The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters was not far from Tokyo.
After packing their belongings, Lynn and Kocho Kanae set off and reached Tokyo in just a few hours.
Looking at the bright sun hanging in the sky and the bustling crowds on the streets, Kocho Kanae turned to the side.
"Any plans?"
"Let's first go to the Kitajou residence mentioned in the intelligence and check the situation."
Lynn thought for a moment before replying.
It was currently noon, and demons would find places to hide to avoid sunlight.
Rather than wandering around aimlessly, it was better to first visit the place where the demon had appeared to see if they could gather any information.
According to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the abnormality in Tokyo occurred three days ago.
At that time, a guest of the Kitajou family came to visit the Kitajou residence. He knocked for a long time but got no response. The main gate was half-open, and a faint smell of blood wafted out.
Puzzled, the guest pushed open the courtyard gate and glanced inside.
What met his eyes was a pile of corpses that looked as if they had been devoured by wild beasts, with severed limbs and remains covering the entire ground—a horrifying sight.
Upon seeing this, the guest who had come to visit the Kitajou family was driven insane on the spot, screaming and shouting until passersby came over.
The passersby had never seen such a scene either, so they reported the matter to the authorities.
Under the actions of the authorities, the Kitajou residence was quickly sealed off, prohibiting anyone from approaching.
Meanwhile, the Ubuyashiki Clan, which had some cooperation with the authorities behind the scenes, also learned of the news at this time and began sending people to investigate the situation.
"Here come two more."
At the entrance of the Kitajou residence, a middle-aged man in a police uniform sighed quietly.
"I'm Tohara Tetsusuke. Are you two also sent by the higher-ups to assist with the investigation?"
"Yes, here are our credentials."
Lynn took out a document and handed it over.
The Kitajou family was not ordinary; the impact of their massacre was enormous.
To resolve this matter, the Japanese authorities had given the Ubuyashiki Clan many backdoor privileges.
After Tohara Tetsusuke verified the credentials, Lynn and his companion quickly received permission to enter.
"What a tragic scene."
Looking at the dried bloodstains all around, Kocho Kanae frowned.
Three days had already passed, and the bodies in the courtyard had long been removed.
Even so, Kocho Kanae could still tell what kind of horrific massacre had taken place in this courtyard.
"Let's go, Kanae."
Just as Kocho Kanae was about to enter the residence to investigate, Lynn's voice suddenly rang out.
"I've found a clue about that demon."
"Huh?"
Kocho Kanae was taken aback.
Looking at the black-haired youth beside her, a trace of confusion appeared on her face.
"Found a clue?"
"Yes, found a clue."
Lynn repeated once more.
Without any intention of explaining further, he turned and called out toward the courtyard entrance.
"Mr. Tohara, come in for a moment."
"Coming."
Tohara Tetsusuke, who had been guarding the gate, walked in: "What can I do for you two?"
"Yes, I'd like to ask you about someone."
Lynn thought for a moment and described Uzui Tengen's appearance.
"Did you see him yesterday?"
"White hair, tall, a man dressed flamboyantly?"
Tohara Tetsusuke frowned, thought for a moment, and then shook his head at Lynn and the others.
"I'd definitely remember someone that conspicuous if I'd seen him. He hasn't been here."
"No, he has been here."
Lynn firmly denied it.
Looking at the man before him who seemed unaware of what had happened, he pointed to his nose.
"In case you don't know what's going on, let me briefly explain."
"I have a special ability that allows me to enhance my sense of smell to the limit for a short period."
The essence of the State of Selflessness is to clear one's mind of distractions and focus wholeheartedly on a single task.
After breaking through from LV1 to LV2, Lynn's physical abilities had improved further.
On this foundation, activating the State of Selflessness and concentrating all his energy on his sense of smell allowed his olfactory abilities to reach their peak.
Although he couldn't, like naturally gifted individuals such as Urokodaki Sakonji and Kamado Tanjirou, detect an enemy's weaknesses through smell,
under the enhancement of the State of Selflessness, distinguishing the scent composition of different people at close range posed no difficulty for Lynn.
"You carry the scent of a demon and the scent of Uzui Tengen, and the concentration is very high."
"What this means probably doesn't need further explanation, does it, Mr. Tohara?"
"...Sigh, what a hassle."
Seeing that the truth he had been hiding was exposed, Tohara Tetsusuke pulled out a pistol from his coat.
"I didn't want to confront you, but since you've discovered the truth, there's no other choice."
"Mr. Tohara?"
Seeing this, Kocho Kanae, who had been standing to the side, finally realized what was happening.
"Why are you doing this? Do you know what cooperating with a demon means?"
"I'm sorry, young lady."
Tohara Tetsusuke sighed: "If I don't help those monsters, they'll kill me and my family. I really have no other choice."
"So, are good people meant to be held at gunpoint?"
Lynn also sighed: "It seems I've been too polite, giving you some unnecessary misunderstandings about me."
"Don't move!"
As if sensing something, Tohara Tetsusuke instinctively took a step back.
"If you make a move, I'll..."
Ssskrrrt—!
A crisp tearing sound rang out as Fujiwara Tetsusuke's right hand, the one holding the gun, was severed cleanly at the wrist.
"Huh?"
Staring at the scene, Fujiwara Tetsusuke was stunned for a moment before he processed what had happened.
Indescribable pain shot straight into his mind. Clutching the wound, he let out a series of shrill, agonized screams.
"Dear Mr. Fujiwara, your favorite either-or choice time has come again."
Lynn watched all of this impassively. He stepped forward, pressing the blade against the other man's throat.
"If you don't tell me the truth, I won't need those monsters you mentioned to do the job."
"I'll send you on your way personally, reuniting your family in the heavens."
"No! Don't!"
Fujiwara Tetsusuke hurriedly begged for mercy.
Gritting his teeth against the pain from the wound, a pleading look appeared on his face.
"Don't kill my family! Whatever I can do, I'm willing to do anything!"
"Then tell me, where is Uzui Tengen right now? And where are the demons you mentioned?"
"The Public Security Police! They're all at the Public Security Police!"
"The Public Security Police?"
Lynn raised an eyebrow.
This answer was somewhat unexpected.
But considering that Fujiwara Tetsusuke, an official, was helping the demons, it was also understandable.
"Kanae, you stay here and tend to this guy's wound. Don't let him die just yet."
"You're going to the Public Security Police alone?"
"Yes, I'll go scout the situation. After all, there's a chance this guy might be lying."
"But..."
"Don't worry, it'll be fine."
As if guessing what Kocho Kanae wanted to say, Lynn spoke first.
"If everything this guy said is true, then the situation at the Public Security Police might not be as severe as you think. It might even be very safe."
"Safe?"
"Yes, very safe."
Lynn nodded; his tone certain.
Before he and Kocho Kanae arrived, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had sent many people to Tokyo to investigate.
Originally, Lynn had been puzzled why these people disappeared without even sending a message back.
But just now, Lynn's confusion was answered.
"The people who came to investigate the Kitajo residence before us were all taken to the Public Security Police by this guy."
Lynn looked at Fujiwara Tetsusuke: "The Public Security Police has the investigation report for the Kitajo residence. Anyone from the Demon Slayer Corps being taken there wouldn't arouse any suspicion."
"And precisely because of that, they couldn't send any messages back. Because the moment they entered the Public Security Police, there was no way out."
"So that's how it is!"
After hearing Lynn's explanation, the previously puzzled Kocho Kanae suddenly understood.
The Public Security Police had already been overrun by demons, becoming their stronghold.
Ambushed without any defense, ordinary people would indeed find it hard to react.
And following this line of reasoning, the reason Fujiwara Tetsusuke didn't take them to the Public Security Police this time was because...
"The demons at the Public Security Police are being held back by Master Tengen, who was taken there yesterday!"
In that moment, the truth was revealed.
...