The four of them were called inside by Tengen Uzui.
Not long after, they were led back out.
Behind Uzui, the trio looked like they had been reborn into a new and tragic species.
"What a shame," Uzui sighed, glancing at Vincent Fox with genuine regret. "You're too tall. Otherwise you would've been the first one sold."
Vincent had changed too, but his outfit was simply casual, loose, and normal.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were the real victims.
They were dressed in women's kimono, their faces plastered with thick rouge and powder.
Uzui's handiwork, through and through.
"Well?" Uzui grinned with smug satisfaction, admiring his own masterpiece. "Not bad, right? This is the work of the Festival God who governs flashiness."
Vincent stood off to the side, staring at the three of them. He nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Only after a long moment did Uzui finally wave them forward, pleased.
"Sumiko, Zenko, Inoko, let's go. Time to find you good homes."
Uzui and Vincent walked in front. The three "girls" shuffled after them in tiny, reluctant steps.
"It's so hot, so hot!" Inosuke complained nonstop. It was the first time he'd ever worn something this neat and proper.
He even reached up, trying to pull the kimono loose.
"Don't," Uzui warned.
His right fist moved without a sound and thudded into Inosuke's stomach.
Inosuke dropped instantly, out cold.
Zenitsu jumped, then hurriedly caught him and dragged him along.
"Mr. Uzui… why do the three of us have to dress like this?" Tanjiro pinched his throat and asked in a forced, high voice.
Uzui turned and spoke in a low tone. "Because I have three wives."
He pulled three photos from his pocket and handed them around.
When it reached Zenitsu, he blurted out in shock, "What?!"
"You lunatic have three wives? And each one is prettier than the last?!"
"Damn it! Life is unfair!"
He completely forgot his "identity" for a second.
Thud.
Another punch.
Zenitsu collapsed too.
Vincent stepped in quickly, helping Tanjiro support one unconscious "girl" each.
"Listen carefully," Uzui said, his expression turning sharp. "This place isn't just where humans gather. Demons gather here too."
"What?" Tanjiro whispered, startled.
Uzui nodded. "I suspect my three wives were taken by demons. We used to stay in contact through messenger crows, but they've vanished. They're all skilled kunoichi, so whatever's in here isn't weak."
He scanned the street as he spoke, eyes alert.
"But because of who I am, I can't move openly without drawing attention. That's why I called you."
"For now, I'll patrol outside the district. The moment you find anything, report to me immediately… or report to him."
Uzui pointed at Vincent.
Then he looked Vincent over and began assigning roles.
"Your cover is a regular customer who's been around this district for years. Remember which houses buy these three. Drop in from time to time and keep an eye on their progress."
Vincent nodded once.
Around then, Zenko and Inoko finally woke up. One punch had done wonders for their obedience.
They shut up and followed behind.
The five of them walked down the street, and before long, they locked onto a target.
Uzui strode up first and addressed an elderly couple standing by the entrance.
"Grandpa, Grandma, take a look at these girls. How about them?"
He stepped aside, revealing the trio.
The old couple went blank, staring for several long seconds before the wife finally managed, "Oh my… what… sturdy little girls…"
The old man shook his head at their painfully rough makeup.
"Sorry. We're not in a position to take more. We just brought in a few girls recently."
He looked at his wife.
The old woman examined the three rugged "maidens," hesitated, then said reluctantly, "Well… we could take one."
"Then please," Uzui said politely. "I'll leave one to you, ma'am."
At some point he'd removed his own decorative accessories. His pale hair fell naturally, and his long, narrow eyes were striking enough to make passersby glance twice.
The old woman thought for a moment, then smiled. "We'll take the one in the middle. She looks… obedient."
"What's your name?"
"I'm Tanji… I mean, Sumiko," Tanjiro said quickly. "I'll work hard!"
And just like that, Tanjiro was the first of the trio to get "hired."
The remaining four continued down the main street, searching for another suitable house.
"You two are trash," Uzui muttered, looking at the remaining pair with pure disappointment. "You're going to have to be dumped at clearance prices."
Zenitsu, already boiling with complaints, glared viciously at Uzui.
Uzui's gaze turned cold. "What's that look? I told you. No matter what, you follow my commands."
Zenitsu: "…!@#$%"
He kept sneaking glances at Vincent and Uzui.
Both of them wore loose, well fitting kimono. Their builds were refined, their faces clean, and they looked annoyingly eye catching.
Zenitsu's resentment grew.
Forget the crossdressing. Fine. Whatever.
But why were these two still so handsome? Was the universe joking with him?
"Look! There are a lot of people over there!" Inosuke shouted, pointing toward a crowd in the distance.
"I told you not to talk," Uzui snapped, stepping in and clamping a hand over Inosuke's mouth.
"Your voice is way too rough, and your fake voice is even worse. The second you speak, your identity is exposed."
Then he followed Inosuke's line of sight.
"Oh. It's an oiran parade."
His eyes tracked through the crowd and landed on a stunning woman.
"That's Koika of Tokito House," Uzui explained calmly. "She's extremely popular."
As he spoke, an older woman approached, her eyes sweeping over them before locking hard onto Inosuke.
"Excuse me," she said, smiling. "We'll take that girl."
"Really?" Uzui looked delighted.
"Of course. I'm from DiBen House. I don't misjudge people." The woman covered her mouth as she laughed, gaze lingering on Inosuke like she'd found treasure.
"If that's the case, then thank you. Truly, thank you, DiBen House," Uzui said, pressing his palms together with an expression of perfect gratitude.
As Inosuke was led away by the older woman, Uzui even waved theatrically.
"Goodbye, Inoko!"
Seeing his last partner get picked, Zenitsu panicked.
First Tanjiro.
Now Inosuke.
That left the "main trio" with only him.
He swallowed hard, face pale.
"Oh no… now it's just me…"
----------------------------------------------------
The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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