Chapter 256: Battle between humans and ghosts

In a city named "Infinity," countless battles erupted, akin to a massive meat grinder, ceaselessly devouring all life.

The death of Nakime led to the disappearance of this city. It seemed as though she had relocated the entire city here. Although her combat abilities as the Upper Moon Five were lacking, her Blood Demon Art was exceptionally powerful.

A Blood Demon Art with spatial manipulation, and so formidable at that, was truly unique among all demons.

War had already engulfed this city.

Kibutsuji Muzan appeared to have come alone, but in reality, all demons stood behind him. This was not a race, as the existence of all demons depended entirely on Kibutsuji Muzan.

If Kibutsuji Muzan were likened to a great tree, then the other demons were like ivy clinging to it. If the tree were to fall, the ivy would perish alongside it.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki deeply understood this principle.

Stationed at the center, he knew the overall situation of Infinity City better than anyone. From the southern to the northern parts of the city, fierce battles raged. Every step forward was a battlefield between demons and swordsmen. Even the wars of the Sengoku period paled in comparison.

The two sides harbored a sea of hatred. This alone destined the bloodshed of this war to surpass any conflict during the Sengoku era.

During the Sengoku period, both sides fought for profit, but now, the war was driven by hatred.

When this war began—no, more accurately, when the Demon Slayer Corps was established, when Kibutsuji Muzan became a demon, the outcome of this war was already decided.

It was a fight to the death.

There was no other possibility.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's desk was now completely covered in papers. The white sheets were filled with revisions, and black ink seemed to record everything. The documents detailed the current situation in Infinity City.

"Father."

"I understand. Maintain the frontlines at all costs. Also... the Kasugai Crows have located the battlefield between Li Jun and Kibutsuji Muzan. Ensure no other demons are in the vicinity."

Coordination and allocation.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was engaged in such tasks from the rear. His commands were accurately conveyed to every swordsman.

Now, it's up to you all...

He worriedly looked at the areas circled on the papers. Those were the battlefields of the Upper Moons.

...

Upper Moon Four, Gyokko.

Originally Upper Moon Five, but three years ago, after the death of the former Upper Moon Three, Akaza, his rank naturally rose.

His form was that of a spirit emerging from a jade pot.

"Damn these swordsmen."

He was currently frustrated.

Because his usual methods seemed ineffective against the two swordsmen before him.

The white-haired rare blood, the white-haired man of the day, both were incredibly fast.

The aquatic creatures he summoned were unable to escape the area under their assault. Even his Blood Demon Art was being dismantled one by one. It was as if they had known his Blood Demon Art before the battle began.

More importantly, Gyokko sensed the emotions emanating from Muzan-sama. The rage, the desire to burn everything to ashes, filled him with fear.

Earlier, Kibutsuji Muzan had expressed his disappointment in them. And now, this seemed to confirm it?

"Indeed, it's time to use my full power."

Gyokko emerged from his precious jade pot, revealing his aquatic-like skin.

He was about to unleash his full strength.

Sanemi Shinazugawa and Tengen Uzui exchanged glances.

The information brought back by that person three years ago was accurate.

Therefore...

"Tengen, you go."

"Alright."

The exchange between Tengen Uzui and Sanemi Shinazugawa was brief.

But both knew what the other meant. In fact, before the final battle began, information about the Upper Moons had been circulated among the Hashira. Their abilities, their weaknesses, were all recorded.

With the increased strength from the Demon Slayer Marks, if they still couldn't defeat the demons, they might as well commit seppuku.

At the same time, they received a message.

...

"Brother has already engaged Kibutsuji Muzan."

Almost simultaneously, the swordsmen fighting on the battlefield received this news.

Swordsmen, Hashira, and the progenitor demon clashed.

Giyu Tomioka and Sabito were no exception.

Sabito spoke these words briefly, as they exchanged positions after decapitating a demon.

Giyu Tomioka did not respond, mechanically saying, "Find the main body."

Sabito shook his head; his junior seemed to exclude all other information once in combat.

Well... after all, their senior had told Giyu that during battle, all he needed to do was kill demons.

Killing demons couldn't be wrong.

"Then let's cut down this splitting bastard."

Upper Moon Three, Hantengu. His Blood Demon Art allowed him to split into five parts, four of which were indestructible combat forms. Only by killing the main body, the "Coward," could he truly be defeated.

According to their senior, the split forms could also merge.

Looking at the four avatars representing "Joy," "Anger," "Sorrow," and "Pleasure," Sabito shook his head.

The two juniors moved in perfect sync, charging straight at the four demons. On the surface, they seemed unaware of the severity, but in reality, Kasugai Crows utilizing Yushiro's Blood Demon Art were already scouring the city for the main body.

They had requested support from the leader and received assistance from the Kasugai Crows' reconnaissance.

...

Upper Moon Two, Douma, was a handsome figure.

According to a rather unreliable junior, among demons, Douma's looks ranked second.

Of course, his strength was third.

Above the Upper Moons was Kibutsuji Muzan, and given the demon king's nature, he would never allow his demons to surpass him.

"How are your lungs holding up, Kanae?"

"Still manageable. What about you, Makomo? If it's too much, take a break. The items from the leader should have arrived." Kanae Kocho said.

The girls' conversation attracted the attention of Douma, who sat nearby.

He smiled and said, "May I join your conversation? I'm quite interested in what girls talk about."

"No," Makomo replied firmly.

"Indeed, you can't. You're just too unpleasant."

Ice crystals filled the air, a result of the enemy's Blood Demon Art.

Upper Moon Two's strength lay entirely in this Blood Demon Art.

He could unleash ice crystals to freeze his opponents or create thin ice threads to destroy lung tissue.

—The strength of swordsmen lay in their Breathing Techniques. Thus, lung function was crucial. If the lungs were destroyed, it would mean losing combat effectiveness.

A black Kasugai Crow arrived at the scene, delivering masks.

The two girls exchanged glances and, under cover, donned the fox masks meant to ward off misfortune.

These masks were prepared by a certain onmyoji to counter Upper Moon Two.

Douma and Kokushibo were fundamentally different from the other Upper Moons. Their raw power was exceptionally formidable. The former required Kanae to sacrifice herself to kill in the original story, while the latter died under the combined assault of multiple Hashira who had activated their Demon Slayer Marks.

Thus, Li Mo had made many preparations.

Like these masks.

They seemed to allow autonomous breathing, not requiring external air. And they held a few surprises.

What surprises?

The two women charging at Douma did not know.

...

Gyomei Himejima was the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps—before Li Mo returned, that is.

He was incredibly strong, his physical power reaching the peak of human capability. So much so that ordinary Nichirin blades couldn't withstand his strength, and specially crafted weapons were needed to fully utilize his power.

"Relying on the sound of chain vibrations to sense? That's an impressive technique," Kokushibo couldn't help but praise the heavily breathing swordsman before him.

The opponent had single-handedly delayed him here. Being able to hold out for so many moves was no small feat. Unfortunately, the gap was evident, and Kokushibo was certain he could kill the man in a few hundred moves.

But the next moment.

Kokushibo looked into the distance.

He heard a voice.

From Muzan-sama.

"Kokushibo, come here immediately!"

The voice was filled with fear.

The fallen swordsman prepared to leave, but a heavy object landed on the ground with a crash, splitting a fissure.

"Sorry, but you can't leave yet."

Gyomei Himejima said thus.