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"You ungrateful brat! If that's how it is, then die!"
"Blood Demon Art: Killing School of Fish!"
Gyokko leaped repeatedly at incredible speed, his smooth scales making his trajectory nearly impossible to predict as he launched assault after assault.
"Dragon Breathing, Fourth Form: Coiling Dragon."
THUD THUD THUD!
Gyokko's strikes hammered against the defensive barrier with relentless percussion.
'What's wrong with this Demon Slayer?? Why can't I hit him?? What is that turtle shell thing around him?'
"Mark—activate!"
Beneath his mask, the dragon-shaped mark on Kaidō's forehead blazed crimson.
"Phantom Eye!"
With both the Demon Slayer Mark and Phantom Eye active, Kaidō carefully tracked Gyokko's attack patterns, searching for openings.
"Found you!"
"Dragon Breathing, Tenth Form: Ultimate Art—Judgment Slash!"
The instant he identified Gyokko's pattern, Kaidō unleashed his ultimate technique. He locked onto his target and suppressed every trace of his presence.
'Huh? Where'd he go?' Gyokko realized Kaidō had vanished—not just physically, but his aura had disappeared entirely.
He scanned his surroundings frantically.
SCHLICK!
SCHLICK!
Gyokko screamed as invisible strikes severed both his arms.
'Where is that damn Demon Slayer??' Terror crept into Gyokko's mind. The moment his arms were cut, he'd heard a dragon's roar—an ominous, unsettling sound that set every nerve on edge.
SCHLICK!
After the tenth and final strike of Judgment Slash, Kaidō's form materialized directly in front of Gyokko.
"So there you are, hiding like a coward. This time I'll kill you and turn you into art."
Gyokko attempted to activate his Blood Demon Art—then noticed the world had inverted.
"What's happening? Why is everything spinning? Wait, isn't that... my body?"
"I've been decapitated?? That cursed brat! You're a Hashira, aren't you?? Playing weak when you're actually strong—what a dirty trick! I'll never forgive you!" Gyokko's severed head roared with impotent fury.
"You're so damn loud! Do me a favor and hurry up and die already! What kind of nonsense—I never said I wasn't a Hashira, you moron!"
"And have you looked in a mirror lately? You're not human, you're not demon—you're an abomination! Even female ghosts would cry at the sight of you!"
"Eyes where your mouth should be, mouth where your eyes should be—why didn't you just stick them on your ass??"
"Even a Siberian Husky looks better than you! Yeah, they're dumb and destructive and tear up the house, but at least they're cute—which is infinitely better than whatever the hell you are!"
"Your pots aren't even symmetrical! And okay, fine, asymmetry can work—but they're ugly as sin! AND STINKY! And you have the audacity to call them the world's most perfect art?? You know what? Forget 'Gyokko.' You should just change your name to 'Piss Pot!'"
"If you weren't already disintegrating, I'd tie you to a tree and roast you until you were crying for mercy! Ugly-ass waste of space—get lost!"
Kaidō's verbal assault came rapid-fire without pause, ending with a powerful kick that sent Gyokko's partially dissolved head flying into the air.
If circumstances allowed, Kaidō could probably roast Gyokko for a full day and night.
When Gyokko's head hit the ground again, Kaidō delivered one final blow that completely shattered his psyche.
"Oh, right—Piss Pot, forgot to mention: a Siberian Husky is a dog. Though honestly, you're not even comparable to a dog."
"AHHHHHHHHH! You wretched Demon Slayer! Comparing me to a dog—saying I'm worse than a dog... I'll—!"
Before he could finish, his head dissolved completely.
"Phew~ that felt good. So satisfying! Oh, almost forgot—blood sample!" He quickly retrieved a collection device and inserted it into Gyokko's dissolving body.
"Finally got an Upper Rank blood sample!"
"Meow~"
Chachamaru appeared beside Kaidō. He secured the collection device in the small pouch on the cat's back and scratched behind its ears. "Thanks, little guy. Please deliver this to Lady Tamayo!"
"Meow~" Chachamaru enjoyed the affection for a moment, then departed.
"Alright, job's done! Time to head back and rest. Kuroha, let's— wait, Kuroha?" Kaidō stretched and called for his crow, only to realize the bird was missing.
"Oh for... flew back to Headquarters to announce it, didn't he?" He facepalmed. Whatever—not like it was a secret. He let it go.
...
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
"CAW! Dragon Hashira Ryūjin Kaidō has slain Upper Rank Five! No injuries!"
"CAW! Dragon Hashira Ryūjin Kaidō has slain Upper Rank Five! No injuries!"
"CAW CAW! Dragon Hashira Ryūjin Kaidō has slain Upper Rank Five! No injuries!"
Kuroha circled Headquarters three times, broadcasting at maximum volume before flying toward the Ubuyashiki estate.
"An Upper Rank has been slain. Well done, Kaidō—my beloved child. After a century, the stalemate has finally broken! This marks fate's turning point! Muzan Kibutsuji, we will defeat you in this generation with our own hands. You are the only stain on my family's honor."
"Kagaya, don't get too excited! Though this is wonderful news!" Amane Ubuyashiki shared his joy.
"Amane, I have a feeling—Kaidō will be the key to eliminating Muzan Kibutsuji. His appearance signals that the century-old deadlock is about to shift dramatically."
"Amane, please inform the other Hashira. Convene a meeting immediately."
"Yes, dear."
"Sakonji-san, you've raised a truly remarkable child."
...
Hearing Kuroha's announcement, Kyojuro Rengoku was thrilled. "Mm! Impressive! Young Kaidō slew an Upper Rank! Looks like I need to work harder too! Hahaha!"
"Yo, what flamboyant news! Not bad, not bad! Hahaha! Though I'm still more flamboyant than you. One day I'll flamboyantly slay an Upper Rank too!" Tengen declared.
"Namu Amida Butsu. I must train harder as well." Gyomei immediately threw himself into intense practice.
"Oh, Obanai! Did you hear? Kaidō-kun killed an Upper Rank! Amazing!" Mitsuri exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, he's impressive." Obanai got a nosebleed and passed out—Mitsuri had pulled him against her chest in her excitement.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry, Obanai~!"
...
Though slaying an Upper Rank should have been cause for celebration, Kaidō spent the entire journey back feeling strangely conflicted.
'Was Piss Pot—I mean Gyokko—just weak, or have I gotten that much stronger? Why was killing an Upper Rank so easy this time? Sure, he's only Upper Five, but still an Upper Rank... Wonder how this'll affect the timeline going forward? Maybe the trash boss will create a new Upper Five replacement. Or maybe things'll just follow the original plot... Whatever. No point overthinking it. I'll deal with whatever comes.'
After wrestling with these thoughts, Kaidō decided to let it go. Whatever happened next, he'd handle it when it arrived.
...
Infinity Castle
"The Infinity Castle... appearing here means an Upper Rank died??"
A demon with peach-pink hair, golden eyes, deathly pale skin covered in dark blue criminal tattoos, and blood-red nails spoke. He wore a purple-red vest with prayer beads around his ankles—Akaza, Upper Rank Three, the Battle Demon.
"Hope it was Doma who died."
"Oh my, Akaza-dono! That's so hurtful to hear!" Doma materialized behind Akaza, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"After all, I worry about you all so much!"
"Doma-sama! Long time no see!" A male and female demon greeted him.
"Yo! Been a while, Gyutaro, Daki!"
Upper Rank Six—Gyutaro & Daki.
Gyutaro was a hunched, emaciated young demon with black-and-green hair, numerous black spots covering his face and body, torso bare.
Daki appeared as a woman with long white hair, flower ornaments in her elaborate hairstyle, and floral tattoos on her left cheek and right forehead.
"Get your hand off me!" Akaza's fist shot toward Doma's head—then his arm severed.
"Akaza, you've overstepped." A figure appeared silently beside him—a swordsman with a high black ponytail and six eyes, crimson flame marks running from his left forehead down to his neck and jaw.
Upper Rank One—Kokushibo.
"Know... your... place... Akaza." Kokushibo's speech was halting and deliberate.
"Hmph. One day, I'll surpass you, Kokushibo."
"I... await... that day."
"Eek! Kokushibo-dono is terrifying!" An elderly demon with a swollen forehead, two horns, and a hannya-like face cowered in the corner.
Upper Rank Four—Hantengu.
"Master Muzan has arrived!" Nakime announced from her elevated platform.
Instantly, every Upper Rank knelt on one knee.
"Upper Rank Five is dead. There's a vacancy among the Upper Ranks."
"I want to know why—after a century of stability—an Upper Rank has been killed. And by a teenager, no less??"
"I'm starting to question whether you Upper Ranks have any value at all."
"Oh, my lord, that's not quite accurate! I've been completely loyal, diligently searching for the Blue Spider Lily!" Doma's tone remained infuriatingly casual.
"Shut your mouth! That Demon Slayer you let escape last time is the one who killed Gyokko!"
Muzan's rage at Doma's attitude was palpable.
'So it was the demon slayer Doma let escape who killed Gyokko... that makes him a powerful opponent.' Akaza's interest was piqued.
"Akaza, I know what you're thinking. But remember—finding the Blue Spider Lily is the priority."
"Yes, my lord."
"As for the demon slayer who killed Gyokko—if any of you encounter him, eliminate him. I won't tolerate any more surprises."
"Nakime, send me back."
"Yes, my lord." Nakime plucked a string on her biwa. TWANG. A door opened behind Muzan.
"Nakime... send me... back as well."
"Yes, Kokushibo-sama."
"Oh, Nakime-san, could you also—" Before Doma could finish, a door opened beneath his feet and he dropped straight into his Eternal Paradise Cult.
"Aha! Seems I'm not hated by everyone after all! And that pretty little boy... I'll definitely catch you next time. Hehehe!"
...
Mount Fujikasane—Final Selection
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash."
SCHLICK!
Two low-level demons disintegrated instantly.
'This is the third day already, but I still haven't learned anything about turning Nezuko back into a human from any of these demons. Wonder how Kaidō-san is doing...'
...
Ubuyashiki Estate—Hashira Meeting
"The Master has arrived."
Instantly, all nine Hashira dropped to one knee—except Kaidō, who bowed respectfully at the waist.
"Good morning, my beloved children."
"Seeing you in good health brings us all genuine joy, Master." Kaidō spoke for the group.
"Thank you, Kaidō."
"Today's meeting concerns Dragon Hashira's elimination of an Upper Rank demon. Kaidō, please explain what happened."
"The Upper Rank I killed was Upper Five—Gyokko. He was actually quite strong—not on the level of Upper Two, but still formidable. However, he talked too much and underestimated me. When he activated his Blood Demon Art, he left an opening I could exploit. Plus, my Breathing Style happened to counter his techniques effectively, which allowed me to finish him..."
Kaidō recounted the battle in detail—naturally omitting the part where he verbally destroyed Gyokko's entire existence.
If they knew he'd roasted the demon into a mental breakdown, he'd become the second most psychologically ruthless Hashira after Shinobu.
"That's everything about my encounter with the Upper Rank."
"Regarding Upper Ranks in general—my advice is to run. Not because I doubt your abilities. Against Upper Ranks Four through Six, you might stand a chance. But the top three? I'm sorry, but even three Hashira working together might not be enough to win."
Though all three top Upper Ranks died in the original story, their deaths were bizarre flukes—one died from being too ugly, one from being poisoned after overeating, another from basically lagging out at the critical moment.
"What are you trying to say, kid?" Sanemi demanded.
"No disrespect intended. I know none of you fear death. But have you considered this: Upper Ranks have incredible regeneration. Even severe injuries heal almost instantly. But Hashira only have one life. Once you die, there's no second chance. You all know better than anyone how much training and suffering it takes to become a Hashira."
"I'd rather face every Upper Rank alone, gather all their intel, and risk my own life than watch any of you die pointlessly without understanding what you're up against."
Silence descended. Even Kagaya said nothing.
It was true—training a Hashira required immense time and resources. Lower Ranks could be replaced. Upper Ranks could eventually be replaced. But a fallen Hashira? Gone forever. And demons wouldn't give them time to train replacements.
Seeing the oppressive atmosphere, Kaidō broke the silence. "That said, don't lose hope. If you can master the Transparent World, even the top three Upper Ranks aren't invincible."
"Transparent World? What's that?" The Hashira knew about Demon Slayer Marks—the dragon pattern on Kaidō's forehead was one. But Transparent World was new.
"The Transparent World allows you to perceive reality as if everything were transparent and visible. In this state, your speed, prediction ability, and evasion all improve dramatically. You can sense muscle contractions instantly, significantly boosting combat effectiveness."
"Unfortunately, while I know how to unlock the Mark, I don't know the method for Transparent World..."
That was a lie—Kaidō knew perfectly well. But if the Hashira unlocked it now, who knew what butterfly effects might ripple through the timeline? Better to wait.
"You've already done more than enough, Kaidō. Sharing what you know is an invaluable contribution to the Corps." Kagaya smiled warmly.
...
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