Cruel and Heartless (
Summary[]
The ranks of the Twelve Kizuki.
Within the Twelve Kizuki are two echelons; the Upper Ranks and the Lower Ranks. Numbered from one to six, the order means that Upper Rank One is the strongest member and Lower Rank Six is the weakest. The Upper Ranks have both eyes engraved whilst the Lower Ranks only have one engraved with their position; additionally, the Upper Ranks show disdain towards their inferior peers.
It is revealed that Muzan can read the minds of those he gives blood to, and if he can see them, he can know what they are thinking; even when farther distances causes his mind-reading ability to blur, he is always able to discern where they are. As such, Nezuko being taken to Ubuyashiki Mansion was a detriment to the Demon Slayer Corps as it meant Muzan immediately knew where Kagaya's headquarters was located. However, both she and Tamayo have made the effort to remove his curse from them, something he remains unaware of.
As Muzan hoists Lower Six into the air with a monstrous arm, the now tearful demon repeatedly begs for his master's forgiveness; he refuses and devours the hapless demon whole, spraying his fellow demons in blood. Lower Three is speechless, wondering if he will be killed too and if his efforts to join the Twelve Kizuki will be for nothing, believing he was destined for more. Muzan then asks the Lower Ranks if they are more afraid of the Demon Slayers than of him, causing Lower Four to flinch and refute this. He questions her further by claiming she flees from the Hashira whenever she sees them; she tearfully denies this, claiming she would risk her life for him. Unfortunately, he only sees this as contradicting his words, and Lower Four helplessly watches as his monstrous arm descends to crush and devour her as well.
Muzan beheads Lower Three.
As Lower One observes with curiosity and Lower Two remains shocked, Lower Three realizes this is his end and he will be killed regardless of agreeing or disagreeing with his master. Seeing that he cannot fight him, he leaps into the air in an attempt to escape, leaping down and across multiple platforms in the alternate dimension; Lower One watches him and derides his decision as foolish. The demon attempts to plan his escape but finds himself back in Muzan's hand as a severed head, as Muzan explains that he will kill them all and keep the Upper Ranks alive, shocking Lower Two with his now impending fate; Lower One remains calm and silent.
Lower Three questions how he failed as he did not hear the biwa's strum, as well as seeing that he cannot regenerate. When Muzan asks for any final words from the last two Lower Ranks, Lower Two claims he is still useful to him. Muzan questions how he can prove it with his current strength, to which the demon asks for a portion of his blood, assuring his master that he will acclimate successfully and fight as a stronger demon for him. Tossing Lower Three's head before him, Muzan demands to know how he can impudently ask for his blood, ordering him to know his place. Shocked, Lower Two claims he meant no disrespect, but Muzan silences his frightened pleas and explains he is never wrong; his authority and word is absolute, and for speaking up against him, he will be killed.
Muzan injects Lower One with his blood, pleased by his admiration of him.
Muzan faces Lower Rank One and asks for his final words; Lower Three believes he too will die, realizing their lives all hinged on Muzan's will as he begins to fade to ash. Lower One speaks of his delight in the situation, claiming it was his dream to die by his hand. He was thrilled to hear his peers' deaths, revelling in their suffering and thanking Muzan for saving him last. The demon is suddenly pierced by an enormous spine; his initial smile of pleasure becomes a contorted face of agony as Muzan injects him with blood, pleased by his admiration. Explaining that much blood will be given to him, Muzan notes that while he may die in the process, he will become even stronger by surviving the transfusion.
He orders Lower One to make himself useful by killing a Hashira, and he also adds an incentive; if he can kill a Demon Slayer wearing hanafuda-earrings, he will receive even more blood. With that, the Biwa Demon begins to strum, taking Muzan to the surface of the alternate dimension and transporting Lower One through numerous doors, before releasing the demon in an unknown town. He receives a vision from the blood as it strengthens him, a vision of Tanjiro, and Lower One begins to grow ecstatic at the idea of more blood by killing him and a Hashira.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Muzan Kibutsuji
- Tamayo (Vision)
- Nezuko Kamado (Vision)
- Lower Six
- Lower Three
- Lower Four
- Lower Two
- Lower One
- Biwa Demon
- Tanjiro Kamado (Vision)
Events[]
- The Lower Ranks Meeting.
- Muzan kills the Lower Ranks but spares Lower One for his admiration of him.
- Lower One is injected and strengthened with blood from Muzan.
- Lower One is sent to kill Tanjiro.