The main hall of the Hashira meeting fell into an even heavier silence than when Giyu had been declared dead.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya placed Tanjiro and Tō's mission report in the center of the table. His voice was calm but carried deep weight. "According to their findings, the mysterious overseer of the Entertainment District—'Mushiki'—shares a high degree of resemblance in appearance and manner with Tomioka Giyu, and even transmitted a coded signal meaning 'safe, there's something deeper.'
What's more, Tanjiro sensed a faint demon aura on him. In other words… Giyu may still be alive—but he might have turned into a demon."
"What?!"
Uzui Tengen slammed his hands on the table, leaping to his feet. His silver-violet hair swayed with fury as his twin blades spun between his fingers. "You're saying Tomioka turned into a demon? That cold, emotionless guy who barely even looked at demons? Impossible!"
Kanae's face went pale, her fingers tightening around her Nichirin Sword. "No way… Giyu was always so steadfast. How could he become a demon? There must be some mistake!"
Himejima Gyomei pressed his hands together in prayer, his brow deeply furrowed. "If he truly became a demon, then the blood stains and broken Nichirin fragments we found in Kirigakure Village—were they a staged illusion? But why would he do such a thing?"
Tokito Muichiro remained silent, but his clear blue eyes lifted slightly, filled with doubt. He still remembered the calm figure of Giyu adjusting his breathing rhythm—how could someone like that ever fall into demonic corruption?
"Everyone, calm yourselves."
Kagaya's gentle voice brought the room to stillness.
"Tanjiro said Giyu pretended not to know them but still sent the secret signal. That means he's in a situation where he can't speak freely. Tamayo-san, among us, you understand Muzan's control mechanisms the most. Perhaps you can explain Giyu's condition."
All eyes turned toward Tamayo. She stepped forward slowly, her face grave. "Muzan's blood contains fragments of his consciousness. Any demon created by him—unless, like me, they've experienced an extraordinary event—remains under his constant supervision.
He can see through their eyes, sense their emotions, and even control their actions directly. If Giyu truly became a demon, he would inevitably be under Muzan's watch. That's why he couldn't acknowledge Tanjiro and Tō or make contact with us. He's afraid any sign of deviation would alert Muzan—and Muzan would kill him instantly, along with anyone connected to him."
"Then can you free him from that control?"
Kanae's voice trembled with urgency. She refused to believe Giyu would willingly become a demon—he must have been forced into it.
Tamayo shook her head, her expression filled with regret. "My own freedom from Muzan was pure chance. A century ago, Yoriichi-san's Sun Breathing wounded Muzan severely, shattering most of his cells. That impact disrupted the consciousness fragment inside me, giving me an opening to regain control.
Such a chance comes once in a hundred years. Now that Muzan has regained his full strength, replicating that event is nearly impossible."
The room fell silent. Only the faint whisper of wind passed through the paper screens.
The anger on the Hashira's faces faded, replaced by a heavy sorrow. They despised demons—but more than that, they pitied Giyu.
A comrade who had once fought beside them now trapped inside a demon's body, shackled by Muzan's will, unable even to acknowledge his friends—this was worse than death.
"This matter will be classified as top secret," Kagaya declared, his voice soft yet firm.
"Aside from those present and Tamayo-san, no one else is to know. We cannot let the Corps learn that a Hashira has turned into a demon—it would shake their morale.
And we cannot allow Muzan to discover that we know about Giyu's condition, or he'll act against him immediately."
He paused, his tone deliberate. "From now on, we must do two things. First, accelerate Tamayo-san's research to find a way to suppress Muzan's consciousness. Second, Tanjiro and Tō will continue to monitor the Entertainment District, maintaining discreet contact with Giyu and waiting for the right moment to act."
Everyone nodded. Though reluctant, they understood this was their only option for now.
Kanae's gaze lingered on the map spread across the table. Her fingertip brushed over the marked spot of Kyogoku House.
In her heart, she whispered, Giyu… please hold on. We'll find a way to save you.
Meanwhile, in a dim room within Kyogoku House, Giyu was quietly sorting through intelligence reports when a cold voice slithered into his mind like a serpent's tongue.
"Mushiki. Come to the Infinity Castle. Now."
It was Muzan.
Giyu froze, a flicker of wariness flashing in his dark-blue pupils.
A sudden summons from Muzan could only mean one of two things—progress demands… or suspicion.
He swiftly burned every report on his desk, leaving no trace behind. Then he pushed open the window and vanished into the night.
At the heart of the Infinity Castle, the grand hall was shrouded in darkness. Muzan hovered above the floor, his crimson eyes sweeping over the assembled demons.
The Upper Moons stood to the left in silent formation; the Lower Moons knelt trembling on the right.
Giyu took his place quietly among them, standing in the position of Upper Moon Six, head lowered, concealing every flicker of emotion in his eyes.
"I am very dissatisfied."
Muzan's voice echoed through the dark hall—calm and steady, yet filled with a killing intent that pierced bone.
"Since Daki's death, you've done nothing but search for the Blue Spider Lily, and not one of you has managed to kill even a single Hashira. On the contrary, the Demon Slayer Corps gained a new Flame Hashira—Rengoku Kyojuro. I hear he's been… quite active lately."
Akaza abruptly raised his head, fists tightening, his tone laced with fierce respect. "Muzan-sama, I've already tracked down his movements! The next time I encounter him, I'll tear his head from his shoulders myself!"
Douma fanned himself lightly, voice lilting with a mocking smile. "Now, now, Akaza, don't get too worked up~ A Hashira isn't that easy to kill. Still, I've run into a few interesting little demons lately… perhaps I can send them to try first, hm?"
Kokushibo remained expressionless, though the grip on his blade tightened faintly. He cared little for the deaths of Hashira—but he detested this stagnation. This aimless waiting reminded him too much of the humiliation he once suffered under Yoriichi.
Muzan's gaze swept toward the Lower Moons, his killing aura intensifying. "And you… the Lower Ranks. What have you accomplished these past months besides cowering in the shadows? You can barely kill ordinary slayers. Tell me, what use do I have for you?"
The Lower Moons collapsed into frantic kowtows, their trembling voices filled with fear. "Please, Muzan-sama! Give us another chance! We'll kill a Hashira! We'll prove our worth!"
"A chance?"
Muzan's lips curved into a cold smile as black mist gathered in his palm. "I've already given you countless chances. You simply waste them. From today onward, the Lower Ranks will be reduced. Within three months, any of you who fail to kill twenty Demon Slayers… need not appear before me again."
The black mist shot forward, piercing Lower Moon Four. The demon didn't even have time to scream before half his body vaporized, leaving only twitching remains scattered across the floor.
The other Lower Moons froze, blood drained from their faces, not daring to even raise their heads.
Giyu stood silently among the Upper Moons, his fingers curling slightly at his side. Muzan's cruelty had grown even darker than he remembered. Reducing the Lower Ranks was only the beginning. He would soon turn his attention to the Hashira—especially the newly appointed Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro.
He had to find a way to warn them—but any misstep, any flicker of intent, and Muzan would notice.
"And now… the Blue Spider Lily."
Muzan's tone softened, but the menace in his words deepened.
"I've already sent scouts through the northern mountains. No trace. So from this point forward, the Upper Moons will conduct the search themselves. Kokushibo, go east. Douma, south. Akaza, west. Mushiki—you will remain in the Entertainment District and continue investigating the northern perimeter.
Whoever finds it first… will receive double my blood."
"Understood."
Giyu bowed low, his voice steady, though his mind was already racing. The Entertainment District was the perfect hub for passing information. If Tanjiro or Tō returned, he could discreetly leak Muzan's orders—give the Demon Slayers time to prepare.
Muzan gave a small nod of satisfaction, his body dissolving into black vapor. "Dismissed. Don't disappoint me again."
The Upper Moons began to leave one by one. Giyu was the last to turn away. As he passed the remains of the slain Lower Moon, his step faltered briefly—then he continued on, disappearing into the endless corridors of the Infinity Castle.
In the consuming dark, the faint glint of his dark-blue pupils flickered like light trapped beneath ice.
He would bide his time. He would gather every fragment of information he could. And when the day came that he could break free from Muzan's chains… he would stand with his comrades once more—and end Muzan forever.