"Akaza-sama, thank goodness you're safe... It's been over eighty years since we last met, hasn't it?"

"I truly feared the worst... My heart, oh, it was simply shattered!"

A shrill, almost sickening voice echoed from a porcelain vase adorned with painted flowers, lying oddly on the floor of the Infinity Castle.

Moments later, a grotesque creature slithered out of the narrow mouth of the vase—like a bloated worm that had grown far too large for its shell.

Its upper body resembled a human's, but from its shoulders and neck sprouted eight tiny, infant-like arms. Its lower body, still jammed inside the vase, was shaped like a snake's tail.

This abomination was none other than Gyokko—Upper Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki.

Akaza stood still, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't even bother to glance at the revolting creature.

From another corner of the castle, a trembling voice rang out, soft and riddled with fear.

"S-so scary... So terrifying… Gyokko can't even count properly anymore…"

"It's been one hundred and four years since we were last summoned…"

That pitiful mumble came from a small, horned figure—like a demon from an ancient painting—tiny, hunched, and visibly shaking. It was Hantengu, Upper Rank Four.

On the far side of the room, Daki—one half of the Upper Rank Six pair—stood in silence, casting a tired glance around the others. Not a single face here did she want to see.

She gently clutched her older brother's hand and whispered,

"Onii-chan... I'm wearing something new today. Do you think Muzan-sama will like it?"

Gyūtarō, with hair dangling like seaweed and lifeless, fish-like eyes, stared at his little sister with affection.

"Of course… Daki is the most beautiful in the world."

"I'm sure Muzan-sama will love it."

"Really?" Daki's eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed with excitement like a girl in love. Her joy was short-lived.

Because then—he arrived.

A handsome man in a flamboyant red outfit, wearing a round, peculiar hat, suddenly appeared beside Akaza.

His multicolored eyes gleamed like gemstones, and etched into them were three undeniable words:

Upper Rank Two — Dōma.

Dōma gently patted Akaza's shoulder, a concerned look plastered across his face—but it was the kind of concern that felt fake, like an actor trying too hard.

"Oh no, Akaza-kun!"

"Do you know how worried I was about you?"

"Thank goodness you're safe! But... aren't you worried about me too?"

"Because we're all best friends, aren't we? Not one of us should be missing!"

The moment Akaza saw him, his expression twisted. His breath grew heavier, eyes sharp with unbearable disgust.

Why aren't you dead yet, Dōma!?

Akaza was never the patient type. Especially not with idiots.

To him, foolishness was a sin—and Dōma was its embodiment.

Without warning, Akaza's left fist swung upward in a clean arc, slamming square into Dōma's pretty face. The sound of the hit echoed like a hammer against glass.

Dōma's head snapped back, his face crumpling like a train wreck.

But...

"Ow~ Akaza-kun…" Dōma muttered, blood dribbling down his face. "You've gotten a little stronger, haven't you?"

"Just a bit, though. Sadly... still not strong enough to kill me."

His shattered features began mending almost instantly. The flesh re-knitted itself, bone shifting back into place. Within seconds, it was as if he'd never been hit at all.

Akaza's fury reignited. His knuckles cracked with restrained rage.

But before another blow could be launched, a calm voice interrupted—gentle, yet firm.

The sound came from a woman sitting serenely with a biwa across her lap.

Nakime, the Infinity Castle's space-warping conductor.

"Akaza-sama, please restrain yourself."

"I summoned Upper Rank One first. Kokushibō-sama has been here from the beginning."

Akaza froze. His eyes darted across the room.

Kokushibō…

Dōma might've been annoying, but Kokushibō? He was fear itself.

Akaza could convince himself he might surpass Dōma one day. But Kokushibō?

He hadn't even glimpsed the man's limits.

And there he was—atop a raised tea room in the upper floors of the castle, watching them all in silence.

With his long red hair tied back neatly and a calm, human-like face, Kokushibō seemed composed…

Until you noticed the six symmetrical eyes lining his face.

Red markings ran down his forehead and chin.

He was a monster among monsters.

Then he spoke—his voice low, almost like a whisper through iron.

"No need to search for me. I'm here."

"Muzan-sama has arrived."

And with that...

The demons gathered below all fell to their knees.

Except for Gyokko, who was still half-stuck in his vase and bobbing slightly in mid-air, wearing a grotesque grin.

— — —

The air twisted.

Darkness crept like fog over the flipped ceiling of the chamber.

And then—Kibutsuji Muzan emerged.

Draped in a wine-colored kimono styled for a noblewoman, his figure was elegant, his long black hair tied neatly behind his head.

He stood at the highest platform, looking down on the demons he had created.

His voice was smooth—yet colder than ice.

"You have all... disappointed me."

Not one demon dared speak.

Except for one.

Dōma tilted his head innocently and asked in a voice as soft as a breeze,

"Really? We're terribly sorry, Muzan-sama... But um, in what way exactly have we disappointed you?"

Dōma, void of emotions, lacked the very capacity to understand fear.

He couldn't feel dread.

Because he had no idea what it even felt like.

Muzan stared in silence. If not for Dōma's usefulness, he might have been erased on the spot.

The silence lingered—then Muzan continued.

"Where is the Blue Spider Lily?"

"Centuries have passed, and you still haven't found it."

"And what have you accomplished?"

"The Ubuyashiki family still lives."

"For the first time in hundreds of years, lower rank demons were slaughtered in rapid succession."

"You're all becoming liabilities."

Hantengu collapsed completely, sobbing and trembling into the floor.

Kokushibō exhaled quietly, almost regretfully.

"They're experts at hiding. We've lost their trail."

Meanwhile, Dōma giggled lightly, brushing his cheek.

"Aww~ I'm just not that good at tracking. What a shame~"

In his mind, only one question lingered.

Hmm… how many humans should I eat tonight?

The only one who stayed standing—was Akaza.

He locked eyes with Muzan and declared with unwavering resolve:

"Muzan-sama! I swear, I will eliminate the entire Demon Slayer Corps for you!"

Muzan looked back, unmoved.

"Is that so?"

"Then bring me the head of the Thunder Hashira…"

"He's been the most troublesome in the past year."

And with those words, Muzan's figure dissolved into the shadows.

Silence returned to the Infinity Castle—heavy and suffocating.

— — —

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