If demons truly could be awakened by emotion, then what ideology has the Demon Slayer Corps been fighting with all these years?
The demons they mercilessly slaughtered clearly had a chance to regain their senses.
Kochou Shinobu's worldview nearly collapsed.
The struggling demon suddenly lunged at Yae, only to be yanked back by Mizuki, who tore off her cloak and ripped it into strips to bind him tightly.
The opponent was still starving, and regeneration had consumed a lot of his stamina, making it difficult to break free from the ropes.
Besides, weren't they here watching him?
Mizuki looked at Yae and explained, "He can't maintain his sanity for long yet, so we have to keep him restrained for now."
How could Yae possibly complain?
Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings came from the treetops above.
Mizuki looked up and saw a Kasugai Crow with a small purple scarf tied around its neck perched on the branch.
Kochou Shinobu exclaimed in surprise, "It's the Master's Kasugai Crow."
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Mizuki."
"I am the messenger of Ubuyashiki Kagaya."
"H-hello." Mizuki felt a chill run down her spine. What was wrong with this Kasugai Crow's voice?
Why did she inexplicably feel such a strong sense of oppression?
"I have learned of your request from Giyuu. The Demon Slayer Corps is honored to welcome your arrival."
The Kasugai Crow turned its head: "Mr. Tomioka, Miss Kochou, please take this demon back to the Demon Slayer Corps with you."
The two paused for a moment, then nodded in unison.
There was no one in the Demon Slayer Corps who did not respect their Master.
His will was the will of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Kasugai Crow flew away, flapping its wings, and Kochou Shinobu gave Mizuki a look of complex emotion.
"Let's go back."
...A base of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Due to the past massacres by Kibutsuji Muzan, the Ubuyashiki Clan's strongholds had become intricate and ever-changing; even the Hashira could not know the true location of important sites.
Since Muzan possessed the ability to sense the location of demons, settling Yae's father required some effort.
The demon was settled in a secluded room, his limbs locked, and the room surrounded by wisteria flowers.
After Mizuki instructed Yae to frequently call out to her father, she followed Kochou Shinobu to meet Ubuyashiki.
Having brought Mizuki there, Kochou Shinobu departed at Ubuyashiki's signal.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya."
The young man, who had terrifyingly ugly scars on his head, introduced himself gently.
The strange marks on his face were a curse that the Ubuyashiki Clan had been unable to eradicate for a thousand years.
Mizuki had known about this matter since the Sengoku Period.
This curse originated from the heavens, because the tragic existence known as 'demons' was brought into the world by the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan, who himself came from the Ubuyashiki family.
It could be traced back as far as the Heian Period.
Since then, every boy born into the Ubuyashiki Clan would be plagued by illness and die young, rarely living past their twenties, and girls needed to marry out and change their surname to avoid the curse.
In Mizuki's view, this curse was nonsense.
The heavens were simply being crazy.
The Ubuyashiki Clan never benefited from Muzan's existence, yet they had to endure this thousand-year curse.
Just because a degenerate appeared in their family?
It was fine for feudal dynasties to practice execution of nine generations, but for the heavens to do the same? What kind of minor deity would have such a barren mindset, knowing nothing but how to torment people?
"I am Kagaya's wife, Amane Ubuyashiki." The woman beside him, with long snow-white hair, nodded slightly.
Mizuki removed her bamboo hat and unwrapped the white cloth: "I am Mizuki, the younger sister of the Origin Breathing Swordsman."
Seeing the Demon Slayer Mark on her cheek, Amane Ubuyashiki was stunned for a moment.
But after hearing Mizuki's words... the atmosphere instantly fell silent.
Both of them thought: She must mean descendant, right?
"I am a demon."
The two looked up at the large sun overhead... The atmosphere remained silent.
Mizuki's wine-red long hair instantly turned white, and hideous demon horns sprouted from her forehead.
Amane Ubuyashiki almost instinctively shielded her husband.
Sensing his wife's unusual behavior, Ubuyashiki Kagaya asked, "What is it, Amane?"
Because of the curse, his eyes could no longer see clearly.
Amane Ubuyashiki did not reply immediately, staring at Mizuki with an expression of disbelief.
Daytime? How is that possible!
Mizuki retracted her aura, and soon returned to her previous state.
Seeing that she had no desire to attack, Amane Ubuyashiki calmed the surprise in her heart.
"She... Miss Mizuki just... underwent Demonization."
Although Ubuyashiki Kagaya had vaguely sensed his wife's unusual reaction moments ago, hearing her words still caused him surprise.
"Has she overcome the sun?"
"And also... escaped Muzan's control."
Talking with intelligent people was much easier; Ubuyashiki Kagaya quickly understood and accepted Mizuki's situation.
Mizuki kindly nodded slightly toward Amane Ubuyashiki and explained, "I am the biological younger sister of Yoriichi, the swordsman who founded Origin Breathing during the Sengoku Period..."
She briefly described her experience of becoming a demon.
After hearing Mizuki's narration, even Ubuyashiki Kagaya couldn't help but be momentarily lost in thought.
After enduring the massacres by Muzan and Kokushibou, very little was passed down within the Ubuyashiki Clan.
Only after hearing these secrets did they truly understand the origin of the Breathing Technique.
"Before my brother died, I promised him I would kill Muzan, and that is why... I am here."
"To bring aid to the Demon Slayer Corps in killing Muzan."
Mizuki let out a long breath. She had kept these words bottled up for many years, and letting them out made her feel much lighter.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya quickly processed the information and asked seriously, "Miss Mizuki, why did you choose this era?"
A demon's lifespan is endless, and although most swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps join with the belief of killing Muzan.
It is undeniable that even Ubuyashiki Kagaya himself wouldn't dare claim he could end Muzan in his generation.
Why would Miss Mizuki, who had never had contact with the Demon Slayer Corps, stand before him now?
"The swordsman capable of mastering Sun Breathing is in this era."
"...Origin Breathing?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya was slightly moved.
"Moreover, the Hashira of this era are very strong. I believe they have the potential to kill Muzan."
After all, that's how it was in the anime.
The Taisho Nine Hashira, who are reputed to be no weaker than the First Generation Hashira.
In Mizuki's opinion, the reason the First Generation Hashira were so strong was largely due to Yoriichi's influence.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled slightly: "Those children... I am very proud of them."
"Then I shall welcome you on their behalf right here."
After greeting Ubuyashiki Kagaya, Mizuki accepted his invitation and planned to stay temporarily at the base.
Stepping outside, a small figure stood leaning against the wall not far away; Kochou Shinobu had not left.
Kochou Shinobu approached with a faint smile and asked, "Miss Mizuki, are you free?"
"I am..."
Kochou Shinobu's eyes sparkled: "I want to express my gratitude for you saving my older sister two years ago. Please do me the honor of coming to the Butterfly Mansion for a talk."
Mizuki hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.
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