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OPI Chapter 164: Arrival at the Hidden Headquarters
🕑 Added 2024-05-24 23:24:51 +0000 UTCWhile Crocodile wreaked havoc, Laskey and Hozumi were following Urokodaki deep into the mountains.
It was unclear if the road to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters was really that far or if Urokodaki had taken many detours as a precaution. In any case, Hozumi was clearly unhappy.
"Hey, Uncle Urokodaki, how much further do we have to walk? We've already climbed four mountains!" Hozumi took two quick steps and ran towards Urokodaki with puffed cheeks and complained.
"We're almost there. In about an hour, around noon." Urokodaki responded, looking at the sky seriously.
Laskey, who walked behind, maintained an impassive expression, occasionally turning to observe his surroundings.
In reality, he was allowing the Den-Den Mushi on his shoulder to better capture the views so that the mapping team could make a more accurate map.
Although Vivre Cards can also guide the direction, it is still necessary to draw a map in advance just in case.
About two hours later, the three arrived at a cobblestone path. On both sides of the path, there were rows of wisteria, which offered a very beautiful view.
"We have finally arrived!" Hozumi breathed a sigh of relief when she saw this scene, with a joyful smile on her face.
"Yes, I have already sent a raven to warn. Let's wait here. Someone will come to receive us." Urokodaki said.
It didn't take long before a young man in a black uniform approached and respectfully said to them: "Master has ordered me to escort you and your companions to the Ubuyashiki Mansion."
"Me too?" Urokodaki asked.
"Yes, Master said that he needs your testimony about Mr. Mitsui and the Kamado brothers before the Hashira."
"Oh?"
"You mean the Hashira and Tanjiro are in the Mansion? What happened?" Urokodaki asked in surprise.
"Kamado Tanjiro eliminated the Lower Rank 5 of the Twelve Kizuki, on Mount Natagumo, but was discovered by the Insect Hashira, Kocho Shinobu, carrying a demon with him. Currently, they are holding a Hashira meeting to judge him." The young man from the Kakushi unit briefly explained.
"I see..." Urokodaki was amazed that Tanjiro had defeated a Twelve Kizuki, and worried about the trial he would face. "Luckily, my letter should have already reached the Master..."
"Please follow me." The young man said, making a gesture. Then, he led them down the cobblestone path towards the Demon Slayer Corps' hidden headquarters in the forest.
...
Ubuyashiki Mansion.
The Hashira, along with Tanjiro who was subdued by Shinazugawa Sanemi, listened to Ubuyashiki Kanata read the letter written by Urokodaki.
After hearing the content of the letter, the Hashira present were surprised. Only Sanemi seemed dissatisfied.
"And what did we achieve with seppuku?" Sanemi growled. "If you want to die, feel free to die and rot away! This doesn't guarantee anything!"
Himejima Gyomei supported him with a booming voice. "As Sanemi says, if she kills someone, the damage will be irreparable. How can we apologize to the victims? The dead cannot come back!"
"It's true." Ubuyashiki Kaguya said with a serene smile and a calm voice. "We cannot guarantee that she will not attack humans, nor can we prove otherwise. But it is also a fact that Nezuko has gone more than two years without attacking anyone. Three people have bet their lives on her."
"Also, there is something else I want to share with you. Tanjiro Kamado has found Muzan Kibutsuji."
"What?!" The Hashira exclaimed in unison.
"That's impossible! Not even the Hashira have had contact with him!" Tengen Uzui said in disbelief.
"Are you saying this guy...?" Suddenly, all eyes focused on Tanjiro. The surprise was evident on everyone's faces.
"What is he like? What are his abilities? Where did you find him?" Tengen Uzui asked, desperate for answers.
"Did you fight him?" Giyu Tomioka asked quietly, though still with doubt in his tone.
"What did Muzan do? Do you know where his base is? Quickly, answer me!" Sanemi, even more furious, grabbed Tanjiro by the hair, shaking him violently.
"Shut up!" Tengen shouted dissatisfied. "First tell us what Muzan's abilities are."
While the Hashira were agitated for the possibility of obtaining crucial information about Muzan, Laskey, Hozumi and Urokodaki approached the Mansion.
When they entered the Mansion, they were met with the strange scene of Sanemi confronting a little girl dressed in a black kimono.
"Hey, that girl seems to be a demon~" Hozumi murmured after sensing Nezuko's essence using his Kenbunshoku Haki. Surprised, she looked at Urokodaki. "Uncle, didn't you say that the Demon Slayer Corps is dedicated to killing demons?"
Visibly uncomfortable, Urokodaki scratched the back of his neck and replied: "Well, she's different..."
Laskey, however, was more interested in the Hashira, especially Gyomei Himejima. The intensity of his aura was overwhelming, and his height, over two meters, made him stand out from the others.
"All humans are family!"
"I must protect them!"
Nezuko faced Sanemi, looking with pain at the bleeding arm. Even though her saliva dripped from her mouth, she fought with all her might against her bloodlust.
At that moment, under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Nezuko managed to overcome her demonic instinct. She closed her eyes tightly and turned her head. This scene left Sanemi and the other Hashira who were watching from outside dumbfounded.
"What's going on?" Kagaya asked, turning his head slightly towards his daughters. The oldest, Hinaki, responded first.
"The demon girl has turned her head."
Then, Nichika continued. "Despite being stabbed three times by Shinazugawa-sama, she restrained herself and did not attack him."
Kagaya smiled slightly. "Then this proves that Nezuko can't hurt anyone."
"Tanjiro." Kagaya called.
Tanjiro, who had just broken the ropes that tied him with pure force, looked up full of worry and tension.
"Still, some won't trust Nezuko." Kagaya continued. "So you must prove that you and Nezuko can fight as part of the Demon Slayer Corps and that you can be useful."
Tanjiro was momentarily surprised, but then, understanding, he knelt down in relief. He knew Nezuko was safe.
"Defeat the Twelve Kizuki. Then everyone will recognize you and your word will have weight."
Tanjiro stood up abruptly, looking at Kagaya determinedly.
"I will! Nezuko and I will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji! Together we will cut this chain of sadness!"
These words made the Hashira show a friendlier attitude towards Tanjiro, and Kagaya smiled kindly. The tension in the environment also eased.
"For now, you may not be capable of something that big, Tanjiro. First, try to defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki."
"Yes!"
Tanjiro responded, realizing the magnitude of his promise, turning red with embarrassment. At this moment, a deep voice interrupted.
"That will no longer be necessary."
Urokodaki was surprised to see Laskey advancing without permission. "Wait, Mitsui-san, Master hasn't called us yet." He tried to stop him.
"Uncle, there is something wrong with your memory. This little brother said before that he wanted us to meet with the lord~" Hozumi responded with a playful smile.
"Well, yes, but..."
Hozumi watched Tanjiro and Nezuko with curiosity. "By the way, tell me about that little girl first, she looks very interesting~"
"Well, she is Tanjiro's sister, but..."
Meanwhile, Laskey had attracted the attention of everyone in the garden. The Hashira stood up cautiously when they saw the armed stranger. Kagaya, following the direction of the sound, smiled kindly. "Are you Mitsui Hayato, who Urokodaki spoke of?"
"Yes, it's me." Laskey responded, stopping about four or five meters from the Hashira.
"According to Urokodaki, Mr. Mitsui can confront him without using breathing techniques, and during the fight he imitated Water Breathing just by observing." Kagaya said in a calm and peaceful tone.
"What?" Giyu showed a rare expression of astonishment, since he had also learned Water Breathing from Urokodaki.
"Mitsui-san is a guest and will soon be a comrade in our fight against the demons." Kagaya said.
"Mitsui-san, what did you mean by what you said just now?"
“About that, I will explain later. First, I would like to experiment with other breathing styles. I believe my request has already been conveyed by cultivator Urokodaki.”
Laskey's gaze swept over the Hashira present. Their auras were certainly stronger than Urokodaki's, could it be because of their youth...
...
Meanwhile, the command center had already located the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Coulson had taken over running the operation. He watched the live broadcast of Laskey and Hozumi while he questioned the technicians next to him.
“How many reconnaissance teams are there nearby? How long would it take for them to arrive?”
"Report, there are four teams."
“The closest team would need three days and the furthest team would need five days.”
Coulson shook his head after hearing this. "In this case, including Laskey and Hozumi, there are only ten people. The accident rate is a bit high."
“Although there is a big difference in physical strength between the Hashira and our agents, their speed is good, and they have abilities similar to Kenbunshoku Haki.”
“These four Cipher Pol teams should be on the same level as the Hashira.”
At this time, an official suggested: “We could let Captain Laskey speak to the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps first.”
"After all, with Muzan Kibutsuji and the Twelve Kizuki annihilated, their purpose has disappeared. They will need to consider their future..."
