Although the attack on the Swordsmith Village this time didn't cause much damage thanks to Suzuki Makoto's timely warning and the fact that killing the two demons didn't take much time, the consequences were nevertheless severe.
The fact that demons attacked this place proved it had been exposed. Therefore, the village chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara, made a swift decision: the entire village would immediately begin preparations to relocate, and a messenger would be sent to the Ubuyashiki Estate. At the same time, an internal investigation was launched. After all, there had to be a reason for the Swordsmith Village's location being leaked, and until that reason was found, the village wouldn't be safe even after moving.
Before this problem was solved, the fallout from the leak could not be allowed to affect the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. Thus, the best messengers were, of course, the Hashira. In the end, it was decided that Mitsuri Kanroji would go to the estate to report, while Suzuki Makoto would stay behind to handle the Swordsmith Village's security in the meantime.
Soon enough, however, a Kasugai Crow delivered new orders. Suzuki Makoto set off with Muichiro Tokito and the Kamado siblings, preparing to return to the Ubuyashiki Estate to attend the new Hashira Meeting that was about to be convened.
The host of this meeting was no longer Kagaya Ubuyashiki, but his wife, Lady Amane. Although it was claimed that the Master was still in good health, Suzuki Makoto could sense from his near-death aura that the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps did not have much time left.
"Master Kagaya's intention is that, since Lord Suzuki has already slain most of the Twelve Kizuki and reports of demon sightings across the country are also decreasing significantly, it means Muzan Kibutsuji has likely adopted a strategy of full-scale retreat. Therefore, the Demon Slayer Corps should take this opportunity to conduct a large-scale, collective training for all Corps members, with each Hashira personally serving as an instructor. This should greatly improve the current issue of the Corps members' insufficient combat strength."
After this order was issued, most of the ten Hashira nodded in approval.
"The Master is right. The Corps members do need comprehensive collective training. We can't have a repeat of Mount Natagumo, where they were almost useless."
"Indeed! I have now learned all of the Flame Breathing forms from my father and am now qualified to serve as an instructor!"
The Wind Hashira and Flame Hashira were the first to agree, but Suzuki Makoto frowned.
"Lady Amane, please convey my position to Lord Ubuyashiki—I do not agree with conducting collective training at this time."
Everyone else's gaze instantly focused on him, though not with hostility, merely with surprise.
"Lord Suzuki, Master Kagaya said that if anyone objects, they should please come to his sickroom to discuss the matter."
Lady Amane didn't seem surprised and simply extended the invitation. Suzuki Makoto stood up, and Shinobu Kocho, who was kneeling beside him, also rose and followed him under the astonished gazes of the others.
"Eh? Shinobu-chan opposes the training too?"
Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
"Mitsuri, Miss Kocho is older than you. You shouldn't address her like that."
Kyojuro Rengoku corrected her.
"Ah! My apologies!"
"She doesn't necessarily oppose it. It's just, you know, that thing."
A smirk formed on Tengen Uzui's lips. He was probably the only one here who understood the situation.
"Uzui, do you know something?"
The Serpent Hashira was also curious.
"It's that thing—the wife follows the husband's lead."
"Ehh—"
The Love Hashira almost leaped up from the floor.
"Th-th-th-the wife follows the husband's lead—????"
"Keep it down! Keep it down! That guy's got sharp ears. I don't want to get beaten up."
Tengen Uzui quickly covered Mitsuri Kanroji's mouth, then felt a cold sensation on his hand. Obanai Iguro's little white snake was already coiled menacingly on his hand.
"Let go—"
"Tch, you think I can't see what you're thinking? I already have three wives; I'm not interested in stealing yours."
Clap!
The sharp sound of palms clapping together echoed, and the hall fell instantly silent.
"This is the Master's estate. Do not be boisterous."
Gyomei Himejima's deep voice quelled all curiosity, and everyone obediently knelt in place.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Makoto and Shinobu Kocho had followed Lady Amane to Kagaya Ubuyashiki's sickroom. Seeing the Master lying in bed, his breathing faint as a thread, Shinobu Kocho was utterly shocked, while Suzuki Makoto merely sighed with regret.
"I imagine the only one who truly objects is you, Mr. Suzuki. As for Shinobu-chan, she most likely just doesn't want to participate in the training."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with a smile, looking at the two of them.
"I do indeed oppose this plan. The Swordsmith Village has just been exposed, and we still haven't figured out how the demons found it. On top of that, with the existence of a demon who controls a different dimension, if we gather all the Corps members at Headquarters on a large scale right now, Muzan Kibutsuji's minions will inevitably find this place immediately, and the secrecy of the Ubuyashiki Estate will be lost."
"That's right, Mr. Suzuki—that is one of my objectives."
Ubuyashiki's words made Suzuki Makoto frown slightly.
"You intend to... use yourself as bait?"
"Yes, Mr. Suzuki. And I am not the only bait—I have found the female researcher who has been in secret contact with Tanjiro Kamado. She informed me that Nezuko Kamado's blood is continuously evolving, to the point where she can now overcome the demon weakness to sunlight. And she has already conducted the relevant verification!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was weak yet composed.
"For hundreds of years, Muzan Kibutsuji's wish has been to conquer the sun, to eliminate his greatest weakness so that he can live eternally without any concerns! The chance to annihilate the Ubuyashiki family and obtain a demon who can conquer the sun, all at once—no matter how cunning he is, he would never pass up an opportunity to fulfill his two greatest desires at the same time!"
"But does it have to be so urgent? Why now? I have completely recreated Sun Breathing, and it can be spread throughout the Demon Slayer Corps. Furthermore, I discovered the secret of the Crimson Red Blade in the Swordsmith Village this time and was about to report back to you—with so much potential to grow stronger, why choose to initiate the final battle now?"
Suzuki Makoto was still very confused. From his perspective, the Demon Slayer Corps' future looked very promising. Time was on their side. As long as they continued on this path, the scales of this war were already tipping in humanity's favor.
"Because Muzan Kibutsuji is a coward. He fears the strong, he fears power, he fears anything that could possibly kill him."
For the first time, a hint of mockery appeared in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice.
"The fact that you possess Sun Breathing and can so easily kill Upper Rank Two must have already shocked, or even terrified, him. Fortunately, you did not reveal your talent for manifesting a Crimson Red Blade this time. Otherwise, even if I set this trap, Muzan Kibutsuji's first reaction would likely be to lie low, avoid your blade for now, and only start moving again after you have died of old age a century from now."
____
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