Suma, who had been dragged into the darkness, reappeared in the splendid banquet hall of Mugenrou.
But the woman standing there was no longer the timid, clumsy ninja.
Tamamo-no-Mae.
Known as Mo Xi of the Xia Dynasty, Da Ji of the Shang Dynasty, and Bao Si of the Zhou Dynasty, she brought nations to ruin, the great evil spirit of Magadha.
In Japan, she was known as the White-faced, Golden-haired Nine-tailed Fox, a peerless beauty who threw the world into chaos.
Her touch was more than mere training—it was a recreation.
Tamamo used her magic to scramble Suma's mind, locking away her love and loyalty to Tengen deep in her subconscious.
In its place, she planted the instincts of a seductive enchantress, one who could beguile and control men.
"Hehe, you've learned well, Suma. Now it's time for the real thing."
Suma, dressed in a violet kimono, smiled seductively in time with Tamamo's fanning.
Her eyes gleamed with a dreamy yet deadly allure.
Her first target was a high-ranking military general.
The arrogant, prideful man initially looked down on the young woman, much younger than himself.
The sweet smoke of burning premium sandalwood filled the room, and the gold-leafed walls glittered under the lamplight.
"My, General, are you already drunk?"
But when Suma poured his wine with silk-soft hands, whispered sweetly in his ear, and pressed her body against him, the man's reason crumbled in an instant.
"Oh, General, your shoulders are so stiff. Should I massage them for you?"
As Suma's fingers trailed down the nape of his neck, he let out a beast-like moan and fell into her embrace.
She skillfully catered to his whims, naturally extracting confidential information from within the military. The sweet words from her lips were poison that stole his soul.
The cowardly ninja who, just days ago, had been crying, "Waaah, I wanna go home!" was nowhere to be found.
Dressed in a violet silk kimono with her shoulders boldly exposed, Suma poured wine with practiced ease.
Her eyes, altered by Tamamo's magic, glowed with a strange violet light, implanted only with instincts for pleasure and obedience.
"Mmm, Suma-chan. The wine you pour is so sweet."
The high-ranking army officer rested his head on Suma's thigh and drank the wine she passed to him with her mouth.
"Hehe, is only the wine sweet? My body should be sweet too."
Suma nibbled on his earlobe and whispered.
The man grinned foolishly and spilled military secrets one after another. Tamamo's training was perfect. Suma had become an enchantress who stole men's souls, sucking up money and information for the company as if through a straw.
And it wasn't just Suma. Every courtesan in Mugenrou was Tamamo's creation.
Most of the women here were like that—sold off due to debt or with nowhere else to go.
But the Akatsuki Trading Company showed them heaven instead of hell.
Premium bedding, nutritious meals, an immediate medical system if they fell ill, and salaries beyond the dreams of ordinary laborers.
Tamamo controlled them with her magic, but she also left their self-awareness intact, letting them feel real happiness.
This was stronger than simple brainwashing—it was a honey-coated shackle.
In truth, they weren't unhappy.
Welfare benefits that would be excellent even by 21st-century standards. Far from lamenting their situation, they felt deep loyalty and pride toward the company.
"We are the chosen ones. The finest courtesans, taught by Tamamo-sama."
They bloomed as flowers of decadence and pleasure in the paradise called Mugenrou.
Of course, at the bottom of that paradise, there were also slaves like Suma, thoroughly brainwashed.
But they were from the Demon Slayer Corps, or spies trying to uncover the secrets of the pleasure district, or commercial spies from other companies or businesses.
Such individuals were thoroughly brainwashed like Suma and used as pawns.
Of course, their treatment wasn't harsh. Though used like dolls through complete brainwashing, they received the same premium treatment as the other courtesans.
At least, their human rights were guaranteed. They weren't treated as mere slaves but cared for as human labor.
That was the Akatsuki Trading Company's way—Akira's line.
More than simple mercy, it was a method he considered practical, managing human resources well.
Having been a laborer in his past life, he paid particular attention to such aspects.
Put them to work in the best condition with the best treatment.
That very method had built the company into what it was today.
As Suma established herself as Mugenrou's ace, Tamamo-no-Mae set her next target.
"Hinatsuru went to Kyogokuya without noticing… Next is Makio. She's hiding in Ogimotoya."
Tamamo closed her fan and called for Daki.
"Warabihime. It's your turn. Don't make any mistakes."
"Leave it to me. A woman like her is nothing."
Daki smiled confidently and headed for Kyogokuya. Using her power as an oiran and her strength as a demon, she manipulated information at Ogimotoya.
"Oh my, Makio caught the flu? Tsk tsk, that's too bad. She won't be able to take customers for a while."
Daki spread rumors that Makio had come down with a severe cold and couldn't leave her room, bribing the brothel keeper to isolate her.
"Damn it! What the hell is this!"
Makio punched the wall. For two days now, the brothel keeper had locked her room door. The flu was contagious, after all.
"Makio, you have a high fever, right? Warabihime-sama specially sent a doctor, and they say it might be infectious, so you're to be isolated. Don't take any customers and stay put."
It was a lie. Makio was perfectly healthy, fit as a fiddle.
But a single word from Warabihime, the招牌 oiran of Kyogokuya and one of the real powers in Yoshiwara, was law here.
Using her status and the company's influence, Daki physically isolated Makio.
She cut off the flow of information and blocked external contact, turning Makio into a rat in a trap.
"Suma isn't answering… I can't even report to Tengen-sama…"
Makio fidgeted with her kunai, trembling with anxiety. An ominous feeling she sensed instinctively. Darkness was closing in on her neck.
That night, breaking the silence, the door to her room opened without a sound.
"Who's there!"
Makio reflexively threw a kunai. But it bounced off something in mid-air. An obi.
"My, so impatient. Shouldn't we greet each other first?"
Daki stepped out of the darkness. Though in human form, the numerous obis undulating behind her proved she was a demon.
"You, you're a demon!"
"Correct. But no prize."
Swish, swish, swish!
Obis shot out from behind Daki like snakes. Makio quickly dodged, but facing an Upper Rank demon in a cramped room was nearly impossible.
"Guh!"
One obi wrapped around Makio's ankle and lifted her into the air. Then other obis bound her arms and waist.
"Let go! You monster!"
"Such a foul mouth. Suma was cuter."
"…?! You know Suma? What did you do to her!"
Makio's eyes widened in rage. Daki smiled cruelly and tightened the obis further.
Crunch.
"Aaaah!"
Makio screamed in pain as her bones creaked. Daki wiggled her fingers, sharpening the ends of the obis.
The obis, now like blades, tore through Makio's ninja outfit, leaving red gashes on her white skin.
"Shall I tell you? Your friend Suma is doing very well at Mugenrou. She's in men's arms, grinning like a fool. You'll be like that soon too."
"Lies…! Suma would never do that! She'd never betray Tengen-sama!"
"Betrayal? No. She's been enlightened. This district is a place where women find happiness."
Daki scratched Makio's cheek with her nail.
"But you need some education. You're too stiff. Maybe I have to break you to make you listen?"
Just as Daki was about to begin the torture in earnest, the door burst open and a woman entered. Shuten Douji, the Ibuki oiran.
"Aigoo, so noisy. Daki, why are you tormenting the girl like this? Be gentler."
Shuten Douji staggered closer, holding a gourd.
"I-Ibuki-sama. I'm sorry, this wench was resisting…"
"Resisting, my foot. It's 'cause you're too rough, girl. Hand her over."
Daki flinched and stepped back. Shuten Douji staggered into the room and looked up at Makio hanging in the air.
"You're Makio? What a temper. Pretty face, but your eyes are full of venom."
Makio stared back at Shuten, fear-stricken yet defiant.
"You, what are you!"
"Me? I'm Ibuki. That demon your captain Tengen was looking for. Hahaha!"
Makio screamed in agony and rage. Shuten Douji chuckled and gulped down wine from the gourd.
Gulp, gulp.
"Tengen? That guy's a has-been. You still believe in him? If he comes here, he'll just be a snack for my wine."
Shuten Douji wiped the wine from her mouth with the back of her hand and leaned close to Makio's face.
"Big sis can see you're too tense. Relax a little. That way, the men will like you more."
"Don't come near me!"
Makio tried to resist and spit, but Shuten Douji was faster.
She sprinkled drops of wine from her hand onto Makio's body, and the wounds inflicted by Daki began to heal.
Then, Shuten grabbed Makio's jaw with one hand, forcing her mouth open.
"Sigh, spitting at your elders isn't good. Here, drink this and behave."
Shuten Douji took a deep breath. And slowly, she exhaled a long breath toward Makio's mouth and nose.
She let out a long, misty exhale.
It wasn't just a breath. It was a thick mist tinged with violet—the toxicity of fruit wine fermented for thousands of years in the demon realm, Shuten Douji's demonic nature.
**Fruit of the Vine**
A skill and innate characteristic where the aroma of fruit wine, melting like a sigh or a tone, intoxicates the target with just its fragrance or gaze.
A demonic nature befitting the name Shuten Douji.
A vicious skill that can melt even thoughts in an instant for ordinary humans or animals without magical defense.
Originally a composite skill of Charisma and Allure. Even Servants can be charmed if they lack defensive measures.
Ultimately, a power similar to Dionysus's authority, driving targets to madness.
She wields a power akin to that of a god of wine, though she is not one.
Moreover, using **Demon Seed Magic**, she can release magical energy; if Ibaraki uses flames, she releases this fruit wine.
The Fruit of the Vine, strengthened by the existence of the Divine Demonic Poison Wine.
A sweet, rich fruit scent brushed past Makio's nose.
"Ugh…! My head…"
Makio's pupils dilated, and her vision blurred. Strength left her body, and her mind grew hazy. An irresistible intoxication, more terrifying than Daki's torture, overwhelmed her.
"Guh, gulp!"
Makio tried to hold her breath, but the sweet, rich grape aroma seeped into her nostrils, and she involuntarily inhaled.
Her world turned upside down. An intense dizziness, as if her brain were melting, struck her mind.
The pain that had been crushing her bones vanished instantly, and her whole body felt languid, as if soaked in hot spring water.
'Wh-what is this… My body's strength…'
Makio's eyes wavered. Her vision tinged red, and Shuten Douji before her appeared double, triple.
"How is it? Feeling good?"
Shuten Douji's voice echoed as if from within a cave.
"Ah… uh…"
What came from Makio's mouth was not words of resistance, but meaningless moans.
She couldn't move a finger. No, the very desire to move was disappearing.
Tengen's face in her mind grew faint, replaced only by the languid pleasure Shuten offered.
"Hehe… feels… good…"
Makio's eyes softened, and a slack smile spread across her lips. It was not the face of a warrior, but of a woman steeped in wine and pleasure.
"Yeah, yeah. That's right. Now you're making sense. How is it? Feeling good? Unlike that fox gas, I'll educate you more gently."
Shuten Douji grabbed Makio's dazed jaw and turned it toward herself.
"You're one of us now. Forget that Tengen guy or whatever. Live here with me, drinking wine and sucking men dry. Got it?"
"Yes… Ibuki-sama…"
Makio nodded with unfocused eyes. Her consciousness was already wandering between reality and fantasy.
"Warabi, put her down. I'll take her with me."
"Yes, understood."
As Daki retracted the obis, Makio's body fell limply to the floor. Shuten slung Makio over her shoulder as lightly as a sack of rice.
"I'll educate this girl in my own way. I'll make her my drinking buddy."
Shuten slapped Makio's buttocks with a smack.
"Let's go, little one. Tonight's gonna be a long one."
"Mmm… sis… more wine…"
Makio mumbled on Shuten Douji's back.
She was no longer the ninja Makio. She was becoming Shuten Douji's cute toy, drunk on the wine of dreams.
And so, the second ninja fell.
Now, only Hinatsuru remained. But she, too, had no escape from this vast, splendid web.
The night of Yoshiwara, ruled by Akira, was hot and deadly enough to melt even a ninja's pride.