"I have an idea, an advice, a suggestion and a theory. Which one would you like me to start with?"

"Start chronologically."

"Then I'll start with the theory," the wry smile on my lips tugged to a bigger one, "As I mentioned earlier, Muzan had retrieved all the demons back into his base — the Infinity castle. I have a theory of why he did that."

My eyes finally wandered back to the people sitting in front of me on the other end of the room, their gazes feeling nothing to me anymore as I had no more mental energy left to even decipher what they may be thinking.

I couldn't even bring myself to feel awkward about how Giyuu still kept staring at me, his intense blues losing their effect on me, given how mentally drained I was.

I felt like I had a whole day crammed into less than three hours.

I mean, I didn't exactly have a plan for how this meeting would even go and it still somehow didn't go according to the plan and I was honestly quite drained from all this.

Now, I just wanted to somehow finish this meeting and convince Oyakata-sama to not kill himself with his explosives before I lay down and maybe have a mental breakdown or two for the rest of the day left.

"As far as I noticed in the book that I read in my past life," I decided to slowly weave the thread of lies into the yarn of truth, "Muzan had created demons only for one purpose; to either find a demon that can walk in sunlight or help him find the ingredient of the drug that first turned him into a demon."

"And while his aims did extend a bit to hunting down demon slayers after almost being killed by one," I continued slowly, "Muzan still hasn't changed much. Thus, it is my theory that he has retracted all the demons back into his base, that infinity castle, because he no longer needs them. He is either planning to absorb them back or somehow prepare for us since he may have guessed that we would aim for his base, too."

"Did we infiltrate that 'infinity castle' in the book?" Shinobu asked, to which I answered affirmatively.

"Yes," I took a deep breath as I could feel the tiredness seeping through my words, "However, I hope you wouldn't mind if I give you the details of it in a later meeting? I think we all need some time to collect our thoughts."

"That theory does sound quite plausible," Hiroshi relayed, "But we'll need more details to prepare for it. What's next that you wanted to talk about?"

"My suggestion," I peeked at Oyakata-sama, who seemed to be listening to me intently, "If every one of you may consider kindly, would be to plan the Hashira training, or however you may refer that training to as, in closer quarters rather than farther away?"

"...we haven't planned where we will be conducting it yet," Uzui replied as he exchanged looks with his fellow Hashiras.

"Weren't you planning to do it besides your own residences?" I asked in surprise.

"Is that what happened in the book?"

"I think so?" I was too tired to argue about it, "Anyway, I would like to suggest avoiding doing that since it would only increase the chances of the Headquarters being detected."

"Then how would we do it?" Sanemi asked loudly, "There are more than two hundred lower-rank demon slayers and we cannot just train them in one place. We also need a larger area to train their swordsmanship and physical abilities."

"This is where I would like to start with my advice," I took out my journal from the inside of my haori as I continued, "While you are right with the strength training part to get that demon slayer mark, it would still be hard to generate it with just physical training."

I failed to notice how everyone was surprised at my knowledge of the mark.

"The best way to get that mark is not only through physical training but also practical application," I turned to the page I had written about the whole thing, "As far as I remember and have written, the curse, uh, the mark itself appears after facing life-threatening situations, which includes having a heart rate above 200 beats per minute and a body temperature above 39° Celsius."

"Yes, we came to the same conclusion," Tokito nodded, happy to hear that what they determined was indeed right, "That's why we are assuming that we can induce the same scenario during the training."

"Would you be able to induce the life-threatening part too?" I asked softly, making Tokito blink at me blankly, "The marks that appeared on you and Kanaroji-sama were because you both were in a life-threatening situation, rather than just the physical requirements."

"You mean it more has to do with the situation than that temperature and heartbeat?"

"Yes," I answered honestly, "As far as I've noticed, this mark did not appear in many because despite reaching the requirements, they either couldn't survive it or they didn't have the will to break through it."

"The mark," I held up my journal where I had drawn many of the sample marks I remember reading about, "Can appear anywhere and of any shape. It increases the limits of the human body only because it can be attained beyond that purview. And the only way to attain it is by sheer will, not just physical strength."

"But how will we induce that?" Rengoku spoke up this time, "You cannot force someone to have a will to break such limits!"

"Then don't force it," I smiled as I answered, "Just show them the reason behind it. The issue with this mark is that only those who have all the requirements and have the will to face the limits will get it. If one gets it, they will be able to see through not only the movements of the demons but also the spirit realm that can help them determine the weak spots."

"However," I closed my journal, "Not everyone has a body that can receive such marks," I pointed to myself as I explained, "Take me as an example. My body composition is very unique and, well, troublesome since it lowers my temperature than that of an average human. In such a scenario, it is impossible for me to attain those marks. Just like my case, there will be other cases out there too."

"So, you are advising us to not focus only on making the mark appear on others?"

"Hai, Shinazugawa-sama," I smiled at Sanemi's disgruntled look, "Not only for others but also yourself. If the mark appears, it's great but even if doesn't, what will help you defeat the demons is your cooperation and coordination with other Hashiras while fighting against the Upper Demon Moons."

"You accidentally called this mark a curse," Obanai pointed out suddenly, making me flinch as he glared at me, "Why."

"It is," my shoulders slumped as I replied, "It is because the book I read mentioned it as one. However, the curse itself is never officially proven or disputed in that book and even in the present scenario. That's why I was a bit hesitant to mention it."

"What is the curse, Miyasha?" Oyakata-sama asked gently as I looked away.

"The Curse of the Demon Slayer Mark supposes that anyone who activates it will die at the age of twenty-five because the price of activating it is a person's lifespan," I stated simply, making many of them tense up at my words, "However, as I said, this curse is not proven or disputed. And since the book I read had mentioned a few exceptions to it as well, I would stand against it."

"But what if it is real?" Mitsuri asked worriedly as she looked at Tanjiro and Tokito, completely forgetting that she got the mark as well.

"Then I would find a way against it," I replied confidently, "I already think I know what causes such early deaths, so maybe I can work on that. Maintaining the Demon Slayer Mark is a complex process that requires a lot of energy, and prolonged use seems to drain the body. This is why many Demon Slayers with the Mark died young, which gave birth to the myth that the Mark is actually cursed."

"So, we just have to use it efficiently?"

"...in a nutshell? Yes," I nodded before taking another deep breath, "Um, anyway, the last thing that I wanted to cover was my idea. Again, everything I state here is something you can disagree with or give alternate solutions to. Whatever I relay here is merely on the basis of the knowledge I have and my own interpretations of it."

I relaxed my posture and expression a bit, relieving a lot of the headache that I was feeling, "I had an idea while I was brainstorming this past week. However," I looked at Oyakata-sama hesitantly, "There is something I would like to ask of you before that, Oyakata-sama. And I genuinely hope you would consider me sincerely."

There was a beat of silence before Oyakata-sama softly replied. "I will." His voice was as breathy as ever, "What would you like me to consider, Miyasha?"

"A plea," I couldn't help the humourless smile on my lips, "A selfish plea. Please move your residence, Oyakata-sama."

"...Are you afraid Kibutsuji will find me?" His tone was as light and breezy but I knew he was testing me. And, honestly speaking, I had no patience for such tests.

"Not particularly," I stated honestly, "Since you know as well that he will need at least two to three months to even narrow down to this area. That being said, I still think it would be wiser to do so for the safety of everyone present here, including yours."

I bowed lowly as I continued, "Please, I beg of you, change your residence from here to a place more suitable and safer."

I kept my bowing position for almost a whole minute until Oyakata-sama asked me to sit up straight.

"Are you worried I will use explosives as you read in your past?" He asked me directly before laughing when I bluntly agreed to his assessment, "Don't worry, I don't plan on doing it any longer, now that I know it wouldn't work."

"I would still prefer if you shift residence," I pushed my point still, "Let it be temporary up until we deal with Muzan. I beg of you."

"Is there any reason you are so insistent on it?" Amane asked softly, her expressions not differing much but her eyes relaying her worries clearly.

"I am not sure how much things have already changed because of my existence and I don't want those variables to be against us," I stated logically as Amane frowned at my words, "I would rather take precaution than be caught up in those unexpected changes."

"In addition to that," I glanced at Oyakata-sama as I added, "We can use this space as a trap to mislead Muzan and lead us to his base, if you so wish to, Oyakata-sama."

A beat of silence passed in the conversation before Hitoshi piped up curiously.

"Given your plea," his bluish-green eyes met mine, "You must have a place planned for the shift, right? Where is it?

"Kamikochi," I replied with a smile as the twins and even Sanemi understood instantly what I was planning, "The Wisteria shrine is the best place for the temporary relocation. Not to mention the space around the Shrine is also enough for the Hashira training, considering we have a river and its cliff-side waterfall, too."

There was a pause in the conversation as everyone mused on my idea of relocation.

"I can also look after your medical condition the best there, Oyakata-sama," I decided to give a final push, "Since I have my own lab and herbal garden there that the villagers look after for me. Not to mention, since that valley region is quite remote and surrounded by forest from all sides, it is a place that is quite hard to find or even reach."

"Would all the low-rank slayers fit there, though?" Uzui questioned, "We have about a flamboyant number of two hundred of them!"

"And the Kakushi as well," Shinobu added, "With the inclusion of them, we'll have more than three hundred people suddenly moving into the small village."

"It's actually not small," It was Hitoshi who answered them, "We grew up in Kamikochi, and it's a large village spread over the whole valley region."

"The Wisteria Shrine is only a small part of it," Hiroshi continued, "And Miyasha had expanded that space quite a bit too, after taking control."

"Taking... control?" Uzui turned to me with his questioning gaze.

"It is a shelter for those with Marechi blood and/or the victims of demonic occurrences," I elaborated gently as I adjusted my glasses, "Shigeno-sensei maintained it initially before I took over from him. Now I maintain that place and the residents there. Every single person in the Shrine is very skilled and can help us a lot in preparation for the final mission with Muzan."

"Help us? How?" Obanai leaned forward, "What are you planning?"

"Poison," I simply pointed out as Shinobu's eyes lit up at my words, "I promised to aid as much as I can as a Kakushi, and that is the best way I can support everyone here. My blood along with Wisteria extract and Nezuko's blood can create a poison potent enough to even affect Muzan."

"And how are we developing it?" Shinobu questioned immediately, not realizing how she included herself in the process so naturally.

"I'm going to ask a senior of mine to join me in for this," I smiled as Tanjiro's eyes met mine, "She and her assistant would be glad to help us."

"Tamayo?" Oyakata-sama asked to which I replied affirmatively, "I'll contact her for you."

"Should I assume you agree to the shift then, Oyakata-sama?" I asked politely but hopefully.

"I can't find any convincing argument against it," he pointed out gently, giving a pause to see if anyone present in the room would like to say anything against it, "Given that no one is in opposition to such a shift of residence, we will discuss it in a meeting tomorrow. Let us conclude the meeting for today."

His words surprised me as I blinked up at him surprise. We didn't have much time on our hands and yet Oyakata-sama still postponed the talk to tomorrow.

"And Miyasha," My heart thundered as he suddenly called my name, "I hope you rest well."

I immediately understood his intentions as I replied, "Ha-Hai, Oyakata-sama. I hope you rest well, too."

"I will look forward to talking with you tomorrow, my children."

I immediately stood up to help him get up gently, Amane smiling at me in thanks before both left the room as silently as they entered.

However, as I stood in the room without them, I was left behind in a crowd of curious yet agitated slayers whom I wasn't quite keen to face at the moment.

(~×~)

Sanemi raised an eyebrow at the approaching Snake Hashira, musing for a second if he should pretend he didn't see him and leave.

The sky was already turning dark and he was much more mentally spent today than he had ever been. He genuinely needed some time to himself to sort out his thoughts before tomorrow's meeting — something, which he knew almost all the Hashiras needed to do.

That's why Sanemi felt curious about why Obanai was approaching him as he walked down the porch of the Headquarters.

"Do you believe it?" Obanai asked without any hesitation, "Everything that she blurted out sounded like a badly scripted story that she thought of at the very last moment."

"Wouldn't that make it more genuine, then?" Sanemi threw out as both friends started walking away from the Headquarters, "I don't think she's stupid enough to spin something like that."

"What if she is?" Obanai's two-toned eyes glared at nothing in particular, "What if she knows we are desperate enough to believe her?"

"Are we desperate enough? Or did her words make you feel that way?"

"Don't be stupid."

"Then stop being fucking daft and look at it from an objective view," Sanemi retorted, watching as his friend's frown deepened, "Just because she knows things about us that we may not want others to know doesn't means she's a bad person. In fact, it even proves that what she is saying is the truth, at least to an extent where one can trust her."

"Do you honestly not mind it?" Obanai sounded oddly... venerable and Sanemi didn't quite know how to interpret that observation, "Her knowing everything about you? Do you trust that she won't use it against you or tell everyone about it?"

"She didn't do that when she had the chance to, especially when you asked her to prove herself," he pointed out, "And even if she tried, why would she? What would she gain? What can we do even if she does?"

"So, you don't trust her either?"

"I trust myself to not be affected by it," Sanemi cleared out, "And I trust Oyakata-sama and other Hashiras' trust in her. I don't know her enough to trust but even I know that she isn't a person who would needlessly dig for someone else's past."

Obanai snorted at his friend's indirect trust in this new, unknown female, "You sound more like a hypocrite than that girl."

"Don't act like you aren't," Sanemi jabbed back, "Everyone knows how much you hate females but adore Mitsuri."

"Don't bring her into it."

"Then stop being an idiot and think things from an objective view," Sanemi sneered at his fellow Hashira, "That girl, Sarota, is the key to killing that fucking bastard Kibutsuji once and for all. I don't care what she knows about me if she can somehow help us kill that motherfucker. That's all that matters in the end, isn't it?"

Obanai stared at his friend in silence for a few minutes before sighing in resignation.

"Yes, yes, I got it, I got it. I'll trust her."

"No need to push yourself," Sanemi half-jokingly said as he clapped a hand on Obanai's shoulder, "Just accept whatever she says for now and we will plan together anyway. Even if she lies or says anything stupid, there are others to correctly plan it out."

Obanai smiled under his bandages as he bid his friend farewell, his head feeling much more clear than when he had approached Sanemi. He failed to realise how the Wind Hashira had convinced him to trust her until she proved otherwise — something that Obanai had never done before.

(~×~)

I winced as I took the bitter medication Shinobu prepared for me, wondering how many more days I would have to take it as I finally got up from the bed.

Today was the day for the meeting to finalise and iron out the details regarding the relocation as well as the Hashira training. Maybe.

The thing was, I still wasn't sure what happened yesterday. Or rather, how I handled yesterday.

It all felt like a dream — a big wacky dream that I conjured up and didn't know how to process or think of anymore.

It started with talking to Oyakata-sama, where I admitted to my knowledge of the future and reincarnation. And somehow, that guy believed me in the first go — he didn't even blink in surprise at any of my claims!

It was unnatural and more confusing than anything.

To say that I preferred Obanai's cautious denial over Oyakata-sama's obvious acceptance was not something I ever dreamt I would say.

Ironically enough, even my whole explanation with the Hashiras and 'company' went ashtray from the very start. Somehow everyone had guessed somewhat that I was at least aware of the future events before it happened and apparently only became surprised at my reincarnation part.

No, the twins didn't even seem surprised at the reincarnation part, oddly enough, than they were at the part where there were no twins in the original plot line.

And then somehow, the whole topic of the meeting shifted and it just... ended. Just like that. Once Oyakata-sama left me behind, Shinobu dragged me off without letting anyone question me at all.

And she didn't even ask me anything either!

I rubbed my face with my hands as I already felt exhausted.

I didn't know how to face anyone anymore, especially the twins and my three stooges. Maybe even Shinobu and Uzui too but don't get me started with Giyuu. I had the strong urge to run the other way as fast as possible.

"Ohayo, Miyasha-san," a soft-smiling Shinobu greeted me as I walked downstairs, "Are you leaving for the meeting? Shall we leave together?"

I nodded as she offered to leave with me, making me feel a bit odd since her behaviour towards me didn't change at all despite knowing about my reincarnation.

"Shinobu-san," I cautiously started, "Do you really have no questions for me? Nothing to ask me?"

She looked at me with a blank expression, not replying for a solid minute before turning away, "I won't say I don't have any."

"But?"

"But I want you to rest instead of answering them," she replied honestly, "You sounded very vulnerable and exhausted yesterday and I don't want to push you to confess anything you don't want to."

"...why?" I honestly didn't understand why she was behaving this way, "Why are you so kind to me? Don't you feel betrayed that I didn't say anything about it earlier? That I essentially lied to every one of you and acted as if I didn't know about you beforehand?"

Shinobu turned to me in surprise, blinking at me blankly, "Betrayed? Why? As far as I noticed, you didn't stand by idly and let everything happen; you didn't encourage anyone to get hurt nor did you ever lie about anything explicitly to us. As for your knowledge about us, that makes a lot of sense when I remember the things we have discussed before."

"I, I apologise for that time," I knew exactly which conversation she was eluding here, "I was just worried for you and..."

Shinobu didn't say anything as I trailed off, the silence feeling a little awkward between us as we walked towards the Headquarters.

"Miyasha-san," she started softly, "You said many died in the book you read, yes? Was I one of them?"

"...yes."

"Was it in the hands of Kibutsuji?"

"No," I felt my mouth dry off as I answered her, "It was in the hands of Douma."

"The one who killed Ne-chan?"

"...yes," I replied hesitantly as I adjusted my glasses, noticing no change of expression on her blank face.

"Miyasha-san," she called my name again, making me feel strange, "When you talked about your younger sister, were you talking about your past life?"

"Yes," I looked away as I replied, "I don't particularly have anyone of my blood alive in this life. At least, not one that I am aware of."

"Did you," she paused before starting again, "Did you die before your sister, too?"

"I died covering for her," I replied honestly, "It was a mass shooting and we were stuck under a table. I covered her with my body when they shot at our table."

Shinobu didn't ask me any further questions on our way to the Headquarters, the conversation completely dying out as she seemed to be wrapped up in her thoughts.

It wasn't until we almost entered the room that she stopped me to ask a question.

"Miyasha-san," her violet eyes stared into my bluer ones, "Did you lie about anything in your conversation that day?"

"No," I stated honestly as I thought back to the words we shared back then, "No, I didn't."

"Then I don't mind," she gave me a small, genuine smile as she opened the sliding door, "I don't care about your reincarnation and I don't mind you hiding about your past. You don't owe the details of your past to anyone."

"Even if it includes yours?" I blurted out without a single thought as I watched her enter the room, "Even if I know about your past?"

"Well," my heart skipped a bit as Uzui stood up from his position inside the room, "It's not like you used it? You didn't even act any differently despite knowing it, so why should we mind."

"Tengen is right!" Rengoku smiled as I turned to his sitting figure on the floor, "You never acted any differently even after knowing our history! I cannot speak for others, but I don't mind you knowing more about me!"

"Yeah," Uzui smiled as he looked at me, "I would have told you about it any day if you asked me. You just saved me the trouble."

I felt speechless at his easy acceptance, feeling myself at a sudden loss as they easily adjusted to something that took me years to even talk about out loud.

"Yo-You don't mind?" I hated how vulnerable my voice sounded but I felt the same way as well, "Even if, even if I might have used it to befriend you? Even if I, I know more about you than you know about me?"

"Then we'll ask about you and make you answer us," Sanemi declared half-jokingly as he entered the room behind me, "It's not like we can do anything about it anyway. And it's better for someone like you to know about us than anyone else."

I looked at him in disbelief before turning to Obanai and Mitsuri, who were following behind him.

"Why are you looking at me?" Obanai frowned at me, "If you know about my past then stop acting like that. Just because I'm trusting Oyakata-sama's trust in you doesn't mean I won't let you go if you do anything against me despite knowing everything about me."

His gaze was as fierce as ever but his words were more accepting than his behaviour.

"I agree with Iguro-san!" Mitsuri rushed in towards me, taking my hands in her as she looked into my eyes, "I, I am absolutely alright with Miyasha-chan being reincarnated! I don't want you to feel bothered by it anymore!"

"Why..." a peel of laughter escaped my lips in disbelief as I felt my nerves get the best of me, "Why are you accepting it so easily? How, how even... how can you just allow it so easily? I did nothing despite knowing everything — I could have avoided all your misfortunes and, and you just forgive that?"

"How arrogant of you to think you would be able to prevent everything that happened to us," Hiroshi pointed out from the corner of the room, where he and Hitoshi were silently observing me, "Did you even know where half of the Hashiras lived or were before the Demon Slayer Corps?"

My silence answered his question more loudly than anything could as he chuckled at my expression.

"Just because you know something doesn't mean you can prevent it."

"Knowledge isn't equivalent to responsibility," Tokito added this time, his gaze feeling quite sharp at me as he stared at me intrigued and wary, "But since we know you have knowledge about us, we expect to able to know more about you too."

"Absolutely," I immediately agreed, "I, I will answer everyone to the best of my abilities, I give you my word."

A strange feeling bubbled up in me as everyone accepted my old secrets completely and easily. I felt so... so relieved that it almost felt empty.

I never imagined being accepted so completely and now that I was, I couldn't even believe it.

"Om maņi padme hūm," Himejima rolled the japamala* in his hands as he continued, "The burden of reincarnation with your past life's memories is very pitiful. You are a pitiful child who is given such heavy responsibility. I pray to God to look after you."

Himejima's words threw me off as I looked at him with a strange expression, wondering if I should tell him that I don't actually like God enough to pray to them, let alone believe in them properly.

However, before I could say anything, I was interrupted by a very familiar, gentle voice.

"You don't have to take all that responsibility on your own," I felt my heart skip as Giyuu's gentle gaze met my guilty ones, "Let us help you."

"I agree," Hitoshi added with an odd look on his face before shaking his head, "I mean, if it's a world where only one person has to solve all problems, then it's better to perish than to wait. So, stop pretending like you are the only one that can change the future and let us in on the fun too."

"I love how your words sound responsible and stupid at the same time," Obanai quipped, making Hiroshi and Uzui snort while Hitoshi fixed him a look.

"On a more serious note," Hitoshi diverted the topic back to me, "I had some questions that I wanted to ask you before Oyakata-sama came in."

"Ah, yes, absolutely."

"Can you tell us more about the 'changes' that have happened because you are here," Hiroshi asked first before exchanging a look with his twin, "Or about the events written in that book you read."

I nodded as I started narrating the plot of the manga while everyone sat down in a loose circle, modifying it enough to make it sound like a history book rather than an adventure manga with a fixed protagonist.

Unlike my initial plan, I had decided to tell the partial truth than the whole of it.

While I was truthful about my past life and everything relating to it, I hid the fact that the 'book' I read about this world's future was a manga made for the entertainment of other people. That wasn't something which would be useful to relay nor was there any harm if I wasn't truthful about it.

Because of that, I also had to scratch out the part of me from being a different world, since that was not a concept I could prove or explain without giving the context of this world being a part of an anime.

Except for these two facts, I pretty much allowed myself to be open and truthful about any questions asked — that was the least I could do, after all.

"You say didn't want to play 'God' but you still changed what was supposed to happen, huh?" Obanai asked off-handedly as he observed my every move and expression.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his question, "You are quite right, Hashira-sama," I agreed with him without any struggle, "I am quite a hypocrite and a much bigger coward than that. I was afraid to be living in a world already set without me, a world where I knew what could happen. I was afraid to play God, and yet I failed to realize how I was playing God by staying neutral... by staying on the sidelines." I spat out loud, my expression twisting in self-depreciation before snapping back to normal.

"And you think what you are doing right now is not playing God?"

"What I think doesn't matter. In fact, what I feel doesn't matter anymore and shouldn't either, since I don't care."

My answer seemed to confuse Obanai as he leaned forward to ask, "Then why telling us all this? Why not just leave and separate yourself from everything you read?"

"Because, as I said before," I smiled wistfully at him, "I'm a coward. A coward, who is tired of running away from her problems and doesn't mind what happens to her anymore."

"Well," Shinobu interjected, trying to defuse the situation gently, "A coward is always careful, so it is nothing disadvantageous for us."

"That's an interesting way to look at it, Kocho!" Rengoku smiled as he added, "But I don't think you are a coward Miyasha! You sound more anxious to me!"

"I am both, don't worry," I gave him a wry smile, "I can multi-task pretty well."

My joke got a few smiles and a good reprimanding from Hitoshi, Rengoku and Mitsuri as they told me to not make such negative jokes.

"Oi, oi," Sanemi gave the positivity trio a look as he interrupted them, "Enough with that shit. Focus back on the topic."

"Right," Shinobu agreed, "So, Miyasha-san, something I noticed while you were narrating what you had previously read... uh, in the 'book', the details you relayed at the start of the narration decreased by the time you ended. In fact, it turned quite, well..."

"Vague? Unclear? Lacking details?" I looked at her apologetically, "I apologise for that but I cannot quite resolve it either. While I have given you a very brief description of the whole story that I read, I do not actually have many details of the last part since I wasn't able to finish reading it."

"What do you mean?" Uzui looked quite alarmed at my words, "You didn't finish the book? Then how do you know how it ended?"

"Well, I died before I could finish the book," I stated rather objectively, "The last I read was until Chapter 173 before I reincarnated. Thankfully enough, I got a chance to hear my sister recount her views on the book and its ending, so I do know a good part of what happened — unfortunately, not as much in detail as I would like."

I observed everyone's facial expressions around me, noticing various looks of disbelief and confusion.

"No, wait," Hiroshi raised a hand to rub his face, "Wait, so you haven't read the whole book?"

"Technically, no."

"But you know how it ends because, uh, your sister from past life had talked about it?"

"Yes."

"And... that was before you died?"

"No," I shook my head, "That was after I died."

"I don't get it," Hiroshi immediately answered back, "Explain that part again."

"In my past life, I was a medical student who used to read books as my pastime." I explained slowly, trying to leave out the unnecessary details, "I read the aforesaid book as a pastime too but was unable to finish it since I died unexpectedly before I could get to its end."

"How did you die?" Tokito asked with his eyes gleaming with an innocent shine, "How did it feel to die?"

"I was shot at," I answered honestly, wondering about the answer to his second question, "It was kind of a terrorist attack, if you may, that killed me. As for how it felt to die, well, it was surreal? Maybe painful too, but I don't remember about it much anymore."

All the Hashiras exchanged glances around me.

"What does that mean?"

"Pardon?"

"That term," Sanemi pointed out, "That foreign term you used for the thing that killed you."

"Terrorist?" I asked before it hit me that the said term wasn't even created yet, let alone used, "Oh, it's, uh, it's an act of armed violence usually done to cause terror amongst the civilians."

"What? Why?" Hitoshi looked horrified as he asked.

"It depends?" I felt strange explaining something that felt so common to me but surprised the others, "It can be done in pursuit of some political belief or to cause harm to the government of the country. I don't have much expertise to talk about this, unfortunately."

"Humans, do that... to humans?" Shinobu asked slowly as if the idea itself was strange to her.

"Of course?" I frowned as I turned to her, "Isn't war the same? Humans kill humans. Terrorism is just a bit more unfair and one-sided in that context since the victims are mere civilians with no arms or training."

There was a pause in the conversation that made me really feel uncomfortable before I decided to continue with what I was asked to do.

"Anyway," I started awkwardly, "Um, after I died, I, uh, reincarnated but, uh," I took a deep breath as I wondered if what I was doing was right, "Okay, so, please do not worry too much or take it seriously—"

"Just spit it out," Sanemi pushed, making me even more nervous.

"Um," I cleared my throat as I suddenly felt uncomfortable with all the attention on me, "The last time I was injured, I was unconscious for three weeks, right? So, um, I kind of had an otherworldly experience where I was able to relive the last days of my past life and could even see what happened after my death in that life."

I could see the twins rubbing their eyes and faces while the other Hashiras blinked blankly at me.

"So, you almost di-died?" Shinobu's choppy voice made my heart drop.

"No, I didn't!" I instantly denied it, laughing nervously as the twins glared at me, "I mean, I'm here, right?"

"No thanks to you," Uzui remarked, his smile looking stiffer than before, "I heard you fought the Upper Demon Moon 2, this time. What were you even thinking?"

"As I said before, I didn't know why or how that happened," I pointed out, feeling quite warm for the first time in my life, "And I, I had no choice so, uh, yeah."

I looked down at my hand as the disapproving looks piled up on me.

Was it hot in here or was that just the feeling of my suffocating guilt?

"Anyway!" I started again, hoping for the best, "In that, uh, period, my sister used to visit my old room and often read books out loud or even rant about them so I was able to know a lot of the ending of the book, even though I hadn't personally read it."

My gaze involuntarily turned towards the doors as I felt Oyakata-sama and Amane's auras approaching us.

"Given that reason, my personal knowledge about the last parts may be a bit vague," I concluded, "But I know enough to help formulate a plan that can trap Muzan and prevent your deaths altogether."

"So, you haven't told us all the details yet?" Obanai frowned as he asked, "I would prefer to know everything you remember than be fed scraps of information."

"Then I'll need more time to prepare for that explanation," I swiftly replied as the sliding doors opened, "There are many demons that you aren't familiar with and to make a plan to defeat them, I would like to have a separate meeting to discuss everything I know and highlight every possible weakness we can deduce from my knowledge."

Our little 'pre-meeting' session ended there as Oyakata-sama entered the room, making all of us quieten down as we bowed in respect.

The usual polite greetings and well wishes were shared before I asked about Oyakata-sama's current health, getting up from my place to act as the designated doctor that I was.

"My health is immensely better," he smiled almost excitedly as he told me about his condition while I checked his pulse, "I didn't have any pain or inflammation when I woke up this morning."

"Good," I wrote his pulse down in my journal before writing down what he said, "What about last night? Did it pain or burn when you drank the medicine I gave you?"

"Thankfully, no."

"What about the swollenness?" This time I turned to Amane, "Are there any physical changes, Amane-sama? Also, did the disorder progress beyond the last time I checked?"

The last time I checked him was the day before yesterday and his disorder, or shall I call it the curse, had extended beyond his face to his shoulder and partially to his hands.

On top of that, the skin underneath that layer of decaying cells had somehow become swollen and painful.

"No," Amane answered softly, "But the swollenness hasn't gone down."

"Alright," I noted that down as well before dragging my white satchel beside me, "Since you don't have any pain, fever or high blood pressure, I'll suggest you continue the new medication I prescribed until I say so otherwise. Meanwhile, I'll wait for the swelling to go down before prescribing anything for them."

"And if it doesn't go down?"

"Don't worry about it Amane-sama," I gently consoled the older woman, "It's nothing fatal and treating it won't take much time. Worst case scenario, I'll have to do a small surgery to graft the skin over after removing the puss from the swollen skin. However, the chances of that are low, so don't worry, Amane-sama, Oyakata-sama."

"I have no worries when you are taking care of me, Miyasha," his benign smile made me shake my head as I wrote one last note in my journal, "However, I do hope you are taking care of yourself the same."

I opened my mouth to answer before I was beaten to it by the twins.

"She doesn't!" Hitoshi piped up, smirking at me when I turned back to give him a look, "She just sits and keeps scribbling in that journal of hers! And even talks to herself whenever we go to see her."

"I'm writing down whatever details I can remember," I clarified without hesitation, "It's been a while since I read the book and I am afraid to forget any important detail just because it faded away from my memory."

"You have everything written?" Tokito asked with gleaming eyes.

"Not everything but almost, yes," I got up and shuffled back to sit in my previous place before putting down my journal to show everyone, "I have the major events, points and people written down. I've analysed some of the things as well and made very loose plans around it to maybe start working but I'm not quite sure how far they'll go."

"Plans like what?" Sanemi peeked into my journal from beside me, "Also, why is your handwriting so bad?"

"It's not bad!" I immediately defended, feeling genuinely offended, "It's, it's just another language mixed in! And if you think this is bad, then you should have seen my handwriting in my past life!"

"I don't think that's as much of a thing to be proud of as you think, Miyasha-san," Shinobu teased me, making me sputter while others peeked at my notebook and nodded in agreement.

"My handwriting is not bad!"

"A strong denial is equivalent to an affirmation," Hiroshi teased, glaring at him.

"Anyway!" I decided to take back the reigns of the conversation to my hands while I took my journal back, "The loose plans that I was talking about are mostly related to the Hashira training that everyone here has been planning, along with maybe creating some poisons and other things to deal with the demons in our final mission."

"Hashira training?" Giyuu's soft voice spoke for the first time in a while, his eyes staring at me intensely as he continued, "Are you going to participate too?"

"No," I immediately denied as I looked away, feeling very guilty, "I, uh, I was rather thinking about how to add to your training. Considering how everyone here is already proficient in their abilities, the issue is not about you teaching others but also getting enough time to practice coordination amongst each other as well."

"What would you suggest we do then?" Rengoku asked as he leaned in anticipation.

"I was thinking about maybe calling in the previous Hashiras," I suggested, "Especially considering how Shigeno-sensei would almost be living right next to us after we shift to Kamikochi."

"That's quite a sound idea," Oyakata-sama seemed to approve of it quite a bit, "Are there any opinions against it."

There seemed to be a unanimous agreement as we moved to the next topic, which was initiated by Shinobu as she asked about my plans regarding the poison I mentioned.

I briefed her about the original medicines that were covered in the manga, including the one that was used against Muzan.

"For the anti-demon medicine, we need Tamayo-nee since she has all the test results from the blood samples of the Demon Moons," I elaborated, "The same is true for the demon-reversal medicine; though, I do have an idea how to work on that myself. Beyond that, I'm thinking about developing a sort of vaccine that can prevent anyone from becoming a demon, assuming that Muzan may get desperate enough to try things like that."

"Can you," There was a look of disbelief on Sanemi's face as he asked, "Can you really make all that?"

"Of course," I smiled as I replied, "I already have the theory down and have collected possibly all the ingredients to create them. All I need now is the actual method and ratio, for which I'll need Tamayo-nee and your help, Shinobu-san."

"I have contacted Tamayo for you, Miyasha," Oyakata-sama interjected, "I also delivered your letter, just as you had asked."

"Arigato, Oyakata-sama," I thanked him gratefully, "With that, Tamayo-nee would come directly to Kamikochi while we focus on shifting there without getting traced."

"Before that," Hiroshi interjected, "Why are you calling her elder sister?"

"...because she guided me on how to do surgeries and other medical procedures in this life?" I gave him a look, "Do not worry, she's a very trustworthy person, whom even Oyakata-sama had heard about before my referral."

Oyakata-sama supported me wordlessly before the conversation moved on to the relocation of Headquarters to Kamikochi.

The main issue that arose was how to shift Oyakata-sama as well as the large number of Kakushis and lower ranks to Kamikochi without being traced by Muzan.
Half the meeting went with planning that first, along with the routes to Kamikochi and how to guide everyone that way.

"It'll be best if Shiori guides the lower ranks," I suggested, "She can even communicate that with the other Kasugai and that'll solve that issue."

"Then we'll take Oyakata-sama and Amane-sama," Hitoshi offered before turning to the said people, "If you may allow us."

"I have no problems," Oyakata-sama agreed readily, before asking if his kids would also be shifted, which raised a whole new topic.

"The only people who know the path to the Shrine itself are Hitoshi Aniki, Hiroshi Aniki, Shigeno-sensei, Shiori, me and Shinazugawa-sama," I concluded, "We have to divide people into groups according to that. However, I will prefer if I'm separated out of it, if possible but I will help if it's not possible."

"Wait, why?" Uzui asked as he looked at me in confusion.

"I need to set up my informants in the manner that I can track Muzan back," I explained briefly, "Right now, he is desperate enough to not be discreet, especially since he wouldn't be able to work in the day at all. In that case, the appearance of those eyeball familiars would be very evident and I want to set traps to distract him enough so that we can get enough time to prepare for the final mission."

"How are you planning to trap him?" Himejima asked this time, his deep voice surprising me since I wasn't used to him speaking at all.

"By laying false leads," I explained as I took out my journal and started briefing him on the ideas I had noted down, "Like, I can ask my informants to wear the demon slayer uniforms at night and gather around an area, or even ask the police to do so. I was even planning to maybe try tracking Muzan back from those eyeballs but since that would be hard, I thought of asking the informants to catch one of the eyeballs by crushing it and preserving its corpse so that I can experiment on it."

"Other than that," I added as I noticed the blank looks I was given, "I was also planning to do a final meet-up with my network before the whole thing so that I can tie up any loose ends and gather any other required information, specifically about the blue spider lily."

"Is that what turned Kibutsuji into a demon?" Oyakata-sama asked to which I nodded and answered affirmatively.

"Muzan has been trying to find that flower for centuries," I sighed as I continued, "There's a very low chance that I'll find it either but I think it would be better to keep an eye out still so that if there is any, I can get my hands on it before he can."

"I think you might find it," Uzui quipped, "I mean, given your ungodly luck..."

"Yes, Miyasha-chan!" Mitsuri encouraged me, "You can find it! We have faith in you."

I chuckled at her cute behaviour, "Hopefully," I discretely glanced at Oyakata-sama to see if he would like to add anything, given his unnaturally good instincts, "Anyway, all I know right now is that there's a high chance it blooms in sunlight and only lasts a few hours at most. Nothing beyond that."

"Even that sounds a lot considering Kibutsuji doesn't know anything about it, as per your own words," Hiroshi pointed out in disbelief.

"Hopefully that 'lot' can help me since if I did find a blue spider lily, it would be very easy to construct a medication that can even reverse Muzan's demonification."

"Can't we make one without it?" Shinobu asked curiously as I shook my head.

"No, considering that too much time has passed for that to happen," I explained my theory, "As far as I have theorised, once a demon eats a human after their transformation, reversal can be quite hard. Eating humans seals the whole conversion — at least, that's what I have found with my tests and I have been conducting them for more than four years."

Shinobu's impressed look kind of made me feel shy as I couldn't help the smile blooming on my face.

"Anyway," I cleared my throat, "For that, I might have to leave, so that's why, I was asking if I could be excused. In case that is not possible, I'll do that after the shift. I'm just afraid that it'll cause unnecessary delay, though."

The reluctance was very evident on everyone's faces as opinions against my going started popping up, with the twins and Shinobu being the first ones to speak up.

"Should I do it after the transfer then?"

"I would prefer if you don't go at all," Shinobu replied curtly before resigning, "But I don't think that would be possible, would it?"

"Unfortunately, no," I smiled at her apologetically, "I promise I'll be discreet and won't get in trouble."

"Your word means nothing in front of your history," Uzui pointed out off-handedly, to which I made a face that made him shut up.

"Right now," Hiroshi started as he looked at me, "You stand as our most important card, Miyasha. And Kibutsuji knows that, even without fully being aware of your capabilities or even knowledge. His lackeys have already targeted you for merely being a Dokuchi."

"I understand your worries, Aniki," I acknowledged him as I continued, "I also understand your very sound points. The issue, unfortunately, still remains that this is a thing that only I can do. While you and Hitoshi Aniki are aware of my informants, you are not familiar enough to meet or work with them. And I don't want to contact through Shiori since she can be intercepted and even if that doesn't happen, I'm not sure if my words will be conveyed properly through a letter. Any miscommunication can lead to a lot of unnecessary complications."

That shut everyone up as they looked at each other before turning to Oyakata-sama.

And somehow, Oyakata-sama seemed to understand it as well and his benign smile returned.

"Miyasha," his soft and breezy tone sounded even more so as he asked, "How many days would you need?"

"I'm not quite sure," I replied honestly, "Since I would have to move only during the daylight to avoid Muzan's attention, I am assuming I'll need anywhere between three days to a week."

"Are you sure you will be able to wrap up in that period?"

"Hai, Oyakata-sama."

"Haste is often the first step to misfortune," Himejima added as he pressed his hands together in a praying motion, "Oyakata-sama, please allow her to take a longer period as we shift our residence while she is absent."

His request was easily agreed upon and repeated by Oyakata-sama as he and the Hashiras assured me that they would handle things well on their end.

The twins, however, weren't satisfied as they asked Oyakata-sama to send at least one of them as my unofficial babysitter.

Thankfully enough, I was able to counter that by stating that they were especially needed for the shift since only they knew the exact location of the Shrine and could navigate their way through the forest.

However, while I was successful in diverting them away, everyone agreed that it was better for me to not go alone.

And before I could dispute that, Giyuu immediately volunteered, to which Oyakata-sama agreed too readily as well — leaving me more than just surprised.

I couldn't even look up at the blue eyes that I could feel unwaveringly staring at me.

I could feel my heart in my ears as the anxiety in my chest dropped down to my lower abdomen like a twisted ball.

I was scared to face him after what I did to him a few weeks ago; however, what I was more scared of was his rejection after knowing the truth. Or even acceptance, for that matter.

I was scared since I could still feel that tiny little hope in the back of my mind that wanted to believe that he still loved me and stood by what he said to me a few weeks ago.

That fucking stupid little part of me was so loud and pathetic and just... painful.

Painful since I knew how much I wanted it to be true and was so fucking scared that it would be true.

What a hypocrite.

However, as my eyes met his intense blues, I couldn't help but stare back despite feeling as guilty, scared and hopeful as I did.

This one man made me feel so conflicted that I hated and loved it at the same time.

And honestly, I didn't know what to do about it.

Heya!
Done with another chapter~

Japmala: It is a religious necklace made up of 108 beads, used by Buddhist as well as Hindu devotees/monks/priests during meditation and prayers.

My Wattpad auto-updated and deleted the drafts I had for this fanfic :( Thankfully enough I had it saved in other places. I still had to edit it again though, since I had saved the unedited version and it's been a pain.

On the other hand, thank you so much for your reviews! I just noticed a sudden jump in my review number and that scared me for a sec, lol. Special thanks to Brian Chen, YukioSeth and Fox Headphones! Thank you so much for your insightful comments and I am glad to see you have enjoyed my chapters! Hope you liked this one too!

Anyway! We are kinda getting quite close to the first smut chapter and I'm considering if I should make it a complete chapter of its own or make it a separate one that people can skip if they want to.

I'm kinda leaning towards the latter, what do you think?

》Taishou Secrets《
The Hashiras had a separate meeting after Miyasha left, where they discussed everything that had been talked about earlier in the day. While most of them felt off and in disbelief about Miyasha's claims, they were soon able to rationalise a lot of it as they talked amongst themselves and realised that they didn't mind it in the end if Miyasha could help them finish Muzan or even help Oyakata-sama get better. The ones who actually needed such convincing were mostly Tokito and Obanai.

And that's it for this chapter, folks! Please leave a review if you liked it or even if you didn't — your comments are what keeps me going!