Though he had long anticipated this outcome, claiming he wasn't worried would be a lie.
Charles looked up at the crescent moon hiding behind the clouds and couldn't help sighing.
He had done everything possible in the run-up to the battle.
Thanks to special training, everyone participating this time was well beyond their peak states in the original course of events.
He had been a bit concerned that each of them carried some knot in their heart that might affect their mindset in combat.
But without Charles lifting a finger, the problem resolved itself. The one who smoothed it all out was Tanjiro, that social powerhouse.
Whether it was pulling Giyu Tomioka aside for a heart-to-heart, plying Sanemi Shinazugawa with hagi mochi, or spacing out alongside Muichiro Tokito, Tanjiro did it all without a hint of strain.
Not everyone went along with it, of course. After Obanai Iguro saw Tanjiro chatting happily with Mitsuri Kanroji, he really leaned into public-private "payback" during training.
Even so, Tanjiro's warm, sunlike nature helped a few stiff-necked sorts open up. Call it a special gift.
In short, everyone's body and mind had reached their best state.
Charles also equipped each of them with a full set of antidotes, healing draughts, and stamina restoratives.
From here, it was up to their own efforts.
…
As expected, those who fell into the Infinity Castle were scattered.
Muzan hated Tamayo, so he swallowed her straight into his own body.
The explosion had wounded him badly, and the medicine Tamayo injected had further warped his body.
Regenerating and decomposing the drug had consumed a great deal of energy; now was exactly when he needed nourishment.
Even as her body was slowly devoured, Tamayo wore a look of utter satisfaction.
Go on, swallow me. Her body was full of surprises made just for him.
Yes, being swallowed by Muzan was a move Tamayo had planned long ago, because it would let the medicine she made work even better.
Charles had actually realized what Tamayo intended, but the words of dissuasion died in his throat when he saw her eyes.
Unlike Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Tamayo had long embraced death.
Ever since Muzan deceived her and she ate her own husband and child, remorse had gnawed at her heart, and every day alive was pain.
She could not forget the innocents she had eaten and had long been ready to atone. If not for the need to kill Muzan, she would have already walked into the sun and ended it herself.
To drag Muzan to hell with her now—that was what she wanted.
After fully consuming Tamayo, Muzan's body distorted, forming a flesh chrysalis as he began healing himself in that form.
Kasugai crows wheeled through the labyrinthine castle, passing messages along.
Those nearest had regrouped and were advancing toward their targets.
Alone in a corridor, Zenitsu pricked up his ears as if he heard something, turned, and headed for a side room.
He slid the door open. Looking at his senior brother, changed beyond recognition, Zenitsu said, "So you are here."
Kaigaku sneered. "Well, well, the Corps really did send a useless coward like you to die!"
The insult drew no reaction from Zenitsu. He only asked, "Why?"
Kaigaku said carelessly, "What are you babbling about?"
Zenitsu's eyes blazed with anger. "I'm asking why, as the heir to Thunder Breathing, you became a demon. Do you have any idea what that means for Gramps who trained you?"
Kaigaku curled his lip. "Tch. Who cares about that blind old fool? He made me share Thunder Breathing heirship with trash like you—what a joke!"
Zenitsu said coldly, "You really can't tell right from wrong anymore, can you?"
Kaigaku laughed aloud. "Of course I can! Those who recognize my worth and acknowledge my power are good. Those blind to it, who ignore me, are evil!
That's right—the Demon Slayer Corps are idiots. They chose a shabby, weak-looking loser who only knows one form over a superior man like me. I'd love nothing more than to kill them with my own hands!"
"Enough!"
Zenitsu cut him off sharply. "I've heard all I can stand. You're rotten to the core. To wash away the disgrace of a Thunder Breathing heir becoming a demon, and to keep Gramps alive, I will cut you down!"
Kaigaku mocked him. "Cut me down? You? What a—"
Before he could finish, blood sprayed from his neck. Only then did he notice the flash of yellow lightning by his side.
"So that's why you betrayed Gramps to become a demon? Your reactions are too slow, garbage."
Zenitsu exhaled a plume of white, and lightning marks sharpened on his forehead.
Zenitsu's personality had a massive flaw, but aside from that, his talent was extraordinary. In sheer physique and sword aptitude, he even surpassed Tanjiro.
Once he found a true reason to fight, Zenitsu's strength leapt.
…
Shinobu Kocho led Kanao and Inosuke until they found the roaming Sanemi Shinazugawa. The four advanced, cutting down demons as they emerged.
But the Infinity Castle's terrain was too complex; they wound their way into a particular room.
A cringing figure crept out—a demon with swollen lumps on his head, looking quite like an oni from myth.
"Eeeeek! Don't hurt this poor old man—blind and frail!"
Despite his plea, all four readied themselves, because even though his eyes lacked the "Upper Rank" kanji of other demons, they knew who he was.
Upper Rank Four, Hantengu, was discovered, and battle broke out with the Insect Hashira, Wind Hashira, and Kanao and Inosuke.
…
Kyojuro Rengoku, Giyu Tomioka, and Tengen Uzui were weaving through the structure.
Suddenly, all three stopped and stepped back at once.
With a boom, a figure dropped from above and slammed down between them. A pink-haired man covered in deep blue tattoos lifted a face lit with madness.
"You must be Hashira. No mistake—the tempered flesh, the fighting spirit: proof of the strong! Now this is exciting!"
Upper Rank Three, Akaza, appeared—facing the Flame, Water, and Sound Hashira.
…
In a space lined with countless pillars, the towering Gyomei Himejima barreled forward like a tank, with Tanjiro and Muichiro Tokito tight on his heels.
Their path was blocked by a lone figure.
A kimono with snakeskin patterns, a high ponytail, flame Marks on his brow and chin, and those terrifying six eyes—his identity was clear.
Upper Rank One, the strongest demon: Kokushibo.
He poured out his aura of supremacy without restraint; that presence alone could rob a Hashira-class swordsman of the will to fight.
Unfortunately for him, after grueling special training against Charles, this level of pressure was middling to the three of them.
"Commendable, to remain this calm before me."
Kokushibo's six eyes shifted, taking them in one by one.
He had stepped into the supreme realm long ago; mere observation yielded much.
He first examined Gyomei at point, muscles and bones laid bare to his perception, and had to admit this was a body forged by countless trials—worthy of some measure of regard.
Then he looked to Muichiro—and his expression changed. He sensed the Tsugikuni bloodline flowing in the boy.
As one who had once borne the name Michikatsu Tsugikuni, how could Kokushibo not know Muichiro was his descendant?
He had abandoned wife and children long ago; after becoming a demon, he severed such "trivial" feelings entirely.
So he only spared Muichiro a second glance.
Lastly, he looked at Tanjiro—and his gaze froze.
Those earrings, that Mark, that familiar Sun Breathing!
In his ears a voice seemed to echo again… "How pitiful you are, Brother."
Kokushibo felt a pain twist in his gut, a sudden urge to retch.
"Why? Why has your Sun Breathing been passed down? Why do you still leave such marks on this world, Yoriichi?!"
The Stone Hashira, the Mist Hashira, and Tanjiro faced Upper Rank One—battle about to ignite.
…
Obanai Iguro and Mitsuri Kanroji pushed through layer after layer of barriers until they saw Nakime, kneeling with her shamisen on a floating house.
Rootlike masses of flesh extended from her back, stabbing into the structure behind. It was through this fusion that she controlled the entire Infinity Castle.
The Serpent and Love Hashira had found the critical target and were ready to move at any moment.
And at the deepest point of the Infinity Castle, Muzan's flesh chrysalis pulsed.
______
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