"Where is Muzan-sama?"
Hummm—a figure exuding overwhelming pressure suddenly materialized before Nakime.
Six orange-yellow blood eyes gazed down at Nakime as if observing an insect, while the black-haired woman hiding her face behind cascading locks clutched her biwa, remaining silent.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
With two sounds of splitting air, two more figures appeared behind the Upper Rank One—Kokushibo.
Upper Rank Three—Akaza—clenched his fists in clear irritation, veins bulging on his forehead as he glared at Kokushibo's back, furious fighting spirit radiating from his entire body as if ready to throw a punch any second.
Beside Akaza stood the Upper Rank Two—Doma—tilting his head with a smile as he watched Akaza while twirling a golden iron fan.
"Akaza-dono~ You seem quite angry. Did something unpleasant happen? Do share—it might cheer me up~"
Doma's voice grated on Akaza's ears as always.
Slowly turning his head, Akaza nearly growled.
"Piss off."
"Oh dear~ Akaza-dono, your words are as hurtful as ever. How sad~ Clenching your fists so tight, are you planning to hit me? Well~ Since Akaza-dono isn't my match anyway, I'll let you land a few punches to cool off~" Doma bent down slightly, pursing his smiling lips as he deliberately offered his pale cheek towards Akaza.
"You—!!" Akaza couldn't tolerate this.
His head felt like it was about to explode, the muscles in his powerful arms instantly tensing, his golden pupils flooding with veins.
Crack!
The floor beneath his feet shattered into countless fragments.
But just before Akaza's fist could crush Doma's skull, an indescribably terrifying pressure descended upon them.
Boom!!
The floor beneath both Akaza and Doma split apart with countless fissures, their bodies freezing mid-motion.
"Akaza, mind your status. Mind your actions. Before you initiate a Blood Battle for rank exchange, you should understand the meaning of hierarchy." Kokushibo didn't turn around, speaking in an utterly flat tone.
Yet, in Akaza's eyes, the combat aura erupting from this man in that instant nearly drowned his entire vision.
"Ara ara~ Kokushibo-dono, don't take it so seriously. I was just joking with Akaza-dono. After all, we're friends—he wouldn't really hit me, would he?" Doma waved his golden iron fan playfully.
Ignoring Doma's nauseating words, Akaza glared at Kokushibo, veins bulging as he growled through gritted teeth.
"Interrupting my fight so casually—I'll remember this debt too, Kokushibo. Sooner or later, I'll kill you!"
Whoosh!
Pale blue combat aura flared around Akaza, forming a roaring demonic visage with bared fangs behind him.
Kokushibo's head tilted slightly, his deep crimson hair swaying as his three blood-red eyes fixed on Akaza.
His voice remained calm.
"Is that so? I look forward to it."
The atmosphere grew lethally tense—until, inevitably, the damned instigator had to ruin the moment.
"Ohohoho~ Kokushibo-dono, you're so funny! If Akaza-dono can't even defeat me, how could he possibly kill you? Too hilarious~ Hohoho~" Doma's shoulders shook with exaggerated laughter, though his rainbow-colored eyes held no mirth.
Crack!
Akaza's fists hardened.
Indeed, before anything else, killing Doma first was the right choice!
Kokushibo turned away, his six eyes locking onto the silent Nakime.
When she showed no reaction, his hand shot out—too fast to perceive.
In the blink of an eye, Nakime was hoisted into the air by her throat, dangling from Kokushibo's grip.
"Where is Muzan-sama?" Kokushibo repeated the question calmly.
Crack!
Nakime's neck emitted a brittle sound as her black hair slipped aside, revealing her true face—a single massive eye, bloodshot, above crimson lips.
"Kokushibo. Release Nakime."
Suddenly!
A voice brimming with magnetism and overwhelming authority echoed above the three Upper Rank Demons.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, all three demons dropped to their knees in unison, bowing deeply as they called out respectfully.
"Muzan-sama!"
On the high platform, the progenitor of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, stood with his hands in his pockets, his cold crimson eyes fixed on the three Upper Moons below.
His slightly furrowed brows clearly conveyed his displeasure.
However, no matter how dissatisfied he was, Kokushibo and the other two were still his most capable subordinates, unlike the other useless Upper and Lower Ranks.
"Stand up!" Muzan snorted coldly.
Kokushibo and the other two immediately rose to their feet.
Unable to hold back any longer, Akaza was the first to speak.
"Muzan-sama, why have you summoned us so urgently? If you had given me a little more time, I could have brought you the heads of two Hashira's from the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"Akaza... are you questioning my decision?"
Whoosh!
Under the gaze of those crimson eyes, Akaza's shoulders suddenly felt as if they were bearing the weight of a thousand pounds, forcing him to his knees with sweat beading on his forehead.
"No, Muzan-sama! Please don't misunderstand! I only wanted to eliminate the nuisance of the Demon Slayer Corps for you!" Akaza hurriedly explained.
"Hmph!"
Splat!
Muzan's cold snort caused Akaza to vomit a mouthful of blood, yet his kneeling posture remained unchanged.
Muzan turned away, withdrawing his gaze from Akaza.
"A few human heads are worthless. The Demon Slayer Corps may disgust me, but that's all they are—a mere nuisance. Whether they're eradicated sooner or later makes no difference. What truly matters is that after a thousand years, there is still no trace of the Blue Spider Lily! Once I obtain it, not just the Demon Slayer Corps, but the entire world will grovel at my feet. Yet you, my most capable subordinates, have repeatedly disappointed me over the centuries. I want the Blue Spider Lily!"
Muzan's displeasure forced the three Upper Moons to lower their heads.
"We apologize, Muzan-sama."
Muzan gritted his teeth.
Those words were grating to his ears, but it didn't matter anymore.
"Kamaro!"
Slosh, slosh...
A sticky, squelching sound echoed as a gray shadow oozed into existence beside the demons, gradually taking human form.
The gray-skinned Lower Rank Six, Kamaro, appeared in the Infinity Castle with a smile.
Muzan glanced at him sidelong and extended his hand, speaking coldly.
"From now on, you are Upper Rank Six. Along with Hantengu and Daki, eradicate the Demon Slayer Corps. As for you—"
Muzan turned his gaze to Kokushibo, Doma, and Akaza.
"Devote all your efforts to finding the traitor Tamayo and bringing her to me!"
"Yes, Muzan-sama!"
Thud!
In a corner of the Infinity Castle, a bloodied arm fell limply to the ground, a broken forehead protector lying quietly in the pool of blood.
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