Sukuna and Muzan had both left Asakusa, but the aftermath of the incident continued to spread.
The scene left behind by Sukuna's Malevolent Shrine was far too surreal for the people of this era. A circular area several hundred meters in radius, with everything inside carved into fragments—this was far more terrifying than mere rumors of demons.
Even the government had mobilized the military to investigate. A force of nearly five thousand soldiers and police officers had begun searching the surrounding areas for suspicious individuals.
Because of this chain reaction, Shinobu and Sukuna were forced to change their plans and head directly to a secret Demon Slayer Corps stronghold to meet with Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Of course, the reason Sukuna altered his itinerary had nothing to do with military or police cordons. No matter how many of those kinds of soldiers showed up, to Sukuna it would simply be one extra Dismantle.
The actual argument used to convince him was this: due to increased government activity, demons were operating more covertly, with some even suspending their actions entirely.
If he continued hunting demons according to the original plan, he would likely waste most of his time just tracking them down, not to mention the potential conflicts with military police that would only delay him further.
By the time Sukuna arrived at the Ubuyashiki estate under Shinobu's guidance, several days had passed. Before that, Shinobu had already informed Kagaya Ubuyashiki in advance via a kasugai crow.
Ubuyashiki had also convened a meeting of the Hashira prior to Sukuna's arrival, specifically explaining that he intended to honor Kyojuro Rengoku's dying decision. He wished to communicate with Sukuna and establish a cooperative relationship rather than hostility.
The Hashira wore varied expressions, each harboring their own thoughts about their leader's decision. But this was their master's will, and in the end, they chose to accept it.
Although they believed they understood what kind of being they were about to face, they did not yet know just how wrong they were.
But that was only natural. Humans cannot imagine what lies beyond their understanding.
At noon the following day, under the blazing sun, Sukuna stepped leisurely into the Ubuyashiki estate with Shinobu leading the way.
He looked at the plain buildings that carried a sense of age for him. Compared to them, Sukuna still preferred Japan of the future. It was far more convenient.
Along the path to the family head's location, he occasionally passed members of the Kakushi and the Demon Slayer Corps.
They had all received orders to avoid Shinobu and the being beside her as much as possible.
Even so, their reactions upon seeing Sukuna's appearance were ones of sheer terror.
Had they not been briefed beforehand, they might have screamed on the spot. To them, Sukuna was a demon walking freely under the sun.
He was a being capable who completely rejected their worldview.
He was proof that could negate everything they had worked for in their lives.
If Shinobu had not immediately intervened to guide these people away, Sukuna might have unalived them all just for the fun of it before ever reaching Ubuyashiki.
The moment he stepped into the courtyard, Sukuna saw six people standing in a row.
He could sense it. Even the woman among the six radiated a different feeling from the others he had encountered along the way. These must be the other Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps that Shinobu had told him about.
As Sukuna appraised them, the six Hashira were observing him in return.
Looking at Sukuna, arms crossed over his chest with an expression of utter arrogance, what shocked them most were his second pair of eyes.
It was hard for them to imagine that anyone other than a demon could possess such a appearance. A being who walked by day yet was a demon truly existed.
Sukuna swept his gaze across them and said to Shinobu, "Where is this master of yours? I didn't come here to see these brats, did I?"
Shinobu quickly and respectfully explained to Sukuna, "Please wait a moment. My master's body is unwell."
The Hashira observed this exchange, and subtle changes appeared on their faces.
They could all feel the deference in Shinobu's tone. Even though they did not want to believe such a possibility existed, they could not stop the word betrayal from surfacing in their minds.
What they could not yet understand was that Shinobu's behavior was actually born of loyalty to the Demon Slayer Corps. After all, this was the man who had killed two hashira's.
But since Sukuna had arrived as a guest of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, even the Hashira held their tongues.
Then a girl's voice came from inside the house: "The master approaches!"
The six Hashira, along with Shinobu at Sukuna's side, all knelt respectfully to welcome Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who emerged slowly from the house supported by a young girl.
Sukuna watched Kagaya Ubuyashiki with interest. That broken, ravaged body was, in Sukuna's eyes, essentially no different from a dead man's.
And what was laughable was that the strong swordsmen of this world regarded that man as their master.
Truly, no matter the world or the era, these self-righteous justice types always loved taking orders from the weak.
It reminded Sukuna of a certain sorcerer of the modern age who had died by his hand. Remembering this, Sukuna smiled for no apparent reason. How very similar.
"Master," Shinobu spoke respectfully.
"Welcome back, Shinobu. And so this is Ryomen Sukuna—" As Ubuyashiki began to greet Sukuna, but was immediately cut off by Sukuna's voice.
"Kneel."
"What?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki blinked, unsure of Sukuna's meaning.
Sukuna merely repeated himself coldly.
"I said kneel."
Because Ubuyashiki was standing inside the house, he was naturally on higher ground than Sukuna in the courtyard.
The fact that Sukuna had not simply beheaded him already was a small mercy born of the realization that this man could command these swordsmen, and speaking with him would save Sukuna considerable time.
Sanemi Shinazugawa had already heard him explain that Shinobu would bring back the one who had killed Giyu Tomioka and Kyojuro Rengoku. He did not understand it, but if this was his master's decision, he would accept it.
But the moment he witnessed what was happening before his eyes, he could no longer suppress his rage. He slammed his fist into the ground, veins bulging on his forehead, and drew his nichirin blade with a roar.
"You bastard… do you know who you're talking to?"
But what shocked him in the next moment was not Sukuna's power. He never even reached Sukuna. Shinobu, holding a broken blade, blocked his path.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa glared at Shinobu and demanded harshly.
Shinobu did not explain much. She simply urged Sanemi Shinazugawa seriously, "Stop this, Shinazugawa-san."
She could understand how Sanemi felt. If this had been a few days earlier, she likely would have reacted the same way.
But after witnessing Sukuna's overwhelming power, she had come to terms with reality. She understood that you either submit to Sukuna or die. Anything else meant death.
But how could Shinobu alone, armed with only a broken sword, hold back a furious Sanemi Shinazugawa?
"You're the one who's lost your mind! First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa shoved Shinobu aside and charged at Sukuna.
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