Yoshiwara Entertainment District
A piercing scream tore through the night.
A dark figure plummeted from the sky and crashed onto the street below with a heavy thud.
The impact drew gasps from outside the teahouse as people rushed toward the fallen body.
"What happened? Did someone fall?"
"Quick, get help!"
"Isn't that Boss Lady Mitsu? Call the manager, now!"
Chaos spread across the entrance of the house. Voices overlapped in panic, sandals scraped against stone, and lanterns swayed violently.
Above them, on the eaves of the building, a graceful woman stood in silence.
Her obi sashes fluttered in the wind, coiling like living ribbons. She paid no attention to the uproar below. In her amber eyes, the kanji marking her rank gleamed clearly.
Upper Rank Six, Daki.
Daki walked lightly along the roof tiles, her steps elegant and unhurried. Killing the noisy proprietress had not disturbed her rhythm in the slightest.
Just as she prepared to leap away from the scene, her body froze.
Inside one of the rooms, a man stood waiting.
Her eyes widened.
"How have you been lately?"
"Lord Muzan?"
Her voice trembled, hoarse with a mixture of fear and reverence.
Before her stood Kibutsuji Muzan, his presence suffocating even in stillness.
"You have consumed many humans. Your strength has grown considerably. Good."
"Yes."
Daki immediately dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead to the floor. Her previous poise vanished. She did not dare speculate why he had appeared.
"Do not grow careless. When matters seem smooth, that is when you are most vulnerable."
"I understand."
"There are still formidable swordsmen within the Demon Slayer Corps. The Hashira can easily discern a demon's presence. Ordinary humans are indistinguishable to us, but we can perceive their blood, their illness, even their lineage. Never forget that advantage."
"Daki."
His crimson gaze settled upon her.
"I am here, Lord Muzan."
She raised her head. Devotion burned in her eyes, tinged with infatuation.
Muzan stepped closer and lifted her chin with a single finger.
"I have high expectations for you. You are beautiful, powerful. You have slain seven Hashira. You may become even stronger, even more merciless. You are special."
Her breath hitched. She seemed lost in his eyes.
"If you encounter this man, prove yourself to me. Kill him. End my concerns."
His finger lightly touched her forehead.
A trace of blood seeped into her consciousness, carrying an image.
The sensation lasted only an instant, yet terror gripped her entire being. It was an order.
Her hand instinctively rose, wanting to grasp his sleeve in pledge, but she stopped herself midair. She would not risk offending him.
Muzan watched her hesitation and smiled faintly.
"I await good news."
In the next moment, he vanished as though he had never been there.
Silence returned.
Daki remained kneeling, cheeks flushed, heart racing from his proximity. After several breaths, she rose slowly. Her sashes unfurled behind her like pale serpents.
Her expression hardened as she recalled the face imprinted into her mind.
A young man with white hair, wearing a robe patterned with pale clouds.
Raiden.
"So you are the one who displeased Lord Muzan."
Her lips curved coldly.
If Raiden dared set foot in Yoshiwara, she would personally sever his head and offer it to Muzan.
The thought alone brought a triumphant smile to her face.
One day later.
The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, arrived at the Entertainment District with Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira.
The dazzling lights and vibrant streets left Tanjiro staring in amazement from inside the carriage.
"Listen carefully," Uzui said. "Do not cause a scene. We are here to gather information. Stay inside the carriage."
Before he finished, Inosuke and Zenitsu leapt out.
Tanjiro hurried after them.
Uzui turned around to see an empty carriage. A vein throbbed at his temple.
"These idiots."
By the time he caught up, Inosuke was crouched low, preparing to charge through the crowd.
"Beast Breathing!"
Uzui blinked in disbelief. What was this boar-headed fool thinking?
He swiftly grabbed Inosuke before he could cause a riot. When he returned with the struggling boy, his forehead already swollen from collisions, he realized Zenitsu had vanished.
"Where is the other one?" Uzui demanded.
Tanjiro looked around nervously.
Meanwhile, Zenitsu drifted through the lively streets, glancing at the brightly painted signs above each house.
"Hey, handsome with the yellow hair."
"Come upstairs and join us."
"We have sweets waiting."
At the sound of the women's playful voices, Zenitsu looked up.
Several courtesans leaned over the balcony, smiling invitingly.
His face turned red. His eyes widened.
So beautiful.
"So, are you coming?"
That was all it took. Zenitsu began walking toward the house with a dazed grin.
He had barely taken a step when a firm hand yanked him backward.
"Bang!"
"You stopped talking in your sleep about taking massive dumps, but you still freeze whenever a pretty girl smiles at you."
Raiden held Zenitsu by the collar, his tone amused.
Zenitsu clutched his aching head and stared longingly at the house as it grew distant.
"Who was that? They were waiting for me, don't ruin my moment. You..."
He turned, only to meet Raiden's playful smile.
His complaints died instantly.
"Ruin your moment? What moment? Explain."
"Hehe, nothing. Nothing at all. Raiden, you're older than me, right? I was just checking the place out for you. Purely reconnaissance."
Raiden stopped walking.
Zenitsu noticed him rolling up his sleeves.
"Wait. Raiden, don't. I was joking. I swear I was joking."
Raiden's white hair caught the lantern light as he smirked, clearly unconvinced.