"Gyokko, if the intelligence is accurate, you and Hantengu will go together," Muzan said coldly. "Doma, you will accompany them. If you fail again, do not bother returning."
As his words fell, several small, patterned doors formed and connected before him. In the next instant, they vanished along with Muzan himself.
"Subordinate… obeys," Doma replied, swaying slightly as he accepted the order.
As silence returned to the Infinity Castle, Doma's thoughts drifted. Would he encounter Raiden again on this mission?
Recalling Raiden's abnormal state during their last encounter, Doma rubbed his head thoughtfully. Fighting him up close offered no advantage, yet Raiden never allowed distance to be created. It was troublesome, genuinely so.
Then again, meeting an old acquaintance should have been pleasant. There was no reason to sour his mood over it.
Shaking his head, Doma stood and casually picked up Gyokko's detached head.
"Lord Gyokko," he said cheerfully. "What does the intelligence say? I'm terribly curious."
Akaza's gaze flickered toward Doma as he stepped forward.
"The Raiden you mentioned," Akaza said, "does he wear a coat patterned with clouds?"
"Oh?" Doma brightened. "You know Raiden too, Lord Akaza? He's my friend."
He smiled wider. "By the way, he can use your Blood Demon Art."
With that, Doma set Gyokko's head aside and draped an arm over Akaza's shoulder.
"My… Blood Demon Art?"
Akaza stiffened. His first instinct was to strike, but Doma's words stopped him cold.
Raiden was human. How could he possibly use a Blood Demon Art, let alone his?
Was Doma lying?
Veins slowly surfaced along Akaza's temple.
"Though the Destructive Kill he uses is different," Doma continued casually. "Yours forms a circular pattern, but his manifests as a hexagram."
"A hexagram shaped Destructive Kill?" Akaza muttered.
The urge to attack vanished completely. Akaza turned his head, staring directly at Doma's smiling face.
The act of deploying Destructive Kill before combat had long become instinctual for him. Doma's tone was relaxed, even thoughtful, and there was no clear reason for deception.
Akaza was forced to accept the truth.
Raiden truly knew his Blood Demon Art.
How was that possible?
On the Infinity Train, Raiden had not used Destructive Kill. Akaza was certain of it. If he had combined it with that terrifying heightened state, Akaza might not have survived the encounter.
Which meant Raiden had learned it afterward.
Learning a Blood Demon Art simply through combat?
That was monstrous.
Setting aside how a human could accomplish such a feat, the ability alone meant Raiden would never fall behind any Upper Moon. No, he might one day surpass even Muzan himself.
"I understand," Akaza said coldly. "Now take your hand off me. I despise being touched by you."
If not for the information Doma had provided, Akaza would have shattered his skull long ago.
"Ah, how cruel," Doma chuckled. "I just shared something valuable, and your words wound me deeply."
Instead of withdrawing, Doma leaned closer, his voice brushing against Akaza's ear.
"Tch."
Akaza twisted sharply. A violent shockwave erupted as half of Doma's head was obliterated.
At the same moment, the unmistakable sound of a blade leaving its sheath rang through the hall.
"Akaza," a deep voice said. "You have gone too far."
Kokushibo appeared beside him, crimson hair flowing beneath his dark robes. He passed Akaza without pause, each step heavy enough to crush the air itself.
"It's fine, truly," Doma said as his head regenerated instantly. His smile never faded. "I don't mind at all."
"I am not defending you," Kokushibo replied. "I am maintaining order. Disrespect toward superiors invites chaos."
He turned slightly. "Akaza, if you are dissatisfied, you may challenge through a Blood Battle."
Akaza clenched his fists. Veins rose along his forearms, but he remained silent.
"Oh dear," Doma sighed. "Even if he applied, he couldn't defeat us. I became a demon later than Lord Akaza, yet rose higher. Of course resentment would fester."
He smiled playfully. "I even let him hit me. It strengthens our bond."
Kokushibo ignored him.
"Akaza," he said. "Do you understand?"
An overwhelming pressure descended instantly. Akaza's body trembled as he forced down the rage burning within him.
"I understand," Akaza said. "I will kill you."
"Very well," Kokushibo replied. "Then prove it."
With that, his presence vanished into the Infinity Castle.
"Farewell, Lord Kokushibo," Doma waved cheerfully.
He then tilted his head. "Was I not part of that conversation, Lord Akaza? Or am I imagining things?"
Akaza exhaled sharply and turned away.
"Lord Akaza, I'm not done speaking yet," Doma called.
"Please send me, Hantengu, and Lord Akaza to the same location," Gyokko said, propping his head up with his small arms.
"I refuse," Nakime replied instantly.
The biwa rang out three times in quick succession, and the Infinity Castle fell silent.
---
Wisteria Family Crest Home
Raiden closed the door behind him. The familiar layout of the room allowed his body to finally relax.
After defeating Upper Moon Six, Gyuutarou, they had not returned to the Demon Slayer Headquarters immediately. Instead, they rested at a nearby Wisteria Family Crest Home.
The Entertainment District battle had ended without fatal injuries. Uzui Tengen, Tanjiro, and the others had suffered mainly from poison inflicted by Gyuutarou's sickles. Thanks to Nezuko's Blood Demon Art, most of its effects had already been neutralized.
After one more day of rest, they would return to Headquarters.
Raiden used the quiet time to整理 his gains from the battle.
The greatest result of the Entertainment District was not simply defeating an Upper Moon. It was forming a bond with Uzui Tengen and crossing blades with Gyuutarou.
Through his connection with Uzui, Raiden had fully mastered Sound Breathing Fourth Form, Constant Resounding Slashes. After Gyuutarou's defeat, that bond deepened further, sharpening Raiden's understanding and perception.
He was close now.
One more breakthrough, and his comprehension would reach a level that allowed complete synchronization with his natural talent.
Only when both were fully realized would Raiden have any confidence facing Muzan from the shadows.
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