"Infinity Castle, The Great Battle Begins!"
"Please, Gyomei-san!" As the words left his lips, Gyomei Himejima appeared, wielding his flail, charging towards Muzan Kibutsuji.
"Namu Amida Butsu!" The massive flail, swinging on its chain, smashed Muzan Kibutsuji's head to pieces.
Despite this, Muzan Kibutsuji did not die.
"As the Master predicted, even decapitation won't kill Muzan Kibutsuji. And his regeneration speed… judging by the sound, those demons I've faced before are far inferior," Gyomei Himejima thought, watching Muzan Kibutsuji's head slowly regenerate.
This was expected, so he wasn't surprised, only slightly inconvenienced. If decapitation was ineffective, they would have to wait for sunrise and let sunlight incinerate Muzan Kibutsuji.
"After the Master's explosion and the weakening effects of the medicine, he still possesses such terrifying power. Now, we must trap this monster in an open area and hold out until dawn."
As he considered this, Muzan Kibutsuji attacked.
"Blood Demon Art: Biokinesis: Black Blood, Brambles!"
Numerous black thorns shot from Muzan Kibutsuji's hands, aimed at Gyomei Himejima.
"Stone Breathing, Third Form: Stone Skin!"
Gyomei Himejima, using his body as a center point, swung his flail repeatedly, deflecting the black thorns.
At that moment, Sanemi Shinazugawa and the others arrived, Sanemi Shinazugawa shouting at Muzan Kibutsuji, "You beast! What have you done to the Master?!"
"The Hashira are arriving. The Master's plan is truly brilliant!" Seeing the Hashira arrive, Gyomei Himejima shouted a warning. "Attention! This is Muzan Kibutsuji! Even decapitation won't kill him!"
All eyes turned to Muzan Kibutsuji.
"This… this is Muzan Kibutsuji?!"
The Hashira launched a ferocious combined assault, unleashing their techniques simultaneously.
"Mist Breathing, Fourth Form!"
"Insect Breathing, Butterfly Dance!"
"Serpent Breathing, First Form!"
"Love Breathing, Fifth Form!"
"Water Breathing, Third Form!"
"Flame Breathing, Fifth Form!"
"Wind Breathing, Seventh Form!"
"Hinokami Kagura: Fire Wheel!"
Just as their attacks were about to land, a sinister smile played on Muzan Kibutsuji's lips. The sound of a biwa (Japanese lute) filled the air, and in the next instant, everyone was unexpectedly transported to the Infinity Castle.
"You thought you'd driven me into a corner?! Your next destination is hell! You bothersome demon slayers, I'll slaughter you all tonight!" Muzan Kibutsuji roared, his eyes filled with malice. The biwa music played again, warping the space, scattering the Hashira.
"You're the one who's going to hell! You won't escape! We'll defeat you, Muzan Kibutsuji!" Tanjiro shouted before being separated.
Muzan Kibutsuji responded, "Then let's see about that, Tanjiro Kamado!"
After the Hashira were transported, Aoki, the only Hashira absent from the earlier battle, appeared at the ruins of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's mansion.
He surveyed the devastation without a flicker of emotion.
"No time to waste." Muttering this, Aoki raised his head, his eyes transforming into Mangekyō Sharingan, then further evolving into blood-red eyes with lotus patterns within seconds.
Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!
Focusing his left eye on the ruins of the Ubuyashiki mansion, a faint light emanated. The air within the ruins stilled, and time itself began to reverse.
"Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Tenkai Rasen!"
The dissipated smoke reappeared. The scattered debris began to reassemble. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Amane Ubuyashiki, and their two children miraculously reappeared, alive and unharmed!
Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Amane Ubuyashiki were utterly shocked to find themselves alive.
After reversing time for approximately one minute, blood trickled from Aoki's left eye, his face pale from the exertion.
"This…" Kagaya Ubuyashiki remained confused. In his plan, he should be dead, the searing pain of the explosion still fresh in his memory. He couldn't have possibly survived.
"Master," Aoki said, approaching, his left eye still bleeding. "Your plan was flawless, but I disliked the outcome of your and Amane-sama's sacrifice. I took the liberty of using my power to save you. Please forgive my actions."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki stammered, "You… you saved us? How? You possess such power?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki reasoned that if Aoki possessed the power to revive the dead, he must also possess the power to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, as the ability to resurrect was incredibly extraordinary.
Aoki's next words, however, were somewhat disappointing. "Master, my eyes possess a unique ability: to rewind time within a localized area. I used this power to save you. However, this ability is severely limited; it greatly drains my stamina and can only be used three times a day, for a maximum of three minutes."
Despite the disappointment, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was still astounded by Aoki's power and deeply grateful. "Aoki, I've held high expectations for you from the start. Your contribution is undoubtedly unparalleled within the Demon Slayer Corps. I truly don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Master, you're too kind. I'm a member of the Demon Slayer Corps; this is my duty. Tanjiro and the others have been deployed to the battlefield. I must join them now. I won't keep you any longer."
Aoki activated a pre-placed Flying Raijin technique linked to Shinobu Kocho, vanishing instantly.
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