Chapter 184: Chat Group: Kyubey, Kyubey! Why Haven't You Streamed Lately? New Members Join the Chat!
World of Demon Slayer.
Night shrouded a dense forest. Moonlight filtered through the layers of the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. This was a hunting ground for demons, and a forbidden zone for humans.
The Hand Demon lurked behind a massive ancient tree. Its grotesque body, formed from countless entangled arms, almost blended perfectly with the surrounding darkness. The faint scent of blood lingered in the air, a trace left from its recent "dinner."
"Not enough… My hands need more hands…"
It growled in a low, raspy voice filled with hunger. The grudge of having its hands cut off by the man in the tengu mask, and the subsequent obsession with devouring humans and stealing their arms to become stronger, were deeply branded into its twisted soul. It licked the thick arms covering its body, feeling the false sense of power they provided.
Suddenly. Without warning.
A cold, emotionless, translucent window appeared abruptly in front of its vision.
[The "Non-Human Chat Group" invites you to join. Accept?]
The Hand Demon started, countless eyes on its body snapping open simultaneously, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.
"What is that?! Who's there?!"
It thought some blind Demon Slayer swordsman had stumbled near, or perhaps another demon was playing tricks. It shot out several thick arms, clawing wildly at the air, trying to find the hidden enemy. But apart from the rustle of wind in the leaves, there was no other movement. The translucent window remained silently suspended in front of it.
"Non-Human… Chat Group?"
The Hand Demon tilted its massive head, all its eyes focusing on the window. The name brought a flicker of confusion, yet also an inexplicable attraction.
"Non-human…" It was already a non-human existence. After a moment of hesitation, the greed deep in its heart and a hint of indescribable curiosity drove it to select [Yes].
[System Notice: New member "Hand Demon" has joined the "Non-Human Chat Group"]
World of Jujutsu Kaisen.
A desolate volcanic region. Geothermal steam rose from the cracked earth, and the air reeked of sulfur. Jogo sat cross-legged on a massive rock blackened by lava, eyes closed in meditation. On his volcano-shaped head, his single eye was shut, but powerful cursed energy fluctuated faintly around him.
He was pondering how to more effectively purge those "hypocritical humans" and clear the way for the age of Curses.
Just then.
A translucent window floated silently before him, as if projected directly into his consciousness.
[The "Non-Human Chat Group" invites you to join. Accept?]
Jogo's single eye snapped open, a glint of wariness and disdain flashing within.
"Hm? What is this?"
He sensed his surroundings but found no trace of Jujutsu Sorcerers or Curses. "Some new Cursed Technique? Or just another boring human trick?" He dismissed it as a crude distraction.
But the words "Non-Human Chat Group" sparked a barely perceptible interest.
"Non-human… Perhaps… this thing can offer some unexpected 'amusement'?"
He also selected [Yes].
[System Notice: New member "Jogo" has joined the "Non-Human Chat Group"]
Tom Cat: [Tom_lying_leisurely_on_sofa_snatching_popcorn_from_Shinichi_next_to_him.gif]
Tom Cat: [Relaxing_daily_life.jpg]
SpongeBob SquarePants: "Wow! Tom looks so comfy! But—Mr. Kyubey hasn't streamed in a long time, did something happen?"
Squidward: "[Flipping_sheet_music_irritably.jpg] Did that little brat finally calm down?!"
Monokuma: "Waaaah—honestly, without Kyubey's stream, I can't see those splendid scenes of despair! I'm gonna cry!"
Monokuma: "So boring! I want to see the world scream in despair! Upupupupu!"
Hand Demon: "Shut up! Where are these voices coming from?! What is this?! Come out, or I'll eat you all! I'll tear you apart with my hands!"
Jogo: "Heh, a bunch of noisy, lower lifeforms. This so-called 'Non-Human Chat Group' sounds somewhat interesting, though."
Tom Cat: [Startled_by_two_new_scary_avatars_spilling_popcorn.gif]
SpongeBob SquarePants: "Ah! More new friends! Hello there! I'm SpongeBob! This is Mr. Hand Demon, and this is—Mr. Volcano Head?"
Squidward: "[Covering_ears.jpg] Enough! Is the monster density in this group getting a little too high?!"
Monokuma: "Upupupu! Aren't you one too?! The newcomers look spirited! You'll provide fresh material for despair, right?"
Kyubey still hadn't posted anything in the group.
Land of Fire, a hidden underground cave.
Black Zetsu curled in the shadows, its giant pitcher plant-like leaves swaying slightly. Its eyes flickered, silently observing everything in the chat group.
"New members—a demon covered in hands, and a curse with a volcano on its head… Interesting. However, that guy called Kyubey has been unusually quiet lately."
Black Zetsu's mind raced. It didn't know that deeper within the cave where it resided, and in hidden corners near the entrance, more than one Kyubey was watching it with emotionless red eyes. Before it, behind it, all around it. Watching this biological sample that was also bound to the chat group.
And Black Zetsu remained completely unaware.
…
Meanwhile.
Hidden Sound Village, Orochimaru's Secret Research Center.
This place was less a traditional laboratory and more a massive database and bio-engineering facility fusing cutting-edge technology with forbidden knowledge.
Rows of massive server arrays hummed quietly on one side of the room, countless indicator lights blinking, storing vast amounts of data on ninjutsu, forbidden jutsu, detailed analyses of various Kekkei Genkai, and gene sequences.
In the central area, several holographic projection platforms floated in mid-air, constantly shifting through complex jutsu structure diagrams and biological cell models. Automated robotic arms moved between precision cultivation tanks, handling various strange biological tissue samples soaked in nutrient fluid. Some of these samples radiated ominous chakra fluctuations, while others displayed life forms that defied common sense.
Traditional scrolls were carefully preserved in special climate-controlled cabinets, but the core data had clearly been digitized.
And several Kyubeys were shuttling constantly through the facility.