Chapter 14: Upper Moons' Curiosity – A Bald Threat
High above the forests, under the cold, pale moonlight, Kokushibo stood silently on a rocky cliff. His six eyes were focused on the distant horizon, where the Ubuyashiki Estate lay hidden deep within the woods.
Beside him, Douma lounged lazily, tossing an ice lotus into the air and catching it absentmindedly. "So, have you heard the rumor?" Douma's smile was bright, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Kokushibo said nothing, but his presence alone demanded explanation.
"A man — bald, ordinary-looking — erased Gyutaro with a single punch." Douma's voice was filled with amusement. "Poof! Just gone. No regeneration. No struggle. Just… obliterated."
Kokushibo's brow twitched slightly, the only sign of his surprise.
"Even Akaza is curious," Douma continued, flipping upside down, balancing on one finger. "And you know how much he hates admitting fear. Muzan-sama himself… wants to know what kind of monster can do that."
"Muzan-sama has ordered us to investigate," Kokushibo finally spoke, his voice deep and calm. "We will observe this 'bald man' and, if necessary, eliminate him."
---
At the Butterfly Estate
The Hashira were still processing the events of the meeting when a cold breeze swept through the courtyard.
Tanjiro froze, his sense of smell catching something sharp, metallic, and sinister in the air.
"Demons…" he whispered.
Before anyone could react, a chilling laugh echoed through the estate. Douma sat casually on the roof, waving down at them. "Oh my, what a lovely gathering! So many Hashira in one place — it's like a buffet."
"Douma!" Shinobu's face darkened with hatred. "You dared show yourself here?"
"Oh? The little butterfly remembers me!" Douma chuckled. "I'm flattered. But I'm not here to fight… yet. I came to see the legendary bald man."
Before anyone could respond, Saitama stepped out of the kitchen, still holding a half-eaten rice ball. "Huh? You talking about me?"
Douma's smile froze. The pressure coming off this bald man was… bizarre. It wasn't like Muzan, who oozed killing intent. Saitama felt… empty, like a blank sheet of paper — yet somehow terrifying.
"This guy?" Douma pointed, confused. "This is the one who killed Gyutaro?"
"Yeah," Saitama took another bite. "Who are you?"
"Upper Moon Two, Douma!" he declared dramatically, ice blossoms blooming around him. "Master of destruction, king of cults, and—"
"Never heard of you," Saitama said flatly.
The silence was painful.
---
Douma's Test
Douma's smile twitched, but he recovered quickly. "Let's see if the rumors are true!" He raised his hands, sending a storm of razor-sharp ice spears toward Saitama.
Saitama didn't dodge.
He just exhaled — and the spears shattered in mid-air from the sheer force of his breath.
"What the…" Douma blinked.
Saitama walked toward him, bored. "If you're going to attack, at least make it interesting."
Douma summoned two massive ice dragons, sending them roaring toward Saitama.
Saitama flicked his finger.
The dragons disintegrated into snowflakes.
"Okay, this is unfair," Douma muttered, sweat forming on his forehead for the first time in centuries. "What kind of breathing is this?"
"No breathing," Saitama yawned. "Just baldness."
---
Akaza Arrives
Before Douma could retreat, Akaza crashed into the courtyard, his fists cracking the ground beneath him. His golden eyes locked onto Saitama. "So you're the one who destroyed Gyutaro."
Saitama sighed. "Is everyone going to interrupt my meal today?"
Akaza grinned. "Fight me."
"No."
"Why not?!"
"I'm eating."
Akaza lunged, his fist a blur.
Saitama raised his hand lazily — and caught the punch with two fingers. The ground under Akaza's feet exploded from the sheer force Akaza was using, but Saitama didn't budge.
"Is that it?" Saitama asked.
Akaza's smile faltered. He spun, launching a rapid barrage of Destructive Death techniques, filling the air with shockwaves and glowing fists.
Saitama stood still.
None of Akaza's attacks even reached him. The pressure from Saitama's presence alone dissolved every technique before it could land.
"What… are you?" Akaza's voice was shaking now.
"Just a guy who works out," Saitama said.
Then, without warning, Saitama gently flicked Akaza's forehead.
BOOM!
Akaza was sent flying through five mountains, his body spinning like a ragdoll until he crashed somewhere miles away.
---
Kokushibo Watches
From the treetops, Kokushibo watched everything in silence. His ancient mind tried to comprehend what he was witnessing.
A man who surpassed even Muzan? A man who fought without breathing techniques, without demon blood, without a blade — and yet, his mere presence shattered the balance of power in the world.
"This man…" Kokushibo murmured. "Is not human."
Saitama turned, locking eyes directly with Kokushibo, despite the vast distance between them.
"Hey," Saitama waved. "You wanna fight too?"
Kokushibo vanished into the mist. Not today.
---
Aftermath
As dawn approached, the Hashira stood in stunned silence. Douma had fled. Akaza was… somewhere in orbit. And Saitama stood there, finishing his rice ball.
"That was annoying," he said. "Anyway, I'm gonna take a nap."
He lay down in the middle of the courtyard, snoring immediately.
The Hashira could only stare.
"I… I don't think we need to train anymore," Zenitsu whispered.
"We need to build him a statue," Mitsuri said dreamily.
"Or a shrine," Tengen added.
Tanjiro smiled softly. "Maybe… maybe this time, we can really end it all."
For the first time, the Hashira felt something they hadn't dared to feel in years.
Hope.
---
End of Chapter 14