Demon Slayer: The Tenth Hashira with Dōjutsu

"Shinobu Kocho's Attempted Murder of Her Husband"

The Yoshiwara pleasure district was alive with activity as dusk deepened. Lanterns illuminated the streets, numerous shops already open for business.

The sounds of shamisen music mingled with the general hubbub, creating an almost paradisiacal atmosphere.

Unseen by anyone, Aoki, who had just been battling Daki in the north room on the second floor of Kyogoku House, suddenly appeared on a nearby rooftop, swiftly sheathing his Nichirin Blade.

"Upper Moon Six? Combat power over 4000… quite a bit stronger than me. However, she doesn't seem to be at full strength.

Otherwise, I'd have far fewer opportunities to attack," he murmured. Just as he turned to leave, a blade was pressed against his neck.

Instinctively raising his hands, Aoki activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, preparing a Genjutsu attack. But turning, he saw Shinobu Kocho's smiling face.

Despite the smile, her anger was palpable, evident in the bulging veins throbbing on her forehead.

"Shinobu?" Relieved, Aoki chuckled. "You finally came. I've been waiting for days."

Shinobu Kocho remained silent, the veins on her forehead growing more prominent.

"Shinobu?" Aoki began to suspect something was amiss.

He reached out to touch her cheek, but the blade at his neck halted his hand.

"Die, you scoundrel," Shinobu Kocho said, her voice cold. She raised her Nichirin Blade and lunged, aiming to strike Aoki without mercy.

Aoki instinctively sidestepped, his eyes filled with confusion and disbelief. "Shinobu, what's wrong? I'm Ao—"

Before he could finish, Shinobu Kocho charged again. Aoki had no choice but to retreat.

Thus began a chase across the rooftops of the Yoshiwara.

"Die! You scoundrel! You monster! You heartless man!"

Her sharp cries echoed through the district, drawing the attention of countless onlookers.

"Hey, who are those two?"

"A man and a woman. The woman's chasing the man. Probably a lovers' quarrel."

"That's common in the Yoshiwara."

"But they both have swords."

On the other side of the Yoshiwara, Tengen Uzui, observing the surroundings, heard Shinobu Kocho's shouts.

"Huh? Isn't that Aoki and Shinobu? What are they doing? Why all the commotion?" He watched them, utterly perplexed.

"Shinobu, what's gotten into you?" Aoki tried to reason with her, but this only intensified her fury.

Using his Sharingan, Aoki confirmed it was indeed Shinobu Kocho, and she wasn't under any external influence.

He stopped running, stood facing her, and closed his eyes.

He refused to believe Shinobu Kocho would actually kill him, if everything that had happened so far was real and not some elaborate illusion.

Before he could fully process this, Shinobu Kocho's Nichirin Blade was dangerously close to his throat, stopping just short of striking.

Sensing the blade's imminent threat, Aoki cautiously opened his eyes, meeting Shinobu Kocho's furious gaze.

Her eyes were bloodshot, and she began to sob quietly, slowly lowering her blade.

"Shinobu, what's wrong?" Aoki gently touched her head, his voice soft and concerned.

Shinobu Kocho violently swatted his hand away. "What were you doing in the Yoshiwara? Don't you know… don't you know this place is…"

Aoki suddenly understood.

"Didn't Kanao tell you why I'm here?" Aoki asked.

Shinobu Kocho sobbed, "Yes, and that's why I'm so angry!"

Aoki pressed for clarification. "What exactly did she say?"

Kanao: Master, Aoki-sama asked me to tell you that he and Uzui-sama went to the Yoshiwara, and to hurry and join them.

"You misunderstood! I would never do something like that behind your back! And I told you I was going to the Yoshiwara.

If I wanted to do something sneaky, I wouldn't have sent Kanao to tell you! That's insane!" Aoki pulled Shinobu Kocho into a hug.

"Uzui and I are here on a mission. There's a strong possibility of a Twelve Kizuki hiding in the Yoshiwara, which is why I, as a Hashira, was called in."

"But I saw you go into a building," Shinobu Kocho mumbled into his chest.

Aoki patted her back gently. "That's because I was investigating for demons. And guess what? I ran into Upper Moon Six. It's all right. I would never betray you. I swear."

"You better mean it."

Shinobu Kocho was a completely different person than usual, like a child who'd just had their favorite candy snatched away.

Aoki felt a strange sense of satisfaction, a peculiar feeling of conquest, the reason for which he couldn't quite explain.

After calming Shinobu Kocho, Aoki took her to find Tengen Uzui.

"Lovebirds, could you tone down the public display of affection? Hundreds of people saw you hugging just now," Tengen Uzui said with a sigh. "If a demon sees you, it'll blow our cover."

Aoki simply smirked. "You spent days with nothing to show for it. Pathetic. I just fought a demon."

Tengen Uzui was stunned. He'd spent considerable time trying to lure out the demons in the Yoshiwara, with no success.

Aoki, in just a few days, had not only found a demon but had already fought it.

And the only demon who could survive a fight with Aoki was likely a Twelve Kizuki.

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