Clang clang clang.
Nakime plucked her biwa, controlling Infinity Castle to disrupt Aoki.
But her attacks were limited. They were just annoying. They couldn't really hurt Aoki.
Kokushibo was shirtless, showing his muscular body. His Void-Type Cutting God was grotesque.
But he had been the least busy during this day-and-night fight.
His main job was to protect Nakime.
If Nakime died, Infinity Castle would collapse. That was the traitor's only way out.
Muzan had ordered him to protect Nakime before the fight.
The traitor had only tried to attack Nakime twice at the beginning. He hadn't attacked her since.
He couldn't get too far from Nakime. His attack range was limited. He couldn't reach the traitor. He could only watch.
Even Nakime was doing more than him.
Other demons couldn't replace him.
The traitor's attacks greatly damaged demons.
Only he could protect Nakime from the traitor.
Akaza couldn't do it.
Doma might have had a chance, but the traitor had killed him.
Then, the Transparent World caught a figure.
Kokushibo's body and weapon reacted instantly, even though he hadn't fought for a while.
"Seventh Form, Mirror of Misfortune, Moonlit Reflection!"
Attacks covered in crescent blades cut through the air, flying towards Aoki.
At the same time, a wooden board appeared between Aoki and Nakime.
Aoki stopped his attack, stepped on the board, and blocked Kokushibo's attack.
"I won't let you!"
Kokushibo said in a low voice.
"Give up, rat. You have no chance of escaping!"
Muzan appeared above Aoki. The two barbed whips that were his arms, the nine tendril whips from his upper body, and the eight tendril whips from his lower body lashed out at Aoki.
The air exploded.
A sharp sonic boom echoed through Infinity Castle.
"That's enough!"
Aoki didn't even look at him.
If he kept dragging this out, his stamina would run out. He might not be able to complete his plan.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Nearly twenty whips lashed out, like a complex, deadly net. Even the other Upper Moons didn't dare get close.
Boom!
All the whips hit air. Aoki vanished.
The demons, including Muzan, weren't surprised.
The fight had been like this all day. They were used to it.
"The traitor's power is so great. How did he do it? Eating demons?"
Akaza thought.
It wasn't just power. The traitor's skill had increased even more!
The traitor's fighting skills had been rough when they last met. In just a few months, they had become refined, almost as good as his.
"Too bad I can't fight him properly!"
Akaza felt a little regret, then dismissed it.
Master Muzan's will was most important.
There were other strong people besides the traitor. He just needed...
Akaza stopped thinking. He felt something was wrong.
What were Gyokko, Hantengu, and Master Muzan's expressions?
Where was the traitor?
Why hadn't he seen the traitor for so long?
Whoosh!
A sharp sound came from behind.
Akaza realized.
He's behind me!
He's targeting me this time!
Akaza didn't worry.
The traitor had been running most of the time, but he had counterattacked occasionally, targeting him, Hantengu, and Gyokko.
He thought this was the same.
But then, Akaza realized the problem.
"Wait! Fighting spirit? Why can't I sense the traitor's fighting spirit?"
He was confused.
The Compass Needle was more important than his eyes or ears in battle.
He had suddenly lost his Compass Needle. His habits and fighting instincts collapsed. He was lost.
As Upper Moon Three, Akaza thought quickly. "Focus! I can sense his fighting spirit!"
Then...
Bang! Akaza's head exploded like a watermelon. His body burst with wounds, each at a key joint.
Akaza lost all ability to move.
He hadn't been able to react.
Aoki appeared behind Akaza, his hand on Akaza's shoulder.
"I didn't expect Akaza to be so weak. After this is over, I'll demote him to Upper Moon Six!"
Muzan was furious.
Even Gyokko, Upper Moon Five, hadn't done this badly against the traitor.
This was embarrassing!
Akaza had been slacking off. He should go to Upper Moon Six and think about what he had done!
Muzan thought, then noticed the traitor was saying something to him. He couldn't hear it, but he seemed to be saying... goodbye?
What did that mean?
Then, Aoki and Akaza vanished.
"Where did they go?"
Muzan looked around sharply, searching for the traitor. But he couldn't find him.
He must have run far.
He had to find him quickly!
If he waited too long, the traitor might devour Akaza!
The fight would drag on.
Muzan looked at Nakime. Before he could speak, Nakime said, "Master Muzan, the traitor is no longer in Infinity Castle!"
Boom!
Muzan released a violent aura. The air seemed to grow heavy.
Hantengu's main body trembled in fear. Gyokko swayed, looking shocked. Kokushibo was silent, looking grim.
"Nakime, what do you mean the traitor is no longer in Infinity Castle?" Muzan's voice was full of rage.
Nakime trembled. She could only say, "The traitor, he, escaped. He took Akaza with him!"
Boom!
A powerful shockwave tore through everything.
Muzan grabbed Nakime's neck, lifting her slowly. "A whole day! We chased the traitor for a whole day, cornering him many times. Now you're telling me he escaped?"
Nakime trembled. "The traitor, he, he could probably leave Infinity Castle from the start. He was just..."
Pfft!
Muzan tore off Nakime's head and threw her body aside.
"Search! Keep searching! Find the traitor!" Muzan's voice was like a storm.
Nakime picked up her head and put it back on her neck. "Yes! Master Muzan!"
Kokushibo, Gyokko, and Hantengu looked grim.
All the Upper Moons had attacked, even Muzan himself. They had attacked for over a day. Now they were being told the traitor had been toying with them?
He hadn't been trapped. He could have left anytime. He had stayed for Akaza.
And he had succeeded.
It was a slap in their faces!
The Upper Moons and Muzan left. Nakime returned to her place.
"Find the traitor!"
She didn't know what to do after finding him.
She just needed to find him.
Then, a figure appeared suddenly. Nakime froze.
---
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