First and foremost, they had to be strong.
Taking into account the possibility that this could be false intelligence, in case they encountered a trap, a powerful demon would at least have the ability to protect themselves—or even turn the tables.
Second, they had to be intelligent.
This went without saying. As long as Muzan himself wasn't brain-dead, he would never send an idiot to handle this. After all, the smarter the demon, the easier it would be for them to distinguish truth from lies.
Third, they had to be loyal—absolutely loyal, the kind that had withstood severe trials and tribulations!
This needed even less explanation. The Blue Spider Lily was far too important. As long as Muzan hadn't developed dementia, he would definitely send his most loyal subordinate, the one least likely to pull any tricks.
In short: better safe than sorry.
In Tamayo's view, Muzan didn't have many redeeming qualities—in fact, one could say he was full of flaws. But when it came to caution... he had definitely maxed out that stat.
And finally, if possible, it would be best if the dispatched demon possessed some kind of relevant special ability.
For example, being able to tell at a glance whether humans were lying—or even better, being able to see through the past and future at a single glance, making deception completely impossible.
With a demon possessing such special abilities on the mission, success would be practically guaranteed.
So, among Muzan's subordinates, did such a demon exist who could satisfy all these conditions?
Well!
Believe it or not! There really was such a demon!
That would be the legendary younger sister of the Child of God, Tsugikuni Yoriichi; the most trusted demon under the Demon King Muzan; the intelligent and capable female head of the Sengoku era household; the usurper of divine authority; the controller of karma and fate; the sole transgressor in this world—Upper Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, Tsugikuni Mitsuba!
Yes! It could only be her!
When formulating this subjugation plan, after countless deliberations, Tamayo tragically discovered that no matter what arrangements or adjustments she made in the end...
As long as she still wanted to use the Blue Spider Lily as bait, and as long as Muzan wasn't brain-dead, he would definitely send Tsugikuni Mitsuba to handle this matter.
The reason was simple: Tsugikuni Mitsuba was simply too useful!
Not only was she fiercely loyal, immensely powerful, and highly intelligent, but she also possessed that monstrous Blood Demon Art capable of tracing the past and glimpsing the future.
When facing something that even Muzan himself couldn't verify as true or false, sending Tsugikuni Mitsuba to handle it was almost certainly his inevitable choice!
That was why, for Tamayo, this was essentially a checkmate—not that she wanted to choose Tsugikuni Mitsuba, but that she simply had no other choice...
Tsugikuni Mitsuba would definitely come.
However, this was fine too.
After all, she would eventually have to face Tsugikuni Mitsuba anyway. Since that was the case, she might as well take this opportunity to clash with her once first!
If she succeeded, she could cut off one of Muzan's most important arms.
If she failed, she could learn from the experience and treat it as a rehearsal for the future formal subjugation of Muzan and Tsugikuni Mitsuba.
Of course, regarding intelligence on Tsugikuni Mitsuba and these concerns weighing on Tamayo's mind, she had been completely transparent with Ubuyashiki from the very beginning.
As possibly the only being in this world outside the demon faction who knew exactly how powerful Tsugikuni Mitsuba truly was.
Tamayo was acutely aware of just how dangerous this plan to subjugate Upper Rank One was.
Once something went wrong, the entire Demon Slayer Corps could face the danger of annihilation once again!
The last shred of conscience remaining in her heart, which had long been filled with hatred, prevented Tamayo from letting these Demon Slayers charge to their deaths without knowing anything.
At the very least, they had to know the truth—know who they were about to face.
Tamayo had even mentally prepared herself: if these Demon Slayers refused to participate in this subjugation plan, she wouldn't force them, but would instead continue to lie in wait for the right opportunity...
But what she hadn't expected was that after merely one night of consideration, Ubuyashiki and the Hashira under his command unanimously agreed to cooperate with her plan.
Thus, the Demon Slayer Corps' subjugation plan targeting Tsugikuni Mitsuba officially began.
"Miss Tamayo, are you certain we must go to such lengths?"
"I'm certain, Mr. Ubuyashiki."
Late at night, within Ubuyashiki's residence, facing his doubts, Tamayo nodded gently and replied seriously:
"Tsugikuni Mitsuba's danger is precisely this terrifying. Not only can her Blood Demon Art trace the past and future from humans,
but she can also trace back to any person or event that has had a causal connection with someone through the karma attached to that individual.
When facing such a terrifying ability, no amount of strict precautionary measures would be excessive."
As she spoke, Tamayo looked at the man before her whose face had already begun to show curse marks, and said with an extremely solemn tone:
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, let me remind you once more—all the Hashira within the Demon Slayer Corps who know of our subjugation target have already been informed of it.
Therefore, to prevent Tsugikuni Mitsuba from prematurely detecting our actions through the karma on them,
until the final moment of our plan, they absolutely must not appear outside casually. This is extremely important, do you understand?"
Tsugikuni Mitsuba could trace karma.
Therefore, no matter how secret a plan was, as long as she came into contact with someone involved in the plan and saw the karma on them,
she would definitely be able to perceive the existence of this plan from that karma.
In Tsugikuni Mitsuba's eyes, there were no secrets in this world.
The only countermeasure Tamayo could think of was—
To ensure Tsugikuni Mitsuba couldn't come into contact with anyone who knew of this subjugation plan.
As long as she couldn't see any relevant threads of causality, then naturally, she wouldn't be able to know of this plan's existence...
"Please rest assured, Miss Tamayo. I have already given orders regarding this matter."
Facing Tamayo's repeated warnings, Ubuyashiki merely smiled and spoke in that reassuring voice:
"All the Hashira who know of this subjugation plan are currently secretly remaining in this headquarters, standing by at any moment.
Those we have dispatched to carry out the mission of spreading intelligence about searching for the Blue Spider Lily have all been outsourced multiple times, with intermediaries below sending commissions to wealthy merchants throughout the country.
These intermediaries and merchants have neither had direct contact with us, nor do they know anything about our identities or plans.
They only know to follow the commissioned content and search everywhere for intelligence about the Blue Spider Lily.
There is no possibility that our plan can be traced."
"That's good then."
Tamayo nodded gently, but the expression on her face didn't relax.
"There's one final matter I need to confirm with you once more, Mr. Ubuyashiki.
In the Demon Slayer Corps' past records, is it true that every month, there appear Demon Slayers with no external wounds on their bodies, but who have inexplicably been drained of their blood and flesh?"
"Indeed. In our past records, this situation has persisted for at least several decades, occurring almost every month with extremely regular frequency.
We have always speculated that this is likely some Upper Rank demon with a preference for feeding on Demon Slayers, regularly targeting the Corps' swordsmen.
But regrettably, this demon's movements are extremely mysterious. For decades, through multiple generations, the Demon Slayer Corps has never caught even a trace of it..."
"That's exactly it."
With an idea already forming in her mind, having finally completed the last piece of the puzzle for this Upper Rank One subjugation plan, Tamayo lowered her head.
Her gaze became completely resolute, her ten fingers subconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes.
[Kibutsuji Muzan, this time, I may truly be able to remove your most capable right-hand woman...]
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