The boy before her had heterochromatic eyes, white bandages wrapped around his lower face, and a snake coiled around his neck. And just now, he had fed that snake his own blood.
Cold on the outside.
Warm on the inside.
Everything matched the prophecy perfectly.
Kanroji Mitsuri's throat tightened. She wanted to say something—but the words wouldn't come.
Iguro Obanai also noticed her hesitation. It seemed like she was trying to speak, yet couldn't make up her mind.
At that moment, Kaigaku finally lost his patience.
"Are you done stalling?"
He shoved Iguro roughly.
"Don't touch me, or I'll cut off your hand."
Obanai shot him a look of disgust, released Mitsuri's hand, stepped aside to avoid further contact, and walked forward without looking back.
"Heh, what an attitude."
Kaigaku snorted but didn't press further.
What was the point?
Everything would be settled in front of the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps. There was no need to argue here. Someone who was about to be expelled wasn't worth his anger.
As Iguro walked away, Mitsuri stood frozen for a moment before slowly following at a distance.
She couldn't lie to herself.
She cared.
Before long, Iguro Obanai, Kaigaku, and Kuwajima Jigoro arrived at the mansion of Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
After they entered, Mitsuri quietly crouched near the entrance, peeking inside.
"Lord Master."
Kuwajima Jigoro bowed respectfully.
"Sound Hashira, please sit. What brings you here today?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki ended his conversation with Shinazugawa Sanemi and turned toward Jigoro with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Lord Master. I am here to seek justice for my apprentice, Kaigaku."
Recently, because of Iguro Obanai and his demon snake, Kaigaku had been plagued by rumors and accusations.
"Justice?" Kagaya's expression grew serious.
"Yes. Kaigaku, explain the matter to Lord Master."
"Yes, Master."
Kaigaku stepped forward, glanced briefly at Kagaya, then lowered his head and began recounting a carefully fabricated story.
According to him, Iguro bore a personal grudge and had deliberately slandered his character, stirring unrest at Peach Mountain and causing trouble for both him and his master.
"I understand. Iguro Obanai, it is your turn to speak."
Kagaya looked toward him.
Obanai was slightly startled.
He had only met Kagaya once since joining the Corps, yet the Master remembered his name?
Despite managing countless affairs daily, Kagaya Ubuyashiki remembered even an ordinary Corps member like him.
"Lord Master, everything Kaigaku said is a malicious lie."
A cold glint flashed in Obanai's mismatched eyes.
"You're still slandering me?" Kaigaku snapped.
"Kaigaku, please do not interrupt."
Kagaya raised a hand gently.
Kaigaku shut his mouth.
Obanai then recounted the full truth of his and Kaigaku's encounter with Ryuya that day.
After hearing both sides, Kagaya fell into thoughtful silence.
One claimed revenge and slander.
The other accused Kaigaku of cowardice and willingness to become a demon to survive.
Just as Kagaya was considering how to proceed, Shinazugawa Sanemi suddenly stood up.
He had no patience for their bickering.
If they had a problem, they should settle it with their fists instead of chirping endlessly.
However, one thing had caught his attention.
He strode over to Obanai and crouched down, his scarred face looming close.
Obanai narrowed his eyes.
Kaburamaru sensed danger and slithered forward from around Obanai's neck, crimson tongue flicking.
"A demon snake, huh?"
Sanemi sneered and grabbed Kaburamaru by the neck without hesitation.
"Kaburamaru!"
Obanai's expression changed instantly. He drew his Nichirin Blade in one swift motion.
"Oh? You're going to fight me over this demon snake?"
Sanemi grinned viciously and drew his own blade.
"Let go of Kaburamaru!"
Obanai stepped forward.
"Sanemi, release the snake," Kagaya ordered calmly.
"Lord Master, this is a demon! Even if it's just a snake, it eats people!" Sanemi shot back.
"Kaburamaru hasn't eaten anyone!" Obanai argued urgently.
"Hasn't eaten anyone? Then how many people did it attack at Peach Mountain? You're not denying that, are you?" Kaigaku interjected sharply.
"Lord Master, you heard that! What good has this beast done? Let me kill it now and prevent future trouble!"
Sanemi raised his blade and slashed toward Kaburamaru's neck.
Sensing killing intent, Kaburamaru struck first, sinking his fangs into Sanemi's arm.
"You damn beast!"
Sanemi roared and retaliated with a fierce slash.
"Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Venomous Fangs of the Narrow Head!"
In that instant, Obanai moved like a snake himself, his uniquely curved Nichirin Blade thrusting toward Sanemi's wrist.
Clang!
Kuwajima Jigoro intervened, blocking between them with his blade and halting the clash.
"Using a Breathing Technique against a fellow Corps member is a violation of our rules!" Jigoro barked.
Kagaya's expression darkened slightly.
Sanemi had acted impulsively—but because of a demon.
Obanai, however, had retaliated with lethal intent against a comrade.
No matter how precious Kaburamaru was to him, harming a fellow Demon Slayer was unacceptable.
"For a beast… how interesting."
Sanemi let out a cold laugh and stared at Obanai.
"You care this much about a demon snake. What's the deal? Are you connected to demons?"
His eyes sharpened.
"Are you a spy?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"And just now, I heard the name Ryuya in your chatter. What? You're not his lackey too, like Makomo was back then, are you?"
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics 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
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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