Five years, then another five

Muzan took the young Yoriichi, barely into his teens, by the arm to examine him. The boy stood there, a little lost.

Muzan's show of concern touched him. After all, a child who had grown up without a father's love was easily moved by such things.

Muzan clearly didn't notice. He merely sighed in relief and said, "Put the sword aside first. I'll find you some clothes to change into."

"Okay."

Yoriichi nodded, ran over to rummage up a cloth, wiped the sword down, and set it on the table.

Muzan found it strange, too. No half-demons had appeared nearby in five years. Those things couldn't get away from him fast enough, so where would they find the nerve to come and provoke him?

Although the half-demons seemed bent on opposing him and hadn't existed in the original story, they were truly weak.

Muzan had never really taken the half-demons seriously. After all, these things must have originated from his blood, too.

Whether it was the influence of that scumbag boss's memories or something else, he simply felt that these things posed no threat whatsoever.

But now they dared to come nearby again. What were they trying to do?

And speaking of which, it had been five years!

I haven't seen a single damn Blue Spider Lily!

Are you kidding me?!

Muzan's expression turned serious as he watched Yoriichi, who had changed clothes and was carefully wiping his blade, and Shi, who sat nearby gazing at Yoriichi with tenderness in her eyes.

He felt he needed to take a serious look at why the half-demons had appeared.

Though he didn't want to think along those lines, Muzan kept feeling that some force was preventing him from growing stronger.

For instance, the Blue Spider Lilies that Shi said appeared every year had vanished without a trace after his arrival, while the half-demons had appeared out of nowhere.

Although he had cleaned up the "company culture," the half-demons had, through their own "hard work," stubbornly kept demons' reputation just as bad as ever.

For now, though, that was only speculation.

It was still far too early for the original plot, and he really had raised Yoriichi for five years. He refused to believe Yoriichi could actually bring himself to attack him!

Meanwhile, under his father's arrangements, Michikatsu had gradually taken over the family's affairs. He had pushed Yoriichi to the back of his mind, grown increasingly accustomed to an ordinary life, and forgotten his resolve to become the strongest samurai.

But Muzan figured Tsugikuni Michikatsu would become a demon in the end anyway, so he was in no hurry. After all, Tsugikuni Michikatsu posed no threat to him.

As he pondered, Yoriichi suddenly spoke, pulling Muzan back from his wandering thoughts.

"I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps."

Muzan: "???"

What the hell?!

"What did you say?!"

You want to kill the dear old father who's raised you for five years?!!!

Seeing Muzan's reaction, Yoriichi hurried to explain, "I want to slay half-demons."

Only then did Muzan sigh in relief.

Yoriichi continued, "While fighting the half-demons, I met some members of the Demon Slayer Corps and saw half-demons slaughtering innocent people. I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps and use my strength to save people."

Besides, I want the members of the Demon Slayer Corps to change their opinion of you...

But Yoriichi didn't say that aloud.

In fact, when Yoriichi encountered the half-demon, he hadn't killed it at first. Only after the Demon Slayer Corps members arrived and he borrowed a Nichirin Blade did he finish off the evil demon.

That made Yoriichi realize that even half-demons were immortal. Aside from sunlight, only a Nichirin Blade could kill them.

Muzan nodded. As long as it wasn't what he had imagined-raising the boy for five years in vain, only for some inexplicable plot correction to send him over to cut Muzan down.

"Go if you want. But take Shi with you. She wants to see the world, too."

Yoriichi looked at Shi, whose face was full of anticipation.

"Keep Shi safe."

"I will."

Watching the son he had raised for five years leave with the daughter he had raised for five years, Muzan had no idea why he felt absolutely nothing.

After living here for five years, it was time to move on. Still, he needed to have his subordinate demons arrange for a few humans to live here and keep watch for the Blue Spider Lily.

Muzan vanished from the spot and appeared behind Tamayo.

Tamayo was sitting on a wooden stool in a rather modest house, reading a book.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she startled and hurriedly turned to look.

She only relaxed when she saw it was Muzan.

Muzan glanced around, taking in her living conditions.

Tamayo had been living in a fairly populous village lately, treating people's illnesses.

"Do some tinkering and see if you can make me immune to wisteria. You've had too much free time lately."

Tamayo: "..."

You can't stand seeing me have a little peace?

Muzan really couldn't stand seeing Tamayo idle.

Now that he had the original story's best support character in his hands, how could he not have her investigate why demons ate people and feared sunlight, and how to overcome those problems?

Although Tamayo grumbled inwardly, she understood that her boss remained deeply bothered by his weaknesses, and that she needed to investigate the issues Muzan had raised.

Besides, she had no choice. As a demon, she couldn't refuse the Demon King's demands.

"All right."

Muzan didn't care about her inward grumbling, either. As long as she did the work.

After giving his instructions, he left.

For Muzan, time passed quickly.

Another five years went by in the blink of an eye.

The chaotic Sengoku Era finally came to an end, with Maruoka Masahito's faction emerging victorious.

Honestly, this somewhat exceeded Muzan's expectations. After all, Maruoka Masahito and the others had merely been a casual undertaking on his part. He had actually favored Asanuma Seiji.

Yet the outcome was that Maruoka Masahito ultimately won.

Of course, Maruoka Masahito had achieved victory through a particular strategy.

In the end, he chose to merge with a human faction and join forces, ultimately defeating the other factions.

Jingji bitterly resented this. He had never imagined that Maruoka Masahito would choose to sacrifice some of his power to ally with a human faction and knock him out of the running.

Thus, in the Shogunate ultimately established, although Maruoka Masahito and Maruoka Yoshiko-who had never revealed that they were demons-held well over half the power, humans still made up the bulk of the ruling class.

Now, the composed and calm Maruoka Masahito stood before Muzan alongside a somewhat resentful Asanuma Seiji and the other losers.

Muzan reclined in the rocking chair he had used for over a decade, looking at the dozen or so people standing before him.

Although Zhengren's expression was calm, Muzan could sense his inner joy and longing for praise.

"Well done."

Muzan smiled at Maruoka Masahito and Yoshiko.

Asanuma Seiji lowered his head without a word, while another demon shouted resentfully:

"My lord! But they joined forces with humans! The Shogunate is still controlled by humans. All our efforts have been wasted!"

Muzan looked at the demon and couldn't help smiling. "I never asked you to control the Shogunate or seize the seat of power. You only needed to end the war."

"But aren't we supposed to rule humanity?"

Uh...

Muzan's expression grew a little awkward. "When did I ever say that?"