Hephaestus's purpose for coming to the Demon Slayer world this time was simple.
Swordsmiths.
Her base was in Orario. She couldn't stay here long.
Since her objective had been achieved, it was time to return.
But she wasn't going alone.
Several people were going with her.
Shinobu Kocho, of course.
She would formally join the Miach Familia.
Along with her were four Hashira.
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
The Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji.
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa.
And the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka.
The remaining Hashira stayed behind to continue fighting alongside Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
It was impossible for all of them to leave at once.
The ones going to Orario would enter the Dungeon, grow stronger as quickly as possible, then return.
When they did, they would replace the others.
The Mist Hashira.
The Flame Hashira.
The Sound Hashira.
The Serpent Hashira.
To be honest, sending five Hashira away at once was a massive gamble.
The Demon Slayer Corps would be under tremendous pressure.
But if they endured until those five returned, their overall strength would skyrocket.
At that point, Muzan Kibutsuji's end would be inevitable.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki wasn't acting blindly.
If Hephaestus hadn't passed down the Nen cultivation method, he would never have dared to make this decision.
That method was the foundation.
And Hephaestus gained just as much.
Large quantities of scarlet ore.
Skilled swordsmiths.
Adventurers with exceptional potential.
It was a clean win-win.
Emiya didn't interfere.
He simply sent them to Orario.
But he didn't stay.
After seeing them off, he returned to the Demon Slayer world.
There was one reason.
Demons.
He didn't want to leave them behind.
A single Lower Rank Five had already given him an enormous amount of life force.
If he could devour all Twelve Kizuki one by one, he was confident.
Confident he could raise his Nen to Chairman Netero's level.
That alone showed how terrifying the life force of the Twelve Kizuki was.
Which, in turn, proved how monstrous Netero truly was.
Unfortunately, the Twelve Kizuki were elusive.
Emiya could only confirm two locations.
One was Lower Rank Five, Rui.
Already dead.
The other was Upper Rank Six.
Daki and Gyutaro.
Two names.
One rank.
A rare twin demon.
Only when both were together did they count as Upper Rank Six.
To kill them, both heads had to be severed.
Decapitate only one, and neither would die.
If Emiya remembered correctly, Daki was currently hiding in the Yoshiwara Red-Light District.
So here was the question.
If he attacked Upper Rank Six in Yoshiwara-
Would Muzan send reinforcements?
That possibility interested Emiya.
A lot.
After returning from Orario, Emiya spent two days refining Rui's life force.
His Nen rose again.
Then he prepared to move.
Yoshiwara.
He needed a guide.
The Sound Hashira.
Tengen Uzui.
Born a ninja.
Unlike the others, he had three wives.
All ninjas as well.
A true winner in life.
Especially considering the ending.
While most Hashira died, Tengen survived.
Lost an arm.
Lost an eye.
Still retired peacefully with his wives.
One of the few men with a good ending.
In the original flow of events-
Shinobu Kocho was absorbed by Upper Rank Two, Doma.
Kyojuro Rengoku died to Upper Rank Three, Akaza.
Mitsuri Kanroji confessed to Obanai Iguro after Muzan's defeat.
They died together from their wounds.
Muichiro Tokito was cut in half by Kokushibo.
Gyomei Himejima activated his Demon Slayer Mark against Muzan, burned through his life force, and refused treatment.
He died soon after.
Out of the nine Hashira, only three survived.
Giyu Tomioka.
Sanemi Shinazugawa.
And Tengen Uzui.
The man now standing in front of Emiya.
When Tengen heard Emiya's reason for finding him, his eyes lit up.
"Lord Emiya," he said enthusiastically, "that's extremely flamboyant."
Emiya didn't understand what was flamboyant about it.
But flamboyant was Tengen's favorite word.
So he let it go.
"Let's move," Emiya said.
Tengen nodded.
With Kagaya Ubuyashiki's permission, he led Emiya straight to Yoshiwara.
The Yoshiwara Red-Light District.
One of the most famous districts in Japan during this era.
At the time, it could be called the most renowned red-light district in Asia.
It would be abolished in 1958.
But in the Taisho era, it was thriving.
A place of indulgence.
When Emiya entered for the first time, even he was taken aback.
Magnificent.
Tall buildings everywhere.
Red lanterns lining the streets.
Flowers blooming year-round.
Courtesans with pipes and seductive smiles.
It was easy to lose yourself.
Tengen was clearly familiar with the place.
He casually explained Yoshiwara's unique traits.
Most women here-especially courtesans-were carefully trained.
They never ate food harmful to their skin or bodies.
Baths always included perfume.
Clothes were scented.
Natural beauty was a prerequisite.
With constant care, their bodies became fragrant and refined.
Their speech and manners were professionally trained.
This wasn't comparable to modern hostesses.
Emiya noticed how much Tengen knew.
He gave him a second look.
Paired with three beautiful wives, it made sense.
"Lord Emiya," Tengen said, pointing, "I recommend that one. The most flamboyant on this street-"
"No need."
Tengen froze.
"I'm not here for that," Emiya said flatly.
Then he continued.
"Start evacuating the civilians."
"I'm looking for someone."
Tengen frowned slightly.
"Who?"
Emiya smiled.
"Upper Rank Six."
In the next instant, Emiya flew upward.
He crashed through a window of the Kyogoku House and rushed inside.
As soon as he landed, dozens of Nen hands appeared.
Men and women were grabbed and thrown out onto the street.
"If you don't want to die," Emiya roared, "get out."
Observation Haki expanded.
In a blink, he locked onto his target.
A beautiful woman.
Seductive.
Carefully hidden.
Still exposed.
Upper Rank Six.
Daki.
She hadn't realized it yet.
When she saw Emiya break in, she trembled.
Fear filled her eyes.
Emiya smiled faintly.
A Nichirin Sword appeared in his hand.
Sun Breathing.
First Form: Dance.
A crescent slash fell toward Daki's neck.
Friction ignited flames in the air.
Daki leapt backward.
She barely avoided it.
"You-you're a Demon Slayer swordsman!"
Emiya didn't answer.
He stepped forward and swung again.
Sun Breathing.
Third Form: Blazing Crimson Mirror.
Deep crimson flames wrapped the blade.
A wider arc.
Another strike at her neck.
Daki snapped.
Eight sashes tore free from her body.
They shot toward Emiya.
Blood Demon Art: Eight-Layered Obi Slash.
Emiya didn't retreat.
His blade met the sashes.
Clang after clang rang out.
The sashes looked soft.
They weren't.
Even Emiya's Nichirin Sword couldn't cut through them cleanly.
The first exchange ended.
A draw.
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