"The rightful path? What do you mean by that?"
Yōsuke's voice was sharp and accusing.
"Your bloodline gave Yoriichi the power to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark and see the Transparent World.
It allowed Nezuko to suppress the Demon King's blood within her, and Tanjiro to master the Breath of the Sun.
All of these prove that the Shrine Priest clan has the power to stop these tragedies—yet you did nothing."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Unless… you had your own hidden agenda."
The Shrine Priest's expression remained calm, untouched by Yōsuke's anger.
"The birth of Kibutsuji Muzan was inevitable," he said slowly. "It was fate's decision. This world must endure its cycle of suffering.
But you, Ubuyashiki Yōsuke—you were not chosen by fate. You were never meant to exist in this world.
You should not have become the Demon King. Because of your existence, fate has become distorted—what was once a clear, destined future has now fallen into chaos and uncertainty."
Yōsuke's voice lowered, steady and cold.
"So the 'clear destiny' you're referring to… was that Tanjiro and the Hashira were meant to kill Muzan, wasn't it?"
The Shrine Priest did not answer directly. Instead, he sighed softly.
"As expected… you, too, possess a glimpse of the foresight that belongs to our Shrine Priest lineage."
He continued.
"Originally, all that was required was for the Shrine Priest clan and the Ubuyashiki clan to unite through marriage.
Following the flow of fate, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Tanjiro Kamado, and Nezuko Kamado would be born in their proper time, and our clan would never need to reveal itself to the world.
But your interference has forced our hand. We, the Shrine Priest clan, have been compelled to step into the mortal realm—to correct those who have strayed from the path and guide events back to their rightful course."
Yōsuke's gaze hardened.
"So Hakuji—who was supposed to become Upper Moon Three—and Gyutaro and Daki—who were meant to be Upper Moon Six—became my allies instead.
And to restore your so-called 'balance,' the Tsukumogami and Mandō demons appeared. That's your doing, isn't it?"
The Shrine Priest nodded.
"Yes. All of it is for the sake of equilibrium."
Yōsuke's voice dropped to a near whisper.
"Are you… the High Priest?"
The Shrine Priest shook his head.
"No. None of us in this generation have ever seen the High Priest's true form. But whenever the world's destiny is disturbed, the Shrine Priest clan's temple receives the divine oracle left by the High Priest.
That is when we intervene—to resolve the disturbance."
Yōsuke stared straight into his crimson eyes.
"What exactly are you people? Are you human… or demon?"
The Shrine Priest's tone remained emotionless.
"If the Shrine Priest clan belonged to either side, we would show bias toward one.
Therefore… we are neither human nor demon.
We are the servants of the gods."
Yōsuke gritted his teeth.
"That day—when Muzan and I became demons—there were so many mysteries. How could a mere medicine transform two sickly humans into beings with such overwhelming power?
The physician who treated us… was he one of your clan?"
The Shrine Priest's answer was calm, almost detached.
"Yes… and no. The doctor who appeared at the Ubuyashiki estate was not a member of our clan—but the medicine he used came from us."
Yōsuke's fury erupted.
"You bastards! What do you take human life for?!"
The Shrine Priest replied indifferently.
"You have no reason to be angry. Without the existence of demons, the balance of this world would crumble.
And should you not be grateful to us? It is because of us that you live—healthy and strong—today.
But you needn't concern yourself further. The Shrine Priest clan is soon to perish."
Yōsuke frowned deeply.
"What do you mean? Why would your clan be destroyed?"
"Not long ago, a new divine oracle descended," the Shrine Priest said. "The greatest upheaval in the world's history is about to begin—and when it comes, the Shrine Priest clan will not escape its fate."
"Is it because of Muzan? Your bloodline—can it truly allow a demon to conquer the sun, to become a perfect being?"
The Shrine Priest shook his head.
"Our blood is indeed unique… but even I do not know whether it can truly overcome the sun.
Perhaps only the High Priest himself knows the answer."
Yōsuke's tone sharpened again.
"You appeared here today on purpose, didn't you? If my existence is what disrupted fate, then what is your purpose in coming?"
The Shrine Priest's gaze grew distant.
"A thousand years have passed, Yōsuke. You are now an inseparable part of destiny itself. Every move you make alters the future's course.
Those who were fated to die have survived because of your interference.
As a result… this time, fate will no longer stand with humanity. It will stand with the one who has been cast into weakness—Kibutsuji Muzan."
As he spoke, his form began to fade—turning translucent, dissolving into the air.
"Wait! Explain yourself clearly!"
Yōsuke reached out, but his hand passed straight through the man's body.
"An illusion?!"
He could only watch helplessly as the Shrine Priest's figure vanished completely.
Though many of his questions had been answered, even more now plagued his mind.
He had sensed no demonic aura from the Shrine Priest, yet what had appeared before him was clearly not human—no mere illusion could be so lifelike.
"Servants of the gods," he muttered. "Could there truly be gods in this world…?"
And what was this greatest upheaval that would annihilate the Shrine Priest clan—an order that had hidden perfectly for millennia?
Finally, there was the chilling phrase that echoed in his mind:
'Fate now stands with Muzan.'
A sense of unease gripped Yōsuke's chest, a suffocating premonition he could not shake.
Far away, within the depths of the Infinity Castle (Mugen-jō).
The Biwa demon, Nakime, plucked the strings of her biwa. A wooden door materialized before her.
The door creaked open—and Kibutsuji Muzan stepped forth.
Kokushibō had already delivered the clues he had found on Mount Sekiban to Muzan.
"When the boundary between man and demon begins to blur, the gods will deliver a new oracle. And with it, the High Priest shall descend upon the world, bearing divine will."
Muzan pondered the meaning of the words, his mind sharp and calculating—until Nakime summoned him once more.
"Nakime," Muzan said coldly, "you called me here. What is it?"
Nakime bowed deeply.
" Muzan-sama, one of my eye-spawn has located traces of the Shrine Priest clan."
A gleam of light flashed in Muzan's crimson eyes.
"Where?"
"On Kyōbetsu Island."
Muzan's tone hardened immediately.
"Nakime—summon all remaining Upper Moons to the Infinity Castle."
Nakime struck the biwa again. Five doors appeared.
Upper Rank One — Kokushibō.
Upper Rank Two — Dōma.
Upper Rank Three — Hantengu.
Upper Rank Four — Nakime.
Upper Rank Five — Inadama Kaigaku.
Only five of the Twelve Kizuki remained. The others had either been slain by the Demon Slayer Corps—or by Muzan himself.
Kaigaku, once Lower Rank One, had ascended rapidly after receiving Muzan's blood, now claiming the position of Upper Rank Five following the reordering of the Kizuki.
Muzan's gaze swept over them like a blade.
"The Shrine Priest clan has reappeared. Who among you will bring them to me?"
Kokushibō's eyes gleamed with killing intent. He stepped forward.
"Allow me, Muzan-sama."
Muzan nodded slowly.
"Very well, Kokushibō.
Remember—what I want… is alive."