Tom In The Multiverse

The originally jubilant atmosphere in the center of the town suddenly stagnated. Everyone turned their eyes to the direction of Gyokko. Gyokko had been in the vicinity for quite some time to complete the task assigned by Muzan Kibutsuji. Therefore, many people in Lodz were familiar with Gyokko, the mysterious artist.

"It is music, and you are a painter and a sculptor. You are both artists, but in different fields. You can't compare them," someone kindly remarked to Gyokko.

Although Gyokko had always been a pot maker, in the eyes of others, he was indeed a painter and sculptor. Whether it was the various Japanese paintings on the pots or the exquisite reliefs, his creations were seen as pure art. But no matter what, there was no comparison between art in different fields. The people around him obviously thought so, but Gyokko, a demon who had lived for 150 years, had a different way of thinking. He firmly believed that only his pots were the most perfect art in the world. Those who dared to challenge his art had been eaten by him.

"Only the art on the pot is eternal art. Music is nothing but a passing cloud! In front of my pots, you are nothing!" Gyokko declared with confidence.

Such a mysterious man in black robe suddenly appeared in the crowd. Tom, who had dyed himself into a black cat, and Inosuke, who was disguised nearby, exchanged glances. Both of them had obviously guessed his identity. It was Gyokko, Tom's target this time.

If they only needed to eliminate Gyokko, they could have acted now by luring him out. But Tom still needed to confirm the purpose of the demon's presence in the United States, so he couldn't act hastily just yet. Tom and his companions had been in Lodz for a few days, and in addition to performing every night to attract Gyokko's attention, they also investigated his whereabouts during the day.

An Upper Moon demon like Gyokko must have had a purpose to come to the United States. If so, there would surely be clues left behind. Tom and his friends discovered that in addition to several artists who had mysteriously disappeared nearby, some herbal doctors had also vanished. Tanjiro and the others didn't initially realize the significance of the missing doctors, but Tom, who had read the original story, instantly made the connection.

The disappearance of those herbalists was likely linked to Gyokko. As a demon with immense regenerative abilities and near-immortality, what reason would he have to kidnap doctors? Gyokko wasn't the type to eat doctors; his victims were usually artists or those who insulted his art. From this, the truth became apparent: Blue Spider Lily!

For a thousand years, Muzan Kibutsuji had sought a way to overcome his weakness to sunlight and become an ultimate creature. The Blue Spider Lily was what Muzan had been hunting for centuries, a plant that could supposedly rid him of his vulnerability to the sun.

A thousand years ago, Muzan was a wealthy young man who was born weak and told he would not live past the age of 20. A kind doctor had saved Muzan's life with experimental medicine. But Muzan, cruel and impatient, killed the doctor when he believed the treatment had failed. Afterward, Muzan's condition improved, and he became the world's first demon.

Muzan didn't mind his transformation into a demon—he didn't care if he was human or not, as long as he could live. What drove him to madness, however, was his newfound fear of the sun, which condemned him to live in darkness. Only then did he regret killing the doctor too soon. Desperate, he searched through the doctor's old prescriptions and discovered the name of a fabled medicine: the Blue Spider Lily.

For the past millennium, Muzan's sole objectives had been to increase his power by creating new demons, destroy the Demon Slayer Corps, and find the Blue Spider Lily.

Based on Tom's findings, the demons Muzan sent to the United States were likely searching for the Blue Spider Lily. However, this was still a hypothesis, and Tom needed confirmation from Gyokko. Speculation wasn't enough—he needed solid facts.

As Gyokko arrogantly dismissed the talents of musicians, Tom wasted no time and had Inosuke hold up a sign that read, "Let's compete?" Inosuke didn't know English, so for the time being, Tom avoided speaking directly to Gyokko and relied on written communication.

"Okay, I'll show you what real art is!" Gyokko's grotesque mouths, located where his eyes should be, twisted into a cruel smile. No matter what Tom or Inosuke performed, Gyokko had already decided that tonight, they would be his midnight snack.

"What are we competing in?" Tom's sign read.

"Sculpture and painting," Inosuke replied, raising the board vigorously. His handsome face was full of hostility, making the situation look less like an art contest and more like a prelude to a fight.

"Mr. Tom is a pianist, right? Are sculpture and painting really okay for him?"

"He must be Leonardo da Vinci reincarnated as a cat!"

"I don't know about this. Mr. Gyokko is strong. This won't be easy."

"Yeah, everyone has their own strengths. It's already amazing that a cat can play the piano so well."

Tom, in his cat form, possessed a strange passive ability: he could distort the perceptions of those around him. Normally, people would be astounded by a cat walking upright and playing the piano. But when Tom did it, while people were amazed, they quickly accepted the reality with an odd, unscientific mindset. This ability was quite convenient for him.

"Since you two have decided to compete, let the townspeople of Lodz be the judges!" announced the mayor, who had been watching the spectacle unfold. "Lodz hasn't been this lively in a long time. I believe tonight will be an unforgettable night."

"Yeah!!!" The crowd erupted in cheers as the square buzzed with excitement. Townspeople enthusiastically prepared all the materials Tom and Gyokko would need for the competition.

Before long, everything was set. The contest between Tom and Gyokko was about to begin.