"Infinity Castle, Before the Final Showdown" With Kokushibo's defeat, the system registered Aoki as the killer, triggering the power-up and
"Infinity Castle, Before the Final Showdown"
With Kokushibo's defeat, the system registered Aoki as the killer, triggering the power-up and reward announcements.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host, on defeating an Upper Moon! Combat power increased by 2000 points!"
"Combat Power: 8145 points"
"Overall Assessment: SS-level"
After spending considerable time in the Demon Slayer world, Aoki finally reached SS-level, becoming one of the world's top fighters. He was confident he could defeat Kokushibo within minutes, assuming decapitation was fatal.
"Ding!"
"Host has defeated an Upper Moon. Reward now being issued!"
The system prompt reappeared, presenting three reward options in Aoki's mind.
[Acquire a new skill]
[Susanoo Upgrade (0/2)]
[Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan Upgrade (0/3)]
After some deliberation, Aoki chose to acquire a new skill. With the impending battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, the other options seemed less useful. A new skill would provide a crucial advantage against Muzan Kibutsuji.
His consciousness entered the selection menu, where numerous skills floated. Aoki needed to choose carefully, selecting a skill that would significantly aid him.
He noticed a skill in the corner that immediately caught his attention.
Dōjutsu: Kamui!
"Holy crap, how did I miss this before? If I'd chosen this on the Mugen Train, I wouldn't have gotten my ass kicked so badly by Akaza!" After a moment of self-reproach, Aoki quickly realized that the skill options seemed to refresh each time, as this was the first time he'd seen Kamui. This was an incredibly powerful skill, potentially game-changing.
Without further thought, he selected Kamui.
"Ding!"
"Skill selection complete. Now presenting skill information."
Kamui:
Type: Dōjutsu [Left Eye: Entry, Right Eye: Exit]
Origin: Naruto
Skill Description: A dōjutsu enabling free movement between Kamui dimensions. Immune to all physical attacks. Duration: five minutes.
After selecting Kamui, Aoki wanted to test it. He focused his eyes on Kokushibo's discarded haori. His left eye widened.
"Kamui!"
As his intent activated the dōjutsu, a spatial distortion vortex appeared on the haori's surface, sucking it in.
Aoki then used his right eye's Kamui on the same spot, instantly retrieving the haori from the Kamui dimension.
Aoki nodded in satisfaction, only then noticing the astonished expressions of those around him, who had witnessed the haori's disappearance and reappearance.
Aoki offered an awkward smile, deciding not to explain the truth. They didn't seem to mind; everyone has secrets, and Shinobu Kocho wouldn't believe he had anything to hide from her.
(A mental note: The threat of a scolding hangs heavy.)
Aoki then approached Shinobu Kocho, who was treating Muichiro Tokito's injured hand.
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
"Aoki-sama, along with several other Hashira, defeated Upper Moon One. Only the newly appointed Upper Moon Four, the Biwa player, remains in the Infinity Castle," Ubuyashiki Kiriya excitedly informed Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya nodded in relief. The defeat of Upper Moon One, the strongest Upper Moon, suggested they possessed the capability to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji. Aoki was now the undisputed strongest Hashira; his presence would significantly boost the Corps' morale. Conversely, Aoki's death would severely weaken the Corps.
Infinity Castle, Somewhere Within
"Huh? Aoki-senpai and Butterfly-senpai defeated Upper Moon One? That's amazing! I wish I could be as strong as Aoki-senpai," Tanjiro Kamado said, traveling to their next destination as directed by a crow, after defeating Akaza.
After defeating Akaza, a crow delivered a letter to Tanjiro Kamado from Shinjuro Rengoku, containing a message from a Sengoku-era swordsman with a Demon Slayer Mark, seemingly related to Sun Breathing.
Tanjiro Kamado didn't understand the connection, but the message provided a crucial revelation.
"Yes! Aoki is incredibly strong! I knew it from the Mugen Train!" Kyōjurō Rengoku declared.
"Oh? Then why did he get beaten up so badly by Upper Moon Three later?" Giyu Tomioka interjected.
Tanjiro Kamado and Kyōjurō Rengoku were speechless.
Kyōjurō Rengoku: "Tomioka! Doesn't anyone ever tell you that you're disliked for being like that?"
Giyu Tomioka: "I am not disliked."
"So, where are we going next?" At the site of the battle with Kokushibo, Shinobu Kocho had finished treating Muichiro Tokito.
Genya Shinazugawa, though more severely injured, was recovering rapidly and didn't require treatment. Sanemi Shinazugawa, despite his wounds, seemed perfectly fine and refused Shinobu Kocho's offer to bandage him.
"According to the crow, our next destination is Muzan Kibutsuji's location," Gyomei Himejima said gravely, his hands twisting his prayer beads. "The final battle is upon us."
Aoki and the others nodded, though they had just defeated Upper Moon One, Kokushibo.
No one showed any sign of relief, because they knew Upper Moon One was only the second strongest demon.
Muzan Kibutsuji, far stronger, remained an unknown quantity.
If four Hashira struggled against Upper Moon One, what chance did they have against the far stronger Muzan Kibutsuji?
Perhaps all the Hashira combined wouldn't be enough.
Aoki subconsciously took Shinobu Kocho's hand, their gazes meeting.
"It'll be alright."
"Yes, I believe in you."
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Infinity Castle, the cocoon containing Muzan Kibutsuji began its final transformation…
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