HxH: I Will Be Supreme

The Ubuyashiki clan residence stood shrouded in an oppressive silence that seemed to seep into the very walls.

The current leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, sat with a pale face drawn tight with concern. The weight of leadership had already begun to etch lines of worry across his youthful features, but the reports from Kagaya and Rengoku had left him looking positively ashen.

A terrible possibility had taken root in his mind, growing like a poison vine through his thoughts.

"Sick? Did Oboro instill this idea in him?" Kagaya's voice trembled, though he tried to suppress it.

"He should have been influenced by Oboro's manipulation," Giyu nodded gravely. "Of course. Based on what we learned previously, combined with the boy's own circumstances, he could easily be bewitched and believe it without a doubt." The veteran's weathered face showed the strain of understanding just how deep this corruption ran.

Kagaya's fingers began to tremble as the full scope of the situation became clear. "He taught the Demon Slayer Corps breathing methods, and now he is constantly transforming demons. There must be more people like Zechuan out there." His voice grew stronger with each word, fueled by a growing determination mixed with dread.

"I don't know exactly what Oboro said to him, but I can guess at its nature. Judging by my father's assessment of this person, I'd say the belief he instilled in people is nothing more than convincing the deceived that everything they do is righteous. He transforms them into executors of justice, heroes in their own minds."

The young leader's insight cut through the complexity of the situation like a blade. "Zechuan thinks he is saving the world, as do all people like him. It's obviously an evil thought, but in these people's hearts, it burns with the fire of positive conviction."

This kind of spiritual motivation is terrifying beyond measure."

Kagaya stood and began to pace, his movements sharp with agitation. "In other words, Oboro knew from the beginning that Zechuan would go to the shogunate and choose the shogun as his target. The belief he conveyed had already determined the outcome, like pieces on a chessboard. Even if it hadn't been the shogun, it would've been other high-ranking officials or shogunate retainers, anyone who could influence the national situation!"

His voice rose with the terrible realization. "But Zechuan wasn't directly instructed by Oboro. His actions came completely from the heart, driven by what he believed was a righteous purpose. Oboro is playing with people's hearts like a master musician plays an instrument. He saw through human nature itself.

He is deliberately creating chaos, turning this world into a living hell and making it extremely difficult for everyone to survive." His words were harsh and bitter, each one tasting of the horror he was beginning to understand.

The more he talked, the more sweat formed on Kagaya's brow. He couldn't help but clench his fists until his knuckles turned white. His entire body trembled with the weight of comprehension.

What kind of man is this? The question echoed in his mind like a death knell: Can I really handle this kind of person?

His father, Ubuyashiki Kuno, had only briefly met Oboro, and there had never been a real "competition" between them. If nothing unexpected happened for the next ten years or more, his small body would have to contend with this monster in human form.

The Ubuyashiki clan had accumulated wisdom for generations, with each leader building upon knowledge paid for with the lives of their ancestors. Kagaya didn't dare claim that his strategy and cunning surpassed his father's. At least, though, everything he had learned so far had been paid for with the blood and sacrifice of those who came before. He wouldn't need to learn these harsh lessons himself; he had inherited them, along with his burden.

"Your father once said that, although his generation didn't accomplish as much as he'd hoped for the Demon Slayer Corps, he was most proud of training an outstanding successor like you." Giyu's voice carried genuine warmth as he sensed the turmoil in his young leader's heart.

These words made Kagaya's eyes soften, and he felt something shift within his chest: a reminder of duty, legacy, and the trust placed in him.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Sorry, I lost my composure for a moment." The admission came with a rueful smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Regardless of whether he could deal with Oboro, retreat was not an option. The weight of his mission pressed down on his shoulders like a mantle he could never remove.

"I will find a way to deal with the shogunate. Zechuan's death can be regarded as a sufficient explanation for now."

Kagaya's voice grew more confident as he settled back into his role as leader. "But I think that, as more and more demons are transformed by Oboro and his influence grows, the situation will inevitably change."

His tactical mind began to work through the implications. "The most immediate concern is that the Demon Slayer Corps will be further infiltrated by Shogunate influence. Secularly speaking, we have no way to completely separate ourselves from the political regime. However, I will do everything in my power to protect the core strength of our Pillar-level demon slayers and prevent outside interference from disturbing them."

Kagaya's eyes grew distant as he contemplated the bigger picture. "As my father always said, everyone has a purpose behind their actions. Judging from what Oboro has done, he doesn't seem to want to directly target the Demon Slayer Corps or Muzan. Nor does he appear interested in controlling the government for its own sake."

The young leader's insight cut deep into the heart of the mystery. "Honestly, based on my observations of this man, his skills, influence, and reach, I wouldn't be surprised if he replaced the Tokugawa clan and became the new ruler. He can definitely accomplish it, and it wouldn't be particularly difficult for someone of his capabilities."

"What he wants to do, what he is doing now, is subverting the world itself and fundamentally changing the ecological environment in which all life exists."

When he spoke these words, Kagaya's voice carried a gravity that seemed to age him beyond his years. A gleam of hard-won wisdom flickered in his eyes. "Different environments breed different forms of life, just as there are fish in the sea and birds in the sky. If the environment changes, then we, including Muzan and his demons, must adapt or perish."

"Survival of the fittest?" Giyu frowned, grasping the implications; his voice was heavy with understanding.

It sounded like forcing everyone to evolve or die, a terrifying prospect that reframed everything they thought they knew about their enemy.

"This is just my theory, inferred from patterns in his behavior," Kagaya said, taking a deep breath to center himself before continuing. "He is profoundly dissatisfied with the world as it currently exists.

However, he has deliberately left a backdoor, a way forward, whether it's us in the Demon Slayer Corps or the demons themselves."

"What do you mean?" Giyu leaned forward, sensing they were approaching something crucial.

"On our side, it's Oboro and the breathing techniques he taught us. As for Muzan's side, it's unclear for now, but it should be related to the demons he has transformed, the ones outside of Muzan's direct control."

Kagaya's voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "Now, I finally understand why my father feared him so deeply."

"I admit that I am terrified of him. I have never met him face-to-face, but the real reason I fear him is that it should be impossible for any 'human' to orchestrate something like this. Even Muzan, with all his demonic power, can't manipulate the world on this scale, yet this person, this Oboro, "

His voice trailed off before he found the strength to continue. "I have this overwhelming feeling that he can actually succeed in whatever he's planning."

The silence that followed was heavy with the weight of that admission.

"We need to prepare our strategy well in advance," Kagaya finally said, his voice regaining some strength. "Call the others. It's time for a joint meeting of all the Pillars."

"Yes, sir." Giyu rose to carry out the order, though he was also shaken by what he had heard. Despite the terrifying implications of their discussion, Kagaya's calm analysis, mature judgment, and composure at such a young age filled Giyu with confidence about the future of the Demon Slayer Corps.

In stark contrast to the political troubles the Demon Slayer Corps faced with the shogunate, Muzan's camp faced a much more immediate and brutal problem: they were running out of demons.

During this chaotic period, Giyu could have remained comfortable in his mansion, enjoying the quiet life of a wealthy daimyo. Instead, he found himself running back and forth across the country like a common messenger, busy as hell and twice as frustrated.

He spent his nights hunting for fresh blood and transforming promising candidates into demons at a pace unthinkable in more peaceful times.

The number of demons under his command was decreasing at an alarming rate. It wasn't only the Demon Slayer Corps targeting his creations; civilians and even the shogunate's own armies had joined the hunt.

Information spread first through underground networks, but it quickly became common knowledge. As soon as a demon appeared, someone would target it immediately. While ordinary people posed a limited threat, their involvement inevitably attracted the attention of the Demon Slayer Corps' swordsmen.

Consequently, the demons under Muzan's command had nowhere to hide and no safe territory to which they could retreat when wounded or weakened.

Fortunately, the recent wars and general chaos throughout the country meant that the shogunate had little energy to spare for organized demon hunting; they were too busy trying to maintain basic order and stability.

However, people were becoming increasingly familiar with demon behavior, as well as increasingly determined to eliminate the threat.

Muzan realized that, since Oboro's appearance less than two years ago, the Lower Moons of the Twelve Demon Moons had been completely replaced twice over. The turnover was staggering and unsustainable.

After the Shogun's assassination, the situation for demons became increasingly difficult due to various compounding factors. The swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps had grown stronger, particularly the Pillars, who had achieved the previously unthinkable feat of consistently killing Lower Moon demons.

This desperate situation forced Muzan to consider a strategic withdrawal. Perhaps it was time to temporarily stop creating new demons and allow the false impression to spread that the demon threat had diminished or even disappeared entirely.

The situation was made even more infuriating by rumors persisting in various regions about demons causing trouble. However, Muzan was certain these demons were not his pawns.

The only logical explanation was that they were Oboro's creations, the demons that existed outside of Muzan's blood-based control system.

This made it impossible for Muzan to "calm the situation" or divert public attention away from the demon threat. Every time people began to relax their guard, another incident occurred, reigniting their fear and hatred.

Muzan was baffled by how Oboro transformed humans into demons without using his blood. This method was a complete mystery, and his ignorance of it ate at him like acid.

However, he didn't dare confront Oboro directly to demand answers.

However, he had to admit that the current crisis wasn't entirely without benefits.

First, the intense survival pressure that demons now faced had dramatically improved the quality of the remaining demons. The weak had been systematically eliminated, leaving only the strongest, smartest, and most adaptable demons alive.

Second, although public hostility toward demons had reached new heights, the current state of social upheaval, with its widespread bloodshed and desperate living conditions, had created better "hunting" opportunities for the surviving demons. Chaos was a predator's friend.

Of course, the same principle applied to the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. As the demons grew stronger, the demon slayers had to grow stronger too.

It was a deadly arms race with no clear end in sight.

Muzan truly despised feeling pushed around by forces beyond his control and being reactive rather than setting the agenda himself.

He was further uneasy knowing that the demons transformed by Oboro were immune to his blood's influence and control.

Given the complicated web of relationships and conflicts, this fundamental difference meant that those independent demons would eventually seek him out for a confrontation.

When that day came, what would he do?

The question haunted him as he stared into the night, knowing that, somewhere in the darkness, forces beyond his understanding were reshaping the world according to someone else's vision.