"This monk… will now send you to meet the Buddha."
As those words fell, the heavy chain flail, moving in tandem with Uzui's twin blades, once again split the regenerating demon clean in two.
Watching it begin to divide yet again, Yuichiro and Muichiro finally snapped back to their senses. Meanwhile, Uzui grew even more animated, leaping lightly to avoid the demon's splitting limbs, his movements exaggerated.
"What? What? Did I hear that right? Himejima, you actually said something like that?"
"Amida Butsu… Those were the words of a friend."
"Oh~ a friend, huh!"
Uzui raised his twin blades and burst into laughter.
"To think someone could influence a stiff guy like you. That must be one interesting person! I can't wait to meet him in a flashy way!"
"Before that, we should deal with this demon first," Himejima said calmly. "Besides, perhaps due to the passage of time, this monk can no longer recall that friend's name."
"I see. Well, the God of Festivals seems to have forgotten an interesting fellow too. Let's find him together later!"
Uzui fixed his gaze on the demon, now split into four, his grin turning even more wild.
"For now, let's take this thing down in style, gather everyone, and go hunt down Muzan!"
...
Kanae looked at the Kasugai Crow perched on her arm, worry flickering in her eyes.
"So everyone has encountered an Upper Moon demon…"
"Caw! According to reports, the remaining Upper Moon One is extremely dangerous. It uses ice-based Blood Demon Art. Please be extremely cautious! Caw!"
"Understood. Thank you."
After watching the crow fly away, Kanae turned to her younger sister and her friend.
"Even if we're not the strongest, we should at least be able to stall. Oyakata-sama gave his life to create this opportunity for us. We can't let that sacrifice go to waste. If we encounter Upper Moon One, we must hold them off until the others arrive, even if it costs us our lives."
"There's no turning back now," Makomo said with a sigh. "Upper Moon One… that should be the leader of the Eternal Paradise Cult we encountered before, right?"
Shinobu's expression turned serious.
"I remember you said we won back then… Can we recreate that situation?"
"…Back then, there were five of us. No… six," Kanae murmured, slowing to a stop. "At the time… at the time… Huh? That's strange. It should be someone familiar…"
Makomo's expression darkened.
"Kanae, do you remember what happened afterward?"
"Afterward…?"
Kanae frowned, then suddenly realized, her eyes widening.
"Makomo… you mean those people?"
"Exactly. The Kasugai Crows wouldn't give false information at a time like this. If they say the demon's Blood Demon Art is ice, then there must have been at least one more demon that day. Most likely the one missing from our memories."
Makomo lowered her gaze.
"And it's strange. I remember many details from that mission, but that part alone is gone… A demon that can alter memories without us even noticing… That's extremely dangerous."
"Now, now~ don't worry so much, Makomo," Kanae said gently, clasping her hands together. "At least that demon doesn't seem hostile. It's helping us~ Didn't you notice the Kasugai Crows just now? They're using Blood Demon Art too. We're being assisted."
"This means humans and demons might be able to coexist. Well… after we defeat Muzan, of course. As long as he exists, even kind-hearted demons can't stay rational."
Shinobu sighed, hands on her hips.
"Kanae, you're saying that again. Humans and demons coexisting? That's impossible. If that person heard you, they'd definitely start lecturing you again."
"That person?"
"You know, the one with the awful personality—"
Shinobu suddenly stopped.
"Huh? That's strange… Who was it?"
"…You too?" Makomo frowned. "I wonder if the others are experiencing the same thing…"
"Alright, that's enough!"
Kanae clapped her hands, raising her voice to snap them out of it.
"Stop overthinking. Once everything is over, we'll have our answers."
"We haven't encountered any demons enhanced to Lower Moon level so far, despite what the Kasugai Crow said. That means the master of this Infinity Castle believes the enemies ahead are so strong that we wouldn't stand a chance even at full strength."
"We need to stay focused."
"Understood."
"Yes, onee-san."
...
Tanjiro deftly dodged the razor-sharp tongue lashing out from a demon's mouth. In a single motion, his pitch-black Nichirin Blade severed its head.
Yet there was no joy on his face, only sorrow.
"The smell is so chaotic… There's no trace of reason left."
Takeo sheathed his blade as well, glancing at Tanjiro, who stood with his hands pressed together toward the dissipating ashes.
"Amazing… onii-san, your movements haven't dulled at all."
"Well, ever since I returned to being human, my body feels much lighter. Aside from not being able to use Blood Demon Art, there's hardly any dif—"
Tanjiro turned to look at Takeo, who now stood much taller than him. His words faltered, and he smiled wryly.
"…No, I guess there is some difference. Still… it's comforting."
Takeo tilted his head, confused, but didn't dwell on it.
"By the way, are you really okay? If you get turned into a demon again, that'd be dangerous, right?"
"Ah, Tamayo-san explained that. After turning back into a human, my body developed something like antibodies."
Tanjiro pointed to the newly made paper earrings hanging from his ears.
"And there's this. Hiru-san said it can make people overlook my appearance. As long as it's not completely destroyed, I won't be noticed."
"Still… I can't help worrying…"
"It's alright," Tanjiro said, gently ruffling Takeo's hair. "I'll protect all of you."
"And besides… this is the final battle. I can't sit this one out."
Just as the two brothers were talking, a horde of grotesque demons suddenly smashed through the wall, lunging at them from behind Takeo.
Takeo didn't panic. He simply lowered his stance, drew his blade, and slashed backward with force.
At the same instant, Tanjiro moved as well. Brilliant crimson flames and a clear, moonlike arc of the blade illuminated the demons' twisted faces as several were cut down in a single exchange.
Watching the drifting ashes, Takeo stood up and flicked the blood from his blade, his eyes scanning the surroundings with concern.
"We were supposed to stick together in teams, but I still ended up separated from Nezuko. And with this many demons around… I can't help worrying."
Tanjiro sheathed his sword, pressed his palms together toward the ashes, and murmured a quiet prayer before turning to him.
"Nezuko is probably with Zenitsu and Inosuke. Demons at this level won't be a problem for them. And Zenitsu is there too. He's a reliable companion… Their scent isn't far either. We can cut our way through and head toward them."
"Zenitsu…"
Takeo's face twisted into pure disgust as he followed behind.
"Sure, he's strong, but… don't you think that guy is just ridiculously annoying?"
"Takeo, Zenitsu is our comrade…"
Tanjiro glanced back, a faint note of reproach in his voice.
"He does have his flaws… but you shouldn't put it like that."
"…But he's always clinging to Nezuko. And I heard he had over ten girlfriends before joining the Demon Slayer Corps."
Tanjiro: …
"…Yeah. That might actually be something we need to take seriously."
Tanjiro's pace subtly quickened.
"Let's get there as soon as possible."
...
"Eeeeeeeeeek! So scary, so scary, so scary! Why are there so many demons?! I'm going to die! I'm really going to die! I'm definitely going to die! Nezuko! Please! I'm begging you! At least in my final moments, say yes! Marry me! If it's for Nezuko, I can keep going!"
"Hah?! What nonsense are you spouting, you idiot! Trying to steal my underling from me?! Then let's settle this! We'll see who she follows. You or me. Let's fight it out, Zenitsu!"
"Unforgivable! You stupid boar! Competing with me for Nezuko's attention? I'll never forgive you! I'll settle this with my new technique! Let's fight!"
Nezuko knocked aside a demon's claws, spun her blade in a clean arc, and severed its head. Only then did she call out loudly to Zenitsu and Inosuke, who had wandered off mid-argument.
Her expression was full of helpless frustration.
At this rate, forget fighting demons. Just keeping these two from splitting up would take all her energy.
She let out a quiet sigh.
[ Please… let us reunite with onii-chan and the others soon. I really can't keep an eye on them alone. ]
The battle between demons and demon slayers had fully erupted within the Infinity Castle.
Because they had prepared in advance for being pulled into a spatial Blood Demon Art, most fought in groups of two to five. Covering each other, they were managing to hold their ground.
But even amid the chaos, there were those who remained still.
For example, the swordsman clad in a crimson haori.
He stood alone at the intersection of several rooms, yet every demon that passed by ignored him completely, as if he didn't exist.
And he made no move to attack them either. He simply tilted his head slightly, quietly observing the scattered sword marks etched across the surrounding structures.
After a long silence, his slightly hoarse voice broke through.
"So without realizing it, I've already severed this many spatial links connected to the Blood Demon Art… Even I find that a bit surprising."
It was Yoriichi, who had also been drawn into the Infinity Castle.
But he did not linger long. Sensing something, he turned his gaze toward the depths of the castle. The hand resting on his sword sheath slowly tightened.
"So it's stopped shifting…
Watching so many demons pass by without cutting them down… my patience is reaching its limit."
"This time, I won't let you escape again… Muzan Kibutsuji."
...
Compared to the Demon Slayer Corps, the demons each reacted differently.
Among them, Akaza, who had already clashed with a Hashira, was without question the most exhilarated.
"Two more Hashira have shown up…"
As he fought Kyojuro, he watched the two figures burst through the wall. Excitement bubbled up inside him like a spring.
"This is great. Truly great! Three Hashira!"
His grin widened.
"This is getting exciting! Come on. Tell me your names, and let's have a proper fight!"
But the two newcomers ignored him.
The black-haired young man stood calmly to the side, while the masked youth with light-colored hair glanced toward Kyojuro.
"Hey. You alright, Kyojuro?"
"Ah! I'm perfectly fine!"
Kyojuro wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, still smiling brightly.
"You arrived at just the right time! Maybe because we've fought before, but I'm having trouble finding an opening to close the distance. If possible, could you support me?"
"You can rest for a bit if needed."
Sabito's gaze shifted to Akaza.
"The crow said Sanemi is nearby. He should arrive soon."
"That won't do!"
Kyojuro immediately shook his head and reset his stance.
"If everyone else is fighting while I rest, I'd be too ashamed to face anyone! One more thing. Akaza is incredibly strong. Do not take a direct hit. With our bodies, even one blow could take us out of the fight!"
"Got it."
As the three finished speaking, Akaza stepped forward.
Ice-blue crystalline patterns bloomed beneath his feet, and his golden eyes shone with wild exhilaration.
"Enough talk."
"Let's begin."
"It's been… a long time since I've felt this excited."
...
Unlike Akaza, who grew more thrilled the more Hashira appeared, Hantengu was completely overwhelmed.
Facing four Hashira at once, he didn't even know where to start.
Ever since that Lord turned him into a demon, he had always been the one ganging up on others.
But today, for the first time, he was the one being surrounded.
Wasn't it supposed to be at most three Hashira?
Why did another one just drop in out of nowhere?
Hantengu felt utterly wronged.
Why were they all bullying him?
Why couldn't they show him even a little pity?
He was so weak. So helpless.
So everyone who refuses to pity the weak… can just die.
People who lack compassion have no right to exist.
But whether human or demon, there are always exceptions.
Like Doma.
Unlike Akaza's battle frenzy or Hantengu's fear and resentment, his heart was filled with anticipation.
He could feel it. That deep, urgent longing to meet someone.
A feeling completely new to him.
And it all came from his beloved Akiwa.