"Kokushibo... that legendary sword demon... was slain... by Kirishima?!" Giyu Tomioka's habitual expressionlessness shattered completely, his pupils trembling as he muttered to himself.
"Amitabha... this truly is... Buddha's blessing..." Tears streamed endlessly down Gyomei Himejima's face. His enormous body trembled slightly with excitement as he pressed his palms together and repeatedly chanted the Buddha's name.
"Mr. Kirishima... actually... actually accomplished this much..." Obanai Iguro's bandaged face was filled with shock, and even his normally hoarse voice changed pitch.
"Amazing! Mr. Kirishima is so strong!!" Mitsuri Kanroji's cheeks flushed crimson with excitement. She cupped her face in both hands, stars of admiration sparkling in her eyes.
"As expected... only he could do something like this..." The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, still spoke in a mild tone, but a bright light shone in his clear eyes.
"Upper Rank One... even Kokushibo..." Tengen Uzui rubbed his chin, his face showing a rare mixture of gravity and wonder. "This guy is way too flashy!"
"..."
Shinobu Kocho maintained her composed smile, but her clenched fists and slightly trembling shoulders betrayed the turmoil within her.
Upper Rank One... one step closer to that enemy...
Rengoku's booming voice rang through the hall. "Umu! Magnificent! Young Kirishima! What a feat! This calls for a great drink! Hahaha!"
His signature laughter was filled with pure joy and admiration.
The entire meeting hall rang with a deafening clamor, everyone immersed in unbelievable elation and shock.
Not long after Upper Rank Four and Upper Rank Five had fallen, even the most mysterious and powerful Upper Rank One had now been cut down...
It was as though an invisible giant hand had violently torn a huge opening in the gloom that had hung over the Demon Slayer Corps for a thousand years!
"Cough, cough... cough..."
Seated at the head of the