Nezuko Kamado stood in the sunlight.
The impact of this sight was even greater than Uesugi Sasuke killing two Upper Ranks instantly with a single arrow just moments before.
Because it overturned what had been common knowledge for centuries.
This was something that could not happen.
This was a true miracle.
"Ne...zuko..."
Tanjiro stared blankly at his younger sister, tears still clinging to his face, yet he had already forgotten to cry.
Nezuko walked toward him with a smile and gently wiped the tear tracks from his face with her fingers.
"I'm back, Big Brother."
Those simple words broke the last of Tanjiro's restraint. He threw his arms around his younger sister and burst into sobs. This time, they were tears of joy.
Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, Genya, and the others around them also stared at the scene, dumbfounded, their minds having completely shut down.
Even Uesugi Sasuke, standing a short distance away, showed a rare flicker of genuine surprise in his otherwise perpetually unruffled black eyes.
His Mangekyō Sharingan could clearly see the cellular composition inside Nezuko's body.
She was still a demon.
But under the sunlight, her cells were not breaking down. Instead, they seemed to be receiving some kind of nourishment, becoming more stable and even... slowly transforming toward a human structure.
What exactly was going on?
Just as everyone in the Swordsmith Village was immersed in this immense joy and shock.
On the other side of the world.
Inside the dark, twisted Infinity Castle.
Muzan Kibutsuji, who was mixing a medicine, suddenly froze.
A trace of bewilderment appeared on his handsome, sickly face.
Just moments ago, he had clearly felt his connection to Upper Rank Five, Gyokko, break.
Then, within just a few minutes, his connection to Upper Rank Four, Hantengu, had also vanished completely.
Dead.