No sooner had Kokushibo left than Muzan returned to the Infinity Castle.
The moment his eyes landed on the group of Lower Rank demons leisurely slacking off, his expression darkened.
He was so irritated that he nearly wanted to dissolve the Lower Ranks all over again.
However, Rui was currently among them.
Because of that, Muzan restrained himself.
Should he simply promote Rui to the Upper Ranks?
Or perhaps demote Gyokko instead?
Or Hantengu?
It wasn't that Muzan truly intended to replace the Lower Ranks. Rather, he felt that having Gyokko and Hantengu among the Upper Moons seriously lowered the overall image of the Twelve Kizuki.
Those two were practically the only exceptions among the Upper Ranks.
Kokushibo had even joked before that the two "most handsome" members of the Twelve Kizuki were Gyokko and Hantengu.
The sarcasm had nearly made Muzan lose his temper.
Seeing Muzan return, Nakime immediately ushered the Lower Rank demons into another section of the Infinity Castle before they could provoke their master any further.
Then she quietly began helping Muzan change his clothes.
Muzan loosened his necktie, his body gradually returning to the female appearance he had been using recently.
With Nakime's assistance, he changed into a women's kimono.
This time it was a black kimono decorated with deep crimson patterns.
Compared to his previous outfits, the colors were considerably brighter.
Seeing this, Nakime secretly sighed with relief.
At last…
Her lord's sense of fashion seemed to be improving.
While carefully combing Muzan's long hair, Muzan casually asked,
"I truly don't understand what is supposed to be so appealing about these clothes."
As the person who had attended him the longest, Nakime naturally understood what he meant.
She continued combing his hair without changing her expression.
"My lord looks very beautiful wearing them."
She paused before adding,
"And Lord Kokushibo also said that brighter colors suit you better."
The moment Kokushibo's name was mentioned, an inexplicable sense of discomfort rose inside Muzan.
"…What does that have to do with him?"
Before Muzan could continue, Nakime suddenly placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"My lord… there is something I have been wanting to say."
Muzan frowned.
"Speak."
Nakime carefully gathered Muzan's long hair into place before speaking with complete seriousness.
"My lord, your hair has become rather long. Styling it every day is quite troublesome."
"Perhaps… you should have someone else do it."
After a brief pause, she added,
"I think Lord Kokushibo would be the perfect choice."
Nakime was still secretly working as hard as ever to support her favorite pairing.
She had already gone all out.
Now she was simply pushing the limits.
With a demon's physical strength, Nakime could easily lift Muzan over her shoulders and run beneath the blazing sun if sunlight were not lethal.
Claiming that his hair was "too heavy" was obviously nothing more than an excuse.
She simply wanted to create opportunities for Kokushibo.
The mere mention of Kokushibo made Muzan instinctively tense.
"…You're being ridiculous."
Although his voice remained calm, there was a faint stiffness hidden beneath it.
"He was a samurai from the Sengoku Era."
"Do you truly think someone like him would willingly comb a woman's hair?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Nakime's eyes brightened.
He had admitted it himself.
He had referred to himself as a woman.
Everything seemed to be progressing in the right direction.
Of course, Muzan himself failed to notice what he had just implied.
In his understanding, Kokushibo was a proud samurai.
Asking such a man to style someone else's hair would once have been considered a tremendous insult.
Little did Muzan know…
At that very moment
Yoshiwara District.
Inside Kyogoku House.
Kokushibo arrived openly in his original human appearance.
He requested to meet Warabihime.
The proprietress immediately frowned.
Warabihime was the establishment's highest-ranking oiran.
She did not simply receive anyone who asked.
Unexpectedly, after hearing Kokushibo's name, Warabihime immediately agreed to meet him in private.
Although reluctant, the proprietress dared not question her decision.
After arriving in Daki's room, Daki respectfully bowed.
Beside her, Gyutaro also emerged and lowered his head respectfully.
Without wasting words, Kokushibo handed Daki a manuscript written by Kyogai.
"Lord Kokushibo…"
Daki blinked in confusion.
"Did you come all this way simply to deliver a book?"
Even Gyutaro found the situation rather unbelievable.
Kokushibo merely shrugged.
He had plenty of time.
The Demon Slayer Corps and those mysterious creatures would eventually make their own moves.
For more than ten years, nearly every day of his life had been spent either training or planning.
Surely he was allowed a little entertainment.
"Daki."
"You are Yoshiwara's highest-ranking oiran."
"I've heard that your dancing is extraordinary."
"Would you perform one dance for me?"
Kokushibo was genuinely curious.
Although he had memories from two different lives, he had never actually witnessed the dance of a true oiran.
Daki smiled and readily agreed.
She immediately left to change into her formal dancing attire.
Meanwhile, the proprietress personally entered the room carrying tea and sweets.
She froze the instant she saw Gyutaro.
Especially after noticing his frightening appearance.
Before she could reveal even the slightest hint of disgust, Kokushibo calmly rested one hand upon the hilt of his sword.
"Leave."
His voice was calm.
Yet it carried undeniable pressure.
The proprietress immediately understood.
Without daring to utter another word, she hurriedly placed the refreshments on the table before quickly withdrawing.
Gyutaro naturally understood why Kokushibo had intervened.
He knew Kokushibo had prevented him from being humiliated.
"…Thank you, Lord Kokushibo."
His voice carried genuine gratitude.
Not long afterward, Daki finally returned.
Supported by two young attendants, she slowly entered the room.
Her magnificent ceremonial kimono was layered one over another, while the towering koma-geta beneath her feet made each graceful step appear almost unreal.
Even Kokushibo could not hide his surprise.
Was this truly what every oiran wore?
How could ordinary human women possibly move so elegantly while carrying such enormous layers of clothing?
Daki slowly began her performance.
The room became completely silent.
Gyutaro quietly watched beside Kokushibo.
This was actually the first time he had ever watched his younger sister perform one of her dances.
As expected…
His little sister was the most beautiful oiran in all of Yoshiwara.
The two young attendants stood quietly nearby, hardly daring to breathe.
One glance at Gyutaro's terrifying appearance…
Then another at the imposing swordsman seated beside him…
Neither girl dared utter a single sound.
They feared offending either Warabihime or her mysterious guest.
When the dance finally ended, Kokushibo remained silent for quite some time.
He was genuinely astonished.
Were all oiran capable of moving with such elegance while wearing clothing that heavy?
Human women truly were remarkable.
Back inside the Infinity Castle…
The moment Kokushibo returned, he noticed Muzan sitting quietly, looking at him with an expression full of dissatisfaction.
Nearby, Nakime calmly plucked the strings of her biwa as though nothing unusual had happened.
"So…"
Muzan spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Did you enjoy yourself in Yoshiwara?"
For some reason, Kokushibo could clearly detect a trace of resentment hidden beneath those calm words.
"It wasn't bad."
Kokushibo nodded honestly.
Then all six of his eyes suddenly widened.
Today's women's kimono suited Muzan surprisingly well.
It was considerably more elegant than before.
Just as Kokushibo was about to offer a compliment, Muzan let out a cold snort.
"Nakime."
"Take me back."
Without even giving Kokushibo another glance, Muzan turned and left.
Nakime silently followed him deeper into the Infinity Castle.
Kokushibo stood there, completely bewildered.
"…What happened this time?"
"Why is Lord Muzan suddenly in such a bad mood?"
After Muzan disappeared, Kokushibo quietly walked over to Nakime and asked in genuine confusion,
"…Nakime."
"Did something happen to Lord Muzan while I was away?"