This time, Shinobu wrote a very lengthy letter. She recorded essentially everything she had witnessed in minute detail.
She particularly made sure to write down everything she did not understand, exactly as it happened. This included the mark that had appeared on Rengoku Kyojuro's body, the mysterious power Sukuna possessed, and she faithfully recorded the agreement between Rengoku and Sukuna as well.
Finally, she expressed that until the leader made a decision, she would stay by Sukuna's side to watch him and do everything possible to minimize the killing caused by Sukuna.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya stroked the panting Kanzaki and spoke gently.
"You flew back so diligently."
He then removed the letter from Kanzaki's leg and handed it to Ubuyashiki Hinaki nearby.
"Read it to me."
"Yes, my lord."
Ubuyashiki Hinaki slowly opened the letter and began reading it aloud to Ubuyashiki Kagaya with great care. Because the letter was quite long, it took a considerable amount of time.
"..."
After hearing the entire letter, Ubuyashiki Kagaya fell into a long silence, deep in thought. The amount of information was overwhelming for him.
This development was far more complicated than simply a demon that could walk in daylight.
"Was this your final judgment, Rengoku..."
Though Ubuyashiki Kagaya had not yet met this being calling himself the demon god Sukuna, he chose to trust the judgment Rengoku had made with his life.
Ubuyashiki Amane, standing nearby, seemed to sense Kagaya's decision and asked with some concern.
"Is that wise?"
But Ubuyashiki Kagaya knew his own time was short. It would not be long before he met his comrades in the afterlife. At the very least, before that day came, he wanted to do as much as he could.
...
Because Shinobu had taken the initiative to handle most things—including navigation, finding food, and communicating with others—nothing major had occurred along the way.
Sukuna showed no signs of dissatisfaction. At least for now, this state where he did not have to worry about anything was rather comfortable.
Shinobu allowed herself a small sigh of relief. Based on the current outcome, her thinking and approach were sound. As long as she could prevent others from actively provoking Sukuna, everything was still manageable.
By the time they reached their destination, it was already evening. Walking through the streets, they could hear people discussing the recent disappearances of young women.
"Look at him. Kazumi has become so haggard. It's so pitiful..." said a middle-aged woman at a roadside shop.
Her friend chimed in, "Well, Kazumi and Satoko were together when she was taken."
The woman looked up at the darkening sky and spoke with worry.
"Night is about to fall again. There hasn't been a single peaceful night..."
"Every night around that time, another young woman gets taken. When will this life ever end..."
From the townspeople's chatter, Shinobu quickly spotted Kazumi approaching—his face sunken, hesitant, and covered in bruises.
Shinobu stepped forward, offered a warm smile, and asked, "Excuse me, are you the man they call Kazumi?"
Kazumi, who had been staring at the ground as he walked, slowly raised his head and saw Shinobu smiling at him.
"...Who are you?"
Shinobu did not answer directly. Instead, she spoke to him seriously.
"I am deeply sorry about what happened to Satoko. If you don't mind, I have some questions I would like to ask you, Kazumi."
"...Ask me?" Kazumi's expression shifted to confusion.
Shinobu answered earnestly.
"Yes, because the creature that attacked and took Satoko may have been a demon."
"What is a demon?"
"Demons are monsters that eat human flesh and blood. They possess intelligence and hide themselves cleverly. They have astonishing vitality—even if you cut off their limbs or tear open their stomachs, they regenerate rapidly. Their only weaknesses are sunlight and a special blade called a Nichirin Sword. I... we are people with the skills to kill demons. We are the secret Demon Slayer Corps."
When introducing the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinobu hesitated because of Sukuna. To avoid unnecessary explanations, she ultimately chose to include him as a member of the Corps for the sake of the introduction.
The man called Kazumi now noticed the second pair of eyes on Sukuna's face as he stood behind Shinobu with a contemptuous look. Kazumi raised a trembling finger toward Sukuna.
"Y-you... you...?"
"Hm?"
Before Sukuna could react with displeasure, Shinobu immediately grasped Kazumi's hand and spoke seriously.
"Kazumi, I believe everything you will tell us. So please, tell us what you experienced."
Seeing Shinobu's sincere expression, Kazumi ultimately gave up pressing further about Sukuna. He was more concerned with what Shinobu had said about a demon taking Satoko.
Kazumi led Shinobu and Sukuna to the place where he had witnessed Satoko vanish.
Kazumi looked at the ground—the last spot where Satoko had been—and spoke with a heavy voice.
"I don't think you'll believe me, but Satoko disappeared right here..."
Shinobu crouched down and examined the ground, trying to find any clue about this demon.
Perhaps because of his current body, Sukuna passively noticed a subtle difference in the smell of this place. It was a faint odor, a mix of decay and blood.
Recalling the demon's inability to tolerate sunlight, Sukuna immediately understood what was going on with this demon.
"Hey. Can demons move underground?"
"What?" Shinobu froze for a moment. "Generally speaking, no."
"Oh? So this demon is special?" Sukuna's interest was piqued.
Shinobu also understood. Sukuna had likely found some clue before her, and the clue suggested this demon could move underground, which was why he asked that question.
She explained to Sukuna, "There are special demons that can use something called a 'Blood Demon Art.' Moving underground is something that could possibly be accomplished with it
"So it hides underground to avoid sunlight?" Sukuna murmured. Following the scent he had picked up, he leaped and landed on a patch of ground about ten meters away, shaded by the shadow of a house.
Sukuna's superhuman movement left Kazumi, an ordinary person, completely stunned.
He slowly crouched down, touched the ground with his right hand, and Said
"Spider Web".
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Bonus Chapter for Hitting 30 Power stones!
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