Just as tension sparked in the air between Tachibana Kyūjō and Yushirō, a graceful figure stepped out from the back room—her white coat fluttering gently as she approached.

It was Tamayo.

Her gaze calmly landed on the young man standing before her—watchful, but filled with curiosity.

Her eyes traced the two long swords hanging from his waist, and a quiet suspicion stirred in her chest.

A black-haired swordsman... wearing twin Nichirin blades...

Could it be?

And those eyes...

Tamayo had seen eyes like those before.

Clear. Serene. Like they could gaze straight through to a person's soul.

She tried to remember. Where had she seen such a gaze?

Even with centuries of memories, the answer didn't come easily.

Kyūjō, noticing her presence, bowed respectfully.

"It's an honor to meet you, ma'am. My name is Tachibana Kyūjō, a Demon Slayer from the Demon Slayer Corps."

Tamayo gave a small nod, her expression softening.

"Nice to meet you, Kyūjō-dono. Please, just call me Tamayo. The one with me earlier is Yushirō."

She studied him for another moment, then spoke calmly.

"If you've come looking for me… I assume it's something important. But you're aware, aren't you? The two of us… are demons."

Kyūjō nodded slowly. His face was serious—composed, but unwavering.

"I know. You're demons. But to my eyes… your bodies hold no secrets."

Before he could continue, Yushirō exploded.

"You bastard!"

The younger demon lunged forward, claws bared, his expression twisted in fury.

"You dare insult Tamayo-sama?! I'll kill you where you stand!"

Tamayo's eyes widened in alarm.

She wasn't a demon built for combat, and Yushirō was far too fast for her to stop.

But Kyūjō didn't flinch.

He simply turned toward Tamayo and gave a small nod—as if to say, It's alright.

And in the blink of an eye, without even drawing his swords, Kyūjō raised his right hand.

A motion too fast to follow. A flash of motion, sharp and precise.

Crack.

His open palm struck Yushirō square on the forehead.

The young demon crumpled to the floor.

No movement. No breath.

Tamayo's breath caught in her throat.

"Is… is he okay?"

Kyūjō glanced down at the unconscious Yushirō and shook his head slightly.

"If he were human, he'd be dead by now."

Tamayo sighed in relief—but continued to eye him cautiously.

Then she asked, "How long until he wakes up?"

Kyūjō crossed his arms.

"Well… I think something in his brain might've gotten knocked loose. So I helped him grow a new one."

"He'll wake up once the new brain finishes forming."

Tamayo didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned.

But her thoughts drifted back to something Kyūjō had said moments ago.

"'Your bodies hold no secrets in my eyes…'"

Those words echoed in her mind.

And then—suddenly, without warning—a buried memory broke free from the depths of her soul.

Yes…

Three hundred years ago…

She had once met a man with that same gaze.

Eyes that saw through flesh and blood, straight into the very essence of one's being.

That man had been the first—the only—person who ever made Kibutsuji Muzan feel something he had never known before:

Fear.

His name was—

Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Tamayo stared blankly at Kyūjō.

Could it be…?

Could this world truly have produced someone like him again?

— — —

A short while later, Yushirō stirred.

His eyes fluttered open, faint light returning to his pupils.

Since neither he nor Tamayo consumed human flesh, their recovery speed was far slower than ordinary demons.

Still disoriented, Yushirō slowly rose to his feet and quietly stepped aside—no longer interfering in the conversation.

Tamayo gave him a brief, puzzled look, then returned her attention to Kyūjō.

"Please forgive Yushirō," she said softly. "He tends to act before he thinks."

"I apologize for his behavior."

Kyūjō offered a calm smile.

"It's fine. I did show up unannounced, after all."

"But if I were just an ordinary human… I probably wouldn't be standing here."

"If I hadn't known the two of you severed ties with Muzan, never harmed a single human, and even devoted yourselves to healing people…"

"I wouldn't have held back."

Tamayo lowered her head slightly, acknowledging the truth in his words.

Then she asked once more:

"In that case, may I ask… what brings you here?"

Kyūjō didn't hesitate.

"A friend of mine is suffering from a heart condition."

"I came to ask for your help in treating her."

Tamayo's expression turned serious at once. At the mention of medicine, her composure shifted into focus.

"May I hear the symptoms?"

Kyūjō explained everything he knew about Rengoku Ruka's heart condition—with clear, honest detail.

Tamayo closed her eyes briefly, deep in thought.

"…Without examining her directly, I can't say for certain whether I can treat her or not."

"But if it's possible, please bring her here."

"I'll use every tool at my disposal to run a full examination."

Kyūjō nodded firmly.

"If there's even one 'human' left in this world who can save her…"

"Then I believe… that person is you."

Tamayo quietly covered her mouth, then let out a small smile.

"You give me too much credit."

— — —

With the matter discussed, Kyūjō prepared to leave.

But before he stepped out, he turned back—his voice low and serious.

"…By the way. Kibutsuji Muzan is currently in Asakusa."

The moment that name was spoken, Tamayo's entire presence shifted.

Her demon nature rose to the surface—her expression tightening, her aura sharpening like a blade.

"Where is he?!" she snapped. "Tell me where that monster is—Kibutsuji Muzan, where?!"

Her hands gripped Kyūjō's arm with trembling force.

But Kyūjō didn't push her away. He simply raised one hand and gently patted her head.

"Calm down," he said softly.

"I didn't tell you this so you could rush off and die."

"You can't beat him. Not yet. Just wait a little longer."

"I'll be the one to kill him."

Tamayo froze.

Her eyes welled up. Her body shook silently.

Then—like a puppet with its strings cut—her fingers released.

She sank to her knees.

Tears fell, quietly.

She had always known.

That she could never defeat Muzan.

But that hatred… buried deep for over three hundred years… came roaring back at the mention of his name.

She couldn't hold it in anymore.

Kyūjō stood silently, watching.

Watching this woman who had lost everything long ago—who now lived for only one thing: revenge against Kibutsuji Muzan.

Finally, with gentle resolve, Kyūjō spoke:

"Tamayo-san."

"Would you come with me to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters?"

"I'll guarantee your safety. And I'll regularly bring you blood samples from the Twelve Kizuki."

"All I ask in return… is one thing."

"Research. And create a medicine to turn demons… back into humans."

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

📚 Want to read more chapters or get early access?

Join my Patreon here:

🔗 patreon.com/FaaanzKun

✅ Enjoy 30+ chapters ahead of WebNovel

✅ Get 2 new chapters every day exclusively on Patreon

Join now and dive deeper into the story—weeks ahead of public release!

Thank you for your amazing support 💖

— — —