Somewhere in Japan, inside a quiet and peaceful home, a family sat around theirbeloved adopted son, Toshikuni.

"Toshikuni, you are truly a gift from the heavens!"his adoptive mother gushed, patting his head.

"So intelligent! So kind! So... pale."His father squinted."Are you sure you’re getting enough sunlight, son?"

Toshikuni, who wasnone other than the demon overlord Muzan Kibutsuji in disguise, simply smiled politely.

"Oh, father. You know I’m... sensitive to the sun." and left the hall and entered his room and locked it.

He turned his attention back to thebotany bookin his hands, flipping through it absentmindedly. The Blue Spider Lily. The key to hisimmortality, and yet, after centuries, hestill couldn’t find it.

His pleasant, fake-family moment was suddenlyshatteredas the curtainsviolently shook.

Two figuresappearedfrom the shadows, stepping into the room like villains in a badly written drama.

Akaza and Doma.

Domawaved cheerfully."Muzan-sama! We’re here to report!"

Akazabowed deeply."I have news, Muzan-sama."

Muzan’sgentle human façademelted awayin an instant. His oncecalm blue eyesdarkened intocrimson pools of malice.

Akaza,trying to sound confident, knelt before Muzan.

"I regret to inform you... that the Blue Spider Lily has not yet been found."

Silence.

Cold,murderoussilence.

Doma, sensinga storm coming,quicklyinterjected."But, Muzan-sama! We have made progress! I Identified the Source of Demon Slayers Corp Rise last few years!"

Muzanscoffed.

"And you think that’s an accomplishment?"

Before either of them could react,Muzan casually flicked his wrist.

Ahorrifying painripped through their bodies.

Akaza and Domascreamed, clutching theirdecaying fleshas their cells began torot and bleed uncontrollably.

"Did I tell you to celebrate every small achievement?!"Muzansnapped.

Akazawrithed."P-please, Muzan-sama!"

Domawinced but still smiled."Ahaha... you always have the best punishments, Lord Muzan."

Muzanglared."Don’t test me, Doma. You’re already on thin ice."

Aftera few more agonizing seconds, Muzanreleased his hold, letting the two demons collapse.

"Tell me about the Yujiro guy,"Muzan demanded.

Akaza,still half-decayed, muttered."He’s... terrifying. He toyed with me. He didn’t even take the fight seriously."

Doma, still gasping, added,"And the Flame Hashira... survived."

Muzan’seye twitched.

"And the... Rise of Demon Slayer Corp...?"

Domanodded weakly."The Demon Slayers are getting stronger because of him. He’s the one who killed Rui. He might be the biggest threat we’ve seen in years."

Muzan’sanger boiled.

First, Yoriichi Tsugikuni Imagination on the haunted house.

Then, a freak of nature like Yujiro Hanma shows up.

Now, a "Little Lord" is turning Demon Slayers into Force to reckon with.

Muzanrubbed his temples.

"This is an omen. An omen of disaster."

With a finaldismissive wave, Muzan sent Akaza and Doma away.

"Get out of my sight."

As theyvanished, Muzansat back, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, atDemon Slayer HQ, a crucial meeting was underway.

TheHashiras, along withnew rising stars, were gathered insideRaja’s mansion.

Rengokustood proudly.

"Let me tell you all what happened! I, without even awakening my Mark, fought an Upper Rank demon and emerged victorious!"

TheHashirasmurmured inshock.

Rengokupointed at Yujiro (Who is absent).

"And Yujiro Hanma? He toyed with Akaza like a cat plays with a mouse!"

Sanemi,scoffing, crossed his arms."Tch. He really that strong?"

Raja,grinning, leaned forward.

"Yujiro Hanma has a Demon Body. If he ever turned into an actual demon, he would be stronger than Muzan."

Silence.

Tengennarrowed his eyes."You serious?"

"Yes. His body is like Divine Bodies of Gyomei’s, Mitsuri’s, and Muichiro’s, but he perfected it."

Rajabegan his lecture.

"There existDivine Bodies, a rare phenomenon. One such example? Yoriichi Tsugikuni."

Everyonestiffenedat the name.

Raja continued.

"Yoriichi was born with theDemon Slayer Mark—a gift from birth. He inventedBreathing Styles, including the strongest:Sun Breathing."

Tanjiro’seyes widened.

"He also possessed theTransparent World—a vision that lets one see an opponent’s blood flow and muscle contractions. Combined with hisSelfless State, it made him nearly invincible."

The room wassilent, absorbing this information.

"He had a twin, Michikatsu, who fell to darkness and became Upper Rank 1, Kokushibo. But even in his old age, Yoriichi almost killed him with one strike."

Tanjiro clenched his fists."I... I must learn this!"

Rajagrinned.

"You and Muichiro are the best candidates for unlocking theTransparent WorldandSelfless State."

Muichiroblinked."Me?"

"Yes. Yoriichi Tsugikuni is your ancestor and the cause of potential in you. You just need the right push."

This made all the Hashira’s jaw drops on the floor and raja is enjoying the Chaos.

Finally, Rajagot to the real strategy.

"To kill Muzan, we must stop hisslime-flesh escape technique. If he can split and regenerate elsewhere, we’ll never win."

Gyomeinodded gravely."Then how do we stop that?"

"Tamayo-san and I had already created a virus that stops hisslime-flesh escape technique."

"Weoverwhelmhim. Hold him in place. And wait for thesunlight."

Rengoku’sflames flickered.

"Then we train. We become stronger than ever before."

Tanjirostood, determination in his eyes.

"I will master Sun Breathing, Awaken The Slayer Mark and Transparent World."

Inosukeflexed dramatically.

"I will master Beast Breathing Slayer Mark and DESTROY HIM!"

Zenitsucried in a corner.

"I just want to live, man..."

Rajagrinned.

"Well then... let’s begin."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com