At the same time, inside the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat quietly in the courtyard while a member of the Kakushi Unit delivered a report. His expression remained calm, yet the way his hands were tightly clenched revealed the tension he was trying to hide.
"Master, that is the situation. His Majesty the Emperor suddenly changed his temperament, and cabinet ministers have been assassinated one after another. And…" the Kakushi member hesitated for a moment, "it is said that His Majesty the Emperor has become much younger."
Shinobu Kocho stood beside him, concern flickering in her wisteria-colored eyes.
"Master, could this be the birth of a new Demon King?"
Kagaya gently raised his hand, stopping her before she could continue.
"Shinobu, do not jump to conclusions. Without clear proof, we cannot assume His Majesty the Emperor has become a demon."
He paused briefly before speaking again, his voice still gentle yet firm.
"We need more information. Shinobu, continue your investigation in Kyoto. Be careful, and do not alert the enemy."
"Yes, Master," Shinobu replied, bowing respectfully.
"In addition, inform all the Hashira to intensify their training. If the situation changes, we must be ready to respond at any time."
Everyone answered in unison.
"Yes!"
Under the cover of night, an uneasy atmosphere spread across Kyoto. Shinobu moved gracefully across the rooftops, her purple kimono catching the cold moonlight. From above, she looked down at the brightly lit Imperial Palace in the distance, unease quietly growing in her heart.
"Lady Shinobu."
A Kakushi member appeared silently behind her.
"Latest intelligence. His Majesty the Emperor has just appointed seven new ministers, all of them young people no one recognizes."
Shinobu's slender fingers brushed lightly against the hilt of her Nichirin blade.
"Continue observing them, especially these new ministers. They are very likely also…"
Before she could finish, a chilling cold suddenly attacked her from behind.
Shinobu reacted instantly, dodging to the side. An ice crystal grazed her hair and shattered against the roof tiles, blooming into a sharp flower of ice.
"Oh my. Isn't this one of the Hashira from the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Doma stepped out of the shadows, lazily fanning himself with a golden fan. His pale blue eyes glowed dangerously under the moonlight.
"Visiting the Imperial Palace at night like this is rather disrespectful."
Shinobu immediately drew her blade and pointed it straight at him.
"Upper Rank Two. You are still alive? And it seems the Emperor really has become a puppet of the demons."
Doma placed a hand over his chest in mock pain.
"Those words are truly hurtful. We have only just met, yet this lovely lady is already wishing me dead. I am simply helping His Majesty restore the government."
The smile vanished from his face. His fan snapped shut.
"However, since you discovered me, I cannot allow you to leave."
"Blood Demon Art: Lotus Ice."
Countless ice petals burst into existence. Shinobu retreated quickly while reaching for the wisteria poison hidden in her sleeve. Just as the attack closed in, a dark figure suddenly stepped between them.
"Stop."
Muzan's voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
Doma immediately halted, clearly surprised.
"Lord Muzan? Why are you here?"
Muzan ignored him and turned his attention to Shinobu.
"Tell Kagaya Ubuyashiki that we have no intention of becoming enemies with the Demon Slayer Corps. As long as you do not interfere with us, we can coexist peacefully."
Shinobu stared at him with clear distrust.
"Peaceful coexistence? You assassinate ministers and manipulate the Emperor, and you call that peace?"
A trace of impatience crossed Muzan's face.
"Those people were necessary sacrifices. Japan needs strong leadership now."
He paused before continuing.
"Besides, we no longer eat humans. The remaining inferior demons will be used as training targets for a new unit and eliminated one by one."
Shinobu's expression turned cold.
"And you expect anyone to believe that?"
Muzan sighed softly.
"Believe it or not. But if the Demon Slayer Corps insists on opposing us, I would not mind erasing it completely."
The tension in the air reached its peak.
Then a lazy voice sounded from above.
"What is all this noise in the middle of the night?"
Everyone looked up at the same time.
Sol sat casually on the highest edge of the palace roof, his legs dangling freely while the moonlight outlined his figure in silver. Shinobu's pupils shrank instantly. The aura surrounding him was even more terrifying than Muzan's.
"Lord Progenitor!"
Muzan and Doma immediately dropped to one knee.
Sol jumped down lightly, landing in front of Shinobu as if he were simply taking a stroll. He looked at her with clear amusement, as if the situation entertained him more than anything else.
"Long time no see, Shinobu."
Her hand tightened slightly around her blade.
"Sol. I thought you had already left this world. And why are Muzan and the others still alive?"
Sol shrugged casually.
"I did not feel like killing them. Besides, they are useful."
He then glanced at Muzan.
"Did I not tell you not to provoke the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Cold sweat formed on Muzan's forehead.
"Forgive me, Lord Progenitor. Doma acted without permission."
"Enough," Sol said, waving his hand lazily. "Both of you leave. I want to talk to her alone."
Muzan and Doma disappeared immediately without another word.
Sol casually sat down on the rooftop and patted the empty space beside him.
"Sit down. Let us talk properly."
Shinobu did not move. Her blade remained raised, and her eyes never left him.
"You deceived the Demon Slayer Corps. What is there to talk about?"
Sol sighed softly, though the faint smile on his face never disappeared.
"I know it is hard for you to accept, but the current Muzan and the Upper Ranks truly no longer eat humans. From now on, no demon will. I am building a new order."
Her pupils trembled slightly.
"And you think I will believe that?"
"Believe it or not," Sol replied casually as he stood up and brushed invisible dust from his clothes.
He turned as if he were about to leave, then paused and looked back at her.
"Tell Kagaya that as long as the Demon Slayer Corps does not provoke us first, no one will die because of demons again. And if you want, you can join me. I would not mind having you on my side."
He gave her a meaningful look that made her grip tighten involuntarily.
Her hand trembled slightly, yet she never attacked him. Even she did not know whether it was because she could not or because she did not want to.
After a moment of silence, she finally spoke.
"Why? You are clearly human. Why would you stand with the demons? And with your strength, you do not need power or influence at all."
Sol laughed quietly, clearly amused by the question.
"Who said I was human? And I have my reasons. I can grant you any wish you want. Even something impossible, like bringing someone back to life."
Shinobu froze.
"You mean… resurrection?"
Sol's smile became slightly sharper.
"That is right. Including your sister."
Those words struck her harder than any attack. Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her blade until her knuckles turned pale.
"What do you want in return?" she asked, forcing herself to stay calm.
Sol chuckled softly.
"A smart question. Become my subordinate and join the force I am creating. I will leave this world soon, so you have two days to think about it."
The moment he finished speaking, his figure vanished into the night, leaving only silence behind.
Shinobu remained standing alone on the rooftop, her blade still in her hand, her mind in complete turmoil.
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