One Piece: With Sign-in System

"You say wha—"

Hot-headed as always, Sanemi Shinazugawa was about to snap when—

"Sanemi, calm down," came Kagaya Ubuyashiki's gentle voice beside him.

Sanemi glanced at the master of the mansion. Remembering how Kagaya had just bowed to Ron on his behalf, a bitter knot twisted in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists and lowered his head, forcefully pushing back his frustration.

Kagaya looked toward Ron. "Mr. Ron, regarding Muzan Kibutsuji and the Twelve Kizuki… do you happen to know anything about them? Anything you're willing to share?"

The other Hashira all turned to face Ron at once.

"You people want to find Muzan… and kill him, don't you?"

"Of course!" Kyojuro Rengoku declared, "Even if it costs me my life, I'll gladly pay the price!"

Ron flicked his gaze toward him. "And who exactly is willing to die? Just you? Or every last member of the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Obanai Iguro responded solemnly, "All of us. The Corps exists for one reason—to kill Muzan Kibutsuji."

Ron's eyes swept across the group. Even Mitsuri Kanroji, with her usually bubbly demeanor, wore an expression of unwavering determination. Each one of them looked like they had already accepted their fate.

Kagaya spoke softly, "Life is something immeasurably precious. If I had my way, I would want every single one of my people to live. But Muzan Kibutsuji is not an enemy that can be taken lightly. If the Demon Slayer Corps lacks the resolve to face death… who knows how many more innocent lives he will take in the future…"

"Lord Ubuyashiki speaks the truth!" Rengoku said with a spirited grin, his eyes blazing. "To fight demons, one must be prepared to die! When compared to the countless innocent lives that might fall to Muzan, our own lives are insignificant!"

Ron gave a small nod. "Is that so… Since you've all come with death in your hearts, then I suppose I'll teach you how to kill Muzan Kibutsuji."

Everyone straightened at once.

Even Sanemi fixed his full attention on Ron, his earlier irritation forgotten.

"To lure Muzan out… first, you have to understand what he desires—and what he fears."

His words left the room stunned.

"Muzan Kibutsuji… desires and fears something?" Mitsuri tilted her head, her soft round face clouded with confusion.

"As the King of Demons, is it even possible for him to fear anything?" someone murmured.

"Of course," Ron said with a smirk. "Why else do you think he's stayed hidden in the shadows all these centuries, never daring to show himself to the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Shinobu Kocho's brows twitched slightly as if she recalled something. "Could it be… because of that swordsman?"

"Swordsman?"

The others looked puzzled.

Shinobu clarified, "There was a swordsman around four hundred years ago who created Breathing Styles. His name was Yoriichi Tsugikuni. They say he once drove Muzan Kibutsuji into a corner, all on his own. That encounter may have been the root of Muzan's fear of death."

The room fell into silence. Everyone was visibly shaken by the revelation.

Sanemi's eyes widened slightly. "Created Breathing Styles… and drove Muzan to the brink… alone?"

He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of monstrous strength that would require.

Rengoku frowned slightly, deep in thought. "I think I've heard of this before… somewhere."

Iguro looked back at Ron. "So if Muzan fears death, what is it that he desires?"

Ron's smile returned. "He's already a being approaching the pinnacle of evolution… and yet, he still faces the possibility of death. He's not perfect. What he truly craves—what he's been chasing for centuries—is to become an immortal being, one who no longer fears even the sun."

A heavy pause followed.

"To that end, he's been searching for something. A very specific item. A mysterious medicinal catalyst called the Blue Spider Lily."

"Blue Spider Lily…" Shinobu murmured, the name foreign even to her as a medical expert.

She had never heard of such a flower being used as an ingredient before.

"What happens if he finds it?" Sanemi asked, unable to hold back.

"Then he'll complete his final evolution. He'll no longer fear sunlight. He'll become the perfect being—immortal and indestructible."

Gasps echoed around the room.

They never imagined that for all these years, Muzan had been pursuing evolution, not merely hiding. If he succeeded… all would be lost.

"…He hasn't appeared before us yet," Kagaya said quietly. "Which must mean… he hasn't found it. We still have time."

His calm voice eased the tension just a little.

"Don't worry."

Ron said. "Muzan Kibutsuji will never find the Blue Spider Lily in his entire life."

Everyone froze in place.

"Eh?!"

Ron leaned back, grinning at the others. "That flower only blooms during the day—and for just two or three days a year."

All eyes were fixed on him, stunned.

Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki couldn't help but chuckle. Then, surprisingly, he laughed out loud for the first time in front of the Hashira. "Hahaha! A medicine that could make him immune to sunlight grows only under the sun... The very thing Muzan craves the most is something he can never hope to witness himself. Seems like the heavens aren't always on Muzan's side."

None of the Hashira had ever seen Kagaya laugh so heartily.

"Hehe."

Shinobu Kocho chuckled softly.

Then Mitsuri Kanroji followed, her face lit up with innocent joy.

Even Kyojuro Rengoku and Tengen Uzui couldn't hold back their laughter.

Sanemi Shinazugawa, Obanai Iguro, Muichiro Tokito, and Gyomei Himejima all relaxed a little, their expressions less tense.

The mood had lightened for the first time in a long while.

It truly was a rare and welcome piece of good news.

But just as quickly as hope bloomed, Ron's next words turned the air heavy again.

"However, apart from the Blue Spider Lily… there is something else in this world that could help Muzan achieve his final evolution."

"What is it?"

Sanemi demanded, his voice sharp with urgency.

"A special demon."

Everyone looked puzzled. "A special demon?"

Ron spoke slowly. "To be precise… a demon that was created through Muzan's own blood experimentation, but due to his carelessness, broke free from his control. This demon doesn't need to consume human flesh or blood, doesn't attack humans, and can even fight alongside humans against demons… A truly special kind of demon."

Shinobu's eyes widened slightly. "You mean—"

"That's impossible! There's no way such a demon could exist!"

Sanemi interrupted furiously, disbelief written all over his face.

Even the others, like Rengoku and the rest, wore skeptical expressions as they stared at Ron.

Shinobu opened her mouth to speak again—but this time, Kagaya intervened.

"You're referring to Kamado Tanjiro's demon sister—Kamado Nezuko, aren't you?"

A collective gasp swept through the room.

"Master, you knew?!"

Kagaya nodded. "Some time ago, the former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, sent me a letter. He mentioned this situation, and Giyu confirmed it."

He then turned his gaze to Ron. "But I never imagined that Nezuko's condition was this… extraordinary."

"If that's the case, we should've gotten rid of her long ago to avoid future trouble!"

Sanemi's bloodlust surged.

Kyojuro stepped forward confidently, hand resting on his katana. "Leave it to me. I can ensure she passes peacefully, without pain."

"Amida Buddha…"

Gyomei clasped his hands in prayer, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Ron's voice remained calm, almost indifferent. "If you'd prefer Muzan to stay hidden for another hundred years, then by all means, go ahead."

His words froze everyone.

"But if you want to draw Muzan out—if you want to end this thousand-year grudge in your generation—then Kamado Nezuko is essential."

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