At present, Muzan Kibutsuji's demons had chosen to mobilize in full force, launching a total assault against humanity. Naturally, Yōsuke could not choose to sit idly by.
The medicine that Tamayo was developing to turn demons back into humans was of great importance to Yōsuke as well.
With such a cure, there would be hope for Hakuji and Koyuki, Gyūtarō and Ume—hope that they could regain their humanity.
After bidding farewell to Tanjiro and Nezuko, Yōsuke summoned his Kasugai crow.
"Inform Hakuji and the others: they are to closely monitor and investigate the movements of the Twelve Kizuki. The moment they have concrete information, they are to report to me."
A cold gleam flashed in Yōsuke's eyes.
"Since Muzan Kibutsuji has grown impatient, it's time I gave him a proper response. From this moment forward, I will hunt the Twelve Kizuki."
When Hakuji and the others received Yōsuke's crow, Ume exclaimed in surprise:
"Eh? Yosuke-sama wants us to investigate the whereabouts of the Twelve Kizuki?"
"Most likely, Yosuke-sama intends to make his move against them," Akaza speculated.
"Eh? Why not just leave it to us?" Gyūtarō muttered in confusion.
Koyuki, thoughtful, said:
"Perhaps Yosuke-sama doesn't trust us to handle a member of the Twelve Kizuki alone. Just like during the battle with the Eternal Paradise Faith—if Yosuke-sama hadn't arrived when Muzan and Upper Rank One, Kokushibō, suddenly appeared, we might not have escaped alive."
Hakuji clenched his fists, frustration written on his face.
"Damn it! If only I were stronger! If everything requires Yōsuke-sama's personal hand, then what meaning does our existence even have?!"
Koyuki gently took Akaza's hand.
"Hakuji, from the very beginning, Yosuke-sama has never regarded us as mere subordinates. Don't ever say such things in front of him, or you'll make him angry."
"I know… But that's exactly why I can't accept it!" Hakuji's expression remained heavy.
Ume asked hesitantly,
"So, what should we do now?"
Hakuji answered firmly:
"Of course we'll fulfill Yōsuke-sama's request. But we must also give our utmost effort. If Yōsuke-sama has begun hunting the Twelve Kizuki, then we too shall hunt. At the very least, we must lessen his burden."
Ume frowned slightly.
"But… ever since the Eternal Paradise Faith incident, the Twelve Kizuki have all become elusive. They've scattered, hunting members of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Hakuji recalled,
"I remember we once investigated that Lower Rank Five was settled in one location, feeding on humans. Lower Rank Six was a special case—it seems the position changed hands. But like Lower Rank Five, it too seems to have taken root in one place. For now, let's pass this intel on to Yosuke-sama. As for the other Kizuki, we'll investigate as best we can. And if we encounter them… we'll share his burden, and slay them!"
His voice was resolute.
When Yōsuke next received the crow's report, he learned of their findings.
"Lower Five… Lower Six, hm? Not Upper Moons, but their blood concentration should still suffice for Tamayo's research."
He was about to depart when his steps suddenly faltered.
Tilting his head, hand resting on his chin, Yōsuke mused,
"Strange… It feels like there's something I should remember, something to do with Tanjiro… but I can't recall. Ah, forget it."
Time had eroded many of his memories. Whatever it was, Yōsuke decided, it likely wasn't important.
According to Hakuji's intel, Lower Rank Six, Kamanue, had mysteriously disappeared. In his place, Kyōgai—the demon once stripped of his title for being too weak—had returned to the Twelve Kizuki. Having slaughtered and devoured countless humans, Kyōgai once again claimed the mantle of Lower Six.
Yet the scar carved into his right eye, marking his disgrace, would never fade. His position as Lower Six had been one of charity, not triumph.
Kyōgai resided in the so-called "House of Demons," where he hunted and consumed rare-blood humans to strengthen himself.
"Rare blood, is it…"
Humans born with rare blood were considered delicacies by demons. Devouring a single one was equal to consuming the worth of fifty to a hundred ordinary humans, granting a vast increase in power.
When Yōsuke arrived at the House of Demons, he found a human corpse lying outside. Beneath the shade of a tree rested a wooden box.
Inside the house, he sensed three demons and five humans.
From the wooden box—and from one of the humans inside—two familiar presences stirred his senses. They were Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Dormant memories resurfaced in Yōsuke's mind.
"So that's how it is. This house… its demon was originally meant to be Tanjiro's opponent. And the other two humans wielding Breathing Techniques—they must be Tanjiro's companions: Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira."
He crouched beside the box containing Nezuko, silently observing the battle unfolding within.
The House of Demons was a creation of Kyōgai, Lower Six. Six drums were embedded in his body, each controlling a different aspect of the mansion's shifting structure. By striking them, he could flip and rotate the rooms at will.
Kyōgai's ability resembled that of Muzan's close aide, Nakime, who controlled the Infinity Castle. But compared to her, both his range and power were woefully lacking.
He was a poor man's version of Nakime—limited, flawed. No wonder Muzan had once stripped him of his title.
Still, he was a member of the Twelve Kizuki, and for Tanjiro, the fight was grueling.
Due to Kyōgai's bizarre power, Tanjiro and his companions had been forced apart. Tanjiro now faced Kyōgai alone.
Meanwhile, Zenitsu and Inosuke found themselves in another chamber, confronted by demons trying to seize the rare-blood humans.
Zenitsu, overwhelmed with fear, screamed and cried without drawing his sword.
Watching from outside, Yōsuke could only shake his head.
"How did this child even pass the Demon Slayer entrance exam?"
In stark contrast, the boar-headed boy, Inosuke, was utterly fearless—charging wildly through the mansion, hollering "Beast Breathing, Charge!" and striking without regard for friend or foe.
Yōsuke rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"One coward, one brainless brute… Only Tanjiro's normal. Hopefully he can manage."
Inside, Tanjiro struggled against Kyōgai. The constant shifting of the rooms, combined with the sudden, claw-like shockwaves unleashed with each strike of the drums, left him with no chance to counterattack.
"Give up! Stop your useless resistance!" Kyōgai jeered.
"I will never yield! I'll never give up—and I will never hand over that child to you!" Tanjiro declared firmly.
Kyōgai's expression darkened. Memories surfaced of his human life—mocked for his lack of literary talent, his writing ridiculed even after he had accepted Muzan's blood in hopes of inspiration.
His works had been scorned, his dream of being a writer shattered. From that day on, he abandoned human morality and devoted himself solely to becoming a member of the Twelve Kizuki.
But talent eluded him. Even after consuming countless humans, he had failed to grow stronger. Stripped of his title, the mark of disgrace was carved into his right eye.
Though devouring rare-blood humans had allowed him to regain the title of Lower Six, he knew his rank was a handout, not an achievement.
Twisted and bitter, Kyōgai could not bear to see anyone who embodied persistence or resolve.
"You foolish child… I'll crush your pitiful determination into dust!"
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