Kairo Retsu stuffed the flesh-forged longsword he took from Kokushibo into his pack, then reset his stance toward Kokushibo.
"Let's make a bet."
He licked his lips.
"I'm a hunter. So to me… how the prey goes down, how it's captured—I don't really care."
Kairo raised a hand and pointed at Kokushibo.
"You're going to die here today. But… it won't be by my hand."
He rested the Rathalos Long Sword on his shoulder and flicked the blade with a finger—ping!—a clear metallic resonance rang out.
"As you can see, this isn't a Nichirin Blade. It's got nothing to do with the sun."
"I, personally, don't have the ability to kill you."
Kairo stated plainly.
"You can see my heartbeat, right? You should know whether or not I'm lying."
"You'll die at the hands of someone else—not me. So let's bet… on who that person will be."
He raised a finger.
"This is just a little entertainment outside the hunt. As for the wager… I'll trade you a secret."
"When your head gets lopped off, I'll tell you something about Yoriichi Tsugikuni," Kairo said. "What do you think? Tempting, isn't it?"
"Shut up! I don't want to know anything about him!!" Kokushibo roared.
"Even with this unexpected outcome—aside from you, this anomaly—all the others… their plots and tactics are meaningless!"
"There is only one Yoriichi in this world!!"
The blades of flesh on Kokushibo's body began growing again. He stared fiercely at the enemies before him.
"Other than you, the rest are all beneath notice!!"
"Underestimating others can cause big problems," Kairo replied with a bright grin. "After all…"
"Fate has… shifted ever so slightly."
His voice carried through the communications link of the Gathering Hub, reaching the ears of the other hunters.
Elsewhere—
"The Guildmaster's already clashing with Kokushibo alongside the others," Joseph passed on intel to his comrades while speaking to a charm-tagged messenger crow by his side.
"Hey, Ubuyashiki guy—you've already deployed the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps, right?"
"Caw-caw."
The crow responded with two squawks, relaying its report.
"We've stopped the Demon Slayers approaching Muzan. Support is now en route to Kanroji and Iguro's position to assist them against Nakime."
"A considerable number of Corps members are currently gathered around the Master, receiving direct orders and coordinating the battlefield."
The crow then added with concern,
"Also… is it really okay for Naofumi Iwatani to go alone?"
"Mr. Joestar," Tanjiro spoke with concern,
"Isn't it risky to let all the Corps members fall back from Muzan's area and send Mr. Iwatani alone to face him…? Wouldn't that put him in danger?"
At that moment, after confirming the Ubuyashiki family was sufficiently protected, Naofumi Iwatani had handed over the wide-area healing responsibilities to Kazuma—who could sneak and drink potions safely—and headed off alone toward Muzan's slumbering location.
"Joestar-san, I understand you guys are strong, but… that's Kibutsuji Muzan we're talking about," Shinobu Kocho added calmly.
"Even if it's to stall Muzan before Nakime is taken out and Infinity Castle collapses… even if Mr. Naofumi has some unique breathing technique like yours—"
"No need to worry." Joseph waved a hand.
"Shield Bro doesn't use Ripple Breathing, but there's a reason we assigned the task of stalling Muzan to him."
As he spoke, Joseph pulled out his Scoutfly Lantern, preparing to track Kokushibo's movement.
At the same time—
Naofumi Iwatani had already arrived alone at the cocoon of flesh where Muzan was digesting the toxin.
Looking at the twisted tumors of meat, Naofumi frowned.
"…Disgusting creature."
Suddenly, the cocoon twitched—
Muzan burst out from the tumor, lunging at Naofumi like he intended to devour him whole.
But—
The very next instant, a massive spirit energy shield slammed into place, blocking Muzan's path.
Landing on the shield, Muzan bounced back to the top of the tumor.
"Blood Demon Art…? No—this shield isn't made from Blood Demon Art at all," Muzan muttered.
"And only one of you came? Ubuyashiki really has declined—only one person managed to find their way here."
"But fine, as a snack to ease my hunger, you'll do."
Muzan looked down at Naofumi, clearly underestimating this seemingly unremarkable young man.
But back with the others, Joseph was explaining to Tanjiro and the rest—
"Out of the four hunters here, I pose the biggest threat to demons…"
On the battlefield, Naofumi Iwatani calmly pulled out his weapon.
The barrel of a Heavy Bowgun was aimed straight at Muzan.
"…But when it comes to raw firepower, defense, and suppression—"
Joseph said with a frustrated tone:
"Shield Bro with the Heavy Bowgun is still the strongest!"
Back in the flesh cocoon—
Muzan suddenly sensed danger and instinctively leapt back.
But at that precise moment, several spirit shields rapidly formed, sealing off every escape route—
Except one: the narrow opening directly in front of Naofumi.
Naofumi looked up at Muzan, a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
With a thunderous roar, the Heavy Bowgun fired.
Like a gatling gun, the hail of bullets pinned Muzan inside the box of shields—
completely immobilizing him.
"GAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Muzan screamed in fury,
But the monstrous rounds—not meant for humans—ripped his flesh apart.
The immense impact force prevented him from escaping the fortified shield cube.
"Until all the Upper Ranks are dead—don't even think about leaving this place!"
Naofumi was practically giddy now.
With colossal firepower in his hands—
And defense provided by the Four Holy Shields—
This was the trump card decided upon by all four hunters—
Their first ace against Muzan Kibutsuji!!
"I'll fight you all day long!! Until I run out of ammo!!"