"He is Tsugikuni Mitsuba's elder brother, Tsugikuni Michikatsu."
Taking the painting Ubuyashiki handed over and looking at it, Tamayo was first startled, then frowned and spoke in a deep voice.
Tamayo had seen Tsugikuni Michikatsu before.
Although it was only that brief encounter, the extremely similar appearances of the three Tsugikuni siblings were something she could never forget.
What puzzled Tamayo somewhat was why the person who appeared was this Tsugikuni Michikatsu, and not Tsugikuni Mitsuba?
According to common sense, when facing such an unknown situation, shouldn't Muzan send out Tsugikuni Mitsuba?
Could it be that after being cut by Yoriichi decades ago, that beast had truly become brain-damaged?
Or could it be that Tsugikuni Mitsuba had actually been slain at some point in the past that she didn't know about?
No, that was impossible...
The Demon Slayers recorded in the Demon Slayer Corps' records who died monthly with fixed regularity, their bodies drained, were powerful proof that Tsugikuni Mitsuba was still alive.
She was definitely still alive.
But if that was the case, why was the person who appeared not her, but her elder brother who almost had no presence?
Shifting her gaze to the small note in the corner of the painting, upon seeing that the merchant who passed back this painting had met Tsugikuni Michikatsu at a courtesan house in the red-light district, Tamayo instantly understood everything.
[So that's how it was—disguise and camouflage...]
[Actually borrowing your elder brother's identity to visit the red-light district, Tsugikuni Mitsuba, you're still as twisted in taste as in the past...]
Even Tamayo couldn't help but smile when she realized this.
This was good. This showed that over these past decades, Tsugikuni Mitsuba's personality hadn't changed much from what she remembered.
"No, the person in this painting is Tsugikuni Mitsuba's disguise. I am certain—she has already noticed us."
Putting down the painting in her hand, Tamayo looked at Ubuyashiki before her and spoke earnestly:
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, please set the time to meet with her. Our subjugation plan should officially begin."
"Very well."
Hearing this, Ubuyashiki's face—with some curse marks already appearing—revealed a faint smile.
"Then let us prepare to welcome our guest."
"..."
"Oh my~ isn't this Master Yoriichi~ You haven't come for quite some time~ Tonight, are you looking for several ladies..."
"Apologies, but the person I'm looking for tonight is a man."
"Huh...? Master Yoriichi!"
At the courtesan house in the red-light district, Mitsuba—wearing Michikatsu's face—quickly went upstairs and entered the room where she had arranged to meet that wealthy merchant.
"Oh! Mr. Yoriichi, you've finally come. Let me tell you, during this period I..."
Not seeing anyone else in the room, Mitsuba's pupils instantly transformed into the shape of mandala flowers. She immediately stepped forward and placed her hand on the wealthy merchant's shoulder.
"Tell me immediately, where is the person?"
An inexplicable fear swept through his entire body. Under the influence of Mitsuba's Blood Demon Art, the wealthy merchant—his face full of terror—immediately spoke without reservation:
"In the manor twenty li north of this town. That honored guest asked me to tell you that he will meet you there tonight."
"Honored guest? What does he look like, what is his identity?"
"I-I don't know. I was also notified by someone. I haven't seen him..."
"Heh..."
Standing up, Mitsuba didn't delay at all and directly turned to leave.
Just in the manor twenty li north of this town...
Truly unbelievably close. It was almost as if they were afraid she couldn't arrive in one night, so they deliberately chose such a ridiculously close location to make it convenient for her to get there quickly.
Not only acting secretively, not daring to reveal their information at all, but also limiting the meeting time, limiting the meeting location...
No matter how Mitsuba looked at it, this seemed like a trap specifically dug for her, just waiting for her to jump right in.
If she had only been somewhat suspicious before.
Then she could now almost be certain that the mysterious person behind this wave of searching for the Blue Spider Lily definitely had connections to the Demon Slayer Corps!
And very likely, this entire incident was a facade thrown out by the Demon Slayer Corps specifically to draw out the Upper Rank demons, or even Lord Muzan!
But Mitsuba didn't mind.
Even knowing it was a trap, she would step in and take a look.
This was not only because she really wanted to see with her own eyes what struggling methods these Demon Slayers had come up with this time.
More importantly, she really wanted to know—where exactly... did they learn about the Blue Spider Lily's intelligence?
"..."
Late at night, supported by numerous Demon Slayer swordsmen, Ubuyashiki arrived at that residence.
"Alright, I'll sit here. Hurry back to your positions."
"Lord Ubuyashiki..."
In the center of the residence was a square flat ground over a hundred meters wide, paved with floor tiles—spacious and flat, practically an ideal battleground artificially created.
Supported by everyone, Ubuyashiki walked to the very front of the flat ground and sat down in the temporarily prepared seat.
He turned to look at the group of swordsmen beside him. On his face covered with curse marks was the same calm smile as always.
"Remember, those two swordsmen who volunteered to sacrifice themselves are the most crucial part of our entire plan tonight.
Afterward, if Tsugikuni Mitsuba smoothly devours those two's corpses, then all plans proceed as usual, and you must all follow Miss Tamayo's command.
But if Tsugikuni Mitsuba does not devour their corpses according to our initial expectations, then the subjugation plan is immediately cancelled.
Everyone must retreat immediately, without hesitation, and without coming to rescue me. Understood?"
"Lord Ubuyashiki..."
Looking at the group of swordsmen beside him—with tears streaming down their faces, even already sobbing softly—Ubuyashiki's face still held that calm smile.
"There's no need to feel sad for me. Anyway, in another three or four years, this body of mine will also reach its end...
As the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, being able to personally contribute my share to our common goal of slaying demons while still alive—you all should feel happy for me...
Flame Hashira, has my child been sent away already?"
As his voice fell, Ubuyashiki turned his gaze to the current Flame Hashira beside him.
Unlike the other swordsmen, the Flame Hashira's expression was much more composed.
Facing Ubuyashiki's inquiry, he merely knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and spoke in a deep voice:
"Reporting to Lord Ubuyashiki, early this morning, my father already left with the young lord.
Following your instructions, my father did not reveal their whereabouts to anyone, including myself."
"That's good..."
Confirming this news, Ubuyashiki nodded.
"As long as the bloodline of my clan continues, then no matter the outcome of tonight, the Demon Slayer Corps will eventually be reborn again in the not-too-distant future...
Alright, it's almost time. Hurry back to your positions. Don't delay any further."
"Yes, Lord Ubuyashiki..."
Finally, under Ubuyashiki's persuasion, the Demon Slayer swordsmen left one by one, departing from this residence.
According to the plan, before this subjugation plan officially began, there would only be three people in this residence: Ubuyashiki and those two swordsmen whose bodies contained wisteria poison.
All the remaining people would disperse and hide in the ambush points preset around this residence, waiting for the opportunity.