Chapter 175 The Plan Begins

The crescent moon cast a hazy glow on the tranquil night, draping the land in a mysterious silver veil. Iwakatsu stood silently, his gaze calm and indifferent as he looked at Yoriichi, seemingly unmoved by the latter's arrival. However, a frenzied scream raged within him.

How did I appear here without any warning?! Like a ghost! Oh, no, I am a ghost.

Yoriichi looked at Iwakatsu, his gaze moving from the other's face to his chest, staring intently at the violently beating heart.

"Brother, your heart is beating very fast."

"..."

"Don't just stare at other people's organs with a blank expression!!" Yan Sheng roared inwardly, his brows furrowing even deeper as he felt his stomach begin to cramp again.

"Hold that monster back, Kokushibo." Just as Iwakatsu was wondering, the voice of the boss, Kuroshibo, came into his mind. It seemed that everything was under his control. After speaking, the boss disconnected without hesitation, as if he was afraid of being infected with some kind of plague.

You're the one who leaked it, aren't you?!

Iwakatsu was even angrier. He had been betrayed without warning. He gritted his teeth. Although he knew he would eventually have to face Yoriichi, otherwise the final plot wouldn't be able to proceed, there was no need for it to happen so suddenly.

"How...did you find this place?"

Iwakatsu asked in a cold voice, staring intently at Yoriichi, awaiting his answer. However, Yoriichi seemed to deliberately avoid his question, changing the subject to another topic.

“Brother, you are still as kind as ever.” Yoriichi’s words carried a hint of gentleness that was barely perceptible, but Kokushi was completely confused.

"?" What are you saying out of the blue?

Kokushiro was completely bewildered. Yoriichi, seemingly oblivious to Kokushiro's confusion, continued earnestly, "I will definitely save you, brother. Break free from Muzan. Even if you remain a demon forever, I will always stay by your side..."

Iwakatsu, who had originally planned to escape at the end: How terrifying, I suddenly don't want to anymore. Maybe I should go on a trip to hell.

However, reason ultimately prevailed over impulse. Iwakatsu took a deep breath and interrupted Yoriichi, "Stop talking."

Yan Sheng interrupted him, looking at him seriously and saying, "You shouldn't be here...."

Yoriichi stopped speaking and looked at Iwakatsu, who was deep in thought. He didn't understand what the other meant. The air suddenly became quiet, and the awkward atmosphere made Iwakatsu want to dig his toes into the ground. Why wasn't he responding? The other person didn't seem like the type to rush over after hearing just a little news. Something felt off.

Yoriichi received the news a day earlier and rushed over after informing Tamayo and Kagaya. Everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps knew that Muzan was going to take action, but very few actually knew the plan. Therefore, he discussed with Tamayo that they must persuade Kokusatsu before the final battle.

But it was clear that Iwakatsu was not very cooperative.

“Brother,” Yoriichi said, a little regretful. He should have brought Ichiro along. Although he didn’t want to admit it, the other man always managed to win Iwakatsu’s favor.

He carefully recalled what Ichiro had said to Iwakatsu, modified it in his mind, and then looked up earnestly and said, "Brother, I still have many shortcomings. I have always wanted to become a noble samurai like you. Would you be willing to join me?"

Yoriichi's eyes were filled with sincerity and expectation, as if he were truly seeking Iwakatsu's approval and companionship. However, to Iwakatsu, these words sounded like sarcasm and provocation.

Are you looking for death?!

Yan Sheng was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected the other party to suddenly mock him, and his hands involuntarily tightened in his sleeves. His initial desire to understand the situation was instantly dispelled, veins bulged on his forehead, and his hands unconsciously rested on his waist.

"You actually... really want to fight me? Then I'll grant your wish!"

"?"

Yoriichi could see Iwakatsu's stomach churning from the emotional turmoil and his lungs beginning to contract slightly. He could hear the other's heavy breathing and sense the gritted teeth in his words. A sense of panic welled up inside him; he knew he had angered Iwakatsu again, and this tense atmosphere made him eager to break the deadlock.

As he instinctively stepped forward, about to say something to ease the tension, a sudden sense of danger struck him from the side. Yoriichi reflexively raised his sword, the scabbard precisely blocking Iwakatsu's swinging blade.

It didn't break?

Iwakatsu's gaze fell on Yoriichi's scabbard, which split open along the gash the instant it deflected the attack. His eyes narrowed as he noticed the red spreading across the blade from Yoriichi's slight exertion—it was a crimson blade.

Dead memories suddenly attacked me

Iwakatsu was momentarily distracted by the fact that he had been bedridden for many years because of the Crimson Blade, and Yoriichi seized the opportunity and grabbed Iwakatsu's wrist.

“Brother, I have no intention of fighting you.” His movements were swift and decisive, his grip so tight that Yan Sheng could not break free. The two locked eyes, and the atmosphere gradually became tense.

"Okay... Let go!"

A cold light flashed in Iwakatsu's golden eyes as he glared fiercely at his opponent, the mark of Genichi clearly reflected in his fiery red pupils. Yoriichi pursed his lips slightly and released his grip as Iwakatsu pulled away.

“Brother, these eyes don’t suit you as well as they used to.” Yoriichi’s words were calm and sincere, causing Iwakatsu to pause in his actions.

ill?

Dissatisfied, Yan Sheng put the illusory cry back into his waistband. He couldn't understand Yoriichi's thought process; he didn't answer the question and just spouted a bunch of nonsense.

He could only console himself that at least he didn't have to figure out how to hold off the enemy. As long as Muzan was too busy to pay attention to the situation here, he could have Nakime open the door, and Yoriichi would definitely catch up.

"In that case... then wait with me for a while."

He glanced discreetly at the crescent moon hanging high in the sky and spoke, thinking that the scoundrel should be confronting his current lord right now. He remembered that in the original story, the other party's carefully crafted appearance was blown to smithereens.

Oh my god, I really want to see it.

—On the other side—

Kagaya lay in his Ubuyashiki residence, with his wife Amane kneeling beside him, listening intently to every sound even as he lay ill in bed.

Moonlight streamed through the half-open window, adding a touch of mystery to the quiet night. Yaozai turned his head with difficulty, facing the open courtyard. Although his eyes had lost their former luster and his body was wrapped in bandages, he still keenly perceived everything around him.

"...Oh, you've arrived...Nice to meet you, Kibu...Tsuji Muzan..."

Kagaya spoke in a weak voice, while in the courtyard, Muzan stood quietly, his appearance appearing exceptionally pale and handsome in the moonlight.

An enigmatic smile played on his lips, a smile that held both mockery of Kagaya and anticipation for his impending goal. The night breeze gently ruffled his black cloak, and his impeccably tailored suit swayed in the wind, adding to his air of devilish charm and untamed spirit.

“...What an ugly sight, Ubuyashiki.”