Ryuya's final, cold threat sent Sanemi Shinazugawa into a rage once more.
"You evil demon! If you've got the guts, come at me! Don't you want to kill me? Then do it!"
Ryuya had struck Sanemi's deepest sore spot.
The thing Sanemi treasured above anything—his younger brother, Genya Shinazugawa.
How the hell does he know I have a younger brother…?
Cold sweat rolled down Sanemi's back.
But at this point in time, Genya hadn't joined the Demon Slayer Corps yet. Aside from the constantly worried Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the others looked confused.
"Killing you?" Ryuya sneered. "If it were that easy, you'd be dead already. Your blood is useful—I want to keep it for myself."
He wasn't one to swallow humiliation. Whether humans or demons—if anyone offended him, he paid them back with interest.
The growing killing intent from both sides made Kochou Kanae feel painfully helpless.
But she knew she couldn't step in now. The only way to fix this later was to slowly cool Ryuya's anger.
"Mr. Ryuya, if you are willing… perhaps we can sit and—"
But Ryuya was already pulling Makomo to her feet.
"There's no point staying in the Demon Slayer Corps. Makomo—leave the Corps."
If she stayed, she'd be criticized, ostracized, threatened.
Danger would follow her everywhere. Better to walk away now.
"Okay. Makomo listens to Master."
She followed him obediently.
"Mr. Ryuya, I can guarantee Makomo's safety. You can reconsider—"
"No need." Ryuya cut the Master off and walked away with Makomo in tow.
Kanae's heart dropped.
She had never seen Ryuya this angry. But seeing him like this only made her understand him more—his protectiveness, his loyalty, his fierce care for those close to him.
"…Let's return," Kagaya said with a sigh.
The situation wasn't good—but at least Sanemi was still alive.
"Sanemi… about your brother, and about your thoughts… we shall discuss it another day."
Kagaya was already preparing to protect Genya, the unsuspecting younger brother Sanemi feared for.
"Master, I'll return to Butterfly Mansion first."
Kanae lowered her head. Exhausted. Worried. Sad.
"I'll leave as well," Giyu added quietly. He wanted to tell Sabito everything that had happened.
Sanemi, meanwhile, stood restless and sick with dread.
He never wanted Genya to join the Demon Slayer Corps. But now?
Shit… all because of him—because he was too weak—Genya was in danger.
That damned Moon Demon.
He had to become stronger—strong enough to sever his head.
Ryuya's Mountain Home
Makomo and Ryuya, having left the Corps behind, arrived at a peaceful courtyard deep in the mountains. Fresh air. Quiet scenery. The kind of place untouched by chaos.
"This is where you'll live from now on," Ryuya told her. "If you need anything, ask me. If danger comes, I'll be there."
"Master, you're too kind!" Makomo hugged him tightly, tears trembling in her voice.
Personal use?
Ha. If only Sanemi could hear himself now.
Master wasn't using her—he was protecting her.
Though he was a demon, he was the kindest person in the world to her.
"But Master… Makomo doesn't want to just live safely. A peaceful life is nice, but Makomo wants to help you."
"You've already left the Corps. What help can you be?" Ryuya teased.
"I'll find the Blue Spider Lily for Master! Isn't that your long-cherished wish? Makomo will bring it to you next time. I'll give you a big surprise!"
She waved, smiling brightly as she walked away.
"Just wait for my good news!"
"I can't do anything with you…"
Ryuya exhaled softly. "Be careful."
As she walked into the distance, he stared after her, mind heavy.
The Demon Slayer Corps would now heavily protect Genya.
He had to move quickly.
Muzan would soon realize that Daki's memories gave him nothing concrete. He would change surveillance tactics—likely increasing them.
And the Lower Rank demons he'd been tasked to investigate still hadn't surfaced.
It was a trap. Muzan was waiting for him to slip.
Everyone envied the "demon prince."
But only Ryuya understood how dangerous, how suffocating, his position truly was.
Butterfly Mansion
Kanae lay awake, troubled.
"Sister?" Shinobu slipped under her futon, frowning.
Her sister's gloomy expression had bothered her all evening—she knew it had something to do with Ryuya.
Shinobu herself couldn't shake off the strange feeling she'd gotten when Ryuya left. She didn't like it…
Or maybe she cared too much.
"Shinobu… what do you think of Ryuya?" Kanae asked suddenly.
"A big bad guy. Very annoying!" Shinobu blurted. But seeing Kanae's helpless expression, she sighed and corrected herself.
"…Aside from teasing people, he's barely tolerable."
"Shinobu… I still believe that when Ryuya turned me into a demon, he was trying to save me." Kanae smiled bitterly. "You probably think your sister is silly and naive."
Usually, Shinobu would nod instantly.
But tonight… she stayed quiet.
"…Sister, tell me what happened today. About Ryuya."
Kanae slowly recounted everything—every detail.
This was the first time Shinobu had ever asked about Ryuya.
Yoshiwara — The Red-Light District
Moonlight washed over rows of wooden houses.
In Yoshiwara, courtesans were objects of fascination and desire.
Among them, one beauty outshone all the rest—Warabihime, better known as Daki.
Stunning, radiant, enviable.
And with a temper as vicious as her beauty was divine.
"You old woman! How many times have I told you to put the mirror here?! Are you deaf?"
Daki's voice cracked like a whip. A bulging vein twitched at her temple.
The old woman trembled.
Warabihime brought countless customers, but her cruelty was legendary.
Even when she did everything exactly as asked, she still got screamed at.
"Warabihime, I already placed it—"
"Huh?" Daki narrowed her eyes like a predator. She pointed furiously at the mirror.
"Are you blind?! The moonlight isn't even hitting it! If your eyes are useless, maybe you shouldn't have them at all!"
She stood, skirt dragging behind her, and stalked toward the old woman.
"W-Warabihime… what are you going to do?!"