Demon Slayer Corps HeadquartersA refined-looking man sat quietly in the reception room, patiently waiting.
He had been escorted there personally by Murata.
Despite his worsening illness, Kagaya Ubuyashiki came to receive him himself.
The elegant visitor immediately stood and offered a respectful bow.
"I apologize for visiting so late, Lord Ubuyashiki."
His tone was courteous and composed.
Kagaya returned the bow with equal sincerity.
"The pleasure is mine."
"What brings you here, Lord Yukikawa?"
The visitor was Suzuki Yukikawa, the official liaison between the Imperial Government and the Demon Slayer Corps.
Although the Corps officially operated outside the government's military structure, Yukikawa served as the only individual authorized to personally deliver imperial decrees to the Ubuyashiki family.
Many outsiders misunderstood the relationship between the government and the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Corps was not publicly acknowledged.
That did not mean the government denied its existence.
Quite the opposite.
Keeping the Corps hidden prevented widespread panic among the civilian population.
If the existence of demons and the Demon Slayer Corps were officially announced, chaos would inevitably spread throughout the country.
Even more dangerously…
It would make locating the Ubuyashiki Estate far easier for Muzan Kibutsuji.
Such publicity would place the Corps in unimaginable danger.
Likewise, the continued prosperity of the Ubuyashiki family was not solely the result of exceptional business talent or the family's mysterious foresight.
The Imperial Government had quietly supported them for generations.
Without that trust, no government would tolerate an armed organization numbering nearly a thousand swordsmen operating freely throughout the nation.
Thus, although the relationship remained hidden from the public…
Mutual trust between the Imperial Court and the Demon Slayer Corps had long existed.
Recently, however…
Kokushibo's subtle influence had gradually begun extending even into governmental affairs.
Should that trend continue…
The balance between every major power in Japan might eventually shift.
Yukikawa said nothing further.
Instead, he respectfully removed a sealed letter and handed it to Kagaya.
Receiving it with both hands, Kagaya passed it to his daughter Hinaki, who carefully opened the imperial message and began reading aloud.
As the contents were revealed…
Even Kagaya's calm expression showed genuine surprise.
The letter conveyed His Majesty's gratitude for the Demon Slayer Corps' continued service.
It also issued a new imperial directive.
The mysterious man-eating creatures that had recently appeared throughout the country were to be investigated with the same level of priority as Muzan Kibutsuji himself.
Every available resource was to be devoted to uncovering the organization responsible for their creation.
This was unprecedented.
Since ascending the throne, His Majesty had sent only a single formal decree to the Demon Slayer Corps.
That letter had ordered the elimination of the Demon King.
Afterward, communication had become exceedingly rare.
The Imperial Court continued quietly cooperating with the Ubuyashiki family through various confidential affairs, while the Corps periodically submitted reports regarding demon extermination.
Never before had another direct order of this significance been issued.
Kagaya contemplated the contents only briefly before nodding.
"The Demon Slayer Corps accepts His Majesty's directive."
"I ask that you convey our gratitude."
Yukikawa inclined his head.
Although he privately felt the Emperor's recent decisions had become unusually proactive…
He wisely chose not to speculate.
A loyal retainer should never presume to understand the sovereign's thoughts.
Such assumptions often led only to disaster.
Before departing, Yukikawa offered one final reminder.
"His Majesty is increasingly concerned."
"Too many incidents have occurred recently."
"The authorities are approaching the limit of what they can conceal from the public."
"If the investigation into Muzan reaches another dead end…"
"The man-eating creatures should receive priority."
Had the mysterious organization controlling these monsters known the consequences of their actions…
They might never have acted so boldly.
Their original intention had been simple.
Allow demons and the Demon Slayer Corps to weaken each other…
Then harvest the survivors.
Instead…
Through Kokushibo's careful manipulation…
They had unknowingly turned themselves into the greatest enemy of both sides.
One might almost say…
Kokushibo had done half the Demon Slayer Corps' work for them.
Yukikawa stepped outside.
Murata immediately approached.
"Lord Yukikawa."
"I'll escort you safely back."
Yukikawa smiled politely.
"My thanks."
Murata scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"It isn't any trouble."
Together…
The two departed from the estate.
Inside…
Kagaya quietly considered the Corps' next course of action.
"Recently…"
"The number of ordinary demon sightings has noticeably decreased."
"In that case…"
"Our priority should temporarily shift toward investigating these mysterious creatures."
Before he could continue
Two Kasugai Crows suddenly descended into the courtyard.
Their urgent cries echoed throughout the estate.
"Caw! Caw!"
"Emergency!"
"Upper Rank One!"
"Upper Rank Three!"
"Two unidentified man-eating creatures!"
"Battle underway at the Mugen Train derailment site!"
The first report had barely ended before the second crow cried out.
"Caw! Caw!"
"Wind Hashira!"
"Serpent Hashira!"
"Encounter with unidentified man-eating creatures at Mount Kuboto!"
"Situation extremely dangerous!"
Kagaya's expression immediately became grave.
"Hinaki."
"Nichika."
"Summon every available Hashira immediately."
At present…
Only four elite swordsmen remained near headquarters.
Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka.
Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho.
Former Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho.
And Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji.
The remaining Hashira were scattered across the country carrying out separate missions.
There was no time to hesitate.
Kagaya immediately began issuing orders.
"Giyu Tomioka."
"Shinobu Kocho."
"Proceed immediately to the Mugen Train derailment site."
"Kyojuro is facing Upper Rank One, Upper Rank Three, and two unknown enemies."
"You must reinforce him."
He then turned toward the remaining two.
"Mitsuri Kanroji."
"Kanae Kocho."
"Proceed immediately to Mount Kuboto."
"Support Sanemi and Obanai."
"They are facing opponents of extraordinary strength."
The four acknowledged the orders simultaneously.
Without another word…
They immediately departed.
Kagaya's deployment reflected careful strategic judgment.
Shinobu's medical expertise complemented Giyu's exceptional combat ability.
Likewise…
Kanae's calm support paired naturally with Mitsuri's overwhelming physical strength.
Splitting the sisters rather than deploying them together allowed both battlefields to benefit from their unique abilities.
Kagaya silently watched them leave.
Now…
All he could do was pray.
The Mugen Train still had Kyojuro…
And Kokushibo's true intentions remained uncertain.
But Mount Kuboto…
That battlefield worried him far more.
Mount KubotoThe explosion had left Obanai wounded.
Fortunately…
He had instinctively shielded his face with his forearm.
His eyesight remained unharmed.
Sanemi immediately rushed to his companion's side.
Whatever disagreements they occasionally had…
The two Hashira trusted one another completely in battle.
Sanemi inhaled deeply.
Wind Breathing, Second Form: ClawsPurifying Wind.
His fierce slash carved across Meng Xiyu's torso.
Deep wounds opened across the strange creature's hardened exoskeleton.
Obanai immediately followed.
Serpent Breathing, Third Form: Coil Choke.
His Nichirin Blade twisted unpredictably.
Its bizarre trajectory made even Meng Xiyu struggle to defend.
Fortunately for the creature…
Its internal skeletal structure was extraordinarily resilient.
Even the Nichirin Blade failed to cut completely through.
Sanemi refused to relent.
Wind Breathing, Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon.
He launched himself high into the air.
The two Hashira attacked simultaneously from different angles.
Meng Xiyu found himself completely overwhelmed.
"Damn it!"
He barely managed to raise his guard.
Then
Crack!
A thick tree branch suddenly shot from the forest.
Its timing was flawless.
Before Sanemi could react
The sharpened branch pierced straight through his abdomen.
Blood sprayed into the snow.
The Wind Hashira crashed heavily onto the ground.
"Sanemi!"
Obanai instinctively looked toward his comrade.
That single moment of distraction proved fatal.
Meng Xiyu immediately capitalized.
His fist slammed into Obanai's chest.
Blood Demon Art: Exploding Rakshasa.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted on impact.
Obanai was blasted backward.
His uniform tore apart.
Blood spread rapidly across his chest as he struck the ground.
Meng Xiyu slowly lowered his fist.
Breathing heavily, he looked toward Hera.
Moments earlier…
The tree branch had not appeared naturally.
It had been Hera's intervention that created the opening.
Although he still disagreed with many of her decisions…
He could not deny the truth.
She had just saved his life.
Meng Xiyu glanced at her.
"…Thanks."
Hera remained expressionless.
She neither smiled nor celebrated.
Instead, she answered calmly.
"We are the same."
"So I won't let you die."
The snow continued falling silently across the bloodstained battlefield.