CHAPTER 24: CONFRONTATION

Night fell quietly over the Demon Slayer Corps. The air was too still.

Inside the Ubuyashiki estate, Kagaya sat peacefully with Amane and their two daughters by his side. The soft glow of the lanterns cast warm shadows across the room.

And then… he arrived.

Muzan Kibutsuji.

Walking with regal silence, eyes glowing like pools of hatred.

Kagaya did not flinch.

"I see you've finally come."

Muzan's eyes narrowed. "You knew?"

Kagaya smiled weakly. "I've always known you would one day walk through my doors. Evil always returns to the place where it fears the light most."

Muzan approached, slow and calculating. "Enough riddles. Where are the pillars? Where is Sahiru?"

Kagaya coughed, his illness worsening.

"There are more than enough people to hunt you down. Hashiras. Slayers. And one who walks beyond death itself…"

"You're done?" Muzan asked coldly.

Kagaya nodded… "Thank you… for coming."

A moment of silence.

Then BOOM.

The entire estate exploded in a blinding blaze of fire and devastation. Trees split, glass shattered, the ground trembled.

Every Hashira, every slayer nearby—rushed toward the source of the blast.

Smoke filled the air. The estate was no more.

And in the middle of the scorched earth… he stood untouched. Muzan.

Silent. Calm. Smiling.