At the same time, inside the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat in the courtyard, listening to the report from a member of the Kakushi Unit. His face was calm, but his tightly clenched hands betrayed his inner turmoil.
"Master, that's the situation. His Majesty the Emperor suddenly changed his temperament, and cabinet ministers were assassinated one after another. And…" The Kakushi member hesitated, "It is said that His Majesty the Emperor has become much younger."
Shinobu Kocho stood to the side, a hint of worry flashing in her wisteria-like eyes. "Master, could this be the birth of a new Demon King?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki gently raised his hand to interrupt her. "Shinobu, do not jump to conclusions. Without conclusive evidence, we cannot assume His Majesty the Emperor is a demon."
"We need more information, Shinobu. You are to continue investigating in Kyoto, but act cautiously and do not alert the enemy," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently but firmly.
"Yes, Master," Shinobu Kocho bowed respectfully.
"Additionally, notify all the Hashira to intensify their training. If the situation changes, we must be ready to respond at any time." Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice, though soft, carried an undeniable authority.
Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"
Under the cover of night, an unsettling atmosphere permeated Kyoto. Shinobu Kocho gracefully leaped onto a rooftop, her purple kimono gleaming coldly in the moonlight. She gazed down at the brightly lit Imperial Palace in the distance, a hint of worry flashing in her wisteria-like eyes.
"Lady Shinobu." A Kakushi member appeared silently behind her. "Latest intelligence: His Majesty the Emperor has just appointed seven new ministers, all of whom are unknown young people."
Shinobu Kocho's slender fingers gently caressed the nichirin blade at her waist. "Continue to monitor them, especially the movements of these new ministers. They are very likely also…"
Before she could finish, a bone-chilling cold suddenly assailed her from behind. Shinobu Kocho instinctively dodged to the side, an ice crystal grazing her hair and exploding into an ice flower on a tile.
"Oh my~ Isn't this a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps?" Douma emerged from the shadows, fanning himself with a golden fan, his ice-blue eyes glinting dangerously in the moonlight. "Visiting the Imperial Palace late at night is quite disrespectful~"
Shinobu Kocho instantly adopted a combat stance, her nichirin blade drawn and pointed directly at Douma. "Upper Rank Two, you're not dead? And sure enough, has the Emperor already become a demon's puppet?"
Douma dramatically clutched his chest. "Those words truly hurt~ We've only just met, why would this young lady curse me to die? I'm merely helping His Majesty the Emperor to revitalize the government~"
He suddenly dropped his smile, his fan snapping shut. "However, since I've been discovered, I must ask you to stay here forever, young lady!"
"Blood Demon Art: Lotus Ice!"
Countless ice crystal petals instantly bloomed. Shinobu Kocho quickly retreated, simultaneously pulling out wisteria poison from her embrace. Just as she was in a critical moment, a dark figure suddenly inserted himself between the two.
"Stop," Muzan's voice was icy and chilling.
Douma's attack halted abruptly. He looked at the suddenly appearing Muzan in surprise. "Lord Muzan? Why are you here?"
Muzan ignored Douma and turned to Shinobu Kocho. "Tell Kagaya Ubuyashiki that we do not wish to be enemies with the Demon Slayer Corps. As long as you do not interfere with our actions, we can coexist peacefully."
Shinobu Kocho stared at Muzan warily. "Peaceful coexistence? You slaughter cabinet ministers, manipulate the Emperor—is that what you call peace?"
A flicker of impatience crossed Muzan's eyes. "Those people were necessary sacrifices. The current Japan needs strong governance."
He paused. "Besides, we no longer eat humans. The remaining inferior demons will also be used as training for a newly formed squad to be cleared one by one."
"Who do you think would fall for such a lie?" Shinobu Kocho sneered.
Muzan sighed. "Believe it or not. But if the Demon Slayer Corps insists on being our enemy." His fingernails suddenly lengthened. "I wouldn't mind letting the Demon Slayer Corps become history."
Just as tensions were at their peak, a lazy voice came from above. "What's all the noise about late at night?"
Everyone looked up, only to see Allen sitting on the highest eaves of the Imperial Palace, dangling his legs, the moonlight casting a silver edge around him. Shinobu Kocho's pupils constricted; this young man exuded an aura even more terrifying than Muzan's.
"Lord Progenitor!" Muzan and Douma immediately knelt on one knee.
Allen lightly leaped down, landing in front of Shinobu Kocho, observing her with interest. "Long time no see, Miss Shinobu."
Shinobu Kocho's hand on her nichirin blade trembled slightly. "Mr. Allen, didn't you leave this world? And why aren't Muzan and the others dead?"
Allen shrugged. He turned to Muzan and said, "Didn't I tell you not to provoke the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Cold sweat beaded on Muzan's forehead. "Forgive me, Lord Progenitor, it was Douma who acted without permission."
"Enough," Allen waved his hand, interrupting him. "Both of you, withdraw. I'll talk to little Shinobu alone."
After Muzan and Douma retreated, Allen casually sat on the rooftop and patted the space beside him. "Sit, let's have a good talk."
Shinobu Kocho stared warily at Allen, her nichirin blade unmoving. "You deceived everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps. What is there to talk about between us?"
Allen shrugged. "I know it's hard for you all to accept, but the current Muzan and the Upper Ranks truly no longer eat humans. Not just them, from now on, no demon will eat humans anymore. We are establishing a new order."
Shinobu Kocho's pupils slightly contracted. "Who do you think would fall for such a lie?"
"Believe it or not." Allen stood up, brushing off non-existent dust from his clothes. He turned to leave, then stopped.
Allen looked back at her. "Tell Kagaya Ubuyashiki that as long as the Demon Slayer Corps does not actively provoke us, no one will die because of demons again. You can also choose to join my ranks; I welcome you all."
Allen gave Shinobu Kocho a meaningful look.
Her hand on the nichirin blade trembled slightly, but she never struck, unsure if it was because she didn't want to or didn't dare to.
"Why?" Shinobu Kocho remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You are clearly human, why would you side with the demons? And with your power, you don't need these worldly powers at all."
"Who said I was human? I have my reasons for what I do. I can help you fulfill any wish, such as resurrecting your loved ones, and I mean true resurrection."
He wasn't just making empty promises. After escaping the Demon Slayer world, Allen's traversal value was enough to exchange for the entire Demon Slayer world. He could traverse at any point in time and modify the flow of time, so resurrecting Shinobu Kocho's sister would be easy. (This is not a last-minute patch; this setting was written before in Baki, it just hadn't been brought up.)
Shinobu Kocho's pupils slightly contracted, and the nichirin blade in her hand unconsciously lowered a few inches. She stared intently at Allen, trying to find a flaw in the face of this young man she had once fought alongside.
"You said… you can resurrect the dead?" Her voice trembled slightly.
Allen's lips curved into a slight smile. "That's right, including your sister."
These words were like a heavy hammer, striking Shinobu Kocho's heart. Her fingers clenched tightly around the hilt of her blade, her knuckles turning white.
"What's the price?" She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
Allen chuckled softly. "A smart question. Become my subordinate, join the new force I'm building. I will be leaving this world soon. You have two days to consider."
After he finished speaking, his figure immediately vanished into the night, leaving Shinobu Kocho alone.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"