Emmanuel_Capricorn
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DS : Chapter 153
🕑 Added 2025-03-01 14:31:52 +0000 UTC[Seiji's POV]
It was not that difficult to find Tamayo's hideout.
I thought I would have some difficulty finding the hidden space even though I had perfect memory since it was Blood Demon Art and all. But as it turns out, it was as simple as finding any other house.
I didn't notice at first that the place was hidden since my eyes penetrated all falsehood. It was the opposite situation for me, I found the place first instead of finding out it was hidden.
The place stood out a bit since it had such a big courtyard. It should be impossible for such free land to exist in an urban city like Tokyo but here it was, a small manor with wide free space in the middle of the city.
It was too big to be called a house yet it was not big enough to be described as a mansion.
I walked right through the front door. There was no obstacle to block my entry. They were risking their whole safety by being hidden which I found to be absolutely stupid.
But at least they seemed to have some sensors because the moment I stepped in, I saw Yushiro jump in his place from inside. His face was full of alarm and he immediately moved to the window to assess the situation.
"Hoy! It's me!!" I waved when the green-haired demon peeked out from a window.
I saw his shoulder drop and relief flood his body. He opened the window fully and yelled out in a rather pissed tone, "Ever heard of knocking or notifying people beforehand!!"
"I sent a letter but the mailman couldn't find your address for some reason so it's not my fault!!" I joked while crossing the yard and entering the manor.
"Thanks for having me~" I walked right in.
I looked around at the familiar interior and found nothing of change. Maybe it was because demons live for a long time but they seem to be allergic to change. Being practically immortal rids them of humanity's hurry to grow and change, to experience things before it all ends.
Why hurry when you can live forever?
Yushiro ran down the stairs and narrowed his eyes at me. He would've looked more intimidating had he not stumbled on the last few steps.
"What do you want?" he asked, rather rudely might I add. He did not even address me formally which looked a bit weird since everyone around me was usually so respectful.
I hummed, "I didn't hate you as much last time," I observed with interest, ignoring his question.
"What?" he blinked owlishly.
"Don't get me wrong, I still find you revolting and your aura is tickling my killing instincts but I no longer want to vomit at just the sight, if that made sense," I said.
Demons were beings that should not exist. They were outside of the natural order and my eyes noticed that more than any other eyes. If they were not perfectly imperfect like Muzan Kibutsuji, all demons looked hideous to me.
Kind of like a fruit with furs. Fruit by itself had no ugliness and furs were beautiful on animals. But if a fruit had furs that would be disgusting, imagine a hairy apple.
Demons were kind of like that to my eyes.
But clearly, that disgust had been dialled down after Rengoku became a demon and I spent much time looking at him every day, staying by his side since after I woke up.
"Are you calling me ugly?" he asked, looking taken aback and offended.
"Not you in specific, but what you are. Anyways, please lead me to Lady Tamayo or should I go to her room by myself?"
His glare did not die down but he did lead me to her room. He knew how strong I was so he knew full well that he couldn't kick me out or something.
He knocked on the door when we reached her study room, "Lady Tamayo, he is here again. The deaf Hashira,"
There was a short pause before a voice came from within, "Let him in,"
Yushiro opened the door for me and as I walked in, he had a message.
"I'll keep an eye on you. If you hurt or threaten Lady Tamayo..." he said and my eyes locked on him with a small glint of killing intent.
He grits his teeth and his eyes show veins but he finishes, "...I will make sure you regret it,"
I reeled back at his sheer determination. It should not be downplayed how dangerous I felt to demons. My killing intent was a build-up of years and years of absolute slaughter of his kind. I was sure that every demonic instinct in his body was screaming at him to run.
Heck if he had Muzan's blood, it would go wild, especially after my last encounter but the boy stood his ground. Love surpassed all logic.
And what a sad love he cherished.
In the canon manga, Yushiro falls in love with Lady Tamayo after she saves him from an illness by turning him into a demon. But the woman he fell for was a broken woman. Lady Tamayo was a widow who could not forget her husband and children. She did not reciprocate the boy's love and even used it for her revenge.
And yet Yushiro was all but too willing to help her avenge her husband and children. What was even sadder was that Yushiro survived the final battle while Lady Tamayo died, never even acknowledging his feelings.
He spent lifetimes without her. He would paint her portrait to try and keep her alive in his memory, waiting for her to be reborn so that he could love her again.
"I'll keep that in mind," I gave a nod and entered the room.
Inside, I found Tamayo sitting in front of a table of research. Her eyes were looking through the microscope and she pulled back with a smile.
"Do take a seat Lord Shigan," I did so, "So what brings you to my humble abode?"
"I'm sure you've heard of what happened," I said and she straightened her back at the mention. She pushed away from the microscope so that she could face me.
"I did. Defeating the Demon King himself is one of the most important achievements the Demon Slayer Corp has made in five centuries. People wouldn't stop talking about it," she said.
"Is that all you've heard?"
"Should I have heard more?"
"I suppose not, since you are not in the Demon Slayer Corp," I said and leaned back on the uncomfortable chair which was too low for me. Clearly, it was made for a lady, not a two-meter dude built like a Greek god, heh.
"This is good because I get to see your face while announcing it," I said with a grin and she raised an eyebrow.
"Do tell, I am infinitely curious," she said and leaned in close.
"We managed to get blood and tissue samples from Muzan Kibutsuji and they are still preserved even now," I said and I ocked on her face to see her reaction.
Instead of the shock or surprise which I was hoping for, her face scrunched up in scrutiny. A person could not have looked more incredulous.
"You tell no lies but I find that hard to believe," she said before explaining her reason.
"Even I, after centuries of research, am not able to preserve Muzan's blood without his consent. The Demon King has absolute control over his cells, the best we can get is the diluted version of the Upper Moon which is mixed with their DNA," she said.
"Did you bring said samples with you? If not, I find it hard to believe the statement. Please do forgive my suspicion," she said with a respectful bow.
"..,," I pulled back and leaned on the back of the chair, "You know I expected more fun from your reaction,"
"Sorry to disappoint you," she said, unimpressed.
"No need to apologize Lady Tamayo because you are right. It is impossible to preserve Muzan's cell in any other circumstances," I said.
"Other circumstances? So what's the exception in this one?" she asked, curiosity was back.
"Muzan was cut by a swordsman with a demon slayer mark, who wielded a red blade and used the purest form of Sun Breathing," I said and I finally got the reaction I was waiting for.
She was stumped, in more ways than one.
The three things I mentioned were all curve balls to her. They were tools she knew could harm the Demon King but she could never get her hands on them. But amongst all that, one thing caught her attention.
"Sun Breathing?" she asked with a shaky breath. I realized then that I had not told her about that even though we were partners.
"I learned it from the Kamado family who was passing down the technique in the form of a traditional dance, the Hinokami Kagura," I said and her eyes widened.
She was an old entity who lived long enough to know the connection Yorrichi had with the Kamado family. So she knew instantly that my statement was true. Perhaps it was far-fetched but it was true.
She took around five minutes to process my words. She asked me a few other things regarding that, confirming the truth in my statement. Her mind worked in a slow and detailed way that did not miss any flaw.
"But then you come to me, empty-handed while knowing full well how much Muzan's blood would help me in my research. So what do you want from me?" she asked.
Here it was, "I want you to join the Demon Slayer Corp,"
She did not seem all too surprised by that request, "Curious. The last time we met you made it clear that you were okay with being partners, only you and I. You also state that my help would only be a convenience rather than a necessity in killing the Demon Lord,"
She was way too observant for her own good.
"So what changed?"
"The Hashira did not get away without loss in the 'Failed Purge'," I said, "My friend, Rengoku. He is the Flame Hashira of this generation and he had turned into a Demon,"
"....."
"....."
Her eyes literally sparked and it was a telling sign that she finally put together the puzzle. Why I was here, why I needed her, and that included all the advantages and disadvantages of the situation.
"So you want me to find a cure to turn him back to a human or at least, make him like us, - demons outside Muzan's control," she said and I nodded.
"There is a very intelligent girl in the Demon Slayer Corp. She is making breakthroughs every day but if you work together, I think you can find the solution sooner," I said in an attempt to downplay how much I needed her.
She saw right through my attempt and offered a kind smile.
"Okay, I will do as you request," she said and I was caught off guard by how easy it was.
I was expecting her to exploit my need if I was honest. It need not be much but she could take advantage of the situation. Perhaps she could ask for autonomy, more protection, and even full control over the research or something.
Heck, I was thinking that she would request she kill Muzan with her own hands in return for her service. Sure I could have forced her to join and threaten her but the point stands.
She was a good person, more than I gave her credit for.
"Don't look so surprised," she chuckled.
"We are partners after all,"
Indeed.
"Yushiro!!" she called out and the boy, true to his words, was just outside the room so he came in immediately.
"Please pack our luggage, we are moving,"
"As you wish Lady Tamayo,"
I guess that was the first objective completed.
..
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