Chapter 37: Aftermath and New Threats Rising
The dust had barely settled when Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke finally stepped out from behind the gate, eyes still wide with disbelief. The forest was practically destroyed — trees uprooted, the ground split, and the air still vibrating from Saitama's punches.
"That… that was insane," Zenitsu whispered. "Two Upper Moons… gone… just like that."
Inosuke stomped forward, shaking his fists. "Baldy! What kind of freaky training did you do to get that strong? Tell me right now!"
Saitama turned around with his usual blank expression. "I did 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and ran 10 kilometers every day."
Tanjiro blinked. "That's it?"
"Yup." Saitama nodded. "And I ate three meals a day… sometimes a banana for breakfast if I felt fancy."
The three slayers stared at him, their brains struggling to accept such a simple answer.
"But… but that's not even—" Zenitsu stammered.
"Forget it," Tanjiro sighed. "Let's just be glad he's on our side."
Suddenly, a crow swooped down, landing on Tanjiro's shoulder. "Urgent message! Urgent message! New threat detected! Hashira summons requested at the Ubuyashiki estate!"
Tanjiro tensed. "A new threat? Already?"
The crow cawed again. "A previously unknown Upper Moon has surfaced! Upper Moon Three and Upper Moon Five have both gathered in the east! All available Hashira must report immediately!"
"Two more Upper Moons?" Zenitsu gulped. "And one of them is new?"
Inosuke slammed his fists together. "Perfect! I'll smash them to bits!"
Saitama scratched his cheek. "Upper Moon Three… is that the guy with the big forehead and the flashy muscles? I think I've seen him in some visions Muzan sends me at night."
Tanjiro frowned. "Muzan sends you visions?"
"Yeah," Saitama shrugged. "It's annoying. He keeps monologuing about how he's the 'perfect being' and how everyone should fear him. It's kind of embarrassing."
Zenitsu grabbed Tanjiro's sleeve. "We need to gather the Hashira fast. If two Upper Moons are gathering together, this could be a major disaster!"
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Ubuyashiki Estate - Emergency Meeting
The Hashira were already gathered when Tanjiro and the others arrived, with Saitama standing awkwardly at the back. Giyu, Rengoku, Shinobu, Sanemi, Mitsuri, Muichiro, Obanai, and Gyomei were all present, their expressions serious.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's calm voice filled the air. "The demons have sensed something. Muzan knows we are growing stronger… and so he sends his most dangerous warriors. Upper Moon Three, Akaza, has allied with a new Upper Moon — one even our records do not mention."
"What's their name?" Rengoku asked, fire in his eyes.
Ubuyashiki's smile was faint. "They call her 'Rokuro,' the Mistress of Shattered Time."
The room fell silent.
"Time manipulation?" Shinobu's brow furrowed. "That's dangerous."
Mitsuri shivered. "If she can stop or rewind time, how can we even fight her?"
Saitama raised his hand. "Can she time travel past a punch?"
Everyone stared at him.
"I mean," Saitama continued, "if I hit her really hard, does her time power still work after that?"
Gyomei folded his hands. "Physical force could disrupt delicate Blood Demon Arts. It's possible… but you would have to land a hit."
"That's easy," Saitama said confidently. "I'm pretty good at hitting stuff."
Sanemi scowled. "Oi, baldie! This isn't a joke!"
Rengoku stepped forward, clapping a hand on Saitama's shoulder. "No, I believe in him. A warrior of his strength is rare — he may be our key to victory!"
Saitama blinked. "Okay. Cool."
---
Meanwhile, at a hidden temple deep in the mountains
Akaza stood at the edge of a crumbling altar, arms crossed, watching the figure beside him. She was tall and elegant, with silver hair flowing like liquid moonlight. Her eyes shimmered with fractured reflections, as if countless timelines were trapped within her gaze.
"Rokuro," Akaza said, "Muzan-sama trusts you. Don't disappoint him."
Rokuro smiled faintly, her fingers tracing the air, leaving cracks of light where she touched. "Let's see how time bends around this so-called 'hero.'"
The air rippled, and a glimpse of the future flickered — Saitama standing over Akaza's broken body, fist raised.
Rokuro's smile vanished.
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End of Chapter 37