Movements on Both Sides, Conflict Erupts!

Infinity Castle.

Within this bizarre complex of upside-down, interlocking structures, several more powerful demons had been summoned.

Unlike the Lower Rank demons, who looked panicked and helpless, each of them displayed a distinct personality.

Some stood, some sat, calmly awaiting Muzan Kibutsuji's arrival.

Twang—!

The sound of a plucked string rang out abruptly, and the figures of Muzan Kibutsuji and Nakime suddenly solidified before the demons.

"Akaza is dead. The Upper Ranks are now missing a piece."

Without any greeting or preamble, Muzan Kibutsuji hurled the news at the Upper Rank demons present.

"Is that true? Lord Akaza, of all people... I never thought something like this would happen."

Amid the oppressive atmosphere, a young man voiced his thoughts in an exceptionally cheerful, optimistic tone.

He wore a religious-style red cap, and beneath his white oak-colored hair were rainbow-hued eyes that were utterly hollow, devoid of emotion.

His name was Doma, Upper Rank Two of the Twelve Kizuki.

Muzan Kibutsuji gave Doma a cold glance before continuing.

"I have now obtained information regarding the Blue Spider Lily, yet I am becoming more and more disappointed in all of you!"

As he spoke, an invisible and terrifying pressure spread from Muzan Kibutsuji.

The demons felt the blood flowing through their bodies seize up, while their hearts seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible hand, leaving them in unbearable agony.

"Because Akaza was too useless, I lost my chance to obtain the Blue Spider Lily."

"Because you are all too lax, I must personally step into the trap prepared by the Demon Slayer Corps."

"Is there really any difference between Upper Rank demons and Lower Rank demons? You are all equally worthless!"

The more Muzan Kibutsuji spoke, the angrier he became. The dark markings in his crimson eyes grew heavier, and the mounting pressure left the demons silent with fear, unable to offer a word in response.

Faced with their master's furious rage, even Doma, who always wore a playful smile, sobered up and respectfully prostrated himself on the ground. No one dared recklessly speak up at such a moment.

Muzan Kibutsuji's savage gaze swept over the demons one by one. After a long while, he finally suppressed the urge to crush them all to death.

At that moment, the darkness in the Demon King's eyes churned, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, already filled with rage.

He had no need to step into the Demon Slayer Corps' so-called trap at all!

Although they held the Blue Spider Lily as their trump card, he had cards of his own to play.

"Over the next month, I will order every demon to take action. You will be no exception."

Muzan Kibutsuji hastily assigned the task to all the Upper Ranks, then vanished amid the sound of Nakime's biwa.

Only after the Demon King departed did the Upper Rank demons who had been kneeling rise one after another.

Doma unfolded his golden fan, covering the lower half of his face as he spoke with lingering fear in his voice.

"Lord Muzan's power is just too overwhelming. I almost thought I was really going to die."

"Eek!!! Lord Doma, could you please not say something so unlucky?"

Hantengu, who had two horns on his head and looked like a timid old man, clutched his head, his voice trembling with tears.

Though his eyes bore no markings like those of the other demons, he was indeed the genuine Upper Rank Four.

"Lord Akaza... It must have been over ninety years since we last met. I never expected that our last meeting would be a final farewell."

Gyokko's tone was strange rather than sorrowful as he extended his upper body from an oval jar.

His appearance was vastly different from that of a human. His mouth grew where his eyes should have been, while an eyeball sat on his forehead and another in the place of his mouth, inscribed with the words "Upper Rank" and "Five," respectively.

Watching the Upper Rank demons around her relax completely, Daki, with snow-white hair cascading to her hips and scant clothing, let out a cold snort.

"You don't have anything else to say, do you? Then my brother and I will be leaving to carry out Lord Muzan's task."

As soon as she finished speaking, several ribbons extended from her waist and wrapped around her body before she vanished in an instant.

The demons glanced at the spot Daki had occupied, all wearing looks of disdain.

If not for Lord Muzan's "affection" and Gyutaro's protection, what right did such an arrogant little girl have to hold the position of Upper Rank Six?

"Enough. Daki was right. Go back and make your preparations."

Kokushibo, Upper Rank One, spoke for the first time.

His voice was calm yet authoritative, instantly suppressing any desire among the demons to continue talking.

Thus, the Upper Rank demons each used their own methods to leave the Infinity Castle.

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

After listening to Kyojuro Rengoku's complete report, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the most hot-tempered among them, slammed a fist onto the table and roared.

"What kind of joke is this?! Upper Rank demons won't die even if their heads are cut off?!"

Tengen Uzui added, "And not just that. If even Upper Rank demons aren't afraid of decapitation, then Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon King..."

Shinobu Kocho calmly analyzed, "Judging from Upper Rank Three's condition, sunlight is still their weakness."

Obanai Iguro spoke in a low voice. "So we can only delay them as long as possible and wait for the sun to rise before eliminating them?"

At that, veins bulged on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead. He abruptly turned and glared at Kashu, who was sitting nearby playing with Fou, then bellowed.

"Why did you set the time for midnight?!"

"How can humans possibly fight demons for a full six hours?!"

"And for such a crucial plan, you only told us now! You did that on purpose, didn't you?!"

The other Hashira said nothing, but their gazes toward Kashu were clearly filled with displeasure as well.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki hurriedly raised a hand, intending to smooth things over, but Kashu, who sat cross-legged nearby, spoke first.

"You're right. I did it on purpose."

"What?!"

The Hashira's expressions changed at once, completely unable to understand why he would do such a thing.

Kashu continued, "First, Muzan Kibutsuji is a cowardly piece of trash."

"If he isn't allowed to see the hope of victory, he'll immediately crawl into some gutter to hide and won't show his face again for centuries."

"Second, why did I only tell you now?"

"Because from the very beginning, I never expected you to be of any help. I alone am enough to deal with Muzan Kibutsuji."

The veins on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead throbbed as his right hand settled on the hilt of the Nichirin Blade at his waist. He ground his teeth and growled.

"I really do want to cut down you bastard right now!"

"Sanemi, this plan was decided jointly by Mr. Kashu and me."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke up in time, forcing the nearly berserk Sanemi Shinazugawa to calm down.

Then, he turned his gaze toward Kashu, whose expression remained as indifferent as ever, and gave a slight bow.

"However, Mr. Kashu, according to what we discussed before, the Demon Slayer Corps was to help you clear away the unnecessary obstacles, wasn't it?"

Kashu shook his head. "Sorry, I changed my mind."

"Judging by the strength displayed by Upper Rank Three, I'm afraid you truly won't be of much help."

"Oh, except for the Stone Hashira."

His utterly unsparing assessment instantly ignited the anger of several Hashira.

The Hashira sprang to their feet one by one, glaring furiously at Kashu as he continued playing with the pure-white young beast.

Kyojuro Rengoku hurriedly stepped between them, separating everyone as he spoke in a booming voice.

"Please, everyone, calm down!"

"Although I too am disheartened by Mr. Kashu's assessment, Upper Rank Three's strength truly was powerful enough to inspire despair!"

As the universally recognized good man among the nine Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku successfully made the enraged Hashira temporarily suppress the urge to draw their blades.

Tengen Uzui frowned deeply and stared at Kashu.

"I won't give up fighting just because of someone else's words! Unless you can flamboyantly produce proof that truly convinces me!"

At last, Kashu lifted his head. A teasing smile curled across his lips as he pointed toward the open space beyond the courtyard.

"Sure. Then let's go over there and show you."