Just moments ago, there had been five Lower Moons.
Now—
Only two remained.
Lower Two, Rokuro, knelt trembling on the floor. Three had already died. Only he and Enmu were left alive.
"Do you have any last words?" Muzan asked softly, his eyes narrowing.
Rokuro raised his head in panic.
"Muzan-sama! I am useful! Please believe in me! Give me more time! I can do it—I will prove my worth!"
He was desperate.
Desperate to survive.
Muzan's lips curved into a cruel smile.
"How much time?" he asked coldly. "And what use are you?"
His gaze was full of disdain.
"With your current abilities, what role can you possibly play? Or can you bring me their heads?"
Rokuro shuddered.
He knew his limits.
To grow stronger, he needed more of Muzan's blood.
"Blood! If you grant me more of your blood, I can adapt and become stronger! I will gain greater power!"
Thud—
Wakuraba's severed head rolled before him.
Muzan's fangs showed as he sneered.
"Why should I follow your orders and grant you blood? Who do you think you are?"
Rokuro realized instantly—
He had crossed the line.
Before he could beg again—
The grotesque arm devoured him whole.
Now only Enmu remained.
From beginning to end, he had not spoken.
Yet the screams, the blood, the terror—
Filled him with indescribable delight.
Muzan turned to him.
"My final mercy. Do you have anything to say?"
Enmu slowly lifted his head.
His face was flushed with excitement.
He clasped his hands together.
"Thank you for leaving me until the end. I am honored you would personally execute me."
Muzan paused.
Then smiled faintly.
Interesting.
He extended his hand—
And injected his blood into Enmu.
"I favor you," Muzan said in a gentle female voice. "I will grant you my blood. Whether you can withstand it—and gain the power to serve me—depends on you."
Enmu collapsed, convulsing violently as Muzan's blood flooded his body.
Muzan watched with amusement.
"If you kill the Hashira-level boy Aoyama Ren… and the one wearing hanafuda earrings… I will grant you even more blood."
The biwa echoed.
A door opened in the warped space.
Muzan turned and disappeared.
Fragments of imagery surfaced in Enmu's mind—
The targets.
Aoyama.
The hanafuda boy.
While Muzan purged what he deemed useless—
Aoyama prepared to depart once more.
Tanjiro lingered at the Butterfly Estate, saying his goodbyes.
Zenitsu clung to Aoyama's leg, wailing dramatically.
"Aoyama-senpai! I can't bear to part! Please be careful on the road! Or better yet—leave Nezuko-chan here so I can take care of her!"
Aoyama bent down, grabbed him by the collar, and tossed him aside.
Shinobu smiled lightly.
"Zenitsu, you're departing with them, you know."
"Eh?!"
Zenitsu froze on the ground, tears and snot still on his face.
"I am…?"
Aoyama sighed.
"Have some dignity."
Zenitsu covered his head in despair.
After a long night of emotional struggle, he still couldn't accept that he had to go fight demons.
Everything earlier had been self-directed drama.
Just before leaving, Aoyama glanced back.
Kanao stood quietly behind the others.
Unnoticed.
Yet watching.
While Tanjiro said farewell to Aoi and the others, Aoyama turned back and walked toward Kanao, stopping in a secluded corner.
"Remember what you promised me," he said softly. "And follow your heart's choice. Don't rely on the coin."
Kanao's lips curved slightly.
She nodded.
Relief flickered in his eyes.
"Aoyama-senpai! We're leaving!" Tanjiro called.
Aoyama turned to go.
"Follow your heart…"
Kanao's pupils widened slightly.
Suddenly—
She ran forward.
And wrapped her arms around his waist.
Butterflies fluttered away in surprise.
Aoyama stiffened.
He looked down at the slender hands gripping him.
"Aoyama-kun… take care."
Her cheek pressed against his back.
Then she released him, stepping away.
He turned.
Her cheeks were faintly red.
He reached out and gently brushed aside her slightly messy bangs.
"I will."
Footsteps approached.
"Aoyama-senpai, there you are!" Tanjiro called. "Kanao-san, thank you for helping us train!"
Kanao nodded quietly.
"Let's go!" Tanjiro urged.
Aoyama walked a few steps—
Then glanced back one last time.
She was still standing there.
There was nothing more to say.
Once Muzan was gone—
There would be no more hesitation.
On the road, Zenitsu crept closer with a sly grin.
"Aoyama-senpai… hehe…"
"What."
"I saw what happened with Kanao-san… Can you teach me? I also want girls to hug me like that…"
He rubbed his hands eagerly.
Aoyama's eyes gleamed slightly.
He leaned down and whispered something in Zenitsu's ear.
Zenitsu froze instantly.
His face turned bright red.
"T-That's impossible…! That's too hard… too embarrassing…!"
Aoyama walked ahead calmly.
Behind him—
Zenitsu trembled in shame.
Ahead of them—
The path of demons awaited.
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