Chapter 77 The Beginning of the Great War

"Meow."

Tamayo stopped what she was doing and looked at Chachamaru, who had appeared before her. Her expression softened involuntarily.

"Thanks a lot."

Tamayo watched as Chachamaru jumped onto her lap, reached out and patted his head, then opened the backpack on his back.

"Hey, what's this?"

A small vial of scarlet blood swayed slightly with her movements. Tamayo hadn't expected Iwakatsu to give her a vial of blood, but she did need it for her experiment.

"Ms. Tamayo, what's wrong?"

The man sitting opposite spoke calmly, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the vial of blood, a strange sense of familiarity emanating from him.

"It's nothing. It's just that Mr. Iwakatsu accepted the gift that Chachamaru gave him and gave him a return gift."

Tamayo got up and carefully placed the blood away before sitting back down, looking at the extraordinary man in front of her.

"Brother..."

Yoriichi Tsugikuni remained silent for a long time before picking up his teacup and taking a sip. Yushiro brought over a plate of sweets and, displeased, removed the Chachamaru from Tamayo's body.

"Meow."

Chachamaru glanced at him indifferently with his golden eyes, then jumped onto Yoriichi Tsugikuni's shoulder and lay down, his tail swishing against Yoriichi's naturally curly ponytail.

“Mr. Yoriichi, I understand what you’re struggling with. Actually, you’ve already done a great job.”

Tamayo looked at Yoriichi Tsugikuni. She felt that this powerful samurai was too indecisive in some matters and always put pressure on himself.

“I understand, Ms. Tamayo.”

Yoriichi Tsugikuni remained the same, only his slightly clenched hands revealed a hint of emotion.

"Yoriichi - Yoriichi".

Shouts accompanied by splashing sounds came from outside the window, along with the rapid, intermittent tapping of wood.

It was daytime, so Tamayo and Yushiro had to stay away and watch Yoriichi open the window from a place where the sunlight couldn't reach them.

"Ah! Yoriichi, Yoriichi."

A jet-black crow flew in, bumped into Jikuni Yoriichi several times, and circled anxiously around him.

"Calm down, Chi."

Yoriichi caught the restless bird and gently soothed it, telling it to calm down before it spoke again.

"Yoji, my lord foresaw that Muzan is going to attack."

Akatsuki was old and spoke haltingly, but Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who had spent a long time with it, still understood its meaning. His aura suddenly turned dangerous, and he turned to Tamayo and spoke.

"Ms. Tamayo, the Demon Slayer Corps has been discovered by Muzan, and I have to go there immediately. I would like to ask you to accompany Akane tonight, as the casualties there must be very heavy."

"I understand, and I hope you have a safe journey."

Tamayo nodded seriously. She hadn't expected Muzan to be so radical while Yoriichi Tsugikuni was still alive. There must be someone he needs in the Demon Slayer Corps—is it that doctor?

For some reason, Tamayo turned to look at the spider lily on the lab table whose petals had been plucked, but quickly turned back to pack up the first-aid kit.

——

Iwakatsu was also surprised that the Demon Slayer Corps' address was exposed in just two days, unlike in the original story where they couldn't be found even if they died.

He was in a very difficult situation. Muzan Kibutsuji had assigned him the task of stopping Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

:) I'm impressed.

Yan Sheng felt he might die young, so he frantically tapped 1008, hoping the other party would find a way to save him.

Honey, there's nothing I can do about it.

"So I'm just going to wait to die? If I don't go to that scumbag boss and get fired, Yoriichi Tsugikuni probably won't show me any mercy."

Yan Sheng felt like a victim of injustice, having come here to live in fear and suffering. 1008 was also helpless and could only try to negotiate with his superiors before managing to get a small discount.

"One chance, one chance to make the Crimson Blade ineffective against you. You can tell me when you need it."

1008 and Yansheng earnestly gave each other instructions, fearing that if the other party forgot, things would really be over.

"Don't worry, I know."

Iwakatsu watched as Kibutsuji Muzan summoned Gengetsu and began to give him a pep talk.

"The demon hunters are becoming increasingly rampant, killing many of their fellow demons, which makes me, as the progenitor of demons, very anxious."

Muzan Kibutsuji stood high above, looking down at the demons below. The oppressive aura emanating from the Demon King made all the demons afraid to even breathe.

"However, I've already discovered the insects' hideout. If we succeed this time, the Demon Slayer Corps will be quiet, allowing us more room to grow. After this battle, I will bestow upon you more blood to make you even stronger!"

After Muzan Kibutsuji finished speaking, he began to make arrangements. For the sake of his grand plan, he had to be meticulous and serious. First, he had to arrange for more tool demons to surround him, so that even if Yoriichi Tsugikuni came, he would have enough time to escape.

As Iwakatsu watched Muzan Kibutsuji arrange Gengetsu, he began to brainwash the ordinary demons. The voices echoing in his mind made Iwakatsu wish he could just shut down the computer.

"Follow my lead and win this battle! After it's over, I will bestow upon you pure blood!"

As soon as Muzan Kibutsuji finished his manipulative offensive, shouts and cries rose and fell incessantly.

"I will follow in the footsteps of the adults!"

"Lord Muzan, we will fight alongside you!"

"grown ups……"

Looking at the scene, which resembled a large-scale pyramid scheme, Yan Sheng thought he might as well download an anti-fraud app for every ghost. How could that scumbag boss possibly give out blood? It's all fake!

"Lord Kokushibo~ Do you think I'll be able to meet an interesting swordsman this time?"

Doma, holding a golden fan, spoke with a smile in his eyes. Because he had always been at the Elysium Cult, he rarely encountered members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Maybe."

Iwakatsu answered casually. He couldn't stop all the demons; he could only light a candle for Iwakatsu's former companions. He turned to look at Akaza, who was clearly impatient, and Mei, who was staring at Muzan Kibutsuji with starry eyes.

Yan Sheng sighed. He really hoped that they wouldn't die, because if they did, he would be doomed too.

Muzan Kibutsuji curled the corners of his mouth slightly. Those useless demons were merely tools to delay Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

He felt that Iwakatsu couldn't stop Yoriichi Tsugikuni for long, but as long as the demons kept attacking the insects, they could stop Yoriichi Tsugikuni's advance.

Thinking of this, Muzan Kibutsuji instantly appeared next to Iwakatsu and said in a very solemn tone, "Kuroshibo, stop that monster. If it comes, be sure to notify me immediately."

You scumbag boss, that's enough! I won't let you get away with this; even if you die, I'll be buried with you.

Iwakatsu nodded, now praying that he wouldn't be so unlucky. Kibutsuji Muzan, noticing Iwakatsu's obvious distraction, narrowed his red, vertical pupils slightly.

"Kuroshibo, be careful. Just have Nakime help you distract them."

Unlike other tool demons, Kokushibo was Yoriichi's only bond with Yoriichi, so Kokushibo still had great use to him. Therefore, Muzan Kibutsuji hoped that Kokushibo could live.

"Yes, Muzan-sama."

Muzan Kibutsuji nodded and transmitted the Demon Slayer Corps' locations to the minds of every demon through his blood. He also gave Nakime some serious instructions, emphasizing that he needed to ensure that the obstacles blocking Yoriichi's path wouldn't go wrong.