"Big brother, this Guildmaster fellow already told me everything."
On their way to the banquet, Nezuko was chatting with Tanjiro. "You worked really hard, didn't you, Big Brother?"
"I helped with tonight's banquet too!" Nezuko said sweetly with a smile.
"That's right! Granny Felyne even praised Nezuko," Kairo Retsu said proudly. "Granny Felyne's going to teach Nezuko a special recipe—what a blessing for her!"
As they chatted like this, they arrived at the venue where the banquet was being held.
As soon as Tanjiro arrived, he saw a great number of bipedal cats bustling around, carrying trays in their paws.
Off to one side of the banquet area stood a massive wall that, for some unknown reason, had been draped with a white cloth-like material… Having never seen such things, Tanjiro had no idea what it was.
But what really caught his attention was in the center of the banquet hall—Granny Felyne was personally cooking beside a massive raised stove.
Her cooking speed was astonishing. Huge slabs of meat and other ingredients were rapidly transformed into delicious dishes right before the eye, then promptly carried off by other Felynes to various tables.
And…
Tanjiro had never seen meat like this before!
Were there animals this large in the world?
Also! What was that massive creature being roasted on top of the stove?!
Why was there such a gigantic beast—one he'd never even seen before?!
"Aha! That's tonight's main course!!!"
Kairo Retsu stood proudly with hands on his hips. "A full roast Popo!!!"
[Popo: A herbivorous monster first appearing in Monster Hunter 2. Covered in long fur to withstand cold climates, with a gentle temperament.]
"Come quick! We saved you a seat!" Kairo Retsu called to Tanjiro and Nezuko. "Nezuko, come too! The story's about to start."
"S…Story?"
Tanjiro looked puzzled, but allowed himself to be dragged by Kairo Retsu to a table positioned for optimal viewing of the screen.
By now, the Hunters, the Ubuyashiki family, the Nine Hashira, Tamayo and Yushiro, as well as several of Tanjiro's close friends, were already seated.
"Is… is it really okay for me to sit here?" Genya asked somewhat nervously.
But the two Jo's* clapped him heartily on the back. "What's the big deal! Besides, we couldn't have killed Kokushibo without your Blood Demon Art gained from eating demons!"
*(Refers to Muichiro Tokito and Sanemi Shinazugawa, both bearing the "Shinazugawa" kanji for "Shina" – "二乔" likely an affectionate nickname here.)
"Now that Muzan is dead too!" added one of them directly. "It's time you made up with your brother!"
"..." The Wind Hashira averted his gaze. Although he heard them, he still didn't dare look his brother in the eye.
Meanwhile, Inosuke was already devouring food. "Yahaha!!! This food is amazing!!"
"Nezuko-chan~" Zenitsu swayed side to side. "There's a spot here! Come sit next to me!!"
"All right! Looks like everyone's here."
Once Tanjiro was seated, Kairo Retsu returned to his own seat. "As much as I'd love to start the banquet right away…"
"I have a surprise! One that's for all the Demon Slayer Corps members! And this surprise will also reveal where we Hunters came from."
Kairo Retsu raised his massive wooden mug and pointed to the Popo being roasted on the stove, as massive as an elephant. "Of course, this Popo isn't the surprise. But I think the more well-read among you may already have some guesses."
"We Hunters…"
Kairo Retsu finally revealed their origin. "We came from another world!"
As soon as Kairo Retsu spoke those words, many at the table breathed a sigh of relief.
Though it was certainly a strange revelation, it at least explained the mysterious abilities Kairo Retsu and his companions had demonstrated since their arrival.
And with so many Felynes bustling around—an entirely unknown species—it was hard not to have suspected something otherworldly already.
"For our Hunters' victory banquet! We've prepared a mountain of food!" Kairo Retsu held his mug high. "With Hunter's Meowscular Meals and celebration feasts, there's never such a thing as not enough food! And my surprise… is perfect to watch while eating!"
He gulped down over half his mug of alcohol, wiped his mouth, then pointed at the giant screen. "My surprise… is the story of what would have happened in the original Infinity Castle arc—if we Hunters hadn't been here."
As Kairo Retsu said this, he looked around at the people sitting at the table, fully satisfied with the results of the Hunters' efforts in protecting everyone. "So! Let the banquet begin!"
At Kairo Retsu's signal, the Felynes opened up the enormous projection screen and began to play the story of the Infinity Castle for all members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
At first, the members had no idea what they were watching.
But they quickly understood.
Tanjiro learning the Transparent World and Giyu slaying Upper Rank Three, Akaza.
Shinobu sacrificing herself to let Inosuke and Kanao kill Upper Rank Two, Doma.
Zenitsu killing Upper Rank Six, Kaigaku, in honor of the previous Thunder Hashira.
Muichiro Tokito and Genya Shinazugawa perishing, while Gyomei Himejima and Sanemi Shinazugawa took down Upper Rank One.
Tamayo being absorbed by Muzan after poisoning him, while Yushiro forced control of Upper Rank Four, Nakime, flinging Muzan to the surface.
And in the final battle against Muzan, countless Demon Slayers perished. The Stone, Love, and Serpent Hashira fell; Giyu, Sanemi, and Tanjiro lost limbs.
Eventually, Muzan was defeated. Though Tanjiro was turned into a demon, he overcame the sun's weakness in record time. But in that moment of utter despair, it was Nezuko, Kanao, and the medicine that together awakened Tanjiro and restored him to humanity.
The Demon Slayers also saw the memories of the demons… and those of Kokushibo, which revealed Yoriichi's memories—and Yoriichi's own story.
The entire banquet hall fell into silence, stirred by the gravity of what could have been.
But—
Kairo Retsu's voice rang out, cheerful and strong. "Don't get all mopey on me! Just look around at the people still beside you, all in one piece!"
"Even without us! You all would've defeated Muzan! Don't underestimate yourselves! We Hunters have no intention of stealing anyone's credit!"
Raising his mug high, Kairo Retsu shouted, "We just came here for one hell of a hunt!!"
"This is a celebration! There won't be any more demons from now on!"
"Now eat up! Are you seriously planning on wasting the food our respected Granny Felyne worked so hard to make!!?"
"Cheers!!!!!"
Kairo Retsu's words stirred the once-silent hall back into a festive uproar.
Everyone became immersed in the exquisite cuisine crafted by Granny Felyne, and the entire Demon Slayer Corps shared the full-roasted Popo together.
Later during the banquet, Kairo Retsu and Kagaya Ubuyashiki briefly stepped away…
The two stood on a high terrace, watching the joyous crowd below. Kagaya spoke with rare serenity. "Guildmaster, regarding what you told me earlier… that you captured the last fragment of Muzan…"
"Thank you for sharing that with me."