Ubuyashiki's Plea

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's almost burning, earnest gaze locked onto Kashu, making him furrow his brow slightly, a strange look crossing his face.

"We're meeting for the first time, aren't we?"

Kashu spoke casually, spreading his palms.

"Don't you think you should explain the situation first?"

His offhand attitude instantly ignited the anger of several Hashira in the courtyard, and sharp gazes shot toward Kashu in unison.

Yet Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed not to notice. He nodded naturally and explained the matter in a gentle, weakened voice.

As it turned out, the Ubuyashiki clan had married women of priestly bloodlines for generations.

Not only did this ease the curse of short lifespans upon their family members, it also granted them a special ability that was almost like seeing the future.

Using this ability, the Ubuyashiki clan had amassed enormous wealth, then invested it all without reservation into the construction and operation of the Demon Slayer Corps, supporting this force that had battled demons for a thousand years.

"Last night!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's weak voice abruptly rose, an unusual light flickering in his eyes.

"I foresaw a scene—a man wielding a dazzling platinum holy sword, and before him, the Demon King's body collapsing as he howled at the sky."

After hearing his account, Kashu nodded thoughtfully and continued.

"So, you foresaw that the Demon King named Muzan Kibutsuji would die by my hand, which is why you hurriedly sent Kasugai Crows to invite me to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters?"

"Just as you said."

A smile of hope and pain bloomed across Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face.

More than anyone, he longed to bring Muzan Kibutsuji to an end. Yet his frail body could not even swing a sword, so this long-cherished wish could only be placed in the hands of prophecy.

"Mr. Kashu, I heard that you came here to put an end to this chaos."

"I..."

He drew a deep breath and tried to straighten himself, only to trigger a violent fit of coughing.

"Cough, cough... cough! I... I can have the entire Demon Slayer Corps assist you with all our strength! I only ask... only ask that you lend us a hand and help us end this nightmare that has plagued us for a thousand years!"

The impact of the prophecy, along with the shock of witnessing Kashu's power firsthand, left this clan head who bore a thousand years of hatred unable to suppress his emotions any longer.

He suddenly doubled over and began coughing violently, dark red blood immediately spilling into his palm.

"My lord! Please take care of yourself!"

"Though I hold my lord in the highest respect, isn't this decision far too hasty?"

"But Mr. Kashu really is strong. Even Mr. Shinazugawa—"

"Mitsuri, don't speak carelessly."

"Ah—sorry! I'm so sorry! Mr. Shinazugawa, I didn't mean it that way!"

"Namu Amida Butsu. There is no doubting Mr. Kashu's strength. We are ashamed to admit that we are inferior."

The Hashira in the courtyard were clearly not of one mind.

Some worried that their lord's decision was too rash, while others had been won over by the power Kashu had displayed.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki finally managed to steady his ragged breathing, though an unhealthy flush colored his pale face.

He lifted his head and looked at Kashu once more, his voice weak but carrying unquestionable sincerity.

"Mr. Kashu, if you have any other concerns, please speak freely. Perhaps we can help ease them as well."

Kashu shook his head, his expression calm.

"I wouldn't call them concerns. I do think there's something strange about that Demon King."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"You said the Demon Slayer Corps could assist me, but I've only just arrived. How much information do you have on Muzan Kibutsuji?"

The question clearly put Kagaya Ubuyashiki in a difficult position.

"Information on Muzan Kibutsuji..."

Kashu's bluntness left the usually thoughtful lord momentarily speechless.

Though the Demon Slayer Corps had battled demons for a thousand years, they had pitifully little information regarding the Demon King himself.

Not only did the Demon King possess unimaginable power, he also had the bizarre ability to transform into anyone. His whereabouts were elusive and unpredictable, making him extremely difficult to track.

Even when they occasionally caught a trace of him, it was little more than an insubstantial rumor.

More importantly, some of the intelligence Kagaya Ubuyashiki possessed came from special sources and was not suitable for revealing before all the Hashira.

Amid that delicate silence, Tanjiro, who had been pinned to the ground by the Kakushi and had practically become part of the background, suddenly began struggling.

He broke free of his restraints, raised his head, and shouted with all his strength.

"Mr. Kashu! I know! I know information about Muzan Kibutsuji!"

"What!?"

In an instant, every Hashira's gaze shot toward Tanjiro like arrows, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

The Demon King's information, which the Demon Slayer Corps had spent countless resources trying to uncover without success—this rule-breaking member who traveled with a demon actually knew it?

Kashu first glanced at the conflicted look on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face, as though he had expected this all along, then walked toward the boy lying on the ground.

"Your name is Tanjiro Kamado, right?"

His voice remained calm as he moved to untie Tanjiro.

"Tell me everything you know about the Demon King."

"Okay, I..."

Tanjiro opened his mouth, then instinctively looked at the Hashira surrounding him, all wearing different expressions as they stared intently at him.

His mouth had moved faster than his mind, but now his thoughts raced.

No!

Mr. Kashu isn't with the Demon Slayer Corps. He's willing to save Nezuko, but the Hashira definitely won't let Miss Tamayo go... They can't know where this information came from!

Having made up his mind, Tanjiro raised his head once more. Meeting everyone's eyes, his gaze was resolute.

"The information about Muzan Kibutsuji concerns another benefactor of mine! I'm very sorry, but I can only tell Mr. Kashu in private!"

"What the hell did you just say, you brat!?"

Veins bulged on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead, his right hand already gripping his Nichirin Blade.

"Not only do you travel with a demon, you even dare hide information about the Demon King!"

Tengen stroked his chin, his gaze turning dangerous.

"Looks like we should still behead him after all! Let me cut off his head in a flashy fashion!"

The atmosphere grew tense once more, and an argument was on the verge of erupting. Tanjiro's words had nearly torn through the thin layer concealing the truth.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised a hand at the right moment, pressing it down lightly as his gentle yet firm voice soothed the agitated Hashira.

"Tanjiro Kamado, the benefactor you mentioned is Miss Tamayo, isn't she?"

Tanjiro's body jolted, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He had never imagined that the highest leader of the Demon Slayer Corps would know of Miss Tamayo, a demon.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki first gave Tanjiro a gentle, accepting smile, then turned to Kashu and bowed slightly.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Kashu. I truly hesitated over whether I should tell you this information."

"After all, Miss Tamayo's identity... is somewhat special and not suitable for public disclosure."

Kashu's gaze moved between Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Tanjiro, understanding dawning at the corner of his lips.

"I see. I think I understand your concerns. We can discuss it privately later."

"Thank you for your understanding."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded lightly, his expression relaxing.

Thus, the subject of detailed information on Muzan Kibutsuji was temporarily set aside.

Though both the Hashira and Tanjiro still had their doubts, it was clear from Kashu and Kagaya Ubuyashiki's manner that neither intended to pursue the matter further just yet.

Next, Kagaya Ubuyashiki began handling the matter of Tanjiro and his sister.

He produced written guarantees signed by the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, and the current Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, staking their lives on the matter, and clearly expressed his trust in the Kamado siblings.

With their lord's insistence and the guarantees of the two Water Hashira, the other Hashira still had their doubts, but ultimately reluctantly agreed to allow Nezuko to remain as a demon affiliated with the Demon Slayer Corps.

Afterward, Tanjiro and Nezuko were taken by the Kakushi to the Butterfly Mansion for treatment and accommodation.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, whose physical condition prevented him from moving for long, sat kneeling beneath the veranda and extended an invitation to Kashu.

"Mr. Kashu, if you do not mind, you may stay in this residence for the time being. As the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps, its security is more than sufficient."

Kashu shook his head and asked instead.

"What is this Butterfly Mansion you mentioned earlier?"

At that, Kagaya Ubuyashiki gestured toward Shinobu Kocho beside him.

As the owner of the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu stepped forward and explained with a smile.

"It is a place dedicated to providing treatment and rehabilitation training for Demon Slayer Corps members. Are you interested in the Butterfly Mansion, Mr. Kashu?"

"No."

Kashu shook his head again, his gaze shifting toward the direction Nezuko had been taken, his eyes holding both pity and curiosity.

"I'm interested in the girl named Nezuko."

"By your account, becoming a demon means craving blood and flesh, yet she can suppress that instinct."

Kashu's voice was even, but it carried an unmistakably scholarly air.

"She can even retain her sense of self and fight other demons? That kind of power cannot be explained by sleep alone."

The polite smile on Shinobu's face stiffened slightly. She looked at Kashu, a trace of probing in her voice.

"Could it be... that Mr. Kashu has also studied medicine?"

A bitter curve touched Kashu's lips as he mocked himself.

"Of course. I've probably spent far longer dealing with all kinds of medical equipment than you imagine."

Upon hearing this, Kagaya Ubuyashiki immediately understood Kashu's intentions.

He went along with it and arranged for Kashu to stay at the Butterfly Mansion, allowing him to observe Nezuko's condition at close range, while making a promise.

"I will give the order for all relevant materials collected by the Ubuyashiki clan over the generations to be delivered to the Butterfly Mansion for your perusal."

The weight of that promise was no small thing.

Several Hashira who knew the depth of the Ubuyashiki family's resources were secretly alarmed, and their gazes toward Kashu became even more complicated.