Chapter 24: Muzan’s Meltdown

Deep inside his hidden fortress, Kibutsuji Muzan stood perfectly still, his pale fingers digging into the armrest of his throne. His crimson eyes flickered wildly, reflecting the chaotic emotions swirling inside him.

On the floor, shards of broken pottery lay scattered — the remains of yet another shattered teacup. It was the fourth one today.

Kokushibo, Upper Moon One — gone.

Doma, Upper Moon Two — erased in seconds.

Akaza, Upper Moon Three — flicked to death by a pebble.

Muzan's face was calm, but the demons gathered in the room could feel it — the terrifying silence before a storm. The few remaining Lower Moons knelt, trembling so hard their bones creaked. They knew better than anyone: when Muzan got this quiet, someone wasn't leaving the room alive.

"Explain it to me," Muzan's voice was barely above a whisper. "Explain how a single bald human can erase centuries of my work."

No one answered.

"Speak," Muzan ordered, his gaze burning through them.

Lower Moon Four tried to swallow but his throat was too dry. "M-Maybe he's not… human?"

Muzan's head tilted slightly, like a predator studying prey.

"Not human?"

"He might be a fallen god… or a cursed spirit… or…"

CRACK.

Lower Moon Four's skull collapsed inward, his body crumpling like paper. Muzan didn't even move from his throne.

"I didn't ask for excuses," Muzan said coldly. "I asked for facts."

The room froze again.

Suddenly, Nakime's biwa chimed. The walls shifted, showing a vision from her blood technique. Muzan's glowing eyes locked onto the image.

There he was — Saitama, sitting cross-legged by a campfire, lazily roasting a fish. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko were nearby, all whispering nervously. The atmosphere was peaceful… but there was something deeply unnatural about it.

Muzan narrowed his eyes. "What is that bald creature?"

"Bald creature?" Zenitsu's voice drifted through the vision. "He's not a creature — he's just a bald guy with insane strength! It's like the universe decided to break its own rules and hand him all the power!"

Inosuke grunted. "He's so strong, it's boring! Fighting him is like punching a mountain made of… air!"

"More importantly," Tanjiro said, looking serious, "we have to figure out why the demons keep coming after him. It's like they're drawn to him."

Muzan's lips curled back. Drawn to him? This human wasn't just strong — he was a magnet for chaos.

He crushed another teacup — the fifth one today.

"Send every remaining demon," Muzan commanded, his voice low and venomous. "I want him surrounded, overwhelmed, torn apart, cell by cell."

The demons hesitated. Muzan's smile was thin and sharp. "Or would you prefer I send you first?"

They scrambled to obey.

---

Back at the Camp

Saitama flipped his fish over the fire. "Man, I miss grocery store food."

Tanjiro sat next to him, staring at the flames. "Saitama-san… do you ever feel fear?"

Saitama thought for a moment. "Hmm… I guess I get nervous when sales are about to end and I'm still stuck in line."

"…That's it?"

"Yeah."

Zenitsu grabbed Saitama's shoulders, shaking him wildly. "What are you?! What even are you?! Are you really human?!"

"Pretty sure."

"Do you even have limits?"

Saitama tilted his head. "Never thought about it."

Suddenly, Tanjiro's nose twitched. His eyes widened.

"Demon scent… dozens… no, hundreds…"

Nezuko's eyes glowed pink, her body tensing.

The ground began to rumble, the air thick with demonic auras. Out of the forest came a flood of demons — grotesque shapes, twisted limbs, gaping mouths full of fangs. They crawled, sprinted, and flew toward the camp, snarling like rabid beasts.

Zenitsu screamed. "WHY SO MANY?!"

Inosuke grabbed his swords, excitement blazing in his eyes. "Finally! A warm-up!"

"Stay close to me," Tanjiro said, breathing deeply into Sun Breathing stance.

Saitama stood up, stretching. "Man… can't even eat in peace."

The first demon lunged—

Saitama casually waved his hand.

The demon exploded into mist before even touching him.

Zenitsu stopped breathing. "He… waved."

Another demon attacked. Another casual flick, another mist cloud.

Inosuke froze. "I'm scared of the bald guy now."

More demons rushed forward, forming a monstrous tide.

"Serious Series," Saitama said lazily, raising a single fist.

"Serious Punch."

The air split open. A shockwave roared through the forest, obliterating every demon in a single instant. Trees bent backward, the campfire blew out, and the night sky cleared of clouds for miles.

Tanjiro's sword fell from his hand.

"…This man isn't human."

Zenitsu lay flat on the ground, face-down, accepting his fate.

"I'm quitting the Demon Slayer Corps."

Nezuko clapped happily.

Saitama sat back down, poking at his now-dusty fish.

"…Dang, I was really looking forward to that fish."

---

Far Away

Muzan felt it. That power. That impossible, terrifying power.

For the first time in centuries, Muzan felt fear.

"…What have we awakened?"

---

End of Chapter 24