir is worthy, support him; if not, take his place."
Take his place—what did it mean? If Liu Shan was unfit, Zhuge Liang could replace him!
Scholars still debate: Was this Liu Bei's sincere trust or a cunning test?
Horitake knew Yoyoi's intent was similar:
If my son Kiriya does well, support him. If not, you, Horitake, take the Corps' leadership!
Horitake's scalp tingled. He cut Yoyoi off:
"Quiet, Lord Yoyoi!"
Though rude, he held back harsher words:
You're not Liu Bei, I'm not Zhuge Liang, and Kiriya's no Liu Shan! Stop this nonsense!
Fuming, Horitake said:
"Lord Yoyoi, if you want to unsettle me and lower the curse removal's success rate, keep talking!"
Yoyoi fell silent, reflecting. His words were reckless. If spoken, they could sow discord between Kiriya and Horitake, harming the Corps—a grave mistake.
Truly, fear of death had shaken him.
Yoyoi said no more.
Horitake took a deep breath, calming himself.
He directed the Ubuyashiki family:
"Lady Amane, Young Master Kiriya, and the four young ladies, please step back to give me space to work."
They obeyed, clearing room.
Horitake formed a sword hand with his index and middle fingers, a steady purple arc sparking at his fingertips.
"Lord Yoyoi, I'm starting the curse removal. It'll be painful. Please endure."
Yoyoi smiled:
"I've endured years. What's a moment more?"
Horitake nodded, activating Spirit Vision to locate the curse.
As before, Yoyoi's curse wasn't spread like a demon's but concentrated at his brow, a dense black miasma explaining the scar-like marks spreading from his forehead.
The forehead and brain were delicate, requiring precision, raising the difficulty.
But Horitake was prepared.
He needed to be swift, precise, ruthless!
His eyes flashed. His sparking fingertips struck Yoyoi's forehead!
Purple divine lightning, under Horitake's expert control, surged into Yoyoi's brow, encircling the black curse!
Speed was key!
The lightning's jolt and Yoyoi's frail body caused intense pain. Yoyoi clenched his teeth, enduring.
His family watched nervously, hearts pounding at Yoyoi's pain and Horitake's actions.
Things looked good.
The curse, long unchallenged, was unprepared. By the time it sensed danger, it was too late!
Horitake's lightning had formed a containment!
The curse erupted, trying to break free.
Though blocked, the outburst affected Yoyoi, causing unprecedented pain. He groaned but held firm.
His family, watching, nearly cried out but restrained themselves, fearing they'd disrupt Horitake.
The curse's first escape failed. It tried again.
First strong, then weaker, then exhausted.
The curse didn't know this.
Horitake, having blocked the first outburst, was more adept, steadily channeling more lightning.
The purple lightning's containment solidified, growing stronger.
The curse's second attempt was almost entirely blocked.
Yoyoi's pain, though still intense, was less than before.
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