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[/cell][cell][sub][sup][sub][h3][b][color=black] Table of Contents[/color]
[color=gainsboro]Table of Contents[/color][/b][/h3][/sub][/sup][/sub][sup]_______________________________________________________________________________[/sup]
[hider=Gekido][center][b][u][i]Kyokan-Ryu Family Headquarters - Patriarch's Office[/i][/u][/b][/center]

[center][b]"...I, am not smart. Or rather, I never considered myself as any sort of intellectual. I never really went to school when I was a kid, and when I did, well, I was more into fights than learning anything. Craziest thing is, My parents, they didn't reprimand or punish me, and they always saw the grades and heard the teachers. On the contrary, they... they actually [i]encouraged[/i] it. My sister was more into being an academic type, she...heh, she was the 'civilized' member of the family; I was more raised to fight and not question why. 'Nothing there for me to learn that I couldn't learn from the streets', they always said, and to be fair, they weren't wrong. I did learn a lot more on the street than I probably ever could in a classroom. But all the same, I never saw myself as any kind of genius in anything. People called me a prodigy at some point for some reason, but only ever in the fight. I couldn't tell you how the Meiji Revolution came to be, I couldn't answer you with anything scientific if I was asked why the sky's blue, and Calculus may as well be a language from another dimension to me. Of course, that also led me to flock around with other people that weren't exactly smart themselves. I have seen and done a lot of stupid things in my time."

"...So I want you all to know that I truly mean it, that I'm not exaggerating in the slightest, and how much significance it holds, when I say that this is the dumbest bullshit of a plan I have [i]EVER[/i] seen!"[/b][/center]

Sitting on the table of his office - an upper floor dojo of their building rather massive in scale that it makes the few pieces of furniture inside look like small toy furniture in comparison - Gekido let out a puff of smoke from his cigarette as he spoke. Behind him and the table were two men and a girl - not Urami - each wearing formal dress attire with a tiny silver badge bearing the crest of the Kyokan-Ryu placed on their lapel. In front of him, however, were a small army, somewhere around a hundred men, all having varied attires from casual to formal and wearing a bronze version of the same badge somewhere on their body.

Each and every one of them had the same negative looks, of fear and anger, and they're all collectively focusing it on their Patriarch.

To his right side, of course, was his Consort and partner Urami wearing a golden badge - top of the hierarchy aside from the Patriarch - looking at them all with a sense of professional disappointment, as if they were all cashiers stealing from the register of her store.

[b]"You know, I'm not even mad, really, just disappointed, and very confused. I can't say I'm surprised that any of you decided to stage a coup against me either. Most of you are bunch of low-life fucking outcasts who were brought to me because your previous families wanted nothing to do with any of you. It was only a matter of time before some among you showed your true colors. I knew if I left you alone eventually you'd try to backstab me to prove to the Chairman you're worthy of my position in his organization."[/b] His stare towards them as he said this was akin to a spear through their chest.

[b]"That's not what upsets me, what upsets and perplexes me most is your timing. Two weeks ago, I was stripped of my power in preparation for the Bloodrite Ritual, and as if that wasn't enough, that fucker Ryunosuke kicked my ass when he broke free. For that entire week I was diminished and weaken; Any of you could have killed me in that state, you had the perfect window of opportunity and not one of you took it. Then the time comes, I beat Rikyo, I take his position and become even stronger than I was before... and THAT'S when you stage a mutiny!? Bold of you to wait until I'm better than my best; why not just walk up and try to kill Chairman Michikatsu while you're at it?"[/b] He said, letting out a chuckle near the end while resisting the urge to laugh at the absurdity of it all. He went silent for a few moments to take a deep sigh, squeezing the cigarette with his fist, opening it to find only blackened ash falling to dust on the floor, the burnt smell irritating the nostrils of the humans there.

[b]"Then it occurred to me... That failure with the descendant of Muramasa... While that is still my own failure, it wouldn't have happened had Rikyo not figured out where we were. The only ones I trusted to make things secure was this family, and he figured it out anyways. That could have been coincidence, granted, but then right afterwards, is when you lot decide to stage a rebellion. And you did it for reasons that, you should know. wouldn't protect you from me. ...You wanted me to look bad, you were counting on the Chairman killing me for my failures like Muzan did his own demon spawns. Evidently, you didn't count on the fact that Michikatsu is far more merciful than Muzan ever was, so when I get back, I suddenly get bombarded with fucking Sycophants, and [i]THAT[/i] ...That is what led me to something that actually does...Upset me."[/b] He continued, the room starting to get heated as if an intense furnace activated around them.

[b]You're a pack of fucking cowards, the whole lot of you. You were too scared to try and kill me directly even at my weakest, so you figured you'd try getting me killed indirectly, whether by Rikyo or by Michikatsu himself. ...What  fucking Disappointment; I could call you all a lot of things, but I [i]never[/i] thought coward would be one of them, until tonight! ...Well, that changes now."[/b] Gekido got off the table and moved towards the other side, opening a drawer within and from it, holding up a few pages he grabbed from it.

[b]"...You might wondering where everyone else is. Why the whole building is empty except for everyone gathered here today. Well, as I said before, I don't see myself as smart. But Urami-Chan, she's a different story. See, while I was busy dealing with Rikyo's ambitions and being punished by the Chairman, she was watching over everything in this building...Yes, I do mean everything. You didn't notice, huh? That's Okay, it shows how good she is at the whole espionage angle. Right after I got back, she gave me a list with all your names on it, a list of mutineers who decided to stage this thing, with evidence that supports it. We gave most of the family a day off except for you."[/b] He explained, the documents combusting into flame before turning to more soot. He hopped over the table to be in front of everyone again.

"[b]So here's what's going to happen: you assholes got two choices. You can fess up to being an active part of this rebellion, Some of you will lose fingers, some of you a lot more so, but you can sit out what's about to happen next, and I can assure you it will be far less painful and...lethal. You don't fess up, well, I got good news for you. You got a shot at me; you got a chance to kill me, and maybe take my position for yourself, and this time, you fight me like warriors. Don't worry, Captain Urami and the Lieutenants behind me won't get involved. It's just me and all of you.[/b]" He said, the heat in the room causing the air to ripple and the people around to sweat. Some of the yakuza, both human and demon, took a few steps away before trying to spring out of the room, only to hear the snap of Gekido's fingers as a wall of white flames erupt from under them and blocks the doorway. Everyone outside the room were screaming in agony until there was nothing but the sound of the cackling white flames.

[b]...Oh, hell no. No, no, no... I won't accept anymore fucking cowardice here! You run from this room, [i]you die![/i] You jump out the window, and Urami here will pull you right back in. You made your bed, and now you're going to lie in it! You want to rebel against a Demon Lord, you do it yourself, you aim to earn that power with your own fucking hands, or you die trying. THAT is how it's done![/b]" He then said. As if in response, one of them came running at him, unsheathing a blade they had hidden on them, apparently of nichirin as they attempted to use a breathing style. Not sure which one, as they were interrupted before it could materialize, he and other such bladed yakuza - no, ...[i]Slayers[/i] apparently undercover as spies - started gaping for air and sweating immensely.

"[b]...I guess it makes sense there be Slayers among the traitors. I'm guessing you guys are the ones responsible for arranging this then? Still, good on you for taking initiative, that's the kind of attitude I'm talking about. You demons seeing this? This slayer is more a warrior than any of you fucks. ...Hm, What's wrong? Can't breathe properly? ...Ah, yes, might be because your currently breathing in superheated oxygen and suffering from...oh what's it called now? ...Ah yes, [i]Heat Stroke[/i]."[/b] He said genuinely smiling. It's nice to know at least someone in this rebellious group has the balls to actually [i]rebel[/i]. He then began to realize the ramifications of Slayers being among his ranks - and staging this coup - and rubbed his chin in contemplation, walking around the debilitated slayer.

[b]"Now... as I recall, the ceasefire made with Takaya Ubuyashiki is still valid. So I'm guessing you're Kyoto boys, right? I guess it could be either city, but Kyoto would be less of a headache to deal with. Well, either way you have my sympathies...A pack of lower-ranked demon slayers sent to deal with a Demon Lord, an Upper Blood Moon no less? whoever sent you were either confident your stupid plan would work, or they put you all on a [i]suicide mission.[/i] ...Probably to keep eyes on me, but more likely to get rid of you.[/b]" He said to the one in front of him.

"H-...How." The Downed slayer asked, clearly struggling to stay on his feet.

"[b]...How did I know there were Slayer spies in my family so quickly? Well, you did show some courage at least at the end. I can at least respect that and give you some closure.[/b]" Gekido responded. Pointing to his left, the slayer looked that way to find a man with a sword, and one arm - only a shoulder remained on his right - Urami giving him a bottle of water and putting a bag of ice on his head.

"K...Kazama? ...Why? ...How could you, you, you fucking Traitor!" The slayer asked, bewildered and enraged, making his skin even more red than the heat was making him, hyperventilating at this point. It was clear now what happened. The One-Armed Slayer sold out his comrades. his eyes conveyed a sense of guilt and regret for this, yet there was also a sense of resolve, as if he found a path and his mind was set on taking it.

[b]"Nice glass house you have there, friend. Let me give you a stone to throw."[/b] Gekido said before giving the betrayed Slayer a punch to his face so hard, he ripped the head clean off and sent it flying across the room; blood splattered all over him as the remaining corpse dropped like a puppet cut from its strings.

The blood on him seemed to fade -  or moved towards his skin before then fading - as his body absorbed it as nourishment for himself. Taking a deep breath and sighing, the air in the room started to cool off. The slayers still standing were beginning to regain their senses after Gekido's heat was cooking up their brains. As they did, Gekido looked at his hand.

[b]"...Oh right. I'm Demon Lord of the 7th Heaven now. Which means... I wonder..."[/b] He said, seemingly muttering to himself as he then crouched down and touched the corps. Within second, the entire body seemed to get sucked into the hand, leaving only clothes remaining. Gekido's eyes widened as he stood back up, holding his mouth and stomach as if nauseated.

[b]"Eurgh...My God, that's a nasty feeling."[/b] He then said, before slowly returning to proper posture. Everyone else in the room, even the lieutenants, were too horrified at what they just saw to even move. Urami, however, was the only one who didn't act surprised or terrified by what she just saw of her husband. On the contrary she gave a smile. She is a Consort, after all, it's only natural she'd be aware of the "benefit" Michikatsu graces those at the summit. Seeing this was merely a confirmation of her husband's new status and power; why [i]wouldn't[/i] she be happy for him? With a wave of her finger, the decapitated head floated upwards and thrown Gekido way, which Gekido was quick to catch in his head.

[b]"Can't say I like the taste, but thanks Urami-Chan, I suppose it's only respectable to the dead that I leave no waste."[/b] He said, as the head disappeared into his hand faster than anyone could predict.

[b]"yep, tastes just as bad. How Rikyo and the Captain could stomach something so disgusting is beyond me. Maybe if I cook it first it'll go down easier...Now, Where was I? ...Oh yes."[/b] He muttered to himself. He then looked towards everyone else, still seemingly in shock over what just happened. Immediately some of them started spouting in panic their part in the rebellion, clearly scared of Gekido after what happened, but he shook his head.

[b]"...Too late, far too late for that. You're only confessing now to save your skins, cause now you know how badly you fucked up. Fessing up earlier would have been brave, now it's just more cowardice, and I'm not gonna repeat myself on how I feel about that. But... that's okay. In light of that guy's gall and appreciation for...Kazama, I have a better idea on how to sort you out. But first..."[/b]He said. He then pointed towards Kazama, and as soon as Kazama's eyes met him, he point towards the people behind him with a smile. Getting the message, the One-armed Slayer walked towards the back of the room, lined up with the others behind Gekido's chair, his eyes meeting the confusion, anger, and betrayal on the faces of his former comrades.

[b]Now then...[/b] Gekido walked to a shelf in the back of the room near his desk to the left of the lieutenants lined up, where a small boombox sat upon. Opening a drawer beneath it and taking out a cassette tape, showing it to everyone else.

[b]"The first song on this tape is about 5 minutes and 19 seconds long. Good album, really good band; they have a future ahead of them to be sure, which is more than I can say about most of you. ...We're about to have a Trial By Fire. As soon as you hear the music, you're going to stand your ground, and fight me with the intent to kill, and [i]I[/i] am going beat the shit out of every last one of you. You stand idly by or try to hide amongst your peers, you'll die first. There is now no other option I am giving you but to stand and fight to the death. Survive until this song is over, and I let you live to fight another day. That will be your redemption, and, hopefully, you will learn your lesson about what it means to defy your patriarch."[/b] He explained. He then pressed a button to open up the center of the boombox, placing the cassette inside, and pressed play.

[hider=Immediately, a song began to be heard.][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qY5xG7ovfk[/youtube][/hider]

[b]"...Now then, through your own strength, show me your worth. ...STEP UP!"[/b] Gekido said, going into a street fighting stance as the humans drew out their nichirin blades and the demons readied their blood arts.

The People outside would see the windows of the highest floors of an 8-story build flashing and flickering with white light, as if there was a power outage happening...

[center]...As the new Demon Lord of the 7th Heaven took on his responsibility, to [i][b]"discipline"[/b][/i] his men.[/center][/hider]
[hr]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/n5LIjoQ.jpeg[/img]
[hider=???][center][b][u][i]Wasedai Ubuyashiki Penthouse[/i][/u][/b][/center]

[center][color=skyblue][b]"...Jeez, You make us sound so aggressive, Takky-Chan."[/b][/color][/center]

A young and feminine voice penetrated the meeting room from seemingly out of nowhere. Leaning on a wall behind the other slayers facing Takaya was a little white-haired girl, no older than the early teens - with particularly silver eyes, wearing seemingly a Slayer Uniform under a white coat of silver clouds etched on the ends, and a small blade sheathed and strapped to her waist. She had her arms crossed, yet gave an energetic lively smile - one that almost seemed to mock Jae-eun's own - as she looked towards Takaya and the rest.

Up until this point, none of the others would have sensed her being in the room, save perhaps for Takaya himself, was she always there and they just didn't notice her presence, or did she just arrive and snuck in from out of the blue?

[color=skyblue][b]"Our Squad isn't necessarily [i]against[/i] you guys, so much as meant to keep an eye on you. Make sure you're on the up and up and not...abusing that privilege you've had all these years to do what you want. Being heroes against literal demons can only afford turning so many blind eyes to otherwise...[i]criminal[/i] activities, after all. Specially when most people don't think your enemies are even real."[/b][/color] She said, her silver eyes practically staring nichirin daggers into Dalnim Suga's soul at the mention of criminal activities.

[color=skyblue][b]"Not to mention, it's a pretty good excuse to keep the Osakan Chief off our back if we can say we're keeping tabs on you when we come to places like this, especially when it's not a lie. Speaking of which, Mr. Sunshine and Rainbows over there has a point. I've seen how Chief Xaku operates, if the corps doesn't start changing how they do things soon, it won't be just demons you gotta worry about. ...Ah, I'm Sorry! Got off on a tangent and forgot to introduce myself!"[/b][/color] She continued - referring to Jae-eun with that odd nickname - embarrassed at the end as she realized her mistake in manners, getting off the wall and giving the everyone a quick bow.

[color=skyblue][b]Detective and member of KMPD Special Investigations Unit 'Uruha', A Kinoe of the Demon Slayer Corps, and Tsuguko of Kyoto Branch's Sky Hashira...[/b][/color]

[center][hider="...I'm Kirizanten Kumori."][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019bb291-80a8-703b-83ed-be1101aa7fd7.webp[/img][/hider][/center]

[color=skyblue][b]"I'm here representing my master, who's preoccupied with other important matters at the moment and unable to participate."[/b][/color] She finished off, that smile never leaving her face.

[@King Kindred][@Lewascan2][@Kpopknower][@Dane][@Gerlando][@xAlter][@Taka][@Thanatos 7][@13org][/hider]

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