Raiden took the reagent from Tamayo's hand and examined it carefully.
In the center of the liquid, a thin red substance floated like willow fluff, resembling blood but not entirely the same.
Just as Raiden was thinking of a way to convince Tamayo to give him the reagent, the Kasugai Crow on his shoulder suddenly spoke. The moment Tamayo mentioned a medicine capable of turning demons back into humans, Raiden noticed the crow's claws tighten slightly.
"Tamayo, are you willing to cooperate with the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Cooperate?"
Tamayo glanced at the Kasugai Crow, then turned her gaze back to Raiden. Compared to the Demon Slayer Corps, whose duty was to kill demons, she trusted Raiden far more. There was at least a real connection between them.
"My purpose for coming here this time is to invite you to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters," the crow continued.
"Shinobu Kochou is highly skilled in demon physiology and pharmacology. Kagaya Ubuyashiki hopes you can cooperate with her."
Tamayo froze for a moment. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at Raiden.
"You are inviting me, a demon, to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters?"
Seeing the tension in her expression, Raiden spoke calmly.
"Don't worry, Tamayo. Whether you go to the Ubuyashiki Estate or not is completely your decision. No one will force you, not even me."
"If you decide to go, your safety there will be guaranteed by me. I will not side with the Demon Slayer Corps just because I am one of them."
"If you decide not to go, then I hope you will give me that vial of medicine instead."
Raiden kept his tone as sincere as possible. Originally, his goal was only to persuade Tamayo to cooperate with the Demon Slayer Corps. But now that she had already developed a medicine capable of dealing with Muzan, his objective had naturally changed.
Tamayo looked at him silently. She believed Raiden had the strength to keep his word, but that did not mean she could entrust everything to him so easily. If she went to the Ubuyashiki Estate, Yushiro would definitely follow. This decision involved both of their lives.
"Tamayo, you can't go. Let's find another place."
Yushiro finally lost his patience. He had never heard of demons working together with humans. Going to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters would be no different from walking into a trap.
Raiden did not interrupt him. From the look in Tamayo's eyes, it was already clear that she had made up her mind. No matter what Yushiro said, it would not change her decision.
"Yushiro, we do need to find another place," Tamayo said softly.
"Raiden's continuous killing of the Upper Moons has already made Kibutsuji Muzan restless. If we want to defeat him once and for all, this may be our best opportunity."
A cold hatred flashed in her eyes. Personally killing Muzan was the only reason she had continued living in hiding for so many years. Now that the chance had finally appeared, she could not let it go.
"Fine… do whatever you want."
Yushiro clenched his teeth and stopped trying to persuade her. Instead, he glared at Raiden with clear hostility.
Raiden glanced at him but did not care. Yushiro's jealousy was too obvious to take seriously.
"We can leave once I finish packing the research materials," Tamayo said politely before turning toward the table.
"Good news will be delivered."
The Kasugai Crow finished speaking, then spread its wings and flew out through the window.
"So impatient to report back. It looks like Kagaya's condition is getting worse," Raiden muttered quietly as he watched the crow disappear into the night.
Tamayo paused for a moment while packing.
"Raiden, what are your chances of defeating Kibutsuji Muzan?"
"Thirty percent."
He deliberately gave a conservative answer. In truth, he believed his chances were much higher. He was very close to breaking through to the next level of strength. Once that happened, even if he could not defeat Muzan alone, the other Hashira would not be useless.
Why fight alone when they could win with numbers?
"Thirty percent…" Tamayo repeated softly.
It was not a small chance, especially when the enemy was a demon king who had lived for centuries. But she did not want all the years she had endured to end in failure. She wanted to increase those odds even further.
Tamayo slowly opened a drawer and took out another vial.
Unlike the first one, this reagent was completely clear, but the liquid inside was a deep purplish red. It seemed to contain an endless amount of power, every drop glowing faintly in the dim light.
Fine letters were engraved on the bottle. The name written on it was Blood Ignition.
A faint medicinal smell filled the room, mixed with a sharp, almost burning scent. It did not feel like an ordinary medicine. Instead, it carried something far more dangerous.
"Blood Ignition…" Tamayo whispered quietly, her eyes filled with determination.
This was a desperate measure, something meant only for a life-or-death situation. It could grant tremendous power, but the price would not be small.
She slowly handed the vial to Raiden, her fingers trembling slightly.
Raiden looked at the medicine in surprise. So she had developed something new as well.
Tamayo watched him take the vial and began to explain the effects of the medicine.
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