"You all will be departing for a mission in the next few days," Shinobu said, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
"Mhm."
"Promise me, I don't want to see you covered in wounds again next time." Facing Shinobu's serious expression, Yoizumi nodded.
If he could help it, he didn't want to get injured either; the feeling of pain was not pleasant.
"Then let's make a pinky promise." Extending her small finger, Yoizumi imitated Shinobu, also extending his pinky to link with hers.
"Liars are puppies, you know~"
As their two thumbs met, the promise was sealed.
"I won't lie to you," Yoizumi said earnestly.
"I know." Shinobu's deep violet eyes, filled with a smile, reflected Yoizumi's face, taking in his every detail.
"I've been a bit busy lately, so I might not be able to see you off."
"Alright, please make sure to rest."
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" Shinobu took a step closer to Yoizumi, as if anticipating something.
Is there anything else?
Yoizumi slightly raised his chin, deep in thought.
Then, he raised his hand towards Shinobu, and under her expectant gaze, he tentatively spoke.
"Do you need a blood sample?"
"ꐦ!"
"No!" Stomping hard on Yoizumi's foot, Shinobu huffily left.
So painful... It seems he's made her angry again.
Watching Shinobu's retreating back helplessly, Yoizumi pursed his lips... Time rewound to two months ago.
"Ding~"
With the sound of a biwa, all of the Lower Moons were transported to the Infinity Castle.
As all the demons were in shock, another biwa sound rang out, gathering the Lower Moons together. On a high platform, a beautiful, tall woman looked down from above, her plum-red eyes coldly observing the four Lower Moons below.
What's with this woman? Who is she, exactly?
Why aren't Lower Moon Five and Lower Moon Four here?
Kibutsuji Muzan, in his female form, saw that these ignorant Lower Moons dared to look up and stare directly at him. His chilling voice, once uttered, sent shivers down the spines of all the demons.
"Bow your heads, kneel!"
"Worship me."
As soon as the words fell, all the Lower Moons knelt in unison, large beads of sweat rolling to the ground, their nerves taut.
It's Lord Muzan! Lord Muzan's voice!
"Lower Four and Lower Five are dead. Why are you all so weak?"
"You received my blood, yet you remain so feeble. What a bunch of failures!"
"For hundreds of years, it has always been the Upper Moons who have defeated the Pillars, while the Lower Moons have been replaced countless times!"
"You have no reason to exist!"
One after another, the Lower Moons were killed, without even having time to scream. Lower Moon One looked at Muzan with a flushed face, smiling morbidly.
"You, you can still smile?" Kibutsuji Muzan said indifferently.
"Yes, I still feel like I'm dreaming. To be personally dealt with by you, it's truly blissful."
"I love watching the suffering and misfortune of others the most."
Upon hearing this, Kibutsuji Muzan raised an eyebrow, and a fleshy tentacle plunged directly into Lower Moon One's neck.
"I've taken an interest in you. Let me give you some of my blood."
"Then do more for me."
He raised a finger, stopping it by his ear, his plum-red eyes gleaming with coldness.
"Go kill the demon slayer with the hanafuda earrings and a blonde, blue-eyed demon, and I will give you more!"
That disrespectful wretch had killed his favorite Rui; it was unforgivable.
He would pay the price for his actions!
As dawn broke, Tanjirou and the others were awakened by the cawing of crows.
"What happened?" Agatsuma Zenitsu rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep.
"Caw caw~" The dark Kasugai Crow landed on the ground, stretching its wings.
"Victims of the Infinity Train have increased, over forty people are missing!"
"Go and rendezvous with Kyojuro Rengoku at the scene!"
"Proceed immediately to the west!"
"Ah ah ah! A mission already?!" Agatsuma Zenitsu covered his head, unable to believe he had to go on another dangerous mission.
"Awesome! This time, I'll definitely be the best!" Inosuke excitedly sprang up from his futon with a carp leap and ran out of the room.
"Ah! Inosuke, you didn't fold your futon!" Tanjirou couldn't stop him in time, so he could only fold his and Inosuke's futons. Seeing Zenitsu's expression of utter despair, he comforted him.
"Don't worry, Zenitsu, we've all gotten stronger this time. We'll definitely complete the mission well!"
"Tanjirou is always so optimistic, it's really enviable." Agatsuma Zenitsu said with a bitter face, tidied his futon, and left the room with a bowed back.
"We're leaving, I need to say a proper goodbye to everyone at the Butterfly Mansion!" Tanjirou thought. For over two months, everyone at the Butterfly Mansion had taken great care of their family. Now that they were leaving, he had to thank them.
"Miss Aoi!"
"Tanjirou, you're about to depart, aren't you?" Kanzaki Aoi said.
"Yes, thank you for your care during these days, Miss Aoi. If I get injured next time, I'll rely on you again!"
Kanzaki Aoi smiled upon hearing this, "Please be careful and don't get injured!"
"Yes!"
..."Alright, I've said goodbye to everyone."
And... Kanao actually spoke!
It was the first time he'd heard her voice!
He hoped she wouldn't rely on coins to make decisions anymore; one day, she could act based on her own inner voice.
He needed to find Yoizumi-nii.
"Yoizumi-nii! We need to depart for our mission!" Tanjirou pushed open the door and said to Yoizumi, who was sitting at a desk, seemingly writing something.
"Alright, I'll be there in a moment. Tanjirou, go prepare first."
"Mhm!"
"Click."
The door closed. Yoizumi looked at the paper in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then picked up his pen and added a few final words, carefully putting it away.
He picked up his nichirin blade, his gaze sharp.
It was time to leave.
"I've sent Tanjirou and the others on the Infinity Train mission." Kagaya Ubuyashiki felt the dazzling sunlight, vaguely able to discern the outline of the sun, then looked with gentle eyes at Shinobu, who was kneeling on one knee.
"I also agree with Shinobu's reasons for recommending them to participate."
"With Yoizumi and Kyoujurou there, this mission should go very smoothly."
"Yes, I have one more thing to report to Lord Ubuyashiki."
"Yoizumi created a breathing technique called Breath of Snow about a week after coming into contact with a nichirin blade," Shinobu reported respectfully.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's eyes widened in surprise.
Created a breathing technique in a week?
He took a deep breath of fresh air to calm his excited heart.
"Yoizumi truly brings me many surprises."
How fortunate that such a demon was an existence allied with their Demon Slayer Corps.
Kibutsuji Muzan.
You truly provoked a family you shouldn't have.
Yoizumi and Nezuko, who maintained their true selves even after becoming demons.
Tanjirou, who possesses infinite potential and wields the "Breath of Fire."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled as he gazed at the clear blue sky.
It's a beautiful day today.
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