Demon Slayer: I Got Reincarnated As Yoriichi

At the Demon Slayer hideout.

The news of Senjuro Rengoku's death sent shockwaves through everyone.

In mere moments, Jigen and Eliza had decimated one-third of the Demon Slayer Corps, leaving a trail of devastation behind.

"No… This can't happen… Our Flame Hashira has been taken out by the demons…"

"How could this happen?!"

"They've massacred so many… Even Rengoku-San."

The murmurs of despair filled the air.

Oyakata-sama clenched his fist, his voice steady but heavy, "Send more Hashiras to rescue the remaining demon slayers. Immediately!"

His thoughts churned as sorrow clouded his eyes.

What is happening to the Corps?

Everything is falling apart…

Nameless and Tsunenari arrive at the Ubuyashiki Mansion, kneeling before him.

"Oyakata-Sama! Allow us to fight the demons and rescue the remaining slayers!" they pleaded.

He turned his soft gaze to Tsunenari, "Yoshimitsu, has your brother arrived?"

"Not yet, Oyakata-Sama. But why are you asking about him?"

"Don't be so rude to your brother, Yoshimitsu. I know you don't want him to join the corps, that you're worried for him. But let him make his own decisions," said Oyakata-Sama with concern.

He rolls his eyes and says nonchalantly, "I understand."

Without another word, he and Nameless vanished instantly into the night.

Now.

Back at Mount Kage.

Jigen and Eliza sat on a tree branch, patiently waiting for the demon slayers to arrive.

Eliza, cradling a large soft doll that resembled her, giggled as she played with it like a child.

"Your abilities are wonderful~" she buries her face in the doll.

"Don't you feel scared that you can be killed by your own voodoo doll? Always asking for my deadly abilities for your own sake," he says.

She ignored his warning, her expression playful and unfazed.

"Anyway, when will the demon slayers arrive? Do you think they can beat us now?" asks Eliza, her voice playful.

"I doubt… But who is waiting for them? Even toying with them wasn't worth it. I am waiting for only him… Ren Hajime."

She gets annoyed by Ren's multiple mentions, she says. "What do you want with him? Why is everyone so obsessed with Ren Hajime? Kokushibo-Sama, Muzan-Sama, and even you want to eliminate him."

He pats her head, trying to soothe her. "Because he's not an ordinary human. Do you know why Muzan wants him to die? Do you know why Kokushibo wants to kill him? Do you know why I want to confront him? And why is every demon scared of him?"

"E-Eh~ What are you doing?~ I'm not a child," despite her demeanor, she lets him pat her.

She pouts as she crosses her arms around her doll. "Mhm… No, I don't know… Why's that?!"

He says calmly, "Ren Hajime… the strongest man in this world. In the Sengoku Era, he was Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Kokushibo's younger brother."

Eliza's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw slightly dropping. "Y-Younger brother of Kokushibo-Sama?!"

"Yes. He's the first breathing style user—the original creator of all techniques. He's the one who nearly killed Muzan. That memory still haunts him," Jigen continued, his tone unwavering.

Her shock deepened. "H-He… He almost killed Muzan-Sama? And… he created the breathing styles?"

"That's right… He's the biggest threat to my goals… I can conquer the entire world if he dies… I can transform this world at my will, only if he won't interfere…"

He continues, "Muzan wants to conquer this world.

Kokushibo wants to become the strongest by defeating his brother.

Everybody thinks about themselves…"

Eliza smiles, her tone teasing "Oh, don't you think about yourself too?"

He says without any expression, "Not at all."

"Huh?! You really mean it?"

He turns his gaze to the full moon, and says calmly, "Don't you get it yet? My goals are way different from them. They're narcissists…

Those who are goal-oriented live a life of sacrifices… But those who sacrifice their own happiness, needs, and desires for this world live the Sacrifice of Life… And I am that person."

"Oh my~ Is that why you kill innocents and choose violence to achieve your goal? You've started the two biggest wars for your goals. Whatcha think about it, Lord Jigen?" she teases.

"You do realize that peace isn't the solution to all the problems. When I was just a human, I spent my entire life thinking that peace and love can save the world… But I was wrong…

This world is way darker than you think. To maintain peace and harmony in the world, we wage wars. If you love someone doesn't mean they love you too. Good people suffer the most while bad people enjoy abusing their powers. But in the end, no one is happy…

Once I achieve my goal, there won't be any killing or death. No pain or suffering. And for that goal, I've sacrificed myself."

They sit in silence for a moment.

Eliza breaks it with a light chuckle, "How poetic~ I hate to admit it, but I can't win against you in arguments. Your goal is undeniably impressive! But you shouldn't overthink it. You need to enjoy life too… or you'll end up even more miserable."

Jigen's voice turns icy, "Enjoyment? Fun? Those concepts mean nothing to me. I am the darkest of all darkness in this world—the most broken, the most haunted, the most unhappy existence. There is nothing darker than my shadow, not in this life or any other.

And in all my lifetime, even as a human, I've never smiled. Not even once."

They sit in silence again, the weight of Jigen's words lingering in the air.

Breaking it once more, Eliza tilts her head, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "From what I've observed you… you haven't used any respectful title for your older demons… Muzan-Sama… Kokushibo-Sama… Why's that?"

His voice grows cold, "Don't you get it yet? I don't praise them."

"Oh, and what about… Akaza-Sama..? Douma-Sama..?"

"One is a sensitive fighter while the other one is an emotionless, psychotic cult leader. Is that what you wanna hear?"

Eliza softly chuckles, "It's ironically shocking…"

Jigen adds, "You'll see… Within nine years, they'll be dead."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Y-You Really Mean It?!!"

"I'll surpass them. Absorb them. With enough of Muzan's blood, I'll leave them behind. My predictions are never wrong."

She asks further, her tone playful now, "What about Muzan-Sama..?"

"Muzan? His plans are totally trash! That's why he appointed me to be with him."

Eliza's body slightly trembled at his words. "Do you know what will happen to you if someone hears you? You'll be executed in front of everyone."

Jigen says nonchalantly, "Don't worry, no one's hearing us. Besides, I only speak the truth."

Her tone gets even more playful, "Oh~ And what about Kokushibo-Sama..?"

Jigen's tone turns serious, "I appreciate his efforts… He's the one who deserves to be the demon king, not Muzan. If there's anyone who can scare me, even slightly, it's him…"

Her smile deepens. "At last… What do you think about me?"

He pauses, taking a moment to say something about her. "It's too complicated for me to say about you… I can achieve my goal right now if I absorb you, but something stops me from doing so… Perhaps I don't want you to die… However, I can achieve my goal in two ways…

I have to kill you and absorb your powers.

Or kill every demon, except you. It will be quite hard to surpass Muzan, but I'll eventually surpass him. Can't say anything about Kokushibo… I don't wanna kill him, but still, surpassing him might take me millennia."

Eliza laughs. "I'm glad you won't betray me for your goals. I want to see how you'll conquer this world… And I'll be guiding this world like a goddess…"

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Meanwhile, Tsunenari and Nameless reach the base of Mt. Kage.

Tsunenari looks around, assessing the surroundings.

"You'll go this way! And I'll go there!" commands Tsunenari.

"What if either of us needs help?" asks Nameless.

"We'll call out each other's names. This mountain can echo our voices."

"I understand!"

They part ways, disappearing into opposite sides of the dense forest covering the mountain.

Nameless ventures deeper into the eerie stillness, the only sound being the crunch of leaves beneath his feet. Suddenly, he halts, his breath hitching.

In the dim moonlight, he spots a familiar figure slumped on a boulder.

Koji

Blood streams from his right eye, staining his trembling hand as he desperately tries to stem the flow.

His eyes widened at his sight, his voice barely above a whisper. "K-Koji-kun?!!"