A special thank you to all my patrons:
—Cain, Jacob Mooe, HADES, Varun Madhu, Gonzalo Sumalavia, kevin Williams, KD2001, merp., Jose Carrillo, Derek M, DancingMonkey65, Joseph, Jose Sierra, AR3S, Nuro, SPabloS, Nocturnal.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
—————————————————————
While Kaito had promised to help the Tokito family relocate, he didn't need to handle everything himself.
After sending a paper crane message to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Kaito used his spiritual energy and talismans to heal Ichirou's wife, allowing the family to begin packing.
During the day, he returned to his valley to continue his experiments, while at night, he stayed at the Tokito household to guard against demon attacks.
Over the next few days, he grew close to the Tokito family.
He also noticed that their youngest son, Muichiro, was a rare prodigy in swordsmanship.
Though Kaito's own swordsmanship was mediocre, his keen eye recognized talent.
Muichiro was the kind of prodigy any swordmaster would eagerly take as a disciple.
However, Kaito kept this to himself.
Unlike his original world, where survival demanded self-defense, this world allowed civilians to live well without such skills, despite the threat of man-eating demons.
Muichiro was only ten years old, and Kaito was confident he would eliminate Muzan long before the boy grew up. There was no need to drag such an innocent child into the war between humans and demons.
Ironically, Muichiro became fascinated with the Demon Slayer Corps after hearing snippets from Kaito. He pestered him for more details and even carved a wooden sword, practicing diligently.
This behavior infuriated his older brother, Yuichiro, and the two often bickered.
"You're just causing trouble for others! Stop dreaming about joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Dangerous things like that aren't for kids like you!" Yuichiro mocked coldly as Muichiro practiced.
But Muichiro ignored him, stubbornly continuing his swings.
"That Yuichiro, he's clearly just worried about his brother, but he never learned to be gentle," Ichirou said helplessly, watching the two from a distance.
Kaito nodded with a smile. The brothers were amusing and gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.
Over there, Yuichiro, losing his temper, shouted, "Why won't you listen?! The 'Mu' in Muichiro stands for 'useless'—you're destined to achieve nothing!"
Clang.
Muichiro's wooden sword fell to the ground.
Tears welled in his eyes as he turned, aggrieved. "Dad said helping others brings joy to yourself. I just want to help people…"
"You…" Yuichiro, seeing his brother's teary eyes, was suddenly at a loss for words.
Nearby, Ichirou covered his mouth, tears forming as he watched his younger son.
Kaito, however, shifted his gaze to the path leading to the house.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Sanemi Shinazugawa strode up to the fence, leaning over to look at Muichiro. A menacing grin spread across his scarred face. "If a kid like you picks up a sword to fight demons, adults like me would feel utterly ashamed!"
He roughly ruffled Muichiro's hair. "Kids like you should stay home and help your mom with chores!"
"Who are you?" Yuichiro quickly pulled his brother close, glaring at Sanemi.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, so it's you," Kaito said, stepping forward. "Is this area under your jurisdiction?"
"Yeah, sorry. I was busy slaying a demon when I got the lord's orders, so I'm a day late," Sanemi said, straightening up and waving to the Kakushi members behind him. "Hey, you lot, hurry up and help them move!"
"Sir, where are we being moved to?" Ichirou asked nervously, stepping forward.
"To the nearest Wisteria House," Sanemi replied. "You and your wife can work there, hosting Demon Slayer Corps members."
…
After bidding farewell to the Tokito family and Sanemi, who was escorting them, Kaito returned to the valley.
"Most of the experiments are done," he said, looking down at the Upper Rank Six siblings lying motionless on a wooden board.
"Now, it's time for you to serve your final purpose."
The three tomoe in his crimson eyes spun rapidly, transforming into a pentagram pattern.
…
The moon rose.
"This must be the place."
At the valley's entrance, a figure approached with unhurried steps.
Under the moonlight, the six eyes neatly arranged on his face glinted with an eerie chill.
The central pair bore the unmistakable characters: "Upper Rank" and "One."
"Since the lord himself tasked me with this, I'll start with a proper greeting."
His hand gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!"
An incomparably swift iaido slash unleashed a massive blade of energy, cleaving the valley's hut in half.
The splintered wood and straw were then shredded by countless crescent-shaped micro-slashes.
"Upper Rank One? Your timing is impeccable," Kaito said, appearing abruptly on a tree growing horizontally from the cliff, looking down at the intruder.
"That's some remarkable swordsmanship."
"Nothing but the result of countless years of refinement," Upper Rank One replied, lifting his head to meet Kaito's gaze. "That's the advantage of being a demon. Aren't you the same, Onmyoji Master of spirits?"
Kaito choked slightly at the unflattering nickname.
After a pause, he asked curiously, "Why didn't Muzan come himself? If he wants to capture me, wouldn't the strongest demon progenitor have a better chance?"
"I, the highest-ranking Upper Rank One, am more than enough," the demon said, sheathing his sword. "Upper Rank One, Kokushibo."
"Onmyoji, Uchiha Kaito, Kaito," Kaito replied, looking down at Kokushibo.
"Muzan keeps sending demons to test me while hiding in the shadows. Is he afraid I have some trick up my sleeve that could harm him? Honestly, why would you serve a leader so lacking in courage and grandeur?"
Kokushibo fell into an eerie silence for a few seconds before replying stiffly, "That's none of your concern."
Kaito smirked knowingly and asked, "It seems you were once part of the Demon Slayer Corps. Care to tell me why you chose to become a demon?"
"Only by becoming a demon, with infinite time to hone my skills, could I avoid defeat!" Kokushibo gripped his sword hilt again, drawing it swiftly.
"Moon Breathing, Second Form: Pearl Flower Moongazing!"
Two massive arc-shaped sword beams surged upward, accompanied by countless crescent micro-slashes, aimed at the tree beneath Kaito.