"Listen up. Once we enter the movie studio, I'll find a way to get you positions in different production crews.
When that happens, your first priority is to locate my wives. Understood?"
"Say WHAT?!"
Inside the apartment where Tanjiro and the other two were staying, the moment Uzui Tengen finished speaking, Zenitsu sprang up and roared:
"You bastard! How dare you use demon slaying as an excuse to make Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen search for your wife! How could you do something so corrupt, so deceitful, so underhanded?!"
"What do you mean 'deceitful'? What the hell are you babbling about, you blonde brat?"
"Listen here!"
Facing Uzui's utterly bewildered expression, Zenitsu looked at him with heartbreaking sincerity:
"I get it completely. You're this weirdo with a screw loose who loves pulling bizarre performance art stunts—you definitely aren't popular with girls.
But even so, you can't use a mission as cover to make your team members go into a movie studio to find your wife!
We're human beings! We can't stoop that low!"
"So what the hell are you going on about, you bastard?!"
Finally losing his composure as well, Uzui Tengen roared back:
"My wives infiltrated the movie studio a long time ago to gather intelligence on demons! I'm asking for your help because our regular check-ins have been cut off! Got it?!"
At this, Zenitsu simply stared at him. After a long silence, he suddenly cracked a grin, his eyes carrying a hint of pity.
"A wife? That's definitely just your delusion, right?"
Apparently, he simply couldn't believe that this erratic, strangely dressed, seemingly brain-damaged man in front of him could actually have a wife...
"You little shit! This great lord has THREE wives! These are all letters from their regular correspondence with me recently! See for yourself!"
Uzui Tengen, now flushed red with rage, pulled out a pile of letters from his clothes and threw them at Zenitsu's feet.
"Three wives?!"
His eyes widening, bloodshot veins appearing instantly, Zenitsu's expression turned ferocious the moment he heard those words.
"What kind of joke is this?! How can a brain-dead guy like you have three wives while I'm doomed to be single forever?! This is unfai—"
BOOM!
A heavy punch to the stomach. As Zenitsu slowly crumpled to the ground, Uzui Tengen cracked his wrist and said in a flat tone:
"Anyway, that's the situation. My wives' disappearance can basically be confirmed to be connected to the demon hiding in the movie studio. Finding them means locking down that demon's location.
Don't worry either—I'll be moving with you in secret during this mission. Understood?"
"Lord Sound Hashira! I have a question!"
Helping Zenitsu up, Tanjiro suddenly raised his hand:
"May I ask how exactly we're supposed to infiltrate the movie studio?"
At this, the corners of Uzui Tengen's mouth curved upward in a confident smile.
"Hmph, well, you don't need to worry about that..."
"..."
With two consecutive Demon Slayer disappearances, the demon hiding in the movie studio would definitely be on high alert.
As Demon Slayers, they definitely couldn't enter the movie studio directly right now. They had to disguise themselves.
And this happened to be Uzui Tengen's specialty.
"I get the logic, but why am I the only one with this weird getup?!"
That afternoon, as the four walked toward the movie studio, Zenitsu roared at Uzui Tengen.
Beside him, Tanjiro had changed into simple clothes. Combined with his clear, innocent eyes, anyone looking at him would immediately think he was a country bumpkin coming to the city to work for the first time.
Genya wore a standard black male high school uniform, sported earrings, had his hands in his pockets, and with his naturally fierce facial features, looked exactly like a standard street delinquent.
Even Uzui Tengen himself was dressed in a loose kimono with long hair flowing down his back, looking like a handsome man.
The three of them were more or less within the range of normal. Only Zenitsu—not only was he wearing a female kimono, but his face also had this creepy "white face, rouged cheeks, tiny cherry lips" makeup that looked utterly bizarre.
"That's obviously because I couldn't find any usable characteristics in you, Zenitsu."
Beside him, Uzui Tengen crossed his arms and replied as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
"Hah? What do you mean I don't have characteristics?!"
"Look, Tanjiro obviously looks pure and innocent, right? Genya obviously looks like a delinquent, right?
Only you—no matter how I look at you, all I see is this sleazy vibe.
So I really had no choice but to steer you toward a woman's makeup. Otherwise, what if they don't want you later..."
"Bastard! You scumbag! You're definitely getting revenge on me!"
"Alright, don't sweat the small stuff~"
Completely unconcerned with Zenitsu's anger, Uzui Tengen's expression turned serious:
"Remember, from now on, your names are Tan, Gen, and Little Zennie!
And I'm your wealthy distant uncle. All three of you are poor relatives who came to rely on me!
It's because you yearn for the entertainment industry lifestyle, because you want to make movies and become big stars, that I'm reluctantly bringing you to the movie studio to experience it. Understood?!"
"Understood, Uncle!"
"Tch..."
"So why is my name the only weird one?!"
"..."
The movie studio on the outskirts of Tokyo was reportedly funded by a foreign company called Eternal Bliss.
This studio was built specifically for film production, containing numerous replicas of ancient and modern architecture in various domestic and international styles.
As the country's premier filming location, who knew how many production crews worked here every day. The foot traffic was quite dense.
So finding a crew to squeeze some people into shouldn't be too difficult...
"Ah, well, even if you say that, our crew is already fully staffed..."
"Don't say that, my dear sister."
Inside the movie studio, outside a certain traditional Japanese building, Uzui Tengen was holding the female director's hand, enthusiastically pitching to her.
"Look, as an uncle, I've already made promises. I can't disappoint these younger brothers of mine, can I?"
"Well~ since you put it that way, I'll reluctantly accept one~
Actually, now that I think about it, I suppose I could use an assistant~"
Completely mesmerized by Uzui Tengen's handsome features, the female director covered her mouth, blushing, and pointed at the most honest-looking one of the three—Tanjiro.
"One is fine. Tan, you'll have to learn properly from me from now on, okay?"