Higashino Makoto looked at them and offered his advice.
"If you ask me, the three of you can't beat Doma."
Kanae Kocho's brows furrowed slightly.
While it's true she died once before, Doma's power cannot be denied.
"We can call on the other pillars--"
Even if we call upon all the pillars, we probably still won't be able to win.
Higashino Makoto interrupted her.
I don't have any of the Demon Slayer three-piece set: the Demon Slayer Demon Slayer Mark, the Crimson Red Nichirin Sword, or the Transparent World.
Is this state of mind perfect for countering the Breathing Techniques against Doma?
"Doma's Blood Demon Art counters the Demon Slayer Corps' Breathing Techniques. His ice crystals can freeze your lungs, freeze your blood, freeze your breath. The more you breathe, the more you fight, the closer you get to death."
He paused.
"If you go, you might all be wiped out."
Kanae Kocho's face turned pale.
"How... how did you know all this?"
"I told you, I know a lot of things."
Higashino Makoto turned around and continued walking forward.
"Whether you go or not is up to you."
The next morning, at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, in the council chamber.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat in the main seat, an old blanket covering his knees, his purple eyes fixed on the long table in front of him.
The long table was filled with people.
Water Column - Giyu Tomioka.
Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku.
Wind Pillar - Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Serpent Pillar Obanai Iguro.
Love Pillar - Mitsuri Kanroji.
Mist Pillar - Muichiro Tokito.
Sound Pillar - Tengen Uzui.
Insect Pillar - Shinobu Kocho
And Kanae Kocho.
Nine pillars gathered together.
This is a rare moment of glory for the Demon Slayer Corps in recent years.
"My lord."
Kyojuro Rengoku was the first to speak, his voice booming.
"You summoned us because of Upper Ranks Two, Doma?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded.
Kanae suggests we attack Doma. I'd like to hear everyone's opinions.
The council chamber fell silent.
Sanemi Shinazugawa leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his purple eyes staring at the ceiling.
"I have no objection. It's all about killing ghosts anyway."
Obanai Iguro didn't speak, but simply nodded.
Mitsuri Kanroji cupped her face in her hands, her pink eyes sparkling.
"Doma... is that the demon who killed Kanae?"
"Yes."
Shinobu Kocho's voice was calm, but her fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"He's hiding within the Eternal Paradise Faith, posing as its leader. His Blood Demon Arts are incredibly powerful; he can create ice crystals that freeze an enemy's breath."
So what?
Sanemi Shinazugawa's voice carried a hint of disdain.
"There are so many of us, and we can't even beat him?"
"Possibly."
Shinobu Kocho looked at him, her purple eyes devoid of any emotion.
"Mr. Higashino said that if we went, we might all be wiped out."
The council chamber fell silent once more.
"Mr. Higashino?"
Kyojuro Rengoku's brow furrowed slightly.
"Is that the person who broke into headquarters?"
"Yes."
Shinobu Kocho.
"He defeated us all with just two fingers; what he says should be believable."
Sanemi Shinazugawa tapped his finger heavily on the table.
"He says he can wipe them all out? Who does he think he is?"
He's better than all of us.
Shinobu Kocho's tone remained calm.
Therefore, his words should be taken seriously.
Sanemi Shinazugawa opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out.
He remembered those two fingers, the knife that was caught in the grip, and the man's calm, expressionless face.
He shut his mouth.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki around, his purple eyes sweeping over every face.
What do you think?
Kyojuro Rengoku stood up, placing his hands on the table, flames burning in his golden eyes.
"My lord, I think we should go."
"Why?"
"Because we are the Demon Slayer Corps, slaying demons is our duty. We cannot back down just because the enemy is strong. If we retreat today out of fear of total annihilation, we will give up tomorrow out of fear of losses. And the day after tomorrow, there will be no Demon Slayer Corps."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki stared at him for a long time.
"You're right."
He turned his head and looked at the others.
Does anyone else have any objections?
No one spoke.
"Then it's settled."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki leaned back in his chair, his purple eyes staring at the ceiling.
"The battle against Upper Ranks Two, Doma, will take place in three days at the Eternal Paradise Faith."
"Yes, sir."
All nine pillars responded simultaneously.
Three days later, at night.
The headquarters of the Eternal Paradise Faith is located on the top of a mountain.
The architecture is Japanese style.
Wooden houses, tiled roofs, and lanterns that gleamed a dark red in the moonlight.
Nine pillars stand side by side in front of the mountain gate.
Higashino Makoto stood further away, leaning against a tree, arms crossed, his golden eyes gazing at the brightly lit building.
Momo stood beside him, her purple eyes also gazing in that direction.
"Cheng-san, they've gone inside."
"Um."
Aren't you going in?
"No rush."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"We'll talk about it when they can't win anymore."
Momo looked at him, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"Cheng-san, even though you say you won't help, you'll still help, right?"
"Of course, the Butterfly Sisters owe me a favor, but they don't value their own lives. So I've decided to make them owe an even bigger favor, one that's so big they'd risk their lives for it."
"Makoto-san is so mean--"
Higashino Makoto glanced at her, then chuckled softly and grabbed Momo's tail.
I'm just this bad.
Momo smiled.
Inside the mountain gate, the battle had already begun.
Doma stood in the center of the main hall, his long white hair cascading over his shoulders, his colorful eyes gleaming with an eerie light.
A smile played on his lips.
A gentle, compassionate, godlike smile.
It's completely unbelievable that he could be a ghost.
"Oh dear, so many guests!"
His voice was soft and gentle, as if he were welcoming an old friend.
"Come, come, don't be shy. Come in and sit down."
Kyojuro Rengoku was the first to rush forward.
"Flame Breathing - First Form - Shiranui!"
Flames wreathed the blade as it slashed toward Doma's neck.
Doma did not dodge.
He simply raised his hand and waved it lightly.
Ice crystals.
Countless ice crystals surged from his palm, sweeping in like a blizzard.
When the ice crystals touched the flames, they emitted a piercing hiss, and steam filled the air, blurring the view.
Kyojuro Rengoku's sword stopped in mid-air.
Not only was the knife blocked, but his breath was also frozen.
The ice crystals silently entered his lungs, his blood, and every single cell in his body.
His body began to stiffen, his movements became sluggish, and he began to have difficulty breathing.
"Anjuro!"
Shinobu Kocho rushed forward, her Nichirin Blade slashing towards Doma's arm.
Doma dodged to the side, simultaneously raising his other hand, and ice crystals surged forth once more.
Shinobu Kocho's breathing also froze.
She took a few steps back, covered her mouth, and coughed violently.
Purple blood seeped from between his fingers.