Sakonji Urokodaki exerted tremendous self-control, not losing his mind over the death of his only remaining student, Giyu Tomioka, as he addressed Sukuna.
"What do you want to know?"
Seeing Urokodaki take the bait, Sukuna got straight to the point with his questions.
"Where can I find the strongest ones with your kind of power? And where can I find more and stronger demons?"
Urokodaki chewed over Sukuna's two questions. The first, about the strongest with their kind of power, likely referred to swordsmen who used Breathing Techniques. The second question was even more straightforward: more and stronger demons.
If the first question could be interpreted as Sukuna being extremely confident in his own strength and wanting to challenge the strongest swordsman, that was reasonable enough.
But the second question left Urokodaki confused. As a demon, Sukuna was asking a human where to find more and stronger demons.
Could it be that he also intended to kill demons?
But why?
Or did it have something to do with his ability to walk in daylight?
For a moment, Urokodaki's thoughts were tangled. But one thing he was certain of: he had to get word out about this demon, at least to the Ubuyashiki family head. That included the news of Tomioka's death as well.
The fall of a Hashira was a major event for the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
Urokodaki did not fear death, but he wouldn't let his be a meaningless one. So he chose to comply for now.
Urokodaki picked up his mask from the ground and put it back on, then answered Sukuna.
"I can accept your deal." He paused, then added, "But I have one condition. I will answer one of your questions first, and the other after our battle is over."
Sukuna hadn't expected things to go more smoothly than anticipated.
He had initially worried that everyone here might have as bad of a survival instinct as that other guy.
"Go on."
Urokodaki spoke seriously. "Not far from here, there is a place called Fujikasane Mountain. Many demons captured by Demon Slayers are trapped there. It might meet your requirements."
Sukuna could roughly tell from Urokodaki's words that he wasn't lying, but there was one more thing he needed to confirm.
"So they're called the Demon Slayer. What's their purpose in capturing demons?"
"..."
Urokodaki was silent for a moment, but ultimately, to ensure his plan could proceed, he decided to tell the truth.
"Those demons were originally prepared for training the next generation of swordsmen..."
Hearing Urokodaki's explanation, Sukuna found it acceptable.
"So you intend to keep the answer about where to find stronger swordsmen for last, is that it?"
"..."
Urokodaki's silence served as his answer. Fortunately, he had already put his tengu mask back on, otherwise Sukuna would have seen his tense expression.
Sukuna raised his hand and fired off a slash to the side. Instantly, several thick trees were severed and crashed to the ground before Urokodaki's eyes.
What?
An invisible slash?
Was that a Blood Demon Art?
A single casual strike possessed such power?
This was an shock to the worldview Urokodaki had built over his lifetime.
In his decades as a Demon Slayer, he had never encountered a demon capable of such weird technique.
Could he be one of the Twelve?
Just as Urokodaki stood there, stunned enough to almost forget he was still speaking with Sukuna, the latter's voice pulled him back.
"Don't bother trying to deceive me," Sukuna warned coldly.
Having witnessed his strength, Urokodaki dared not be careless.
It only strengthened his resolve to get information about Sukuna at all costs—even if it cost him his life.
"Understood. I'll retrieve my sword."
Sukuna raised his chin slightly, signaling him to go ahead.
With Sukuna's permission, Urokodaki led Sukuna back to his dwelling.
Night had already fallen, and the nearby residents had returned to their homes.
Because of Sukuna following close behind the entire time, Urokodaki only retrieved his Nichirin Blade from his home, with no chance to do anything else.
Seeing him take his sword and head out, intending to continue up the mountain, Sukuna asked with displeasure.
"Where are you going?"
Urokodaki pointed to the mountain ahead.
"This is the only path to Fujikasane Mountain. But the mountain is covered in fog year-round. Without a guide, you'll only get lost. I will show you the way and settle our fight on that mountain."
Though his voice was calm and his reasoning seemed logical, Sukuna could still guess that he was surely up to something.
But he didn't call him out. If he didn't try anything, that would be more troubling.
Under the current circumstances, before they had even fought, it was best to let Urokodaki notify his comrades.
If Sukuna demanded it, Urokodaki might instead give his comrades instructions to avoid him.
Only if Urokodaki notified his comrades without fully understanding Sukuna's power would it accelerate the Demon Slayers coming to find Sukuna on their own.
Without a word, Urokodaki led Sukuna into the mountain originally used to train the next generation of swordsmen.
Looking at the fog obstructing visibility around him, Sukuna spoke casually.
"Are you trying to use the terrain to your advantage? That's fine."
"..."
Using the fog as cover, Urokodaki sliced his index finger with his Nichirin Blade and quickly wrote on his clothes.
A demon who walks in daylight. Giyu Tomioka killed by his hand. He may head to Fujikasane Mountain next.
Urokodaki moved very quickly. Each stroke was like swinging a sword, as if he would die at his opponent's hands if he was even a second too slow. He wrote frantically, then tore off the piece of fabric.
Given the urgency, he couldn't write in more detail. He summoned his Kasugai crow and sent the fabric with the information to the Ubuyashiki family head.
Watching the crow fly away, Urokodaki could only pray in his heart.
Please, get this information to the family head as quickly as possible.
Urokodaki drew his Nichirin Blade and, for the first time in ages, pushed his aged body to its limit.
Sukuna had noticed the little maneuver. He watched the crow fly far into the night sky and couldn't help but remark that modern communication methods were far better. Unlike in this era, where he had to spend so much time playing along with Urokodaki's act.
Sukuna curled his finger at Urokodaki, who gripped his sword with both hands and radiated intense killing intent.
------------------------------------
If you like the chapter, Drop some stones