Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

Seeing Kokushibo neatly sheathe his sword and turn to leave, Yukina took two steps forward, reached out, and gently tugged at the hem of Kokushibo's deep purple haori.

The fabric feels slightly cool and thick to the touch.

Almost simultaneously, Kokushibo subconsciously revealed a murderous intent, but quickly suppressed it.

He looked at her silently, as if waiting for her to speak.

"what?"

Yukina was startled by the chill she had just felt. She patted her chest and calmed herself down.

Then, she straightened her small body, placed her hands neatly at her sides, and bowed earnestly to the tall, mountain-like warrior in front of her.

"Thank you... Uncle."

Although she was still afraid of those six eyes, she had to thank him. Besides, this uncle had just helped her and hadn't hurt her.

Kokushibo watched quietly as the child's black curly hair slipped down his shoulders as he bowed.

He is a child who knows proper etiquette.

As expected of Muzan-sama's bloodline.

His expression remained unchanged; he merely nodded slightly and replied, "No need. I am simply obeying your orders, sir."

When the word "sir" reached Yukina's ears, her eyes lit up instantly.

It turns out this uncle is someone Dad knows!

wrong……

Dad seems to only play with ghosts, so this uncle must be a ghost too.

"Uncle! Can you take me to find my dad?"

Although the courtyard was beautiful, she didn't like being alone.

Moreover, her teeth are gone!

Although her new tooth had grown in, it was the first tooth she had ever lost.

It is very memorable.

Upon hearing this, Kokushibo frowned.

Confusion surfaced in the six golden eyes.

As a direct descendant of Muzan, couldn't she directly connect with him through blood?

He asked directly, "Why didn't you contact the adults directly?"

"Contact directly?"

Yukina tilted her head, even more puzzled, and subconsciously scratched her head with her little hand. "Uncle, how do I contact him?"

She didn't quite understand.

Looking at her blank and ignorant expression, Kokushibo's confusion deepened.

This child... how come he doesn't even know this most basic thing...?

The "dull-witted" assessment that was about to surface was forcibly suppressed when he saw her red eyes, which resembled those of Lord Muzan.

No.

This is the offspring of Lord Muzan.

He composed himself and said succinctly, "In the brain... with intention."

"oh--!"

Yukina suddenly realized, but then she pursed her lips again.

"I've tried it before. But it gives me a headache... a really, really bad headache."

That was a deep impression she had when her father made her try it not long after she became a ghost.

Whether she takes the initiative to contact them or receives the messages passively, it makes her head ache as if it's being pricked with needles.

But... that was a long, long time ago.

She's grown a little bit now.

Should we try again...?

This idea, like a small hook, gently piqued her interest.

I don't seem to remember the specific feeling of that headache anymore.

Let's try again! Just shout it out quietly!

She took a deep breath and began to tentatively call out in her mind:

"dad?"

The sound was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum.

……

Kyoto.

Muzan, disguised as a noble lady, was leaning back elegantly, toying with a newly acquired Western import.

Suddenly, his fingers paused.

He thought he heard Yukina's voice.

Is it just my imagination?

He ignored it and continued to focus his attention back on his own thoughts.

However, the next moment——

"dad!"

"Daddy, Daddy!"

"Dad, are you there?"

"dad--!"

A series of excited and tentative child voices rang in his mind!

"stop!"

But the little guy over there seemed to have just mastered a new skill and was having a blast playing with it. His calls didn't stop; instead, they became even more cheerful because he got a response.

"Daddy, daddy, daddy!"

Muzan felt his temples begin to throb.

He raised his hand and pressed hard on his temple.

It's so noisy...

I used to think she couldn't even handle a basic connection of consciousness, that she was utterly useless...

just now……

I really want her to turn back into that useless person!

It's just as unbearable as Doma's incessant rambling.

No, it's still a bit better than Doma.

"If you call me again, I'll..."

Xue Nai found it very novel and shouted many times until she heard the sinister threat from the other side, at which point she stopped.

"Dad, I think my headache doesn't hurt anymore!"

"What? Do I need to praise you?"

...

In the courtyard.

Xue Nai's eyes shone brightly, and a radiant smile bloomed on her small face.

She turned to Kokushibo, who had not yet left, her voice crisp and clear:

"Uncle! I think I can do it! I can hear Daddy talking!"

Her father used to say she was stupid, but now he's praising her.

I'm so happy!

Kokushibo silently watched the child in front of him whose mood had instantly brightened from cloudy to sunny.

Now that she has been able to contact Lord Muzan, his mission is completely complete, and there is no need for him to linger any longer.

Without uttering a word, he turned around and left quickly.

"Hey? Uncle! Goodbye, Uncle!"

Yukina then realized what was happening, and quickly waved her little hand at his retreating figure, saying goodbye loudly.

It wasn't until the purple figure completely disappeared that Yukina belatedly realized what had happened.

Oh, I forgot to ask this kind six-eyed uncle his name.

I also forgot to tell him my name.

But it's okay, she can ask her dad.

Now, let's respond to Dad first!

She refocused, her little face flushed, and even the voice in her head carried an undisguised joy and anticipation:

"Really? Daddy, can you really praise me?"

She was already imagining in her mind how her father would praise her!

People might say, "Yukina is so smart!"

This thought made her smile secretly.

Wait, no, no...

She quickly shook her head again, her black hair swaying slightly with the movement.

My dad's personality... doesn't seem like he'd praise people so directly.

My father always had a stern face and spoke very briefly.

Well... maybe he'd just say something like "barely acceptable"?

Even though it doesn't sound that enthusiastic, she'll still be very happy!

Or, would Dad say in a tone that sounds impatient but is actually praising, "At least you're not that stupid anymore"?

She was immersed in the various "praise scenarios" she had created, her little face full of expectant blush, and she even unconsciously tiptoed.

Until a cold voice came from the other end:

"Can't."

Xuena:?

She blinked, then blinked again, her eyes slowly turning into two bewildered, beady eyes filled with huge question marks.

Huh...?

"What about that sentence you just said?" she asked, puzzled.

"Just kidding."

In his Kyoto mansion, Muzan could almost see her dazed little face, and couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

They're still so easy to fool.

Stupid.

In the courtyard, cherry blossoms continued to fall silently.

Yukina stood there, maintaining her beady expression, and remained frozen for several more seconds.

Playing...me...

What does that mean?