MHGA Chapter 5 – The Hunt Begins! Wyvern Crash!!!

"I understand."

After watching his own past and future play out on the big screen, Naofumi Iwatani couldn't deny what Kairo Retsu had just said. "So in short… our goal is not only to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, but to save as many others as possible, right?"

"Exactly!" Kairo Retsu rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Other than that—there's no restriction on how we do it!"

"After all, we're not some warriors out for a glorious fight," Kairo said with a slightly sinister grin. "We're hunters tasked with slaying [monsters]."

"Traps, items, gear, terrain… anything that can be used, should be used," Kairo continued. "Besides—not just me—everyone here's good at this kind of thing, right?"

"Hmph?" Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Just a demon who's scared of sunlight? That's nothing. He's not even close to Kars. I mean, in the future I defeat the Ultimate Lifeform Kars using Hamon—I'm a Ripple warrior!"

"I told myself I wouldn't get involved in things like this again… and here we are," Naofumi muttered as he scratched his head in frustration. "I haven't even solved the false accusations in my own world yet… But fine. I'll join the hunt for Muzan."

"Hey hey hey! Why am I getting dragged into this too?!" Kazuma shouted. "I'm terrified of trouble, okay?!"

But Kairo casually tapped the playback and brought up clips from Demon Slayer. Kazuma mumbled a few things to the screen, then slammed the table in bitter resignation.

"FINE! I'll join! I was just one step away from becoming a carefree rich man back in my world! Why do I keep getting into crap like this?!"

"Alright then!"

Kairo Retsu slapped the table and stood up. "Now! Commence the [Muzan Kibutsuji Hunt Strategy Meeting]!"

"Objective: Rescue as many humans as possible! And slay all demons!!"

"Use any and all available means!!! Hunt the monsters that defy the balance of nature!!!"

—Planning in Progress—

—Planning Complete—

In the training grounds, each of them was testing the weapon of their choice.

Joseph, needing a free hand for Hamon use, chose the Sword & Shield. It allowed for close-quarters offense while keeping a hand open, and since the weapon was forged from monster materials, it surprisingly conducted Ripple energy very well.

Naofumi, whose Four Cardinal Shield already provided strong defense, chose the Heavy Bowgun to further specialize in firepower and survivability. With both protection and burst potential, it suited his style.

Kazuma opted for the Bow, which synergized with his sneaky and sniping skills. Stealth and ranged precision made it the ideal fit.

As for Kairo Retsu…

"I want the Insect Glaive! GIVE ME JOY!!" he howled in the smithy. "Monster Hunter without Insect Glaive is NO FUN! Bug-stick supremacy! This weapon is perfection incarnate!! Next time someone calls me a Long Sword main—I want my glaive!"

As he wished, Kairo was handed an Insect Glaive and Kinsect. He joined the others in the training area to hone his technique.

After several days of practice, they had all mastered their weapons and refined their hunt strategy.

"We're heading out to hunt Muzan today."

After a stylish midair Spirit Slash, Kairo recalled his obedient Kinsect and said, "Granny Felyne said that before departure, hunters should eat a special meal made from rare ingredients. Once lunch is over, we set off."

"…Hard to believe we've already been here half a month," Naofumi mused. "What a pleasant time it's been."

Since arriving in this world, it had been the most peaceful stretch of his life. Had it not been for the confirmation that time didn't pass in his original world, he wouldn't have been so relaxed.

"Leave Muzan to me!" Joseph said, slinging his arm around Kairo. "By the way, that story you mentioned about my grandfather—let me see it when we get back."

"No problem, JOJO! Jonathan was a noble gentleman to the core!" Kairo beamed. "The Joestar bloodline is pure class, generation after generation! And there's also the story of your grandson—"

"Stop! Just stop right there!"

Kazuma yelled at the top of his lungs. "Why are you all raising death flags right before a final battle?! That's so obvious it's textbook!!!"

"We're not gonna die anyway," Joseph said matter-of-factly.

"We're not gonna die," Naofumi echoed with a shrug.

"We're not gonna die, period!" Kairo slapped Kazuma's shoulder. "You better get used to it already!"

"Nandatteba! You guys are insane!!"

With Kazuma's despairing cry, they gathered once more for their final pre-departure Felyne Meal.

After confirming they each had all their planned items, they double-checked their gear and decoration slots.

Once everything was ready, Granny Felyne pushed out the most extravagant feast they'd seen since arriving.

After eating, they all felt their bodies snap into peak condition. Even the fatigue from recent training and strategizing vanished.

When the meal ended, the group gathered at the base's main gate, where all the Felynes had come to see them off.

The prismatic Felyne captain of the Cart Squad stepped up, cart in tow.

"Hunter Lords, rest assured. If you're ever in danger, we'll drag you to safety, meow!"

"May fortune smile upon your hunt," Granny Felyne said with a deep bow.

"Alright! We're heading out!"

With Kairo's spirited shout, four well-trained Wingdrakes flew in from afar.

Kairo and the others raised their arms in unison, firing grappling hooks to latch onto the creatures.

With the shrieks of the Wingdrakes, the four hunters vanished into the void.

"YOSSHAAA! IKUZOOOO!!!!"

————————

At that moment, within the Ubuyashiki estate—

A blind man, his body wrapped in bandages, stood with his wife and daughters, confronting a wrathful man in a Western suit.

"If I die… the morale of the Demon Slayer Corps will rise to an unprecedented level."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Corps, spoke calmly to Muzan, who had taken the bait by targeting him.

"Thank you, Muzan."

The moment after—

The explosives Kagaya had set would detonate, obliterating the estate and surrounding forest, leaving Muzan with nowhere to run and forcing a final battle with the encroaching Demon Slayer Corps.

For that, Kagaya, his wife, and two daughters were all to serve as the bait, doomed to die in the blast.

But he believed their sacrifice would fuel the next generation of Demon Slayers—

To become the tigers and dragons that would chase Muzan to his end.

Just as the enraged Muzan raised his hand to strike—

Agonized screeches echoed from the sky.

"DAMN WINGDRAKES! We're not even in the New World and you crash now?! JOJO! This is your fault! The damn wyverns crashed!"

In the next instant—

Four figures wielding massive weapons crashed through the ceiling and landed in the room, weapons drawn.

Muzan and Kagaya could only register a flash of shock—

Before the explosives went off, consuming the entire area in a storm of flame and destruction.