Infinity Castle — The Final Hunt Begins
Takumi hovered alone in the vast, shifting corridors of the Infinity Castle. Moments earlier, he had sliced Kokushibo in half with a casual slash, and now his golden eyes gleamed with anticipation.
With a thought, his divine sense expanded like a tidal wave, washing through every corner of the labyrinthine structure.
Rooms, corridors, hidden chambers, twisting platforms… none could hide from him.
"Found him."
A smirk pulled at the corner of his lips.
"So that's where you're hiding, Muzan. And it looks like you pulled all your little pets back to protect you."
Indeed—Muzan's panic had already turned the Infinity Castle into a chaotic beehive.
■ Muzan's Panic
Muzan stood at the center of a circular chamber, his face twisted in fury and—buried deep beneath it—fear.
The remaining Upper and Lower Moons knelt before him.
Hantengu trembled.
"L-Lord Muzan… what has happened? Why have you summoned us all? The Demon Slayer Corps is already breaching the castle!"
Muzan's voice was ice.
"Kokushibo is dead."
The entire room froze.
"And he was killed in one move."
"WHAT?!"
"Impossible!"
"That Kokushibo?!"
Daki and Gyutaro exchanged horrified glances. Even Akaza's usually calm expression flickered.
Muzan's blood-red eyes swept over them.
"Useless. All of you. If he could kill Kokushibo in a single breath, what use are any of you?!"
No one dared speak.
Muzan's fury thickened the air like poison.
But then—
A voice drifted lazily through the chamber.
"Oh my… calling your subordinates useless? Then you must be very brave, Lord Muzan."
Every demon tensed.
"Who—WHO'S THERE?!"
Muzan turned sharply.
And saw him.
Takumi stepped into the chamber with a relaxed smile, one hand in his pocket, Linglong resting casually on his shoulder.
"You again…" Muzan hissed, his entire body trembling.
"You killed Douma…"
"You killed Kokushibo…"
"You just don't stop, do you?"
Takumi shrugged.
"Meh. I like cleaning up trash."
The Twelve Kizuki flinched.
"You… you came here to kill Lord Muzan?!"
"How dare you?!"
"No one can kill Lord Muzan!"
Takumi smiled.
"You'd be surprised."
■ Muzan Tries to Sacrifice His Own Men
Takumi raised a hand.
A golden chain of condensed Herrscher energy materialized, glowing like molten sunlight.
It shot forward.
Muzan's eyes widened.
He immediately shoved Hantengu in front of him.
"Lord Muzan—!!!" Hantengu screamed.
The chain wrapped him instantly.
Muzan didn't even spare him a glance.
"Morons! Stop him! If not—YOU'LL ALL DIE!"
The Kizuki had no choice. They stepped forward shakily, preparing to unleash their techniques.
But then—
Takumi's voice echoed:
"Kneel."
BOOM.
His aura exploded outward.
Every demon—including Akaza—collapsed to the floor, bodies pinned as though mountains pressed upon them.
"I—can't—move—!"
"What… pressure…!"
"It's like… dying…"
Hantengu choked as the chain tightened.
CRACK.
He shattered.
"Ah… ugh…" Muzan's voice trembled.
If he had been one step slower… that would've been him.
■ The Capture of Muzan
Muzan tried to retreat, his body twisting, bones warping, tentacles bursting from his back.
He attempted to split and flee.
To self-destruct.
To burrow.
To hide.
But Takumi's divine sense tracked every muscle twitch.
Golden chains materialized.
"W-When—?! I didn't even see—!"
Muzan found himself wrapped, bound tighter than steel.
Takumi stepped forward and grabbed the end of the chain.
Then yanked.
Muzan was dragged to his feet like a captured animal.
Takumi smiled.
"Let me give you a little advice. When you're bad at something…"
He leaned close.
"…practice more."
Muzan snarled helplessly.
"You monster… what ARE you?!"
Takumi tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm… a future king, maybe."
Behind him, Linglong flew out of his body.
"Alright. I've caught the boss. Linglong—clean up the rest."
"Yes, Master."
The sword spun like a golden comet.
And in less than five seconds—
The Twelve Kizuki were decapitated.
All of them.
One strike each.
No regeneration.
And with Nakime's death, the Infinity Castle trembled—
Then shattered like glass.
■ The Castle Falls – And Muzan Faces His End
The Demon Slayer Corps found themselves back on the mountain surface.
The moon shone brightly overhead.
"W-We're outside!"
"Did Lord Takumi do this?!"
"What happened to Muzan?!"
A golden flash.
Takumi appeared before them, dragging a bound Muzan behind him.
"Lord Takumi!"
"Is that… him?"
Rengoku squinted.
"This… this man… could this be Kibutsuji Muzan?"
Takumi smirked.
"Bingo. No prize though."
The Corps erupted.
"Muzan!!!"
"Bastard!! Give back our families!!"
"Kill him!!"
They swarmed Muzan, beating him mercilessly.
Takumi simply watched silently.
For all the pain he caused… he deserves this.
Finally, the horizon brightened.
The first rays of sunlight appeared.
Takumi raised his voice.
"Everyone. It's over."
The sunlight hit Muzan.
He screamed—
Then turned to ash.
"IT'S OVER!!"
"Mother… Father… I avenged you…"
"Thank you, Lord Takumi!!"
Dozens fell to their knees, weeping.
Takumi felt a gentle hand slip into his.
Kanae Kocho stood at his side.
Her eyes were warm and soft.
"Lord Takumi… this victory belongs to you. Meeting you… was my greatest blessing."
She stood on her toes—
And kissed his cheek.
Takumi blinked.
Then pulled her into his arms.
He leaned down to her ear.
"You made the first move, you know…"
Kanae's face turned crimson.
And Takumi smiled.
Because this was the end of Muzan's era—
And the beginning of Dimensional City.
His city.
His kingdom.
His future.