Butterfly Kanae arrived at the entrance of the village but didn't go in immediately. She stood quietly at the edge, gazing into the town.
Even though she had completed countless ghost extermination missions before, she had a strict rule—always scout the area first.
Underestimating the enemy was the gravest mistake one could make.
The sun had not yet fully set, but the village was already eerily silent. Not a single person could be seen working or walking about.
The villagers were clearly on edge.
Because of the recent ghost attacks in the nearby forest, the people had locked themselves indoors before the sky even turned completely dark. The fear was real.
Even seasoned members of the Demon Slayer Corps had to be careful around demons.
As for ordinary villagers? They didn't stand a chance.
Kanae leapt onto the rooftop of a nearby home. Her steps were so light that not a sound was made.
She moved from rooftop to rooftop with elegant precision until she reached the tallest point in the town, where she crouched and waited.
According to recent intel, two demons had been spotted lurking in the forest near this village.
They had attacked just a few nights ago under the cover of darkness—leaving several villagers dead, and even managing to kill a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
That was why Kanae had been dispatched personally.
A Pillar taking action meant the situation was serious.
---
As the sun sank behind the horizon, darkness blanketed the town. This night felt heavier than usual—a suffocating black that pressed down even on Kanae's normally calm spirit.
Her senses sharpened. She could feel it.
Something was coming.
From the forest's edge, two black shadows slithered into the village.
As they entered, the pungent stench of blood and decay accompanied them—an unmistakable scent that could only belong to demons.
Kanae didn't react outwardly. As a seasoned Demon Slayer, she had long grown used to the smell. But had any ordinary person caught a whiff of it, they would've fainted on the spot—only to fall prey to the lurking evil.
Kanae didn't move. Not yet.
She observed from above, fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of her Nichirin Blade.
Her violet eyes locked onto the demons' movements. She would strike when the time was right.
The demons prowled the streets and finally paused in front of a random home.
That was her cue.
In an instant, Kanae moved.
The sun blade flashed through the night—a blur too fast for the demons to even notice.
By the time they realized something was wrong, it was too late.
Slash!
The two demons collapsed—cleanly beheaded.
Kanae landed gracefully on her feet, her expression calm and focused. She had taken them out in one fluid strike.
---
Watching from afar via the mission projection, the warriors of Universe 7 began to comment.
Krillin: "Wow, this girl's technique is clean and precise. But if she already eliminated her enemies, why would a thug mission still trigger?"
Piccolo: "That just means the true enemy hasn't shown up yet. Someone stronger is waiting in the shadows. Someone she can't handle alone."
Tien: "That makes sense. She waited until nightfall to act, and those two demons only appeared after it was dark."
Tien: "So maybe the real threat can only move in the dark?"
Tien: "If that's the case, this mission is practically tailor-made for me! Once I unleash the Solar Flare, any creature that thrives in darkness will be toast!"
Krillin: "Your analysis is solid, Tien. But let's not forget—I know Solar Flare too. I could take on this mission just as well."
Goku: "Heh, actually, I can use Solar Flare too."
Vegeta: "Hmph, do you really need Solar Flare? Just raise your power level and crush her enemy with brute force."
Piccolo: "Vegeta's not wrong. If the enemy is merely nocturnal, it's not necessarily a case for Solar Flare."
Piccolo: "The real question is: What kind of enemy could force a Pillar like her to her limits?"
Android 17: "Let's not speculate too much. We still don't know the full mission parameters. Whether we need Solar Flare or not will be clear once the mission is fully revealed."
Krillin: "Yeah, my brother-in-law has a point."
Piccolo: "Still, I have a feeling... I think I already know what this mission really is."
---
Back in the village, Kanae's expression grew tense.
She wasn't relieved after killing the two demons—in fact, she looked more worried.
Something didn't feel right.
Those demons had been far too weak.
They were dangerous for villagers, sure. But there was no way they could have killed a trained Demon Slayer.
The most unsettling part? Even after their deaths, the nauseating scent of demon blood in the air didn't fade.
It got stronger.
Kanae's eyes narrowed.
"There's another one."
She immediately shifted into a defensive stance, gripping her sword tightly.
The night had grown unnaturally quiet. Every sound became amplified.
And then—footsteps.
Someone, or something, was approaching.
And this one wasn't hiding at all.
---
A deep voice echoed through the still air.
"Oh? I expected just another weakling from the Demon Slayer Corps. I didn't expect someone... important."
Kanae spun around.
From the shadows behind her, a man stepped forward.
His appearance was terrifying.
Hair as white as bleached oak. Irises of many colors that were not human. Blood-like splotches stained his face like war paint.
But that wasn't what made Kanae freeze.
It was his eyes.
In his right eye, the character for "Two."
In his left, the seal for "Upper Moon."
Kanae's heart sank.
She didn't need anyone to explain.
She knew exactly who this was.
---
Upper Moon Two.
Doma.
One of the Twelve Kizuki. A demon hand-picked by Muzan Kibutsuji, and second only to Upper Moon One in power.
Kanae's instincts screamed.
This was the monster who killed her.
And now, here he was—face to face with her again.
No wonder a Demon Slayer had already died here. Anyone below Pillar level would be completely outmatched.
Even for her, this was going to be a battle for survival.
She adjusted her stance, calming her breathing.
She couldn't afford a single mistake.
---
Back in the multiverse chat, the tension was rising.
Tien: "Wait… did he say 'Upper Moon Two'? Isn't that one of the highest-level demons?"
Krillin: "Yeah… and she's up against him alone. This just got a whole lot more serious."
Piccolo: "Now I get it. This is the real mission."
Vegeta: "Hmph. If she's up against someone that powerful, there's no way she'll survive without help."
Goku: "I kind of want to go in and fight that guy myself!"
Android 17: "Everyone calm down. Jack still needs to confirm the mission details before any of us go charging in."
---
Kanae stared down Doma, eyes sharp, blade ready.
She had no idea who might come to help her… or if help would arrive at all.
But as the wind picked up and the moonlight illuminated her target, one thing became clear:
This was the battle that would decide everything.
And in the shadows beyond, the mission prompt was quietly finalizing—
"New Thug Mission: Assist Butterfly Kanae in Defeating Upper Moon Two, Doma."
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