Call out!
There was no sound. No trace. The person was simply… gone.
Kibutsuji Muzan felt an overwhelming sense of crisis surge through his entire body. His hair stood on end.
A blue figure appeared in his vision, and his pupils instantly shrank into pinholes. He didn't even have time to speak—immediately, he sent a mental signal to Sanxian to intercept and simultaneously attempted to communicate with Ming...
From James's perspective, the world had stopped. Everything around him felt frozen in time—clear, still, transparent.
He saw Akaza slowly raise his fists to block, but before they could even reach within two fingers of the blade, they turned to ash and disintegrated. In the blink of an eye, both his arms vanished into nothingness.
James didn't spare Akaza a glance. He simply moved forward, blade in hand.
Douma, though not as physically strong as the other Upper Moons, reacted quickly. Tiny ice crystals instantly coated his entire body like armor.
But it was useless.
James's blade sliced cleanly through the ice, passed through Douma's waist, and separated him in half. His torso dropped to the ground—lifeless.
Kokushibou, who had already activated his Moon Breathing techniques, spotted the approaching blade after it pierced through Douma's body. He instantly unleashed his Blood Demon Art. Blades erupted all around him, forming a massive defense.
Shua!
The defensive blades shattered in an instant. The right half of Kokushibou's body was reduced to blackened ash, while only the left half remained standing—barely.
These were only side effects.
The real target of this attack still lay ahead.
If that blade touches me, I'll die!
Kibutsuji Muzan screamed internally, panicking.
"I'm tired!!!"
A sharp pipa sound rang out. A window appeared beneath their feet.
In that moment, Muzan's body vanished, teleported far away. James's attack could no longer continue forward.
"It's too late. Time to implement Plan B."
James turned sharply, diving downward. Blue flames still danced along his blade, trailing behind him like a comet across the sky. As the structures of the Infinite Castle morphed and twisted around him, countless demons appeared—raising their heads to watch the glowing meteor streak through their realm.
Another pipa sound echoed.
Windows opened beneath the feet of countless Demon Slayer swordsmen. Nakime had transported all of them into the Infinite Castle!
Tanjirou plummeted through the air. Spotting Muzan—who was now tightly restrained by Tamayo—he roared, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"I will definitely kill you, Kibutsuji Muzan!!"
Muzan, who had narrowly escaped death, glared back with rage, gritting his teeth.
"Come if you can, Kamado Tanjirou!"
Above Infinite City, the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, dressed in black uniforms, descended like rain. They fell into unknown areas, while the crows bearing hidden talismans flew in with precision, ensuring the plan unfolded as expected.
---
A few days earlier…
James and the Rock Pillar, Gyomei Himejima, sat quietly beside Ubuyashiki Kagaya. Amane and Kiriya, Kagaya's wife and son, sat nearby as well.
"I have a strong feeling that Kibutsuji Muzan will appear soon," Kagaya said, his voice weak. "I intend to use myself as bait, cough... That's why I'm seeking your opinions."
James remained silent for a long moment. Gyomei, unable to contain his grief, began to weep.
They all knew: once Ubuyashiki Kagaya made up his mind, there was no convincing him otherwise.
"I think we should inform the others," James finally said. "Everyone who trained under me—let them know."
"They won't agree," Kagaya replied hoarsely, "but... you're right. They've grown. If I insist, they'll follow. And if they endure this injustice silently, their fury will only burn stronger."
He looked down for a moment, then nodded with conviction.
"Very well, James-kun. We'll call them."
Soon, everyone who had participated in James's special training arrived. When Gyomei conveyed the plan, it was met with fierce resistance. But Kagaya's determination eventually silenced them. Reluctantly, they agreed.
They knew—killing Kibutsuji Muzan was their greatest mission. Every sacrifice would only fan the flames in their hearts.
James outlined his plan:
"After Gyomei's initial attack fails, do not engage immediately. I will take the next step. If my attack fails as well, we'll still have the element of surprise on our side."
He continued, "Someone will pretend to be me and leave the headquarters. Muzan won't show unless he thinks I'm truly gone. I've had the swordsmith village forge exact replicas of my Nichirin Blade. Bugu will accompany the swordsman acting as my double."
"The most crucial element is communication. If the space that Shimizu and Iguro saw really is Muzan's hideout, and we all get separated, the crows with hidden talismans will find you quickly. The headquarters must then create a map and give directions immediately."
He turned to Yushirou. "You'll handle the talismans. And the map."
Yushirou froze under James's gaze, then straightened up and replied firmly, "Yes!"
This man carries such terrifying pressure!
James turned toward Tamayo. "You're responsible for holding Muzan down. Please take care of yourself. We'll come for you as fast as we can."
"It doesn't matter," Tamayo said quietly. "If Muzan dies, I'm willing to die with him."
Her words made Yushirou visibly anxious, but he didn't protest. He knew—her resolve was absolute.
The Demon Slayer Corps, by now, was no longer wary of "good" demons. With Nezuko as an example, they had come to accept Tamayo and her allies.
James looked back at Kagaya.
"And for those in charge of the headquarters..."
Kagaya extended his hand, and his son Kiriya took it.
"Kiriya, from now on, you must lead. Your sisters will help you."
Tears welled up in Kiriya's eyes. He nodded firmly.
"Everyone," Kagaya continued, "whether our thousand-year-long dream becomes reality... depends on you."
No one dared to answer lightly. Flames of determination burned in everyone's eyes.
---
Back in Infinite City
No one panicked.
Each swordsman controlled their fall expertly and looked upward, eyes locked on Muzan with unwavering resolve.
Several portals opened. Nakime assigned fighters to different locations, hoping the Upper and Lower Moons would eliminate them. Her biggest dilemma now was—what to do with James?
Her teleportation wasn't limitless. Every spatial jump drained her power. Stronger individuals consumed more energy.
To her, James felt like an unmeasurable abyss. Even opening the portal that brought him in had exhausted her. If she tried teleporting him again, it could completely deplete her. In that state, she wouldn't be able to face any Hashira.
After considering her options, Nakime decided not to move James.
Let him wander, she thought. The Infinite Castle's layout was impossibly complex. Without a map, it would be like walking in circles.
Another pipa sound rang out.
One by one, fighters vanished into the void.
But Nakime made a critical miscalculation.
She failed to contain James!
---
James, still falling through the air, surveyed his surroundings. Twisting midair, he pushed against the walls and landed gracefully on a large platform.
He didn't stop.
With precise movements, he caught several falling Demon Slayer swordsmen and helped them to safety.
So Nakime isn't teleporting me…
He thought for a moment, then turned toward the others—his expression calm and composed.
"Let's go kill Kibutsuji Muzan."
---
The battle for Infinite City has begun.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)