In Infinity Castle, as Nakime's biwa echoed through the halls, several Upper Moons appeared out of thin air. When they saw Muzan Kibutsuji standing before them, each knelt and bowed their heads in reverence.
There were Kokushibo, Doma, Hantengu, Gyokko, Daki — and Gyutaro, who remained hidden inside Daki's body. Of course, Gyutaro was the true Upper Moon Six; though they held the same rank, Daki and Gyutaro were siblings in everything but name.
Normally, Daki would manifest outwardly, while Gyutaro stayed within her. But now that they were all summoned, they stood together.
"Akaza is dead," one of the demons muttered, voice quivering with awe. "That man has finally reappeared."
Muzan turned and walked toward a nearby counter, where several vials and herbs were arranged. He had been tirelessly searching for a way to become immune to sunlight.
"He vanished for three months — and now he shows up here?" Hantengu's forehead bulged beneath his two horns, his tone edged with impatience.
"He might be in Yoshiwara," Daki whispered, excitement flashing in her eyes. "I have waited for three months. I will not disappoint you, Muzan-sama."
Muzan's cold gaze swept over the Upper Moons as he continued stirring his potion.
"Good," he said quietly. "Since he's in Yoshiwara, you two will go after him — Daki and Gyutaro. Doma, Hantengu — find Rui."
Daki raised her head, her voice fervent. "He even killed Akaza, my lord. I cannot let him go unchecked."
Muzan nodded once. "Nakime will take Akaza's place as Upper Moon Three. The rest of you — go."
At his command, the Upper Moons vanished as swiftly as they had appeared.
But then, more demons materialized in the chamber. Their expressions were fearful under Muzan's gaze.
"Enmu is dead," Muzan announced. "Kaigaku has ascended to Lower Moon One."
This demon, with tiger-like stripes on his face, fangs, and pointed ears, had recently grown strong — perhaps due to his former life as a Thunder Breathing user.
Taking a breath, Muzan continued: "You have a month to find Nezuko. Prove your worth. If you fail… then there is no point to the Lower Moons."
The lower-ranked demons bowed so deeply they nearly touched the floor. Then, at the pluck of Nakime's biwa, they disappeared.
At the same moment, in the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, a heavy, sorrowful tension hung in the air. Only six Hashira remained: the Water Pillar, the Insect Pillar, the Sound Pillar, the Love Pillar, the Stone Pillar, and the Serpent Pillar. The Wind, Flame, and Mist Pillars had all fallen.
Oyakata-sama's usual gentle smile was gone, replaced by a grave expression. "How could this happen?" he whispered.
Mitsuri knelt on the tatami, her hands clutching her skirt. Her face was full of pain, her head bowed. "Kyojuro died because of him on the Mugen Train," she said. "Muichiro sacrificed himself. Sanemi… also passed by his hand."
Sources, they said, indicated that Lucien was heading to Yoshiwara next. The Twelve Kizuki were more active than ever. If Muzan found Nezuko first, he might achieve his ultimate evolution.
Oyakata-sama laid out a plan. "Giyu, Shinobu, and Gyomei will go to Yoshiwara. The rest of us must search for Nezuko — protect her if we can, and if we can't, end her before Muzan finds her."
Mitsuri looked up suddenly. Her eyes, so full of emotion, were firm. "I want to go to Yoshiwara. I need to understand why he did what he did."
Tengen Uzui, the Sound Pillar, spoke up. "My three wives went ahead to Yoshiwara for reconnaissance. We lost contact two days ago. I must go."
Oyakata-sama nodded. "Then it will be Giyu and Gyomei to search, and," he paused, "Tengen-sama, Mitsuri-san and Shinobu-san, you go to Yoshiwara."
Everyone bowed their heads in agreement. "Be careful," he added quietly.
---
Yoshiwara was a city of dazzling lights, its most notorious section known as Flower Street. Along this street, the brothels were not just places of pleasure — they were high-class establishments, tightly woven into the fabric of its society.
The most famous brothels were Kyogokuya, Ogimoto-ya, and Tokito-ya. Each boasted an oiran of extraordinary beauty. The top among them was Daki, masquerading as the highest-ranked courtesan — a guise she used to hide her true purpose as one of Muzan's Upper Moons.
To Daki, no mere mortal man mattered. Only Muzan-sama deserved her devotion. She waited patiently for the day she could serve him untainted, unspoiled.
In a secluded room of Kyogokuya, hidden from prying eyes and sunlight, Daki returned from Infinity Castle. She stood on the tatami, and then Gyutaro emerged behind her. His appearance was gaunt — dark blotches covered his skin, and his frail frame seemed barely able to support him.
"We must find that Lucien Graves," Daki said, shaking her brother's shoulder. "We kill him before Kokushibo arrives."
Gyutaro nodded. He rarely spoke, but his loyalty to his sister was unwavering.
---
Meanwhile, Lucien entered Yoshiwara on a bicycle. He went first to a mask shop and purchased a silver-white mask that hid everything but his amethyst eyes. His youthful features were too distinctive — and the mask would serve as a necessary disguise.
Then he stopped at a blacksmith. He had them craft a hermetically sealed iron box, two centimeters thick. Into it, he carefully placed Enel's head, locking it inside securely. Such a thick container would make escape nearly impossible.
As twilight fell, the sky turned a swirl of red clouds. Lucien crossed streets until he reached Flower Street. The atmosphere was intoxicating: the scent of incense, the glow of paper lanterns, the sound of laughter, the flutter of colorful kimonos.
On both sides of him were shops catering to desire, and figures beckoning from windows, their robes shimmering.
Lucien breathed it in. He liked this place. He walked until he found Kyogokuya, the most opulent brothel in all of Yoshiwara. The architecture spoke of wealth and refinement. The women who lined its entrance wore kimonos so rich and elegant they looked like art.
"Welcome," they said in chorus, as he entered, the iron box tucked under his arm. The staff winked and smiled, and the room exuded a warmth and sophistication that set Lucien at ease.
---
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