Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, Strategic Conference Room.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his armchair, his golden eyes fixed on the two tightly closed doors of light on the wall.
The exploration of the first door is on track.
The Doppelganger has established itself in the Hero Association, Hanzo in the shadows of the Monster Association. The cyborgs are approaching Genos and Dr. Kuseno.
The facility opens once a month to gather intelligence and replenish supplies; everything is running smoothly.
But Higashino Makoto knew that there would be no breakthrough in that world in the short term.
Saitama's existence was like an insurmountable mountain, standing in his way.
He won't go in until he finds a solution. Maybe he never will.
"Momo, it's time to explore the second door. Open the second door."
Momo's ahoge trembled slightly, and her purple eyes looked at him, the deep purple light gate reflected in her pupils.
"Yes, Makoto-san. But is it really okay to be so fast?"
"Confirmed. I don't need to worry about the first door anymore; let's see what's behind the second door."
Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to the portal, and gently touched the deep purple light barrier.
The moment my fingertips touched the light screen, a cool, metallic sensation washed over me.
The light screen slightly dented at his fingertips, then bounced back, like a layer of elastic skin.
"Same as always, send Doppelganger over first."
How many should we send?
"Two more, plus two Hanzo, and one Elf Kingdom with healing magic. Hmm, level 50 is enough."
"Elf Kingdom?"
"Yes, Elf Kingdom. First, if Hanzo or Doppelganger are injured, we can help heal them. If there are wounded people in that world, perhaps we can exchange information through healing."
Higashino Makoto withdrew his hand, turned around, and walked back to his desk to sit down.
"Seriously, I wish this was the world I knew."
"Familiar?"
"Yes, it looks like something I've seen before."
He picked up his teacup and took a sip.
The black tea was at the perfect temperature, with a subtle sweetness. Momo's tea brewing was getting better and better.
"Anyway, let's talk about it again in a week."
One week later, in the strategy conference room.
Higashino Makoto stood before the portal of light, his golden eyes gazing at the deep purple light curtain.
Momo stood behind him, holding a notebook in her hands, her tail swaying gently behind her.
Are you ready?
"Ready, Makoto-san."
Higashino Makoto reached out and pressed his hand on the light screen.
The light curtain cracked, revealing the pitch-black passage.
The monster mercenaries who had been waiting for a long time did not keep Higashino Makoto waiting long and quickly returned to the small world.
The five demons knelt down in unison.
"Higashino!"
"Good job, where's the intelligence?"
The Doppelganger stood up and handed him the notebook.
"Sir, this world... is very special."
Higashino Makoto took the notebook and opened it.
His gaze swept over the densely packed handwriting, his brows furrowing slightly, then relaxing, then furrowing again.
"Demon... Demon Slayer Corps... Nichirin Blade... Twelve Kizuki..."
He looked up at the Doppelganger.
"Interesting. How numerous and powerful are the ghosts in this world?"
"There are many."
The Doppelganger nodded.
"Demons feed on humans, fear sunlight, and are afraid of Nichirin Blade. The Demon Slayer Corps is an organization dedicated to fighting demons; its members are all humans who have gained superhuman physical abilities through rigorous training. They use a technique called 'Breathing Techniques' to strengthen their bodies and achieve a level of power capable of fighting demons."
"Breathing Techniques..."
Higashino Makoto repeated it in a low voice, his fingers tapping lightly on the notebook.
"That's interesting. I wonder if the humans in Novas Etier's world can learn this."
He continued scrolling down.
"Muzan Kibutsuji... the Twelve Kizuki... the Upper Ranks... the Lower Ranks..."
He closed his notebook, his golden eyes gazing at the distant sky.
"Demon Slayer"
He said the name calmly, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"It's Demon Slayer!"
He has seen this anime.
Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, my Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira.
And those pillars, those ghosts, those people struggling in the darkness, burning in despair.
What is the power level of this world?
"Very low."
The Doppelganger dressed as a woman stood up and dusted off her skirt.
"Based on intelligence, we estimate that Upper Ranks demons are around level 35 to 45, Lower Ranks demons are level 30 to 35, and ordinary demons are around level 15."
Where are the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps?
"Around level 20 to 30, and the average team member is around level 10."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"You've gathered so much intelligence in just one week, not bad."
"Thank you for the compliment, sir."
Higashino Makoto put the notebook into his backpack, turned around, and looked in the direction of the small town.
"Those ghosts... are afraid of sunlight, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"So, they don't dare to come out during the day?"
"Yes."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"So, is the world safe during the day?"
"Basically safe."
"That's good."
He turned around and looked at Momo.
"Momo, pack your things, we're going on a trip."
Momo was stunned for a moment.
"Travel?"
"Yes, tourism."
Higashino Makoto spoke in a relaxed tone.
"There's nothing dangerous in this world; I've decided to go and see for myself."
The next morning.
Higashino Makoto stood at the foot of a mountain, looking up at the blooming wisteria on the mountaintop.
Mount Fujikasane.
The Final Selection location for the Demon Slayer Corps.
It is said that many young swordsmen come here every year to participate in the selection process.
Only those who survive and leave this mountain are qualified to become official members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Makoto-san, is this Mount Fujikasane?"
Momo stood beside him, dressed in a simple black kimono, her short, pink hair neatly styled, with her ahoge (cowlick) trembling gently in the morning breeze.
Purple eyes gazed at the wisteria blossoms, the pale purple petals reflected in their pupils.
"Yes, Mount Fujikasane."
Higashino Makoto strode forward.
"Let's go up and take a look."
The two walked up the mountain path.
The wisteria on both sides were in full bloom, and the petals fell in the wind like purple snowflakes.
The air was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers, mixed with the scent of earth and grass, making people feel refreshed and relaxed.
At the end of the mountain road stands a huge torii gate.
Behind the torii gate was a wide, flat area. A dozen or so people were standing on the flat area.
They were dressed in all sorts of clothes; some wore kimonos, some wore Western-style dresses, and some wore simple linen clothes.
They are all different ages.
Some looked to be only teenagers, while others were already in their twenties; they all held knives in their hands.
Nichirin Blade.
The blades come in various colors: some are red, some are blue, some are yellow, and some are green.
That's determined by the nature of the Breathing Techniques.
They stood in front of the torii gate; some were talking, some were silent, and some were praying.
Today is the day of the Final Selection.
They are about to enter that mountain filled with demons, in order to become members of the Demon Slayer Corps, to protect humanity, and to survive.
Higashino Makoto stopped and looked at the group of people.
"Today?... That's lucky."
Momo stood beside him, her purple eyes also fixed on those people.
"Cheng-san, what are you planning to do?"
"Let me take a look first. No rush."