Chapter 67: The Window-Opening Theory
Deep within a remote alleyway.
"Miss Tamayo, please be careful..."
Yushiro supported Tamayo, his expression anxious.
Just a moment ago, they had been discovered by a tall, exceptionally flamboyant Demon Slayer Corps swordsman. The opponent's strength was terrifyingly high, and they had only exchanged blows for an instant.
Yushiro understood immediately that they were absolutely no match for him.
Miss Tamayo had acted decisively, using Blood Demon Art: Enchanting Blood: Visual Dream Fragrance. That scent, which could cause hallucinations in those who inhaled it, briefly hindered the opponent's pursuit.
But it was only brief.
After running only a hundred meters, they were locked onto again, even while he was using a Blood Demon Art Talismanic Incantation to hide their forms and presence.
Relying solely on those inhumanly keen ears, the opponent was consistently able to capture the slightest sounds they made while moving.
Like a maggot on a bone, he pursued them relentlessly.
Fortunately, this was Asakusa, Tokyo, and the opponent was unfamiliar with the terrain... otherwise, they really would have been slain!
Dammit.
With a bit more effort, they should be able to shake him off.
Glancing at the bloodstains on Miss Tamayo, Yushiro's eyes were bloodshot. Truly, that Demon Slayer Corps member was completely unreasonable.
"Don't panic, Yushiro. The one we encountered should be a Hashira..."
Miss Tamayo narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke softly: "The Demon Slayer Corps is growing stronger and stronger. This is a good thing."
Only if the Demon Slayer Corps is strong can they kill Muzan!
Only then could she atone for her sins.
She glanced back and whispered, "Forgive me, I cannot die just yet..."
"Don't worry, Miss Tamayo, he won't catch us."
Yushiro responded softly, looking at the exit of the alley ahead with a slight smirk. As long as they ran out of this exit, they would reach the crowds where the sounds were so chaotic.
I'd like to see how you lock onto us then!
Just as they were about to rush out of the alley entrance, a tall figure stood there quietly.
The person stood with his back to the lights outside the alley, his Face hidden in the shadows. Only a pair of red eyes, glowing in the darkness like burning flames, were clearly visible.
It was none other than Ryuji!
Under the guidance of Observation Haki, he had sensed Brother Uzui pursuing two demons, and he was a bit puzzled.
How could Brother Uzui fail to keep up with these two demons? So, he took a shortcut to block the path.
Arriving at the scene, he realized he couldn't blame Uzui Tengen.
Because there were simply no figures in the alley!
But Observation Haki could easily perceive that these two demons, one large and one small, were right in front of him.
It's invisibility.
No wonder they were so hard to chase... Wait, in demon slayer, there's only one demon who can turn invisible, right?
Yushiro!
As everyone knows, wherever Yushiro appears, Miss Tamayo is bound to be nearby!
Thinking of this, Ryuji's eyes lit up. Excellent!
Miss Tamayo's medical expertise is very high. With her and the Kochou family, the medicine to cure demons might actually be completed.
Although, with his current strength, he basically didn't need toxins or aging agents or anything like that.
But... just in case a Hashira is turned into a demon, it would be a good safeguard.
After all, damn it, Gyokko was killed. He didn't believe Muzan would be stupid enough not to strengthen his subordinates after that.
Or, knowing that trash boss's mindset, he might kill his subordinates to strengthen himself instead.
As he pondered, the hearts of the two demons in the alley rose to their throats.
Yushiro's pupils constricted to the size of needle points. Anyone appearing here at this time... could only be from the Demon Slayer Corps!
"Another one?!"
Yushiro cursed inwardly. Even though they were currently invisible, he instinctively shielded Tamayo behind him and took an offensive stance.
Because the feeling Ryuji gave him was even more dangerous than the Hashira chasing them from behind!
That powerful Aura was something he could clearly feel even from several meters away!
He had to strike first and at least temporarily incapacitate him!
"Yushiro, don't be impulsive."
Tamayo took Yushiro's hand and shook her head gently, signaling him to stay calm.
"We'll go around him."
Yushiro had no choice but to comply, guardedly protecting Tamayo as they prepared to slip past the man.
However, at the very moment they were about to pass him, a hand, like an iron pincer, steadily blocked their path.
"?!"
Utter shock appeared on Yushiro's Face.
How is this possible?!
He can actually see them?!
Impossible!
Yushiro instinctively touched the Talismanic Incantation on his forehead. There was no problem with it!
The Blood Demon Art hadn't disappeared!
How were they discovered?
Before they could react to their shock, a series of rapid footsteps came from behind.
"Well done! Ryuji! What a flamboyant interception! These two demons don't have high combat power, but their support abilities are very strong!"
It was Uzui Tengen!
His figure appeared from the back of the alley, carrying his dual blades, a bold smile on his Face: "Now, let us flamboyantly slay these two demons!"
Oh no!
Tamayo's heart sank as she was forced into a combat stance, but fighting was not her forte.
She secretly prepared her Blood Demon Art, hoping at least to let Yushiro escape.
Yushiro's entire body was tense, ready to fight to the death. Even if he died, he had to let Miss Tamayo escape.
The gentle Miss Tamayo... she absolutely must not die here!
Watching Uzui Tengen's figure gradually approach, Ryuji felt like his head was about to explode.
He was stuck in the middle.
He knew Tamayo was a good demon, and he knew she had used her superb medical skills to modify her body, requiring only a small amount of blood to survive, having long since abandoned the desire to eat humans.
But how was he supposed to explain this?
Was he supposed to say, 'Brother Uzui, give me some Face and let these two demons go'?
He ate the azure dragon fruit, not the Face-Face Fruit!
Seeing Uzui Tengen swing his nichirin blade, the sharp flash of the blade carrying an Aura that could tear through anything headed straight for Tamayo's neck.
His eyes turned red; there was no time to explain!
Ryuji moved, his feet activating Soru as his right hand coated itself in Armament Haki, heading straight for Tamayo!
Tamayo watched the two men, one in front and one behind, her heart turning cold. Too fast... there was no time to react.
What a pity, Yushiro shouldn't have died here.
She shielded Yushiro against her chest, holding him tightly, trying to delay for even a second.
Clang!
A piercing sound of metal grinding rang out.
Uzui Tengen's blade was stopped firmly in mid-air. Using the massive force, Uzui Tengen slid back ten meters before coming to a steady halt.
The entire scene fell into a dead silence.
Uzui Tengen looked at Ryuji, who was standing by the male and female demons and playing with a Talismanic Incantation, his brow furrowing:
"Ryuji, what is the meaning of this?"
He instinctively hid his right hand behind his back because the webbing between his thumb and forefinger felt greasy; it had been split open by the shock!
His eyes glanced at his nichirin blade; there was a visible notch in it!
His pupils contracted. He chipped a nichirin blade using only his hand?
Ryuji... you've improved way too fast!
Is this what a Genius is?!
It's flamboyantly incredible... but what exactly are you trying to do!
You, who usually slay demons without blinking and wouldn't hesitate to kill even bewitched villagers, actually... stepped in to save a demon?!
Tamayo was also stunned.
She thought she was going to die, but she didn't expect these two to have an internal conflict.
She could tell both of these men were Hashira.
Extremely powerful; the fact that they could break free from her Blood Demon Art in such a short time was the best proof.
She was even more surprised by Ryuji's choice. This Demon Slayer Corps swordsman actually saved them!
A demon slayer swordsman saved two demons!
This was simply unheard of and unseen!
No... there had been one once.
A man wearing a red haori, as warm and dazzling as the sun.
In a daze, the figure of the young man in the purple-striped haori before her seemed to slowly overlap with the long-haired man from her memories.
"Now's our chance!"
Seeing the two Hashira seemingly in conflict, Yushiro's eyes flashed.
He instantly completed a Blood Demon Art, slapped it onto Miss Tamayo's forehead, and tried to take her and run.
Whoosh!
A sharp wind blade appeared out of thin air, precisely severing his legs.
Yushiro tumbled to the ground due to momentum and began to slowly regenerate his legs.
"Do you want to handle these two demons alone?"
"Honestly, you could just say so. It's not like I wouldn't let you."
Wait, was that Move Wind Breathing?
No... it felt wrong.
Uzui Tengen looked at Ryuji's hand that had swung the wind blade, his brow furrowing even tighter.
Because it didn't look like a Breathing Technique; it looked more like... a Blood Demon Art!
Ryuji had once been tainted by the blood of upper rank two Doma.
Could it be... he's slowly turning into a demon?
A moment of struggle flashed through Uzui Tengen's heart.
But he quickly suppressed the thought. Ryuji could still bathe in the sunlight, which proved he wasn't a demon yet.
Ryuji was also a bit speechless. He hadn't achieved his goal yet, so he couldn't let the two of them leave.
With a cold Face, he walked precisely to Yushiro's side and peeled the Talismanic Incantation off his forehead.
"Stay still. Next time it'll be your neck."
After saying that, he looked up at the wary Uzui Tengen, unsure of how to explain.
His head was spinning.
The scene became extremely awkward for a moment.
Just then, Tamayo's cool and calm voice broke the suffocating silence.
"Lord Swordsman, please do not misunderstand..."
She bowed slightly to Uzui Tengen, then looked at Ryuji, speaking in a tone tinged with a bit of sadness and nostalgia:
"I know him. He is the child of a distant relative of mine."
Ryuji was stunned. You're hundreds of years old, aren't you? I'm your relative?
Are you kidding me... "Sister Tamayo!"
Ryuji immediately followed her lead, his Face instantly squeezing out a look of utter grief, his voice even carrying a sob.
"Yes, little brother... I hope you have been well."
Tamayo, after all, was a demon who had lived for hundreds of years. In a flash, she adjusted her emotions to play along, her Face also showing a look of sorrow: "I didn't expect us to reunite under these circumstances."
Her mind, however, was a mess.
How did he know her name? Had he investigated her long ago?
Uzui Tengen looked at the two of them suspiciously. He had keenly captured that flash of surprise on Tamayo's Face.
Hmm? What's going on? Why was she so surprised?
Could it be... the name was right, and Ryuji really knows her?
If that's the case, is Ryuji acting to try and get information?
"Sigh, honestly, this isn't flamboyant at all."
He sighed, sheathed his nichirin blade, and said to Ryuji: "If you can't bring yourself to do it, let me."
With that, he stepped back a few paces, leaving them space to talk privately.
Ryuji breathed a sigh of relief. He'd managed to fool him!
That wasn't easy... He looked at Tamayo, sizing her up. She had been invisible at first, then he was busy confronting Brother Uzui, so he hadn't had time to admire her.
Now he could finally take a look.
She had smooth black hair and looked beautiful and intellectual.
She appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen, wearing a deep purple kimono with a traditional plum blossom pattern.
Yes, she's good-looking.
Then, Ryuji got straight to the point: "Miss Tamayo, I know you also want to kill Muzan. So, let's cooperate."
He looked into Tamayo's beautiful eyes, which were slightly widened in shock, and continued: "With your medical expertise, it's not impossible to research a medicine that can turn a demon back into a human."
At this moment, Tamayo could no longer hide her emotions, and a tidal wave of shock surged through her heart.
One sentence echoed in her mind.
How does he know?!
One must realize she had lived for hundreds of years. How old was the man in front of her!
Ever since she broke free from Muzan's control and solved her human-eating problem, she had buried this thought deep in her heart, never mentioning it to anyone except Yushiro.
This man in front of her, how on earth did he know?
"You... how do you know all this?"
She didn't answer but asked back.
Ryuji had a bit of a headache. Why ask so much? Just listen!
Now he had to strain his brain to make up a reason... After thinking for a moment, he spoke: "It was a swordsman wearing a red haori, with a high ponytail and flame-like markings on his head, who told me in a dream."
His voice wasn't quiet, so Uzui Tengen could also hear him clearly.
Upon hearing this description, Tamayo's body trembled violently.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi!
It was definitely Mr. Yoriichi!
She believed him instantly because this was something that absolutely couldn't be made up!
Also, Mr. Yoriichi had once told her that he hoped one day she could fight alongside the Demon Slayer Corps to slay Muzan.
Unfortunately, it took her too long to solve her own problems. By the time she could finally stand in the world again as a doctor, that swordsman as dazzling as the sun had long since passed away... "I understand."
Tamayo bowed deeply to Ryuji: "How shall we cooperate?"
"I will take you to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. There are doctors there as smart as you, and you can..."
"That is absolutely out of the question!"
Before he could finish, Uzui Tengen's figure instantly appeared between them. With his dual blades in hand, his attitude was categorical: "Demons are absolutely forbidden from entering the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters! This is an ironclad rule!"
"I will watch her. It's perfectly safe."
The corners of Ryuji's mouth curled slightly. He knew Uzui Tengen would step in to stop him; that was exactly what he wanted!
Now the question had shifted from whether to cooperate to how they should cooperate!
"Even if you guarantee it with your life, I could never agree!"
Uzui Tengen was immediately fired up!
He shook his head, that flamboyant yet cold smile appearing on his Face: "If you insist on doing that... you'll have to step over Uzui Tengen's corpse."
"Otherwise, I will definitely kill these two demons, even if I have to use the least flamboyant methods!"
Ryuji looked at Uzui Tengen with a frown, but in his heart, he was overjoyed.
It's settled.
Sure enough, Lu Xun was right.
People always like to compromise. If you want to open a window, you must first discuss tearing off the roof.
"Stop arguing for a moment and listen to me, shall we?"
Tamayo looked at the two men on the verge of a fight. She spoke, her voice calm and rational: "I never intended to go to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters anyway."
With that, she glanced at Uzui Tengen and added:
"The Demon Slayer Corps does not trust me, and I likewise do not trust the Demon Slayer Corps."
She looked at Ryuji and proposed her own plan: "But cooperation is possible. After all, the goal is the same—to kill Muzan..."
When she said this, the hatred emanating from her very core was something even Uzui Tengen couldn't quite understand.
Tamayo calmed her emotions and continued: "If you can bring me some demon blood, especially blood from the Twelve Kizuki... perhaps I can research the medicine you spoke of."
She had been researching for all these years, but her blood samples were too few, and her combat power was no match for the Twelve Kizuki.
But now, she saw hope.
Ryuji was very strong and had an unknown intelligence System; that was the real reason she decided to cooperate!
Tamayo's eyes were burning: "This way, cooperation can be ensured while also guaranteeing the safety of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Once we've established initial trust, we can talk about deeper cooperation."
It worked!
Ryuji understood that this was the same mode of cooperation she would later have with Tanjiro.
Hearing this, Uzui Tengen fell silent.
This proposal was indeed feasible.
The Demon Slayer Corps was going to kill demons anyway, so taking some blood along the way was perfectly reasonable. However... he glanced at Ryuji and then sighed:
"So be it."
"Thanks, Brother Uzui."
Ryuji chuckled.
"Don't get happy too soon, Ryuji. You've broken the corps rules. This matter..."
Uzui Tengen looked at Ryuji very seriously, then glanced at Tamayo: "I will report this matter truthfully to the Master."
Ryuji nodded:
"There's no need for you to report it, Brother Uzui. I was going to tell the Master about this personally anyway."
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