"You... how do you know about this?"
Why does this female demon before him know that he had already sent his child away in advance?
Why can she even directly point out the person he entrusted?
How does she know these things? Could her companion have already intercepted the Flame Hashira?
No, that's impossible... her words just now didn't sound like she had already accomplished that.
Clearly, she had only just learned about this matter.
After an extremely brief shock, Ubuyashiki forced himself to calm down again.
At first she was clearly completely unaware, but after just one glance at him, she knew all his previous arrangements...
Could this female demon's Blood Demon Art be something that allows her to see a person's related past from their body?
Could there actually be a Blood Demon Art with such a bizarre effect in this world?
If this is true, wouldn't that mean she could directly "see" the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters' location from those Demon Hunters who know where it is?!
"Mitsuba."
Appreciating the constantly changing complex expressions on Ubuyashiki's face, Mitsuba was just about to tease him some more when she saw Michikatsu, who had dealt with the other side, also stepping into this courtyard at this moment.
"Elder Brother, I arrived earlier than you~"
Mitsuba turned her head and said to Michikatsu with a smile.
Casually throwing the long-handled axe used by the current Stone Hashira at Ubuyashiki's feet, Michikatsu first confirmed Mitsuba's condition, then shifted his gaze to Ubuyashiki and the Water Hashira before him.
"Michikatsu, it really is you..."
Compared to Mitsuba, Ubuyashiki's expression was clearly more shocked when he saw Michikatsu.
He really didn't quite understand.
In Ubuyashiki's memory, this twin elder brother of Yoriichi, the Moon Hashira who was second strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps, had always trained extremely hard, and toward demons encountered on missions was always completely ruthless, never showing mercy.
Such a person, such a personality... no matter how you looked at it, didn't seem like someone who would willingly fall and become a demon.
But the fact was that it had happened.
At this moment, Michikatsu was standing before them in demon form, even wielding his blade against his former companions.
"Can you tell me why you would do this?"
Regarding Ubuyashiki's question, Michikatsu showed no intention of answering.
He raised his blade and stepped forward to cut off Ubuyashiki's head.
"Why do this?"
But at this moment, Mitsuba slightly raised her hand to stop Michikatsu. She seemed to have suddenly become interested, looking at Ubuyashiki who asked this question with quite curiosity, counter-asking:
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, can you tell me why we cannot do this?
I've always been curious—people in the world always love to ask why do this, but rarely ask why cannot do this.
So Mr. Ubuyashiki, can you give me a suitable reason? Please tell me, why, cannot we do this?"
A person, why cannot they choose to become a demon?
To Mitsuba's curious inquiry, Ubuyashiki gave his answer.
"You were once, also human."
Ubuyashiki's answer was quite exquisite.
He perfectly avoided the issue of standpoint which is difficult to debate, and instead chose to use "morality" as the entry point.
Because you were once also human, because demons survive by devouring humans.
Standing from the angle of morality—even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs, how could you who were once human fall and become such monsters that survive by devouring humans?
But unfortunately, Mitsuba had no morality.
"You also know this is 'once,' right?"
Regarding Ubuyashiki's answer, Mitsuba directly laughed.
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, I was, after all, once a daimyo who ruled a town with tens of thousands of people.
Therefore, please don't treat me like those Demon Hunters under you who can't even recognize a few characters and try to fool me casually, alright?
But never mind, since I'm in a good mood tonight, since you're unwilling to speak your true thoughts, then let me speak them..."
Smiling and shaking her head, putting her hands behind her back, Mitsuba paced back and forth, slowly saying:
"Morality, mission, responsibility, meaning... all these definitions are merely things artificially endowed by people. They do not naturally exist, and have never been part of this world.
Every life in this world, at the moment of birth, is free. They themselves do not possess morality, nor have any mission, nor need to bear any responsibility, nor even have any meaning.
All these things are gradually added onto each of us by the people or environment around us as we grow.
They are necessary products born to maintain the operation of this large social collective, spiritual tools created by human society to maintain collective rule.
Therefore, when a person is determined to abandon their human identity, determined to no longer be human, then they naturally also have no reason to necessarily obey these tools.
Mr. Ubuyashiki, my mind is very clear, extremely clear."
Raising her hand, pointing at her own temple, Mitsuba looked directly at Ubuyashiki before her, saying word by word:
"I am clearer than anyone about my current identity. I am no longer human, but a demon, a demon who, once my identity is exposed, will be completely rejected by human society.
I am extremely satisfied with my current identity, and have no attachment to my former human identity.
We merely look similar, but in reality we are already creatures belonging to different categories. For someone like me, tell me, why should I still obey those universal rules set by human society as a collective? What reason do I have to necessarily do this?"
The answer is, there is no reason.
Mitsuba's answer completely stripped away all moral fog. She told Ubuyashiki before her in the most direct words—
Even as a human, there is essentially no reason one cannot become a demon.
Morality, responsibility, mission...
All the reasons you can list are only valid for the social identity of "human." Standing from the perspective of the entire world, they are all pale and powerless.
Therefore, from the moment you are determined to abandon your human identity, they can no longer become reasons that can hinder you.
Between the two, there is only standpoint.
I'm hungry, so I will eat you. You have no reason to not let me eat.
You don't want to be eaten by me, so you can only come kill me. And I also have no reason to not let you kill me.
All the reasoning is just that simple.
"Finally, Mr. Ubuyashiki, when you go down and see our god, please help me bring a message to Them on my behalf..."
The formation instantly spread out, countless intricate mandala patterns extending from beneath her feet. Mitsuba looked at Ubuyashiki before her, her eyes curved into crescent moons, her smile brilliant:
"Please tell Them for me... that They can never, ever kill me."
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