"Where is your proof?" Obanai Iguro asked coolly, glancing at Giyu. "This man is an accomplice—his words cannot be trusted."
Before Yuko could answer, Ubuyashiki Kagaya spoke with a gentle smile:
"Yuko-san herself is a demon."
Yuko nodded quietly.
"That's right. I'm a demon."
"?"
Everyone looked up at the bright morning sun—
then turned toward Yuko with expressions that could only be described as Are you stupid?
A vein twitched on Yuko's forehead.
Your boss said it himself—why are you all looking at me like that?
Shinobu covered her mouth, laughing softly.
She'd never seen Yuko make that face—how amusing.
Tanjiro strained to lift his head toward Yuko.
What's going on?
Did the Hashira really not know?
Iguro's voice was venomous:
"If you want to play the fool, don't assume the rest of us are idiots too."
Yuko inhaled deeply, forcing a smile.
"You want proof?"
"Sure. I can prove it."
"Proof?"
The Hashira exchanged baffled looks.
How was she planning to prove such a thing?
It was broad daylight…
They all stared at Yuko, curious to see what she would do.
Yuko looked at them calmly.
"Like this…"
The moment she spoke, Sanemi's eyes widened. He spun around and roared:
"Protect the Master!"
He didn't even need to shout—
Some Hashira instantly shielded Kagaya, while others stepped forward to confront Yuko directly.
"…Uh."
Yuko stared at their overblown reaction.
The half-white hair and lengthened claws she had just manifested withdrew in an instant.
"What I meant was—"
Before she could finish, Sanemi and Rengoku were already charging at her.
"Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!"
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Two silhouettes—one red, one blue—closed in at frightening speed.
From the side, Kakushi member Goto watched in horror.
Yuko-san was a demon…
Able to walk in daylight…
And now she was being attacked by two Hashira at once.
It's over… we're all dead…
Facing the dual assault, Yuko's gaze darkened. Frosty breath spilled from her lips.
Kanae's eyes widened.
Is that…?
"Snow Breathing, First Form: Whirling Blizzard!"
A spiraling pillar of white snow engulfed Yuko, easily deflecting both Hashira's attacks.
The rising sword pressure sent the two flying backward in a clean arc.
The Hashira:
"…Nani?"
Sanemi and Rengoku skidded along the ground, gouging trenches in the dirt before regaining their footing, staring in disbelief.
"A demon that can use Breathing Techniques?!"
Yuko calmly sheathed her sword.
"To clarify— I am a good demon who can use Breathing Techniques."
"Don't joke with us!" Sanemi snarled, swinging his sword in sheer frustration. "There's no such thing as a 'good' demon! You monsters who eat—"
"I haven't."
"…What?"
"Neither I nor Nezuko have ever eaten a human," Yuko said evenly.
"In fact, Nezuko has never even consumed blood."
Yuko had never eaten a human…
Relief washed through Shinobu like a warm current.
Her lingering worry evaporated instantly.
Sanemi's face twitched violently.
He wanted to call this woman a liar.
But his instincts told him—
She wasn't lying.
"You claim you've never eaten a human?"
"Yes."
"Then prove it."
Sanemi dragged his blade across his arm, blood welling up instantly.
"Oi, woman—how does this smell?"
It was marechi blood—rare blood— the most intoxicating temptation to a demon.
To demons, marechi was like catnip to cats.
Even for a controlled demon, the scent was overwhelming.
And Yuko…
For one second—just one—she truly blanked out.
Months ago, before meeting Tamayo, she might've ignored the scent entirely.
But after resuming the consumption of blood under Tamayo's guidance—
temptation returned stronger, almost like relapsing from withdrawal.
Still—
Yuko wasn't an ordinary demon.
If she had been newly transformed and starving, she would absolutely be drooling, maybe even lunge and decapitate him for the feast.
But after enduring hundreds of years of starving herself, resisting food had become second nature.
To her, it was simply… a pleasant smell.
More importantly—
She remembered this scene.
Her eye twitched.
If she remembered correctly—
Wasn't Nezuko the one who was supposed to undergo this test?
Why was she stuck doing it?!
Stop tempting ME! Tempt YOUR intended target!
"…Hold on a moment."
Under Sanemi's baffled stare, Yuko nodded politely to the group and turned to walk into the house.
"???"
Sanemi stared at his bleeding arm.
Was it not enough?
Should he cut deeper?
Yuko soon returned—carrying Nezuko's box.
Tanjiro's eyes lit up.
"Nezuko!"
The box trembled faintly.
Yuko walked forward at an unhurried pace.
The Hashira grew increasingly wary.
Sanemi frowned deeper as she approached.
So this woman… wasn't affected in the slightest.
Under the tense gazes, Yuko shoved the box into Sanemi's arms.
"Here you go."
"…Huh?"
Sanemi reflexively accepted it, blank-faced.
Yuko blinked innocently.
"Didn't you want to test whether we can resist temptation?"
"…Ah. Right…"
He stumbled back a few steps in confusion.
It wasn't until he noticed Iguro staring at him like he was an idiot that he snapped back to reality.
Veins popped along his forehead.
THIS WOMAN—
What does she think I am?!
Yuko tilted her head at his increasingly distorted expression.
"You're not going to try?"
Honestly…
That face was starting to look almost friendly to her.
She was becoming immune.
Yuko added helpfully:
"There's shade near the Master. You won't get sunburned if you test it over there."
"…Fine!"
Sanemi spat through clenched teeth, then turned toward Kagaya.
"Master, forgive my discourtesy."
Kagaya smiled softly.
"Go ahead."
Sanemi carried the box to the platform, face dark as storm clouds.
He let a drop of blood fall inside—
then yanked the lid open.
Nezuko rose slowly, breathing heavy, sweat beading across her forehead, drool gathering at her lips.
When Yuko had checked on her earlier, the scent of Sanemi's marechi blood had already affected her.
She'd secretly opened the box then—
The temptation was strong,
but she restrained herself.
Nezuko… you can do it…
Tanjiro watched with trembling fists.
The girl, though drooling, showed no signs of going berserk.
"Tch."
Sanemi widened the cut on his arm, making more blood drip into the box.
Nezuko stubbornly turned her head away.
See no evil, smell no evil.
Yuko, stepping lightly among the Hashira, spoke as if the outcome were the most obvious thing in the world:
"This should be enough proof, yes?"
The Hashira stared at her.
Yuko smiled serenely.
---
Currently at chapter 423 for advance chapters
https:// ko-fi.com/rabi08