Morning sunlight pierced the thin mist and spilled across the vast training ground at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
The atmosphere was solemn, even somewhat heavy.
Everyone present was a cornerstone that had supported this organization in its centuries-long fight against demons-the "Hashira."
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa; the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka; the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku; the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji; the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro; the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito; and the strongest of them all, the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
They had assembled here, their gazes all fixed on the seemingly slight young man before them.
Uesugi Sasuke.
He had changed into lightweight, fitted black clothes. His purple Rinnegan, marked with six tomoe, looked mysterious and imposing in the morning light, as though it could draw in a person's very soul.
"Infinity Castle is an extradimensional fortress formed from a Blood Demon Art. The space inside can change anywhere, at any moment."
Sasuke's voice was quiet, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"One second, your companion might be beside you. The next, they could be transported hundreds of miles away to face a powerful enemy alone. Conventional tactical coordination is meaningless there."
His gaze swept over them before settling on those at the very front.
"So today's training is simple."
"With my Susanoo activated, all you have to do is try to land an attack on me."
Before he finished speaking, an immense surge of purple chakra shot into the sky.
The upper body of a demonic god clad in samurai armor and wielding a massive sword rose from the ground, enveloping everyone in its enormous shadow.
The third form of Susanoo!
Though this was not their first time seeing it, the oppressive presence, like a god descending upon them, still made the Hashira's breath catch.