Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
When Lynn woke from his sleep, changed clothes, and arrived at the door of the secret room,
All the Hashira, including Uzui Tengen, had already gathered in their positions.
"Lynn, you woke up way too late."
"It's you guys who woke up too early."
Lynn replied with righteous confidence.
Waking up at six in the morning was already pretty good. He wasn't even this diligent when he was in school.
"Are the restraint tools ready?"
"They're ready."
Uzui Tengen turned sideways, revealing a pile of restraint tools behind him.
"Then let's get started."
Lynn and the others entered the secret room with the tools.
As channels for contacting Kibutsuji Muzan, Daki and Gyutaro would be taken back to the Demon Slayer Corps together.
After blindfolding, earplugging, and gagging the two to ensure their coordinates wouldn't be leaked on the way, Lynn and the others left the Rengoku Residence and began their journey back.
The Rengoku Residence was located on the outskirts of Tokyo, not far from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
After traveling all morning, the group soon reached their destination.
"Lynn, you go see Master first. We'll go settle these two."
Since Lynn needed to negotiate with Ubuyashiki Kagaya, Uzui Tengen and the others tacitly stopped.
The two groups split up. Uzui Tengen and the others took Daki and Gyutaro to the small dark room, while Lynn went alone to the Ubuyashiki Residence.
It was June, and the late-blooming cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
Pink petals danced in the wind, landing on the bluestone path in the courtyard.
At the end of the stone path, Ubuyashiki Kagaya stood quietly, supported by Ubuyashiki Amane.
"Lynn, you've returned."
A faint smile graced Ubuyashiki Kagaya's face.
"I've already heard about the situation in Tokyo."
"Thanks to your plan this time, we were able to achieve such great results."
"It's only a temporary victory. If we can't deal with Kibutsuji Muzan, none of this matters."
"That's right. We must kill Kibutsuji Muzan."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded slightly, expressing agreement with Lynn's words.
Kibutsuji Muzan was the source of all demons.
If they couldn't kill him, the vacant Upper Rank Demons would be replenished within a few years.
"Lynn, I heard you issued a challenge to Kibutsuji Muzan. How confident are you about this battle?"
"Currently, 10%. If you can find Tamayo to help, the success rate can increase a bit."
"I see."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya fell into a brief silence.
A moment later, as if having made a decision, he took out a letter from his chest.
"Lynn, there's something I must apologize for. Actually, I lied to you about Tamayo."
"I know."
"I knew a long time ago... Huh?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who was about to come clean, was stunned.
Looking at the black-haired youth before him, a rare look of confusion appeared on his face.
"You know?"
"That's right. I know you're acquainted with Tamayo and have been lying to me about having no contact."
Lynn replied with a calm expression.
In the original story, when Tanjiro first met Ubuyashiki Kagaya at the Hashira meeting, the latter mentioned asking Tanjiro to send his regards to Tamayo.
Later, during the preparations for the final battle, it was also Ubuyashiki Kagaya who, despite opposition, invited Tamayo to collaborate with Kocho Shinobu to set a trap for Kibutsuji Muzan.
Knowing these two things, it was natural for Lynn not to believe that Ubuyashiki Kagaya and Tamayo were strangers.
"Actually, I understand your thoughts perfectly well. After all, my appearance was too sudden."
Seeing that Ubuyashiki Kagaya was mentally prepared to come clean with him, Lynn also began to lay his cards on the table.
"If I were in your place and suddenly encountered someone who knew about the Upper Ranks and Kibutsuji Muzan's secrets, I would also suspect they might be a spy sent by Kibutsuji Muzan."
"If I hadn't led the team to capture an Upper Rank alive and killed two Upper Rank Demons this time, you probably would have kept Tamayo's information hidden forever, right?"
"...I apologize."
"No need to apologize. Aren't you curious about where I actually learned this information?"
"If you're willing to tell me, I am indeed very curious about that."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at Lynn. "To be frank, I had someone investigate your background."
"Before being saved by the former Thunder Hashira, Jigoro Kuwajima, you were wandering the slums."
"Under such circumstances, how did you learn the secrets of Kibutsuji Muzan and the Upper Rank Demons? And how did you know I was in contact with Miss Tamayo?"
"The answer is simple."
Under Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gaze, a terrifying aura emanated from the black-haired youth.
"I am a god."
"...A god?"
"That's right! I am Kami-sama!"
Lynn raised his palm, unleashing the State of Selflessness and Current Propulsion at full power. Golden lightning crackled to life.
"Although I've only awakened recently, I've already successfully recovered a portion of my divine authority."
"Using this portion of authority, I've learned many unknown secrets, including those about Kibutsuji Muzan and the Demon Slayer Corps."
"..."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya fell silent.
As a normal person, he felt Lynn's words indeed didn't sound very human.
If it were any other time, he would definitely call for Kanae to examine Lynn's brain to see if he had eaten the wrong mushrooms.
But now...
Gazing at the dazzling, intensely present golden lightning dancing in Lynn's hand, Ubuyashiki Kagaya felt his mind struggling to process it.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya: 0.o?
Do gods really exist in this world?
"Gods... do exist."
As if seeing through Ubuyashiki Kagaya's thoughts, Lynn's voice sounded again.
"You know about Tsugikuni Yoriichi, right?"
"Naturally, I do."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded. "The creator of Sun Breathing. I heard he once pushed Kibutsuji Muzan to the brink."
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi was a god, a reincarnated god who lost his memories, just like me."
"Only, his luck was poor. He never awakened before his death and entered the next cycle of reincarnation."
"This... is that really the case?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya frowned.
To be honest, Lynn's explanation was somewhat mind-boggling, yet strangely plausible when combined with reality.
What kind of person was Tsugikuni Yoriichi?
It was said he was a peerless monster who could defeat a seasoned samurai the first time he held a sword and whose normal breathing was the Sun Breathing Technique.
During his lifetime, Kibutsuji Muzan completely vanished for hundreds of years, only reappearing after Tsugikuni Yoriichi's death.
For such an existence that defied common sense, calling him a god who failed to awaken his memories seemed perfectly reasonable.
Recalling the intelligence about Tsugikuni Yoriichi from the Demon Slayer Corps and gazing at the lightning in Lynn's hand, Ubuyashiki Kagaya quietly began to believe Lynn's account.
"Lynn... no, Divine One."
"Thank you for being willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps and assist us in killing Kibutsuji Muzan."
"On behalf of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Ubuyashiki Clan, I express my gratitude for this kindness."
"No need for thanks. I have my own purposes in helping you deal with Muzan."
"Please speak, Divine One."
"I need the formula for the Evolution Potion."
"Evolution Potion?"
"Simply put, it's the potion that turned Kibutsuji Muzan into a demon. Of course, I need the complete version."
"This..."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya furrowed his brow.
As if doused with cold water, he, who had been thoroughly convinced moments before, sobered up considerably.
"Divine One, you are a divine reincarnation. Why would you need such an evil thing?"
"Evil? That's just your prejudice."
Lynn, unperturbed by the change in Ubuyashiki Kagaya's attitude, replied in the same calm tone.
"A kind person who gains power will use what they have to help the weak."
"An evil person who gains power will use what they have to enslave the weak."
"Power itself is neither evil nor just. What distinguishes evil from justice is always the person."
"Ubuyashiki Kagaya, as someone at the top of this society, you should understand this very well."
"The human heart is more terrifying than any demon."
...