Invasion (I)

*BOOOOM!*

It was a deafening sound coming from the direction of the town.

Not only did the sound resemble an explosion, but it also echoed like thunder. As it reverberated, the town immediately erupted into commotion.

The intensity of the explosion was such that even Riezel and Tamayo, deep in the mountains, could clearly hear it.

It was understandable, one had already awakened the Transparent World, able to perceive the outside world by focusing and shutting off unnecessary senses, while the other was a demon with senses far sharper than those of ordinary humans. Plus, since the town was not far from this mountain, such a significant disturbance naturally would be heard by them.

"Something's happened..." Riezel muttered.

"Seems just as I expected..." Tamayo said with a calm face. "Kibutsuji Muzan has made his move."

"What do you mean?" Riezel turned his head to her. "Do you mean the explosion just now was caused by him? Did you know about this beforehand?"

Tamayo shook her head.

"No, I didn't know Muzan would attack this place, but I knew he definitely would act... It's the second thing I wanted to tell you."

"Just like me, he would definitely have an extreme reaction to someone named Tsugikuni Yoriichi."

In Muzan's entire life, the only thing he feared the most was Tsugikuni Yoriichi. Knowing that someone claimed to be Yoriichi, especially someone who easily killed the Upper Three, he would undoubtedly take some action.

In Tamayo's eyes, Muzan was one of the most cowardly individuals in this world.

He was afraid of death, extremely so. 

Because of this reason, he pursued immortality, sought a perfect life, and went so far as to deceive her to overcome sunlight, causing her to transform into a demon, committing a grave mistake.

The encounter with Yoriichi scared Muzan so much that he didn't dare to show his face to the world until Yoriichi passed away.

It was enough to prove his cowardice.

Muzan wouldn't even want his Twelve Kizuki to gather together because he was afraid they might unite against him.

Otherwise, why would the Upper Ranks have not gathered together for 113 years?

It was all because of his cowardice.

As long as it was not absolutely necessary, Muzan wouldn't let the Twelve Kizuki gather too closely.

Being so cowardly, today, hundreds of years later, he suddenly learned that Tsugikuni Yoriichi, whom he feared all his life, had reappeared.

As someone who was once closest to Muzan, Tamayo understood his character well.

For this reason, Tamayo came this time not only to see Riezel and confirm his relationship with Yoriichi but also to inform him that Akaza was very likely still alive and to remind him that Muzan would definitely send someone to track him down and search for his whereabouts.

"Now it seems I'm a step too late..." Tamayo frowned, her beautiful brows knitted together. "If Muzan has truly followed your trail all the way here, then we're in big trouble."

One must remember that this place was the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps, a town where Demon Slayers reside. 

People of the Ubuyashiki family were also here, as were many important figures of the Demon Slayer Corps and the close relatives of its members. Once this place was exposed, demons would undoubtedly attack.

The recent loud explosion and commotion had already made everything clear.

"..."

Riezel furrowed his brows deeply, then turned around, preparing to leave.

"Please be careful." Tamayo quickly reminded. "Since this place has been exposed, the demons he sent to attack are definitely from the Upper Ranks, possibly more than one."

Upon hearing that, Riezel lightly smiled at Tamayo.

"Don't even mention a few Upper Ranks, even if Muzan himself came, I wouldn't bat an eye."

With that, Riezel lowered his body and made a leaping motion.

*Whoosh!*

As he moved, a surge of flames and terrifying heat swept out from his body.

"Lady Tamayo!"

Yushirou quickly hugged Tamayo, protecting her, as they retreated away from the flames and heat.

"That power..."

Tamayo subconsciously raised a hand to shield herself, watching Riezel, covered in flames radiating astonishing heat, with a look of awe.

*BOOM!*

Finally, Riezel stomped the ground forcefully and shot into the air, sending shockwaves and dust storms to the surroundings.

Before long, Tamayo and Yushirou couldn't see Riezel's back anymore, only a streak of fire streaking toward the direction of the town, disappearing into the horizon at an astonishing speed like a meteor.

"That guy..." Yushirou's face, usually unfazed, couldn't help but show deep shock.

Tamayo, on the other hand, stared intently in the direction Riezel disappeared, her eyes shining brighter and brighter.

Having witnessed just a glimpse of Riezel's power, Tamayo now had every reason to believe, believe that this young man could do it.

'If it's him, then for sure...'

Tamayo anticipated and hoped for it. Her expression was as if she had seen Muzan's gruesome death right in front of her eyes.

===

Time rewinds ten minutes ago.

As Riezel completed the creation of Hermit's scabbard in the deep mountains and encountered Tamayo, in another remote mountain, Hantengu and Gyokko appeared once again.

"It's going to be a beautiful night, hyo, hyo, hyo..."

At this moment, Gyokko no longer hiding in the forest.

He arrived at a cliff overlooking the small town, his lower body connected to the vase, twisting and laughing wildly while looking in the direction of the town.

Meanwhile, Hantengu remained hidden in the bushes, only half of his body poking out.

"Your vases have already been placed in the town, and no one has detected any anomaly..." Hantengu spoke up, visibly frightened. "I've seen many Demon Slayers passing through the town, one after another! If they find me, they'll surely bully me! It's terrifying, so scary!"

"Hyo, hyo, hyo... You've done well, Hantengu. Among us, you have the highest ability to conceal your presence and won't be discovered even if you go in."

Ignoring Hantengu's fear, Gyokko chuckled while covering his mouth with the small hands growing from his face.

"Now we just have to wait for that foolish woman to show up, and then we can move, hyo, hyo, hyo..."

"She's already here..." Hantengu curled up, trembling. "But she said she won't come to our side; she'll go straight to the town..."

"What?" Gyokko stopped, his voice turning gloomy. "She dares to act on her own?!"

"Hiii!" Hantengu responded, fear evident in his voice. "She said it's Lord Muzan's order, so she'll naturally obey! But she also said she doesn't want to see us, two ugly freaks, since seeing us would ruin her appetite for tonight's meal!"

"Damn woman!" Gyokko exclaimed in frustration, but then he calmed down. "Forget it. She's useless anyway, just a spoiled brat favored by Lord Muzan. If she knew that the lord she admires actually doesn't care about her and only pays attention because of her elder brother, I wonder what her expression would be like? Hyo, hyo, hyo..."

"Hiii!" Hantengu was utterly terrified. "Despair... it's too despairing... scary, scary, hiiiiii!"

"Enough with the tears, Hantengu." Gyokko sneered. "While that stupid woman hasn't caused trouble yet, let's get started."

"Hiii!" Hantengu shivered. "Th-Then I'll go find the whereabouts of that Tsugikuni Yoriichi!"

"Yosh! Leave the riffraff to me." Gyokko said, spreading his hands. "I still have some artworks to make and let the Hashira or that Ubuyashiki bastards appreciate! Hyo, hyo, hyo..."

With that, he retreated into his vase and disappeared.

"Scary... scary..." Hantengu slowly crawled toward the direction of the town.

Tonight, sleeplessness was inevitable.

===

When night fell, the residents of the town all extinguished their lights and rested in their homes.

Clearly, not many people were engaging in candlelit conversations.

Since this town had deep ties to the Demon Slayer Corps, everyone knew about the existence of demons and also understood that the night belonged to them.

Even though this town was used as the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps, its residents subconsciously avoided activities at night.

One after another, they returned home as night fell and stayed indoors.

The only people likely to be out on the streets at this time were members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

At this moment, Shinobu stepped out from the Ubuyashiki Estate, walking toward the direction of the Butterfly Mansion.

Weirdly, she couldn't shake off the unease creeping into her heart.

"Tonight is really quiet..."

Shinobu gazed at the full moon hanging high in the sky, her eyes flickering, her emotions somewhat unsettled.

"Am I just paranoid?"

She pondered over the full moon for a while, then suddenly tapped her own head and stuck out her tongue.

"I guess I'm just too sensitive. It's all Tsugikuni's fault for making me think too much today..."

"Well, I tend to overthink things even on regular days."

"Don't you agree, Elder Sister..."

Leaving behind those words, Shinobu chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Surprisingly, the smile she usually wore was now absent, like a butterfly losing its dazzling wings as she headed toward the Butterfly Mansion.

However, as she walked, Shinobu suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Looks like I wasn't being paranoid after all..."

She whispered to herself before lifting her gaze ahead.

In the distance, a woman had silently appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Lucky me, stumbling upon someone interesting just as I enter the town."

As the unknown woman spoke, her voice brimmed with charisma, power, and self-assurance, accompanied by a smirk on her face.

"Heehee, you're a good-looking one, aren't you, Missy? Wanna be my meal?"

Looking at Shinobu, the woman chuckled and asked gleefully.

Shinobu remained silent, her face showing nothing but a smile—or rather, a fake smile.