This gave Tatsuki a revelation.
If, in the future, he ever needed to become a god or something similar, he should definitely avoid relying on faith-based power. Even after crossing worlds, Aqua's powers were still tied to the faith from her original realm—proof enough that faith is a tangled force, not easily disentangled.
"Given that situation," Tatsuki mused, "we might have to use the Demon Slayer Corps to draw Muzan out."
He already had a plan. Turning to Shinobu, he said.
"Shinobu-san…"
"Please, Tatsuki-kun, just call me Shinobu."
"Sure, Shinobu. Could you help me contact the Demon Slayer Corps' Master?"
"Master? As expected, you know quite a lot about this world, don't you, Tatsuki-kun?"
Shinobu Kocho sighed in amazement yet agreed readily. "All right. I'll notify Master about this."
Calling over her kasugai crow, she relayed some details.
…
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters Courtyard.
All the Pillars were gathered here at the Master's urgent summons for a pillar meeting.
"Where's Shinobu?"
The pink-haired, lovestruck Mitsuri Kanroji glanced around, noticing that out of the nine Pillars, only eight were present—Shinobu was missing.
"Hmph, how disrespectful to the Master," snorted Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Pillar, his neck wrapped with a white serpent.
"Ha-ha! Maybe she's got pressing business. She's sure to arrive soon." A hearty laugh boomed from Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Pillar—fiery in both looks and spirit.
"No matter the reason, tardiness isn't flamboyant at all," complained Tengen Uzui, the Sound Pillar, who insisted everything in life be flashy.
Of the remaining three, none made a fuss.
The Mist Pillar, Muichiro Tokito, stood aloof, gazing at a small bird on his hand.
The Water Pillar, Giyu Tomioka, silent and cold, revealed nothing in his expression.
The Stone Pillar, Gyomei Himejima, blind and prayerful, quietly murmured "Amida Buddha" with his hands joined.
"Tch, no matter what, nothing is more important than listening to the Master. The latecomer should be punished," growled Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Pillar, scars crossing his face and a perpetually fierce temper.
"Sanemi, do not speak ill of your comrade," came a gentle voice from within the inner room.
"Master!"
At once, all the Pillars dropped to one knee.
From inside emerged a man whose upper face bore signs of severe necrosis, leaving him blind. Supported by a woman—Amane Ubuyashiki—he walked slowly forward. He was Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
His voice was gentle, a soothing sound that tempered even Shinazugawa's anger and Rengoku's burning passion. Of course, the Pillars all deeply respected Kagaya Ubuyashiki, so his presence alone calmed them.
Kagaya's mild gaze swept the group, and he motioned for them to rise. Quietly, they stood, no one asking questions, waiting for him to speak. They knew he had summoned them for something important.
"Shinobu encountered an Upper Moon demon just now—Upper Moon Two, Doma."
"What?! Shinobu ran into an Upper Moon?"
All were stunned. It had been quite some time since the Corps had managed to kill an Upper Moon demon.
"How is Shinobu, then?"
Mitsuri Kanroji asked, worried. Shinobu was absent—'did that mean the Upper Moon had gotten her?' The others shared her concern. Though their personalities clashed, they were united against demons.
Their immediate solidarity relieved Kagaya Ubuyashiki. He smiled faintly.
"Upper Moon Two, Doma, is already dead."
"!"
An even bigger shock rippled through them.
They knew the Twelve Moons were the strongest demons—six Lower Moons and six Upper Moons. The Upper Moons were dramatically more powerful than the Lower. And the lower their number, the stronger they were. The rank of Two was second only to Muzan and Upper Moon One in power. Could Shinobu, alone, slay Upper Moon Two?
That seemed impossible. Was Doma actually weak? Or had Shinobu grown unbelievably strong? Based on what they knew of her, Shinobu was adept at using poison but lacked the raw strength of the other Pillars. Could poison alone have killed a top-rank demon?
Kagaya Ubuyashiki ended their speculation with his next words. "Doma wasn't slain by Shinobu."
"Then who killed Upper Moon Two?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa demanded. In truth, Kagaya knew little more. From Shinobu's brief report, she only mentioned that certain people she knew seemed capable of defeating Muzan himself.
…
"Tatsuki! You bastard! How dare you leave me behind!"
"Aren't you the one who claimed you could fly?"
"Damn you, Tatsuki!"
Suddenly, from overhead came a noisy argument, drawing everyone's eyes upward. Before they could fully react, several figures descended.
Tatsuki.
Exusiai, in a skirt, glowing halo in the dark.
Aqua, with her aqua-blue outfit and hair.
Esdeath, also in a skirt.
Because it was nighttime, and both Exusiai and Esdeath wore skirts, Tatsuki used his abilities to ensure a safe, modest landing—no unintended flashes.
"Who goes there!"
At once, all the Pillars drew their Nichirin swords, encircling the newcomers.