"Hmm..."
Miyamoto Musashi didn't immediately respond to Hanayama Kaoru's question, instead closing his eyes in contemplation for several seconds.
After a brief analysis, as if confirming something in his heart, Musashi finally opened his eyes and slowly shook his head.
"Perhaps not."
"Draw and strike, no draw no strike—this blade only becomes a weapon when it cuts." Musashi stroked the scabbard at his waist. "Perhaps it's due to being in different worlds, but in any case, I can't imagine Gepard being cut down by me."
In those few seconds, Musashi had mentally "tested" numerous techniques in his subconscious—Yatsugatake, Ōkesa, Menkiri, Hondō, Taitai... all lethal strikes that could kill in one hit. Yet, regrettably, for every single one, he could imagine Gepard perfectly defending against it.
He couldn't cut him... Perhaps he couldn't even breach his armor.
Surprisingly, Yujiro Hanma beside him didn't object to Musashi's words. His face still bore that same twisted, excited grin.
Hanayama Kaoru narrowed his eyes slightly in disappointment.
In truth, he could sense that Musashi's words weren't mere self-deprecation, but rather the most rational judgment from an executioner who had spent a lifetime cutting down countless people and fighting in countless battles.
——
[Gepard neither said he would let Stelle and the others go nor that he supported them. Instead, he used a reasonable and compliant method to directly avoid conflict with them.]
[Then he stepped aside: "If you wish to continue northward, you must pass through a completely eroded Fragmentum zone to reach the snowfields on the other side. Before the next wave of attacks arrives, the Silvermane Guards can buy you some time."]
[Everyone understood what Gepard meant—he would hold back the Fragmentum monsters to buy Stelle and the others precious time.]
[However, Serval, looking at Gepard, who had just fought a major battle with them and hadn't fully recovered, ultimately decided to stay and help defend the restricted zone.]
["Huh? Serval, aren't you coming with us to find the [Stellaron]?" March 7th asked in surprise.]
["My little brother can't hold the line alone. Since I just gave him a beating, this is my responsibility. And..." Serval hesitated, "If I don't lend a hand, who knows how the next battle will go."]
["I really want to go with you! I do! The [Stellaron] is right there, so close—I've always wanted to see it with my own eyes—"]
[But compared to her curiosity, her sense of responsibility as a daughter of the Landau family was more important. More important than the Stellaron were her brother's safety and the frontlines.]
["Alright, leave this place to us. Get your hands on the [Stellaron] before Cocolia notices!" Serval cheered them on.]
——
"This Miss Serval is truly noble and understanding."
The Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyōmei, clasped his hands together, tears streaming from his blank eyes.
Though blind, as long as he raised his head, the contents of the Celestial Screen would project directly into his mind. Naturally, he had witnessed Serval and Gepard's battle.
"Wuuu... I'm so frustrated! I really want to take her place on the frontlines! Let me help eliminate the Fragmentum monsters while she fulfills her long-held dream!"
The Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri, couldn't stand such scenes. Every time she encountered such moments in novels, she couldn't help but hide under her blankets and cry her eyes out. But here, at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters during a Hashira meeting, she could only struggle to hold back her tears.
"Kanroji, the frontlines are no joke."
The Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, spoke up: "These Fragmentum monsters might not seem strong in one-on-one combat, but once they launch a massive, relentless assault, their power is truly formidable."
"They're not like demons. Demons at least vanish during the day, giving you time to rest and recover. But Fragmentum creatures will attack endlessly, day and night, without tiring."
"Can you imagine an army of demons that have conquered the sun, launching wave after wave of attacks?"
Obanai's words left everyone in silence.
But soon, one person stood up.
The Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi, scoffed: "If that's really the case, then great! Saves me the trouble of hunting them down. If they all come at us at once... heh, perfect for wiping them all out in one go."
"Shinazugawa..."
As if lamenting the Wind Hashira's muscle-headedness, Iguro Obanai sighed lightly and shook his head: "Demons are one thing—their appearances depend on Muzan. But Fragmentum monsters spawn endlessly. If what you describe really happened, with attacks coming every few days, even a Hashira would inevitably be overwhelmed and die in that situation."
"My sword should be able to handle that kind of environment." Kanroji Mitsuri gripped her scabbard, her expression brimming with confidence. Her sword, forged from special materials, was slender and flexible, like a ribbon—perfect for slaying large groups of enemies.
"Still no."
"Kanroji, maybe you could handle five or six waves of Fragmentum monsters. But what about fifty or sixty?"
Iguro Obanai drew his serpentine-curved blade and lightly flicked the back of the sword, producing a clear metallic ring: "No matter how sharp or sturdy a blade is, striking the same spot repeatedly will eventually break it—let alone facing endless, relentless attacks."
"...We can only be grateful we weren't born into their world."
——
[Passing through the gates, the group arrived at a district severely eroded by the Fragmentum.]
[Just as they were wondering how to proceed, March 7th suddenly noticed something on the ground in the distance. When they approached, Seele's eyes widened—it was Bronya's!]
[She had been here!]
["W-whoa! Look over there!" March 7th suddenly exclaimed, her mouth agape as she shakily pointed somewhere.]
[Following her finger, they saw the phantom images of Bronya and Cocolia appearing before a corridor. Judging from their direction, they must have passed through the gate ahead.]
[While clearing obstacles along the way, Dan Heng brought up Stelle's earlier dream.]
[Now that they were approaching the Stellaron, Dan Heng wondered if the Stellaron inside Stelle could produce some kind of resonance.]
[Stelle did as Dan Heng suggested, trying to recall that strange dream. But as her thoughts deepened, the Stellaron's hollow, eerie voice intruded into her mind once more...]
["Cocolia... threat... approaching..."]
["Must eradicate... must... completely..."]