Chapter 25 is matching you with equal stacks!
The aftermath of the demon's self-destruction had not yet dissipated when members of the Kakushi and Kasugai Crows continuously brought back information.
On the east side of the Red-Light District, a large number of injured civilians successfully escaped, and the main force led by Uzui Tengen's three wives was among them.
This news was undoubtedly a shot in the arm, relaxing the tense nerves of the Demon Slayer Corps members present.
After all, not everyone could be like Arthur, who could calmly declare that he would fight with no regard for other people's lives.
For the Demon Slayer Corps, fighting while bearing the lives of others was too heavy a burden.
Arthur keenly noticed the reduction in the psychological pressure of the members, and he turned around, his gaze sweeping over familiar and unfamiliar faces.
"Let me state this beforehand, I don't harbor the same deep-seated hatred for demons as you do; I am only here to complete a mission."
"But I acknowledge your courage and determination, and I hope that after this battle, I can meet you all again."
"Enough said. Let's go."
As his words fell, Arthur suddenly turned back, his palms overflowing with golden dust, holding his platinum longsword in a reverse grip, and strode towards the depths of the Red-Light District.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of Nichirin Blades being drawn rang out in succession.
The Demon Slayer Corps members all adjusted their breathing and followed closely behind Arthur, shooting into the enemy formation like arrows.
Just as all figures disappeared into the Red-Light District, a demon lurking in the shadows, constantly monitoring the battlefield, lightly plucked a string.
Thrum—!
In an instant, the world inverted, and heaven and earth flipped.
Within the crisscrossing Infinity Castle, Arthur stood aloft, riding the wind, occupying the high ground.
He observed intently as the surrounding buildings continuously disassembled and reassembled like building blocks, their arrangement bizarrely disordered and chaotic.
"A space-type Blood Demon Art? It seems this place is entirely under their control. No wonder that guy bothered to choose another battlefield."
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly, he no longer circled, his body sank, and he landed steadily on a tatami mat.
He wanted to see what kind of opponent Muzan Kibutsuji would match him with.
...
At the same time, the Demon Slayer Corps members were scattered throughout—
Iguro Obanai weaved like a snake through the densely packed Japanese-style rooms, his sharp gaze swiftly scanning the interior furnishings.
'A woman's room, decorated with extreme luxury.'
Crack!
The loud crash of shattering doors and windows suddenly seized Iguro Obanai's attention.
The next instant, he saw Kanroji Mitsuri, wielding her unique soft Nichirin Blade, launching a fierce, storm-like pursuit against Daki.
Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent!
Without a moment's hesitation, Iguro Obanai instinctively struck out fiercely.
This move was the most powerful thrusting technique in Serpent Breathing, and with a single strike, it cleanly severed Daki's head.
"Iguro-san!?"
Kanroji Mitsuri was both surprised and delighted, not expecting to reunite with a familiar comrade so quickly.
"Don't let your guard down!"
Iguro Obanai warned sharply, simultaneously reaching out and grabbing Kanroji Mitsuri's wrist, rapidly retreating into the distance.
"The opponent is Upper Rank Six; even if you cut off her head, she won't die!"
"Ah? Yes!"
Just as Iguro Obanai said, Daki and her brother Gyutaro were twin demons who lived and died together; merely beheading one was not fatal.
Daki first used her sashes to wrap her head, and then, her back suddenly began to writhe.
Gyutaro, hunched and emaciated, tore through her flesh from her spine.
"Could you please not bully my cute little sister?"
Iguro Obanai and Kanroji Mitsuri glanced at the clear kanji carved into the opponent's pupils, their expressions growing heavier.
"There are two Upper Rank Sixes?"
...
"Tch! How did I end up with you, you bastard."
"Complaining to me won't help. First, think about how to flamboyantly kill that guy opposite us."
Sanemi Shinazugawa and Uzui Tengen had always disliked each other, but at this moment, they had no choice but to temporarily join forces to deal with the more troublesome enemy before them.
Atop a towering building, the Biwa Demon, holding a biwa, looked up, her single eye, engraved with the character "Five," gazing eerily.
Sanemi Shinazugawa gripped his sword hilt, a ferocious grin spreading across his lips.
"Upper Rank Five? That damned Muzan Kibutsuji, daring to underestimate me!"
Uzui Tengen drew his dual blades, his eyes focused to the extreme.
As the Sound Hashira, he had keenly perceived that the key to the opponent's Blood Demon Art depended entirely on that biwa.
"I'm sure you've noticed too; that guy is the core controlling this space's Blood Demon Art."
"I don't need you to remind me!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa said, raising his hand and cutting his arm with his Nichirin Blade.
Streams of crimson blood dripped, and a strange, sweet, metallic scent instantly permeated the air.
"So what if it's Upper Rank Five?"
"You still can't resist the temptation of Marechi blood! Just obediently stick out your neck for me!"
...
Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!
Mist Breathing, Third Form: Scattering Mist Spray!
Kyojuro Rengoku and Tokito Muichiro cooperated seamlessly, simultaneously unleashing sword techniques known for their high-speed rotation, instantly crushing the Blood Demon Art attacks that assailed them from all directions.
Kyojuro Rengoku carefully observed the four demons of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure surrounding them, and said in a deep voice.
"Tokito-kun, the opponent's Blood Demon Art is quite peculiar. I suspect we need to behead all four demons simultaneously to win."
"No."
Tokito Muichiro first swung his blade to clear away the numerous Blood Demon Art vines in front of him, then calmly explained.
"These are all clones; the main body should still be lurking in the shadows."
"I see! Is this the ability granted by the Transparent World!"
Although his deduction was incorrect because he had not yet reached the Transparent World, Kyojuro Rengoku showed no trace of discouragement.
"Next, I will fully cooperate with your actions, Tokito-kun. Locating the enemy is up to you!"
Tokito Muichiro nodded lightly: "Understood."
...
By a serene lotus pond.
Douma, holding a pair of golden fans, smiled as he observed Kocho Shinobu and Tomioka Giyu.
"Honestly, I only asked Lady Nakime to send some cute girls over, why are there men mixed in as well?"
"Wearing a blood-red hat, and wielding a pair of golden iron fans as weapons."
Kocho Shinobu gripped her Nichirin Blade tightly, veins bulging on her forehead, her tone growing heavier and colder with each word.
Seeing her so uncharacteristically, even the usually oblivious Tomioka Giyu sensed something was amiss.
Douma still wore his nonchalant smile, observing Kocho Shinobu with interest.
"It seems you know me?"
"How strange ~ A cute girl like you, if I had met you, I certainly wouldn't have forgotten."
"Upper Rank... Two!"
Kocho Shinobu's veins throbbed on her forehead, her face distorted like a vengeful spirit, completely devoid of her usual gentle demeanor.
"I will never forgive you! I will tear you to pieces and avenge my sister!"
Douma paused at her words: "Sister?"
He carefully examined Kocho Shinobu's face, a flicker of sudden understanding and delight in his eyes.
"Ah, I remember now ~ So you're the younger sister of that Hashira from several years ago?"
"Mmm ~ You two sisters look so much alike. It's a pity I didn't get to eat her back then, otherwise, you both could have reunited in my stomach."
Insect Breathing, Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter!
Kocho Shinobu, her reason completely consumed by rage, charged forward ferociously, her poisoned Nichirin Blade aimed directly at Douma's eyes!
Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust!
Tomioka Giyu followed closely behind, also supporting Kocho Shinobu with a sharp thrusting sword technique.
Douma paid no mind to Kocho Shinobu's attack, merely waving his fan casually, and his Blood Demon Art instantly conjured chilling ice crystals, forcing Tomioka Giyu back.
He lightly brushed away the tip of Kocho Shinobu's sword with his hand, then wiped his finger across his eye, and the wound had already vanished without a trace.
"How unfortunate, this level of poison won't work on an Upper Rank, you know."
"Alright ~ Let me enjoy you. That way, you can be with me..."
Boom!
The thunderous crash of a collapsing wall brutally interrupted Douma's incessant chatter.
Gyomei Himejima, as massive as a mountain, stepped out from the gaping hole, wielding a flail and a giant axe.
Despite his blindness, his "gaze" was fixed on Douma like a tangible force.
Immediately, the perceptive Gyomei Himejima sensed Kocho Shinobu's intense emotional fluctuations.
In just an instant, he understood the whole story, and two lines of hot tears streamed down his face.
It was the long-suppressed grief and indignation, and the relief of seeing revenge within reach.
"Namu Amida Butsu... I have always deeply lamented the fate of you sisters. It seems today is my... salvation."
Douma: (Ĭ ^ Ĭ)
Is this my... tribulation?
As the Hashira battled, deeper within the Infinity Castle, the true killing game was just beginning to unfold.