Damn it!
Watching Doma's playful expression from across the battlefield, Shinobu Kocho's face was a mask of cold fury. This so-called leader of the Eternal Paradise Cult had not only killed her sister, Kanae Kocho, but countless other innocent people as well. Most of his victims were women, devoured because Doma believed they tasted better.
It was this burning desire for revenge that had fueled Shinobu for years. She had once hoped that Tanjiro, whose appearance felt like a twist of fate, might be the key to finally eradicating the demons. However, with their enemy's elaborate schemes and relentless attacks on the Ubuyashiki family, that hope now seemed distant and faint.
What surprised her most was encountering her sister's killer here, of all places. Although Kanae hadn't been devoured by Doma, she had died from the severe injuries she sustained in their battle. Her last words were a warning to Shinobu, telling her that she could never defeat this terrifying demon. Kanae probably never imagined that years later, her younger sister would be facing that very same enemy.
But just as she had warned, this was a one-sided, crushing battle.
"Calm down, everyone," Doma said, his voice cheerful. He clearly enjoyed the expressions of pain and anger on Shinobu and Mitsuri's faces. "I'm sure you're very concerned about what I'm about to say. After all, they were your comrades!" He paused for dramatic effect, a wide smile on his face. "The first piece of news is… that one of the Demon Slayer Corps' nine Hashira has already fallen! The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito!"
Although they didn't know how Doma got this information, the words hit them with the force of a physical blow.
"No… that can't be…" Mitsuri stammered.
"He's… he's the most talented among us…" Shinobu whispered.
Their gazes met, disbelief clear in their eyes. Muichiro Tokito, though usually quiet, was incredibly reliable and overwhelmingly powerful. His talent was so great that it had left the entire Demon Slayer Corps in awe. Had such an exceptional young swordsman really fallen?
Before they could even process the news, Doma spoke again.
"And the second piece of news is just as good!" he chirped happily. "Two more of your Hashira… the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui! And… the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku!" Doma's voice was like a demonic song in their ears. "They've fallen, too!"
The air seemed to freeze. In that moment, Shinobu and Mitsuri felt all their strength and courage drain away. They knew Doma's twisted personality meant he would have no reason to lie about something like this. The moment they entered this district, all of the Hashira had been prepared to die. But facing the reality of it was another thing entirely. The comrades who were so full of life, who inspired everyone with their astonishing talent, were gone.
"If that's the case…" Shinobu's voice was suddenly quiet. The anger that had been simmering on her face was gone, replaced by a chilling calm. "Then, it's our turn next." It was as if the news of her comrades' deaths was just an ordinary fact.
"Mitsuri… are you ready!?" she asked, her voice steady.
"Yes!" Mitsuri responded instantly, drawing strength from her friend's resolve.
"Oh dear, it seems you've been thoroughly motivated," Doma said with a sigh, watching them rush toward him once again. His complete lack of human emotion was on full display. "What a pity… you alone are not enough!"
The moment he finished speaking, countless ice barriers formed around him. Sharp ice spikes shot out, forcing Shinobu and Mitsuri to halt their attack.
Boom!
But at that same instant, a terrifying sword slash, burning with the power of fire and flowing like water, tore through the air.
Crack!
The ice barriers shattered into a thousand pieces, and Doma's figure quickly retreated.
"Sister!"
"Shinobu-san!"
More figures landed in the clearing. Leading them were none other than Kanao Tsuyuri and Tanjiro Kamado. Behind them were Genya Shinazugawa, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and an excited-looking Inosuke Hashibira.
"It's… it's you…" Mitsuri's heart trembled. Although she knew Tanjiro and the others had performed well during the Final Selection, she wasn't particularly familiar with them.
"Next… let us…" Tanjiro said, holding his Nichirin Sword. A demon slayer mark had appeared near his eye, and his face was full of fighting spirit as he looked at Doma.
"Hehe… you'll probably have to wait!" a new voice cut in.
Before Tanjiro could finish, an incredibly sharp aura erupted nearby. A figure dressed in the attire of a Sengoku-period samurai, with six eyes on his face and an aura as powerful as a storm, stepped out of the shadows. Immediately after, a heavily tattooed, muscular man with an equally overwhelming presence strode forward beside him.
In an instant, the air became thick with tension. The faces of Shinobu and Tanjiro changed, as they clearly had not expected the situation to escalate to this degree.
At the same time, another figure shot through the Yoshiwara district like a whirlwind.
"Wait for me… you must wait for me… my children!"
The voice belonged to the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
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