Chapter 68: Newcomer in the chat group! Half-elf? Swordmaster? 

[TL/N: Read my new work - Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!] 

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Newcomers were joining the chat group at a time like this?

Nanashi briefly scanned the battlefield.

No major issues—Muzan Kibutsuji still hadn't shown himself.

Since things were under control, he turned his attention to the group chat.

Sword Master: "What a brutal and bloody battle. What are those monsters? Do you require assistance from the Knight Guards?"

Half-Elf: "Huh?! What's this screen that suddenly popped up? And what exactly are you fighting?"

Saeko: "Welcome, newcomers. To keep it simple, this is a cross-world communication group. Right now, we're watching a battle to exterminate demons. You can observe for now—I'll explain everything later."

Half-Elf: "Oh! Alright, got it."

Sword Master: "Understood."

Since the newcomers weren't chatting much, and their identities were still unknown, Nanashi shifted his focus back to the battlefield.

His gaze landed on a certain blue-haired idiot standing beside him.

Without hesitation, he raised his hand—

Boom!

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Aqua clutched her forehead, eyes welling up with tears as she glared at Nanashi.

"Why did you hit me?!"

Nanashi shot her an unimpressed look.

"Who's the fool that keeps talking badly about me?"

"Uh…"

Aqua immediately realized her mistake.

She had forgotten—Nanashi was in the chat, too.

"…"

Nezuko and Kie, standing just a head shorter than Nanashi, exchanged glances.

They had no idea what just happened between those two.

Meanwhile, Tamayo's eyes flickered, observing the dynamic between them. Mainly, she focuses on Aqua who she feels dread.

The duel between Kokushibo and Esdeath was causing massive destruction.

Even the Demon Slayer Corps hesitated to approach.

Any demons who got too close were either:

✔ Sliced in half by Kokushibo's black sword energy, or

✔ Frozen into ice sculptures by Esdeath's overwhelming cold aura.

To outsiders, the fight seemed evenly matched—

But Kokushibo himself felt different.

His attacks weren't landing with their usual force.

It was as if… he was being toyed with.

Meanwhile—

Gyokko and Hantengu were on the verge of death, relentlessly battered by Shinobu, Giyu Tomioka, Obanai Iguro, and Sanemi Shinazugawa.

Akaza was locked in a fierce battle, suppressed by Gyomei Himejima and Kyojuro Rengoku.

Daki and Gyutaro were holding their ground against Mitsuri Kanroji and Tengen Uzui, but it's thanks to their twin immortality that kept them alive.

The Hashiras were fighting with precision and teamwork.

But then—

"Archon."

The moment Nanashi uttered those words, his blade vanished into golden light.

"Huh?!"

Both Daki and Gyutaro suddenly froze in place.

Their bodies refused to move.

"Now's our chance! Kanroji!"

Uzui Tengen's eyes flashed with golden light as he charged forward.

"Sound Breathing, Fifth Form—String Performance!"

Seizing the opportunity, he slashed Gyutaro's neck with both blades.

At the same time—

"Yes! Ha!"

Mitsuri Kanroji's retractable blade twisted like a long whip, slashing Daki's neck.

"Love Breathing—Feline Foot Love!"

Boom!

Swish!

Two sharp, clean cuts.

"Ugh…!"

"Ah…!"

Gyutaro and Daki's heads tumbled off their shoulders at the same time.

As their bodies began to dissolve, the siblings locked eyes one last time—

Their expressions were unreadable.

Only they knew what they were thinking in their final moments.

"Why… why did they suddenly freeze?"

Mitsuri Kanroji stared in confusion.

"Forget it. Let's move to the next fight!"

Uzui Tengen didn't stop to question it.

He immediately rushed toward Hantengu in a dazzling display of movement.

Mitsuri turned to follow—

But just as she did, her gaze caught something in the distance.

A pair of golden, star-like eyes shining under the night sky.

"Was it… him?"

Nanashi withdrew his gaze.

He had only used his power to immobilize Daki and Gyutaro.

Now, with so many Upper Moons dead or weakened, Muzan Kibutsuji had no choice.

And as Nanashi guessed, hidden in the shadows, Muzan seethed in rage.

"A bunch of useless trash!"

He had given them his blood—yet they failed him!

Muzan was furious.

His body began to shift and mutate.

His true demonic form emerged—

 Snow-white hair

Blood-covered limbs

Gigantic, gaping mouths with razor-sharp fangs sprouting all over his body

Then, without hesitation—

Muzan erupted from underground.

His target?

The haloed, gun-wielding angel—Lemuel.

Nine whip-like appendages tipped with bone blades extended from his back.

Both of his arms transformed into spiked whips, swinging directly at her.

"DIE!"

Lemuel's reaction was too slow—

By the time she saw the attack, it was too late to dodge.

Her instincts kicked in, and she raised her arms to shield herself.

"Oh? You finally decided to show up."

A calm, mocking voice rang out.

Nanashi appeared between Muzan and Lemuel.

His golden eyes glowed with golden light.

"What?! My body—!"

Muzan froze mid-attack.

His whip-like appendages halted in midair, unable to move an inch closer to Nanashi.

A wave of panic surged through the Demon King.

His body was no longer obeying him.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

"NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! RUN! I HAVE TO RUN!"

The thought of escaping consumed Muzan's mind.

He struggled desperately to move—

But his body refused to listen.

Blood vessels burst across his flesh as he pushed his limits—

But it was useless.

"Haha."

Nanashi chuckled, stepping closer.

"I've been waiting for you, Muzan. If you ran away now, I'd be really disappointed."

Despite being the Demon King, Muzan stood frozen under Nanashi's dominion.

And just to ensure his prey wouldn't escape—

Nanashi manipulated the air itself, forming an invisible cage around him.

Muzan Kibutsuji—

The Demon King who had ruled for a thousand years—

Was now completely helpless.