Chapter 200: Chapter 35: Prelude to the Decisive Battle
As agreed, Kyōjurō Rengoku did not tell anyone about the fact that Kotori Itsuka was the Enma.
As for the Demon Slayer Corps, just as planned, they have been making intensive preparations for the war during this period.
The members responsible for collecting intelligence are searching for the hiding place of Upper Rank Two Douma, the members in charge of combat are moving more frequently in order to collect Muzan blood, and the Pillar-level members are also working harder than usual and have begun intensive training.
Kotori Itsuka became their sparring partner.
Since the Asakusa base was discovered by Muzan, Ratatoskr moved to a new base.
This is not a difficult task.
Now that we have established contact with the Demon Slayer Corps, we can have as many strongholds as you want.
Due to the close cooperative relationship they had reached, Kagaya Ubuyashiki even directly allowed Ratatoskr and his crew to live in the Demon Slayer Corps' base in Tokyo.
Time passed, and another month passed.
During this month, with the assistance of all members of the Demon Slayer Corps, a lot of Muzan blood was collected.
After being purified by Kotori Itsuka, all the collected blood of Muzan was naturally absorbed by Dazai Osamu.
The entire Demon Slayer Corps supports one demon, which makes Dazai Osamu's strength increase as fast as flying.
Although he has not yet reached the level of an Upper Rank, he is already far superior to the average Lower Rank. In a one-on-one situation, he can be on par with most of the Pillar-level members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Thanks to this, the range of his blood magic was expanded three times.
But if there is good news, there is also bad news.
"We have already found out about the Eternal Paradise Sect you mentioned."
One day a month later, Kotori Itsuka, wearing a mask, was invited to the main palace by Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Even the well-informed Demon Slayer Corps took a full month to find the Eternal Paradise Cult even with clear clues.
This is only natural.
The Second Twelve Kizuki, the Eternal Paradise that Douma belongs to is not a big religion, but just a cult created by the ignorant people in the mountains and villages.
Moreover, in order to avoid attracting attention, Muzan Kibutsujieven specifically instructed Douma to control the influence of the Eternal Paradise Cult within a small range, with the number of people being less than two hundred and fifty.
Although Japan is not a big country, it still takes a lot of effort to find 250 people among a population of tens of millions.
"It should be a good thing to find it."
Kotori Itsuka crossed her arms and asked in confusion, "But you don't look very happy. Did something unexpected happen?"
"Yes."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded and handed the letter from the intelligence officer he sent to Kotori Itsuka.
Kotori Itsuka took the letter and quickly scanned it.
As a result, his expression became a little unsightly.
"Hmph... Looks like Muzan has noticed it, too."
After returning the letter to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Kotori Itsuka snorted coldly.
The clue to the Upper Two is broken.
When the intelligence personnel of the Demon Slayer Corps found the village where the Eternal Paradise Cult was located, they discovered that it was empty.
There was no sign of living people either in the church or in the houses of ordinary believers.
If Douma was just not found, it could be explained by the fact that he was summoned by Muzan Kibutsujiand was carrying out a mission outside.
But there is not a single person in the entire Eternal Paradise Sect, which is too abnormal.
The only explanation is that Kibutsu and Muzan noticed the actions of the Demon Slayer Corps and asked Douma to eliminate his forces before they were discovered.
Kotori Itsuka clicked her tongue in displeasure.
I waited for a month, but it was all in vain.
"What are you going to do next?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked, "Let your subordinates grow for a while longer?"
Although defeating Muzan Kibutsuji has been the long-cherished wish of the Ubuyashiki clan and the Demon Slayer Corps for thousands of years, Kagaya Ubuyashiki gave the final say on how to act to the leader of Ratatoskr.
This is not entirely because the opponent possesses overwhelming power, but also because Ratatoskr is the core of the crusade. The task of defeating Muzan Kibutsuji will be undertaken by Flame Demon alone.
The nine pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps can at most provide assistance from the side and intercept when other Upper Ranks appear, so as to prevent Muzan men from interfering in the battle between the two.
What's more, although it is a little hard to believe, in the eyes of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, this flame demon knows more about Muzan Kibutsujithan even the Ubuyashiki clan.
Not only his character, but also his abilities, and even the abilities of several of his upper-rank subordinates, are all clear to him.
During the time that the nine pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were training, they were not only training their physical fitness, but they were also undergoing corresponding special training based on the information about the Twelve Kizuki provided by Enma.
Therefore, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who was usually accustomed to giving orders, would feel at ease to hand over the decision-making power.
"No, we can't wait any longer."
After a moment's thought, Kotori Itsuka made a prompt decision and said, "It's time to lure the enemy. There's no need to drag it on any longer."
Side quest three requires her to speed up the final battle between humans and Demons.
If it is delayed too long, it will be difficult to complete the task perfectly.
In order to wait for news from Douma, she has been waiting for another month. Now that the clues in her hands have been cut off, there is no need to delay any further.
Kotori Itsuka wanted to get rid of Douma original intention, so the only way was to extract Muzan blood in his body to increase Dazai Osamu's strength, and get rid of a general under Muzan before the final battle.
Although it was a pity that he didn't get the blood of the Second Twelve Kizuki, but during this period of time, with the full support of the Demon Slayer Corps, Dazai Osamu also absorbed a lot of Muzan blood, and the coverage of the blood demon art was barely enough.
"Let all the pillars get ready."
The moment has finally arrived, but Kotori Itsuka is very calm and speaks lightly.
"Spread the word, it's time to lure the snake out of its hole."
Three days later, in Infinite Castle.
In this strange and twisted space, Muzan Kibutsuji was doing some kind of experiment in one of the houses.
However, although all the experimental equipment was available, his mind was not focused on the various medicines.
Soon after, the sound of shamisen being plucked was heard.
The space in the Infinite Castle changed, and a woman in a kimono with black hair that almost covered her entire face appeared in front of him.
"grown ups."
Muzan Kibutsuji, the most trusted subordinate of Muzan, who controls the Infinite Castle, lowered her head and reported to her master: "The whereabouts of the Flame Demon and his subordinates have been grasped by my clone."
Upon hearing this, Muzan Kibutsuji put down the test tube in his hand.
He hasn't heard good news for a long time.
"Have all the strings ready."
A hint of ruthlessness and joy flashed in Muzan Kibutsuji scarlet eyes.
"This time, we must capture Ratatoskr and that woman in one fell swoop."