Tamayo could only reassure everyone not to worry too much about the parade.
However, if every other house in the Entertainment District sent representatives to observe the event, it would appear suspicious if Wisteria House remained completely uninvolved.
Thus, their famous "Southern Beauty" had no choice but to make an appearance.
This was not for publicity, but simply to maintain their cover.
Soon, night descended over Yoshiwara.
The streets throughout the Entertainment District became packed shoulder to shoulder with spectators, causing the Demon Slayer Corps to grow increasingly uneasy.
If the mysterious Manjushiro faction chose to act amid such a crowd, countless civilians would lose their lives.
At last, the parade began.
First came two attendants carrying ornate ceremonial chests as they emerged from Infinity House.
Immediately afterward, an enormous and magnificently decorated palanquin appeared.
The moment the crowd noticed the elegant porcelain pot displayed before the carriage, recognition spread instantly.
It was the treasured pot that always accompanied the legendary Lady Tamako.
The streets exploded with excitement.
"Lady Tamako! Please lift the curtain!"
"Lady Tamako! Your pottery is the most beautiful in all of Yoshiwara!"
"Lady Tamako! That pot is perfectly symmetrical!"
"…"
Walking beside the palanquin, one of the attendants pretended to listen to someone inside before raising his voice.
"Quiet, everyone! Please settle down! Lady Tamako has something to say!"
As soon as those words were spoken, the previously deafening crowd fell completely silent.
Anyone who continued shouting without hearing the announcement was immediately dragged down by the people around them and forced to be quiet.
Then, from behind the curtain, a breathtakingly enchanting voice drifted into the night.
"Good evening, everyone."
The mature, elegant voice suddenly shifted into the innocent tone of a young girl.
"Thank you all for your continued support."
"Please allow us to complete tonight's procession."
"Thank you."
That almost unreal voice bewitched countless wealthy patrons.
No one dared interrupt.
Everyone feared their own voices would drown out Lady Tamako's heavenly speech.
The instant she finished speaking, the crowd erupted once again.
Because the next palanquin carried the second most celebrated beauty of Infinity House
Lady Doma.
Seated gracefully inside, Doma concealed most of his face behind an elegant iron fan.
Occasionally, however, he would lift the thin veil covering his features just enough to flash a playful smile toward the guests lining the streets.
"My dear guest…"
"Would you care to join me on a journey toward paradise?"
According to witnesses afterward…
Half the crowd nearly fainted on the spot.
Following Doma came Akaza, Reiko, Enmu, and Rui, each riding in lavish palanquins that drew enthusiastic cheers wherever they passed.
The louder the crowds became, the darker the expressions of the proprietors from the surrounding houses.
To them, this parade was nothing less than a public humiliation.
Naturally, they refused to remain passive.
As Infinity House's procession passed through the district, nearly every establishment ordered its newest or most popular courtesans outside to observe the parade, hoping to steal attention and disrupt the spectacle.
"Look!"
"Isn't that Koika, the famous courtesan from Tokito House?"
"Even she's come out to watch!"
"And over there!"
"Aren't those the new geisha from Ogimoto House Lady Moko and Lady Barons?"
Two spectators, secretly arranged by Kokushibo beforehand, shouted those remarks in perfect unison, instantly drawing everyone's attention toward the competing houses.
Barons glanced unwillingly toward Gyokko's luxurious palanquin.
"…It's magnificent…"
The words escaped before he realized it.
His expression immediately stiffened.
"No… that's not what I meant."
"I mean… it's only flashy. Everything else is completely ordinary!"
Meanwhile, Moko's eyes landed on Akaza.
His fighting spirit instantly ignited.
He almost charged forward.
Fortunately, reason prevailed.
The Demon Slayer Corps was also somewhere within the district.
If the demons and Demon Slayers fought first…
The Manjushiro faction could simply harvest the survivors.
The more Moko considered the idea, the more pleased he became.
He even congratulated himself on such brilliant planning.
The parade continued through the streets.
As expected, Lady Tamako received the loudest cheers.
Second only to her was Doma.
Ironically, the more normal someone appeared, the less popular they became.
Among all the "geisha" participating in the procession, only Reiko and Enmu were actually female.
Yet they ranked among the least popular attractions.
The only reason they attracted any attention at all was because of their adorable appearances.
Reiko nearly burst into tears.
"I don't understand…"
"Why aren't real girls more popular than those men?!"
Enmu, on the other hand, couldn't have cared less.
She repeatedly stroked the kimono she was wearing with an intoxicated smile.
"This is what Lord Muzan wore…"
"This is what Lord Muzan wore…"
"…Lord Muzan's clothes…"
Her disturbingly affectionate expression immediately awakened the interests of several rather eccentric spectators.
"Lady Enmu!"
"Please step on me!"
"I want to become Lady Enmu's pet!"
The atmosphere became increasingly bizarre.
After what felt like an eternity, the procession finally reached the southern end of Yoshiwara
Wisteria House.
The moment the procession approached, Tanjiro's expression changed.
He smelled overwhelming demonic scents.
Not just one.
Many.
The Hashira immediately sensed them as well.
Every geisha participating in the procession was a demon.
And none of them possessed ordinary strength.
"They're members of the Twelve Kizuki…"
Tamayo's expression became unusually solemn.
Even her voice trembled slightly.
Tanjiro instinctively reached for his Nichirin Blade.
The other Demon Slayers prepared to move as well.
But Kyojuro immediately raised a hand to stop them.
"Kamado!"
"You must not attack here!"
"If battle breaks out now…"
"Everyone on these streets will die."
He was right.
Obanai silently watched the passing procession, his eyes filled with caution.
"Upper Rank demons are completely different from ordinary demons."
"The Demon Slayer Corps has failed to kill a single Upper Rank for more than a century."
"If even three Upper Rank demons are gathered here…"
"Our chances of victory are almost nonexistent."
Left with no alternative, the Demon Slayer Corps could only watch the demons parade proudly before them.
To preserve appearances, Wisteria House also sent out its own representatives.
The instant Muichiro and Inosuke stepped outside, another thunderous wave of cheers swept across the district.
"Look!"
"Lady Muichiro and Lady Inoko have appeared!"
"The Southern Beauty and Northern Beauty are together!"
"My life is complete!"
"I can't take this anymore!"
The roaring applause echoed through the streets so loudly that it seemed capable of shaking the surrounding buildings.
When the procession reached the entrance of Wisteria House, every member of the Demon Slayer Corps quietly tensed, prepared for any sudden attack.
Instead…
Lady Tamako's palanquin slowly came to a stop directly before Inosuke.
Rokuro stepped forward exactly as Kokushibo had instructed.
"Lady Inoko."
"Lady Tamako wishes to invite you to become her honored guest this evening."
"Would you grant her that honor?"
The crowd erupted into another frenzy.
Lady Tamako…
Wanted Lady Inoko as her personal guest?
Even the Demon Slayer Corps was stunned.
What exactly were the demons planning?
Naturally, they could never allow Inosuke to enter enemy territory alone.
Tamayo immediately stepped in front of him.
"I apologize."
"Lady Inoko already has commitments tonight."
"We must decline."
But had Kokushibo truly failed to anticipate such a response?
Of course not.
Walking gracefully from behind the procession, Kotoha, the proprietress of Infinity House, stepped forward with gentle dignity.
"Lady Tamako sincerely wishes to meet Lady Inoko."
"Would you kindly grant her request?"
The instant Kotoha saw Inosuke…
Her entire body trembled.
She fought desperately to suppress the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Even dressed as a young woman…
Even wearing elaborate makeup…
She recognized him instantly.
That was her son.
Her precious Inosuke.
The members of the Demon Slayer Corps stared at Kotoha in complete disbelief.
She looked astonishingly similar to Inosuke.
Especially her eyes.
Tanjiro discreetly inhaled.
After carefully examining her scent, he quietly reached a conclusion.
"She's human…"
There wasn't the slightest trace of a demon's scent on her.
"…Mom?"
Fragments of a forgotten memory suddenly surfaced within Inosuke's mind.
The woman from his dreams…
She looked exactly like the woman now standing before him.
Before Tamayo could refuse a second time, Inosuke gently tugged on her sleeve.
Without saying a word, he indicated…
That he was willing to go.
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