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"What… just happened…?"
As Kyogai turned to ash and perished, everyone present was stunned by the sudden turn of events.
"Can genjutsu really achieve something like that?" Obanai, who had once witnessed Kaito use genjutsu, asked.
"Advanced genjutsu can deceive not only the opponent's mind but also their body," Kaito said, turning to face the group. "Though this demon, after consuming the Blue Spider Lily, no longer feared sunlight, when he was under my genjutsu, he forgot that fact entirely—both in mind and body. Believing he would die in sunlight, he did."
"That powerful?" Sanemi said, unconsciously stepping forward in excitement. "Can this technique work on Muzan?"
Kaito shook his head slightly. "Genjutsu is essentially a contest of mental strength between the caster and the target. This demon, despite overcoming his weakness to sunlight, was still far too weak. When I faced Upper Moon One, I tried genjutsu, but it only served as a distraction," he continued. "As the progenitor of demons, Muzan is likely stronger than Upper Moon One, Kokushibo."
"Tch, figures it wouldn't be that easy," Sanemi said, not disappointed. "Good. I'd rather cut Muzan down with my own hands anyway."
At that moment, Kagaya looked up at the sky.
"Everyone, the bait has been set, and the location of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters is now mostly exposed. Once the sun sets, there's a high chance Muzan will come directly. Please prepare in advance."
Sanemi turned, flashing a ferocious grin. "Rest assured, Lord Ubuyashiki! Everything is ready! Muzan will come, but he won't leave!"
Rengoku's booming voice followed. "The day of the final battle has finally arrived! We will stake everything to secure victory!"
Tengen raised his head proudly. "Watch my dazzling performance! In this final battlefield, let all demons fall spectacularly!"
Obanai maintained his sharp-tongued demeanor. "I hope you guys can all survive. If anyone falls before the final victory, don't expect me to mourn them."
Gyomei, tears streaming down his face, clasped his hands together, his prayer beads clacking rapidly. "Namu Amida Butsu. In this battle, may we all achieve our wishes."
Kanae also clasped her hands, closing her eyes in what seemed like a prayer. "From today onward, the world will become a better place. May everyone who has fought together until now find happiness."
Seeing his comrades speak, Giyu opened his mouth, managing to utter four words: "…Exterminate evil demons!"
"Though I'm not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps," Tanjuro said, gripping his newly forged Nichirin Blade and looking warmly at the group, "since I share such a deep connection with the Corps, let me contribute to eliminating evil demons. This is to repay the trust Yoriichi Tsugikuni placed in the Kamado family's ancestors."
So cool!!
So awesome!!
Everyone's so cool!!!
Kanroji's eyes sparkled with stars as she looked left and right.
Everyone's amazing!!!
What should I do?!
She clenched her fists against her chest.
Should I say something too?!
But…
Her face scrunched up in distress.
I'm not a Hashira yet… I probably shouldn't interrupt…
If I speak out of turn, will everyone dislike me?
She lowered her head dejectedly.
"Miss Kanroji," Kaito said, watching the girl's ever-changing expressions with exasperation, raising his voice. "Miss Kanroji!!"
"Huh?" Kanroji snapped back to reality, hurriedly bowing in a fluster. "Yes, I'm here, Uchiha-san, sorry!!!"
"Ugh…"
Her face flushed red as she hung her head.
I zoned out—so embarrassing…
"No matter," Kaito said, amused. "Come on, while it's still daylight, I'll help you awaken your mark."
"Yes!!!" Mitsuri Kanroji replied loudly.
Kaito shook his head, leading her toward the formation set up at the mountaintop.
…
In the forest.
"Iguro-san?" Kaito turned to Obanai, who had followed uninvited. "Why are you here?"
"There are many spots in the forest where sunlight doesn't reach, and you'll be busy managing the formation, Uchiha-san. Just in case, it's better to have an extra guard," Obanai replied matter-of-factly.
'If I hadn't noticed you sneaking glances at Miss Kanroji all the time, I might've believed you, Iguro-san.'
Kaito smiled without saying a word.
"So reliable, Iguro-san!" Kanroji, walking beside him, turned to look at him with sparkling eyes.
"It's nothing," Obanai said in a casual tone.
This only made the sparkle in Kanroji's eyes grow brighter.
"Thank you, Iguro-san!" she said, blushing. "A-And the socks you gave me before—they're really warm."
"Is that so?" Obanai met her gaze briefly before looking away nonchalantly. "As long as you like them."
"I love them, Iguro-san!!" Kanroji said happily.
"Cough…" Obanai seemed to choke on his breath, quickly saying, "We're here."
Ahead, Kaito stood outside the formation at the mountaintop, watching the flirting pair with deadpan eyes.
He stared until both avoided his gaze, their eyes darting elsewhere.
Finally, Kaito took pity and spoke. "Please enter the formation, Miss Kanroji."
"Yes, I understand," Kanroji said, her cheeks still flushed, nimbly crossing the shimenawa ropes tied between several trees and leaping into the formation.
"Maintain Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, and try to enter a meditative state," Kaito instructed methodically, activating the formation as he guided her to awaken her mark.
…
Half an hour later, the whirlwind in the formation subsided, and Kanroji's mark appeared on her collarbone.
As usual, Kaito used spiritual chains to pull her out, then delivered a sharp strike to the back of her neck, administering the pain package.
Afterward, he let Obanai instinctively support the exhausted Kanroji while he began dismantling the formation.
Once everything was handled, Kanroji had mostly regained her mobility.
The three descended the mountain, returning to the main residence.
By then, all the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen had gathered, standing on the open ground outside the residence's main gate.
Kagaya, the Hashira, and Tanjuro stood at the forefront of the swordsmen.