Gyutaro

In a certain year and month.

As usual, Oboro sat in front of the mansion.

Watching a group of children playfully wielding wooden swords, bustling about.

He was over sixty years old at this time, but he only looked slightly old. Apart from the elderly people who had lived there for many years, they could estimate his approximate age.

Others were unaware of his age or other information.

All I know is that a kind elder lives here. Although he is a powerful nobleman, he loves children very much. He also teaches swordsmanship and gives candy to the children.

That's all.

"It's still not working quite right..."

Long looked up at the sky and said softly.

Even after tempering and refining, the physical strength of this body is still inferior to that of Hunter x Hunter.

To put it bluntly, the energy structure of the Demon Slayer world is too rudimentary, making it impossible for him to live as long as Netero.

Living to be over a hundred years old is already the limit; two hundred years is impossible.

Now, Oboro has realized that his physical body is weakening.

"It seems... I still have to become a ghost before the plot can unfold."

Long sighed.

If I were to become a demon again, I might as well become the Demon King... Unlike finding Mireimaru many years ago, the prerequisite for reaching the level of Tanjiro in later generations is Muzan himself.

Upper Moon demons, including Kokushibo, are not qualified.

It must be said that Muzan is incredibly patient; decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Ever since Oboro appeared, this guy has disappeared without a trace, rarely showing his face, and has been researching the inheritors he transformed. As for what identity he has disguised himself as now, even Oboro doesn't know.

He wasn't interested in knowing.

Perhaps... Muzan really figured out something and gained some insights and achievements.

"He's here!"

"It stinks!"

"Get out of my way!"

At this moment, Oboro's thoughts were interrupted.

A group of children who were playing suddenly looked in one direction.

On the street, a figure of similar age to them, but even more youthful, strode forward.

Upon seeing this person, all the children showed disgust, and some even picked up stones and threw them at him... If it weren't for Yu Long's presence, they would have directly raised wooden sticks and hit him.

The boy who was walking towards them raised his small arm to shield his head. Even when hit by a stone, he did not groan in pain and did not hesitate to approach.

"Let's go!"

The other children had no desire to be with him or breathe the same air as him. After bowing to Oboro, they all ran off one by one.

Behind her, Chiyoko now completely white, appeared in a kimono, carrying food wrapped in oil paper, standing beside Oboro at just the right moment.

Almost every three days, this boy, covered in black spots and looking like a beggar, would appear.

He asked Long for food.

The boy and Oboro first interacted six months ago.

The boy had long, filthy black hair, was skin and bones, and was so disgusting that the stench he emitted was enough to make anyone want to avoid him.

Even his fingernails and toenails were black, as if he had contracted some kind of disease.

Gyutaro!

This little guy was a notorious 'troublemaker' on the Rashomon Riverbank, a symbol of misfortune, hated by everyone like a rat crossing the street.

They began to suffer almost before they were even born, while still in their mother's womb.

His mother was a prostitute, meaning she made a living by selling her body. After realizing she was pregnant, she tried to have an abortion many times, whether by taking medication or harming her own body. Even after going to such lengths, Gyutaro was still born, like a tenacious cockroach.

In this situation, almost from the moment Gyutaro became conscious, he was subjected to abuse by his own mother. Hunger, verbal abuse, and pain filled his entire life.

That woman even tried to kill him multiple times.

He had become accustomed to hunger, and in order to survive, he had eaten anything—snakes, rats, insects, and ants.

Until six months ago, he came to this corner of the land by chance and fainted from hunger in front of the magnificent villa.

For decades, the situation involving the three parties and factions of power has remained unchanged.

But for ordinary people, the changes are quite significant.

Back then Entertainment District, according to today's terminology, was also considered a red-light district, no longer a slum... The area of red-light district was quite large, with the main bustling area still being the main street in the city.

The slum area where Gyutaro was born is now called Rashomon Riverbank.

Located near a wastewater channel, the so-called Rashomon foreshadows the desolation of this place and the suffering of its inhabitants.

Ever since I saved Gyutaro half a year ago and gave him enough food, he comes to beg for food every few days.

Oboro has been giving alms all along.

Oboro already knew about it from the Gyutaro's mother became pregnant.

Oboro held this Upper Moon Six in high regard.

Firstly, among the Upper Moons of later generations, Gyutaro is the only one who retained a human name, and secondly, during his human years, he was not inherently evil like the other Upper Moons.

If Gyokko represents arrogance and Hantengu represents cowardice, then what lies hidden beneath Gyutaro's immense power is undoubtedly 'inferiority complex'.

Furthermore, Gyutaro's experience makes him a suitable successor.

His talent is exceptional.

Even from Oboro's perspective, although he is Upper Moon Six, his true combat strength is no weaker than that of the 'Asymmetrical Pot', and his strength has been 'affirmed' by Muzan.

Since this character in the story happens to be in the same location as him, Oboro naturally has to take extra care of him.

At this point in time, the Upper Moon form of later generations has already been finalized.

Kokushibo, Akaza, Doma, and Hantengu have all appeared. It is worth mentioning that Akaza became a demon even before Doma.

Over the years, through collecting information, Oboro has basically learned about the identities of the current members of the Twelve Kizuki.

They called it a bargain, but it was Muzan steal.

But the only ones he truly admired were Akaza and Gyutaro. However, he transmigrated too late; Akaza had already become Muzan's subordinate, leaving only Gyutaro.

As for the Gyokko and the Hantengu, hehe.

At this time, Gyutaro was still very young, and his sister 'Mei' had not yet been born. He was more introverted and timid... It was Mei's appearance that brought about a fundamental change in him.

Right now, he's just a child.

"Injured again..."

Seeing that Gyutaro had walked to the side and was deliberately keeping his distance, Oboro noticed the wound on his skin and smiled slightly.

Gyutaro quickly pulled at his clothes to cover the wound.

He kept his distance from Oboro, not out of fear... but because he didn't want his scent to drift over and disgust Oboro.

I don't want the filth on my body to get on Oboro.

"..."

Gyutaro remained silent, his gaze fixed on the food in the maid's hands.

Chiyoko handed it over.

After receiving it, Gyutaro bowed to Oboro, then turned and ran away barefoot.

"He could come every day, so why?"

Chiyoko watched the boy's retreating figure, her brow furrowing with heartache.

They come begging for food every day so they won't go hungry... For a child this age, not eating for three days is unimaginable.

It's a miracle that I'm still alive.

"Although he is self-conscious, he still has dignity... He is still young, and it is remarkable that he can sustain himself for three days without food! As time goes by, he will grow up... Perhaps he will not come back after he becomes self-reliant."

Long withdrew her gaze and said softly.

"Should I go...?"

Chiyoko hesitated, realizing that Oboro treated Gyutaro differently.

"Don't overdo it; everyone has their own destiny."

"Yes."