Chapter 44: An Enlightened Muzan, A Derailed Demon Slayer
"You know each other?"
Hearing their exchange, Kanae Kocho keenly sensed that these people who had suddenly appeared on Mt. Fujikasane were acquainted.
The Professor's eyes shifted, and she quickly put on a smile. "Yes, we are all adventurers from overseas. We came to this country after hearing rumors of man-eating demons running rampant and wanted to investigate. We didn't expect to be attacked after entering the mountains at night, and we all got separated."
The Professor was skilled at dealing with plot characters. While her story wasn't foolproof, it was impossible for Kanae to verify it in the short term. Furthermore, the signs of battle on their bodies were clearly real. The fact that the powerhouse who had just killed a demon with his bare hands didn't contradict her story led Kanae to nod, a thoughtful look on her face.
"So, it was you who were fighting the demons on Mt. Fujikasane tonight? I thought… perhaps a cultivator from some remote region was still sending their disciples here…" Kanae's voice held both relief and a hint of disappointment.
Several years ago, Muzan Kibutsuji had, for some unknown reason, seemingly had a moment of enlightenment. He had completely changed his methods. He began to actively engage with high-ranking officials and nobles, using the wealth he had accumulated over a millennium and his secret art of granting "longevity" to rapidly gain their support, eventually making contact with the highest echelons of power.
The Taisho era, following the Meiji Restoration, was a time of great change for the entire nation. The golden age of sorcery from the Heian period was long past, and the Shinto priests had lost their ability to perform miracles. For many aging nobles, Muzan Kibutsuji had become their new "true god."
Ultimately, with the backing of one of the Taisho Emperor's sons, Muzan began to actively purge the interference of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Ubuyashiki Clan's industries were targeted, and the Corps was branded a private militia, unable to operate openly. In this environment, the number of demons began to explode, while the Demon Slayer Corps was suppressed to the point of near-extinction. The wisteria forest on Mt. Fujikasane was largely burned down by men led by the Minister of the Left. After that, the demon slayer cultivators across the country lost contact with the Corps headquarters, and many members were arrested and forced to renounce the Corps to serve the government.
It seemed the Demon Slayer Corps was on the brink of collapse. Fortunately, its core—the Hashira—had all remained loyal and continued to fight in the shadows. The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, had successively slain three Lower Ranks, which had slowed the Kizuki's search for them, as the Lower Ranks no longer dared to act alone. But even when they moved in pairs, they were still hunted down by the Stone Hashira. This had enraged Muzan, who had promoted a number of so-called [Lower Rank Candidates] and instituted a brutal "last-place elimination system" among the Lower Ranks, culling those who failed to produce results every six months. This had caused the Lower Ranks to become even more frantic and violent, and the Demon Slayer Corps had suffered heavy losses.
Today, Lady Amane Ubuyashiki, who came from a line of Shinto priests, had received a revelation that a new power would appear on Mt. Fujikasane. Kanae had led a team to investigate, only to be ambushed by security officers and a pack of demons, leading to the current situation.
Hearing Kanae's explanation, the Reincarnators all exchanged looks. It was clear to them that this world was indeed different from the story they remembered. The biggest change was Muzan Kibutsuji. The boss, who in the original story was nothing more than a pathetic coward, had suddenly grown a brain and a backbone. He had started using humans to seize control of the world.
The Professor took it a step further. She realized that if she had been able to unite the team from the start and they had worked together to repel the initial demon attack, they would have then been presented with a clear choice between two factions: the Demon Slayer Corps, represented by the Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho, and the Muzan/Government alliance. They could have then chosen a side based on their own goals, defeated the other, and fulfilled both Main Quest 1 and Main Quest 2, even earning a significant amount of faction reputation in the process.
But unfortunately…
The Professor's gaze shifted, finally landing on the man who had disguised himself with that terrifying face. Unfortunately, the strongest member of their team had such a difficult personality.
Just as the man in the kasa hat, Yanagi, had said, it was unreasonably strange that the first demon had targeted that man with such intense aggression. The only explanation they could think of was that his power was so immense that the Nexus had specifically targeted him with increased difficulty. Or…
The Professor steadied her breathing and took two steps forward to speak with Kanae, hoping to gather more detailed intelligence about the current number and strength of the Twelve Kizuki, and perhaps even the whereabouts of Muzan himself.
But Kanae just shook her head gently, refusing her. "The sun has not yet risen. I must first tend to this gentleman's injuries. When it is light, we will find a place to speak in detail."
She walked over to Kaito and began to bandage his right hand.
Seeing this, the others could only disperse. Vincent and Elizabeth lingered at the edge of the group, their eyes never leaving Kaito. In their view, he was the sole reason this mission had become so dangerous. Of course, they weren't foolish enough to start a fight now. Reincarnators had their own rules of survival, and the most important one was: do not provoke someone stronger than you, especially when that someone is clearly not a "good person."
Elizabeth saw Kaito give her a dangerous smile, and she instinctively looked away. In that moment, she was certain. Yanagi and the Professor were right. This man was extremely dangerous. Anyone who would provoke her without even knowing her full capabilities was either an idiot or an extremely confident madman.
Seeing the blond man and the green-haired woman avert their gazes, Kaito smugly looked away, like a victorious general.
Kanae was indeed from a family of doctors. Her bandaging technique was extremely professional. Kaito didn't feel his arm was too restricted, yet his twisted finger joints and ruptured capillaries were held firmly in place.
"You cannot use this right hand for a while," she advised. "Otherwise, it may heal improperly."
Kaito was unmoved by the "doctor's orders." Reincarnators were disposable combat weapons. As long as they didn't die, any injury could be healed upon returning to the Nexus. Besides…
He had been maintaining the unique rhythm of [Hamon] the entire time. A warm, tingling sensation had been steadily pulsing through his right hand. Besides its combat applications, Hamon was also exceptionally good for healing and longevity. He felt that his right arm would recover soon.
"When the sun rises, I need you to come with me to see someone," Kanae said softly, but her voice was firm. At some point, the hand she was using to bandage him had shifted to grip his arm joint.
Kaito was unconcerned. From what Kanae had explained, he knew this was likely another classic story of the ruling class collaborating with Muzan to prey on the common people. Such stories played out every day. He could guess the general outline without even trying. The Minister of the Left, the security officers… they were all just carrying out the will of that Emperor's son.
"Is that something that needs someone else to solve?" he asked.
"You tell me the location of that Minister and the demons. I'll go have a little chat with them myself. It'll be solved very easily."
Kanae felt that while the man before her was strikingly handsome (plot characters were unaffected by his Elder God disguise and were instead influenced by his Charisma), his way of doing things was incredibly reckless. She frowned.
"You killed someone. How can you still communicate?"
Kaito nodded.
"Exactly. I kill people. Why would I need to communicate?"
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Guys We cross the 1400 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 1500 power stone,come on guys you'll can do it, good luck.
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