Chapter 81 Recovered Strength
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
"What? They've all disappeared?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's usually calm face showed a slight ripple: "Are you sure?"
Shinazugawa Sanemi opened his chest, two more scars appearing on his body, his voice low and powerful.
"Yes, all the eyeballs disappeared overnight!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki murmured, "The eyeballs disappeared, does that mean the demons have found what they're looking for? What are they looking for?"
Caw caw caw!
Suddenly, a crow swooped down and landed in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's arms. His expression changed slightly: "Hachino Taro? What's wrong? Aomura Kazuhiko, what happened?"
Kasugai crows possess considerable intelligence and most have their own names.
Even team members might not know their own Kasugai crow's name, but he remembered the names of all the team members and their Kasugai crows.
The crow gasped for breath, flapping its wings, and anxiously explained.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's expression turned grave: "Disappeared? You mean, Aomura Kazuhiko was walking down the street when Upper Moon Three suddenly appeared, and then they both disappeared?"
Shinazugawa Sanemi's face was grim: "Could it be that he used his ability to leave?"
Before the crow could explain, Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, "No! Aomura Kazuhiko's ability can't directly teleport enemies!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi pondered for a moment: "He definitely wasn't killed. No one can kill him silently, not even Muzan Kibutsuji!
Upper Moon Three's Blood Demon Art isn't the type that teleports people. It's certain that other demons were involved in this."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly said, "Sanemi, do you think it's possible that the eyeballs were searching for Aomura Kazuhiko?"
Shinazugawa Sanemi's expression changed slightly. After careful consideration, he realized it was indeed a possibility, and quite a possibility at that.
During this time, Aomura Kazuhiko had killed a great many demons, even Upper Moon Twos.
He could also grow stronger by absorbing demons.
Demons definitely saw him as a thorn in their side.
There weren't many targets that would make demons go to such lengths; if it wasn't the Demon Slayer Corps, the remaining choices…
"This is my dereliction of duty,"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed.
Because Aomura Kazuhiko had explicitly stated that he didn't want the Demon Slayer Corps involved, he hadn't informed Aomura Kazuhiko about the eyeball issue out of consideration for avoiding any appearance of impropriety.
More importantly, he hadn't expected that with Aomura Kazuhiko's strength, an accident might actually occur.
"My lord, there's no need to blame yourself. No one expected this to happen,"
Shinazugawa Sanemi comforted him, then added, "If this really is a conspiracy against Aomura Kazuhiko, then he's facing far more than just one or two demons. This operation is very likely orchestrated by Muzan Kibutsuji himself!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki understood this as well, and said decisively, "We must find a way to support Aomura Kazuhiko!"
"I'll go!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi said.
During this time, Aomura Kazuhiko had proven to be a competent ally.
Since he was an ally, there was no reason to stand idly by.
"Relying on Sanemi alone probably won't be enough!" Kagaya Ubuyashiki said.
Shinazugawa Sanemi said, "Tomioka Giyuu should be nearby. Let him go with us!"
"That's the only way."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded. The Pillars were scattered in various places, and it was impossible to gather them all at once.
"Sanemi, you and Giyuu remember, your priority is to find Aomura Kazuhiko's whereabouts and provide support. Don't act rashly!"
"I understand, my lord!" Shinazugawa Sanemi replied.
Although unwilling, given their current strength, they would struggle to even contend with an Upper Moon, let alone deal with Muzan Kibutsuji. Even if
he and Giyuu Tomioka joined forces, they would likely only be able to barely protect themselves.
In that case, Aomura Kazuhiko becomes even more crucial.
...
The Infinity Castle.
Vast stretches of buildings collapsed, reduced to ruins; the Infinity Castle seemed to have been ravaged by a Category 12 typhoon.
However,
this wasn't caused by Aoki.
In fact, it could be said that most of it had nothing to do with him.
The biggest contributor was Muzan Kibutsuji, followed by Kokushibo and Hantengu.
*Whoosh!*
A serrated whip lashed out, and Aoki, unable to dodge, was torn open in the waist with a hissing sound, a large gash gushing out.
Before the next attack, Aoki activated "Spatial Transmission" in time, creating distance between himself and Muzan Kibutsuji.
Muzan Kibutsuji glanced at the wound on Aoki's waist and sneered, "Looks like your stamina isn't much left!"
Aoki didn't refute.
His stamina was indeed nearly depleted; even the healing speed of his wounds had slowed considerably.
The battle had lasted all night.
Except at the very beginning, he had been consciously controlling his energy expenditure. He
no longer used "Transparent World," conserved "Spatial Transmission" whenever possible, and repaired injuries whenever possible.
However, even with his conscious control, he was nearing his limit.
Fortunately, even Muzan couldn't inflict substantial damage on him; he only expended some stamina.
Similarly, he didn't do much damage to Muzan and the others.
Facing the combined attack of Muzan and numerous Upper Moons, he was almost constantly on the run, with few opportunities to retaliate.
Furthermore, as the dominant force, Kokushibo and Akaza hadn't engaged in continuous combat, their stamina remaining plentiful.
Muzan, on the other hand, was at his peak.
With five brains and seven hearts, this unique physical structure granted him an incredibly rapid recovery and almost limitless stamina.
"Rat, prepare to meet your death!" Seeing victory within reach, Muzan didn't hesitate any longer, quickly closing in on Aoki and lashing out with his two spiked whips.
*Tear!*
Aoki "space-traveled" away, a red pill appearing quietly in his palm, which he quickly swallowed.
A faint fragrance and a hint of sweetness melted in his mouth.
The taste was indeed excellent!
Since becoming a demon, he hadn't tasted anything other than alcohol.
This was the first and only time.
But before Aoki could savor it, the pill melted away like ice and snow, followed by warm currents flowing from his chest to his limbs, rapidly restoring his depleted strength.
That's right.
He had just eaten a Qi and Blood Pill.
He had given one to Kanae Kochō, and he had two left.
They came in very handy again.
Luckily, he hadn't eaten them as snacks.
At the same time
, all of Aoki's wounds instantly healed.
Muzan Kibutsuji was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise on his face: "What's with this recovery speed? Wasn't he almost exhausted? Why has his recovery speed suddenly increased?"
The Upper Moons also showed astonishment.
Aoki looked at them: "It seems I won't die for now. Come on, let's begin the second round!"
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(End of Chapter)