Sol Mirek looked down at Muzan and the Upper Ranks kneeling on the floor, a faint smile resting on his lips.
He slowly stood, his gaze calm as he looked over the trembling demons beneath him.
"The sun is about to rise. That's enough for today."
He glanced toward the faint light creeping through the window and waved a hand casually, dismissing them as if the entire gathering meant nothing to him.
Sol watched the sky grow brighter for a moment, then turned back to Muzan.
"That's all for today. I'll be back to train all of you at the same time tomorrow."
Muzan immediately bowed his head.
"Yes. We will prepare properly."
Sol nodded, satisfied, then looked across the rest of the Upper Ranks.
"Remember this. If anyone tries to escape…"
His voice suddenly turned cold.
"I will make him regret it."
The demons shuddered at once. Every one of them nodded quickly. Doma even dropped flat onto the floor in an exaggerated bow.
"Don't worry, we wouldn't dare to run away."
Sol said nothing else and walked toward the door. Just before leaving, he paused.
"Oh, and Muzan."
"Yes." Muzan replied immediately.
"Keep working hard. You have the best chance of surviving the blue spider lily."
Sol left without another word.
The room remained silent for a few seconds after the door closed.
Kokushibo spoke first.
"Do you truly believe he is the ancestor of demons?"
Muzan stayed quiet for a moment before slowly shaking his head.
"His power is beyond anything I imagined. That much is certain. As for the ancestor…"
Muzan's crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"For now, we play along."
A cold smile formed on his lips. Once he obtained the blue spider lily, he would deal with that arrogant man personally.
Gyutaro tightened his grip around his sister. Daki leaned closer to him and whispered,
"But his training methods are terrifying."
"Be quiet." Muzan snapped. "If we can gain the ability to walk under the sun, any pain is worth it."
Gyutaro quickly covered Daki's mouth and looked nervous.
Surprisingly, Muzan did not react further. He simply walked toward the window, his expression dark.
"Akaza." Muzan said suddenly. "You have always chased the peak of martial arts. What do you think of him?"
Akaza clenched his fists. The patterns across his body glowed faintly.
"He is strong. Extremely strong. That's exactly why he's worth fighting."
Muzan let out a quiet laugh.
"Good. Starting tomorrow, all of you will give everything you have. This is our only chance to obtain the blue spider lily."
From the corner of the room, Gyokko cautiously spoke.
"Lord Muzan, do we really have to believe him?"
Muzan's eyes turned sharp instantly.
"Are you questioning my decision?"
"No, no." Gyokko retreated into his pot immediately.
"So scary." Hantengu muttered weakly from behind him.
Ever since he saw his clones explode the moment they appeared, he had not dared to say a single word. The gap in strength was far too great.
Muzan stared outside as the sky continued to brighten.
Then he turned around slowly and looked at the exhausted Upper Ranks.
"Listen carefully. Starting tomorrow, no matter what that man asks you to do, you will cooperate completely. This is our only opportunity."
The demons nodded in silence.
Meanwhile, Sol was already walking through the quiet morning streets.
Sunlight fell across his shoulders, outlining him in gold.
People glanced at him curiously, but no one dared to approach after noticing the faint bloodstains on his clothes.
"What an interesting reaction."
Sol smiled slightly as he remembered the terrified expressions on the faces of Muzan and the Upper Ranks.
He had only planned to find a few powerful opponents to test his Asura Mode. He never expected a random joke to turn into this situation.
Still, this worked out better.
At least now they would not try to run away.
Once he fully acquired their abilities, he would also gain the version of those abilities after the blue spider lily.
By the time Sol returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the sun was already high.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat quietly in the courtyard, meditating. He looked up the moment he heard footsteps.
"You have returned."
Sol sat down across from him and poured himself a cup of tea.
"Yes. I found Muzan."
Kagaya's fingers trembled slightly.
"And what happened?"
"Relax. They won't harm humans for now." Sol took a sip of tea. "I convinced them that I am the ancestor of demons."
Kagaya froze for a moment, then laughed softly.
"That is… an unexpected approach."
"They are cooperating surprisingly well." Sol shrugged. "Especially Muzan. He is willing to do anything if it means gaining the power of the blue spider lily."
Kagaya lowered his gaze in thought.
"What do you plan to do next?"
"Train them first." Sol set the teacup down. "Once they adapt to the blue spider lily, then I'll decide what to do with them."
Kagaya remained silent for a moment.
"Aren't you worried they will become more dangerous after gaining immunity to sunlight?"
Sol smiled calmly.
"In front of me, they will always just be punching bags."
At that moment, Shinobu Kocho walked toward them gracefully, carrying tea and snacks.
"Good morning. What are you two discussing so early?"
Her eyes paused briefly on Sol's clothes. She immediately noticed the faint traces of blood.
"We were talking about Muzan." Kagaya replied gently.
Shinobu's smile stiffened slightly.
"Really? Any progress?"
Sol took a pastry from the tray.
"I found them. We reached a temporary agreement."
Her pupils shrank slightly.
"An agreement? With demons?"
"Shinobu." Kagaya said softly. "He has his own plan."
Shinobu took a breath and forced her smile to return.
"I apologize. That was rude of me. I just find it difficult to imagine negotiating with someone like Muzan."
"It wasn't a negotiation." Sol said calmly.
"It was an order."
Shinobu's grip tightened slightly around the tray.
"You mean…"
"Exactly what it sounds like." Sol wiped his hands. "Right now, they have no choice but to listen to me."
Shinobu and Kagaya exchanged a quiet look.
Just then, Sanemi Shinazugawa walked toward them with a curious expression.
"What are you all talking about this early in the morning?"
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