I don't want to be an elf!

Although based on her past experience, she still believes that Muzan Kibutsuji is stronger, it is undeniable that Kotori Itsuka is also quite powerful.

The aura emanating from the figure standing amidst the flames even gave her a faint feeling of facing...that person.

"Flame... Breath of the Sun..."

As if she had made a connection to something, a thoughtful look flickered in Tamayo's eyes.

If anyone could definitively defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, she would only give one answer.

Five hundred years ago, the man who instilled deep fear in Muzan Kibutsuji.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the strongest swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps throughout history.

Tamayo's gaze couldn't help but drift to Nezuko, who was blinking her eyes beside her.

If the reason this girl was able to maintain her sanity even after becoming a demon is that her family inherited a portion of the essence of Sun Breathing...

Is Kotori Itsuka also connected in some way with that man who was unstoppable back then?

Looking at Kotori Itsuka's red hair and red eyes, a conjecture appeared in Tamayo's mind.

"Could it be... a descendant of Yoriichi Tsugikuni?"

Tamayo's calm expression was now tinged with a hint of anticipation because of her own speculation.

If Kotori Itsuka truly inherited Yoriichi Tsugikuni's bloodline, then it would indeed explain why, after becoming a demon, she not only possessed extraordinary strength without doing anything, but also maintained her rationality like Nezuko.

Tamayo still clearly remembers how powerful that man was.

Even the progenitor of demons was as insignificant as an ant before the man who used the lost breathing technique, Sun Breathing, and could not even withstand the power of his sword.

If her guess is correct, then Kotori Itsuka might actually be able to end the war between humans and demons.

Even if it weren't true, Tamayo would only be slightly disappointed.

After all, being protected by such a powerful being would provide a great deal of security for someone like her who lives between humans and demons.

Taking a deep breath and suppressing her chaotic emotions, Tamayo slowly began to speak.

“I am willing to join your organization,” Tamayo said. “Although I cannot fight, I have some knowledge in pharmacology. If you encounter other demons who are willing to join the organization, I can treat them so that they can maintain their sanity without eating people.”

"Since Lady Tamayo has said so..."

Although somewhat reluctant, Yushiro always agreed with Tamayo's decisions and chimed in, "Then, I have no choice but to join as well."

However, after saying that, he immediately added, "Although we have joined your organization, you must understand that we are not your servants. If you want to instruct Lady Tamayo to do anything dangerous, I will not agree!"

"Don't worry, I won't make you do dangerous work," Kotori Itsuka said. "On the contrary, you just need to continue doing your jobs well."

The three continued their discussion for a while longer.

After reaching a consensus, Ratatosk officially welcomed two new members.

Chapter Eight: An Unexpected Encounter in the Woods

The negotiations went very smoothly.

Having become a member of Ratatoskr, Tamayo and Kotori Itsuka's relationship was no longer that of strangers.

After accepting Kotori Itsuka's offer to recruit her, Tamayo coughed lightly twice and said, "Commander, may I have some of your blood drawn?"

"of course."

Kotori Itsuka nodded without hesitation.

Tamayo's main profession is a doctor, or rather, a researcher in the field of pharmaceuticals.

Through her continuous research, she finally got the chance to break free from Muzan Kibutsuji's control at the right opportunity.

Even after breaking free from control, she did not stop her research.

She not only successfully adjusted her physiological structure, allowing her to maintain her sanity without eating human flesh, but also created Yushiro, a demon who is not only unaffected by Muzan's control, but can even remain unharmed by drinking just a little bit of blood.

But she was not satisfied with that.

They even wanted to go further and develop a drug that could turn ghosts into humans.

In fact, Tamayo did succeed before the original story ended.

Although Kotori Itsuka didn't think that the spirit's blood could contribute to her research, nor did she think that Tamayo and the medicine of this era could unravel the mystery of the spirits, it was just some blood. Since she wanted it, she would give it to her.

If we can actually come up with something, that would be a pleasant surprise.

"Thank you," Tamayo said gratefully. "The more samples I have, the higher the chance that I can create a medicine that turns demons back into humans. It would be even better if the Commander could obtain the blood of powerful demons in the future, such as the blood of the Twelve Demon Moons."

"I will naturally try my best to meet the requests of my subordinates."

"Then let's not delay any longer. Commander, please come with me to my base in Asakusa."

After choosing to trust Kotori Itsuka, Tamayo no longer held anything back.

Just as the group was about to head to Tamayo's secluded hideout in Asakusa, Tanjiro Kamado's expression changed slightly.

"Someone's coming," he said nervously, "and very soon!"

If a former Demon Slayer Corps member could say that the person was very fast, then the newcomer was obviously also a Demon Slayer Corps member.

Kotori Itsuka frowned slightly.

It seems that when he just displayed his strength, his aura was detected by the Demon Slayer Corps members who happened to be nearby.

"Tsk, that's really troublesome."

Kotori Itsuka clicked her tongue in displeasure.

During this period, the number of Demon Slayer Corps members stationed near Asakusa has indeed increased compared to the past.

According to the timeline of the original story, Tanjiro Kamado encountered Muzan Kibutsuji in Asakusa. Muzan Kibutsuji also caused several disturbances in Asakusa to hide his tracks, so the Demon Slayer Corps would naturally pay more attention to this area.

Kyojuro Rengoku was transferred here because of the commotion in Asakusa.

However, Kotori Itsuka did not expect that they would encounter members of the Demon Slayer Corps even in the suburbs outside Asakusa.

"Commander, I think I smell your scent on that person," Tanjiro Kamado added hesitantly.

"My scent?"

Kotori Itsuka was taken aback at first.

If Tanjiro Kamado smells her scent on the newcomer, then there is only one possible identity left.

Her brother, Rengoku Kyojuro.

Kotori Itsuka, who had just been thinking of organizing the others to run away together, immediately abandoned the idea.

While she could certainly escape, others might not be able to.

As one of the strongest members of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kyojuro Rengoku can reach speeds comparable to a cheetah once he unleashes his full Breathing Technique.

Even if Kotori Itsuka manages to escape, Tamayo and Yushiro, whose physical strength is not high, and Tanjiro Kamado, who has not yet mastered the Breathing Technique, will definitely be caught up.

In this world, there are only a handful of people and ghosts who meet the standards to join Ratatosk, and she can't let her precious members perish here.

"You all go and hide inside Yushiro's barrier first."

Before Kotori Itsuka appeared, Yushiro had set up a barrier nearby to conceal his presence so that they could observe her.

The barrier hasn't been removed yet, so it can be reused.

"how about you?"

Tanjiro Kamado thought she was preparing to cover their retreat alone and was unwilling to enter the barrier. He gripped his Nichirin Blade and said, "I can't leave you here. The Demon Slayer Corps will not show mercy to demons."

"rest assured."

Kotori Itsuka's divine armor vanished instantly, replaced by an ordinary kimono: "The person who came must be my brother. He doesn't know I'm a demon. Leave the rest to me."

"Your brother?"

“That’s right.” Kotori Itsuka chuckled softly, “The current Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku.”

Upon hearing this, not only Tanjiro Kamado, but also Tamayo and Yushiro widened their eyes slightly.

They had no idea that Kotori Itsuka's brother was also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

He is even the strongest Pillar-level member of the Demon Slayer Corps, the current Flame Pillar.

The most outrageous thing is that, as a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, the other party didn't even know that his sister was also a demon...

Was it Kotori Itsuka's disguise too sophisticated, or was the other party's nerves too thick?

However, after learning that the visitor was Kotori Itsuka's brother, everyone's anxiety eased considerably.

Kotori Itsuka took two hair ribbons out of her kimono pocket and quickly put on the white one under the puzzled gazes of the crowd.

Then, he straightened his clothes and stood still, waiting for Rengoku Kyojuro to approach rapidly.

In her mind, she was quickly thinking of the excuse she should give after meeting Rengoku Kyojuro.

Did I end up here because of my evening walk?

What a joke! It's past midnight; people who are going for a walk would have already gone.

Want to get out and enjoy nature?

This excuse seemed a bit contrived, since Rengoku Kyojuro had told her that there were ghosts in Asakusa recently. Given that Shirokotori is easily startled, it's impossible that she would know there was danger but still go out at night.

"Have it!"

A sudden inspiration struck her, and Kotori Itsuka stepped back into the barrier.

He glanced around at everyone, his gaze settling on Yushiro.

Feeling Kotori Itsuka's gaze fixed on him, Yushiro involuntarily took a few steps back and asked warily, "What... what do you want to do?"

"Come here you."

Without any intention of seeking the other party's opinion, Kotori Itsuka grabbed him with her small hand and pulled him out of the barrier.

Tamayo's mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to ask something.

However, she also sensed the approaching presence and had no choice but to shut her mouth.

Yushiro was completely stunned when he was pulled out of the barrier.

He wanted to get back into the barrier as soon as possible, but Kotori Itsuka's hand was as still as if it were made of steel.