"Clang~"
Another sound of a pipa being plucked rang out, and in an instant, all the ghosts were gathered on a high platform once more.
"Akaza is dead. Just as Doma said, he was foolishly killed by humans."
Kokushibo, holding his sword, said something that shocked all the demons—except for Doma, who was born without emotions, though he tried his best to mimic a surprised expression.
Muzan Kibutsuji silently glanced at all the Lower Rank demons below.
He was very dissatisfied with this batch of Lower Rank demons; in just a few years, half of them had been replaced.
If it weren't for the fact that these Lower Rank demons could still play a slight role in restraining the Pillars, he would have wanted to kill everyone except for Lower Rank Five, Rui.
As for why Rui is treated specially, it's because he has a very similar experience to Muzan Kibutsuji when he was young, and has always been treated Muzan Kibutsuji Muzan's favorite son.
"Starting today, Hantengu will take Akaza's place, Gyokko and Daki will fill the positions of Upper Rank Four and Upper Rank Five, Nakime will take the position of Upper Rank Six, Kaigai will return to the position of Upper Rank Six."
Muzan Kibutsuji coldly surveyed everyone.
"Furthermore, after you leave here, while everyone is searching for the Blue Spider Lily, you must also do your utmost to find and kill any human swordsmen who have inherited the Sun Breathing!"
Muzan's tone was Muzan Kibutsuji, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
Faced with Muzan's Muzan Kibutsuji bloodline pressure, the Lower Rank could only tremble in fear.
However, Gyokko believed it was time to release the information he possessed to appease Muzan Kibutsuji and win Muzan Kibutsuji favor.
"Muzan Kibutsuji, I've received some information that you might find interesting. It's about the location of the Demon Slayer Corps' Swordsmith Village. If we can take it down, it will definitely attract the human Pillars. Perhaps the Sun Breathing user you're looking for will also be drawn there!"
Muzan Kibutsuji nodded in agreement.
"If the information is accurate, then Gyokko, you should go with Hantengu. Don't disappoint me."
"Lord Muzan Kibutsuji! Can I go play with them?"
Suddenly, Doma raised his hand and shouted loudly, looking very enthusiastic.
He felt that since he was working for Muzan Kibutsuji, he should be very proactive at this time, right?
Just like those people in the Eternal Paradise Faith, they actively seek out attractive human women.
"No matter what, that swordsman who uses the Sun Breathing killed Akaza! Wouldn't it be safer for me, the Upper Rank Two, to go along?"
Muzan Kibutsuji thought Doma's words made sense.
"In that case, Doma, you should come along too."
"Uh-huh!"
Doma put on a very happy expression and accepted the task.
Swordsmith Village.
In the woods beside the hot spring.
"Uchiha Style: Sun Breathing: Sun Halo Dragon Dance!"
A powerful fire dragon snaked its way through the forest at great speed. Upon closer inspection, the dragon's head was positioned precisely where Uchiha Meikyō was wielding his "sword".
A flash of Kakkō, and in an instant, a large swathe of trees in the forest collapsed with a roar. After falling, these thick trees turned to ashes and drifted down in an instant.
This is still the result of Meikyō limiting its power as much as possible.
At the same time, Meikyō, who had stopped moving, silently watched as the branch in her hand spontaneously combusted due to high-speed friction and turned into ashes.
Even with powerful Senjutsu Chakra infused into it for protection, the wooden branches could not withstand such power.
"I've finally almost mastered this move, the Sun Halo Dragon Dance!"
Meikyō's eyes were full of joy.
In order to execute his move smoothly without damaging the tree branches, he only used a small portion of his power, but the power was already quite considerable.
Meikyō couldn't imagine how powerful she would be if she went all out.
At the very least, it is very likely to be more powerful than all the Ninjutsu and swordsmanship I currently possess.
This is the result of the fusion of two different power systems from different worlds after colliding at the highest level of swordsmanship.
If only a powerful Upper Rank Demon could appear before me, so I could test my skills against it.
Meikyō waved her sleeve, intending to soak in the hot spring for a while longer.
Meanwhile, in another jungle near the Swordsmith Village.
"Hey, I'm telling you, you'd better stop stopping us and just hand over the key."
"No! Absolutely not! You guys already broke the doll last time, and I barely managed to fix it. What if I can't fix it again!"
Wearing the Hyottoko Mask, Kōtetsu resolutely blocked the way for the Tokito Brothers.
Behind him is a mechanical doll called "Yoriichi Type Zero," which was created by his ancestor three hundred years ago in imitation of Tsugikuni Yoriichi. It has six arms, can replicate some of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's simplified moves, and has the strength to contend with the Pillars.
The key to controlling this puppet is in Kōtetsu's hands.
"But my brother and I really need someone strong enough to practice our combined attacks with us."
Tokito Muichiro spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
They originally planned to find Meikyō as their opponent for practice.
After slaying Upper Rank Three, no one can deny his status as the number one Demon Slayer of the Meikyō Demon Slayer Corps.
However, since Meikyō is currently researching some newly developed techniques, they didn't want to disturb him, so they set their sights on Yoriichi Type Zero.
"No, I said no, and that means no!"
Kōtetsu opened his arms, protecting the puppet behind him, and refused again.
He hadn't fully mastered all the mechanical techniques for repairing Yuan Yi. These two guys in front of him had the strength of a Pillar. What if they damaged the puppet and couldn't repair it?
"Muichiro! Over there!"
Tokito Yuichiro suddenly shouted and pointed to a spot outside the woods!
Muichiro and Kōtetsu both turned their heads to look at the spot that Ichiro was pointing to.
There, a swordsmith wearing Hyottoko Mask is being chased by a huge, monstrous fish!
"Mr. Kanemori! How could this be! How could the Swordsmith Village be invaded by demons!"
Kōtetsu stood there blankly, and no one answered.
"Mist Breathing - First Form: Sky-Hanging Distant Mist!"
"Mist Breathing - First Form: Wind-Dust Smoke!"
Two slashes swiftly sliced through the monster fish, severing its head.
The next moment, the strange fish's body also began to turn to ashes and dissipate.
"Even this place is haunted; I wonder what's going on in the Swordsmith Village..."
Tokito Yuichiro frowned.
"Kid! Use that doll to protect yourself! Muichiro! Let's go rescue them!"
Muichiro nodded and followed his older brother, hurrying towards the village with all his might.