The next morning, an ominous silence enveloped the area around the tavern on the outskirts of Asakusa.
Some residents had heard the intermittent gunshots during the night, but none dared to look outside.
Such was the secrecy and terror of the Akatsuki Trading Company's cleanup.
The first to arrive at the scene were not the police.
It was the Demon Slayer Corps' post-processing unit, the Kakushi, who set out to find the missing members.
"...This."
The Kakushi member who opened the door and entered couldn't continue speaking and covered his mouth.
Nausea surged up.
They had witnessed countless horrific cannibalistic scenes committed by demons, but the sight before them was a different kind of horror.
If it were a demon's work, flesh would have been torn or grotesquely mutilated, but this was a brutally human and technical slaughter scene.
Neck severed in a single slash, gunshot wounds precisely piercing vital points. It was an emotionless, mechanical, and efficient execution.
"All deceased. There are signs of resistance… but they were unilaterally overwhelmed."
Another member reported in a trembling voice. Among the corpses, the most eye-catching was the red card stuck in the forehead of the leader-like member.
[Do not dare to covet the Master's belongings.]
The card, embossed with the red moon emblem of the Akatsuki Trading Company in gold leaf, shone nobly even in the pool of blood. It was not merely a warning.
It was a declaration of war from an overwhelming predator, grasping and shaking the entire organization of the Demon Slayer Corps by the neck.
The report was immediately sent to the Ubuyashiki estate. The ailing head, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, fell into deep silence as he looked down at the blood-stained red card.
Excluding those on missions, the expressions of the urgently assembled Hashiras were heavily subdued.
"They used firearms… you say."
"Yes, sir. Not even old-style matchlocks, but estimated to be Western revolvers. The autopsy results suggest that their swordsmanship skills are at a level that could overwhelm members who use Breathing."
Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei added with a pained expression, rolling his prayer beads.
"Namu Amida Butsu…. To think humans could be so cruel to each other."
Then, Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen, who was crossing his arms, furrowed his brow and spoke.
"Splendidly done in. This isn't a fight. It's a one-sided cleanup. Approaching silently, not giving a chance to retaliate, targeting only vital points. Even I, a ninja, find it chillingly clean work."
Uzui clicked his tongue.
"The opponents used a mix of guns and swords. That means they're professionally trained. Shameful, but they are indeed splendidly dangerous."
His cold analysis made the atmosphere even chillier. Then, Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro, who was sitting upright, raised his voice with wide eyes.
"Hmm! My heart aches! To lose four comrades, it's truly a sorrowful event!"
But Rengoku's expression was tinged with sorrow as well as determination.
"However! To speak coldly, our fault in this matter is clear! For Demon Slayers who should uphold justice to steal and commit theft from a civilian trading company! Even if they are villains, theft is an unforgivable crime! There is no way to hide our shame!"
At his straightforward criticism, some Hashiras bowed their heads.
"But that doesn't mean they had to kill them! Damn it!"
Wind Hashira Shinazugawa Sanemi exploded in anger.
"Just for stealing some measly thing, they cut off four heads?! This is a clear declaration of war! Let's go and crush them right now…!"
"Calm down, Shinazugawa."
Gyomei restrained him.
"The Demon Slayer Corps is an unacknowledged, unofficial secret society. Just carrying swords makes us treated as criminals. But… the Akatsuki Trading Company is different."
Gyomei's point was painful.
"They are a massive power that controls both the light and the dark, paying enormous taxes and bribes to government officials. Even if they operate private armed forces and spray bullets, the police will cover it up as self-defense or yakuza suppression. Law, economy, force… they are not opponents we can face."
Amid the heated atmosphere, two people sitting in a corner of the conference seat were particularly silent.
Flower Hashira Kanao bowed her head, tightly clenching her fists on her knees. Her expression wasn't visible, but she was laughing coldly inside.
'An inevitable outcome. They angered Father.'
The death of comrades? She wasn't sad. If anything, she only felt contempt for their foolishness in messing with the Akatsuki Trading Company.
She offered no opinion, merely watching from the sidelines as a complete bystander.
And beside her, Sound Hashira Okita. She was crossing her arms, gazing at the ceiling with her characteristic languid expression.
'Wow~ Tsubaki-san, she did it quite fiercely. She clearly set an example as Master ordered.'
She was laughing inside, but on the outside, she was acting as if shocked into silence by the serious situation.
The two poisoned needles embedded deep in the Demon Slayer Corps were thus quietly watching the organization's collapse.
"...The deaths of the members are heartbreaking, but this is something we brought upon ourselves. We touched the scale of a sleeping dragon."
Kagaya coughed as if spitting blood, then issued orders in a decisive tone.
"I decree to the entire Demon Slayer Corps. From today onwards, all contact with the Akatsuki Trading Company is prohibited. Do not touch their belongings, and do not enter their territory. Please do not retaliate."
"But, sir…!"
"If we move, next time it might not be four but more children who die. Moreover, we're in a situation where even supplies are difficult. If we wage a full-scale war here, the Demon Slayer Corps will end up fighting humans, not demons."
A humiliating silence. The splendid ninja, the upright flame, the raging wind… all could only remain silent before overwhelming capital and power.
They had to hold their breath, crouch in the darkness, and swallow their powerlessness bitterly.
At the Akatsuki Trading Company headquarters, top-floor office. Akira held a glass of premium wine, overlooking the Tokyo skyline.
"It's been handled, Master."
Tsubaki appeared from the shadows and reported on her knees.
"Good work. The little rats should have gotten the message by now."
Akira smiled as if satisfied. Taking lives as the price for stealing the company's belongings, and tightening the organization's breath with an economic blockade.
Because of this perfect revenge, the Demon Slayer Corps will forever avoid the Akatsuki Trading Company.
"Now that we've chased away the annoying flies, let's do some real hunting."
Akira set down his glass and called Mukago, who was waiting nearby.
"Mukago."
"Yes, Master."
"How far has the investigation into the recently reported Eternal Paradise Cult progressed?"
"The cult's influence is expanding daily. As the number of believers rapidly increases, reports of missing young female believers never cease. The police are covering up the investigation after taking bribes."
Mukago continued the report.
"As you know, Master, the cult leader is Upper Moon Two, Doma. Outwardly, he acts as a merciful savior, but in reality, he is devouring believers and continuously expanding his power."
Akira's gaze turned coldly subdued.
"Doma. A hollow shell with not a single emotion. A disgusting creature who bewitches people with a false smile and devours women under the pretext of salvation."
He thought of the Kocho sisters.
Originally, he was the one who killed Kanae, Shinobu's enemy, and ultimately killed both sisters with his own hands, a monster.
"Since Hantengu's and Akaza's locations haven't been specified, let's hunt him. He's annoying. First, he's eliminating our company's future customers in his own way. By putting them in his stomach, that is."
Akira stood up from his seat and put on his overcoat. The black long coat enveloped his sturdy physique.
"Second, I'm thinking of gradually reaching into religion. Religion can make money. And it can improve one's image. A double-edged sword, but if used well, the image of Akatsuki Trading Company and myself will improve even more. After all, religion is originally meant to save people."
"Shall I mobilize troops?"
"No. I hate it when things get noisy."
Akira had just put on his overcoat and was about to leave the office when suddenly, his footsteps halted.
"...Hmm, right."
"Why is that, Master?"
Mukago asked curiously. Akira stroked his chin as if lost in thought for a moment.
"I was thinking who to send, but they would be good."
He sat back down on the sofa and picked up the red wine glass.
"I should call Shinobu, Kanae, and Beni-chan."
Akira conveys the message to the Kocho sisters, his limbs who have received his blood and flames.
After a moment, the office door opened, and three women entered. Kanae with a beautiful smile, Shinobu with sharp eyes, and Benienma, small in stature but emitting an unapproachable spirit.
"Did you call for us, Akira-san?"
Kanae asked softly.
"I called because I have a gift for you."
Akira threw the document envelope on the table towards them. On the surface of the envelope were written the words 'Cult Leader Doma of the Eternal Paradise Cult'.
"Doma…?"
Shinobu scanned the documents and furrowed her brow.
"He's the leader of a pseudo-religion that's been gaining power near Tokyo recently. There have been reports of missing believers."
Mukago explained, and then Akira drove the point home.
"Yes. His identity is Upper Moon Two."
"Upper Moon… Two?!"
Kanae and Shinobu's eyes widened. A top-tier powerhouse among the Twelve Kizuki.
"He's operating a pseudo-religion in my territory, Tokyo, and devouring humans. Moreover, he has a perverse preference for eating women. If left alone, our company's potential customers or employees could be harmed."
Akira commanded with cold eyes.
"Go and clean him up."
"Upper Moon Two is just the right opponent for us."
"Well, you are strong. But just in case, I'll attach her to you."
Akira flicked his finger, and Benienma showed herself.
"Benienma in serious mode. Chirp."
Akira is sending Benienma along in case of intervention by Muzan or Kokushibo.
"Beni-chan will support you. Benienma is a top-notch expert, so she'll be reliable. Use your power to your heart's content."
"Understood. But in return, when we come back, you have to give us a reward, right?"
Shinobu's eyes shone coldly. Akira maintained silence with a nonchalant expression.
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 132
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T