Yoriichi's earrings had appeared again, and after all these years, another swordsman had emerged who killed demons as easily as chopping vegetables-it was hard not to connect the two!
So... Yoriichi Tsugikuni clearly still wanted him dead and had reincarnated to keep hunting him down!!
The moment that thought occurred to him, Muzan felt cold sweat on his neck-Yoriichi had given him a terrible case of PTSD!
Impossible, absolutely impossible!!! No matter how strong Yoriichi Tsugikuni was, he was only human. The fact that he died of old age proves he wasn't all that!! How could he reincarnate to kill me? I'm obviously just scaring myself!! Still, I should investigate...-this was no longer a matter of "still." He absolutely had to do it!
Muzan had to find out whether this person really was Yoriichi Tsugikuni. If he was... Muzan would immediately buy a ticket on a ship and settle in the United States!!
Hmph, I'm simply curious about that country across the ocean. I can take a ship there to expand my influence and get away from the Demon Slayer Corps that keeps haunting me... and check for the Blue Spider Lily along the way-a medicinal ingredient that can cure my inability to withstand sunlight. It's certainly not because I'm scared!! Muzan thought, refusing to admit his feelings.
In short, that coward Muzan was already considering running away!
However, he had spent years building his operations in Japan and wouldn't abandon them so easily, so he sent the expendable Lower Ranks to investigate first.
And so, he addressed the Lower Ranks.
Muzan: "I petitioned God!! Heaven has responded to my request to be made the ultimate life-form!-And! They! Said! No!! They even sent a new Yoriichi to kill me? God saw my growing power in the mortal world and deliberately rejected my request!! If this new Yoriichi is not eliminated, he will become a grave threat!! You lot, bring me his head!"-everything above was completely made up! Muzan wasn't some swaggering northeastern Chinese bully and wouldn't talk like that!
Still, the gist was right-he was sending the Lower Ranks to kill Uzumaki Gamu!
And the final result... only one returned!
Seeing that this idiot had dared to return alone rather than fight to the death, Muzan flew into a rage and blew him to pieces-which explained the blood-covered floor from earlier!
After killing him, however, Muzan regretted it a little-he should at least have asked what they had learned first!
Although Muzan could read his subordinates' memories, the demon had been blown apart, and worse... all the pieces were stuck to the floor...
Muzan was a clean freak. Better not touch that garbage!
"The Lower Ranks are all useless. They probably didn't learn anything anyway. Let them die. As for the rest..." Muzan sent out a mental command, and Nakime immediately understood and brought a certain demon over.
After being transported before Muzan, he ignored the blood on the floor and dropped straight to his knees!
The demon asked, "Lord Muzan, what are your orders?"
"Akaza, I have a mission for you!" Muzan told the male demon before him.
Akaza-Upper Rank Three-was an immensely powerful male demon and a martial arts enthusiast who enjoyed Muzan's trust-the kind reserved for a useful enforcer. His primary fighting method was taijutsu, relying on pure hand-to-hand combat, a rarity among demons!
He was powerful and had been a demon for over a hundred years, since the Edo period-experienced, seasoned, and strong. He was perfect for gathering intelligence!
If even he failed to return, Muzan could conclude that the opponent was a second Yoriichi and immediately line up overnight for a ship ticket... just kidding. Someone of his standing wouldn't need to line up. He could simply find a coffin like Dio's, lie inside, and get loaded aboard as cargo. Then, in the end... sink to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean?
Well, that probably wouldn't happen!
-Preparing ninja tools-
Ugh, this guy is way too cautious! Uzumaki Gamu sighed helplessly-he had deliberately let that last demon return so he could gather information on the enemy!
To learn about the Infinity Castle, Uzumaki Gamu had created a shadow clone, transformed it into a flower petal, and hidden it on that unlucky demon, letting it follow him into the Infinity Castle!
The enemy had never seen ninjutsu and had no idea someone could infiltrate this way.
However, although the clone got inside, it learned nothing-Muzan executed that unlucky Lower Rank without asking a single question. Was he afraid something had latched onto the demon and would expose his whereabouts?
After the unlucky demon died, Uzumaki Gamu's shadow clone had been forced to dispel itself-he couldn't just reveal himself and fight Muzan, could he? If he alerted the enemy, who knew where that moron would hide?
Uzumaki Gamu couldn't help complaining, "Isn't that a little too cautious? Seriously, he's lived all these years without trying to get stronger, but he's maxed out his survival skills!"
To survive, Muzan had drastically altered his body. He possessed five brains and seven hearts. His regenerative abilities were tremendous, allowing him to recover instantly even while under attack. Even if his body was sliced into scraps, he could easily restore himself completely.
The Infinity Castle's teleportation ability also allowed him to escape the instant he faced mortal danger. Even if Uzumaki Gamu followed him into Impel Down, he would have to fight him to the death in that alternate space... things would become extremely troublesome!
Ugh... I can beat him, but I have no way to kill him for good... I think I understand how Yoriichi felt back then. It's so frustrating! Hmm, if only I knew some really badass ninjutsu! Uzumaki Gamu lamented inwardly.
In that case, the safest option is to let the story follow the original plot and make my move during the final battle in the Infinity Castle. That would guarantee the kill. Until then... I need to hide my strength so I don't trigger his Yoriichi PTSD and make him run away... Yeah, let's do that?-at that pace, it wouldn't take long. He should be able to finish this instance mission in a few months!
Then he could go home to see his younger sister before she complained about how long he was taking!
Still, if he intended to follow the original plot, shouldn't he find time to meet the head of the Demon Slayer Corps?
-Preparing ninja tools-
On a bright, pleasant morning, Tanjiro and his younger sister Nezuko... were about to face an internal trial!
Huh? Why were they suddenly being put on trial? Well, it was because Nezuko's identity as a demon had been exposed!
Although Uzumaki Gamu had cleared Mount Natagumo single-handedly, preventing Nezuko from revealing herself as a demon there, she had accidentally been exposed during a mission a few days later!
When the others saw this, they immediately tried to kill Nezuko! Fortunately, a messenger from the master of the Demon Slayer Corps arrived in time to save her!
However, although she hadn't been killed on the spot, she still had to be brought back for a trial before the Hashira, who would jointly decide whether Tanjiro and Nezuko lived or died!
And all Nine Hashira appeared together!
They were the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka; the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho; the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku; the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui; the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito; the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji; the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro; the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa; and the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
Once everyone had arrived, the discussion began immediately. During the trial, Tanjiro repeatedly insisted that Nezuko wouldn't eat humans. However, since demons eating people was an all-too-common occurrence, most of the Hashira absolutely opposed letting Nezuko live and demanded the execution of Tanjiro for siding with a demon. Well, Giyu Tomioka was the only one truly on Tanjiro's side, so the odds were overwhelmingly against the siblings!
Among them, the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, had the fiercest temper. He acted immediately, intending to execute Nezuko on the spot before their master arrived!
Tanjiro certainly wouldn't allow that. Even with his hands and feet bound, he would protect his younger sister!
Shielding Nezuko, Tanjiro shouted, "If you want to hurt Nezuko, you'll have to step over my corpse!!"
"Huh? If that's what you want, I'll oblige!! Die, traitor!!" Sanemi didn't care. Anyone who stood between him and killing a demon would be cut down, even a human-especially since Tanjiro had betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps by openly sheltering a demon!
None of the Hashira moved to stop Sanemi's slash... would Tanjiro have to face it alone?
No. Someone flickered in front of the siblings and blocked Sanemi's slash with the sheath of a Nichirin Blade!
Naturally, it was Uzumaki Gamu~
Everyone present was shocked-not one of the other eight Hashira had noticed how Uzumaki Gamu had arrived!
Sanemi, who had launched the attack, stared in disbelief as his slash was effortlessly blocked. Impossible. He blocked it that easily... Wait, who is he?
Uzumaki Gamu ignored Sanemi and said to Tanjiro, "Yo~ Haven't seen you in a few days, and now you're a prisoner?"
"Mr. Uzumaki Gamu!!" Tanjiro cried in delighted surprise-Uzumaki Gamu had left a profound impression on him. It felt like nothing could stump him! With Uzumaki Gamu here, Nezuko would definitely be safe!
Hearing Tanjiro's words, the Hashira also looked thoughtful!
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, said, "So he's Uzumaki Gamu? He looks like a very interesting person!"
"Interesting? Don't you mean dangerous?" The Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, stared intently at Uzumaki Gamu. "I didn't see how he got here. If he's an enemy... be ready!"-if Uzumaki Gamu was an enemy, they would have to prepare for a fight to the death!
Their expressions hardened. No one who became a Hashira was stupid, and they understood what the Serpent Hashira meant! They all prepared for battle.
However, since Uzumaki Gamu had been killing demons all this time, and with remarkable efficiency, they still hoped to establish a good relationship with this like-minded man and cooperate as much as possible to eliminate demons together!
So... they would let the Wind Hashira take the lead first!
After seeing Uzumaki Gamu block his blade effortlessly, Sanemi also knew this opponent was no pushover. He put some distance between them and demanded, "Who are you? How did you find this place?"
"I'm... You're not qualified to speak to me. Call your boss out first!" Uzumaki Gamu had originally intended to introduce himself, but the man's commanding tone irritated him greatly. Instead, he dismissed him outright and asked for his master!
"You don't get to decide whether I'm qualified!!" Uzumaki Gamu's words angered Sanemi as well. He intended to use his strength to teach Uzumaki Gamu a lesson and show him he wasn't just here for decoration!
Seeing that his opponent wanted a fight, Uzumaki Gamu also felt like showing off a little-as a great man once said, throw one punch to avoid a hundred more. Status and respect were always won with fists!
Since you won't listen to reason, I happen to know a thing or two about throwing punches!!
Sanemi attacked first. "First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!!"-he launched an attack with enough force to pierce the ground, unleashing a whirlwind-like slash!
Uzumaki Gamu formed hand seals with one hand. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!!"-Orochimaru's favorite wind release ninjutsu involved forming one-handed seals and expelling a gale from the mouth. It sounded simple, but its scale varied with the user's abilities. In the hands of a skilled ninja, its winds could topple an entire stand of century-old trees.
Uzumaki Gamu's bad-breath Great Breakthrough attack was neither too strong nor too weak. Besides dispersing Sanemi's attack-his slash also generated a whirlwind, which scattered when it met stronger winds-it blew Sanemi away, sending him crashing through the room's paper door!
Looking at the broken window, Uzumaki Gamu turned toward the Hashira standing outside. "Uh... do I have to pay for the damage? Just so we're clear, he started the fight. If anyone has to pay, it should be him!"
The Hashira were a little embarrassed-he was worrying about that in the middle of a fight... did he think that little of Sanemi?
Sanemi clambered out through the paper doorway and demanded, "What kind of sorcery is that?"
"Sorcery? It's ninjutsu!" Uzumaki Gamu retorted.
"I don't care what it is! Are you a demon?" Sanemi demanded-in their minds, only demons could use strange moves like that!
"A genuine human! I just have some unusual powers!" Uzumaki Gamu said, spreading his hands.
"Who would believe that!" Sanemi slashed at Uzumaki Gamu.
"See? I tell you, and you don't believe me! Then why the hell did you ask? Multiple Shadow Clone!!" In an instant, more than a dozen Uzumaki Gamus appeared!
Seeing the dozen or so clones, Sanemi thought in shock, Illusions? Or physical clones? Whatever, I'll just cut them all down!!-with that, he slashed at the nearest Uzumaki Gamu clone.
Then that clone dissipated like mist!
Seeing this, Sanemi smiled confidently. I see. Just a cheap trick... How boring! Still, that confirms it. Those clones are all illusions. I'll ignore them and attack the real one!-with that, Sanemi charged toward the real Uzumaki Gamu!
The clones immediately moved to intercept Sanemi.
After cutting the clones in front of him to pieces with two successive slashes, Sanemi became certain they were nothing more than illusions. He didn't even need to swing at them. He could simply ignore them!
Just then, a Uzumaki Gamu clone rushed in from the side and threw a punch at Sanemi!
Hmph! A fake. You won't fool- "Aaargh!!" The punch knocked a howl straight out of Sanemi.
His entire body spiraled upward, tracing an elegant arc through the air... a 3,600-degree Thomas flare?
Well, that was a little exaggerated, but Uzumaki Gamu's clone really did send him flying before he slammed heavily into the ground!
Uzumaki Gamu told Tanjiro behind him, "See that? Never trust your enemy, because you don't know when he might be laying a trap for you!"-what had Uzumaki Gamu done?
Although he had shouted "Multiple Shadow Clone," he had actually mixed shadow clones with ordinary clones!
The ordinary Clone Technique used chakra to create duplicates of the user-put plainly, it created a deceptive shell. It required very little chakra, and even Ninja Academy students could learn it!
Multiple Shadow Clone, however, created physical clones by dividing chakra equally among them. Although they were also easily destroyed, they were far more solid than ordinary clones, which could only deceive!
Uzumaki Gamu had created two shadow clones and ten ordinary clones. First, he feinted with the ordinary clones, tricking Sanemi with their illusory nature. Once Sanemi let his guard down, he sent in a physical clone and knocked him out in one hit!
Well, the core of this tactic was naturally Tobirama's principle-launch a surprise attack when the enemy believed they had won and dropped their guard, thereby securing victory!
In a sense, Tobirama was Uzumaki Gamu's mentor-Uzumaki Gamu had learned most of his combat techniques and tactics from watching Tobirama in the anime, then adapted and expanded on them... Well, compared to Madara and Hashirama, Tobirama's methods were practical and useful. Any normal human would obviously choose to learn from him~
Uzumaki Gamu thought, This is how a normal person uses shadow clones in an actual fight. Naruto's approach of throwing a massive army of shadow clones at the enemy probably isn't something anyone besides Hashirama could manage... That amount of chakra is ridiculous!
After Sanemi was knocked down, the Stone Hashira, the strongest of the Nine Hashira, prepared to step forward and speak to Uzumaki Gamu on everyone's behalf-but just then, the master of the Demon Slayer Corps finally appeared!
The moment they saw their master, the members of the Demon Slayer Corps knelt in greeting!
Their master, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, said, "Good morning. We have lovely weather again today~"
The Hashira immediately responded!
After receiving their greetings, Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned to look... no, "look" wasn't quite right, since his eyes were nearly blind. He merely turned in Uzumaki Gamu's general direction and said gently, "Hello. You must be Mr. Uzumaki Gamu? I wanted to come out when you arrived, but my health is poor, so I couldn't come immediately. Sorry for the wait!"
Because the Ubuyashiki family was related by blood to Muzan Kibutsuji, the entire family had seemingly been cursed ever since Muzan became a demon a thousand years ago. Their children, especially the boys, were all frail and sickly and would die young. To prevent their bloodline from ending, the Ubuyashiki family followed a Shinto priest's advice and married girls from a family of priests in every generation. Although this prolonged their descendants' lives, none had ever reached thirty. Even those who lived that long suffered severe illnesses and facial disfigurement, looking almost like monsters.
Uzumaki Gamu waved a hand and said, "It's fine. I don't mind little things like that! Since you're not well, why don't we sit down to talk?"
"Thank you very much! However, if my body can still stand, I would prefer to remain standing." Their master thanked him. "Ever since I learned of your existence, Mr. Uzumaki Gamu, I have wanted to speak with you. Before we begin our formal discussion, however, there is something I wish to confirm-is Muzan Kibutsuji the target of your mission?"
"That's right. I came here to eliminate that menace, Muzan!" Uzumaki Gamu nodded.
Receiving Uzumaki Gamu's confirmation, their master began coughing with excitement-their family's thousand-year-old wish to defeat the disgrace of their bloodline could finally come true. How could he not be excited?
Of course, even without Uzumaki Gamu, he believed they might defeat Muzan in this generation. That was mainly because the current Nine Hashira were the strongest in history apart from Yoriichi Tsugikuni. If even they couldn't do it... perhaps no one could defeat Muzan!
And now, with Uzumaki Gamu joining them, the chances of defeating Muzan were even greater!
However, his body couldn't handle such a fit of coughing, and the Hashira and the two daughters at his side caring for him looked alarmed!
Noticing everyone's concern, their master immediately raised a hand to stop them. "I'm all right. I'm simply too excited. Does our family's long-cherished wish finally have a chance of coming true?"
After enjoying his happiness for a while, he calmed down and told Uzumaki Gamu, "My apologies for making a spectacle of myself!"
"It's fine!" Uzumaki Gamu waved a hand.
"Wait, Master! You mustn't trust such a suspicious person so easily!!" Sanemi, whom Uzumaki Gamu had knocked unconscious, had already awakened. This loyal hound immediately voiced his concerns to his master. "He has strange powers. He could be a spy sent by Muzan Kibutsuji!!"
There was nothing wrong with that suspicion. After all, Uzumaki Gamu's background was unknown, and his strange abilities made it hard not to wonder whether he had some connection to Muzan!
Their master answered Sanemi's question with a smile. "If Mr. Uzumaki Gamu truly had a connection to Muzan, we might already be dead."-that was fair enough. Despite having lived so long, Muzan had always been straightforward, rarely taking a roundabout approach or resorting to schemes. When he encountered members of the Demon Slayer Corps, he simply killed them rather than sending spies... the Corps' victory owed quite a bit to how simple-minded he was.
If Uzumaki Gamu had been the Demon King instead, the Demon Slayer Corps would probably have been wiped out ten times over!
Just then, the Serpent Hashira, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke. "Master, please permit me to overstep and ask Mr. Uzumaki Gamu a question!"
Their master didn't answer, instead turning toward Uzumaki Gamu.
"Go ahead!" Ask whatever you want. Whether I answer is another matter!
The Serpent Hashira asked Uzumaki Gamu, "You said you accepted a commission. Then... who gave you that commission?"-everyone was curious about that!
"Well... Lord Yama!!" Uzumaki Gamu launched straight into the story he had concocted about Yama's commission. "Because Muzan stubbornly refuses to die and keeps committing evil and bringing calamity upon the world, Lord Yama issued a decree to our clan, ordering us to eliminate Muzan and send him to hell to serve his sentence!!"
Hearing this, everyone seemed struck by sudden understanding-the conversation had abruptly entered the realm of gods and Buddhas, making it feel as though their entire worldview had expanded.
Still, if that story was true, it would also explain Uzumaki Gamu's strange abilities-perhaps a deity had bestowed those powers upon his family?
Before you continue