Chapter 219

"Hmm."

Shinoda Shun slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually returning to clarity. A dull pain radiated from his chest as he breathed, causing him to involuntarily furrow his brow.

Only a few faint rays of light seeped through the window cracks into the dim room.

Shinoda Shun tried moving his neck; thick gauze was wrapped around it.

"Where is this."

Memories surged like a tide. The final scene froze on that blond man grabbing his neck, and then he lost consciousness.

Shinoda Shun subconsciously reached for his waist, but grasped nothing. The Nichirin Blade was gone. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

A faint bloody smell lingered in the room. Shinoda Shun leaned against the wall and stood up, his steps somewhat unsteady.

He pushed open the door, and cold air rushed at his face.

Upon seeing the scene before him clearly, his pupils abruptly contracted.

At the far end of the hall, a massive stone throne towered high. Dio was leaning against it, one leg draped over the armrest.

He was toying with a crystal goblet in his hand, the crimson liquid swaying within.

And crouching beside his leg was a hair-raising monster, a gigantic black hound, but its head was a woman's skull.

"Ugh."

A powerful wave of nausea surged up his throat; Shinoda Shun covered his mouth, his stomach churning violently.

He had seen countless evil demons, but this kind of monster that transmuted living humans was more revolting than any demon.

"Awake?" Dio looked at Shinoda Shun's reaction with amusement, reaching out to stroke the monster's skull, "Like my new pet?"

"You... what did you do to her?" Shinoda Shun forcibly suppressed his revulsion, his voice trembling.

"Just a little modification." Dio said lazily, "This is my invention, fusing humans and animals to create creatures completely obedient to me."

"Why didn't you kill me!" Shinoda Shun gritted his teeth against the disgust, staring dead at the figure on the throne.

"Hehe." Dio chuckled lightly, his slender fingers stroking the monster's skull, "That old hag was also from the Demon Slayer Corps, but merely a peripheral member; she knew too little intelligence. But you"

A trace of playfulness flashed in his golden pupils, "Possess the intelligence I want."

"Hmph!" Shinoda Shun sneered, "Even if you kill me, I won't tell you anything!"

"Oh? Is that so." Dio set the goblet on the armrest and slowly stood up. He looked down at Shinoda Shun from above: "I anticipated you would say that. However."

"Did you think I would use such crude methods to interrogate you? Compared to violence, I prefer taming."

Two Corpse Puppets instantly burst from the darkness, seizing Shinoda Shun's arms left and right, pinning him down fast.

Dio walked slowly before Shinoda Shun, reached out, and plucked a single golden strand of hair.

Under Shinoda Shun's gaze, that strand of hair began to writhe, gradually swelling and deforming, finally turning into a worm thick as a thumb.

"Retch." Shinoda Shun's throat spasmed, stomach acid surging up.

"Just put this thing inside your brain." Dio pinched the worm and brought it near Shinoda Shun's forehead, "And you will become my most loyal servant."

"No, stop!"

Dio's fingertip pressed against his forehead; with slight force, the skin split open into a tiny wound.

That pale worm immediately burrowed into the brain, and under Dio's deliberate control, left almost no trace on the outside.

"Ah!!!" Shinoda Shun's body convulsed violently, his eyes rolling back.

A few seconds later, Shinoda Shun's body suddenly stopped trembling; he slowly stood up, turned toward Dio, then knelt heavily.

"Dio-sama." His voice was filled with fanatical adoration, "Your loyal servant pays his respects to you."

Dio sat back on the throne, gently swirling the blood cup in his hand: "Tell me, what exactly is the Demon Slayer Corps' strongest strength?"

"With my ability, I couldn't survive a single round against even the weakest 'Hashira'." Shinoda Shun still maintained the kneeling posture, his voice carrying a tremor, "Those monsters, every one of them possesses strength far beyond ordinary people."

"Hashira?" A flicker of interest flashed in Dio's eyes.

"Yes, they are the Demon Slayer Corps' nine strongest swordsmen, each possessing a unique Breathing Technique."

"Then, what about the Demon King Muzan?"

"The Demon King." Shinoda Shun paused, "No one has ever seen his true appearance; even the Demon Slayer Corps' spies have never successfully tracked him."

"Moreover, he has six strongest demons under him, called Upper Rank. Their strength is second only to Muzan; they have never been killed by any swordsman. Each possesses an extremely powerful Blood Demon Art."

Dio leaned on the throne, sinking into pondering; based on Shinoda Shun's intelligence, this world's power system was far more complex than imagined.

With his current ability, he probably still could not contend with those top powerhouses; before dealing with Muzan, he needed to first strengthen his own forces.

Dio looked at Shinoda Shun: "Tell me, how does the Demon Slayer Corps operate? What is the relationship between you and the Imperial Court?"

"Replying to Dio-sama, the Demon Slayer Corps is managed generation after generation by the Ubuyashiki Family." Shinoda Shun answered respectfully, "All funds and equipment come from this family's private assets."

A sharp glint flashed in Dio's eyes, an organization not relying on the government, entirely privately managed...

"Come." Dio ordered softly; a Corpse Puppet immediately walked out from the shadows, both hands holding Shinoda Shun's Nichirin Blade.

"Take it." Dio gestured to Shinoda Shun, "I want you to return to the Demon Slayer Corps and continue your work."

Shinoda Shun took the blade, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Master's meaning is"

"You will receive my instructions soon." Dio's voice carried an unquestionable command, "Until then, do not expose your true identity."

Shinoda Shun was just about to rise when Dio suddenly spoke: "Wait. You cannot return just like that."

Shinoda Shun immediately understood Dio's meaning; he drew the Nichirin Blade without hesitation, the blade flashing a cold light.

"Pfft!"

Blood sprayed, the left arm fell to the ground in response; his face showed not the slightest expression of pain, as if the severed limb was not his own.

Shinoda Shun gritted his teeth, immediately circulating the Water Breathing Technique, condensing his breath to staunch the bleeding.

Dio tossed him a cloth bundle: "Inside is what you need. Remember, do not let anyone discover your true identity."

Shinoda Shun knelt on one knee: "As you command, Master. This subordinate will certainly not fail your trust."

One day later, inside the imperial palace in the capital, a violent fit of coughing rang out.

"Ugh." Emperor Meiji raised his hand, and another mouthful of fresh blood spurted onto the handkerchief. He trembled as he wiped the corner of his mouth, his face as pale as paper.

"Your Majesty!" The maids rushed in upon hearing the sound. "Shall we call a doctor?" "Get out!" Emperor Meiji waved his hand violently, the teacup smashing to the ground and shattering. "All of you, get out!"

The maids hurriedly withdrew, leaving Emperor Meiji alone.

He leaned against the couch, his gaze falling on the prescription on the table. The doctor said his condition was worsening day by day, and he had at most three years left to live.

"Why..." He clutched the blanket, his knuckles turning white. "Why can't I live a few more years? I don't want to die, I don't want to die like this!"

"Heh heh." A low laugh suddenly echoed in the sleeping palace.

Emperor Meiji sat up abruptly. "Who?!"

"I can fulfill your wish."

A low voice suddenly rang out in the room. Emperor Meiji turned his head sharply, only to see a blond man standing in the corner of the room at some unknown time.

"Protect—" Emperor Meiji was about to cry out when a hand seized his throat like lightning.

That hand was cold, not like that of a human. Emperor Meiji felt as if a poisonous snake had wrapped around his neck.

"You want to live, don't you?" Dio's voice carried temptation. "Become my slave, and you can gain eternal life!"

The veins on his arm writhed, and a stream of dark red blood flowed from his fingertips into Emperor Meiji's neck.

"Ah!"

The intense pain made Emperor Meiji scream. Dio released his hand, and he fell heavily to the ground, his body twitching uncontrollably.

Dio walked unhurriedly to the throne and sat down, appreciating the scene before him.

Gradually, Emperor Meiji stopped struggling.

He slowly stood up, feeling the power surging within his body. The illnesses that had troubled him for many years had completely disappeared, replaced by unprecedented vitality.

But when his gaze fell upon Dio, a sense of suppression from the depths of his bloodline suddenly surged into his heart.

Emperor Meiji's knees knelt uncontrollably. It was an irresistible impulse, as if his entire body should submit to the man before him.

He crawled to Dio's feet and devoutly kissed his boots. "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master, for granting me new life."

"Rise, my servant."

Dio nodded in satisfaction, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "Tell me, do you know the Ubuyashiki Family?"

"I do." Emperor Meiji replied respectfully. "They are one of the richest merchants in the country, with family assets spread throughout the nation."

"I do not wish for this family to continue to exist." Dio stood up. "Then... you know what to do, right?"

"Understood, Master." Emperor Meiji nodded, turned, and walked to the door. "Come in!"

A young maid in a kimono quickly walked into the hall.

Seeing Dio in the room, she was visibly stunned for a moment. That overly perfect face and golden hair were especially jarring in Japan of this era, but she dared not say anything more.

"Go, issue the order." Emperor Meiji's voice was calm. "Have the Army Chief of Staff come see me immediately. Tell him I have important matters to discuss."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The maids immediately withdrew.

A smile curled at the corner of Dio's mouth. "Very well. The first step... starts with dismantling the foundation of the Ubuyashiki Family."

………………

Butterfly Mansion, in a quiet ward.

"Mm."

Zenitsu slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness still somewhat hazy.

He tried to prop himself up, but tearing pain spread throughout his body. Looking down, he saw that his body was wrapped in thick bandages.

"Don't move." A gentle voice sounded. "You overused Thunder Breathing during the battle, and your muscles and nerves suffered severe damage."

Zenitsu turned his head and saw Kanao sitting by the bedside, holding a bowl of warm water.

"How long was I unconscious?" Zenitsu picked up the warm water and drank it.

Kanao placed the bowl aside. "It's been three days."

"Three days?!" Zenitsu sat up abruptly, straining his muscles, and gasped in pain.

At this moment, Zenitsu was stunned. His memories of the battle were a complete blank; he only remembered using Thunder Breathing, and after that, he knew nothing.

"Brother Tsuga!" Zenitsu suddenly grabbed Kanao's wrist. "How is Brother Tsuga?"

Kanao's expression was serious. "Brother Jindai was found by the search and rescue team on the second day, at a location far from you. His injuries were even more severe than yours, and he still hasn't woken up."

Zenitsu bit his lip, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes. "It's all because I'm too useless."

At this moment, the room door was suddenly pushed open. A Kakushi wearing a black haori quickly walked in. "Adult Zenitsu, the Hashira wish to see you."

"What? Hashira?!" Zenitsu's voice jumped an octave, and he shrank into the blanket. "Why, why do they want to see me?"

The Kakushi's expression was serious. "It's about Aoyama Town."

"No!" Zenitsu hugged the blanket and trembled. "I don't remember anything, and... and the Hashira are too scary."

Before Zenitsu could say anything else, the Kakushi stepped forward and neatly hoisted him onto his back.

"Wait, wait! I can walk myself!" Zenitsu struggled in panic.

At this time, in the conference room of the Ubuyashiki residence, the atmosphere was heavy.

Shinobu spread out the report in her hand. "According to the on-site investigation, although these converted people possess demon characteristics, they differ greatly from ordinary demons."

"What is the difference?" Giyu Tomioka asked, arms crossed.

Her finger tapped the paper. "First, they have no obvious demonization traits and can even perfectly disguise themselves as ordinary people. Even more strangely, they have no reaction to wisteria at all."

"The most dangerous thing is," her voice became serious, "although these monsters are not strong individually, they seem able to reproduce quickly. In just a few days, they converted all the residents of Aoyama Town."

"How pitiful, it's just like a plague." Stone Pillar Yan Zhu Bei Ming Xing Ming said in a low voice.

At this moment, the conference room door was pushed open, and the Kakushi walked in carrying Zenitsu, who had curled up into a ball.

"Excuse me," the Kakushi bowed slightly. "I have brought Adult Zenitsu here."

Everyone's gazes converged on the trembling Zenitsu.

(Chapter End)