Breaking Through the Infinite Multiverse of Anime Starting from Bleach

"Take the medicine? Sure, I'm already prepared for this."

Tamayo put down the petri dish in her hand, her expression serious. "So, are we following the Oyakata-sama's original plan?"

A few days ago, she had met the Oyakata-sama along with Gusion and Himejima Gyomei. The Oyakata-sama had become gravely ill recently and, aware of his impending death, had devised a plan that none of the other Hashira would ever agree to.

But at that time, Gusion hadn't agreed, and instead brought out a strange medicine for the Oyakata-sama, which stabilized his condition a bit.

Now, seeing Gusion's serious face as he came to her, telling her to take medicine, she thought he wanted her to follow the Oyakata-sama's plan—using their deaths to trick Muzan.

"No," Gusion shook his head. "Miss Tamayo, what you need to take is the medicine prepared for Nezuko. You need to become human again."

Tamayo was shocked. "Lord Gusion, what are you saying? If I become human, I'll lose my leverage against Muzan, and he won't try to absorb me."

In the Oyakata-sama's original plan, he would serve as bait to lure Muzan, then detonate the mansion to severely injure him. Tamayo would then rush out to inject him with the medicine. An enraged Muzan would surely devour her, ingesting even more medicine in the process.

"Does Yushiro know about your plan?" Gusion asked calmly.

Tamayo stiffened. "That child will understand. This is to destroy Muzan. As long as Muzan lives, more people will suffer. No matter how many we save, it can't make up for the harm Muzan brings to the world."

"Don't be foolish. Muzan's threat to humanity is less than that of humans themselves," Gusion said indifferently. "A great doctor and researcher like you can save far more lives than Muzan could ever take."

He was telling the truth. The Demon Slayer Corps was, after all, a non-governmental group—just a band of people hurt by demons who banded together to fight back.

But were demons truly that much of a threat to society? The number of demons and demon slayers was small, and Japan's population was steadily growing in this era.

Why had Muzan become so low-key after entering modern society? Was it really just to live in peace?

No, it was because he knew that if he was too conspicuous, the government could easily crush him. Never underestimate the power of a nation—especially one in the age of cars and airplanes, of modern weaponry. If the military was deployed, air raids and bombings would be no joke. Even in the manga, Muzan was gravely injured by bombs in the mansion's courtyard—proof he wasn't invulnerable to modern weapons.

Compared honestly, the number of people murdered by Muzan and his demons over a thousand years probably didn't match a deadly epidemic.

Muzan once infamously said, "Why don't people treat me like an earthquake, volcano, tsunami, or plague? Just consider it bad luck if you run into me—why hate me?" As despicable as that sounds, the truth is, Muzan's destructive power never reached the level of a natural disaster.

Gusion felt that letting a talent like Tamayo die was a waste. There were many ways to administer the medicine; sacrificing her life wasn't necessary.

Besides, he no longer needed Tamayo's medicine. He planned to kill Muzan head-on.

"Lord Gusion, are you going out to confront Muzan?"

Hearing Gusion's words, Tamayo realized something and grabbed his arm. "Take me with you. I can be useful."

Gusion shook off her hand. "Stay at headquarters. Use the medicine to sever your connection with Muzan completely, or else you'll disappear when he dies."

Kibutsuji Muzan was the progenitor of all demons. Though Tamayo and Nezuko had broken free of his control, they weren't entirely disconnected. Only Yushiro was truly not a demon created by Muzan.

Once Muzan died, all demons created by him would die as well, including Tamayo and Nezuko—so they had to become human again.

"I appreciate your kindness, Lord Gusion, but I'm not like Nezuko," Tamayo shook her head. "If I become human, I'll still die."

Seeing Gusion's confusion, she explained, "Because I've lived for centuries—something no human can do. Once I become human again, my body's aging will kill me."

"Is there no other way?" Gusion asked.

Tamayo pondered for a moment. "I can try to become a new half-human, half-demon species. I don't know if I can survive the extinction, but as long as Muzan dies, it doesn't matter to me. I'm guilty anyway."

Gusion understood her mindset. She wasn't afraid of death—in fact, she longed for it, tormented for centuries by guilt over killing her husband and child. If she could die with Muzan, it would be the ultimate relief.

"Try to live on—use your medical skills to help humanity and atone for your sins."

Gusion didn't wait for her response and changed the subject. "There's one more thing. Pass this on to the Oyakata-sama as well—I think he'll agree."

Time was tight, so Tamayo didn't argue further. "Please tell me, Lord Gusion."

"If I don't return soon after I leave, immediately gather all Hashira to protect Nezuko. Distribute the poison you and Miss Shinobu developed to each of them."

Gusion had already informed the Stone Hashira, who would patrol the Demon Slayer Corps' temporary headquarters.

The enemy might use a diversion tactic; they had to be prepared. Although Gusion admired the Oyakata-sama's bravery, to be honest, Nezuko was far more important at this critical moment.

If Muzan absorbed Nezuko, he would truly become the ultimate lifeform, able to move freely in the daytime—making him nearly impossible to catch.

Originally, he'd planned to use Nezuko as bait to lure Muzan, and he'd told Tanjiro this. Tanjiro and his sister were willing to take the risk if it meant defeating Muzan.

But now, it seemed they didn't need to leak the information—the enemy might already be on their way.

After telling Tamayo everything, Gusion glanced at the deepening night sky and walked toward the door, only to be stopped by a petite girl.

"Gusion-kun, are you going to fight the Upper Moons alone?" Shinobu looked up at him, her dark purple eyes filled with resentment. "Take me with you. I want to test my new medicine."

Gusion swiftly sidestepped her. "Leave your emotions aside and do your job. I promise I'll kill every demon I encounter."

It wasn't just his affection for the Hashira from the manga; after two months of training and daily life together, he now saw them as friends. He couldn't watch Shinobu rush off to die against Doma.

Even if Shinobu mastered Demon God techniques, she still couldn't decapitate a demon—her only option was poison. At best, it would be a mutual kill. Gusion couldn't accept such a loss.

"Gusion-kun…" Shinobu turned to argue, but Tamayo grabbed her hand.

"Miss Shinobu, let's sort out our medicine. The battle might start here first," Tamayo said. "Tonight could be very long."

After Gusion left, Ubuyashiki Amane entered one of the mansion's rooms, bringing a wooden basin to wipe sweat from the Oyakata-sama's brow.

"Amane, has Gusion left?" Oyakata-sama asked weakly.

"He just left for the location reported by the Kasugai crow," Amane answered dutifully.

"I see…" Oyakata-sama laboriously turned his head, blind eyes seeking the moonlight outside the door. "Amane, is the moon full tonight?"

A tear slid down Amane's cheek. "It's very full."

"Activate the backup plan. I understand Gusion's intentions, but he can't shoulder everything alone. If war breaks out, I am willing to offer my life," Oyakata-sama said gently. "May Gusion return safely."

…

The warmth of early summer had dispelled the lingering chill of late spring, becoming a gentle breeze.

By the old road, the bright moon hung high, illuminating an ancient temple that had stood for a thousand years.

Corpses, gnawed and mutilated, lay scattered on the roadside, and the air was thick with the scent of blood.

Amid the cawing of night crows, a man in black sped forth, landing on a tree like a night owl.

He surveyed the scene, sensing the area, and then looked at the imposing temple. "So, it's just you?"

A figure stepped out into the moonlight, letting Gusion see his face clearly.

He was a handsome man with medium-length black hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a black suit with white gloves, exuding the air of a gentleman.

Seeing Gusion, he bowed. "I am Seifu. It's an honor to meet a strong warrior like you."

Gusion walked toward him, sensing no other demons around—was he being underestimated?

"I thought I'd see all the Twelve Kizuki," Gusion said, drawing closer. He could now see the white "Upper Moon Four" characters in Seifu's black eyes.

Gusion's face darkened. "What happened to the original Upper Moon Four?"

Seifu smiled. "Since I have this number, the previous Four was eliminated. Lord Muzan doesn't tolerate failures."

Far from being nervous as Gusion approached, Seifu took out a human finger from his storage and chewed on it like a snack. "But why are you angry about our loss?"

"He was one of my targets," Gusion replied, annoyed—one less treasure chest to loot.

"How strange. You should be glad the original Upper Four is gone, shouldn't you? I didn't want to kill him either, but I needed status. Without it, you have no say."

Seifu chatted nonchalantly with Gusion.

"Looks like you've gained some status. It must be tough serving under someone like Muzan," Gusion taunted, stalling for time to gauge Seifu's intent and see if any other Upper Moons were present.

Rushing in recklessly could cost him dearly.

"Tsk, don't try to trick me. I admire Lord Muzan," Seifu replied with a sly smile, blood dripping from his snack. "But I'm curious: what are you fighting for?"

"What am I fighting for? How boring," Gusion said coldly, hand resting on his sword.

"How can that be boring? As a warrior, you must have convictions. I came into this world with a clear goal—to destroy this country," Seifu said, locking eyes with Gusion. "And you? Why help the Demon Slayer Corps? Isn't Lord Muzan a hero to us?"