According to Tengen, only his younger brother remained in his family. And he'd been brainwashed by their father into complete inhumanity.
To shinobi, people were nothing but tools.
If his brother was single-mindedly trying to restore shinobi glory, then he could indeed be deceived by Muzan into becoming a demon.
Moreover, besides shinobi, Muzan seemed to be continuously recruiting powerful humans to transform into demons.
I immediately realized he was accumulating strength. No longer casually creating demons, but constantly selecting elites.
To crush the Demon Slayer Corps in one stroke. Or rather, preparing for a decisive battle with me.
This was no small matter. I immediately asked: "Have you found their base?"
"Makio and Suma said they already have leads." Hinatsuru said. "Every month's end, the fighting ring has a ship depart from the port. Most likely transporting these people away."
I found a map to carefully compare. Discovered outside this port city, there were indeed quite a few unknown small islands.
Because they were small and had no rare resources, they normally weren't conspicuous.
This was indeed a good hiding place. Even if the Hashira patrolled, they couldn't possibly run to small islands in the outer sea.
Just happened that in a few days it would be month's end. Normally, they'd have another ship depart.
Tengen had already prepared a fishing boat. Planned to investigate the situation with me.
Several nights later, I changed into shinobi-like clothing convenient for movement. Lurked outside the port with Tengen.
These people were also quite cautious. The port was full of patrolling people. Even after the ship departed, people piloted small boats behind to check if anyone was following.
No wonder Tengen waited for me to come. We waited in the dark. Not until the reconnaissance personnel also returned did we pilot the fishing boat to slowly catch up from another side.
The wind over the ocean was somewhat salty and damp. The smell wasn't pleasant. But among these natural scents, that ship's smell was particularly prominent.
This sea area had several different small islands. I carefully distinguished the smells in the wind. Designated a direction. Had Tengen row the boat over.
From afar, could see that ship stopped at the landing place. I had Tengen immediately change direction. Circle around from the island's back side.
Along the way, sure enough saw someone come out with a bright flashlight. Shone it across the sea surface.
This island's guards were quite tight. If we rashly entered, we'd probably alert them.
Tengen circled half this island. Selected a cliff face to prepare landing.
These steep places ordinary people couldn't climb were usually weak points in defense. But for Tengen, climbing up shouldn't be difficult.
Only I felt troubled. I really hadn't climbed such a steep, nearly 90-degree rock wall.
Though falling wouldn't kill me, not being able to climb up would also be very troublesome.
Finally, Tengen made several hand signals. Indicated after he went up, he'd lower a rope to pull me.
I could only stand on the fishing boat. Watched him climb up rapidly like an agile monkey.
Not long after, a sturdy rope was thrown down from above.
After finally solving the landing problem, I looked at the forest before me. Suddenly felt hair-raising dread.
Tengen was about to enter the forest to investigate. But I grabbed his collar. Rarely used brute force to drag him toward the edge.
He seemed slightly surprised but didn't resist.
After hiding behind a boulder, Tengen vigilantly looked left and right. Quietly asked me: "Is something wrong?"
I looked back at that forest. Only felt the darkness hid ferocious beasts with bared fangs. Just waiting for prey to step in half a pace to tear them apart.
This was a more terrifying fighting ring than the human world. Clearly Muzan was using an extremely bloody method to select new Twelve Kizuki.
Following my instincts, I led Tengen around the perimeter. Felt there were quite a few demons here. And their strength wasn't weak. Probably all came from shinobi families.
Speaking of what kind of humans were most terrifying after transforming into demons—definitely those who originally possessed martial skills.
After roughly investigating, I felt we shouldn't stay longer. Just the two of us going deep into this island was very dangerous.
Worried some demons' hearing was too exceptional, I made a hand signal to Tengen. He immediately understood and followed me to withdraw.
Fortunately, these demons seemed gathered in the central area. None ran to the perimeter. We returned along the original route.
Not until safely returning to port did I tell Tengen about the situation I sensed.
Tengen's expression became very ugly. Suddenly cursed. Roughly saying he should've been ruthless earlier to exterminate the Uzui clan. Then there wouldn't be these troubles now.
In this world, things rarely come with early knowledge. I felt he needn't be so stubborn.
If I'd known back then that Tsugikuni Michikatsu would choose to become a demon, I would've moved to eliminate him earlier too.
Though I didn't know to what degree these demons had trained on the island, I felt we couldn't let them continue growing stronger.
Those carefully selected humans—presumably could both become material for new demons and serve as quality food for demons.
Even if we destroyed this place, Muzan could rebuild a base elsewhere. But we had to clear out these demons first.
The only advantage—they probably hadn't fought Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen yet. Even if they could share intelligence, they definitely weren't adapted to Corps members' fighting methods.
After I brought Tengen back to the Ubuyashiki estate to report this matter, Kagaya urgently summoned the Hashira for a meeting. Explained the situation to them.
Shinazugawa reacted extremely fast. First stepped forward: "This subordinate is willing to accept the mission."
"I as well!" Next was Kyojuro.
Obanai didn't speak. Rarely in step with Giyuu. Just quietly stepped out.
I knew they all held the will to die. Weren't afraid of falling here.
But out of reason, I still vetoed their plan to fight together.
"This isn't the final battle. The Demon Slayer Corps cannot lose more than half its Hashira. Outside, Muzan and other Upper Ranks still watch like tigers."
Before they arrived, I'd already discussed with Kagaya. Now silently took out a lot cylinder.
"Everyone except Gyomei, come draw lots. Death lot steps forward. Life lot stays behind."
Gyomei's lips moved slightly. Didn't refute my arrangement.
As the Demon Slayer Corps' strongest swordsman, he definitely had to be saved for the most critical battlefield.
I planned to bring Ume and Gyutaro. So selecting four from among them was sufficient.
Additionally, selecting twenty from A-rank Corps members—this already took away nearly half the Corps' elite forces.
The remaining portion absolutely couldn't act rashly.
No one hesitated for a moment. Everyone grasped a lot. Simultaneously drew from the cylinder.
Those selected were Shinazugawa, Obanai, Tengen, and Sabito.
Though the rest felt unwilling, they raised no objections. Just silently watched their comrades.
I swept across their young faces one by one. Thought about bringing twenty more young children to face a death trap together.
My stomach seemed to spasm and convulse. Almost twisted into a knot. Made me feel very uncomfortable.
But I couldn't say anything. Could only give them a pale promise: "I'll try my best... to bring you back."
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────
📖 80+ chapters ahead — full story available
🔍 Search "patreon.com/DarkGolds
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────