"The mission is to save Shinobu, but we also have to kill Muzan."
Esdeath crossed her arms arrogantly. "Just kill all the demons along with that Muzan."
Shinobu frowned and shook her head. "There are too many of them. Only by killing Muzan Kibutsuji will all the demons die along with him."
"Do you know where he is?" Hancock asked.
"I don't know. The Demon Slayer Corps doesn't know either." Shinobu shook her head sadly.
Muzan and his subordinates were in a pocket dimension thanks to one particular demon's ability, so it was only natural that even the Demon Slayer Corps, which had been established for a thousand years, had no knowledge of it.
Tetsuya thought for a moment and said to Shinobu, "Shinobu, is there a guy named Kamado Tanjiro in the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Shinobu, who had already recovered thanks to her natural regeneration speed being boosted by Tetsuya, he used his electric control to enhance her cellular healing abilities, replied, "No, there isn't."
Hearing that, Tetsuya nodded with a smile. "I have a plan. Let's head to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters first, and I'll explain it there."
Meanwhile, in a place with endless corridors and castles, the headquarters of the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji, the Infinity Castle.
The Upper Rank demons were on their way because their master, Muzan Kibutsuji, had summoned them for something. One of them, Upper Rank Three, was inexplicably in an extremely good mood.
As they gathered there, the female demon with the biwa announced in a loud voice, "Lord Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon King, has arrived."
At that moment, a man with pale white skin and wavy black hair appeared. All the Upper Rank demons knelt and greeted him.
"Muzan-sama."
"Stand."
The Upper Ranks stood up. They looked at their master's face, Muzan looked extremely displeased. Among them, for some reason, the smile on Akaza's face, Upper Rank Three, grew even wider.
"Doma is dead." Muzan said it in a grim voice.
Akaza almost grinned, but he quickly lowered his head to hide it. However, Muzan noticed and said coldly, "You look pleased, Akaza."
"Useless trash! You haven't made any progress in searching for the Blue Spider Lily, and now one of us has been killed by the Demon Slayer Corps!"
No one dared to speak; they all lowered their heads, not wanting to provoke Muzan's anger.
After venting his emotions, Muzan spoke coldly again, "Continue searching every place for the Blue Spider Lily, and investigate Doma's death!"
"Yes, Muzan-sama!" The Upper Ranks' shouts echoed, and with the sound of Nakime's biwa, the Upper Rank demons vanished from Muzan's presence.
...
Front gate of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
At this moment, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were gathered. The Master had suddenly announced a Hashira Meeting.
"Hm, why isn't Shinobu here?" the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, looked around.
"Maybe she has something important," said Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, crossing his arms.
"How rude," scolded the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro.
"Being late isn't flamboyant," commented Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira.
The other Hashira remained silent: Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, stared blankly at a bird in a tree; Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, stayed expressionless and quiet; and Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, clasped his hands together, murmuring "Amitabha" repeatedly.
"Nothing is more important than Oyakata-sama's words!" the angry Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, said furiously.
"Sanemi, don't speak ill of your comrades," a calming voice came from inside the room.
"Oyakata-sama!" All the Hashira immediately knelt.
A man with long hair, the upper part of his face covered by a curse mark that blinded him, slowly walked out, leaning on his wife's arm. This was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and his wife, Amane. His voice was gentle and soothing.
His gaze swept over everyone, prompting them to stand. They rose calmly, knowing the Master was about to share something important.
"Shinobu has encountered an Upper Rank demon, Upper Rank Two, Doma."
"What?! She met an Upper Rank?!" Everyone was shocked. Upper Rank demons were incredibly powerful.
"Then Shinobu, she..." Mitsuri was extremely worried.
The others also had sharp looks in their eyes; their collective concern pleased Kagaya. He gave a faint smile. "Upper Rank Two, Doma, is dead."
This news was even more shocking. The Twelve Kizuki Upper Ranks were extraordinarily strong demons. The Upper Six were far more powerful than the Lower Six. Upper Rank Two, Doma, was immensely powerful and only surpassed by Upper Rank One and the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji himself.
Shinobu killed him? That was unbelievable.
However, Kagaya's next words put an end to their speculation. "It wasn't Shinobu who killed Doma."
"Then who did?" Sanemi asked impatiently.
In reality, Kagaya didn't know either. He only knew from Shinobu's fragmented words that she had met some people capable of dealing with Muzan Kibutsuji.
"Tetsuya Hiratsuji! Don't press your hand against my body!"
"Amazing... This speed is incredible."
At that moment, voices came from the sky above. Everyone looked up as Tetsuya, carrying the three women, landed in the courtyard. Hancock immediately broke free from Tetsuya's hold and glared at him angrily, though it looked more like an annoyed cat.
"Who are you!" All the Hashira had already drawn their Nichirin Swords and surrounded them.
"Shinobu!"
Mitsuri saw Shinobu, who still looked a bit dazed. This was the first time she had moved at such incredible speed, leaping through the air and landing on the ground.
Esdeath grinned as if she had found prey, and a cold aura immediately radiated from her.
"So cold!"
Even the Hashira felt a chill down their spines, as if frost was biting their skin.
"This is her Blood Demon Art! Protect Ubuyashiki-sama! Demon, die!"
With murderous intent blazing in his eyes, Sanemi Shinazugawa roared and charged at Esdeath like a raging storm.
"Sanemi-san, stop!"
"Sanemi! Hold it!"
Shinobu and Kagaya Ubuyashiki both tried to stop him, but it was too late. Sanemi had already exhaled powerfully, raising his sword to slash straight at Esdeath.
Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!
Unfortunately, it wasn't wind energy, but raw speed and power for a devastating dash attack.
"Pathetic," Esdeath muttered in disappointment. She swung her right leg at incredible speed, her kick landing squarely in Sanemi's stomach, sending him flying past his own sword.
"Ugh!"
His stomach churned, and blood sprayed from Sanemi's mouth. But before the blood could reach Esdeath, it froze into red crystal shards and fell to the ground.
With wide eyes, Sanemi was hurled backward like an arrow released from a bow, crashing into a decorative rock formation in the courtyard. The rocks shattered into pieces from the impact.