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Scalding white mist rose from Kyogai's body, prompting Kaito and Sanemi, who were closest, to step back a few paces to avoid it.
Though the mist obscured Kyogai's transformation, Kaito used his powerful perception to observe every subtle change in the demon's body.
At this moment, all of Kyogai's inhuman features began to fade. His long, pointed ears started to retract, the drums embedded in his body began to fall off, and even his sharp fangs and claws shortened. His appearance gradually aligned more closely with that of a normal human.
When the mist finally cleared, the Kyogai who reappeared before everyone had slit-like pupils and slightly sharper canines than a human's, but otherwise, his body looked almost entirely human.
"Thank you for giving me such a treasure," Kyogai said, tilting his head back to grin at Kaito. "I feel stronger than ever before."
With that, his bound hands snapped their fingers.
In an instant, a cubic space centered around him began to invert and rotate.
The ground flipped, and everyone started falling downward.
"Everyone, be careful! This is Kyogai's Blood Demon Art—it manipulates a certain range of space!" Kanroji shouted in warning. "And now he seems even stronger!"
"Lord Ubuyashiki!!"
Obanai nimbly used Gyomei's arm as leverage, leaping to scoop Kagaya into his arms.
"Hahahaha…"
Kyogai, still clinging to the flipped ground above, snapped his fingers several more times.
The cubic space accelerated its rotation, and the swordsmen, like objects in a spinning drum, struggled to leap and stabilize themselves.
"I can feel it—I'm no longer afraid of the sun!!"
With another snap, everyone in the cubic space was flung outward, while Kyogai abruptly appeared on the other side, laughing as he bathed in the sunlight.
"Demon Slayer Corps, you're finished!! Your Nichirin Blades can't kill me anymore!!!"
The swordsmen steadied themselves, their expressions darkening.
"Hey, Uchiha-san, you didn't just create a huge problem, did you?" Tengen said, looking up at Kaito, who stood sideways on a wall.
"Ah, my apologies. That was my mistake, but don't worry—I'll capture him again right now," Kaito said, flipping to land on the ground.
Seeing Kaito's calm demeanor, the group felt a wave of relief.
This demon had overcome sunlight. If Nichirin Blades truly couldn't kill him, they'd be at a disadvantage.
"Stop talking big!!" Kyogai laughed smugly. "I'm not afraid of anyone now—not even Lord Muzan can control me through his blood!"
With another snap, the sound of slicing air rang out as invisible wind blades, like sharp claws, cut through the iron chains binding Kyogai.
He flexed his arms, a gleeful expression on his face, and glared fiercely at Sanemi among the group.
"Now I'll start my revenge," he said, extending his hands. "You—you'll regret what you said!"
"Ugh, so annoying!" Sanemi snarled, cracking his neck. "When did trash start getting so cocky? Come on, let's see what you've turned into from garbage!"
"To thank you for your gift, I'll present you with the most spectacular scene!" Kyogai began clapping rapidly.
Clap, clap, clap…
The rapid clapping caused the surrounding space to warp again, while countless invisible giant wind blades crisscrossed toward them.
Though Kyogai's attack was unpredictable, the battle-hardened swordsmen, while protecting Kagaya, easily deflected the assault.
At the same time…
"I said I'd capture you immediately…"
Kaito appeared silently behind Kyogai, one hand still holding the flowerpot, the other gently pressing against Kyogai's back, his voice soft in the demon's ear.
"Please don't ignore my presence."
"What?!"
Kyogai froze in shock, his pupils contracting.
"Too late."
Translucent spiritual chains extended from Kaito's palm, swiftly coiling around Kyogai's body, binding him once more.
Then, Kaito formed a hand seal with one hand.
"Seal!"
Kyogai's Blood Demon Art ceased instantly, and the warped space around the others returned to normal.
"Sorry," Kaito said, giving Kagaya an apologetic smile. "I didn't control him in time, and it startled you."
"It's fine," Kagaya said, placed back in his wheelchair by Obanai, shaking his head with a smile. He then looked curiously at Kyogai.
"It seems there's a reason Muzan has been searching for the Blue Spider Lily all these years."
"Hehehe…" Kyogai, still fearless, laughed. "What does it matter if you capture me? You can't kill me anymore!! And your location is exposed. Lord Muzan will come sooner or later! The Demon Slayer Corps will be wiped out, hehehe…"
"Shut up, trash!!"
Sanemi rushed forward, landing a heavy punch on Kyogai's face, knocking out several of his teeth.
"Hehehe…"
Spitting out blood and teeth, Kyogai continued to laugh maniacally.
"Shut up!!"
Sanemi drew his Nichirin Blade and pierced it through Kyogai's neck.
With his vocal cords severed, Kyogai could no longer speak but still mocked with his open mouth.
Sanemi twisted the blade with a feral grin.
Blood poured from Kyogai's neck, yet there was no sign of him being killed.
"He really can't be killed with a Nichirin Blade…"
"And he said Muzan can't control him through his blood anymore, which means…"
"Even if we kill Muzan Kibutsuji, he won't die?"
"What do we do next?"
The Hashira began discussing, shocked by Kyogai's transformation.
"Shinazugawa-san," Kaito said, unable to watch any longer. He walked over and handed the flowerpot to Kagaya.
"Let me handle this."
"I'm going to tear this trash apart, and if that doesn't work, I'll grind him into paste!" Sanemi growled. "Hey, can you regenerate from paste, trash?!"
"Sanemi." Kagaya spoke.
"Yes, sir." Reluctantly, Sanemi withdrew his Nichirin Blade and stepped aside.
"You're too impatient, Shinazugawa-san," Kaito said, locking eyes with Kyogai. His eyes suddenly turned red, three tomoe spinning slowly, then accelerating.
"What's this…"
Kyogai began to speak, but his voice faded, his eyes mirroring the same red as his expression turned blank.
Kaito's gentle voice spoke slowly. "Kyogai-san, as a demon, what happens if you stand in the sunlight?"
"I… I'll die…" Kyogai suddenly panicked.
"No! No! I'm a demon! I can't face the sun!!!"
He covered his face in terror, trying to flee but restrained by the spiritual chains.
"Aaaaaaaah…"
He let out a piercing wail as his skin began to char.
"Aaaaaaaah…"
Then, his entire body turned to ash and scattered in the wind.
"What a pity," Kaito said, blinking as his eyes returned to black, watching the ashes blow away.
"You forgot—you're no longer afraid of sunlight, Kyogai-san."