Sounds a bit complicated. Actually didn't need me to do much.
All affairs presided over by Kanae. She'd review all Corps members and Kakushi members' words and actions one by one. Whether any violations existed.
Unless encountering issues that seemed fine but were actually suspicious—only then would she ask me to secretly investigate.
After that battle, demon appearance frequency slightly increased. But numbers still hadn't returned to previous levels.
After a long while, Akaza finally found an opportunity to report the inside story of this matter to me.
He said Muzan indeed grew suspicious of the Twelve Kizuki.
Not that he had specific suspects or held any evidence. Just naturally arising suspicion after facing my abilities squarely.
But his doubts came too late. The Upper Ranks were all people from a hundred years ago. Even if suspicious evidence existed, time had long erased all traces.
After deep consideration, while searching for candidates to replace Upper Rank Six, he slowly planned this trap.
Akaza had stayed by his side so long—of course was also very cautious. So this test didn't get a strong response.
Muzan could only temporarily set aside his suspicions. Believe I hadn't yet reached into the Twelve Kizuki.
I also instructed Akaza—if nothing too important came up, or I didn't actively summon him, he'd best not easily come find me again.
Incidentally, I also asked about Nakime by Muzan's side. Asked if she had any weaknesses, or opportunities to lure her out and kill her.
"Nakime always stays in the Infinity Castle. Never goes out." Akaza said. "I can catch her when she's off guard. Inject her with your blood."
But if he did this, basically meant exposing himself before Muzan.
I felt this was very uneconomical. Temporarily set aside this idea. Still had him go back and behave. Not act rashly on his own.
Akaza nodded. Then asked about Koyuki. "You recently took in a new child, right? Koyuki told me. She's very happy."
Koyuki and Yuichiro indeed got along very harmoniously. Even brought him to read and learn characters. Now he'd already read quite a few books.
Even when she occasionally went out to attend writers' literary gatherings, she'd bring Yuichiro along. Wouldn't let him be alone.
Hearing this, Akaza's face also showed some smile. Didn't say more and left.
However, mentioning Yuichiro reminded me of Nezuko far away in Mount Sagiri.
She'd been sleeping the whole time. Still hadn't woken yet.
Tanjiro's letters sounded somewhat worried. Said after he passed the Final Selection, he planned to bring Nezuko to big cities to find doctors.
I planned to have him first bring her to the Butterfly Estate then. If needed, ask Tamayo to come take a look.
Until the next Final Selection—about three months left.
I originally intended to visit Mount Sagiri to see the siblings. Who knew I'd be stopped on the road.
Not me who was stopped. Some Corps member I'd never seen. Rank probably not high either.
Because when I passed by, I saw him hugging a tree by the roadside, wailing and crying. Beating his chest and stamping his feet.
He looked so heartbroken. My heart softened. Walked over to ask what happened to the young man.
"My sword! My sword!" He cried even louder. "A wild boar stole it!"
Hm? Wild boar?
A wild boar stole a sword?
One moment he said it was a boar with tusks, very fierce. Next moment said it was his newly obtained sword. Just stolen like that. The swordsmith who forged his sword would definitely curse him to death.
This Corps member cried his heart out. Simply devastated. Face had two black eyes from being hit.
I could only pat his head. Stuffed him a few candies. Asked which way the wild boar ran.
He held a candy in his mouth. Mumbled and pointed in a direction. Eyes looked at me hopefully.
Alright then. Consider it a good deed for the day. I'd go find his sword back.
I followed the direction he pointed into the mountains. Carefully examined traces on the road surface all along. Didn't see wild boar footprints.
If anything, there was a string of human footprints. Leading straight into the deep mountains.
Looking at the outline—not an adult male. But at this late hour, why would a child run into the mountains?
I continued tracking. Followed the footprints to a cliff edge. No more path ahead.
But then a whooshing wind sound came from behind. I ducked low. Grabbed toward my back.
Just dodged the blade slashing at me. Caught something furry in my hand.
Retreated several steps to the other side. I saw clearly what I held was a hood made to look like a wild boar. Looked somewhat aged.
The one who ambushed me was a youth. He turned around. Revealed a delicate, beautiful face like a woman's. Eyes wide staring at me.
Probably felt something was off. He first touched his own face. Then pointed at me and cursed: "You monster! Give back my hood! Or you'll be sorry!"
This rough voice and his face were completely opposite.
Also, he wore no shirt. Pants had some furry decorations sewn on. Didn't look like village children.
Most importantly—what he held was a Nichirin Sword.
I suddenly grew interested. Regardless of skill level, that was someone who passed the Final Selection.
This half-grown boy could actually snatch a sword from a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman's hands. Meant his strength was considerable.
"What you're holding isn't your sword either." I said. "You return it. I'll return your hood."
He instinctively hid the sword behind his back. Continued glaring at me. "Why should I give it to you! I got this fair and square with my own skills!"
"Mm. I also got your hood fair and square with my own skills." I said deliberately. "Then I won't return it to you?"
He was defeated by my airtight logic. Scratched his head in distress. Scratched again.
I made to leave. He immediately panicked. Tossed the Nichirin Sword over.
"Give back my hood!"
I caught the Nichirin Sword. Also tossed that hood into the air.
He immediately pounced to catch it. Put it on his head. Shook his head and was about to run.
I called out to him. "You really like swords? I can give you a sword."
This boy's steps halted. Then cautiously turned around. Like a wild beast, circled around me appraising. Firmly wouldn't expose weaknesses before me.
"You... you serious?" He muttered. Then suddenly self-denied. "I don't trust you. You're a big monster!"
Pfft. Actually called me a monster. How did he discover I wasn't human?
"I'm a monster. But I don't eat people." I went along with him. "How about I treat you to a meal? You like beef? Let's go eat sukiyaki hot pot?"
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