Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. Main hall.
Nine Nichirin Blades lay across nine laps, and nine rhythms of breathing intertwined within the wooden hall. Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat at its head, with Amane and Kanna kneeling on either side, their pale faces warmed by the candlelight.
Kagaya rested his hands on his knees and slowly spoke.
"At the Swordsmith Village, Upper Rank Five and Upper Rank Four were both destroyed in a single night."
The hall fell silent for three seconds.
Kyojuro Rengoku was the first to bring his palms together, his eyes blazing. Tengen Uzui leaned against a pillar, the corners of his mouth lifting. Giyu sat in a corner with his eyes closed, one hand resting on the scabbard across his knees, his fingers motionless.
Mitsuri Kanroji's breathing faltered noticeably, her pale green eyes filled with images of that night. Muichiro Tokito kept his eyes lowered, his right hand pressed against the bandages over his left ribs, without saying a word.
Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together and murmured a prayer to Buddha.
"Both were slain by Tomioka Ye Yu alone." Amane opened the battle report and continued reading in a steady voice. "Upper Rank Five, Gyokko: less than two minutes elapsed between contact and destruction. Upper Rank Four, Hantengu: his combined form, Zohakuten, was dismantled head-on. His main body was hauled barehanded from a hundred meters underground and crushed on the spot. Zero casualties."
Tengen Uzui whistled.
Kagaya raised a hand, signaling Amane to stop.
"What comes next is more important than the battle report."
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier.
"According to the intelligence Yaha provided..." Kagaya slowed his speech slightly. "Muzan Kibutsuji will fully open the Infinity Castle in three days. At that time, everyone whose coordinates have been locked onto will be forcibly pulled into