Chapter 27: Invitation of the Demon Slayer Corps

By chance, Dazai Osamu became a member of Ratatoskr.

However, not everyone is happy about this.

For example, Yushiro.

After learning that Kotori Itsuka had accepted a new member and was going to throw the burden to him and Tamayo, his handsome scholar face turned black with anger.

But there is nothing we can do about it.

Although she can use the self-healing flame to eliminate the curse in Dazai Osamu's body, allowing him to immediately break free from the control of Muzan, but if she wants to improve his diet, only Tamayo can do it.

After settling Dazai Osamu down, Kotori Itsuka returned to the Rengoku family home in the center of Tokyo.

Some time ago, in order to let the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons know about Ratatoskr existence, she went out too frequently.

Now that Ratatoskr reputation has spread, she no longer needs to do it herself.

She handed over the job of slaying demons to Tanjiro Kamado and Dazai Osamu, and returned to the Rengoku family.

Although the eldest brother Kyōjurō Rengoku is often away from home in the Rengoku family mansion, his father Rengoku Kishiro seems to care about nothing, and the youngest brother Rengoku Senjuro does not care about anything, but if Kotori Itsuka disappears for ten days or half a month, it will inevitably arouse suspicion.

So, for the next three weeks, Kotori Itsuka stayed in the Rengoku family's mansion and played the role of Haku Kotori for a while.

Until one day three weeks later, Tamayo calico cat, Chachamaru, appeared in Kotori Itsuka room and brought a letter.

There was not much information in the letter, just a short line of words.

[The Demon Slayer Corps has found us]

The handwriting was elegant and majestic, obviously written by Tamayo himself.

But compared with her previous handwriting, it is obvious that she was not in a calm mood when she wrote this line.

"Found it? It's much faster than I expected."

Although the speed of the Demon Slayer Corps was unexpected, Kotori Itsuka was not panicked at all.

Because in the original work, Tamayo mansion was also exposed after the Demon Slayer Corps' full search.

It is precisely because the Demon Slayer Corps found Tamayo that Tamayo appeared as a reinforcement of the Demon Slayer Corps before the final decisive battle.

In this world, the Demon Slayer Corps obviously found her much earlier.

This is only natural.

After all, in this world, Tamayo and Yushiro joined Ratatoskr, and Ratatoskr had frequent external contacts and left quite a few clues.

With the connections of the Demon Slayer Corps, they will definitely be able to find it as long as they are willing to search with all their strength.

And this is also part of the plan.

After casually burning the letter to ashes, Kotori Itsuka told her family that she was leaving, summoned the Astral Dress, and quickly returned to Tamayo base in Asakusa with Chachamaru.

Traveling at full speed, in less than an hour, she and Chachamaru passed through the illusory wall and arrived at Tamayo residence in Asakusa.

"Commander, you're finally back!"

When he saw the appearance of Kotori Itsuka, Tanjiro Kamado, who had been anxious, seemed to have found his backbone, and his expression was obviously relaxed.

"I thought the Demon Slayer Corps was coming directly here."

After looking around and not finding any human presence, Kotori Itsuka took off her mask.

"If the Demon Slayer Corps attacks us directly, we won't have a chance to send you a letter."

"It's also possible that the Demon Slayer Corps forced you to write it to attract me here, right?"

"Since the commander has thought of this possibility, why do you still want to take risks alone?"

"You are my subordinates. If I, as the boss, don't come to rescue you, are you going to run away?" Kotori Itsuka snorted proudly, "Since the Demon Slayer Corps hasn't come yet, tell me what happened first."

"Of course."

Tanjiro Kamado immediately invited her into Tamayo mansion.

The other members of Ratatoskr were already waiting in the mansion, but because it was still broad daylight outside, they couldn't come out.

Without any greetings, everyone came to the living room of the mansion and started the first meeting of Ratatoskr members.

The whole story was quickly explained after everyone talked about it.

"Sorry, this is all my fault. I didn't even notice I was being followed."

Dazai Osamu touched his head sheepishly, smiled awkwardly and said: "How about I die to apologize, this way I can show my sincerity."

"This should be a reward for you, right?" Kotori Itsuka rolled her eyes at him. "Now that you mention it, I'm beginning to suspect that you're deliberately getting yourself into trouble."

What happened was simple.

Although Kotori Itsuka has been slacking off during this period, the Kamado siblings and Dazai Osamu are still carrying out their demon-slaying activities.

Two days ago, as usual, they returned to Asakusa after killing a Demons in a surrounding city.

On the way back, Dazai Osamu suddenly felt inspired to write poetry. After exclaiming "How beautiful the moonlight is", he took the Kamado siblings to admire the moon for two hours.

During this time, they were targeted by members of the Demon Slayer Corps who came from nearby.

If it were ordinary members, they would definitely be able to discover it.

But the thing is, it's not just the regular members who are following them.

But it's the crow of the Demon Slayer Corps.

For some unknown reason, some small animals in this world have extraordinary wisdom and intelligence.

For example, the Chachamaru raised by Tamayo.

Another example is the crows that the Demon Slayer Corps trains to deliver information and tasks.

After tracking the Kamado siblings and Dazai Osamu all the way back to their base in Asakusa, Crow flew directly to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters and conveyed the matter to the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

"This is the letter that the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps wrote to us."

After handing the message brought by the crow to Kotori Itsuka, Tamayo calm expression also showed a trace of panic: "Commander, should we move our base, or agree to Ubuyashiki request?"

As a demon who has lived for hundreds of years, although the Demon Slayer Corps did not know of Tamayo existence before, Tamayo knew of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Although their goals are the same, which is to kill Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon Slayer Corps has always held the creed of killing all demons, so Tamayo has never come into contact with them.

However, after lurking for so long, she was still noticed by the Demon Slayer Corps.

Her peaceful life was disrupted, leaving her feeling a little overwhelmed.

After reading the letter written by Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Kotori Itsuka quickly understood the purpose of the letter.

It's simple, this is an invitation.

In the letter, Kagaya Ubuyashiki words were very casual, without any tough tone. Instead, he invited Ratatoskr in a pally manner to go to a Demon Slayer Corps residence in three days for a cooperation talk.

Of course, there's a good chance that the palliness is just a disguise.

This negotiation could very well be a Hongmen Banquet.

"We now have three options: A. Move our base, B. Agree to the Demon Slayer Corps' request, or C. Decide that the Demon Slayer Corps has bad intentions and strike first."

After reading the letter from Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Kotori Itsuka said calmly: "Then, everyone, make your choice."

"The second one." Tanjiro Kamado, who had never learned English, was the first to answer.

"A." After thinking for a moment, Tamayo gave her answer.

"A." Yushiro naturally chose the same option as Tamayo.

"Woo woo!" Nezuko, unable to speak, raised two fingers.

"I choose C." Dazai Osamu raised his hand excitedly, but anyone could see that this guy just wanted to die.

Excluding Dazai Osamu's choice, the only option left is between A and B.

Everyone couldn't reach a consensus.

So they could only turn their eyes to their commander.

"Do you believe me?"

Under the gaze of everyone, Kotori Itsuka asked.

This sudden question, which had nothing to do with the topic of conversation, made everyone stunned for a moment.

"Of course I trust the Commander."

Tanjiro Kamado was the first to answer, and he said seriously: "You saved my sister and I's lives, I believe you won't harm us."

"I believe that, too."

Tamayo was the second to answer, nodding slowly.

She is a Demons who has lived for more than 500 years. It is not realistic for her to easily trust another Demons whom she has only known for less than three months.

However, she believed in Kotori Itsuka ability.

Whether it was the intimidation he displayed when they first met or the record of easily killing the Upper Six, it left a very deep impression on her.

"Tamayo-sama said so..."

Yushiro curled his lips. Just like Tamayo, he also believed in Kotori Itsuka strength.

Even though he may still be some distance away from Muzan Kibutsuji, he should have no problem competing against the Demon Slayer Corps.

"As long as you can follow through on your promise and let me die without pain, I will trust you."

Dazai Osamu shrugged.

He joined Ratatoskr not to destroy Muzan, nor did he have any other lofty ideals.

He joined half voluntarily and half forced.

Even if Kotori Itsuka dragged him to death, he would have no complaints.

"Very good, then I will tell you now that your choice is correct."

Kotori Itsuka smiled.

"In this case, there is only one answer."

Three days later, in the mansion of a large family in Asakusa.

The wisteria flowers that had been kept around all year round have now been completely cleared away, without a single petal left.

Inside the mansion, in the front yard that could accommodate thousands of people, there were only ten people.

The man under the parasol in the center was wearing a pure white kimono, with hideous blood vessels and deformed flesh covering most of his face.

But there was still a kind smile on his lips, exuding a temperament as warm as the spring breeze.

He is the lord of the Demon Slayer Corps and the leader of the current Ubuyashiki, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

Behind Kagaya Ubuyashiki were nine demon slayers wearing the uniforms of the Demon Slayer Corps, each with the words "Evil Demon Slayer" engraved on their Nichirin sword.

They are the highest ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps and the pillars supporting the organization.

They usually run around Japan with almost no time to rest, but today they gathered together again.

Once again, coming together for that same reason.

For Ratatoskr.

The hot-tempered Sanemi Shinazugawa looked at the bright moon in the sky and couldn't help but exclaimed.

"The sun has been down for so long, why haven't those guys come yet?"

Sanemi Shinazugawa looked impatient and couldn't help but said, "You didn't run away because you were scared, did you?"

"That's only natural."

Obanai Iguro yawned and said lazily, "After all, the nine pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps are all here. They have to take a detour when the Upper Rank One comes. A demon who has defeated the Upper Rank Six certainly can't have the courage to accept the invitation."

"As expected, we should have let them die when we discovered their base, Amitabha."

Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together, tears streaming from his eyes: "We missed the best opportunity and let them escape. We don't know how long it will take to find them next time."

"Asakusa..."

Kyōjurō Rengoku frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "I didn't expect Ratatoskr hiding place to be here. Kotori seems to be running here all the time during this period. Fortunately, nothing happened."

The pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were discussing.

However, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who was sitting in a wheelchair, did not care about the comments of his subordinates.

If Ratatoskr shows up, that would be best.

Both parties have the same goal. If they can work together and bring this organization to their side, it will definitely be a great help.

But if Ratatoskr doesn't plan to show up, that doesn't matter.

If they don't even dare to face the nine pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, it only means that this organization is just a small-time organization and is not to be feared.

Even if the Demon Slayer Corps doesn't take care of it, Muzan Kibutsujiwon't sit idly by.

After all, he almost made a banner with the words "We have no hostility" and hung it at the gate.

Not only were all the wisteria flowers that repelled demons removed, there were no other Demon Slayer Corps members around except the Nine Pillars to protect his life, and even the place he chose was in the center of Asakusa.

The fact that they chose a place like this instead of deep in the mountains or forests to hold the meeting was enough to show Ubuyashiki Kyouya's kindness.

After all, this is the city center, a densely populated area.

Neither the Demon Slayer Corps nor the demons can take action here.

Although the two camps have been competing with each other for thousands of years, they both hold a consensus.

That is to keep all battles in the shadows, unknown to the world.

If the Demon Slayer Corps came into conflict with Ratatoskr in a place like this, with nine Pillar-level members and a demon as powerful as a top-ranked upper-rank demon, not to mention how many people would be involved, the subsequent social opinion alone would not be something that the Ubuyashiki clan could suppress.

The reason why the public opinion about the battle in the flower street a few days ago was suppressed was that the shop owners in the flower street did not want to make a big deal out of it and attract government scrutiny, so they cooperated with Kagaya Ubuyashiki to make up a reasonable excuse to conceal the matter.

However, if a fight really broke out in a place like this, even the Ubuyashiki clan would be helpless.

In this situation, if the other party still does not show up, it only means that the other party does not have the magnanimity to do so.

Time passes by every second.

The clock struck twelve midnight.

"Boom!"

A heavy bell sound came from the bell tower.

Then six dark figures appeared on the wall.

Each of them wore a different mask, hiding their figures under black robes, like apostles of the night walking in the darkness.

"Sorry for the wait, everyone from the Demon Slayer Corps."

The girl's voice rang out from beneath the hideous demon mask.

"Ratatoskr, I am invited."