Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

Chapter 345 Their Own Actions

Hearing Kokushibo's slightly sentimental voice, Tanjiro couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

"Miss Yuko, the method you suggested doesn't seem to be working very well."

It even seems to have the opposite effect.

This guy looks very happy.

Kokushibo's calm voice carried a hint of nostalgia: "She's always liked to play little tricks."

Tanjiro's forehead was covered in cold sweat, but he forced a smile and said, "Since you can understand Miss Yuuko's thoughts, why are you unwilling to think about her again?"

Tanjiro now knew he was no match for Kokushibo, and if he insisted on fighting, he might not last long enough for his teammates to arrive. He was happy to just talk back to him.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that using the two of them to lock down Kokushibo's operation was already an extremely worthwhile deal.

After all, from the beginning, Ms. Yuko's plan was to avoid direct confrontation with Kokushibo when there were fewer than three people facing him, and to wait for more reinforcements to avoid unnecessary casualties.

The plan was met with strong opposition from Sanemi Shinazugawa as soon as it was formulated, because they were there to kill demons, not to play hide-and-seek with them.

But after being beaten up by Yuko, he had no choice but to admit to the plan.

Yuko knew that he had only been persuaded by Kanae and had no intention of following her.

There's nothing we can do about it. If all we could do when faced with a powerful demon was run away, then there would be no point in having the Demon Slayer Corps.

Yuko just wanted to preserve as much fighting power as possible... no, perhaps it was a simpler thought: she just didn't want to see more people die.

Tanjiro thought he was just wasting his breath, but to his surprise, the monster in front of him actually stopped in its tracks.

Why... even Ms. Yuko herself couldn't convince her...?

Kokushibo remained silent for a moment, then abruptly raised his Hollow Crying God and slashed at Tanjiro.

Tanjiro broke out in a cold sweat and quickly raised his Nichirin Blade to parry.

Fortunately, he was on guard, otherwise he would have been caught off guard by Kokushibo's sudden attack.

Even so, he only felt a tingling sensation in his palm.

Why... does it still not work?

Tanjiro was sweating profusely.

Judging from this guy's reaction just now, he should understand...

Kokushibo... no, or rather, the Twelve Demon Moons, is different from other demons. He possesses a high degree of self-awareness, and the pause just now was the best proof of that. He should be able to understand what he was saying.

Why are you unwilling to think more about Ms. Yuko's sake?

Kokushibo may have had similar thoughts, but...

Too late.

He has survived to this day not only because of the tenacious vitality of a demon, but also because of his long-cherished wish to surpass Yoriichi.

It's been like this ever since I joined the Demon Slayer Corps, and it remains so even after hundreds of years.

For this, he was willing to abandon his wife and children, and to give up his identity as a human being.

Ikuko...

Unconsciously, memories that should have been forgotten deep within Kokushibo's mind resurfaced—memories of Yuuko, which were gradually becoming clearer than those of Yoriichi.

If... if only this younger sister could listen to him and choose to stand with him.

No, that rebellious younger sister has never listened to him since she was a child.

……

While Tanjiro and Inosuke were locked in combat with Kokushibo, the others elsewhere were also diligently slaying one demon after another.

"Lady Tamayo, are you alright?" Tamayo, far away on the surface, stood up from the ruins with the help of Yushiro.

"It's nothing." Tamayo waved her hand, trying to stand up on her own.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, accompanied by several swordsmen, walked over and saw this scene, intending to go forward and offer his assistance.

Yushiro's expression suddenly changed drastically: "You're injured! Lady Tamayo, you're injured!"

Zhu Shi sweated and raised her elbow: "It's nothing, it's just a scratch."

As she spoke, the bloodstains on her elbow had completely healed.

Yushiro breathed a sigh of relief.

Tamayo's lips twitched slightly. Yushiro was good in every way, except that he sometimes liked to make a fuss over nothing.

'I only react so strongly when I like you...'

Yuko's voice appeared out of nowhere in her mind, and Tamayo quickly shook her head.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, unable to bear it any longer, interrupted: "Ms. Tamayo, the Pillars have already chased Muzan into the Infinity Castle. Let's begin the second plan now."

Tamayo snapped out of her reverie and quickly instructed Yushiro, "Yushiro, I'm leaving the rest to you."

She was just a doctor; she didn't have the powerful combat abilities of Ikuko, nor did she possess the formidable Blood Demon Arts of Yushiro.

Her only role was to act as backup and not cause trouble in front of others. Once she had injected the potions into Muzan's body, her mission was complete.

It will probably be helpful in dealing with the casualties later.

Yushiro nodded solemnly: "I understand."

"Without further ado, I will have the Kasugai crows help you draw up a map of the Infinite Castle. As for the rest, I'll leave it to you all." As Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke, one Kasugai crow after another landed in front of the group.

Yushiro drew a blood demon magic talisman shaped like an eyeball and affixed it to the Kasugai Crow.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki witnessed the ravens disappearing before his very eyes.

"Using my Blood Demon Art, I can conceal their aura, so only those who have also applied the talisman can see them," Yushiro explained as he distributed the talismans to everyone.

Tamayo took the talisman from Yushiro's hand, and solemnly handed one to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

"I'll leave the command to you."

No one would question the position of the head of Ubuyashiki, the brains of the Demon Slayer Corps, in terms of command.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki took the talisman from her hand and nodded solemnly: "I understand."

He had just stuck the talisman to his forehead when the raven that had disappeared from his sight reappeared.

Fortunately, Miss Yuko cured his eyes in advance; otherwise, it would have been impossible to accurately assess the situation, and he would have had to rely on information from others to make a judgment.

Yushiro got ready, preparing to follow another Demon Slayer Corps team down into the Infinity Castle.

Before parting, Tamayo gave a worried reminder: "Be careful."

"Please rest assured, Lady Tamayo." Reassured by Tamayo, Yushiro felt full of strength and patted his chest to assure her.

Standing with Yushiro was a powerful team that had undergone the hellish training of the Pillars.

As long as they don't directly clash with the upper arm, they are capable of engaging in combat.

This team entered the Infinity Castle as reinforcements; they will not actively seek out Muzan or any other Upper Moon demons.

Instead, they provide assistance, helping the ravens complete their map-making work.

In the battle against Muzan, no Pillar who has not activated their Demon Slayer Mark is eligible to participate.

No, even if you activate the Demon Slayer Mark, it doesn't mean you have the strength to fight Muzan head-on.

The conditions are what they are; if they were any more stringent, we wouldn't have enough manpower.