"...What exactly are you trying to do now?"
Sukuna frowned and directly pressed the Nichirin Blade against Shinobu's neck.
The sharp edge had already cut into her pale skin. A thin line of blood trickled down her throat.
Looking at Sukuna's cold expression, Shinobu would be lying if she said she was not afraid.
Especially after what had just happened. To some extent, deep in her heart, Shinobu had subconsciously begun to equate Sukuna with an untouchable deity.
Not a merciful heavenly god, but a demon god possessing boundless power.
But Shinobu mustered her courage and spoke to Sukuna.
"You can't kill him. He's also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"..."
Sukuna did not move. He only continued to stare at Shinobu coldly.
Shinobu's mind raced. She immediately thought of another reason and continued explaining.
"You want to see other Breathing Techniques. I need someone to relay messages for me."
Sukuna thought for a moment. To some extent, Shinobu was not wrong. Given the backwardness of this era—no convenient things like cell phones—information transmission was still quite primitive, slow, and inefficient.
Sukuna slowly lowered the Nichirin Blade and sheathed it.
Seeing Sukuna put away his sword, Shinobu felt she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She turned to explain to the Kakushi what she wanted him to convey to the leader of the Corps.
"There's something I need to ask you to do..."
But the moment Shinobu turned her head, she saw Sukuna's hand on the Kakushi's head. She froze mid-sentence.
When had he...?
"Insect Hashira... thank you..."
Clearly, Sukuna had moved faster than even the Kakushi could perceive. Through the gaps in his hood and mask, Shinobu could still see his eyes—the look of someone who thought he was finally saved.
"Cleave."
Sukuna's cold voice sounded in Shinobu's ear.
"Wait, don't...!"
Shinobu could already feel what was about to happen before her eyes. She did not try to command Sukuna again. Instead, she shouted in a voice that was both anxious and nearly begging.
But it was too late.
In the next second, the Kakushi turned into variously sized chunks of flesh with clean-cut edges, piled haphazardly on the ground before her.
"..."
Sukuna turned his head and spoke coldly to Shinobu.
"Information doesn't have to be sent by a living person, does it? I clearly remember you having crows, don't you?"
Looking at the pile of flesh before her, Shinobu felt genuine fear for the first time. Calming down, she realized just how terribly she had erred. She had actually tried to command Sukuna.
She also remembered what Sukuna had warned her before. When he asked a question, she had to answer.
Shinobu forced herself to remain composed and replied. "...Yes. The Demon Slayer Corps uses Kasugai crows to relay information."
Seeing Shinobu gradually falling in line, Sukuna smiled and spoke.
"I was only defending myself. He attacked first. I just didn't expect him to be so fragile."
Hearing Sukuna's words, Shinobu's fingernails dug into her skin. But on the surface, she restrained herself and spoke words she did not mean.
"You are correct..."
These small movements did not escape Sukuna's eyes. He watched Shinobu's transformation with great interest, quite satisfied. This was more like it.
Shinobu had accepted reality. If she wanted to reduce or even prevent Sukuna from killing, she had to go along with his wishes, just as Rengoku had done.
If something like this happened again, she would have to stop others before they provoked Sukuna.
"So what's the plan now?"
"Next, I will take you to the nearest safe house. You can change clothes there before we move again. That way, your current appearance won't cause unnecessary trouble and waste time."
Shinobu controlled herself, trying to maintain a humble and respectful tone as she spoke.
But given what had just happened, slipping into that role was extremely difficult. Her overall tone sounded somewhat performative.
Sukuna though did not mind. It was at least a good change.
...
Inside the study of a Western-style mansion, a suited man flipping through a book spoke with displeasure toward a patch of shadow.
"Didn't I tell you not to come here unless it was urgent?"
A figure gradually emerged from the shadows. It was Yawaraki, the Handball Demon. She spoke to the suited man with great respect.
"I am very sorry, my lord. I received extremely important information and felt it necessary to report to you immediately."
"Speak."
Muzan gestured for Yawaraki to continue, not changing his posture as he continued to turn pages.
"My lord, the Water Hashira is dead. And it seems to have happened during the day."
"...The Water Hashira died during the day?"
The previously composed Muzan froze for a moment at this news. Then his expression turned serious as he confirmed with Yawaraki again.
"Are you certain this information is true?"
Yawaraki hurriedly explained. "It is absolutely true. I happened to capture a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He gave me this information in exchange for his life before I killed him. It seems he was indirectly in contact with someone who handled the aftermath."
Muzan stroked his chin, deep in thought. He began to recall his recent orders to the Upper Moons. They should not have included actively hunting a Hashira.
As for the Lower Moon's trash, Muzan would never be naive enough to think they could kill a Water Hashira.
And the low-level demon before him, not even a Lower Moon, he held no hope for at all.
Having ruled out all possibilities, Muzan began to wonder. Who had killed the Water Hashima during the day?
Was it a demon?
But if it was a demon capable of killing someone as strong as the Water Hashira in broad daylight, he could not have no memory of them.
If it was not a demon, then there should be no reason for them to be involved with the Demon Slayer Corps. Especially not to the extent of killing a Hashira. A coincidence?
Muzan instinctively felt that a demon capable of moving in daylight could not exist. It did not align with what he knew. Yet deep down, he hoped for a miracle.
After a moment of silence, Muzan gave his order to Yawaraki.
"Go and find out who killed the Water Hashira." Muzan glanced at Yawaraki with a frown and added, "And bring him before me."
"I will complete your task without fail!" Yawaraki answered without hesitation.
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