Hello dear readers! Before the chapter I want to show my thanks for favs and follows this story. I actually don't think that this story will like by many at the first time I publish it.
As I said before, this chapter more focused on Oni's faction, although the beginning still shows Akatsuki's condition after Yae's case.
Enjoy the chapter.
/N: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Kimetsu no Yaiba belongs to Koyoharu Gotouge. I don't own both series since both of them belongs to their respective owners.
Chapter 7
A Change in Strategy
As the sun reaches higher into horizon, Yae is praying on the crater that's created due to Deidara battle with Matazou. The female Matagi creating a grave for her father and Taro. Outside the crater, Nagato, Itachi, Juzou, Deidara, Hidan, and Sasori are watching her.
"Is this right Leader-sama?" Sasori suddenly asked Nagato. "Along with Yuichiro, this girl will just get in our way during battle. Not to mention that she'll die young if not going through some proper training." He warned.
"I'm pretty sure of it Sasori no need to worry about it. Besides, I agree with you opinion. We're going to the battlefield against Demon Slayer Corps and this Twelve Demon Moons. We'll give Yuichiro and Yae… Some hellish training if you ask me." Nagato replied with a smile.
"That's more like it." Sasori agreed with a smirk.
"I wonder if those girl like to be a Jashinist though?" Hidan wondered.
"There's no way that could be happen, hm. Maybe someday you'll find someone that interested in your so-called religion." Deidara mocked him.
"Ha? And this is come from the one that's ranting about art this art what every time!" Hidan argued, remembering the time when he forced to collaborate with Deidara on Kabuto's orders.
While the others are talking with each other, Itachi look at Yae with sympathetic look on his face. While he's glad that Yae didn't fall to darkness of vengeance like Sasuke and Nagato being the one that do mercy kill to Matazou thus stop the cycle of hatred on him, there's fact that the female Matagi won't forgive the Akatsuki leader that easy despite already heard her father's last wish. 'Yae...'
After finishing her prayer, Yae then stand up before glanced at the grave. 'Goodbye tou-san, Taro.' She bid her father farewell as she walks from the crater using makeshift stairs created by Nagato. She then keep walking toward Nagato and stop few feet from him, look at him face to face.
"Did you finish?" Nagato asked.
Yae just silently nod before speak. "As expected… Even when I know, you did it so my tou-san can rest in peace… I… I can't forgive you for killing him…" She said in low voice.
"Like I said before, it's not wrong if you can't forgive someone that take something precious from you. But I'm glad, because you won't fall to the path of vengeance that will make you dive into the curse of hatred like I did before." Nagato reasoned.
"I understand." Yae nod. "Even so… My tou-san gives you his last wish to take care of me. If that so, I'll forgive you from your actions, to see what kind of person you actually are."
"We on agreement then." Nagato concluded, agree on her conditions before picking an Akatsuki cloak from his sleeve to Yae. "Welcome to the Akatsuki, Yae of Matagi."
A week had passed since the incident of Yae.
Inside the seemingly infinite fortress, Akaza already healed from his injuries. The Upper Moon Three is seen practicing his moves after his right arm grow back by doing some kicking and punching movements.
'At last I'm back at full strength! I can't believe that it took six days for my right arm to completely grow back. At least my scars disappear in two days.' He thought in relief as he clench his right arm to feel the sensation of it. "I can't wait to our next battle Kisame." He grinned imagining the day he'll come across the wielder of Samehada once again.
Suddenly, a biwa string is heard and he suddenly teleport right to the meeting room of the infinite fortress. Besides him, Kokushibo and Doma is standing like expecting that Muzan's the one that called them.
Being the first to see the Upper Moon Three, Doma then greet him with his usual fake cheery tone. "Well hello there Akaza-dono! I suspect that you're healed already! I'm so glad!" He said.
Normaly Akaza will lash at the Upper Moon Two fake concern. However, this time he just sighed. He then look at the Upper Moon he can converse normally. "I presume it was Muzan-sama that called us?" He asked.
The latter nod in confirmation. "We just need to wait the other Upper Moons before the meeting can begin. I already give their coordinate to Nakime. She should be called them by now." He replied to the point.
Suddenly, the other three Upper Moons is present in the room after another biwa sound is heard.
The first is a pale white, abstracted, grotesque humanoid figure with an upper torso that has no arms and resembles that of an armless statue growing from a porcelain pot; similarly to a djinn. He has multiple infant-like hands that line his back. His face is somewhat even more distorted. Large green mouths displace the position of where one would expect eyes, and his actual eyes are located vertically from one another on his face; one eye appearing in the constantly open bottom mouth and the other is seated at the center of his forehead. the Kanji for Upper Moon is engraved on his forehead eye and the kanji for Five is engraved on his mouth eye.
The second is the only female of the group. She's a young girl with long silver hair and lime green eyes with long eyelashes. She has a pink flower-like tattoo on her face, and wears an revealing two-piece version of kimono with flower patterned knee socks, and oiran shoes.
The last is a rather inhuman in appearance like the Upper Moon Five. He's a short frail man with a very thin and skeletal body, covered with veins and wrinkles. His most noticeable feature is a large bump on the top of his head, accompanied by two curved horns. His face is thin with a sharp chin and wears an expression of terror and fear, with a prominent brow ridge that lacks eyebrows. His eyes are narrow and often appear to be squinting, lacking any visible pupils. He has dark shoulder length wavy hair with a low hairline, only growing out from the back of his head and ears, who themselves are sharper and longer then a normal humans. His nails are long but not sharp like most other demons and retain their natural square form. Clothing wise he wears a dark kimono that is split in the middle, the right half being covered in a pattern of flowers and lines with the left half being dark and lacking any detailed features. He also wears dark pants and sandals.
"Oh! Gyokko-dono! Hantengu-dono! Daki-chan! It's been a while!" Doma is the first that greet the fellow Upper Moons that just arrived.
"Hyoo! Doma-dono!" The one known as Gyokko replied the greeting before turn to Kokushibo. "Kokushibo-dono."
"Its been a while Gyokko." The Upper Moon One replied the greeting.
"Say Gyokko! About the pots… Can you at least make more flower on it? I really appreciate it if it was colored in blue!" Doma casually talked to the Upper Moon Five.
"I'll try Doma-dono." Gyokko replied with a smile since someone really 'appreciate' his art.
"Eep! What could be the reason we're gathered here! This is terrifying! It's been one hundred eleven years since we're gathered like this!" The one known as Hantengu shivered in fear.
"Tch! Crap with your fear!" Daki said with loud tone. "I still can't believe until now that coward like you deserve place in the Upper Moons!"
"Calm down Daki. You can say that because you didn't know about Hantengu-dono strength. I tried to fight him once and I must say… The result isn't funny." Gyokko tried to ease the situation.
"Then… How about we find it out now?" Daki said as her killing intent intensified.
"Now now! Let's not fight here shall we? Muzan-sama will arrive shortly!" Doma said.
"Enough Daki. Gyutaro, why don't you come out from there?" Kokushibo suddenly asked the only female members of the Upper Moons. "It's not wise to hid inside your sister while Muzan-sama is present."
All of sudden, a lump is shown on Daki's left shoulder until a man is literally emerge from her body. This is Gyutaro, the true holder of the Upper Moon Six while her sister Daki is just the secondary holder of the title. Gyutaro was a tall man with a black-dotted, pale grayish complexion whose anatomy was somewhat strange in that his upper torso, arms and legs were all extremely muscular where his waist was incredibly skinny, his pelvis jutting out at an unnatural angle. He possessed thin, green and red eyes, their sclera bright orange, that were slanted drastically downwards at the sides, the kanji for "Upper" and "Six" carved across them. He had unruly black hair that cut sharply off to a brighter green around the crown of his head, worn messily styled with uneven bangs and several ahoges. He wore no shirt, only sporting a pair of baggy blue pants and seven pieces of pattern red cloth to decorate his body, one large one around his neck and three smaller ones around each arm.
"Kgh! You surely had no fun at all man~. And I thought I could surprise all of you." Gyutaro said after fully emerge from Daki. "And I don't see Muzan-sama everywhere… Don't tell me you fool me man?"
Suddenly another biwa sound is heard and Muzan suddenly appears in front of them with another Oni beside him. It was a pale woman with a grayish complexion, who had sharp, blue-stained nails and notably red lips which sharply contrasted the tone of her skin. She had shiny, waist-length hair of a dark brown color, which she wore falling down her back in slight waves that cut off sharply at the ends, with two chin-length strands left to frame her face and long bangs that obscured her large eye set in between them, swept to either side of her nose. She wore a plain black kimono with a white lining, secured with a striped pale brown-striped obi, white socks and no shoes. She's seen holding a four-stringed wooden biwa with a large bachi pick. "All of them already arrive, Muzan-sama." She said to Muzan.
"Thank you Nakime." Muzan thanked the Oni known as Nakime while the Upper Moons bow in respect.
"My respect to you Muzan-sama." Kokushibo said to Muzan with respect.
"Well well! Surely it's been a while indeed!" Doma said with glee while looking at Muzan.
Akaza didn't said anything. He just bow in respect to his leader.
"Eep! Muzan-sama! Please don't punish me!" Hantengu said in fear as he's shivering.
"Hyo! Muzan-sama, for what reason you gather us the Upper Moon like this?" Gyokko asked.
"M-My Lord!" Daki said in respect as she bows down.
"Man~ I wonder what reason you gather us like this after hundred years." Gyutaro asked.
"I see that all the Upper Moons already gathered. Good job as always Kokushibo." Muzan praise the strongest of the Twelve Demon Moons. "I'm certain that all of you already know the point of this meeting via Kokushibo right?" He asked.
Akaza then reply. "Yes. He said that we must search Lower Moons of the Twelve Demon Moons, with one Upper Moon bring one Lower Moon to this Dimensional Infinity Fortress."
Muzan nod, confirm that Akaza just said is correct. "You know, as time passes I conclude there's no doubt that Oni is superior to human in any aspect. However, during this era which start to modernize and there's some turmoil in the Europe, I realize something that make us always losing ground against our main adversaries: Ubuyashiki Family and Demon Slayer Corps." Muzan begin his explanation. "We can forget about the so called philosophies of how 'humanity supposed to help each other' crap, but I consider if we mimic some of their ways… To our fullest advantage."
All of the Upper Moons are confused, except for the highest rank. "In other words, you want us to move in team." He guessed.
"A Ha Ha! This is new! Well, I'll get along with Gyokko just fine!" Doma said with fake cheerful tone, earning a nod from Upper Moon Five.
"Eek!" Hantengu squirmed in fear. "A team!? That's impossible Muzan-sama!"
"Onii-chan and I already a perfect team for hundred years." Daki said with sinister smile, showcasing her pride.
"I think that the team Muzan-sama meant doesn't mean we're work in pair with fellow Upper Moons." Akaza said.
"Correct Akaza. That's why I ordered that each of you scout a Lower Moon. After that matter is finished, I want that each of you tried to get along with them as partner and train them so they'll not lose easily to Demon Slayers." Muzan continued.
Few seconds of silence, then protests is happened.
"What the!? You're not joking right? Despite I get along with some of them, working as partner is…" Doma unable to find the correct word to protest.
"Man, those weaklings will only get in our way. Not to mention that my sister sometimes didn't want to do teamwork with me." Gyutaro protested.
"How can we do that?" Hantengu asked.
"The way to make those Lower Moons cooperate… I'll leave it all to all of you. Considers that all of you despise them, prepare the most rigorous training as harsh as possible. Currently it's still day. I'll give all of you one month to search the Lower Moon that according to your personal is fit to be your partner. All of you can begin the search tonight. To make sure all of your training won't be disturb, all the Twelve Demon Moons including myself will laid low for two years. You can still move but don't bring too much attention. For a week, I'll make many Oni as much as I can to distract those Demon Slayers." Muzan replied.
"That means… The matter of those flowers-"
"Correct Kokushibo. The search for the Blue Spider Lily will be done after two years. I'll trust that all of you use this training efficiently, and be ready to serve me with suicidal devotions. That's all I need to say." Muzan concluded the meeting as he disappeared after Nakime string her biwa.
As Muzan leaves, the Upper Moons have a discussion by themselves except for Kokushibo, who approached Nakime. "I trust that Muzan-sama already give you the coordinate of the current Lower Moons to you." He said to the biwa Oni.
Nakime nod. "However, I can't tell you where the exact location is since they're always nomadic except for few. Muzan-sama gives me the entire current Lower Moons name though." She said.
"That's more than enough." Kokushibo said as he turns to the other Upper Moons. "Attention all of you. We already heard what Muzan-sama said. Now what we must do is search a Lower Moon that fills our criteria of being… Comfortable." Kokushibo said with a little disagreement on his voice. Despite this is his lord order, he still find the idea of collaborating with Lower Moon rather repulsive.
"Kokushibo-sama! Let's give our protest to Muzan-sama! How could we work together with those arrogant fools who think they're on top after becoming member of Muzan-sama elite!" Daki voiced her disagreement in disgust. "Onii-chan and me already a perfect team!"
"She's right man~. I'd rather prefer working together with Akaza or even Doma rather than with the Lower Moon." Gyutaro said.
"I know. However, don't forget that all of us didn't become an Upper Moon for nothing. Different from those arrogant Lower Moons and lesser Oni, we're the best of the best because of our strength and loyalty to Muzan-sama and promise to dedicate our lives for his goal to reach perfection." The Upper Moon One once again remind the entire Upper Moon of their loyalty.
"No need to say that Kokushibo. I had one Lower Moon in my mind that I'll get along with." Akaza quickly said. 'So its two years huh? Well, not that matters! I hope you still alive Kisame, cause I'll be victorious next time we meet again.' He thought in a little disappointment since it means he can't have his rematch with Kisame for a long time.
"If that the case I already have one as well!" Doma said with his usual tone.
"I see. However, to make sure, I'll inform you about the current Lower Moons in brief. Like Muzan-sama said, we may begin our search tonight." Kokushibo stated as he started to explain the information he receive from Nakime.
Back to the Akatsuki, after a week had passed, Yae finally find she's comfortable enough to be in their circle. Although some part of her still can't forgive Nagato for killing her father, her views on him become more positive after learning about his goal. They're currently already exiting the Aomori prefecture and on the middle of Fukushima prefecture.
'A world where Oni can be forgiven because their sin, huh?' Yae thought to herself as she's walking following the rest of the Akatsuki. 'I see. So you want to make a world… Where children didn't have to lift their hands to combat against Oni and instead… You want to put the blame of sparing them to your group alone… A naïve but almost noble according to me.' She thought with a smile.
"What're you doing smiling like an idiot?" Hidan glanced at her.
Yae twitch her eyes at Hidan. "Since when my expression become you concern?" She asked in annoyance. Nagato already introduced her to the rest of the Akatsuki and like Yuichiro, she finds that Hidan is the least tolerable of them.
"Let her be Hidan." Deidara reminds him.
"But still, to think that we're must walk far to the south. Itachi, seems your Kagebunshin didn't do their job." Kakuzu said to the Uchiha prodigy. "If its like that, this just wasting our time. Lucky that the hunter girl have the full map of Japan. We don't have to waste time search for library anymore."
"My Chakra not as big as you or Kisame." Itachi remind him.
"I forgot about that." Kakuzu replied.
"More importantly Itachi, why'd you didn't tell me there's Oni cause on Yae's village?" Yuichiro asked.
"Because your hatred against Demon Slayer Corps will be surface again and Nagato didn't want any of that." Itachi replied with serious tone. "Learn to control it first before we permitted you to meet another Hashira."
"He he he. But to think Sasori and Hidan able to enjoy Hashira strength as well… I wish I could be there." Kisame said to himself. Ever since he heard about the clash, he's eager to know how strong the other Demon Slayer Hashira besides Kanae and Sanemi.
"Well… I know from Sanemi that Hashira are ten in total including himself. So far, we have nine members, two if we include those two brats. We don't know if that flower girl already swayed by Nagato's words, but I can say if we're fight against them, like Bijuu hunting we're going to get one for each of us." Sasori explain to Kisame.
"Heh. I can agree with that although I must say that they're weaker than Jinchuuriki." Kisame shrugged.
"However, the most dangerous fact right now is this Twelve Demon Moons and Muzan Kibutsuji person. We don't their strength except for Akaza and our best bet is Sanemi that already brainwashed or Kanae finally sees some error on her way and ready to make her dream come true once again." Nagato said with matter-of-fact tone. "I believe that while on the way to Ryukyu, we'll gather any information about this Twelve Demon Moons group as much as we can."
"That can do. I still need to increase my spy network though if our goal wants to be quickly fulfilled." Sasori said. "If can, I want to at least catch one of these Twelve Demon Moons to spy on this Muzan Kibutsuji person."
"I understand Sasori. Maybe if we had luck we'll catch one." Nagato agreed with the puppeteer. "For now let search for a city. Maybe we need to relax for a while before continuing our journey."
"If you want to relax, Fukushima is about four hours from here. On there we can rent an inn and rest for few days before continuing our journey to Ryukyu Archipelago." Yae suggested.
"I agree with her. Besides, maybe I can find connection of black market in there." Kakuzu agreed with the former Matagi suggestion.
"Very well then." Nagato nod in agreement before turn his attention to the entire Akatsuki member. "We're going to this Fukushima city that Yae suggested. While on there, you can relax and gather as many information as much as you can. Kakuzu, you shall look for connection of underworld of Japan to gather finance. Sasori, increase your sleeper agent to increase our network of knowledge. Yuichiro and Yae, if any of you have acquaintance in that city, make sure to contact them since we can't rely on Sasori and Kakuzu network every time. The rest of you can rest and please… Watch over Hidan. I'll also search for information on the city along with Kakuzu and Sasori." He ordered.
The rest of Akatsuki silently nod.
Night finally falls as the Upper Moons began their search for the Lower Moons to become their potential partner.
On the streets of Kyoto prefecture, more exactly in what's going to be capital city of Kyoto, Akaza is walking around the busy city during the night. The Upper Moon Three change his appearance by disguising himself like his human form, which his hair is black instead of pink and his sclerae is white with blue eyes and pink eyelashes. His skin also in his human skin colors and he's wearing a dark-blue gray yukata.
'According to the coordinate that Nakime give me, she should be in this city. Glad there's a female among the Lower Moons.' Akaza thought with a sigh of relief. Aside from his battle loving personality, the Upper Moon Three is known for his great compassion toward woman, regardless of their race to the point that he refused to hurt or eat female humans and Oni. This sometimes makes him conflict with Muzan and Doma, but others like Kokushibo, Nakime, Daki, and Gyutaro respect him for this particular personality. He also known to have a small squad of female Oni that was saved by him from abuse by either humans, low-class Oni, or even fellow Twelve Demon Moons, make them completely loyal to him alone.
And the one he's searching right now is the only Lower Moons he somehow can get along with… Due to their same circumstances.
At the festival that currently being held in Kyoto , there's two young female that currently watching the fireworks together.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" One of the girl asked the other. She's young, around 18 years old with waist-length dark blue hair and brown eyes. She wears a red yukata with green sandals.
"I agree with you, Tsubaki-chan." The other girl replied. She appears the same age as Tsubaki with chin-length black hair and dark blue eyes. She wears the same yukata as Yukko but with yellow sandals. "Seeing something like this… Makes me forget some forced responsibility of mine." She said with a fragment of fear on her tone.
Tsubaki nod, understanding the circumstances of the other girl. "I know. I can't believe it at first about this Oni and all, but after meet you and despite I know that you… consumed human like me to survive…" Tsubaki trailed with a sad frown as she watches the fireworks. "However, I never regret meet you that time, Mukago-chan. I-If you didn't eat those men back then…"
"Tsubaki-chan…" The one known as Mukago can only look down. "I-I'm glad as well meeting you that day. However, there's no need for you to keep protecting me. Sooner or later, Demon Slayer Corps will send their members with heightened senses to hunt me down or maybe a Hashira. Like it or not, I heard that a human protecting an Oni will be given a heavy penalty."
Tsubaki realized that this supposed to be relaxing moments turn into sad one, so she tried to ease the mood. "L-Lets just watch the fireworks okay?" She said stuttered.
Mukago then look at her with a smile. "By the way, let's go search for some Katsu." She said to her friend.
"So you're here. To think that you made human friend, Lower Moon Four Mukago."
Tensed as she sensing a heavy pressure behind her, Mukago turn around and see Akaza in his human disguise with his arm fold on his chest, like he didn't expect seeing something like this. "I-It can't be… W-Why'd you…"
"Mukago-chan?" Tsubaki look at her friend with confusion before she look into the glaring eyes of the Upper Moon Three as well. "Who are you?" She asked with cautious tone. Since their travelling together, Mukago sometimes told her about another Oni that not as kind as her, as they see humans as nothing but food stock.
"S-Stay back Tsubaki-chan!?" Mukago suddenly raised her voice. "H-He's dangerous!"
Akaza is silent for a moment, before sighing. "So in the end, you can't throw away your human feelings huh? Muzan-sama must be disappointed by this. However, to think that you not give up your human heart easily… Is something that I can respect." Akaza said with hollow tone, remembering something unpleasant by seeing Mukago stand protectively in front of Tsubaki. "Follow me and I'll talk about the reason I search you. I know that lady behind you already thrown to this conflict, so she allows to listen it as well." He ordered before turn his back and search for an empty alley on the city for talking.
"M-Mukago-chan? Who's he?" Tsubaki asked with fear on her tone.
"He's the same member of Twelve Demon Moons like me, but he's one of my master's top dog." Mukago revealed. 'But still, Why'd Akaza-san search for me? I know both of us get along despite the differences in our rank in contrast to the other Upper Moons that despises Lower Moons besides him.' She thought in confusion. The two of them meet twice when Muzan hold off the regular meetings inside the Dimensional Infinite Fortress and like Akaza, she also hold disdain against Doma while Akaza defending her against Upper Moon Two fake words. "I-I'm sorry Tsubaki-chan… But-"
"I know. And I'll follow you." Tsubaki declared, much to the shock of the Lower Moon Four.
"Tsubaki you know what'd you just said!? He's-"
"Mukago-chan, didn't we promised to each other back then? If you truly wanted that promise to be come true, let me know about all of it. Your master, your colleagues, everything." Tsubaki insists.
Still shocked by her friend's statement, she finally give up. "F-Fine. However, don't make any actions or words that displease him. If he goes take me to my leader, h-he won't be as merciful as him." Mukago warned in frightened tone, concern for the safety of her human friend. Thus, the two female then following Akaza, searching for the place with the least human population so they can talk freely.
They finally reach a forest that's not far away from Kyoto. Akaza then dismissing his human disguise, showing his demonic features. In turn, Mukago also releasing her human disguise, making her a bit different. Her hair color turns into white and her eyes becomes gray with dark red sclerae with a kanji. Her skin also turn pale, yellowish in colour and a pair of horns is emerge from either side of her forehead.
Tsubaki didn't flinch when she seeing this. She knows about the Lower Moon Four true form and already witness it several times. 'Mukago-chan speaks the truth. This man… His strength on a whole different level than her.' She silently observes Akaza.
"So, what's the reason an Upper Moon like you search for Lower Moon like me? Considering all of you live your lives licking Muzan-sama's feet while never paid attention to us Lower Moons except for him and Muzan-sama berated us for our negative personality." Mukago said while tried to keep her words from making Akaza's angry. Lucky for her that Akaza didn't attack woman regardless of their kind.
"I said it in short." Akaza replied. "Muzan-sama decided that the Lower Moons and the Upper Moons must make partner with each other, with the Upper Moons must search a Lower Moon that according to us… Is fond to get along with. Well… I choose you because-"
"Because you can't get along with other Lower Moons besides me? Honestly Akaza-san, even though you became an Oni older than me, you still childish because of your foolish pride." Mukago remarked. "Why can't you imitate Doma-san? Although he's full of lies, maybe if you act like that-"
"Not in a million years I'll act like that creep and Lower Moon One." Akaza hissed. "Besides you know what'll happen if another Upper Moons is pick you right? Considering it was me that scout for you, you should be grateful Mukago." After said that, Akaza turn his attention to Tsubaki. "So you're the human that she's been acquaintance with. If so, I have some proposition for you as well."
Tsubaki is silent for a moment, before finally speak up. "As long as it benefits Mukago-chan, I'll listen." She stated.
"Good." Akaza smiled before speak again. "I want you to spy an organization called Demon Slayer Corps and if you can, tried to enter it and get as many information as you can about their combatants, especially Hashira and those that had heightened senses. And… Since your companionship toward Mukago, I trust you to give every information you obtained." He said.
Tsubaki nod. "I owe her a favor. If that can make her stop being hunted, I'll gladly follow." She stated with serious look on her face.
"Tsubaki-chan…" Mukago can't believe what she just heard before turn toward Akaza with disapproving look on her face. "Akaza-san! There's no way it was possible!"
"You forgot that Tsubaki was a human Mukago. There's no better eye to spy on Demon Slayer Corps than a human. Besides this will make us a step further from the other pairs and even Muzan-sama at obtaining important information." Akaza said with a smile.
"But…" Mukago tried to argue but finally give in, knowing what Akaza said had some truth in it. "… Fine." She agreed before look at Tsubaki. "Tsubaki-chan, please be careful. If somehow the Demon Slayer Corps finds out about your true allegiance, please just run away."
Tsubaki can only nod before smiling. "No need to worry. It'll take thousand ways for them to discover my true allegiance."
"It settled then." Akaza then contact Nakime via Telepathy. [Nakime, I'm done.]
[Very well.] The Biwa Oni replied.
"We'll see you in a week." Akaza said to Tsubaki as he and Mukago disappear without a trace after a door is opening below them, being teleport to the Dimensional Infinite Fortress.
Meanwhile, another Upper Moon also had no trouble in recruiting a Lower Moon. This is also because they're the same: ruthless and killed without remorse.
"Well~ If it isn't Doma-sama? Hello~" An Oni greet Doma who's entering a room of a villa in Yokohama. From the look of the carnage, the Oni is finishing his meal already. The Oni takes the form of an incredibly pale young man with ringed blue eyes that tilt sharply down towards the sides of his face, the left one of which with the kanji for "Lower Moon One" etched into its iris and a horizontal slat on his right instead of a pupil, meaning that he was the strongest of the Lower Moon. He has three square-shaped markings on each of his cheeks, each separated by a smaller square, which fade from green to yellow in color, and straight, chin-length hair of a dark black color which he wears parted to his right, the right side slicked back behind his ear. His hair fades into a red-orange color near the ends, but appears blue at the tips of the two longer, shoulder-length strands that curve upwards and outwards below the base of his neck, from under the rest of his hair. He wears a long, black button-up coat that arches upwards on either side of his legs so that only the two tails in front and behind fall down below his knees, and a white dress shirt, the cuffs of which appear over those of his coat. He also wears a pair of pinstriped pale gray pants and plain shoes of a similar color.
"Hello there Enmu-kun! Finishing your dinner I see!" Doma greet the Lower Moon One known by the name Enmu. The Upper Moon Two get along with him due to their brutality plus how efficient Enmu was for gathers information, since Doma sometimes ask for the location of woman to him for his dinner.
"Right~. Come here for another information Doma-sama? If that's the reason you visited me, I had some places where you can find beautiful lady to be yours." Enmu said with a dreamy look on his face. He then wiped the human blood from his mouth, signaling that he just eating the poor victim.
"No Thanks! I actually come here for another matters Enmu-kun!" Doma then sit on the wooden floor, facing Enmu face to face. "How will you react if I ask you to become my… Partner?"
Even someone as calm as Enmu widen his eyes at Doma's request. "Me… Becoming a partner with you? There's no way Muzan-sama will-"
"This is Muzan-kun order. He said it was to make us at full advantage. Besides, your Kekkijutsu really mold well with mine isn't it?" Doma said with unusual serious tone, means that he isn't joking around. He then return to his jovial state. "So… What about it Enmu-kun?"
Silent for a moment, Enmu then smiled dreamily. 'Being a partner with Doma-sama? What kind of sweet dreams is this~. At last, I can prove myself to Muzan-sama~' He thought. "Gladly. However, that means we must share our preference of victims~"
"No need to worry! Everything for my friend!" Doma assured him before contacting Nakime, signaling that his recruitment already finished.
While Akaza and Doma had an easy recruitment, one Upper Moon weren't so lucky.
"Grrgh!" One of Hantengu's clone, Sekido is seen blocking an attack from an Oni with strange clothing at the top of a tall building in Tokyo. The Oni appears as a young man with an athletic build. He has incredibly spiky black hair with two chin-length bangs framing his face. As a member of the Twelve Demon Moons, he has the kanji for Lower (下か Ka) and Two (弐に Ni) etched on his left eye. He wears an western light suit with a black buckled belt with saggy pants and black boots. Over this, he wears a black cloak similar in appearance to a cape with protruding collars. Finally he wears a white sailor hat with a wolf emblem on its front center.
"Where is he!? WHERE IS HE HA!?" The Lower Moon Two roared as he keep pushing Sekido, who using his staff to block a katana that surprisingly not made from flesh, but like those of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Normally when Sekido is come out, he will kill without any hesitation, but this time it was due to Muzan's orders that he refrain from doing so. "WHY DON'T YOU JUST CALM DOWN!" Sekido roared as he emitting electricity from his staff that stunt the Lower Moon Two before he can utilized his Kekkijutsu. The Lower Moon Two roared in pain before falls to the ground since Sekido's lightning can stun an Oni with the exception of Hantengu's other clone.
"Now you already calm down Lower Moon Two Hairo?" Another Hantengu clone appears and it was carrying a large fan. He then stand besides Sekido. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Hantengu of the Upper Moons. And as for the reason for me scouting you, I think you get it already."
"I don't care about that shit!" Hairo roared in anger even though his body is paralyzed by Sekido's lightning. "Revenge… I must kill him! The Flame Hashira that make me become mad like this!"
On the other place, Kokushibo is seen walking on a forest. Like Akaza and Doma, he already had in mind which Lower Moon he'll recruit to becoming his partner, since he's the only Lower Moon that managed to become Muzan's favorite despite being the second weakest of the Twelve Demon Moons. He then reaches an abandoned house that seemingly a former temple. Outside of it, there's some torture that's happen. It's already day had passed after Akaza, Doma, and Hantengu managed to recruit their Lower Moon.
On the roof of the abandoned house, a female Oni is being tortured mercilessly by hanging her body with numerous razor-sharp threads. Her body is a bloody mess while she's crying in pity. The girl appearance is a pale, milky-white skin white, red dot on each side of her face and blue eyes. Her hair is white and reaches her shoulder and she wears white outfit.
Below, two Oni is seen watching the torture. One is emotionless and the others in silent delight. The one that controlling the threads is the emotionless one that has the appearance of a young boy. His skin is white, with red dots. His hair is light pink and bears resemblance to spider legs while the left bang obscured his left eye. The sclera of his eyes is red, while his irises are pale blue. The other one is a girl that has a completely pale, milky-white skin complexion with snow white hair and her eyes are pure white with only her silvery pupils separating them from her sclerae. She also possesses several red, dot-like patterns on her face. She also wears the same white outfit like the female Oni that was tortured.
"How disappointing." The boy Oni said in hollow tone as he turn around only to being shocked seeing Kokushibo is seen the entire scene with narrowed look on his eyes. His eyes however turn feral. "How dare you enter here!?" He then sends numerous threads toward the Upper Moon One, who cut through it like it was nothing using his amazing speed, so fast that he didn't even seen draw his katana. "W-What the-"
"I can see why Muzan-sama asks me personally about this. Your strength really dropped since I last saw you, Rui." Kokushibo said in disappointed tone. The last time he saw him was during his report on Muzan five years ago and he can say he was amazed by his Kekkijutsu despite only rank as Lower Moon Five.
'H-He cut through Rui's threads like it was nothing!' The female Oni that standing beside Rui frightened by how powerful the samurai Oni was.
Suddenly, a large Oni that has the face of a spider and the body of a muscular man is running toward Kokushibo from inside the house. "STAY AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!" He roared as he run toward Kokushibo.
Kokushibo just sighed, before finally put his hand on his katana. Like before, the swing is so fast that even Oni eyes can't see through it. The next thing that happen is that is the large Oni is bisected in the middle as it falls on the ground.
"Tou-san!" The female Oni yelled in disbelief.
At the same time, the threads that hang the poor female Oni suddenly being cut off, making her falls to the ground. Seeing the scene, Rui just grit his teeth in frustration.
"I don't save her if you tried to guess. I hate torture in any kinds. You should be glad that I don't kill you right here because I respect Muzan-sama pity toward you." Kokushibo stated. "Its going to be morning soon. I need to tell you something important."
Rui then tried his best to compose himself. "Fine." He agreed as he turns around to avoid the morning sun. The female Oni and the muscular one, whose body already regenerate back to normal, follow him as well.
As Kokushibo followed them to the inside, he stopped when he reach the female Oni that was battered by Rui previously. Her injuries already healed, but her clothes are in rags because of the torture. The Upper Moon One look down on her. "Can you stand?" He asked.
The Oni weakly look at him. "T-Thank you for s-saving me…" She weakly thanked as her body still focusing on regenerating her wounds.
"No need to thank me. I only despise violence and won't let him have his way. You shall enter before the sun burn your body." Kokushibo then walk passing her, entering the abandoned house that Rui and his underlings use as shelter from the sun.
"Partnering with you?" Even as stoic as he is, Rui can't hide his shock from what he just heard. A favorite Lower Moon partnering with the Upper Moon that already like Muzan's business partner? How much this world flipped? "That must be a joke. Muzan-sama already give me permission to form my own groups."
"As much as I deny it, that's come out from his own mouth." Kokushibo kick Rui's disagreement. "Muzan-sama specifically order me to partnering with you, because he's a bit disappointed of your growth. You act like king toward this low-class Oni with the pretend of making family, making you hardly train."
Rui gulped. He didn't expect that Muzan already know that far. "I see… Then, what about my family?"
"I personally suggest to get rid of them." Kokushibo said without a hint of sympathy. "But since you ask Muzan-sama himself to form this band of Oni, the rest is up to you. I'll come back in a week, make sure you have your answer."
Meanwhile on Hiroshima Prefecture, two days after Kokushibo visit to Rui, there's some skirmish that happened on a dojo. Daki, the secondary holder of Upper Moon Six is fighting against an Oni that's the holder of Lower Moon Three. He had the appearance of an older man with a stocky build and pale skin that was decorated with black, vein-like patterns down his face, arms and legs. He had long, dark purple hair that he left down, and a short jagged beard around his jawline, as well as golden, cat-like eyes with the kanji for "Three" etched into his left. He wore what appeared to be a dark cyan version of a typical karate gi.
"Take that!" Daki sends her sash, that seemingly her Kekkijutsu toward the Lower Moon Three in rapid succession…
… Only for the latter to catch it using his palm. A sweat is seen on his face as he struggling to hold the seemingly alive sash, while Daki is seen smirking.
"Congratulations arrogant Lower Moon. You pass!" Daki arrogantly declared as Gyutaro is emerge from her body. The sash later retracts back to her, who was wearing a flower-patterned kimono with beautiful coloration.
"Tch. So all of it just a test?" The Lower Moon Three growled.
"Yeah~. And you pass." Gyutaro is now the one that's speaking. "So what do you say? Care to get along man? I envy you, for having the body of a fighter unlike the ugly me~. However, due to that I think we can get along."
The Lower Moon Three silent for a moment. "I still don't get it. Why'd Muzan-sama dared to partner us and make us looks like those pitiful insects?" He asked.
All of sudden, Gyutaro appeared in front of him and pointing a hand scythe out of nowhere to his chin. "Better tried to keep that mouth shut man. Yes or no?"
Week had passed. In the old temple of Natagumo Mountain, Rui is on his own world, as he look at the ceiling of the temple while sitting. His mind ponders of what he shall do with his 'family', a collections of weak Oni that he 'rescued' from either persecution, hunger, or Demon Slayers with the exchange that he'll forcefully alter their appearances to resembles him, thus making his fake family, and expect to fill what he thought is the role of a family that actually much akin to an evil organization with the disobedience or failure lead to torture or tied up until morning, where they'll burn up to death. While he thought all of them as nothing but insignificant insects that slightly above humans from his view, he still values them as one of his desire: To know the true meaning of familial bonds.
But now, his master suddenly arrived with orders to partnering with an Upper Moon, or in this case the strongest among them. The Lower Moon Five already have some contact with Kokushibo inside the Dimensional Infinite Fortress due to him being Muzan's favorite Lower Moon, and can't help but notice why'd he hold the title of the strongest Twelve Demon Moons.
'I made my choice then.' Rui confirm his resolution as he stands up. "None of them is fulfilling their role properly after all. Tou-san and nii-san are exception though so I'll consider to let them live." He then walk downstairs.
Rui's decision to kill the majority of the family however is eavesdropped by the Eldest Sister, the one that he almost killed if not because of Kokushibo's intervention. Her spine shivered when she heard it from the Lower Moon Five. 'I must warn the others! I had enough of this cruelty!' She determined as she run to warn the member of the fake family that she can trust.
At night, Kokushibo finally come back as he promised. The Upper Moon One already in front of Rui's temple when the latter came out with only three members of his fake family: Father, Older Brother, and Older Sister, the one that betray the Eldest Sister for Rui's favor. The Older Brother though is hanging on a tree close by.
"I see you've made your decision." Kokushibo concluded from what he saw.
"Not all." Rui replied in silent anger. 'Damn her! Thanks to her, I can't kill the other useless members! They're got away before I can kill all of them!' He thought in frustration.
"So these three are loyal to you? Then I guess that you can make them useful for our goals?" Kokushibo studied the three lesser Oni.
"These three are the only one that can fulfill their role perfectly. Since I'll become your partner, they'll obey you and me." Rui assured.
"Good. Its best to leave the loyal one alive after all." Kokushibo nod in understanding. "Lets go to the base. Muzan-sama expecting our arrival."
Inside the Dimensional Infinite Fortress, Akaza and Mukago are walking around. The Upper Moon Three and Lower Moon Four were among the first to arrive here.
Mukago look around the base of Oni. "Since the last time I come here, nothing's change at all…" She uttered.
"I paid no attention to it at all." Akaza commented.
"That's why I said you shall aware of anything besides fighting." Mukago advised.
"Can you sure Tsubaki… This human of yours can be trusted?" Akaza asked with curious tone. While he can't deny he's impressed by her loyalty toward Mukago, this is human that they're talking about. He's concerned that Demon Slayer Corps can persuade her to their side.
"Like I said before, I can promise that Tsubaki-chan is loyal to our cause Akaza-san. If she ever betrays us, I'm the one that'll kill her." Mukago said with assuring tone.
"Hyo~ It seems you already have your partner Akaza-dono!" Gyokko appears from one of the pots that decorated the fortress. "And as I suspect, you choose Mukago-chan huh?"
Seeing the Upper Moon Five, Mukago slightly bow. "Its been a while Gyokko-san."
"Still polite as usual. That's what I like about you Hyo~." Gyokko said in amusement. "By the way, the others will gather shortly with their partners."
"Speaking of partner, which one do you choose Gyokko? Not that I cared about it." Akaza asked his fellow Upper Moons.
"Lower Moon Six. Although he's the weakest among us, I must said that his ability quite useful for me." Gyokko replied with glee. "Almost time for meeting. See you in the main hall Hyo~." Gyokko said as he's disappearing to the pot.
On the main hall, like Gyokko said, the others Twelve Demon Moons already gathered.
"Ah~ This feeling is like a dream~ To think that we're gathering regardless of being an Upper Rank or Lower Rank~. Like a good dream come true." Enmu mumbling with dreamy tone.
"Yes! That means we can get along with each other quickly!" Doma laughed while waving his iron fan.
'A perfect team of sadist I see.' Kokushibo noted in disgust at how perfect Upper Moon Two and Lower Moon One in term of personality.
"It's been a while, six-eyed bastard!" The Upper Moon One turn his attention to Hairo, who approach him. "Does this mean we can clash our katana again huh? Fighting you must be satisfying for me before I take revenge on him!"
"I see you can control your temper now, former member of Shinsengumi First Division." Kokushibo greet him.
"You're too serious as ever Samurai freak!" Hairo replied rather harshly.
"Man~ They're surely enjoys each other. So good." Gyutaro said while scratching his face.
"So the so-called special Lower Moon also here huh?" Daki said with jealousy at Rui, who paid no attention as he just standing like a statue while observing his surroundings like the Lower Moon Three. "Oi brat! Look at me!"
Rui then glanced at the secondary holder of the Upper Moon Six. "I wonder who's the brat in here? So annoying." Rui sent a glare at her.
"Why you!" Daki can't control her anger as she swing her Oni sash at the Lower Moon Five. However, the sash is sliced to pieces before it can reach his body. "Tch!"
"Sister, control your temper okay? Sure he's annoying as hell but he's not our partner." Gyutaro tried to calm her sister down.
"Ridiculous." Rui disgusted by Gyutaro and Daki while at the same time he's jealous with their genuine bond. He then turn his attention at a strange Oni that's become Gyokko's partner. He takes on the appearance of a tall, muscular, humanoid like while possessing grayish skin, black hair, razor-like teeth, blood red sclera, deep blue pupils and hidden irises due to it being rolled up to the back of his head. His right eye had the Kanji of the number Six, which signified his position as the Lower Moon Six of the Twelve Kizuki.. Another one of his unique physical characteristics is that his stomach, shoulders, hips, front chest and back all have drums protruding from them. "So you finally managed to reclaim your place as a Lower Moon huh Kyogai?"
The Oni known as Kyogai just growled. "The next I'll defeat you." He said in angry tone.
"Don't compare Kamanue's strength with me." Rui warned.
"Eek! Why'd they just converse like usual? Did they not afraid of Muzan-sama wrath?" Hantengu asked in fear.
The conversation momentarily died out as Akaza and Mukago are entering the main hall.
"I suggest we're not late for the briefing." Akaza said as he entering the main hall.
"Not at all." Another voice replied and Muzan is seen standing upside down while reading a newspaper and sitting on a fancy chair. "I must said that I was impressed, for all of you to search for them before the deadline one month arrives." He said with happy tone at his underlings' work.
When seeing Muzan's presence, all of the Twelve Demon Moons bowed in respect. "As all of us already choose who partnering with who, then I guess it was momentarily complete." Kokushibo concluded.
"All that's left is for all the Upper Moons to train them, so they will not become hindrance to your instead." Muzan said as he reading the newspaper. "As the two-man team is complete, prepare for any missions I'll give you in due time. I give all of you one month to rest and get along with each other. That's all." Muzan ordered them as he smirk. 'Ubuyashiki, prepare to meet your doom from the pain you caused me back then… Two years from now.'
On the outside, a man is seen watching the full moon, although it was questionable if he could watch it at all, since he's blind. He has light skin and black shoulder length hair. His skin look as if it was rotting spreading down his face and covering his eyes making him unable to see. He wears a black kimono with a long white kimono jacket with a pink and purple mist like pattern that starts around the lower waist. After seeing the moon, he smiled.
"So that's your move, Kibutsuji Muzan. I'm certain that in time, my children will be more than ready to go against you." He said with surprisingly kind and confident tone. However, he still didn't know that there's another faction that he must be concerned with: the Akatsuki and the others in due time.
On Kanae's side, she's still resting on the rented lodge as the injuries caused by Nagato plus the fever still make her not well enough to move while Sanemi is currently searching for some dinner for both of them. During her time resting, Nagato and Itachi's word keep ringing in her head, making her questioning her belief more.
'Did I'm… Really fit to the Demon Slayer Corps in the first place?' Her thought finally reaches that as she starting to get tired from overthinking it. Her hair becomes messy as a result.
"In other words, all you did is called safe-play huh? What a coward."
"No…" Kanae denied as Konan's mocking now ringed inside her head. She then suddenly sits up. "I'M NOT A COWARD!" She yelled in defiance as she's panting and cold sweat starts to run down her face. She then turn into mess as she's pitifully sobbing. "W-What shall I do… I don't even know what's right anymore between Demon Slayer Corps goal and my own dream…"
"To become naïve or hypocrite and follow what your own heart say without listen the others opinion about your dream is a way you can achieve a dream don't you agree?"
After those words, Kanae gasped. "Follow… My own heart…" She mumbling as she look down. 'What my hearts truly want… What is it?' She tried to search it until her face turn serious as she wipe out her tears. "I… I finally know what I want this entire time." She said determined.
Author Notes
And that's concluding the seventh chapter. Like I promised, few Akatsuki POV and more focused on Twelve Demon Moons.
For the reason I partner the Upper Moons with the Lower Moons, don't forget that the Canon Muzan really wasted the Lower Moons potential as those that not fault him is killed by him due to childish anger. That become one of the most hated moments in Anime according to me. At least Frieza is bit smarter by punishing the low-rank soldier.
The twelve Demon Moons position in my story currently:
Upper Moon One – Kokushibo
Upper Moon Two – Doma
Upper Moon Three – Akaza
Upper Moon Four – Hantengu
Upper Moon Five – Gyokko
Upper Moon Six – Gyutaro & Daki
Lower Moon One – Enmu
Lower Moon Two – Hairo (Look Rengoku Kyojuro Gaiden for more information)
Lower Moon Three – Rokuro
Lower Moon Four – Mukago
Lower Moon Five – Rui
Lower Moon Six – Kyogai
As for the Lower Moons that didn't appears on this story (Wakuraba and Kamanue), I'm sorry because they're not one of my preferred characters. As for the Twelve Demon Moons, they'll operate much like Akatsuki: moving in pairs while fulfilling their Master's goal. They'll be two new members when two old members are killed. For those who read the manga, I think you already know who the one that I meant is.
Now I'll tell the reason I paired the Upper Moon with the Lower Moon:
Kokushibo and Rui : Both of them are Muzan's favorite and I somehow guess that Kokushibo had some decent relationship to Rui as he's literally Muzan in child's body. I also that they Kekkijutsu can support one another, with Rui's threads can be use to corner enemies while Kokushibo delivering the finishing blow.
Doma and Enmu : A fit of personality. Both of them are sadistic at their way of eating humans plus their mind are both twisted. I also thinks Enmu's Kekkijutsu are useful to keep the enemies on Doma's range of attack.
Akaza and Mukago : Comfort. Don't forget that Akaza respect women regardless of their race and the reason he teamed up with Mukago is for that reason.
The other three pairs is just minor. The three pairs that I mention above are the main pairs that will we see in chapters to come.
This chapter also marks the appearance of Kagaya Ubuyashiki. I had a plan for him and I will make his personality and motive different from the Canon one.
In this chapter, Kanae finally finds out her true dream. What she will choose? Read the next few chapters to see it!
See you in the next update.