Yuki stood on a street in Tokyo Prefecture during the Taisho Era, soaking in the unique atmosphere of the time.
Wooden utility poles were now a common sight, and electric lights adorned the semi-modern streets.
Alongside traditional Japanese houses, he noticed numerous Western-style buildings.
Some people still wore traditional clothing, but Yuki also spotted female students in sailor uniforms, just like those from *Taisho Baseball Girls*, chatting and laughing as they strolled by.
Even more surprisingly, he saw maids in full uniform!
'Hmm, sailor uniforms and maid outfits from this era...'
Yuki felt a sudden urge to indulge his academic curiosity and delve into the distinctive features of these garments from the Taisho Era.
But as always, he reminded himself:
'If this were a novel, readers probably wouldn't want to wade through detailed discussions about sailor uniforms and maid outfits.'
Of course, there was another reason Yuki didn't want to dwell on these thoughts—
"Your ramen is absolutely fantastic!"
"Another bowl, please!"
Yuki glanced speechlessly at the ramen stall beside him, where Kyojuro was devouring his meal while loudly praising its deliciousness.
'Right, with him around, I'll never feel lonely.'
Meanwhile, a vein bulged on Sanemi's forehead.
"Even if it's delicious, there's no need to shout after every bite..."
He trailed off abruptly.
Several doctors emerged from a nearby clinic, their faces etched with exhaustion.
"Fujino, still no progress?"
A younger doctor sat down at the ramen stall and sighed deeply.
"We've seen so many patients with fevers and unconsciousness lately. Do we still have no idea how to treat them?"
"I heard from friends in other regions that this is only happening here."
"Could it be... this isn't an illness at all, but the work of evil spirits?"
*Clack!*
Fujino, his expression stern, slammed his chopsticks on the table.
"Kamenosuke! What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Instead of indulging in superstitious fantasies, we should focus on finding a cure!"
Across the ramen stall, Yuki, Kyojuro, and Sanemi exchanged glances.
Night. A dark alley.
In the shadowy corner, a mass of flesh-and-blood spore sacs pulsed and writhed.
*Gooch, gooch...*
The sacs slowly squirmed, occasionally splitting open to release dark crimson spores into the air.
A figure with short black hair and three "X"-shaped scars on his face stood admiring the writhing sacs.
He plucked one from the mass, muttering to himself:
"I thought I'd be stuck in some remote corner, quietly spreading spores."
"Or like that brat, confined to a single mountain, playing house."
"But the master has shown mercy, allowing me to come to this bustling place. Heh heh..."
His laughter abruptly ceased as a will suddenly invaded his mind:
"I brought you to Tokyo Prefecture for more than these disgusting games!"
"Find the one with crimson hair and sun-patterned ear studs."
"Report his location to me immediately!"
With those words, the will severed the connection.
The black-haired, scarred figure remained kneeling in the alley, trembling violently.
Only after a long silence did he struggle to his feet.
Etched into his eyes were the characters: "Lower Moon Three"!
Not far away, in another narrow alley, Haruko had also arrived in Tokyo, tasked with logistics.
Seizing a moment when no one was around, she discreetly adjusted her uniform.
Feeling the uncomfortable tightness, Haruko frowned in frustration.
"Even after multiple alterations, it still feels too constricting..."
"I can't possibly ask Maeda for help. He'd just make it worse!"
At this thought, Haruko clenched her fist, her beautiful eyes flashing with shame and anger.
Maeda was another Kakushi within the Demon Slayer Corps.
A skilled tailor, he was even more enthusiastic about secretly modifying the uniforms of the female members.
Mitsuri's "generously endowed" uniform was one of Maeda's creations.
"If all else fails, I'll just grab some bandages from the Butterfly Mansion."
"It'll be uncomfortable, but at least I'll be able to see my feet when I look down..."
As Haruko pondered this, she suddenly heard a series of squelching sounds.
"What... what's that noise?"
The next moment, a thunderous crack echoed overhead.
A massive hand descended from the sky, seizing Haruko by the back of her neck and hoisting her into the air!
"Find a safe place!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Haruko struggled to turn her head slightly and saw the crimson hair and sun-patterned ear ornaments she recognized.
"Mr. Yuki, what are you doing here?!"
Yuki completely ignored her question, tossing her into a nearby alleyway. He shouted:
"You two, get out of here too!"
Sanemi and Kyojuro, who had just charged forward, froze in their tracks.
Without asking why, they immediately retreated without hesitation.
The "squelching" sound intensified instantly, and the flesh-like spore sacs swelled to the size of human heads in an instant.
The sacs burst open, releasing dense clouds of dark red spores into the air.
Sanemi's face darkened.
If he hadn't listened to Yuki and continued charging forward, he would have been trapped in that spore cloud!
Kyojuro's expression turned serious as well.
"Yuki, this must be his Blood Demon Art! We can break it by taking him down!"
"We must act immediately!"
"Otherwise, countless civilians will be caught in the crossfire!"
Yuki didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the figure emerging from the spore cloud.
Lower Moon Three - Wakuraba
Yuki blinked.
'So, it's just Lower Moon Three...'