Bang!
The dull thud of a body hitting the ground, followed by a pained groan, echoed through the desolate Infinity Castle.
Shokyu turned his head in annoyance, his scarlet eyes glaring viciously at the delicate figure he had just violently thrown down.
"I hope you don't overestimate your worth, Lady Tamayo. Otherwise, I may no longer see fit to keep you alive."
The person Shokyu was staring at was indeed Tamayo—the very person Yushiro had been desperately searching for on the battlefield.
"You lied to me! Shokyu, I thought we would be allies, but you deceived me!" Tamayo stood up, questioning him with every ounce of her strength.
"What are you doing? What have you done to Nezuko? And that strange girl?"
Shokyu let out a cold laugh, his tone eerily calm.
"Deceived? Lady Tamayo, please don't misunderstand. When have I ever lied to you? Our agreement was always to eliminate my foolish 'brothers.' Do not worry about Muzan; I have only kept him alive temporarily. Once he witnesses my control over the Underworld, I will kill him with my own hands."
"No! Destroying Muzan was supposed to end this thousand-year chaos and prevent countless bloody tragedies! It was not meant to create a monster even more terrifying than him!" Tamayo shook her head firmly, her gaze filled with disgust.
"Ha. What a hort-sighted woman. I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you. Just watch me ascend to godhood!"
Shokyu looked away and snapped his fingers.
Immediately, the melodious sound of a biwa rang out.
Crack! Crack!
Space distorted around Tamayo.
The floor beneath her feet vanished, and she lost her balance, plummeting into a void surrounded by upside-down wooden buildings.
"Shokyu, don't go any further, stop now..." Tamayo's voice grew fainter as the sound of shifting wood drowned her out, until she was gone completely.
Hearing her fade away, Shokyu couldn't help but smirk mockingly.
If it weren't for the fact that her research, poisons, and medicine had helped him easily defeat Muzan, he wouldn't have bothered talking to her for so long.
'Let Kamaro move that noisy woman elsewhere,' he thought. 'If she continues to be so dull-witted, perhaps it is better to let her die.'
Without further delay, Shokyu raised his hand, holding up a glass vial he had prepared.
Inside was the key he had sought for thousands of years—the essence required to control the power of the Underworld!
By fusing with it, he would become the one and only "God" of this world!
But suddenly, a furious, confused roar echoed through the Infinity Castle.
"No! Why?! I have collected everything! How could it not work? Impossible! What am I missing? How could it fail when I have everything? No!!"
....
Meanwhile, at the Demon Slayer Corps' Temporary Headquarters.
Since the destruction of the Ubuyashiki Estate, the Corps' second headquarters had also been destroyed.
The current third headquarters was, in fact, another base provided by the Moriki group.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's sacrifice had been tragic and noble.
However, while his decisiveness allowed the Demon Slayer Corps to achieve great results against the demons, the price was high: the Corps was now effectively leaderless.
Although his son, Kiriya Ubuyashiki, quickly took up the mantle of leader, he was still just a child.
His mind and decision-making skills were naturally immature.
Moreover, Kiriya was currently recuperating in a hidden safehouse and had not yet fully recovered from the shock.
Therefore, the decisions of the Demon Slayer Corps now fell to the strongest members of the team—the Hashira.
However, while the Hashira were experts in combat, handling logistics and administration was difficult for them.
Fortunately, at Chinatsu's request, the Moriki group was fully supporting the Corps.
From establishing the new headquarters to assisting with the relocation of the Swordsmith Village, the Foundation had put in a massive amount of effort.
In a simple but spacious room, Chinatsu sat with the Hashira, listening to everyone's opinions.
"The problem is, we don't know what to do next," Himejima Gyomei said, clasping his hands together with a hint of worry visible in his blind eyes.
"It is strange," Sabito said, looking solemnly at a pile of letters before him.
"After that battle, the demons across the country seem to have fallen silent. According to investigations by the Wisteria Flower families, there hasn't been a single demon attack during this period. It's unbelievable."
Shinazugawa Sanemi stared with bloodshot eyes, his tone filled with resentment.
"If we had been stronger back then! We could have wiped them all out—whether it was Muzan or that bastard Shokyu!"
"Although I hate to admit it, the Upper Moons are indeed strong," Uzui Tengen said, flicking a blue gem with his finger as it caught the light.
"However, I don't feel I've lost out. We gave it our all in a truly flashy battle."
Chinatsu frowned and looked at the Hashira.
"Don't overlook the demon named Shokyu. It seems Upper Moon Six kidnapped me on his orders. Furthermore, they have even infiltrated the upper echelons of human society... This is terrifying."
"Who exactly is Shokyu? What is his purpose?" Rengoku asked in a booming voice, his arms crossed.
"From the moment he appeared, it seemed Muzan hated him deeply. But one thing is certain: he is definitely not our friend. Otherwise, Shinichi wouldn't be lying in the Butterfly Mansion's sickbed right now."
Just then, the door to the room was pushed open, and several figures entered.
Because Kyojuro had spoken so loudly, the person at the front clearly heard him.
"Shokyu's purpose might seem fantastical, but it is very real. I wonder... has anyone heard the legend of the Yomi?"
The familiar voice startled everyone.
They turned to the doorway simultaneously.
Standing there was Shinichi, looking perfectly healthy and wearing a brand-new uniform.
"That's great! Shinichi, you've recovered?"
"It's good that you're alright."
"Hmm, you look just as flamboyant as ever, Shinichi."
"Haha! I knew you wouldn't get into trouble, Shinichi!"
"Oh! It's good that Shinichi is okay. But... where is Shinobu?"