A terrifying roar of power erupted as the three strongest Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki launched their assault.
Upper Rank One, Kokushibo. Upper Rank Two, Douma. Upper Rank Three, Akaza.
For years, their ranks had remained unchanged, a testament to their overwhelming strength. Kokushibo's swordsmanship was a fearsome combination of the techniques he mastered as a human in the Demon Slayer Corps and the unique forms he developed over centuries as a demon. Douma, who saw his demonic life as little more than a game to pass the time, possessed a chilling talent for cruelty that made him a truly sinister foe. And Akaza, guided by Tsukihiko, had shed all attachment to his human past. He had forgotten the life he once cherished, choosing instead to forget everything and dedicate himself completely to the pursuit of power. To him, becoming the perfect warrior was far more fulfilling than any fleeting human emotion.
They were now facing the leader of the Ubuyashiki clan, a man who, by all accounts, should have been a frail invalid on his deathbed. Yet, this very man was now radiating a power that seemed capable of suppressing everything in its path. It was astonishing. Could this be the true strength of the Ubuyashiki clan? If so, it would drastically change their plans. Their new objective was simple: force Kagaya Ubuyashiki to reveal the full extent of his power. And if they could kill him in the process, all the better.
In an instant, Douma struck. He unleashed a flurry of palm strikes, each one causing the air temperature to plummet. A terrifyingly cold energy swept across the battlefield, forming countless ice-sharp spikes that shot through the air, creating a deadly net meant to cage Kagaya.
At the same time, Akaza burst through the air like a cannonball. His body was a vessel of pure, destructive energy, his killing intent focused into a single point as he charged directly at Kagaya.
Just as Douma's ice formation was about to close in and Akaza's fist was about to strike, a terrifying wave of Sword Qi erupted from behind Kagaya. It was a single, perfect arc of light, like a rainbow piercing the sun. The sheer force of this energy was immense, carrying with it an unparalleled dominance that swept across the sky and crushed everything in its path.
The violently surging aura slammed into the Demon Slayers who had been preparing to join the fight, sending them flying backward. Even Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, known for her incredible strength, was forced to retreat, skidding across the ground.
An expression of pure disbelief was on her face. "Was that... was that real?" she stammered. "Was that really Master? But... how?"
For the longest time, the Demon Slayers had respected the Ubuyashiki family and their leader, Kagaya. But a part of them, like the Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa once felt, had always wondered why their master could hide away from the fighting while they risked their lives against demons. It was only after learning the true history of the clan and the sacrifices they had made that the Hashira came to fully submit to Kagaya's will. Or rather, they submitted to the creed he represented: slay all demons.
When Kokushibo and Akaza first appeared, Mitsuri, Shinobu, and the others had felt a sense of certain death. Douma alone had been enough to completely overwhelm them. But now, to their utter shock, their bedridden leader had not only appeared but was single-handedly fighting the three most powerful demons under Muzan's command.
One against three. It felt like a dream.
"Is that... is that really the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps? How is he so powerful?"
"What's going on? If the Master was this strong, why did he let so many others die before...?"
Unlike the Hashira, the minds of Tanjiro's group were reeling with confusion. Sanemi Shinazugawa, in particular, was tormented. When he learned that his brother, Genya, had been killed, the anger and grief in his heart were unbearable. He had accepted it because he believed the Demon Slayer Corps was doing everything it could.
But if Kagaya Ubuyashiki had this kind of power all along... if he had been holding back while the Hashira were treated as expendable pawns... Sanemi swore to himself that he could never forgive such a thing.
"Good! Good! Good!"
In mid-air, a fierce wave of energy surged from Kagaya. "Today is the day I clear the name of my Ubuyashiki clan!" he declared.
As he spoke, the ancient Nichirin blade that had been floating beside him fell, and he caught it with a resounding clang. In a flash, he unleashed three blindingly fast sword gleams. The transcendent power behind the strikes swept across the sky.
Before Akaza could even get close, he felt three searing impacts. Blood erupted from deep cuts that appeared across his chest and arms as if from nowhere. An expression of pure shock filled his face as he was sent tumbling backward through the air.
"No... this is... impossible..."
He couldn't believe it. He, Upper Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki, had been repelled and gravely wounded by just three swings of a sword.
Kagaya completely ignored the falling Akaza. His cold eyes instantly fixed on Douma.
In that moment, an intense sense of crisis, a feeling of true danger he had not felt in centuries, enveloped the Upper Rank Two demon.
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