Tetsu no Sosuke fell silent for a moment and took two shallow breaths. "Then your job is to hold off all the other demons here while I lead Kibutsuji Muzan into the underground trap zone."
"No."
Shinobu Kocho spoke at once, her face grim. "If you face Kibutsuji Muzan in your condition, you'll die."
Tetsu no Sosuke shook his head. "I'm the only one who can do this. I know every part of the trap, and that gives me the greatest advantage I've ever had! No one else can carry out this plan."
"But..." Shinobu Kocho gritted her teeth. "I'll go with you."
"No." Tetsu no Sosuke's face was expressionless. "There can't be the slightest mistake in this fight. If I can help it, I don't want to bring along a burden."
"You're calling me a burden!?"
Shinobu Kocho froze.
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. "A considerable one."
"You!"
Shinobu Kocho glared at him. "If you die, how am I supposed to explain it to my older sister?"
"That's not your concern." Tetsu no Sosuke glanced around at everyone present. "What comes next may be easier than we imagine. Or it may be harder. Either way, this could be the final battle. Everyone, after tonight, we may be able to disband right here. Of course, there will still be scattered demons out there, so we can't let our guard down completely."
He paused, then said, "First, let me explain what you should do if the second scenario comes to pass. Don't fight at the entrance. Kibutsuji Muzan's target is me, but if you stay in his sight, there's no telling whether he'll attack you. Draw the demons away. As for me... well, I'll pretend I'm too exhausted to leave, so..."
Tetsu no Sosuke talked and gestured, but he had to stop