Ryuya and Kanae's flawless performance left Muzan with no obvious fault to pick.
Their words were seamless.
Their expressions sincere.
"Alright, alright. I see your filial devotion."
Muzan's eyelids twitched slightly. For some reason, an unpleasant premonition lingered in his chest.
"Kanae, from today onward, you will remain by my son's side. I am… quite satisfied with you."
The words felt forced even as he said them.
Since he couldn't find a flaw in their behavior, and his earlier probing had yielded nothing, Muzan found himself unable to vent his irritation.
So he shifted direction.
"Ryuya. Since Kanae defected from the Demon Slayer Corps, she must be familiar with their headquarters. Or at least the residence of Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Isn't that so?"
At those words—
Both Ryuya and Kanae stiffened internally.
Kanae immediately thought of Shinobu… and the Butterfly Mansion.
Ryuya, however, thought further ahead.
The Demon Slayer Corps could not be destroyed.
Not yet.
For him, their existence was useful.
As long as the Corps remained active, Muzan's hatred would be divided.
If the Corps vanished, Muzan's attention would inevitably fall entirely on him.
Before he gained absolute strength—
The Demon Slayer Corps must survive.
These calculations flashed through Ryuya's mind in an instant.
Only seconds after Muzan finished speaking, Ryuya responded calmly.
"Father, locating Ubuyashiki's residence may not be difficult. Your thinking is farsighted. However… if you can think of such a plan, wouldn't the Demon Slayer Corps anticipate it as well?"
Muzan paused.
That… was reasonable.
But something about Ryuya's tone—
Why did it feel like he was subtly implying his father wasn't thinking things through?
Before Muzan could dwell on it—
A voice emerged from behind a bamboo curtain.
"The Swordsmith Village."
Kokushibo.
"Because of its reliance on Materials, it does not relocate frequently."
Ryuya's eyes shifted.
Master was here?
He had not sensed Kokushibo's presence.
Which meant—
His mastery of the Transparent World was still inferior.
Behind the bamboo curtain, Kokushibo's silhouette remained faint but unmistakable.
Kanae followed Ryuya's gaze and caught a glimpse of the towering figure within.
"Swordsmith Village…"
Muzan's eyes lit up instantly.
Yes.
The Swordsmith Village.
The source of Nichirin Blades.
In war, supplies and weapons were everything.
Even the fiercest soldiers were useless without arms.
Destroy the source of Nichirin Blades—
And the Demon Slayer Corps would collapse sooner or later.
"Wu—Ryuya," Muzan corrected himself smoothly, "I entrust this matter to you and Kochou Kanae. Do not disappoint me."
His tone sharpened.
"You may freely mobilize the Lower Ranks. I also wish to evaluate their performance. If their progress is unsatisfactory, you will bear responsibility."
So.
This was both a mission—
And a trap.
A way to assign him blame if anything failed.
"By the way… what of Lower Rank Two?"
Muzan changed the subject abruptly.
He still wanted to find some fault.
"Father, there is no suitable candidate yet. I have not found anyone who meets your expectations."
Ryuya's answer was smooth.
In truth—
He already had a candidate.
Song Yue.
But now was not the time to present her.
First impressions mattered.
If he introduced her immediately, Muzan would instinctively suspect bias simply because she was Ryuya's recommendation.
No.
He needed the perfect moment.
A dramatic entrance.
A "coincidental" act of devotion that would win Muzan's favor naturally.
Everything was prepared.
Only the right timing remained.
"Your efficiency is too slow," Muzan said coldly. "I am dissatisfied. Do not test my patience."
"Yes, Father."
Ryuya bowed slightly.
Inside, he almost laughed.
You want speed?
Very well.
Then I'll give you speed.
If Muzan wanted urgency—
He would have it.
Yoriichi's outfit needed to be completed.
Once it was—
He could place it on Kokushibo.
As for why Muzan hadn't simply assigned Kanae as Lower Rank Two—
The reason was obvious.
She was not under Muzan's control.
Even when Muzan claimed to entrust him with managing the Lower Ranks, the true authority still remained with Muzan.
Ryuya was merely a convenient scapegoat in waiting.
However—
The Swordsmith Village.
That suggestion from Kokushibo aligned perfectly with Ryuya's own plans.
He needed to go there anyway.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's Nichirin Blade was there.
A weapon he required.
Then it was settled.
He would mobilize the Lower Ranks—
And prepare to attack the Swordsmith Village.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
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2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
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