Matching You with an Evenly Matched Opponent!

The aftermath of the demon's self-destruction had yet to fade when Kakushi members and Kasugai Crows began delivering intelligence in rapid succession.

On the eastern side of the Entertainment District, a large number of injured civilians had successfully escaped, along with the main force led by Tengen Uzui's three wives.

This news was undoubtedly a shot in the arm, easing the taut nerves of the Demon Slayer Corps members present.

After all, not everyone could be like Kashu and calmly declare that they would fight without regard for the lives of others.

For the Demon Slayer Corps, a battle fought while bearing the weight of other people's lives was far too heavy.

Kashu keenly sensed the easing of the members' psychological burden. He turned, his gaze sweeping over faces both familiar and unfamiliar.

"Let me make this clear beforehand. I do not harbor the same bone-deep hatred for demons that you do. I came here only to complete my mission."

"But I acknowledge your courage and resolve, and I hope that after this battle, I will still see you all again."

"That is all. Move out."

As his words fell, Kashu abruptly turned around. Golden motes overflowed from his palm as he held his platinum longsword in reverse grip and charged into the depths of the Entertainment District in great strides.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of Nichirin Blades leaving their sheaths melded into a continuous rhythm.

The Demon Slayer Corps members adjusted their breathing in unison and followed close behind Kashu, shooting into the enemy formation like sharp arrows.

The instant every figure vanished into the Entertainment District, a demon lurking in the shadows and monitoring the battlefield plucked a biwa string with her fingertip.

Twang—!

In an instant, heaven and earth inverted.

Within the crisscrossing Infinity Castle, Kashu stood suspended on the wind, occupying the high ground.

He focused his senses. The surrounding buildings continuously came apart and reassembled like building blocks, their arrangements bizarre, disorderly, and chaotic.

"A spatial Blood Demon Art? It seems this place is entirely under their control. No wonder that bastard went to the trouble of choosing another battlefield."

Kashu narrowed his eyes. He stopped circling, sank downward, and landed steadily atop a tatami mat.

He wanted to see exactly what kind of opponent Muzan Kibutsuji would match him with.

Meanwhile, the Demon Slayer Corps members had been scattered throughout the castle—

Obanai Iguro moved like a snake's shadow through the densely packed Japanese-style rooms, his sharp gaze swiftly scanning their furnishings.

A woman's room. Extravagantly decorated.

Crash!

The explosive sound of doors and windows shattering abruptly seized Obanai Iguro's attention.

The next instant, he saw Mitsuri Kanroji wielding her unusual flexible Nichirin Blade as she launched a torrential pursuit against Daki.

Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Winding Serpent!

Without a moment's hesitation, Obanai Iguro acted on instinct.

This was one of Serpent Breathing's most explosive thrusting techniques. In a single strike, he cleanly severed Daki's head.

"Mr. Iguro?!"

Mitsuri Kanroji was both startled and delighted. She had not expected to reunite with a familiar companion so quickly.

"Don't let your guard down!"

Obanai Iguro barked a warning. At the same time, he shot out a hand, seized Mitsuri's wrist, and swiftly retreated into the distance.

"She's Upper Rank Six. She won't die even if you cut off her head!"

"Huh? Right!"

Just as Obanai Iguro had said, Daki and her brother Gyutaro were twin demons who lived and died together. Beheading only one of them was not enough to kill them.

Daki first wrapped her severed head in her obi sash. Then, her back suddenly began to squirm.

Gyutaro, hunched over and emaciated, tore through the flesh of her back and emerged.

"Could you please stop bullying my adorable little sister?"

When Obanai Iguro and Mitsuri Kanroji saw the clearly etched characters in his eyes, their expressions grew even grimmer.

"There are two Upper Rank Sixes?"

"Tch! Why did I have to end up with a bastard like you?"

"Complaining to me won't help. Think about how to flashily slaughter that thing first."

Sanemi Shinazugawa and Tengen Uzui had always disliked each other, but now they had no choice but to join forces temporarily and deal with the more troublesome enemy before them.

Atop a towering structure, Nakime cradled her biwa and raised her head. Her single eye, engraved with the character for "Five," stared down at them eerily.

Sanemi Shinazugawa tightened his grip on his sword, a feral grin spreading across his lips.

"Upper Rank Five? Damn you, Muzan Kibutsuji. You dare look down on me?"

Tengen Uzui spread his twin blades, his gaze sharpening to its utmost focus.

As the Sound Hashira, he had already keenly discerned the key to her Blood Demon Art: everything depended on that biwa.

"You must have noticed too. That thing is the core controlling the Blood Demon Art governing this space."

"Don't tell me what I already know!"

As he spoke, Sanemi Shinazugawa raised his Nichirin Blade and sliced open his arm.

Streams of bright red blood dripped down, and an unusual, sweetly fishy scent instantly filled the air.

"So what if you're Upper Rank Five?"

"You still can't resist the temptation of rare blood! Stick your neck out and take it like a good little demon!"

Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!

Mist Breathing, Third Form: Scattering Mist Splash!

Kyojuro Rengoku and Muichiro Tokito coordinated flawlessly, simultaneously unleashing sword techniques known for their high-speed rotations and instantly crushing the Blood Demon Art attacks assailing them from all directions.

Kyojuro Rengoku carefully examined the four demons of joy, anger, pleasure, and sorrow surrounding them before speaking in a deep voice.

"Tokito, the enemy's Blood Demon Art is quite strange. I suspect we must behead all four demons at once to win."

"No."

Muichiro Tokito first swept away the numerous Blood Demon Art vines before him with his blade, then explained calmly.

"These are all clones. The real body should still be hiding somewhere in the shadows."

"I see! Is this the ability granted by the Transparent World?!"

Though his judgment had been mistaken because he had not reached the Transparent World, there was not the slightest trace of discouragement on Kyojuro Rengoku's face.

"From here on, I will fully cooperate with you, Tokito! Leave locating the enemy to you!"

Muichiro Tokito gave a slight nod. "All right."

Beside a tranquil lotus pond.

Doma held a pair of golden fans as he smiled and looked over Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka.

"Honestly, I only asked Lady Nakime to send me some cute girls. How did a man sneak in too?"

"A crimson hat that looks as though it has been splashed with blood, and a pair of golden iron fans for weapons."

Shinobu Kocho gripped her Nichirin Blade so tightly that veins bulged at her temples. Her voice grew heavier and colder with every word.

Seeing her behave so differently, even the usually obtuse Giyu Tomioka sensed that something was wrong.

Doma still wore that careless smile as he studied Shinobu Kocho with great interest.

"Looks like you know me?"

"How strange~ If I had met a cute girl like you before, I certainly wouldn't have forgotten."

"Upper... Rank Two!"

The veins at Shinobu Kocho's temples throbbed violently, and her face twisted like that of a vicious demon. There was none of her usual gentleness left.

"I will never forgive you! I'll tear you to pieces and avenge my sister!"

Doma froze for a moment. "Sister?"

He closely examined Shinobu Kocho's face, and a flash of realization and delight passed through his eyes.

"Ah, I remember now~ You're the younger sister of that Hashira from several years ago?"

"Mhm, mhm~ You sisters really do look alike. It's a pity I didn't get the chance to eat her back then. Otherwise, the two of you could have reunited in my stomach."

Insect Breathing, Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter!

With her rage completely burning away her reason, Shinobu Kocho surged forward in a frenzy, her poison-coated Nichirin Blade aimed straight for Doma's eye!

Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust!

Giyu Tomioka followed immediately behind, supporting Shinobu Kocho with the same fierce thrusting technique.

Doma paid Shinobu Kocho's attack no mind. With a casual wave of his fan, his Blood Demon Art condensed into chilling ice crystals and forced Giyu Tomioka back.

He casually brushed aside the tip of Shinobu Kocho's sword, then wiped a finger across the corner of his eye. The wound had already vanished without a trace.

"What a shame. Poison at this level doesn't work on an Upper Rank, you know."

"All right~ Let me enjoy you. That way, you can reunite with me..."

The thunderous collapse of a wall brutally interrupted Doma's rambling.

Gyomei Himejima, his mountainous frame wielding a flail and massive axe, strode proudly through the breach.

Though he was blind, his "gaze" was fixed upon Doma as if it were tangible.

Then, perceptive as he was, Gyomei Himejima sensed the violent turmoil in Shinobu Kocho's emotions.

In a single instant, he understood the entire situation, and two streams of hot tears rolled down his face.

They carried sorrow and indignation long suppressed, along with the release of knowing that vengeance was now within reach.

"Namu Amida Butsu... I have always deeply grieved over what happened to you sisters. It seems today will be my... redemption."

Doma: (Ĭ^Ĭ)

Is this... my calamity?

As the Hashira fought bitterly, deeper within the Infinity Castle, the true killing game had only just begun.