Chapter 62 Black Death Beg!
In another dimension, the Infinity Castle!
At this moment, the five Upper Ranks were gathered, receiving the wrath of their master, Muzan. After he finally finished his outburst, he began to assign tasks.
"Gyokko, once the intelligence is confirmed, go with Hantengu."
"Kokushibo, search more diligently, especially near the Wisteria Flower Forest."
Gyokko, who was just a head, blushed and smiled "happily."
Hantengu knelt on the ground, trembling as he said, "Your subordinate obeys!"
Kokushibo vanished from the Infinity Castle in an instant.
Doma immediately stepped forward, holding Gyokko's head. "What's the intel? I want to go too, can you tell me?"
Unknown changes were slowly brewing...
At the Butterfly Mansion, around six in the evening, Tomioka Giyu arrived after completing his mission.
More precisely, he had an appointment with Kochou Shinobu to go to the Fireworks Festival.
Kochou Shinobu, having changed into a kimono, had slightly flushed cheeks and had specifically let her hair down.
The shiny, light red on her lips made Tomioka Giyu stare in a daze.
Kochou Shinobu was equally stunned; it was her first time seeing Tomioka Giyu wear clothes other than his uniform.
The light blue kimono complemented Tomioka Giyu's cold yet handsome face.
Kochou Shinobu shifted her gaze and whispered, "You look so handsome today... (⁄ ⁄ • ⁄ ω ⁄ • ⁄ ⁄)⁄"
Tomioka Giyu's face also uncharacteristically turned red.
Today, Kochou Shinobu was very different from usual; just looking at her made him inexplicably shy.
At this moment, Kochou Kanae first looked at her younger sister, then at Tomioka Giyu.
"Hmm? What mistake did you two make? Why are you standing here as punishment?"
Hearing Kochou Kanae's words, the two finally reacted. Kochou Shinobu quickly took Tomioka Giyu's hand and ran out.
"Bye-bye, big sister, I'll be back tonight!"
Kochou Kanae smiled and waved at them. "You look super good today, Shinobu, good luck ( •‾︶‾• )"
Along the way, after running for a while, Kochou Shinobu realized that she had actively held Tomioka Giyu's hand.
Just as she was about to let go, Tomioka Giyu tightened his grip.
"Let's go, the Fireworks Festival has already started."
"Mm, okay..."
Kochou Shinobu was thus led by Tomioka Giyu, stealing glances at him from time to time.
Soon, the lively atmosphere dispelled their shyness. Tomioka Giyu was the first to buy a salmon-like doll and gave it to Kochou Shinobu.
"Considering you don't like fluffy things, I'll give you a fish doll. I hope you'll think of me when you see it."
Kochou Shinobu took the doll, looked at its eyes, then at Tomioka Giyu, and burst out laughing.
"Haha, it really does look like you, both so dull!"
"Dull? Where am I dull?"
"I say you're dull, so you're dull, can't I?" Kochou Shinobu shook Tomioka Giyu's hand while holding it.
Seeing her like this, Tomioka Giyu immediately surrendered, resigning himself to the fact that he was dull whether he liked it or not.
Next, they arrived at Kochou Shinobu's favorite activity: scooping for goldfish.
However, after several attempts, Kochou Shinobu couldn't catch the one she wanted. Annoyed, she quickly instructed,
"Giyu, you try. You absolutely must catch that golden one for me!"
Tomioka Giyu smiled, indicating that she should just watch.
Tomioka Giyu was best at things that required delicate skill.
In less than three seconds, looking at the beautiful goldfish in the bag, Kochou Shinobu said to the stall owner,
"Give me six more. Let's have a showdown, Giyu!"
Tomioka Giyu didn't know where her sudden competitive spirit came from. He "casually" took the paper net and "casually" started scooping.
The result was three for Tomioka Giyu and one for Kochou Shinobu.
"Don't be discouraged, Shinobu. There really is a difference between talent and effort."
Kochou Shinobu smiled and nodded. "You're right, but what's yours is mine!"
"Boss, put all these together!"
After they were bagged, Kochou Shinobu held the goldfish and dangled them in front of Tomioka Giyu.
"Let's go, I want to play something else ( *´ ・ ｖ ・ )"
Tomioka Giyu followed helplessly. He chose her, what else could he do but spoil her?
Around seven in the evening, the fireworks display began.
Tomioka Giyu and Kochou Shinobu sat in a spot with a broad view.
Looking at the night sky lit up by fireworks, Kochou Shinobu spoke first, but with a hint of melancholy in her tone.
"I really wish time could stop at this moment. It's so blissful."
"But we..."
Tomioka Giyu stroked Kochou Shinobu's head and comforted her, "Don't worry, with me here, nothing will happen."
"Mm..." Kochou Shinobu buried her head deep into Tomioka Giyu's embrace and whispered, "You absolutely must not let anything happen to you. Lately, I've had a bad premonition."
After the Fireworks Festival ended, Tomioka Giyu, carrying various items, saw Kochou Shinobu back to the Butterfly Mansion before he left.
On his way, Tomioka Giyu, who was returning at high speed, stopped.
Looking at the more than ten corpses of Demon Slayer Corps members in front of him, he froze.
"All one-hit kills, huh..."
Tomioka Giyu looked towards the nearby village. After much hesitation, he still decided to go and see.
With so many members dead, he couldn't pretend not to see.
"Kanzaburo, quickly fly back and report the situation here to the Master. I'll go ahead and investigate."
Entering the village, a strong smell of blood assailed him, causing Tomioka Giyu's brow to furrow involuntarily.
Turning a corner, he suddenly heard a very deep voice speaking in the alley.
Just one glance inside, and cold sweat immediately ran down Tomioka Giyu's back.
The one speaking was none other than Kokushibo! Not far in front of him, Kaigaku knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed tightly to the dirt.
"Do you want to become a demon and grow stronger? If you also gain that person's approval, you will become one of us."
"The stronger the swordsman, the longer it takes to become a demon. It took me three full days."
"If it's someone who can use Breathing, they will need to receive more blood from that person."
"And there are a very few people whose Physique prevents them from becoming demons. I wonder about you..."
"Also, this blood is extremely precious. You must not spill a single drop, otherwise—"
"Your head and body will part ways forever!"
Just as Kaigaku was about to drink the blood in his hand, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck, and then the world began to spin.
Indeed, his head, along with his hands, was severed by a single strike from Tomioka Giyu's sword.
"I almost forgot about you, trash of the Demon Slayer Corps!"
After saying that, Tomioka Giyu did not choose to flee. Instead, he gripped his sword with both hands, staring intently at Kokushibo.
There was no other way; facing Kokushibo, the option of fleeing would only make him die faster.
As for why he didn't flee at first, one reason was Zenitsu's grandfather.
Since he encountered him, he naturally had to deal with Kaigaku, this scoundrel.
On the other hand, he couldn't escape anyway. With Kokushibo's sensory abilities, he must have been discovered the moment he looked over.
Kokushibo drew his sword again, and a terrifying sense of oppression instantly filled the entire area.