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The Demon Slayer Corps had long prepared several evacuation plans, so even with a sudden retreat, they remained orderly and avoided major chaos.
To prevent Kibutsuji Muzan from finding them, Yushiro had already deactivated his Blood Demon Art, but he was still worried about Tamayo's safety, as she was now just an ordinary human.
Meanwhile, Kisaragi Rin was giving a pre-battle pep talk to the remaining individuals.
The main content covered the abilities and personality traits of the Upper Moons, and he solemnly reminded them to just hold back the Upper Moons; he would handle the rest.
After all, non-players wouldn't drop treasure chests if they killed an Upper Moon. Although these four Pillars didn't even have a full set of equipment, Kisaragi Rin also had to prevent them from suddenly bursting with power and killing an Upper Moon.
The Flame Pillar, Water Pillar, and Wind Pillar were not a concern; though they wanted to help more, they agreed to Kisaragi Rin's arrangements under his insistence.
The most difficult to handle was the Insect Pillar, Shinobu Kocho. She seemed to maintain a smile every day, but her psychological issues were the greatest among all the Pillars.
That was her hatred for Doma. Upper Moon Two, Doma, was a pervert who only ate women and had also killed Shinobu Kocho's sister.
Due to insufficient strength, Shinobu Kocho had been injecting wisteria flower poison into her body, attempting to use her life to create an opportunity to kill Doma.
Yes, the kind where she allowed herself to be eaten.
Kisaragi Rin glanced at her internal condition and calmly said, "Don't give up your life so easily. Doma is nothing; I will kill him with my own hands."
Faced with Kisaragi Rin's pointed reminder, Shinobu Kocho's constantly disguised smile faltered.
"Although Mr. Kisaragi is very strong, I also want to contribute more to killing demons. I have waited a long time for this moment, so please don't worry about me."
Seeing this, Kisaragi Rin didn't try to persuade her further. He simply found Sanemi Shinazugawa, pointed at Shinobu Kocho, and said, "Keep an eye on her; don't let Doma kill her."
Shinobu Kocho's sister was someone Sanemi Shinazugawa liked; he wouldn't watch Shinobu Kocho go to her death.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had been called over, was bewildered, wondering how Kisaragi Rin knew about their relationship. He remembered his feelings for Shinobu Kocho's sister were a secret crush, weren't they?
Yukinoshita Yukino was somewhat afraid to see Kisaragi Rin, not expecting such a situation, but she ultimately suppressed her emotions and came to hear Kisaragi Rin's arrangements.
Kanroji Mitsuri was somewhat distracted, secretly glancing at Kisaragi Rin, her nichirin blade already modified.
Equipment - Weaving Love
Description: This is a soft sword made of the silk from Lower Moon Five, but he seems to have understood what true emotion is.
Effect: Extension, durability, sharpness, sunlight, and a hint of a pounding heart when struck.
Bonus: Strength +1, Agility +1, Charm +1
Usage Condition: None
He picked it up and looked at it; it was identical to how he remembered.
Kisaragi Rin was very curious how Kanamori Kozo, the weapon modifier, could make Lower Moon Five feel Kanroji Mitsuri's emotions.
Putting her worries aside, Kanroji Mitsuri sincerely urged, "Mr. Kisaragi, please be careful."
"Don't worry, it will be over soon."
...
Finally, only Hachiman Hikigaya remained.
"Why are you wearing such a strange thing?" Hachiman Hikigaya asked, complaining about the philosophical-looking hood on Kisaragi Rin's face.
"To ensure things proceed as I wish, I need a bit of lucky blessing."
The more precise the plan, the more luck it requires, otherwise, a slight deviation could send everything in an unpredictable direction.
"Luck?"
Hachiman Hikigaya felt his teeth ache, sweat constantly seeping from his pores as he secretly reached to pull out the clothes stuck in his butt crack.
Then he heard Kisaragi Rin's inquiry: "Are you afraid?"
A sudden sense of shame made him stop his movements, maintaining his posture, his face somewhat contorted.
Kisaragi Rin reached out to pull up his pants and calmly looked at the setting sun.
"Fear is not shameful, Hikigaya."
"Weakness is."
"Whether passive or active, those without strength will ultimately be swept along by others, just as I can make you work for me with just one Upper Moon."
"However, weakness also comes in two types: one is currently weak, the other is always weak. The former will actively join in to find opportunities, while the latter will only become a synonym for destructive power in the strong's battles through constant evasion."
Turning his head, Kisaragi Rin patted his shoulder.
"Hikigaya, you are a smart person, and I believe you will eventually become strong."
Before Hachiman Hikigaya could react, Kisaragi Rin had already left, holding Spider Mother.
Looking at Kisaragi Rin's broad back, Hachiman Hikigaya inexplicably felt a greater sense of security. He took a deep breath and let go of the distracting thoughts in his mind.
...
Time passed minute by minute. Kisaragi Rin sat calmly in the room, awaiting the imminent arrival of Kibutsuji Muzan.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya had originally wanted to stay too, but Kisaragi Rin refused him.
The moment the sun set, Mount Natagumo fell silent.
Mist permeated the village, and two figures suddenly appeared within it.
Kisaragi Rin glanced at Kokushibo behind Muzan and chuckled softly: "Are you that afraid of me?"
Upper Moon One plus Moon Breathing plus Transparent World plus Mark—with the exception of the Crimson Blade, which is unnecessary for fighting swordsmen—all were gathered. Kokushibo could be considered the strongest existing combat power in Demon Slayer.
Kokushibo's six eyes carefully scrutinized Kisaragi Rin. There was no Mark, nor did he sense the scent of Sun Breathing, which diminished his expectations somewhat.
Kibutsuji Muzan was currently in his male form, wearing a black and gold suit. His slow movement through the mist not only lacked pressure but, in Kisaragi Rin's eyes, also seemed a bit rheumatic.
"Afraid?" Muzan chuckled softly, all his attention focused on Spider Mother in Kisaragi Rin's arms. He asked with thinly veiled excitement, "Is she the demon who isn't afraid of sunlight?"
Kibutsuji Muzan was a cautious person. Even though Kisaragi Rin killed Akaza, he only thought of waiting for him to leave, completely unwilling to take unnecessary risks.
Until Kisaragi Rin produced a demon unafraid of sunlight.
It was like pushing out a chip, clearly telling Muzan, 'If you don't act personally, then I will leave with this demon unafraid of sunlight.'
Kibutsuji Muzan had waited a thousand years, unable to find the legendary blue spider lily, nor had he created a demon unafraid of sunlight.
Such a temptation, even if Kisaragi Rin had clearly indicated it was a trap prepared for him, Kibutsuji Muzan couldn't help but leap into it.
"What's more, can you kill me?"
With this thought, Kibutsuji Muzan accepted Kisaragi Rin's invitation and came here.
Even at this moment, Kibutsuji Muzan was still thinking of resolving it in another way.
"Hand her over to me, and I'll arrange a few Upper Moons for you to kill. How about that as a deal?"
Kisaragi Rin raised an eyebrow; Muzan's words had completely proven that a player had appeared in the demon's camp a year ago.
However, he had already guessed it, hadn't he?
Otherwise, how would Kisaragi Rin have been so sure that Muzan would appear in person?
If you don't appear, I'll leave this world with Spider Mother.
Kisaragi Rin asked him back, somewhat strangely, "Are you trading my things with me?"
"You just defeated Akaza, but how much change in strength can one Akaza bring you? What do you plan to rely on to kill me? Those weaklings outside?"
As Muzan's words fell, the sound of a biwa echoed, and golden doors and windows opened beneath them. Everyone began to fall towards the Infinity Castle!
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