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"Perfect timing—I was running low on these. Now everyone can take them without worrying about the Demon Slayer Mark side effects during the Infinity Castle battle."
Kaido stepped into his courtyard and summoned Kuroha.
"Kuroha, gather all the Hashira at my estate. I need to discuss something important with them."
"CAW! Understood, Master!"
Roughly thirty minutes later, the Hashira assembled at Kaido's residence. Some hadn't yet seen his dragon transformation—they stared at the horns and tail with open curiosity.
"Yo, kid! You've had a flashy transformation! Looking real flashy there! Hahaha!"
"Kid, why'd you call us here?"
"There's something important. Let's talk inside."
They followed Kaido into the main room. Retsuki, following his instructions, had prepared tea and snacks for everyone. Once she'd finished serving, she settled beside Kaido.
"Gyomei-nii, Kyojuro-nii, Kanae-nee, Shinobu-nee, Giyu-senpai, Obanai, Sanemi—each of you needs to take one of these pills. Even if you awaken the Mark, there won't be any side effects. And if you haven't awakened it yet, these will still benefit your bodies significantly."
Kaido distributed the Longevity Pills he'd prepared in advance, handing them to everyone who hadn't yet manifested their Marks.
No one hesitated. They trusted Kaido completely and swallowed the pills immediately.
Then Kaido produced ten Clone Talismans and passed them out—one per person.
"These are Clone Talismans. You already know how they work, so I won't explain. But I've got a bad feeling—this silence we're experiencing is just the calm before the storm. Muzan's been quiet for too long. He's plotting something big."
"So I want to do everything within my power to prepare you all for what's coming."
"Namu Amida Butsu. Kaido, you've already done more than enough for us. Now I can awaken my Mark without fear." Gyomei was twenty-seven years old. He understood perfectly what awaiting the Mark would normally mean at his age. He wasn't afraid of death—but he feared dying before Muzan was destroyed, leaving the others to fight on without him. Every additional fighter increased their odds of victory.
The pill Kaido had given them eliminated the Mark's lethal drawback. Now Gyomei could fight with everything he had until Muzan fell.
"Indeed! Kaido, you've exceeded all expectations. I deeply respect you!" Kyojuro's voice rang with genuine admiration.
"You've done so much for everyone, Kaido-kun!" Mitsuri beamed.
"Kaido... thank you." Obanai's gratitude was simple but heartfelt.
Kanae, however, sensed something beneath Kaido's words—some unspoken burden weighing on his heart. She wanted to ask but held back, knowing he wouldn't answer directly. Then an idea formed.
"Ara, Kaido-kun, would you wear the outfit I picked out and come shopping with me?"
"Sure." Kaido agreed instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
That response caught Kanae off guard. Previously, getting him into feminine clothing required extensive bribery with candy and coaxing. This immediate acceptance felt... wrong somehow.
"Is something the matter, Kanae-nee? I said yes, didn't I?"
"No, it's just... Kaido-kun, you—"
Before Kanae could finish, Kaido stood and walked to the doorway, gazing up at the brilliant blue sky.
"Beautiful weather today." He turned back to face everyone. "After we defeat Muzan, would you all come back here? We could gather again like last time. What do you say?"
Silence fell. None of them answered immediately—because they couldn't guarantee they'd all survive to see that day.
"I think that sounds wonderful, Kaido-kun!" Kanae looked at him, then at the others. "He's right—after we destroy Muzan, why wouldn't we celebrate together?"
"I have no objections. I agree with Kaido's suggestion." Obanai nodded.
"Me too! Me too! I agree with Kaido-kun!" Mitsuri's enthusiasm was infectious.
"Indeed! I agree as well!" Kyojuro's conviction never wavered.
"I flashily agree! After we flashily destroy Muzan, we'll flashily celebrate!" Tengen grinned.
"Namu Amida Butsu. Kaido speaks wisely. After we eliminate Muzan, we'll invite Oyakata-sama and celebrate together properly." Gyomei's deep voice carried certainty.
"Tch. It's just a party. After we kill Muzan, kid, you can throw as many parties as you want—I'll attend every damn one." Sanemi's tsundere response drew smiles.
"However many parties there are, I'll attend them all. I hope everyone stays." Giyu's quiet statement hung in the air.
(Translation: Everyone will definitely survive to attend.)
"Tomioka, what's that supposed to mean??"
"Nothing in particular."
And just like that, Giyu and Sanemi launched into another argument.
Watching them bicker, Kaido couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Pfft—hahaha! You two... Giyu-senpai, Sanemi, you're like a comedy duo! Hahaha... I can't... hahaha..."
"Pfft~" Mitsuri started giggling. The Kocho sisters covered their mouths, laughing as well. The reaction spread through the room like wildfire—soon everyone was laughing.
Giyu and Sanemi, realizing they'd become entertainment, fell silent with embarrassment—then joined in the laughter themselves.
"Looks like you've changed me too, kid."
"Indeed. Changed quite a bit." Giyu nodded.
"Huh?? Tomioka, what the hell does that mean??"
The cycle of bickering resumed, drawing more laughter from the group.
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Time flowed like water through cupped hands.
The Hashira training program continued for over a month. Near the end, Kagaya summoned Gyomei for a private conversation.
Gyomei entered the Ubuyashiki estate to find Kagaya waiting patiently.
"Oyakata-sama, you wished to see me?"
"Within five days, Muzan will come. I'll serve as bait. I need you to sever his head."
"Why do you believe this, Oyakata-sama?"
"Intuition. Nothing more. The other children wouldn't accept using me as bait—I can only ask this of you, Gyomei. And please... don't tell Kaido. He's the type who'd sacrifice himself for others without hesitation. If he knew, he'd try to stop me."
"...As you command. Since you've asked this of me directly, I won't inform Kaido."
"Thank you, Gyomei. I pray we lose no more of my precious children."
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Time passed like a horse glimpsed through a gap in a fence—swift and unstoppable.
Jigoro Kuwajima arrived at Corps headquarters as promised. After speaking with Kagaya, his guilt finally lifted. He believed Zenitsu would resolve the matter with Kaigaku in his own way.
Under the Hashira's guidance, Tanjiro's strength had grown exponentially. During this period, Genya—following the Swordsmith Village incident—became genuine friends with Tanjiro.
They'd occasionally share meals during breaks. Genya told Tanjiro about his past with his brother, and how their misunderstanding had finally been resolved. The brothers had reconciled completely.
Finally, Tanjiro completed Gyomei's training and earned his acknowledgment.
But Tanjiro refused to accept the praise. He told Gyomei that every decision he'd made had been because of Nezuko. His choices at the Swordsmith Village had nearly gotten everyone killed—he didn't deserve recognition.
That response eliminated Gyomei's last lingering doubts about the siblings. No matter what, he accepted them both completely.
"My training is complete. You've done exceptionally well."
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Night.
After finishing a sparring match with Giyu, Sanemi was heading back when he heard rustling in nearby bushes. He investigated, reaching into the foliage—
His hand closed on something. Blood dripped from his palm.
"What the hell is this?" He stared at the eyeball in his grip, marked with the kanji for "Four."
Danger had already arrived.
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The Ubuyashiki estate.
Kagaya sat in his courtyard home with his wife and two daughters, waiting patiently for someone's arrival.
Past midnight, a figure appeared in the garden—a young man in a Western suit, with pale skin, a slender build, blood-red eyes, and long black hair.
Muzan Kibutsuji. The progenitor of all demons.
What neither the Ubuyashiki family nor Muzan realized was that in the shadows—in a spot they'd overlooked—someone watched them. Eyes glowed with eerie purple light mixed with brilliant gold, tracking every movement.
"You've come." Kagaya addressed the figure in his garden. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Muzan Kibutsuji."
"So you anticipated my arrival, Ubuyashiki."
"You've finally reached me. For a thousand years, the Ubuyashiki clan and the Demon Slayer Corps have hunted demons. You're exactly as Kaido described."
"Kaido? That white-haired demon slayer. He's interfered with my plans repeatedly. I'd very much like to meet him... and then—"
"You'll meet him soon enough. And I have a premonition—my swordsmen children will cut you down. For centuries, you must have loathed me and my clan. But only me would you come to kill personally."
"I've lost interest, Ubuyashiki. How presumptuous! The head of a clan that's obstructed me for millennia—I wonder how much longer you can cling to life?"
"Muzan, you don't know this, but I should have died years ago. Because a monster like you emerged from our bloodline, our clan was cursed. Our children were born weak and sickly, dying young. The bloodline nearly ended."
"Then our family received divine guidance—we married women from the Shrine Maiden clan. Our children lived slightly longer, but still never past thirty."
"Perhaps heaven took pity on us. It sent Kaido to join the Demon Slayer Corps. He gave me medicine that slowed the curse's progression. Because of him, the wheel of fate that never changed for centuries finally began to turn."
Muzan listened to Kagaya's speech without interrupting, though something about this place made him deeply uncomfortable—a nostalgic, peaceful feeling that disgusted him.
'This sensation is revolting.'
"I know your dream is eternal, immortal existence. I know you're searching for Nezuko to devour her and gain immunity to sunlight. But your dream will never come true, Muzan."
"You seem quite confident about Nezuko's hiding place, Ubuyashiki."
"You misunderstand. I'm simply explaining what eternity truly means. Eternity is human will and determination! For a thousand years, the Demon Slayer Corps hasn't been destroyed. Many precious children have died—but the Corps has never fallen!"
Muzan's irritation spiked. He appeared inside the building, standing mere feet from Kagaya.
"Enough, Ubuyashiki! Your words are tedious and unbearable! Once I find Nezuko and consume her, I'll become the perfect, ultimate, immortal being!"
Amane's heart raced as Muzan stood less than three meters away. She remembered Kaido's instructions and gripped the Teleportation Talisman hidden in her sleeve.
Fortunately, Muzan didn't advance further—he simply stood there, staring at Kagaya.
"Muzan, you've always been stepping on tiger tails and touching dragon scales. You've awakened those who should have slept peacefully—they're watching you now and won't let you escape! Even if you kill me, it won't hurt the Corps. I'm not that important."
"Fortunately, the Corps—especially the Hashira who respect me—will have their morale reach unprecedented heights if I die!"
"SHUT UP! Haven't you said enough??"
"I didn't expect you to listen to all of this. Thank you, Muzan."
The explosives detonated. The entire building erupted in flames, consuming everything in roaring fire.
The instant the explosion triggered, Amane tore the Teleportation Talisman. Light flashed—Kagaya, Amane, and their two daughters vanished, transported directly to Kaido's estate.
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"CAW! EMERGENCY SUMMONS! EMERGENCY SUMMONS! THE UBUYASHIKI ESTATE IS UNDER ATTACK!"
Sanemi was the first to receive the alert. The moment he heard "Ubuyashiki estate under attack," he moved—tearing through the forest at maximum speed toward his master's home.
"Oyakata-sama!"
"Faster... I have to go faster!"
Mitsuri, Obanai, the Kocho sisters, Muichiro, Tengen, Kyojuro, Giyu, and Tanjiro all received the same message and raced toward the estate with desperate urgency.
"I have to make it! I HAVE TO MAKE IT!" Tanjiro's thoughts screamed.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
In the distance, a massive explosion erupted at the Ubuyashiki estate. Flames consumed everything, spreading like a living entity devouring the world.
The Hashira: !!!
"That's... that's... a massive amount of explosives! The air reeks of... blood and flesh..." Tanjiro's enhanced sense of smell picked up the scent—familiar yet wrong. "Wait... this smell... it's Muzan's! But there's no trace of Oyakata-sama!"
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"Ugh... damn you... you bastard..." Muzan's body had been blown to pieces, regenerating slowly amidst the flames. Disbelief and genuine fear flickered through him.
"Ubuyashiki... I was wrong about you. You can't be measured by normal human standards. You're completely beyond conventional logic."
"Your hatred for me is like a venomous serpent coiled in your heart... no, now's not the time to think about this! I sense those humans approaching rapidly. I need to regenerate faster... what the hell is this?"
Dozens of fleshy seeds materialized around Muzan's regenerating form. He recognized the demonic energy emanating from them.
"This is... a Blood Demon Art??"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The seeds exploded, transforming into thick thorned vines that pierced Muzan's body. More thorns sprouted inside him, creating a lattice of restraints.
"Damn it! I'm pinned! Whose Blood Demon Art is this??"
"No—the amount isn't that significant. I can absorb it!"
THUD!
Something punched straight through his abdomen. Muzan looked down to see a familiar face.
"Tamayo! So it was you! This Blood Demon Art belongs to that person you turned into a demon in Asakusa, doesn't it??"
He noticed talismans covering Tamayo's body—the Blood Demon Art creating an optical illusion that prevented him from sensing her approach.
"What's this woman's goal? Why do this?"
"You absorbed my fist, didn't you, Muzan? Do you know what was in it? A drug that turns demons back into humans!"
"Impossible! There's no way you could have created—"
"But I did! And I have Kaido-kun to thank for providing Upper Rank blood samples! The situation has changed dramatically from before. I couldn't have done this alone—but I'm not alone anymore! Muzan, prepare to descend into hell!"
"You worthless woman! Don't forget who killed your husband and children—YOU DID!"
"If I'd known that would happen, I never would have become a demon! I said I didn't want to die from illness... I wanted to watch my children grow up! To atone for this sin, Muzan—come to hell with me!"
Muzan swung his fist to crush Tamayo—but a figure flashed between them, rescuing her.
"Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel!"
A circular slash severed Tamayo's arm cleanly. The swordsman scooped her up and leapt away from Muzan's reach.
"GYOMEI!" Kaido's shout rang out.
"Namu Amida Butsu!"
Gyomei appeared—talismans from Yushiro's Blood Demon Art concealing his presence.
WHOOSH!
Gyomei swung his spiked flail at Muzan's skull. The impact obliterated his head instantly.
But within moments, Muzan had fully regenerated.
"Just as Oyakata-sama predicted... even decapitation won't kill this monster!"
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Kaido carried Tamayo to a secluded grove.
"Kuroha! Risa!"
"CAW! I'm here, Master!"
"Dragon Hashira-sama!"
"Risa, protect Tamayo and take her to my estate. Everything's already prepared! Kuroha, guide them!"
"CAW! Understood!"
"Yes, Dragon Hashira-sama!"
After seeing them off safely, Kaido signaled to the talisman on his forehead—mission accomplished. Then he donned his fox mask, mounted his greatsword, and flew toward the battlefield.
Through his Blood Demon Art, Yushiro confirmed Tamayo's survival and understood what came next.
"Kid... thanks."
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"Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Bramble Trees!"
Thorned vines erupted from Muzan's arms, controllable extensions covered in reverse barbs like spiked chains. They surrounded Gyomei mid-charge.
"Rock Breathing, Third Form: Stone Skin!"
Gyomei's flail spun in defensive patterns, deflecting the bramble assault.
"Dragon Breathing, Second Form: Dragon Claw!"
Kaido descended from above, greatsword carving through the air toward Muzan.
Muzan sneered, raising his right arm to block—
The strike, combined with the hundred-pound blade's weight, sheared through his arm and shoulder completely.
"YOU! You're the one who's been sabotaging my plans!" Muzan finally registered the white-haired demon slayer with the fox mask, horns, and golden tail. "This is the brat who's been interfering!"
The remaining Hashira arrived, assembling around the battlefield.
"So YOU'RE the bastard! What did you do to Oyakata-sama?? I'll NEVER forgive you!" Sanemi's rage was volcanic.
Gyomei called out to warn everyone. "This is Muzan! Muzan Kibutsuji! Even if we sever his neck, he won't die!"
"That man... is Muzan Kibutsuji??"
"MUZAN!"
Mist Breathing, Fourth Form—
Love Breathing, Fifth Form—
Serpent Breathing, First Form—
Insect Breathing: Dance of the Butterfly—
Flame Breathing, Fifth Form—
Sound Breathing, Second Form—
Flower Breathing, Fourth Form—
Water Breathing, Third Form—
Wind Breathing, Seventh Form—
Multiple techniques converged on Muzan from all directions. But instead of panic, his lips curled into a smile.
CRACK!
Trapdoors opened beneath everyone's feet. Before anyone could react, they plummeted downward into darkness.
"Did you think you'd cornered me?? Then YOU can descend into hell! Every last one of you irritating demon slayers—I'll slaughter you all tonight! HAHAHA!"
"The one going to hell is YOU, Muzan! We'll defeat you! I swear it!"
"If you think you can, TRY IT—Tanjiro Kamado! I'll be waiting! And you, white-haired hunter!"
CRACK CRACK CRACK—
Muzan and all the Hashira fell into the Infinity Castle. The trapdoors sealed behind them, vanishing as though they'd never existed. Only flames remained, consuming the ruins of the Ubuyashiki estate.
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THUD!
Kaido landed smoothly inside the Infinity Castle, surveying the maze of inverted rooms and impossible architecture.
"So this is the interior of Infinity Castle... Muzan, let's see who ends up in hell."
ROARRRRRRRRRRR!
A door to his right burst open. A demon charged toward him.
Kaido didn't even draw his blade—he simply punched forward, his fist obliterating the demon's skull.
"A low-level demon boosted to Lower Rank strength with Muzan's blood? Pathetic. You're not even worth using a technique on."
BOOM!
His fist clenched. The demon's head exploded.
Kaido raised his greatsword and casually cleaved the body into segments.
CRACK!
Doors above and around him opened simultaneously. Dozens of demons swarmed toward him.
"Dragon Breathing, Seventh Form: Eight-Sided Swift Massacre!"
Kaido spun in place, his greatsword carving through space. Hundreds of blade projections scattered in all directions. Combined with Dragon's Breath enhancement and his dragon transformation, his speed approached the sound barrier.
Within seconds, every charging demon had been reduced to mincemeat.
He surveyed the dissolving corpses and continued forward—but more doors opened. More demons emerged, eyes filled with bloodlust.
"Guess it's time to go wild."
Kaido pulled out a high-explosive bomb, eyeing the surrounding horde. He yanked the pin and hurled it into their midst.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE! Art is explosion, and youth is mischief! HAHAHA!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions chained through the castle. The demons never stood a chance—they died before even making their debut, denied even the opportunity to show their faces.
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