Although the decision had been made, the Demon Slayer Corps still faced many problems.
For example, the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, wanted to participate, but becoming an oiran?
That was simply impossible.
Then there were Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai Iguro. Their scars presented another major obstacle.
Obanai in particular was struggling. After the previous battle, his inferiority complex had resurfaced. He remained confined to his bed at the Butterfly Mansion, hiding beneath his blanket and refusing to show his face.
Seeing this, Giyu Tomioka confidently declared that he would comfort Obanai, only to be stopped simultaneously by Shinobu Kocho and Tanjiro Kamado.
"Mr. Tomioka… please have a little self-awareness," Shinobu said with an exhausted sigh.
"…Understood, Kocho."
Surprisingly, Giyu actually listened.
Fortunately, Mitsuri remained by Obanai's side every day, encouraging and comforting him. Only because of her unwavering support did Obanai avoid sinking completely into despair.
Kagaya had originally intended to send only a small team, but after carefully considering every possibility, he decided that a larger force would be safer.
In the end, the entire operation was finalized.
The Ubuyashiki Family secretly funded the purchase and renovation of an entirely new establishment in Yoshiwara, which would be staffed exclusively by members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
This was not a reckless decision.
The Corps had gathered intelligence indicating that, based on the monsters' previous movements, their next target would almost certainly be Yoshiwara, the most densely populated district with relatively weak security.
To intercept them before disaster struck, the Demon Slayer Corps had to establish a presence there first.
Disguising themselves as women would naturally attract the least suspicion.
As for the demons…
As long as Muzan Kibutsuji himself did not appear, the Corps believed that with Kyojuro, Muichiro, and the other Hashira present they could prevent a complete disaster.
Unfortunately…
That assumption was already wrong.
Because this time, Muzan had personally decided to participate.
Thus, the Ubuyashiki Family immediately purchased and renovated a property on the southernmost edge of Yoshiwara.
The lineup assembled for the mission was exceptionally strong.
Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, and Nezuko Kamado would all participate.
This was practically the Demon Slayer Corps' next generation of frontline fighters.
Not every Hashira would be deployed.
Although still recovering from serious injuries, Kyojuro Rengoku insisted on joining the operation.
Gyomei Himejima would remain at headquarters to protect Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
After much discussion, Kanae Kocho and Sanemi Shinazugawa were also assigned to remain behind.
Sanemi's heavily scarred face simply made infiltration impossible.
No respectable oiran house would ever accept someone who looked ready to charge into battle at any moment.
Meanwhile, Muichiro Tokito also wanted to remain at headquarters.
He was immediately overruled by almost everyone.
The reason was simple.
Everyone else might be able to stay behind…
But Muichiro absolutely could not.
His youthful appearance made disguising himself far easier than most of the Hashira.
As a result, construction of the Demon Slayer Corps' new establishment the Wisteria House began at full speed.
While the Demon Slayer Corps prepared with utmost seriousness, the atmosphere inside the Infinity Castle was completely different.
The Lower Moons were surprisingly enthusiastic.
First were Lower Moon Six, Kamanue, and Lower Moon Three, Wakuraba.
After discussing it between themselves, the pair concluded that becoming oiran would be far too difficult.
They would rather handle miscellaneous errands instead.
Enmu, Rui, and the other Lower Moons showed considerable interest in the idea, while Rokuro looked completely bewildered.
As for the Upper Moons, things were even simpler.
Since Kokushibo had taken the lead, Akaza naturally had no objections.
And Doma?
He was actually the very first to volunteer.
Even Muzan convened a formal meeting inside the Infinity Castle specifically to discuss the operation.
Originally, he had assumed none of his demons would agree.
Instead…
They were all far more enthusiastic than expected.
Even Rui whom Muzan favored greatly wanted to participate.
Left with little choice, Muzan reluctantly accepted.
"Becoming an oiran sounds like it'll be interesting."
Rui chatted excitedly with the Lower Moons nearby.
Ever since Muzan had become accustomed to occasionally using a female disguise, his tolerance toward the demons had noticeably increased.
He even allowed casual conversation during the meeting.
"I want to wear beautiful clothes too!"
One of the Lower Moons said excitedly.
Enmu looked completely captivated.
"Lord Muzan… could you turn me into a woman? I'd love to wear the same beautiful kimono you've worn…"
Doma showed absolutely no resistance to cross-dressing.
In fact, he was overflowing with enthusiasm.
"Lord Muzan, let's hurry! I want to experience life as an oiran!"
Looking at his unusually excited subordinates, Muzan could only sigh helplessly.
At that moment, Gyokko suddenly approached him.
"Lord Muzan… you still haven't assigned me a role. Should I become an oiran… or perhaps a geisha?"
That question genuinely troubled Muzan.
Fortunately, Kokushibo offered a solution.
"Gyokko… can you imitate voices?"
Gyokko was actually quite useful.
From Kokushibo's perspective, there had never been any intention of leaving him behind in the Infinity Castle.
After all…
He intended to recruit every useful subordinate possible.
Gyokko looked puzzled.
After Kokushibo explained his idea, realization finally dawned.
Moments later…
Gyokko suddenly spoke.
"Little brother… are you there?"
The delicate female voice echoed throughout the room.
Every demon present fell silent.
Even Muzan looked genuinely surprised.
"…What an incredible imitation."
Gyokko then demonstrated one voice after another.
A childish girl's voice.
A mature woman's voice.
A regal queen's tone.
A cheerful young maiden.
Finally…
He even flawlessly imitated the voice of a refined gentleman.
The performance astonished everyone present.
As a result, Gyokko secured a role.
He would never reveal his appearance.
Instead, he would remain hidden while relying entirely on his extraordinary voice mimicry.
Kokushibo selected a nearly bankrupt establishment at the northernmost edge of Yoshiwara as their base.
However, that alone was not enough.
He simply purchased the entire row of neighboring buildings as well.
After all…
Appearance and prestige mattered.
Muzan still insisted on participating personally.
Unable to change his mind, Kokushibo finally agreed, though he made one condition.
During the operation…
Muzan had to obey the establishment's manager.
As for who that manager would be…
"Mama Iwakatsu."
Compared to the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons, both of whom spent enormous sums buying entire buildings for their operations, the mysterious monsters were far poorer.
Unable to afford such extravagance, they simply infiltrated existing brothels by selling themselves as workers.
Coincidentally or perhaps not
They never infiltrated Kyogoku House, where Daki was already working.
Whether it was destiny…
Or simply the author's arrangement…
Only the author knew.
Thus, the mysterious creatures entered Yoshiwara before anyone else.
Tokito House
Moko and Baran, both disguised in women's clothing, arrived and requested to sell themselves into the establishment.
As expected of Mumei, the monsters' greatest strategist.
He had already predicted that the Demon Slayer Corps would likely establish an ambush inside Yoshiwara.
Therefore…
He decided to strike first.
The monsters infiltrated numerous establishments throughout the pleasure district in advance, patiently waiting for the Demon Slayer Corps to walk directly into their trap.
They even hoped to capture Demon Slayers alive, using them to uncover the Corps' headquarters.
Every monster present admired Mumei's brilliant strategy.
Their plan was almost flawless.
There was only one problem.
None of them had imagined that the Demon Slayer Corps possessed enough wealth to simply purchase and operate an entirely new establishment themselves.
Sometimes…
Poverty truly limited one's imagination.
As a result, nearly every major establishment in Yoshiwara had already been infiltrated by the monsters.
They simply waited for the Demon Slayer Corps to arrive.
As for why they never considered the possibility of demons infiltrating as well…
Mumei answered with absolute confidence.
"The demons we encountered before would never willingly disguise themselves like this."
"They are powerful."
"They possess far too much pride."
Meanwhile…
Inside Yoshiwara, Kokushibo was currently sitting perfectly still while Muzan personally applied blush to his cheeks.
Without warning
"Achoo!"
Kokushibo sneezed. Someone, somewhere, was clearly talking about him.
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