The matter of the Flower Hashira's exception had already spread among the Hashira. Ubuyashiki Kagaya intended for it to be relayed layer by layer through them.
However, due to Iguro Obanai's solitary nature and his tendency to operate independently, he had yet to hear about it.
Of course—
Ryuya didn't know either.
His confidence lay in one person.
Kaigaku.
Kaigaku would not disappoint him.
That was precisely why he had released him.
Kaigaku would never allow Iguro Obanai to remain safely within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Once Obanai was ostracized and isolated, with nowhere to go—
Ryuya could slowly close in.
The road of human society was long.
Schemes moved hearts more deeply than blades ever could.
"Qingshu," Ryuya said calmly, "send Iguro Obanai and Kaburamaru out."
"Yes, Master."
Qingshu obeyed at once.
In a ripple of ink, Obanai and his demonized snake vanished from the Mountain-and-Water World.
Ryuya was certain Obanai would not commit suicide.
Not with Kaburamaru like this.
And Kaburamaru—
Was his greatest leverage.
Kaigaku… you won't disappoint me.
But I still doubt your competence.
So I'll give you a little push.
Ryuya smiled faintly and turned to Qingshu.
"Do you blame me for letting Kaigaku go?"
"I would never dare, Master."
Qingshu bowed deeply.
To him, Ryuya was a god—the one who had given him new life. Without him, he would never have had the chance to vent his hatred.
How could he question him?
"Revenge," Ryuya said lightly, "is not about killing someone. That's the cheapest, most foolish method."
He looked almost amused.
"To ruin his reputation. To make his life worse than death. That's far more interesting."
He would use Kaigaku.
Then expose him.
Turn him into something despised by both humans and demons alike.
Qingshu felt his heart pound.
Master… is right.
Simply killing Kaigaku would have been too merciful.
"Qingshu," Ryuya continued, "I know you want revenge. I'll help you achieve it—because you are mine."
His gaze sharpened.
"But first, you must follow my instructions. Any objections?"
"None, Master. I will obey."
"Good."
Ryuya briefly explained Obanai's background.
The Iguro family.
A twisted lineage of women.
A snake demon worshipped in exchange for wealth.
Infants offered as sacrifice.
Obanai, the sole male child, spared only because the demon found him… interesting.
His imprisonment.
His escape.
His rescue by the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro.
And the cousin who survived—who blamed him for the massacre and lived comfortably off bloodstained wealth.
"Investigate his cousin," Ryuya ordered. "Find her location. Then make sure Kaigaku learns of her existence—and her relationship to Obanai."
He smiled faintly.
"Don't expose yourself."
Qingshu immediately understood.
Greed.
Kaigaku would never ignore such bait.
"Well prepared," Qingshu said quietly.
Ryuya then asked, "Can you sense my location?"
"Yes, Master."
So it was reciprocal.
Like Muzan.
The demons he created could sense him—and he them.
Yet Muzan could not sense Qingshu.
Nor Kanae.
Nor himself.
Perfect.
Private development would be far easier this way.
"Go," Ryuya said. "Time is precious."
Qingshu hesitated.
"Master… before that, may I bury my mother?"
Ryuya waved a hand.
"You may."
Gratitude filled Qingshu's eyes.
He teleported them back to the wooden house.
Just as Qingshu prepared to leave—
Ryuya's gaze shifted toward a cracked pot in the corner.
"Gyokko," he said calmly. "Come out."
Qingshu blinked.
Someone else was here?
The pot trembled.
Then—
A grotesque face emerged from its surface.
Gyokko
"Ah, Young Master Ryuya," Gyokko said ingratiatingly, eyes shining. "It seems my tracking skills are still too crude. To think you discovered me!"
"Never mind that," Ryuya said flatly. "Bring me a pot. Quickly."
Gyokko froze.
"A pot? Young Master Ryuya wishes to admire my craftsmanship?!"
Tears nearly welled in his eyes.
He rushed about excitedly and returned with one of his finest blue-and-white porcelain creations, presenting it proudly.
He was already imagining the praise.
The admiration.
The validation.
Ryuya took the exquisite pot.
Didn't even look at it.
He turned and handed it to Qingshu.
"You probably don't have money for funeral arrangements," he said casually. "Use this as collateral."
Silence.
Gyokko's face twitched.
The corners of his mouth spasmed.
His beautiful pot.
His art.
Reduced to—
Funeral collateral.
The air grew heavy.
It looked very much like Gyokko was about to curse.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have an Additional 18+ fanfics now available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your support and love for this story 💙