Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
After explaining matters regarding the Demon Slayer Mark, the strategy meeting temporarily concluded.
Leaving Himejima Gyomei to guard Gyutaro, Leo and the others dispersed on the spot, each returning to their own quarters.
"Sister! Leo! You're back!"
Perhaps having received news, Kochou Shinobu was currently standing at the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion.
Seeing Leo and the other return, she rushed over immediately, scrutinizing them from head to toe.
"Thank goodness, you're both unharmed."
"With me here, of course nothing would happen."
Leo wore an expression that said it was only natural.
Kochou Kanae chimed in, "This mission went so smoothly, it really was thanks to Leo."
"Huh? Even you say that, sister?"
Kochou Shinobu was somewhat surprised. "Did you really encounter an Upper Rank Demon?"
Kochou Kanae nodded. "To be precise, we encountered three Upper Rank Demons."
"Three?!"
Kochou Shinobu let out a gasp of astonishment.
Seeing that Leo and her sister weren't seriously injured, she had subconsciously assumed the mission target was a Lower Rank Demon.
But she never expected that Leo and Kochou Kanae had actually encountered Upper Rank Demons, and three at that.
"How did you manage to escape?"
Leo rolled his eyes. "What do you mean 'escape'? We achieved a complete victory!"
"You won?"
Kochou Shinobu instinctively glanced at her sister.
After receiving a confirming nod, the expression on her face grew even more astonished.
"Sister, did Leo really defeat an Upper Rank Demon with a single slash each?"
Kochou Kanae recalled, "When fighting Upper Six, the battle did end with one slash. However, dealing with Upper Two was a tough fight; we only managed to win by joining forces."
"We?"
"Yes, Leo called the other Hashira to Tokyo. We defeated Upper Two together."
Kochou Kanae gave a slight nod and recounted the events of the previous day.
"Even though they're both Upper Ranks, the gap between Upper Six and Upper Two is simply too vast."
After listening, Kochou Shinobu furrowed her brow.
Although Kochou Kanae omitted many details in her retelling, Shinobu could still sense how perilous the process had been.
"Sister, are you really going to initiate the final battle in ten days?"
"Yes, this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. We must seize it to kill Muzan."
As if guessing Shinobu's thoughts, Kochou Kanae reached out and patted her head.
"Don't worry, Shinobu."
"Leo has prepared intensive training. The gap between the two sides isn't as large as you think."
"Intensive training?" Kochou Shinobu was taken aback and quickly asked, "Can I participate?"
"Well..."
Kochou Kanae hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
Although she had accepted the proposal for the Demon Transformation Surgery, that didn't mean everyone could.
Hesitating for a moment, unable to respond, Kochou Kanae looked to the side.
"Leo, do you think Shinobu can participate in our intensive training?"
"Her physical constitution barely meets the standard. After the surgery, she could meet the conditions to activate the Demon Slayer Mark."
"I understand."
Seeing that Leo had no intention of hiding the truth, Kochou Kanae looked at her still-unaware sister.
"Shinobu, what I'm about to tell you might make you uncomfortable. I hope you can understand."
"Sis, stop beating around the bush."
"Alright, I'll be direct then."
Kochou Kanae hesitated no longer. "Myself and the other Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps will undergo the Demon Transformation Surgery. We will use the power of demons to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan."
"...Huh?"
The expression on Kochou Shinobu's face instantly froze.
As if struck by a sudden blow, her mind stopped functioning for a moment.
Her gaze darted blankly between Kochou Kanae and Leo several times before she finally snapped out of the shock. "Demon Transformation Surgery?"
"Yes."
Kochou Kanae nodded and briefly explained about Tamayo and the Demon Transformation Surgery.
"Shinobu, I know you can't accept becoming a demon yourself. This news..."
"Sister! Don't make decisions for me!"
Kochou Shinobu finally regained her composure, interrupting Kanae's words.
Under Kanae's surprised gaze, Shinobu's expression became resolute.
"I don't want to stay in the rear any longer!"
"Even if I have to become a demon, it doesn't matter! This time, I want to fight alongside you!"
"Shinobu... I understand."
As if sensing her sister's determination, Kanae stopped trying to dissuade her.
"Since you're mentally prepared, then let's fight together."
Kochou Kanae looked at Leo. "Just like when we defeated Upper Two yesterday! This time, we'll work together to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan!"
Kochou Shinobu also looked over. "Leo! This time, I'll fight side by side with you!"
"Uh, actually, there's no need to be so serious."
Seeing the two emotional Kochou sisters suddenly turn their gazes on him, Leo hesitated, words left unspoken.
At this point, the fact that the Demon Slayer Mark and the Demon Transformation Surgery were partly to make Ubuyashiki Kagaya compromise seemed a bit difficult to bring up.
After staring at the two sisters before him for a moment, Leo took a deep breath and put on a polite yet slightly awkward smile.
"If you're feeling motivated, I have a special task I can assign to you.
...
Time passed, and before they knew it, it was late at night.
Guided by a Kasugai Crow, Tamayo and Yushiro arrived at the Ubuyashiki Residence.
After exchanging greetings with Ubuyashiki Kagaya, they all sat down in the reception room.
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, just to be sure, let me confirm: this letter was sent by you, correct?"
Tamayo took out the letter she had received not long ago from her bosom and placed it on the table before her.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya glanced down. "It was sent by me."
Tamayo's expression turned serious. "Then, what the letter says about the deity reincarnation and the Demon Transformation Surgery..."
"It's all true."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded. "Leo is the reincarnation of a deity. I have personally confirmed this."
"He possesses the power to control lightning and can obtain special information through divine power."
"The information I mentioned in previous letters, about Leo knowing details about Kibutsuji Muzan and the Upper Rank Demons, was learned through this divine power."
"Furthermore, he is also aware of some secrets of the Demon Slayer Corps, and even some confidential information about you, Miss Tamayo."
"About me?"
"Yes, Leo knows you are researching a potion to turn Muzan back into a human, he knows the Blood Demon Arts you've mastered, and he even knows your life story."
"According to what Leo said, you once suffered from an incurable terminal illness. To see your child grow up, you searched everywhere for a cure, only to be deceived by Muzan and turned into a demon."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya shared some of the information he had learned during his conversation with Leo not long ago.
Seeing Tamayo fall into silence after hearing these words, he made a judgment regarding the truth of this intelligence.
"Miss Tamayo, now you know why I believe Leo is the reincarnation of a god."
"It is indeed a power akin to a god's, however... Mr. Ubuyashiki, if I may be blunt, Kibutsuji Muzan knows all of these things as well."
Tamayo reminded him tactfully.
Although she didn't think that giant infant Muzan would have the patience to continue plotting after discovering the Ubuyashiki Residence, there was always a one-in-a-million chance. The possibility that Leo was Muzan's inside agent still existed.
"Rest assured, Miss Tamayo."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya had already anticipated this situation and looked to the side.
Ubuyashiki Amane, who was standing by, rose and placed a tray on the table.
"Miss Tamayo, allow me to introduce these."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya pointed to the four reagent tubes on the tray and spoke slowly.
"From left to right, these four tubes contain the blood of Upper Rank Six Daki and Gyutaro, Upper Rank Five Gyokko, and Upper Rank Two Doma."
"Hmm?"
A look of surprise appeared on Tamayo's face.
While surprised that Ubuyashiki Kagaya possessed the blood of Upper Rank Demons, she also realized what he meant.
"These... were all obtained by Leo?"
"Yes."
"I see. No wonder you are willing to believe the claim that Leo is the reincarnation of a god."
A look of realization appeared on Tamayo's face.
Regardless of whether Leo was a reincarnation of a god or not, the fact that he had killed three Upper Rank Demons was enough to clear him of suspicion.
Moving her gaze from the tubes on the table, Tamayo looked at Ubuyashiki Kagaya sitting opposite her.
"I understand Leo's identity now, but what is the situation with the Demon Transformation Surgery?"
"In ten days, we will begin the final battle against Kibutsuji Muzan to decide the outcome once and for all."
"Ten days?"
Tamayo's expression became serious: "Why so sudden? Can't we have more time?"
"Leo said ten days of preparation is the most appropriate; any longer and unexpected variables might arise."
In truth, Ubuyashiki Kagaya also felt the preparation time was a bit short.
But since Leo, the core combatant, said ten days was best, he could only choose to believe him.
"The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps have all agreed."
"To defeat Kibutsuji Muzan in the final battle ten days from now, we ask for your assistance, Miss Tamayo."
"...I understand."
Tamayo was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Demon Transformation Surgery was a unique technique Tamayo had developed after breaking free from Muzan's control.
Using her own blood as the material, she could convert others into demons just like Muzan.
However, unlike Muzan, the demons she converted did not need to eat humans; they only needed to drink a suitable amount of blood to maintain their physical strength and rationality.
Although doing this went against the original intent of the Demon Slayer Corps, if they wanted to boost their combat power in a short time, the Demon Transformation Surgery was indeed the best choice.
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, please call them in."
Tamayo rose from the floor: "Since time is limited, we cannot waste another moment."
"After completing the Demon Transformation Surgeries, I will need some time to create a poison specifically for Muzan."
"Do not worry, Miss Tamayo."
A smile appeared on Ubuyashiki Kagaya's face.
"Long before you arrived, Leo had already prepared two assistants for you."
As he spoke, Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked toward a nearby side door and called out softly.
"You two may come in."
Click—!
The closed shoji door was pulled open, and two slender figures walked in from outside.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tamayo."
Kochou Kanae nodded slightly, a gentle smile on her face.
"I am the Flower Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kochou Kanae. You can just call me Kanae."
...
PS: I ordered two burgers and was pleasantly surprised by their massive size, but within an hour of finishing them, I was sealed in the restroom (slumps).