Amane could see that Sukuna was interested in the Mark. For a moment, she considered hiding the danger of the Mark, thought about using its side effects to eliminate Sukuna. But in the end, she gave up on that idea, just as Kagaya Ubuyashiki had initially considered blowing up the estate to take Sukuna down with him.
Amane spoke seriously to Sukuna, adding a necessary warning. "Regarding the Mark, there is one thing I must remind Sukuna-sama of. Those who have awakened the Mark have, without exception—"
Before she could finish, Sukuna cut her off. "Without exception, they all die young, right?"
Amane paused. "...That is correct."
That explained why the technique had never been properly passed down, Sukuna realized.
Her own reminder triggered another realization for Amane as well. The reason Gyomei Himejima was standing here unharmed might be directly tied to the fact that his Marked hands had been severed. In other words, he might have survived only because of Sukuna.
Just then, Amane noticed Gyomei looking at her. She asked, surprised, "Himejima, your eyes...?"
"This monk's eyes were healed by Sukuna...-sama." After a moment of thought, Gyomei decided to add the honorific.
Amane clearly hesitated, caught off guard by this outcome. "...That is wonderful news."
But Sukuna could not have cared less about flattery. He asked Kagaya casually, "Aside from Kyojuro Rengoku, there are other Flame Breathing users, right?"
"Flame Breathing is one of the five major styles alongside Water, Thunder, Stone, and Wind. A number of swordsmen have mastered it. What is Sukuna-sama implying?" Kagaya asked, confused.
"Forget the weak ones," Sukuna said dismissively. "Is there someone like the previous Flame Hashira or a candidate for the position? Bring them here to show me the full form of Flame Breathing."
He had already seen Water, Stone, Flame, and Insect Breathing. He had confirmed that Stone and Insect were not suitable for him. Compared to Water Breathing, his proficiency with Flame Breathing was much higher. Mastering it fully would serve as a stepping stone for his research into the Mark.
Kagaya fell silent. "The previous Flame Hashira is still alive, but..."
"But what? Is there a swordsman stronger than a Hashira?" Sukuna frowned.
The Hashira were already the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps. Even a former Hashira was not someone an ordinary swordsman could compare to.
Kagaya understood what would happen if he disobeyed Sukuna. He simply shook his head slightly and spoke to Amane beside him. "Go bring him here."
"Understood."
Amane grasped his meaning. She understood the situation well and left without another word.
Anyone could have been sent to fetch someone. A Kakushi would have been enough. There was no need for Amane to go personally.
But this was not just about calling for someone. There were certain things she needed to explain to that man in advance. That was why she had to go herself. If anyone else tried to bring up those topics, the former Flame Hashira might not even have the patience to listen.
Seeing Amane leave to retrieve the previous Flame Hashira, Sukuna entered the room to eat. He asked Kagaya casually, "And what about the demons? What have you found?"
Kagaya answered respectfully. "Due to your battle in Asakusa, most demons have gone into hiding. However, a few of the stronger ones remain active. We have identified two locations with demon activity. I suspect one of them may be housing one of the Twelve Kizuki."
"Twelve Kizuki...?" Sukuna repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Shinobu spoke up. "The Twelve Kizuki are Muzan Kibutsuji's direct subordinates. They are far stronger than ordinary demons. The Twelve Kizuki are divided into the Upper Ranks and the Lower Ranks. The Upper Rank demons are the strongest among them. Their eyes bear numbers, and the smaller the number, the more powerful they are."
Sukuna had no interest in ranking systems like this. It reminded him of someone who was always going on about being the strongest. Boring.
But he had to admit, it saved him a lot of trouble. It made things easier to understand.
"So the one with the smallest number among the Upper Ranks is the strongest of that bastard's twelve underlings?" Sukuna asked Shinobu.
"That would be Upper Rank One," Kagaya answered for her. "He is indeed the strongest demon under Muzan."
Sukuna thought it over. That meant if he kept cutting down these Twelve Kizuki, he would eventually force Muzan out. And after fighting these so-called Twelve Kizuki, he would have a rough idea of what Muzan was capable of.
A cruel smile spread across Sukuna's face. He pressed Kagaya further. "So which number is the demon at that location you mentioned?"
"I am deeply sorry, Sukuna-sama. The demon there is powerful. More detailed information has not yet been received." Kagaya bowed slightly, apologetic and careful, afraid of provoking Sukuna and causing unnecessary casualties.
Sukuna sat down to enjoy the meal Kagaya had specially prepared. He did not press further about the lack of information. He simply said, "Whatever. It doesn't matter. Upper Rank or Lower Rank, they're all going to die by my hands."
Such casual words. But Shinobu, Gyomei, and Kagaya could all feel the intent behind them.
Kagaya in particular knew how terrifying the Upper Rank demons were. Many Hashira deaths were linked to them.
Yet before Sukuna, such terrifying existences were nothing more than ants whose lives he could snuff out at will. And more importantly, he did not doubt for a second that Sukuna had the ability to do so.
A strange thought rose unbidden in Kagaya's mind. Was it because they were weak that they had been spared from becoming Sukuna's target? And only because Breathing techniques still held value to him that they could maintain this fragile peace?
Was this a form of mercy...?
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