Rengoku Mujuro was swift, his capacity for action as high as his speed. After explaining the necessary precautions, he departed immediately.
The toxins in Izumi Kiyokazu's system were not, in fact, as easy to neutralize as he had claimed. However, Mujuro didn't want to cause Ume any more distress. He could sense that the young girl was at her absolute breaking point.
Taking a deep breath, he gave a soft whistle. Following the rustle of leaves, a black crow descended from the woods and perched upon his shoulder.
"Kanshamaru, I'll need your hard work again. Carry a message to Oyakata-sama for me. Ask him to have nearby Demon Slayer Corps members provide support. Additionally, request that the local Wisteria Crest families gather some medicinal herbs—specifically, Yellow Essence, Blue-Purple Lotus..."
Listening to Mujuro's instructions, the Kasugai Crow named Kanshamaru scratched its head with a wing, looking utterly perplexed.
"Mujuro, if it's medicine you need, wouldn't it be enough to just have the nearest Wisteria family provide it? And wasn't that demon just killed? Why do you need other slayers for backup? Reporting this directly to Oyakata-sama seems like a bit much, doesn't it? You're only a Kinoe-ranked swordsman; reporting directly to the Master without being a Hashira is a bit presumptuous."
Hearing the crow's words, Rengoku Mujuro looked toward the distance, his voice turning solemn.
"I examined the corpse of the demon that just died. Its limb muscles were weak—entirely different from the wounds found on the recent victims. Take the Oto-ranked member who died recently; half of his body, along with his Nichirin Sword, was completely crushed. This demon clearly wasn't capable of that."
"The primary killing method of this demon was likely poison, which matches how the two Mizunoto-ranked members died recently. It is clearly not the same demon I've been tracking. As for calling for backup, the reason is simple: demons usually act alone. They are like beasts with their own territories. If this was that lizard demon's territory and he is now dead, there's a high probability another demon will move in to claim the spot."
"The powerful demon that killed over a dozen slayers is likely a transient one. Such demons are generally formidable; dealing with one alone would require everything I have. Without knowing the strength of the next demon to arrive, failing to call for reinforcements would be irresponsible toward the civilians."
Kanshamaru nodded in sudden realization at Mujuro's explanation. With a sharp cry, it took flight, soaring toward the distant Ubuyashiki estate.
Meanwhile, Ubuyashiki Ikeda slowly opened his eyes. He was twenty-six years old, and the family curse had already left deep scars upon his body. Supported by his wife, he gave a few slight coughs and sat up slowly.
"That boy, Rengoku Mujuro, should be in Yoshiwara now, shouldn't he? He is asking me to mobilize some slayers to support him. Riko, please—have the nearest Hashira go to his aid. Dispatch some members ranked Oto or higher as well, but ensure they move in pairs. They must not be left alone."
Listening to her husband, Riko asked softly and with some confusion, "Have you seen the future again?"
"Yes... cough... I saw Mujuro's crow coming to find me. I cannot see the entire future clearly, only minute fragments. Among those fragments was his request for aid. However... the future I saw this time is different from usual."
Ubuyashiki Ikeda paused briefly. His voice was gentle yet exhausted, like the melting snow still clinging to branches in early spring—crystal clear, yet fleeting.
"Riko, do you remember what I told you? When we of the Ubuyashiki clan foresee the future, it is often like standing before a pond, watching the future in the water's reflection?"
"Yes, I remember every word you say quite clearly."
As he spoke, Ikeda felt a hand cover his own. It was his wife's hand—small, yet incredibly warm. Or perhaps it was simply that his own hands were too cold.
"This time, ripples appeared in that pond. I don't know where those ripples came from, but for the first time in over twenty years, the future I saw has changed. Tell me, could this be an omen from the heavens? A sign that Kibutsuji Muzan might be defeated in our generation?"
Hearing her husband's words, Riko nodded with calm, firm conviction. "Under your leadership, I believe that day will come in the near future—within our generation."
He squeezed his wife's hand, his voice tender and filled with guilt. "I am sorry, Riko, for involving you in this family curse..."
"Please, never say such things again. I beg of you!"
Feeling her grip tighten slightly on his hand, Ikeda felt a surge of surprise. He said nothing more, only giving a light nod.
At that moment, the Kasugai Crow arrived at the Ubuyashiki courtyard. It landed softly on the veranda and bowed its head toward Ikeda.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kanshamaru."
"For Oyakata-sama's sake, even if my wings were to flap until they broke, it would be a badge of honor! Please forgive my rudeness in reporting immediately—time is of the essence. Oyakata-sama, during this hunting operation in Yoshiwara, we encountered..."
After the crow finished its report, Ubuyashiki Ikeda stood up. His eyes widened, and even his steady, gentle voice trembled slightly.
"You are saying... you met a boy there who subdued a demon using nothing but an ordinary dagger?"
"Yes, Oyakata-sama. In the eyes of both myself and Mujuro, the terrifying potential shown by that youth is such that if he enters the Demon Slayer Corps, he will inevitably become a Hashira."
"In the future I saw, that child's silhouette was not there... No, he should have been, but I cannot remember clearly... cough, cough, cough!"
"Oyakata-sama! Please, take care of your health!"
"Cough... I am fine. Kanshamaru, can I trouble you and Mujuro to bring that child here so I may meet him?"
"I shall do my utmost!"
On the other side, inside the dilapidated wooden shack where Ume lived, Izumi Kiyokazu's face was beginning to flush a deep red.
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Demon Slayer: Starting by Snatching Daki(71 Chapter- Ongoing)
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