Chapter 78

Nara Prefecture, Kawanishi Town.

In a dimly lit room, seven Demon Slayer Corps members stood ready in silence.

Each gripped their Nichirin Blades, their expressions calm as they steadied themselves for the fierce battle ahead.

For over twenty days, Demons had inexplicably gathered in one place—an unusual occurrence, as these creatures were fiercely territorial and rarely congregated.

Faced with this anomaly, the Demon Slayers stationed in Nara Prefecture refrained from acting rashly and promptly requested reinforcements from headquarters.

The response came swiftly: the newly appointed "Forest Hashira" was on his way.

Amid the tense silence, one swordsman finally voiced his doubts.

"Tell me, is this newly promoted Forest Hashira reliable? I heard he's only been with the Corps for a little over a year. He might even be younger than Nakai."

Nakai, at sixteen, was the youngest among them, while the speaker was a veteran of the Demon Slayer Corps, a seasoned Kanoe-rank with over six years of experience.

"Eitai-senpai, please don't say that! Shin—no, the Forest Hashira is absolutely trustworthy! I stake my honor on it!" Another Demon Slayer, who had once fought alongside Shinichi, thumped his chest in earnest.

Indeed, any who had fought beside Shinichi held his strength and character in high regard.

But Eitai remained unconvinced.

Despite the Forest Hashira—Shinichi Moriki—being the talk of the Corps lately, his youth made Eitai skeptical.

Not just the Forest Hashira, either.

Eitai even doubted the Stone and Sound Pillars—both barely in their twenties.

Were they truly fit to be Pillars?

Though reluctant to question the Master judgment, Eitai couldn't help but believe that seasoned warriors like the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, or the former Wind Hashira were far more suited for the role.

Still, orders were orders.

Eitai wouldn't openly defy them—he could only hope this overly young "Forest Hashira" wouldn't lead them astray.

Before long, the cawing of a Kasugai crow echoed outside.

"By order of the Forest Hashira, all Demon Slayers are to assemble at Higashi Shrine abandoned tavern! Move immediately!" the crow announced.

Yet hesitation flickered across the Slayers faces. Higashi Shrine tavern? That derelict place?

It was less than a kilometer from the ruined shrine where the Demons had gathered.

Were they to march straight there? What if the Demons spotted and surrounded them?

But Shinichi wasn't present to explain and the crow was merely a messenger.

"Eitai-senpai, what should we do? Head straight to meet the Forest Hashira?" Instinctively, the others turned to their eldest comrade.

Eitai tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade, his brow furrowed.

If the former Wind Hashira hadn't retired, he'd never have acted so recklessly.

At the very least, they should've scouted the shrine—counted the Demons, mapped the exits. But this newly promoted Forest Hashira...

After a moment's hesitation, Eitai sighed.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves. We leave for Higashi Shrine tavern at once."

Though unsure of what this young Forest Hashira was thinking, the fact remained that he was a Hashira.

For the sake of the Demon Slayer Corps, executing a Hashira orders was absolute!

Thus, Eitai lead, seven Demon Slayers swiftly made their way toward the Higashi Shrine Tavern.

****

Meanwhile.

Inside the abandoned tavern, Shinichi blew dust off the table, covering his nose as he waved away the lingering particles.

The place had clearly been deserted for years.

Once it was somewhat clean, Shinichi plopped himself onto the table and tilted his head back.

Through the broken roof, he could clearly see the crescent moon in the sky—midnight was approaching.

"Time waits for no one. I hope you all hurry up" Shinichi mused with a sigh before lowering his gaze.

Suddenly, a verdant glow flickered to life in his left eye.

"Forest Breathing, Eighth Form: Whispering Forest Eye!"

Through the Whispering Forest Eye, the state of the dilapidated shrine a kilometer away unfolded vividly before Shinichi.

***

Under the clear moonlight, within the ruined shrine—behind crumbled stone walls, atop the shattered torii gate—

One pair after another of savage, bloodthirsty eyes lurked in the darkness.

Low growls and spine-chilling snarls echoed incessantly, turning the desolate shrine into a veritable hellscape for any human.

Because over twenty man-eating Demons had gathered in this small shrine.

Yet, harmony was far from their nature.

In truth, each Demon eyed its kin with deep suspicion.

The growls and snarls weren't greetings but threats exchanged between them.

Under normal circumstances, these territorial Demons would have long since torn into each other for dominance.

But though murderous intent burned in every Demon gaze, none dared strike first—as if they, too, feared something.

Among the horde, a four-armed Demon and a tailed Demon seemed acquainted.

Their relationship wasn't as tense as the others, allowing them to converse.

"What are you doing here?" the four-armed Demon asked.

The tailed Demon shot back "What about you?"

Baring his fangs, the four-armed Demon lowered his voice.

"Did you... run into that guy too? The one who's terrifyingly... strong?"

Whoosh!

At the description, the tailed Demon fur stood on end, his eyes flooding with fear.

"You too?"

The four-armed Demon nodded.

That guy—words couldn't describe him. With power like that, even the Upper Moons under that lord might pale in comparison.

"Seems we—and the rest here—were all beaten... er, lured by that guy. But the thing he's holding... it might really grant us unimaginable power!" Greed flickered in the four-armed Demon eyes as his slimy tongue darted out to lick his lips.

The tailed Demon was no better, his expression a mix of fear and greed.

Still, he voiced his doubt.

"Didn't that guy set the meeting for midnight? Why hasn't he shown up yet? I'm starving—I haven't eaten a human in over ten days just to get here!"

"I... I don't know either..."

***

"What!? A frontal assault?! Shinichi-sama, you can't be serious?" The Demon Slayer Corps members who had rushed to the Higashi tavern barely had time to catch their breath before hearing this astonishing command.

Meanwhile, Shinichi remained perfectly calm as he sat on the table, nodding.

"Yes, a frontal assault. We'll just charge straight through the front gate."

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