Pain... a piercing, heart-wrenching pain... It felt as though his heart was being gouged out by a blade. The agony was so intense that Kibutsuji Muzan collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath as he let out a low, ragged wheeze.
He groaned in misery, his body curling into a tight, defensive arc as he slumped toward the floor.
Nakime stopped her playing immediately. Beside them, Kokushibo had been practicing his swordsmanship, polishing his techniques day after day. He abruptly sheathed Kyokokukamusari, the moonlight reflecting off the blade before it vanished. Startled by the sudden development, a few stray moon-blades flickered out from his aura, instantly slicing through a corner of the floor.
The wooden floorboards splintered and fell into the void, but with a light pluck of Nakime's strings, the architecture shifted and restored itself. This female demon, whose face remained hidden behind a curtain of disheveled hair, felt the demon blood within her—the blood belonging to Kibutsuji Muzan—vibrating and boiling in a frenzy. She spoke softly, "Lord Muzan."
At the headquarters of the Eternal Paradise Cult, Doma, dressed in his cult leader's robes and surrounded by his sybaritic pleasures, froze. In the Red-Light District, Gyutaro and his sister Daki, along with thousands of other demons across the world—whether they were currently feasting on humans or hiding from the sun—all stopped what they were doing simultaneously. It was as if they had been perfectly rehearsed.
They all clutched their chests, right over the heart where Muzan's blood resided. They were shocked to find a sudden surge of fear and panic surfacing within them. These emotions expanded rapidly, growing frantic until they became a tidal wave that threatened to drown them.
Everything seemed to point back to Kibutsuji Muzan. In a daze, the demons all realized the same terrifying truth: 'That Great One is afraid!'
"My Lord." The turmoil in Kokushibo's heart was immense, but he used his powerful willpower to forcibly suppress it.
Wearing a purple kimono with a snake-patterned design over black hakama, the man moved. With a single step of his wooden clogs, he appeared beside Kibutsuji Muzan. He reached out and grabbed Muzan's arm, hauling him up. Looking closer, he saw that the usually indifferent King of Demons, the one who held the power of life and death over all, was pale and disheveled. Muzan was gripping him with desperate strength.
Leaning most of his weight against Kokushibo, Muzan's expression turned hideous as he snarled, "It is Kamado Eiichiro!"
Muzan groaned in pain, "He must have done something... I can feel it, Michikatsu. He is harming me from the shadows!"
His fiery red hair swayed in the unseen wind. Kokushibo's six eyes narrowed instantly. He suddenly remembered the moment he had looked at the boy through the Eye Demon during the battle on the Mugen Train—that singular gaze across space. The sound of metal rang out as his blade was drawn, flashing with cold light.
Kokushibo stepped forward, shielding Muzan firmly behind him. He stared into the empty space ahead and said, "Do not worry, My Lord. Whatever he has done, we shall find out by asking him directly!"
[TRANSPARENT WORLD]... OPEN!
A surge of perception broke through physiological limits. His spiritual power reached a philosophical level, fueled by the lifelong insights of Kokushibo—or rather, Tsugikuni Michikatsu. Through his visual prowess, everything became as clear as a burning fire.
In the empty space above the wooden floorboards, a faint mist appeared out of nowhere. The mist outlined the figure of a young man. Those eyes suddenly ignited like two miniature suns. This was Roy's conscious avatar, having followed the Threads of Causality through the curse within Ubuyashiki Kagaya to break into the Infinity Castle!
"Kamado Eiichiro, how did you appear here?!" Through physical contact with Kokushibo, Muzan shared the vision of the Transparent World. The moment he saw Roy, he nearly crushed his own teeth in rage. The veins on his forehead bulged like writhing dragons as he lashed out with a Spike Whip!
[SPIKE WHIP]: AN ABILITY WHERE THE ARMS ARE EXTENDED INTO BONY, SPIKED WHIPS. IT COMBINES OFFENSE AND DEFENSE, REMAINING FLEXIBLE YET AS HARD AS ROCK. THE ATTACK RANGE IS VAST, COVERING A TEN-METER RADIUS, AND THE SPIKES CAN CHANGE POSITION AND SHAPE ACCORDING TO MUZAN'S WILL. THE SWING SPEED IS INCREDIBLY FAST; EVEN GYOMEI HIMEJIMA, WITH THE TRANSPARENT WORLD ACTIVE, COULD HARDLY REACT TO IT. AT HIS PEAK, THE SPEED EVEN MADE YORIICHI TSUGIKUNI FEEL A CHILL. IT POSSESSES EXTREME DESTRUCTIVE POWER, CAPABLE OF DESTROYING HALF A HOUSE WITH A DIRECT HIT. MOST DESPERATELY, THE WHIPS ARE LINED WITH COUNTLESS MOUTHS THAT CREATE A POWERFUL SUCTION, FORMING VORTICES IN THE AIR TO SLOW DOWN ENEMIES AND TEAR APART THE SURROUNDINGS, SEVERELY LIMITING THE SPACE FOR AN OPPONENT TO EXECUTE SWORD TECHNIQUES.
The Spike Whip whistled through the air, carrying Muzan's panicked fury. The countless tiny mouths on the whip opened wide, creating a vacuum toward Roy. Below, a flash of sword light was even faster than the whip. As the cold gleam ignited, it brought forth hundreds of moon-blades that bypassed the limitations of space. They coordinated with the whip's vortex to pin Roy's form in place, slashing toward him.
The young man's fiery red hair blew backward in the wind generated by the blades and whips. He carefully felt his current state, lost in thought.
'Nature... Backlash... Causality... Rotation... Causality... where there is a cause, there must be an effect.'
With the sound of something being pierced, the curse within Ubuyashiki Kagaya was incinerated by several Solar Swords. Roy's consciousness remained immersed, traveling along the causality lines. After this ethereal journey, a faint realization began to dawn on him, though it wasn't yet fully clear. With that hazy feeling, he opened his hand and manifested the Asauchi—Eclipse. He whispered, "Release."
"All things in the universe, turn to ashes. The sun rises in the east."
Suddenly, a red sun leaped from the tip of Roy's blade. As he lightly flicked Eclipse upward, the sun began to rise slowly.
The Spike Whip and the moon-blades were like rats scurrying in fear only to run into a cat waiting at the corner. In an instant, they melted, collapsed, and were annihilated into nothingness!
"Sun Breathing?"
"That is not Yoriichi's technique!"
"There is no such move in Sun Breathing!"
As the red sun's light hit Muzan's face, it immediately caught fire.
Kibutsuji Muzan shrieked, "Nakime!"
The sound of a biwa string rang out.
The world shifted!
Roy's figure flickered as he was forcibly moved backward, instantly opening a distance between himself, Muzan, and Kokushibo.
The young man watched them recede as the floorboards beneath him were swapped in succession. After his insight into Causality, he keenly captured the scent of Space. On his interface, the entries for [EN] and [NEN NATURE: YIN RELEASE] began to throb restlessly.
[PROMPT: TWO "DEMONS" AND ONE "DEMON KING" DETECTED. MONSTER ENCYCLOPEDIA HAS BEEN EXPANDED.]
[NAME: KIBUTSUJI MUZAN]
[DEMON KING]
[CONSTITUTION: 841 (NOTE: 1 FOR AN AVERAGE HUMAN)]
[INNATE BLOOD DEMON ART: 1. "GRACE": KIBUTSUJI MUZAN CAN TRANSFORM OTHERS INTO DEMONS BY INFUSING THEM WITH HIS BLOOD, VASTLY INCREASING THEIR PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES.]
[2. "DOMINION": KIBUTSUJI MUZAN HAS "ABSOLUTE DOMINION" OVER THE DEMONS UNDER HIS NAME. HE CAN READ THE MEMORIES OF HIS SUBORDINATES WITH A SINGLE THOUGHT, AND CAN EVEN DELETE, MODIFY, OR RESTRICT THEM... AS WELL AS TAKE THEIR LIVES AT WILL.]
[3. "MULTIPLE ORGANS": AS HIS STRENGTH INCREASES, KIBUTSUJI MUZAN CAN CULTIVATE MULTIPLE ORGANS WITHIN HIS BODY. UNLESS ALL ORGANS ARE DESTROYED, HE WILL NOT DIE.]
[4. "SELF-SPLINTERING": MUZAN CAN USE "SELF-DETONATION" TO SPLIT HIS PHYSICAL TISSUE INTO COUNTLESS SMALL PIECES TO HIDE. AS LONG AS A SINGLE PIECE SURVIVES, HE CAN REGENERATE.]
[5. "WHIP ARTS": KIBUTSUJI MUZAN IS AN EXPERT IN WHIP TECHNIQUES, CAPABLE OF TRANSFORMING PARTS OF HIS BODY INTO SPIKE WHIPS OR TUBE WHIPS TO ATTACK OTHERS.]
[6. "INFANT PROLIFERATION": MUZAN CAN TRANSFORM INTO A PRIMORDIAL INFANT STATE TO INFINITELY MULTIPLY HIS FLESH AND TISSUE (NOTE: IN THIS STATE, MUZAN IS EXTREMELY WEAK AND WILL NOT USE THIS UNLESS DRIVEN INTO A CORNER).]
[7... 8... 9...]
The prompts and information continued to scroll.
As Nakime played her biwa to push him back, Roy watched Muzan and Kokushibo fly further away. He casually glanced at the panels for Nakime and Kokushibo. One carried a massive amount of "Space" experience, making her extremely compatible with his Shadow Space; the other possessed countless "Sword Dao" skills, which, if consumed, could further elevate his swordsmanship level.
As the black mist of the curse within Ubuyashiki Kagaya was cleared one by one by the Solar Swords, Roy's projected body began to shimmer and fade until it vanished completely.
His consciousness returned to his physical body. He opened his eyes, let out a long breath, and said to Ubuyashiki Kagaya, "Mission accomplished. The curse has been removed."
The sound of a breaking shackle seemed to echo from within Kagaya's body.
The man's body swayed slightly. His hunched back slowly straightened, and a hint of color returned to his deathly pale face. He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, feeling an indescribable sense of relief throughout his entire being. It was as if the shackles had been broken, and the world had suddenly become wide and clear.
He couldn't help but let out a soft groan of comfort. The change was immediate and the effect was striking!
The Hashira kneeling around them were deeply moved. Those with the deepest bonds to Kagaya—such as Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Tengen Uzui—were moved to tears, choking back sobs.
"I feel... cured."
"Lord Eiichiro... Master... Dear..." Excited whispers filled the secluded wisteria grove.
Following the expansion of the Monster Encyclopedia, the "Believer Panels" for Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Muichiro Tokito, and even his senior Giyu Tomioka expanded. Notifications appeared, showing "Loyalty +10, +10, +15..."
The conditions for "Formal Induction" had been triggered. All that was needed was an "Investiture" to officially bring them into his fold.
Roy felt a warmth on his hand. Ubuyashiki Kagaya had grabbed his right hand, holding it tightly. "Lord... Eiichiro, I..."
He was so emotional he was almost incoherent. This was Kagaya's current state—even he, who was always composed, never imagined he would show such a raw display of emotion. He wanted to say so much, yet found no words. The grace of removing the curse was no different from giving him a second life.
Roy quietly appreciated the atmosphere. His understanding of Causality and En was still somewhat hazy, as if there were a thin layer of paper he couldn't quite poke through.
He patted Kagaya's trembling hands and said with a smile, "I know what you're thinking. You don't need to say anything. For now, you just need to rest and recover from the years of physical strain."
"Amitabha... Lord Eiichiro is correct." Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together and looked at Roy with immense gratitude. He stood and helped Kagaya lie down, making room for Hinaki, Nichika, and Amane, who arrived leading Kiriya, Kanata, and Kuina.
One by one, Roy used his palms to channel the "Darkness-Dispelling" property of the Sun, condensing Solar Swords to incinerate the black mist of the curse within their hearts. Hinaki, Nichika, Kiriya, and the others reacted almost exactly like Kagaya. Their bodies shuddered, followed by an incredible sense of lightness, and even their spirits seemed to brighten!
"Give your thanks to Lord Eiichiro!" Amane commanded.
Hinaki, Nichika, and Kiriya all bowed deeply in a formal salute. Not far away, on a futon, Kagaya lay flat, watching silently. For the first time, tears welled up in his blind eyes. It was as if his tear ducts had been revived. Without the constraint of the curse, he shed two rows of hot tears, a sight that moved everyone.
"Please, stand up. There is no need for this."
"No, Lord Eiichiro, you must accept it!" Kagaya finally found his voice and insisted.
None of the Hashira kneeling around him disagreed. Roy remained silent and accepted the bows. Moments later, Amane led the children back to the inner chambers to rest. In the large front hall and on the wide wooden veranda, only Kagaya, the nine Hashira, and Roy remained.
Kagaya propped himself up. After resting for a moment, he actually managed to sit up without Gyomei's help. He leaned against a cushion and looked at Roy seriously. "Lord Eiichiro, will you really not reconsider?"
"No, I don't have the energy to manage the trivialities of planning and logistics," Roy said, waving it off.
His mind was still focused on Causality and En. Seeing this, Kagaya glanced at the others. Gyomei, Sanemi, and the rest exchanged looks. They placed their right hands over their hearts and dropped to one knee, saluting Roy. "Gyomei Himejima / Sanemi Shinazugawa / Tengen Uzui... pay our respects to the Lord!"
Kagaya added with a smile, "Then we shall have two Lords. Both of you shall be Lords."
Roy was speechless.
Kagaya continued, "I will manage my Demon Slayer Corps, and you will manage your followers. No one said a man cannot serve two masters, did they?"
Behind Roy, Kyojuro Rengoku's straightforward nature flared up, his eyes shining. "I agree!" He then patted his chest and shouted, "Praise the Sun!"
Gyomei and Sanemi immediately echoed, "Praise the Sun!"
Roy was the only one standing, like a crane among a flock of chickens. He looked around and finally looked at Giyu Tomioka. "Senior, surely you aren't..."
"We shall address each other as we see fit," Giyu said, kneeling on one knee. He looked up with his usual cold, stoic expression and said calmly, "You can call me 'Senior' or 'Giyu' as you wish, but I recognize you as 'Lord'."
Roy could only sigh.