Timing? What good timing?
I was very vigilant. Had a total feeling Muzan was secretly scheming behind the Demon Slayer Corps' back again.
This matter had several possibilities. Could be big or small.
If this plan threatened the Demon Slayer Corps, Akaza would definitely come report to me.
But I received no feedback. Meant Muzan didn't tell the Upper Ranks about this. Or he grew suspicious of Akaza and was testing him.
He'd just tested the Upper Ranks not long ago. Akaza wasn't so easily exposed.
If unrelated to the Upper Ranks, then this plan targeted the Lower Ranks.
Now two Upper Ranks were missing. Muzan would inevitably try to fill the gaps.
Compared to cultivating new demons from scratch, selecting targets from the Lower Ranks to cultivate seemed a better choice.
The only question was—how would he select the most suitable target from these Lower Ranks?
Couldn't guess from fragmentary words. But from my intuition, most likely still related to the Demon Slayer Corps.
I silently pondered the problem. Didn't speak for a long while.
Tanjiro asked somewhat uneasily: "Is there a problem?"
"Nothing. You provided very valuable intelligence." No need to make the child worry about these matters. I changed the subject. "How does your body feel? Are your injuries serious?"
"Yes, our injuries don't matter. Just that Zenitsu was poisoned. Still needs more time to rest." Tanjiro also showed a smile. "Haven't had time to thank you yet. Thank you for speaking on behalf of me and Nezuko... The Master and all the Hashira could so smoothly accept our existence."
Zenitsu interjected from the side. Expression also perked up. "That's right, that's right. Thank you, Miss, for specially coming to tell me about Gramps' matter. Don't worry. I'll definitely keep a close eye on that Kaigaku guy!"
Inosuke reportedly injured his vocal cords. Didn't speak the entire time. Waved his hand to express his determination.
Children were so spirited. After chatting idly with them for a bit, I walked out to write a letter.
The Lower Ranks must have some move soon. I wrote to Kagaya, requesting he order Corps members to heighten vigilance recently.
For all missions with unclear situations, three people must go together. No Corps member allowed to act alone.
This order was quickly issued. Also smoothly conveyed to every swordsman.
Afraid I couldn't be found in time if something happened, I didn't go out again. Stayed at the Butterfly Estate the whole time. Watched Tanjiro and the others do rehabilitation training.
Ever since learning Tanjiro also learned Sun Breathing, Ritsuka often came to see him.
After his injuries healed, she even launched sparring sessions under the guise of guidance.
Their battles were very interesting. Setting aside power, their applications of Sun Breathing also differed.
Though the techniques they learned were exactly the same, the timing of adjusting breathing, the method of switching combat techniques, and the connecting application between different techniques—all made their Breathing carry their own colors.
I also didn't correct them. Didn't force them to use Sun Breathing like Yoriichi. Just picked out their flaws and gaps to comment on. Let them figure out improvements themselves.
And at night came Nezuko's adventure time to appear.
When staying with me, I removed her bamboo muzzle. Let her relax a bit.
Her mentality remained at four or five years old. Didn't remember past events. But was very obedient.
Kanae really liked her. Made sweet sugar water for her with mint and honey.
Every night after coming out, Nezuko's first reaction was to hug the bamboo tube of sugar water and drink.
When Ume heard the Butterfly Estate had another demon girl, she ran over that very night.
Circled around Nezuko left and right. Looked at her very critically for a while. Said reservedly: "Though not as pretty as me, still fairly cute."
I suspected her mentality also remained at thirteen or fourteen. With signs of further regression.
When she had nothing to do, she'd come play with Nezuko. Use her sash to toss her high. Then catch her before she fell.
They played very happily. Just too testing for a guardian's mentality.
Tanjiro got a fright the first time he saw. Observed carefully from the side for a long while. Only relaxed after confirming Ume's sash wouldn't miss the catch.
Of course, later he was busy practicing Total Concentration Breathing. No time to constantly watch what his sister was playing.
I watched them play at the Butterfly Estate. Also spent a period of leisure.
But good days always flew by. Before long, I received news of Cultivators being attacked everywhere.
Just receiving this news, I realized this was Muzan's new plan.
Have to say this move was vicious enough. Can't easily deal with Hashira—just eliminate the Demon Slayer Corps' living forces. Then turn back to slowly deal with the Hashira.
If Cultivators and reserve Corps members suffered too many losses, that would indeed be a big problem.
I also had to admit my oversight. Muzan never took those retired demon hunters seriously...
While their rich combat experience ensured they wouldn't be threatened by ordinary demons after retirement.
So for those who became Cultivators, the Demon Slayer Corps allocated the least energy.
Especially since demons could borrow Nakime's transfer ability to sneak attack anytime, anywhere, or retreat promptly. Indeed a big hassle.
However, ordinary demons truly couldn't harm them. Only the Lower Ranks could be deployed as combat power.
After calculating the numbers of these Cultivators and their disciples, Kagaya gathered them. Had everyone live together for joint training. Also convenient to mobilize Corps members for support.
Where they lived didn't matter to these Cultivators. Gathering together, they could exchange experiences. Let disciples spar with each other.
So though Muzan's move had great momentum, its actual effect wasn't too significant.
I was just wondering what his next move would be. Then before long, a messenger crow brought news: Kyojuro had disappeared.
Disappeared, not dead.
Kyojuro's crow said he went to execute a new mission. Reportedly a new demon appeared on a train. Whereabouts couldn't be determined.
Also because of many eyes and ears, his crow couldn't follow the train. After seeing him board, it followed behind the whole way.
After the train reached its destination and all passengers disembarked, his crow discovered Kyojuro hadn't appeared.
On that train besides him, no second person disappeared. Afterward, people were sent to question passengers in the car Kyojuro rode.
But strangely, no one seemed to notice such a passenger on the train.
Gyutaro was called to assist the investigation. Came back and told me those passengers seemed to show signs of being affected by Blood Demon Art.
"That train had faint traces of demon scent. Indeed problematic."
This wasn't something a single demon could accomplish. Silently took away a Hashira.
Could that demon's Blood Demon Art be similar to Upper Rank Six's?
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