1st POV

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I can't believe it.

Upper moon one.

I GOT THE BLOOD, YO— I can't even fathom what compelled me to do something so impulsive. I've always been the type to meticulously plan every move before acting. So WHY, oh WHY, did I just lock lips with a DEMON!? Well, it wasn't exactly a smooch, but COME ON. I can't believe I went through with it. I knew I could be unpredictable, but LORD.

Though, to be fair, it was the only way to nab some blood without coming across as a threat at the moment. Those demons, especially Koku—oh boy, I even called him 'Koku-kun'—they don't mess around. I NEVER EXPECTED IT TO WORK SO WELL, THOUGH. Ah, crap, that's embarrassing.

Seppen had been quietly observing my frantic pacing for a while now, probably wondering what had me so worked up, until she abruptly snapped her head toward something, likely a passing bug, paying no mind to my predicament. The sun was starting to rise, gradually dispelling the previous darkness of the night, ushering in a new day. This made it unlikely for any demons to venture out, as rays of sunlight filtered through the trees. Unless, of course, they were foolish enough not to retreat. We currently found ourselves in a clearing, several kilometers away from the hot springs—far enough from where I presumed Kokushibo still lingered. There was no way I could face him after the stunt I just pulled.

"Alright, calm down. There's no need to freak out," I told myself, taking a few deep breaths to regain my composure. Well, what's done is done, I guess. Can't undo it now. I placed a hand on my belly, grimacing slightly.

If I hadn't consistently suppressed my pain receptors, the agony would've been unimaginable! This marked the second time I'd been impaled, for Allah's sake!

"I hope this doesn't become a recurring theme, or I'll absolutely lose it," I grumbled.

It wasn't the first instance of a life-threatening injury I'd endured.

"Though, I have this vague recollection of getting beheaded by some tall, handsome dude... or whoever that was. Meh, probably just a dream," I mused.

Still scowling, I brought the vial I held to my eye, scrutinizing it closely for a few moments with a slight grimace. Could this stuff really transform someone into a demon? Well, I'd better make sure it stays far away from anyone else.

The manner in which I obtained it might seem straightforward, though it was likely a feat only I could pull off. I may or may not have... created it, and I seized the opportunity when he was momentarily stunned by the bizarre ki-peck incident to fill it to the brim, considering his arm wound was still oozing blood. Curiously, I wondered why he didn't heal it instantly. I couldn't explain how I came up with this impromptu plan on the spot, but I suppose it was to avoid a confrontation that would've complicated matters. I didn't want to fight him, even though victory was almost guaranteed. Not to brag, but being OP definitely played a part in that.

I let out a sigh, stashing the vial somewhere safe in my house, preferably the fridge, to keep it until the right moment or until fate led me to Tamayo. Although, finding her seemed increasingly unlikely since she was a master of hiding. Oh, the perks of being a protagonist! Everything just conveniently falls into your path to make your Shonen hero life more interesting and manageable. Perhaps I should start my investigation in Asakusa; I've visited there a couple of times to purchase kimonos and unique items that I've stashed in my room. But now that I think about it, it might not be a good idea unless I consult with Kagaya. Approaching the demon lady and her devoted follower randomly could cause her to relocate, disrupting our plans. Besides, I might cross paths with discount Michael Jackson, which would be cool, but I shouldn't tamper too much with the timeline or things might go haywire.

Well, I certainly didn't expect to acquire an Upper Moon's blood this quickly, especially one so close in power to Muzan himself. But hey, it's a situation I can't change.

Speaking of blood, Meleoron-whatever, he's probably dead. Kokushibo sure needs to chill—mentioned something about mine. I racked my brain trying to recall the meaning of 'marechi' and grabbed my phone to check the wiki, only to groan in exasperation.

Marechi, or rare blood, is typically considered a blessing for demons due to its scrumptious taste, which is said to be a hundred times more enticing than regular human blood. However, my situation doesn't seem to align with what the wiki suggests. According to it, even a mere cut from a marechi is enough to send demons in the vicinity into a frenzy, causing them to lose focus the moment they catch a whiff of it.

I furrowed my brow, pondering my experiences.

In my case, most of the time, demons react to my scent with confusion, occasionally mistaking me for a demon due to the strange aroma I apparently emit compared to regular humans. Others, like Kokushibo, with heightened senses, might sense that something is amiss but struggle to pinpoint what exactly. Marechi blood is said to possess a distinctive scent that immediately attracts demons in search of power. Exposure to it typically stuns the demon, as demonstrated by Sanemi, who uses it as a distraction to dispatch powerful demons with ease, given that his blood is even stronger, rarer, and more enticing than regular marechi blood—hence his scars. But I digress.

What baffles me is why nothing happened when I was, well, "donut'ed." Demons should have reacted the moment I had a hole through my stomach, shouldn't they? I mean, I bled quite profusely. Shouldn't that have been enough to send them into a frenzy?

—daring to lick some blood from his fingers. However, his delight abruptly transformed into wide-eyed surprise—

Ah.

That explains things.

It appears that my blood is somewhat...unique. The scent seems ordinary, akin to regular blood, but it must be when they ingest it that they realize I possess some form of marechi blood, just as Meleoron demonstrated earlier. It's likely connected to my status, not that I'm complaining. I'll need to be more cautious and cultivate a more resilient body, akin to characters from DBZ, to avoid such injuries in the future. Sounds like a plan. Yep. The wiki doesn't provide much information on Marechis, given their infrequent appearance in the manga.

"Guess it's time to start experimenting. Yay for me. It'll keep me occupied while the story gets back on track. At least it's better than sleeping away these two years, no offense Nezuko," I concluded while wiping my mouth clean of the red liquid, which I promptly hastened to evaporate. Afterward, I stretched my back, feeling a bit fatigued from the recent events.

'This explains why he went berserk upon tasting my blood. Fantastic.'

I made a quick decision to change out of my yukata before potentially drawing any unwanted attention, considering the proximity of a nearby village. I reverted to my concealment attire – cloak, kimono top, hakama, bandages, the usual gear – and added the mask that Tengu gramps had so painstakingly crafted for me. A soft smile crept onto my lips as I admired it. The mask was a work of art, carved with meticulous care and professionalism. I suppose I can consider him my grandpa. I carefully placed it on my face, mindful not to damage it in any way, given my own strength. Lord knows I can be quite a menace.

I wondered if I could still shift. I'd have to attempt it when no one was around. Finding a suitable spot for such transformations had become increasingly challenging lately, what with humans practically everywhere, and the process was far from silent, which could easily draw attention. I didn't want to frighten them into believing there were other monsters besides demons, possibly mistaking me for some kind of Gashadokuro – those gigantic man-eating skeletons or something. People were easily spooked these days, which was understandable considering how perilous life could be in this world.

Still, the idea was rather amusing. Heh.

3rd POV

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[1 year before canon]

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In the year 1913, persistent rumors circulated about a mysterious figure, tall, masked, and cloaked, who roamed the country. They visited villages far and wide, offering their aid by eliminating various threats – whether they were human, bandits, criminals, or the enigmatic and seldom-discussed supernatural beings, demons. This enigmatic savior, always presumed to be male due to their imposing height, was often seen donning a dark kitsune mask with piercing yellow eyes and intricate golden markings. They complemented this distinctive mask with a flowing dark cloak that obscured any details of their true appearance.

Despite their cryptic attire, this masked hero was known for their remarkable generosity towards anyone fortunate enough to cross paths with them. They willingly extended a helping hand, whether it was a simple errand or paying off the debts of the most unfortunate individuals, all without expecting anything in return. The identity of this enigmatic figure remained an unsolved mystery, as did their motivations, yet their presence was always accompanied by a streak of good fortune and luck.

As time passed, those rescued by this mysterious benefactor – often victims of discrimination or even demon attacks – bestowed upon them the title [TAIYO-SHIN]太陽神, or the "Sun God." This was in homage to the radiant sun emblem that adorned their signature cloak, making it easy for anyone to recognize their presence. Despite the occasional attempt to unveil their true identity, those who dared to do so usually found themselves bound to a tree with a peculiar...doodle of the...

...male genitalia on their forehead...as a reminder of their audacious curiosity.

Whether they were hired bandits, menacing demons, or even bothersome demon slayers, there was no discrimination when it came to receiving the humiliating punishment.

This so-called "doodle" proved to be a daunting penalty, for it was exceptionally challenging, if not nearly impossible, to remove. The only means of erasing it involved accomplishing a hundred good deeds within the span of a month; otherwise, it would become a permanent fixture. Predictably, the number of attempts to unveil the identity of the enigmatic "Taiyo-shin" dwindled rapidly each time he made his presence felt in town.

As rumors of this mysterious figure reached the ears of influential individuals, they became consumed by a singular desire: to uncover the true identity of this enigmatic entity who seemed to align with no particular faction. The Taiyo-shin neither wore the attire of the demon slayers nor utilized any tools associated with them, rendering him an unpredictable variable– was he friend or foe?

Within the ranks of the demon slayer corps, some began to increase their patrols in the hopes of crossing paths with him one day, with the intention of perhaps rallying him to their cause. They paid little heed to the fact that their leader, Oyakata-sama, and individuals like Enoki and Urokodaki were already privy to his identity. However, every time he was spotted, he would swiftly vanish before any corps member could establish contact with him, as if he were intentionally engaged in a game of cat and mouse. It had become clear by now that he would assist inexperienced demon slayers in overcoming formidable and perilous demons before disappearing long before any experienced or Pillar-level slayers could arrive on the scene.

This "Taiyo-shin" remained a captivating enigma, to the point where he had attracted the attention of one specific individual.

[Infinity castle- Time -??]

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A sharp yet melodious buzz of a biwa resonated through the void, swiftly followed by the sudden appearance of numerous formidable beings. They appeared rather perplexed by this abrupt summoning, for summons within the Infinity Castle were an exceedingly rare event, especially when compared to the lower moons. The lower moons, being weaker, experienced frequent changes in their ranks, often occurring every ten years or less. This was in stark contrast to the upper moons, who remained constant for centuries and seldom assembled together.

In rare cases, the defeat of an upper moon might have prompted such a gathering, but that didn't seem to be the case presently, as all upper moons from six down to two were present. Only Upper Moon One remained conspicuously absent, though it was customary for him to conceal his presence, which could account for his absence among his peers.

"Ah, guys! It's been ages! How have you all been?"

A rather exuberant voice, mildly irritating to some, filled the air as everyone oriented themselves. The speaker, a demon with pale golden-blond hair and a bloodstain on his head, sported rainbow-colored eyes adorned with the Kanji for "upper" and "two." He grinned at the familiar faces around him, his effervescent demeanor a stark contrast to the otherwise solemn atmosphere, making his words sound somewhat out of place.

"After all, it's been..." He paused, tapping a bloodied finger against his cheek, apparently in the midst of a meal before being summoned. However, he didn't seem particularly bothered by the interruption. "...years since we've last seen each other!" He left it at that, making no effort to wipe the blood from his lips.

[UPPER MOON: TWO]

DOUMA

"A-actually... it's been... 112 years since our l-last gathering..." a meek voice broke the silence, emanating from a rather frail-looking demon. His most distinctive features included a prominent bump on his forehead, a set of horns, and a skeletal frame that accentuated his fragility.

[UPPER MOON: FOUR]

HANTENGU

He involuntarily flinched, letting out an "EEK!" as all eyes turned toward him. Without wasting any time, he hastily scrambled away and sought refuge behind a sizable, colorful ceramic pot. It appeared to be a host to a rather grotesque-looking demon. This demon sported two large green mouths where one would typically expect to find eyes. Instead, its eyes were positioned vertically—one situated in the middle of its forehead bearing the Kanji for "upper," and the other located within the open-bottom mouth inscribed with the Kanji for "five." The rest of his body was armless, with infant-like arms adorning its back.

[UPPER MOON: FIVE]

GYOKKO

"Hyo Hyo! It has indeed been a long time, Douma-dono!" The demon chose to pay no mind to the one cowering behind him and instead enthusiastically greeted the rainbow-eyed demon, his form undulating with each spoken word. "Have you found any use for the pots I gifted you?"

Douma's interest piqued. "Yes, actually, I did, Gyokko-dono!" They engaged in a lively conversation about the unconventional employment of human heads as substitutes for plants, greatly amusing the abstract-looking demon. Meanwhile, the rest of the group paid little attention to the duo.

"Hmpf, I can't believe such unappealing creatures are positioned right in front of me!" A female-looking demon, dressed in oiran attire, her lime green eyes bearing the Kanji for "Upper" and "Six," muttered disdainfully. She glared first at the cowering demon, who flinched, and then at the grotesque demon, who went by the name Gyokko. However, he remained engrossed in their discussion of artistic concepts, choosing to disregard her remark entirely.

[UPPER MOON: SIX]

DAKI

She then redirected her focus toward a pink-haired demon, her demeanor undergoing a complete transformation. "Akaza-kun! You're as stunning as ever!" She flashed a coy smile, genuinely pleased to see the male.

The demon in question offered her a brief nod. "Daki," he acknowledged her presence before shifting his attention to the biwa-playing demon. This momentary oversight by Akaza left the oiran slightly irked, feeling overshadowed.

[UPPER MOON: THREE]

AKAZA

"Is Master here?" He asked. The Biwa demon shook her head. His expression seemed to carry an undertone of dissatisfaction, yet he continued, "What about Upper Moon One? Is he present?" However, before receiving an answer, an arm draped itself around his shoulders.

"Well, well, well! If it isn't my best buddy, Akaza-dono! Still avoiding women, I see! You know, you might actually surpass me if you gave in, haha!"

"Remove your arm."

"Huh? Come on now, I'm just teasing, aren't we best fri—" His words were cut off as the lower part of his face disappeared momentarily from a punch. There was a moment of tense silence, although the damage quickly healed. "Whoa! Did you get stronger? That was quite the punch!"

The pink-haired demon was now simmering with anger, veins pulsating on his forehead as he turned his gaze slowly toward Douma, who elicited a pitiful 'eep' from the frail-looking demon. Akaza's pure, unadulterated hatred for the blond demon was unmistakable. Just as tensions appeared ready to escalate further, the biwa-playing demon interjected.

"Upper Moon One was the first to arrive. He has been here all along."

[BIWA DEMON]

NAKIME

In response to her words, they all visibly startled, swiftly scanning their surroundings. As if confirming her statement, the mentioned demon sat alone in a room nearby, poised in a proper seiza posture.

"I... am here," he uttered quietly. Compared to upper moon standards, he appeared somewhat reserved. However, discerning his true emotions was a challenge, as he rarely engaged with them, showing minimal interest in their presence. "Muzan-Sama has arrived."

[UPPER MOON: ONE]

KOKUSHIBO

Instantly, every one of them dropped to their knees, bowing low before the Demon King. He was perched upside down on a Chesterfield, engrossed in a book. However, aside from Douma, none of them dared to lift their gaze. It appeared that he had been in this place for quite some time now.

[DEMON KING]

MUZAN KIBUTSUJI

The male exuded an air of opulence befitting the era, donning elaborate clothing that matched his status. His neatly combed hair hinted at meticulous grooming, a quality expected of a man of his stature. He continued turning the pages of his book, not bothering to interrupt his reading to address them properly. "It has come to my attention that there appears to be a significant disturbance as of late," he stated plainly.

The upper moons fought the urge to exchange bewildered glances, pondering what could have prompted their master to summon them after all these years, especially when none of them had met their demise. They restrained their curiosity, opting to listen as he elaborated.

"Especially under the name of... 'Taiyo-shin.'" His grip on the book tightened slightly, inadvertently causing some damage to its pages. The mere mention of the sun or anything related to it triggered a primitive disgust within him.

"Ah! I've heard of him!" Douma exclaimed, raising his hand as if he were in a classroom, seemingly oblivious to his master's somber mood. "One of my followers mentioned him! Although I must admit, I'm somewhat irritated that he's gaining popularity among humans recently. I might lose some followers because of him!" He concluded with a pout, feigning frustration over the matter.

The Oiran perked up, displaying a third eye on her forehead with the Kanji for "six" and yellow sclera, signaling her brother's presence and interest in the exchange.

[UPPER MOON: SIX]

GYUTARO

"It has been some time, but I've heard from certain slayers that he doesn't seem to be affiliated with the Corps, as he consistently avoids them. Even Hashiras appear to struggle in locating him," she reported dutifully. Her guise as an Oiran afforded her access to valuable information about nightly occurrences, given that some humans were prone to loose lips around women. After numerous cups of sake, whether it was politics or wealthy merchants, staying informed was an easy task for her. Slayer activities were no exception. A deep blush painted her cheeks as her master's attention rested upon her. "I apologize, Muzan-sama," she added, bowing deeply.

"Exactly, as Daki-chan mentioned! I've heard that he even slays demons, which implies he's powerful enough to confront them. I had thought only demon slayers were nuisances. Would Muzan-sama like us to eliminate him?" Douma chimed in gleefully. If he could dispose of that annoyance, he wouldn't need to deal with his followers seeking out this 'Taiyo-shin.' He felt rather insulted by their attempts to do so when he was actively assisting them. It was truly offensive. However, Douma was merely feigning concern, secretly seeking a pretext for violence.

"Hmm, intriguing," Muzan hummed, closing his eyes in contemplation. "It seems only Douma and Daki are informed about the situation. What about the rest of you? Nothing to contribute? Worthless," he sneered at the others, who lowered their heads in shame. In contrast, the two mentioned earlier practically glowed with excitement, or at least one of them did, while the other pretended to share the sentiment.

While they had briefly heard the rumors, some of them hadn't paid much attention to them at the time. In retrospect, it appeared they should have been more attentive. This situation was quite unusual. Typically, Muzan-sama was discontent with almost everything, so for him to display only slight irritation instead of his usual fits of rage, which often resulted in a bloodbath, left them baffled. Wisely, they kept these thoughts to themselves.

As if on cue, Muzan's slitted plum eyes snapped open. "Find him. When you do, offer him the chance to become a demon. If he refuses or resists, kill him. I won't tolerate him siding with the demon slayers, do you understand? Something strange seems to be happening with the Ubuyashikis, but I don't know what it is," he muttered to himself, veins briefly bulging around his face, displaying his displeasure before receding. "No matter, just find him. I'll reward those who bring him to our side with my blood," he finished dismissively.

They all responded in unison, "Understood!" relieved that their master didn't appear particularly displeased with them. Though, their relief was short-lived.

"What about the 'blue spider lily'?"

Shit.

For the first time since their creation, the upper moons felt an overwhelming sense of kinship in the face of danger.

After Muzan had finished berating them for their inability to locate a simple flower over the years, he dismissed himself, leaving the upper moons to their own devices. He had more important matters to attend to, and he could entrust the supervision to Kokushibo. Though there was an inexplicable air of strangeness around his strongest, he chose not to dwell on it and returned to his previous activities before the meeting.

Once their master departed, Daki found herself quickly approached by the blond demon.

"Daki-chan! How's my little protégé doing? And Gyutaro? It seems like we're the only ones meeting Muzan-sama's expectations these days! Don't you think?" Douma chirped, unknowingly or perhaps intentionally, sending a wave of discomfort through the others. "Let's team up! I'm sure we'll easily find this...uh...Taiyo-shin, yes!" The blond moved in for a hug, catching Daki by surprise with the sudden use of her name.

The eye on her forehead narrowed suspiciously for a moment before vanishing, opting to let her handle the annoying demon.

"Ugh! Let go of me, you freak!" the Oiran shouted, momentarily dropping her refined persona for a more bratty one. She slapped and scratched the blond demon repeatedly while sneering. Douma erupted into laughter, seemingly unfazed by the assault on his face as he held onto the struggling woman.

Speaking of faces, a brutal punch obliterated the upper portion of Douma's head, sending it who knows where within the labyrinthine infinity castle. The place was a maze even for them, with only Nakime having an intimate knowledge of its layout due to her extended time within it. Douma released Daki in surprise.

"You're noisy, you nuisance," Akaza spat with disdain. He was already irritated by the blond demon's comment and mere presence, leaving him with little patience. Akaza then turned to Daki, offering a more aloof expression, while the blond dramatically lamented how poorly his "best friend" treated him, regenerating from the punch almost as quickly as it landed.

"What do you know about this Taiyo-shin? Is he strong?" Akaza inquired, directing his question to Daki.

Hantengu and Gyokko's curiosity was piqued by the topic, though the former remained frozen in place, trembling, too scared to approach his peers lest he incur Akaza's wrath.

"Indeed! I never expected Muzan-sama to show such keen interest, summoning us over this matter!" Gyokko chimed in, swaying slightly as he spoke. "And to think I consumed a human who wouldn't stop blabbering about him just a week ago! Such a missed opportunity!"

"Ah~ I've got information too! Would you like to hear it?" Douma sang, but his words fell on deaf ears as the others turned their attention back to the Oiran, eager to hear what she had to say. How rude.

Daki blinked and then adopted a superior air. "Hmph! Why should I tell you weirdos?! You heard Muzan-Sama! He promised blood to whoever finds him! I see no reason to help you! Tough luck for you!"

"Tsk, such a selfish brat," Gyokko grumbled, returning to his pot in disinterest. He wondered why he ever thought he could get anything useful from this obstinate child, while Akaza's eye twitched in irritation, though he remained silent.

An annoyed expression marred Daki's face as she heard the comment. "What did you just call me?! You stinky piece of rotten fish! Ugly!" she insulted, rudely pointing towards the pot. "And you dare call this art? Disgusting, just like you!"

There was a brief moment of stunned silence as everyone stared at the pot. Then, an infuriated Gyokko erupted from the pot, his eyes blazing with anger. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY, YOU HARLOT?! I'LL KILL YOU!" His numerous little hands along his back clenched tightly in rage.

Unaware of the danger she had stirred, Daki bared her teeth in defiance, and intricate flower patterns emerged on her face. She took a defensive stance, and the pink obi around her kimono seemed to come to life, its fabric resembling spider legs, sharp and poised to cut through anything in its way.

"Come on, come on! Gyokko-dono, no need to get so worked up!" Douma hurriedly interposed himself between the enraged demons, flashing an easy-going smile and holding his hands up in a pacifying manner. "Daki-chan is just a child. She doesn't know any better. You understand that, right? We superior beings should show patience to those below us, not scold them over trivial matters, right, Ak—?"

With a swift, pink flash, Douma's head was severed from his body. It bounced on the tatami mat once or twice, emitting a startled yelp, before coming to a stop next to a horrified Hantengu, who felt as if he might faint from the shock. "EEK! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING 'CHILD'?!" Daki's shrill voice echoed through the room.

"Daki—"

"SHUT UP ONI-CHAN! THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" She hissed through their mental link, earning an exasperated mental eye roll from Gyutaro.

Akaza observed with barely concealed satisfaction as the headless body clumsily scrambled towards its detached head. He suddenly felt a surge of vindictiveness.

"Daki." An unsettling silence descended upon the entire castle as everyone froze, their actions arrested by the sound of his voice. In that moment, Daki refused to move, her eyes wide with fear.

"O-oni-chan...!"

"OH, now you need me? Don't bring me into this, you idiot!"

"But—"

Her breath hitched as her eyes slowly shifted to the side, only to meet pairs of piercing yellow ones. The little color left in her face drained away. Upper Moon One stood right next to her, his tall and imposing figure sending shivers down her spine. He stared at her with his unnerving eyes, his hand resting atop his sword. Despite knowing very little about him and having seen him only once, it was common knowledge that he had no tolerance for those who disrupted the hierarchy. He would swiftly and mercilessly reprimand them, often resulting in execution.

Tears involuntarily welled up in her lime green eyes as dread washed over her. She expected to be ruthlessly cut into pieces the moment she opened her mouth. She couldn't run; he would catch up with her easily. Why wasn't her stupid brother saying anything? Daki nearly fainted when he finally spoke.

"...Do you mind...telling me what...he looks like...?"

Silence.

"...'He'..?" Daki squeaked in incomprehension, her fear almost causing her to lose consciousness.

"Taiyo-shin..." The swordsman clarified plainly.

Baffled, everyone present stared at the usually stoic Kokushibo with wide eyes. Douma, who had paused from placing his head back, stared at him slack-jawed. Even Nakime, typically unfazed, showed a hint of curiosity. Despite her long existence alongside their master, she had never witnessed Kokushibo-sama react in such an unusual manner to a disturbance. It was quite shocking to see that he didn't immediately reprimand the troublemaker. Something was amiss.

Still shaken, the Oiran quickly blurted out the requested information, fearing that the Upper Moon One might decide to erase her from existence and spare her brother if she didn't comply. She described the target in detail, recounting what she had learned from the humans who visited her house while she posed as Warabihime. The target typically wore a long, dark hooded cloak adorned with sun motifs on both the front and back. He concealed his identity behind a distinctive black kitsune mask featuring a golden sun on the forehead, along with matching markings. She noted that he stood at a precise 6 feet in height and could be found wandering at any hour, be it day or night, making him challenging to locate. Additionally, he occasionally carried a large rectangular box, the contents of which remained a mystery to everyone. In her terror, she involuntarily provided this valuable information.

The swordsman pondered for a few moments, then nodded in gratitude, leaving them all in a state of shock. He moved swiftly, appearing next to the Biwa demon with such speed that Daki nearly stumbled, realizing she had unknowingly saved herself from embarrassment and likely death if she had attempted to flee. They watched as he exchanged a few words with Nakime before vanishing completely, transported elsewhere by her biwa. This left the incredulous demons staring at the spot where he had been moments before.

Douma blinked in surprise before letting out a hearty chuckle, casually placing his head back in its rightful place. "Well, that was anticlimactic," he remarked. "This is the first time I've seen Kokushibo-dono not berate a kouhai! He must've finally taken my advice to heart! Lucky you, Daki-chan, you just dodged a bullet!"

Turning his attention to Daki, he was taken aback when he saw her collapse to the ground, tears streaming down her face, and heard her loud wailing. "I... I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE..! ONI-CHAN..!" she cried out.

Gyokko showed signs of irritation at the noise and returned to hovering above his pot, grumbling in dissatisfaction. Hantengu shakily lowered the hands he had used to protect his head and instead plugged his ears to escape the noise Daki was making. Akaza watched with mild annoyance as the blond demon tried unsuccessfully to comfort the noisy woman, while a pale greyish arm extended from the Oiran's nape, reaching to pat her head. It was likely Gyutaro attempting to console his sister. The strange scene aside, the tattooed demon's attention shifted to Nakime.

"What did Upper Moon One say?" Akaza inquired, immediately capturing everyone's attention. Daki momentarily ceased her crying, and the room fell silent as they all waited to hear the answer.

Nakime positioned the bachi near the strings of her biwa. "He said," she began, "to send you back."

Before anyone could react, a sharp buzz echoed through the room, and in an instant, they were all transported back to their respective locations. Nakime wasted no time in dealing with them any longer than necessary; after all, they were quite troublesome and noisy, which she found highly unpleasant. She relished the return to her cherished silence and isolation, her ruby lips forming a small smile as the sound of her biwa gently echoed through the entire castle, the tunes she played entirely of her own creation. She continued to wait for her master's next orders in tranquility.

Bachi* = wooden Plectrum