"Muzan isn't even here!"
"So these are the two Upper Ranks who once served under him?"
"Looks like they've already fought someone just now."
Seven or eight figures emerged from different directions, each in their own stance.
All of them were Inheritors.
Some were the first generation transformed directly by Oboro, while others were later generations—created by the first group—who had gradually risen to power over the years.
Every gaze fixed itself upon Doma and Kokushibo.
And they also noticed the rest of the Twelve Kizuki, now frozen solid into statues of ice.
"Still alive after all this time… so you really do have some skill," praised a stout, overweight man with his arms crossed tightly across his chest as he stared at Doma.
Surviving from the chaotic final years of the Edo period until the present day spoke volumes of their strength—especially Doma, who had spent decades being relentlessly hunted by Muzan.
Among the Inheritors, the name of the leader of the Paradise Faith was widely known.
Not because he had helped spread the knowledge of soul power, but because the doctrines he preached bore striking similarities to the core beliefs of the Inheritors themselves.
There were even rumors that Doma claimed to be an Inheritor too—the only true successor to the god Miketake no Kami.
To the other Inheritors, this was nothing short of an open provocation.
The first‑generation Inheritors had clashed with Doma long before he betrayed Muzan. But those from the second and third generations knew very little about him.
Though they shared the same goal of "remaking the world," they had never felt Oboro's direct influence, nor had they ever seen the so‑called god Miketake no Kami in person.
For them, the origin of their purpose was only something they had heard about in stories.
"So… you were the one who leaked information about Muzan, weren't you, Doma?"
The speaker was a woman with long hair flowing down to her waist, dressed in a pure white kimono, her tone cold and sharp.
All of them had come here with the intent to kill Muzan—not only to take revenge for the countless Inheritors he had hunted down in the past, but also because consuming his power would grant them a massive evolutionary leap.
Once strong enough, they could shatter the protection the Demon Slayer Corps provided for the ruling government, tear down the old order, and reshape the world according to their own vision.
Of course, even though they shared the same will, they were not allies or friends. Each acted independently and commanded their own followers.
They had only come together temporarily, united by the single goal of killing Muzan.
They had received word that the usually cautious and elusive demon king would appear in Ueno tonight for reasons he could not avoid.
But none expected to find Doma and Kokushibo already waiting here—and seeing Doma, the woman immediately guessed what was going on.
Muzan had come to eliminate the traitors, while Doma and Kokushibo intended to overthrow their former master. Their conflict was no longer a secret.
"Calling us all here with such fanfare… only to give us nothing but these small fry of the Twelve Kizuki. Are you mocking us?" another Inheritor frowned, scanning the surroundings and glaring unhappily at the smiling Doma.
"Still… even if Muzan doesn't show up, killing the two of you will be quite the reward," added someone else, licking his lips, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
"Now, now, don't be in such a hurry… Lord Muzan will definitely come," Doma replied warmly, waving his hand to greet them all.
If Muzan refused to face them, the consequences would be far worse—Oboro himself would make sure of it. This battle was the only way the demon king could still hope to survive.
Standing beside him, Kokushibo furrowed his brow. He had not expected Doma to draw so many unwanted guests here. He had thought only Gyutaro would join the fight.
Yet he understood Doma's reasoning well enough. Just the two of them alone could not guarantee victory over Muzan.
Though he did not approve of this way of gathering "reinforcements," it was a practical move.
"This has Lord Oboro's silent approval," Doma said, seemingly reading Kokushibo's thoughts.
"This is a trial… a test for them, for you and me, and for Muzan as well. Every one of us here has a reason to win, and a right to die."
Kokushibo glanced at him but said nothing. He knew Doma's nature all too well, and had already guessed most of his plans.
"Ah… and now the final guest has arrived," Doma suddenly smiled, lifting his head as if sensing something.
Everyone turned to look.
Beneath the silver moonlight, a woman of breathtaking beauty and icy grace walked slowly toward them.
Her appearance was impossible to ignore. Her makeup was flawless, her hair styled in an elegant updo pinned with golden hairpins, and her feet clad in towering wooden geta—nearly thirty centimeters high.
It was Daki, the Upper Rank courtesan.
Though she came alone, everyone present knew she and her brother were inseparable. The name Gyutaro carried a fearsome reputation that was known to all.
The siblings answered to no one and followed no faction. They had no followers of their own, and seemed to have spent the past hundred years doing nothing but hunting Doma and Kokushibo, driven by an obsession to wipe out every Upper Rank from the old days.
More importantly, Gyutaro was something of an anomaly—neither fully an Inheritor nor entirely separate from them.
He did not seek to save or improve the world; his only purpose was destruction, turning the entire world into a living hell.
Yet he wore the same black haori that had once belonged to Oboro, and his combat techniques had been personally taught and guided by him—a privilege no other Inheritor had ever received.
The appearance of Daki made the other Inheritors grow tense and wary. In their eyes, Gyutaro was nothing less than a rabid wild beast.
And what they truly feared was not the beautiful woman standing before them, but the terrifying brother who always stood behind her.
Daki paid no attention to anyone else, treating them all as invisible air. A hint of impatience lingered between her brows.
Stepping onto the frozen ground with the sharp clack of her high wooden shoes, she fixed her gaze coldly on Doma and Kokushibo, clenching her fists.
"This time… you two won't get away!"
Arrogant and overconfident—this was the personality everyone knew Daki possessed, a result of Gyutaro spoiling and protecting her for so long.
Nowadays, little remained hidden in this world, and all records of Gyutaro and Daki were well‑known to everyone.
Though she looked cold and composed, her words carried the petulance of a child—proof that her mind was still immature.
After all, the situation was clear to anyone with half a brain. Daki had also only come because she heard rumors of a gathering.
Anyone sensible would have realized it was a trap set by Doma to draw everyone into one place. Yet in her mind, she believed it was she who had finally cornered her enemies.
Indeed, nothing in creation is ever perfect. The heavens had blessed her with a face and figure of stunning beauty, and an air of grace—but had forgotten to give her the intelligence to match. In short… she was simply foolish.
Daki did not spare even a glance for the other Inheritors present; they were irrelevant to her. She and her brother had not come for Muzan or the others.
What truly infuriated her was Doma's complete lack of response, as if she did not exist at all. She could feel the mocking disdain in his colorful eyes.
Doma and Gyutaro were old adversaries. He knew exactly how weak Daki truly was—without her brother, she would have died a hundred times over long ago.
"Now, don't be angry… seeing you upset makes me sad too. Rest assured, I will make him pay dearly for his disrespect very soon."
Just as Daki's face turned purple with rage, a large, warm hand gently rested upon the top of her head.
From her own body, a second figure emerged in a strange, fluid motion, speaking in a hoarse, chilling voice.
His bright green hair, the black haori draped over his shoulders, and the overwhelming stench of fresh blood that filled the air the moment he appeared…
It was Gyutaro.
"Leave him alive long enough… I want to be the one to kill him myself," Daki demanded, pointing imperiously at Doma.
Gyutaro grinned wickedly, his eyes locking onto Doma's. "You see… you've made my sister unhappy. And as her older brother… I have no choice but to grant her wish."
"I truly admire the bond between the two of you," Doma replied with a light smile.
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