Dawn was approaching. With no time to continue searching, everyone decided to return to the Butterfly Mansion to regroup and plan their next move.
Zenitsu was already receiving proper medical treatment, while Tanjiro—exhausted after a night of battle—had long since fallen into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Yosuke and the others gathered to discuss Inosuke's situation.
With Inosuke captured, the situation had turned against them.
Shinobu Kocho furrowed her brows. "What exactly is Muzan Kibutsuji trying to do? Why go out of his way to capture Inosuke?"
Koyuki speculated, "Could it be… Muzan has overcome the sun, and now he wants to start a full-scale war against us?"
Gyomei Himejima, well acquainted with Muzan's nature, shook his head. "No. If Muzan had truly conquered the sunlight, he wouldn't bother taking Inosuke hostage. He would've already begun the war himself."
Kanae Kocho turned to Yosuke. "By the way, Master—what is that place mentioned on the Ice Monument?"
After a moment of silence, Yosuke replied, "This matter… I'll handle it alone. I'll go and rescue Inosuke myself."
The moment he said he'd go alone, Ume spoke up anxiously. "Yōsuke-sama, it's obviously a trap! They're trying to lure you in!"
The others immediately voiced their objections, insisting on going together.
Yosuke, however, calmed them gently. "The Ice Monument clearly stated that I must go alone. If Muzan's forces realize you're following me, Inosuke's life will be forfeit. Don't worry—there isn't anyone in this world capable of killing me."
"Yosuke-sama…"
A weak voice came from the doorway—it was Tanjiro, struggling to stay on his feet.
Kanae's expression turned stern. "Tanjiro, you need to rest!"
"I'm sorry… but there's something I have to say. Something doesn't feel right."
Yosuke looked toward him. "What is it?"
"When we defeated Kaigaku, and Doma appeared afterward, he said something strange. He said, 'Looks like that man who calls himself the "Divine Master" beside Lord Muzan was right after all—Kaigaku really did die.'"
The room fell into a heavy silence.
No one had expected that the "Divine Master" they'd been searching for all this time had actually allied himself with Muzan.
Yosuke's expression darkened as well. He recalled the first time he'd met the High Priest, and the cryptic words the man had said: 'This time, fate stands with the weaker side—Muzan Kibutsuji's side.'
So… that was what he meant.
Shinobu spoke with concern, "Master, if that's the case, then you definitely shouldn't go alone."
But Yosuke shook his head. "It's because of that that I must go alone."
Everyone was puzzled, until Gyomei explained on his behalf. "The priestly clan possesses the ability to foresee the future. If this 'Divine Master' truly holds that title, his foresight must be exceptionally powerful. If he's foreseen that Yosuke would not go alone, Inosuke's fate could be sealed."
Yosuke nodded. "Exactly. Muzan sent Engetsu to attack a village this close to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters—it's very likely he did it because he foresaw what would happen afterward.
Who would've thought Muzan would go so far—sacrificing an Upper Moon as bait to lure Tanjiro and the others into battle. If two Upper Moons had appeared at once, we would have all mobilized, and the bait wouldn't have worked."
Hakuji slammed his fist into the wall, furious. "Damn it! Are we just going to dance to Muzan's tune?! He's already prepared everything to target Lord Yosuke specifically!"
As their leader, Yosuke simply smiled, trying to reassure them. "The priest I met before said that fate itself has fallen into chaos. That means even foresight may not be accurate anymore. Don't worry—I won't get caught up in the fight. I'll rescue Inosuke and return immediately."
Outside, the sun shone bright and warm—but the hearts of everyone inside were cold and heavy.
Their faces were filled with worry, for when night fell, Yosuke would be going alone—to face Muzan's trap and save Inosuke.
And when Yosuke finally confirmed his decision to go alone, something unexpected happened.
A sound echoed in his mind—
[Ding! Mission Issued!]
Mission Name: Defiance of Fate!
Mission Objective: Successfully rescue Inosuke Hashibira.
Mission Reward: Unknown—reward item will be automatically generated upon completion.
The name of the mission itself carried deep implications.
"'Defiance of Fate,' huh…" Yosuke murmured. "Does that mean… against Muzan? Or against the Divine Master?
And this reward—it's strange. The system once said it could only give items that exist within this world. But if it's an unknown item that will be created after completion… then that means it's something that doesn't exist here at all."
Everything about this first system mission felt… off.
Unable to make sense of it, Yosuke asked directly, "System, what exactly is this mission?"
[Host, please note: this is no longer merely a confrontation between you and Muzan Kibutsuji. It is also a battle between the System and Fate itself. If either you or I fail, we will both cease to exist.
Therefore, by completing this mission, I am permitted—within the bounds of the world's rules—to create an item to aid you against the unknown.]
"So you're saying… I'm fighting against the fate of this world itself?"
[Yes, Host. From the moment you were born into this world, you have been defying its fate. Fate sought to end your life at birth. It was I who protected you.]
Yosuke frowned. "Then you mean… the illness I suffered when I was born—it wasn't an accident?"
[Correct. That illness was no coincidence. Your existence disrupted the flow of this world. Fate wanted you erased. But I integrated you into fate's own cycle—so it could no longer act against you directly.]
For a long moment, Yosuke said nothing. The flood of information left him strangely distant, even from the System that had always been by his side.
Finally, he asked quietly, "System… what are you really? And can I truly trust you?"
[My existence is solely for your sake. You only need to remember one thing: I will always stand by your side.]
Yosuke furrowed his brow—then slowly relaxed. "If it weren't for you, I'd have died long ago. You've stayed with me for a thousand years, never once abandoning me. I suppose… I owe you my trust."
He stretched his arms lazily, gazing toward the fading light. "Time really flies. Feels like just yesterday when I first met you. My body may still look young, but my heart's grown old… maybe it's finally time to believe in the strength of the next generation."
[Host… I feel the same. I wish to stay by your side for another thousand years… or even forever.]
As the sky dimmed and night fell, Yosuke set out alone—to meet his fate.