MHGA Chapter 8 – Upper Rank Three Subjugation Battle

"Understood, Grand Master."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's calm demeanor made it seem as though he weren't in the deadly Infinity Castle at all. His voice remained gentle and steady. "Mr. Iwatani told me you possess knowledge of future events. Then you must also know about our cooperation with Tamayo and our use of messenger crows to transmit information."

"I will relay your presence to all members of the Demon Slayer Corps," Kagaya said. "Also… there is no need for Mr. Iwatani to remain behind to protect us."

At this, Giyu Tomioka grew flustered. "Master!"

"We lack the strength to fight demons. Here in the Infinity Castle, Mr. Iwatani's power could protect far more demon slayers," Kagaya addressed Kairo Retsu directly. "We are unable to wield swords, too frail to fight. We would only be a burden to Mr. Iwatani."

"That's not true!" Giyu stepped forward, unable to contain himself. "You—"

"In terms of combat strength, yes—you are a burden."

Kairo Retsu didn't mince words. "But that's irrelevant. There's no reason to save someone only to throw them back into the demon's mouth."

"None of us are saints," Kairo continued. "But we do help when we feel like it. And keeping you alive is also good for the Corps' morale—not to mention it's a great way to piss off Muzan."

"We're running out of time. Let's skip the niceties. Every second wasted increases the chances of death for the others."

"You know what must be done."

With that, Kairo pulled out a lantern from his waist, its interior glowing faintly with what looked like fireflies—his Scoutfly Lantern.

[Scoutfly Lantern: Scoutflies track traces. Normally they glow green—if they detect a monster, they turn red.]

On the other end of the comms, Naofumi Iwatani spoke up:

"I'll do my best to protect the Ubuyashiki family, and I'll try to rally scattered Demon Slayer members throughout the Infinity Castle."

"Tanjiro, Giyu—do what you need to do. I'll protect whoever I can see. After all… I am the Shield Hero."

With that, Naofumi cut off the communication. Kairo switched the panel back to private mode and said, "Time to move. Our first destination is Upper Rank Two's chamber."

"We're going to save Shinobu Kocho—who's destined to die first!"

As Kairo spoke, a swarm of Scoutflies burst forth from his lantern, extending into the distance and illuminating a path.

"Miss Shinobu…" Tanjiro gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly. "Grand Master, let's go."

"Good! Decisive—I like that!"

Kairo slung his Insect Glaive across his back, and the Kinsect flew forward in sync with his intent.

"Then let's follow the Scoutflies! To hunt our first prey… Upper Rank Two—Doma!"

——————————

"Where the hell did I get thrown to?"

Joseph Joestar ("Second JoJo") slashed down a grotesque demon with his Ripple-infused Sword and Shield, then anxiously darted through the Infinity Castle, guided by Scoutflies.

Before deployment, they had outlined both primary and backup plans. Priority one: reach Shinobu Kocho, who had been sent dangerously close to Doma.

They'd all mentally prepared for the worst—that not everyone could be saved. But they were still going to try.

"Can these tiny bugs really lead me to that demon called Doma?" JoJo looked skeptically at the green trail before him. "Well… Granny Felyne said it'd work…"

He suddenly remembered the Felyne Granny at their base, and the doubt vanished.

"If Granny said it's fine, then it's fine!"

"Our Monster Hunter tech is second to none!" Joseph grinned. "Heh… Stroheim's catchphrases really come in handy!"

At that moment—

Elsewhere in the topsy-turvy Infinity Castle, in a corridor beside a lotus pond blooming unnaturally within a room turned on its side—

Shinobu Kocho furrowed her brows. The heavy scent of blood hung in the air.

Strange flying insects glimmering faintly green appeared near her and even landed gently on her Wisteria-poisoned Nichirin Blade.

"Hm? They're unaffected by Wisteria… not demon-made insects?" Shinobu scanned her surroundings. "But this is…"

She took a few steps forward and opened a door—revealing what looked like a courtyard. A pond lay beside it, lotuses in bloom… though now dyed red with blood.

A pale-haired demon with his back turned to her sat amid a dozen bloodied, barely alive girls, gnawing calmly on a severed female arm.

"Oh my, a guest…"

The demon bore the markings of Upper Rank Two. He looked at Shinobu with a cold smile.

"What a delicious-looking girl. I must thank Nakime for this."

A surge of fury rose within Shinobu.

This demon—this was the one who had killed her sister.

The girls on the ground bore fresh, horrific wounds. Blood seeped through floorboards, staining the lotus pond red.

Some were still alive. One reached out to Shinobu, trembling, her voice filled with terror and despair:

"Help me… please… help…"

Doma's expression didn't change. He raised a finger to his lips and made a "shh" gesture.

"Now now… we're talking. Be quiet."

As his Blood Demon Art lashed out via his fan, a nimble shadow leapt in, saving the girl just in time.

"Hoh… quite fast. You must be one of the Pillars."

Doma smiled brightly.

"Ah, but do leave the body nearby. I'll savor it later."

"...!"

Shinobu gasped. The girl she'd just rescued—her vital points had already been slashed by the iron fan.

There was no doubt. This was Doma.

"I am the High Priest of the Eternal Paradise Cult. It is my duty to bring joy to my followers. Don't worry—I'll eat that child completely, down to the last bite."

"She was asking me for help," Shinobu said through gritted teeth, holding back the revulsion rising in her throat.

"And I helped, didn't I?" Doma smiled. "Now she's free from pain, sorrow, and fear."

"Everyone dies eventually. That's why I eat them—so we may live forever together."

Doma spoke like some benevolent god.

"I accept my followers wholly—their thoughts, their flesh, everything. I guide them to salvation…"

"That's disgusting!" Shinobu snapped, hatred boiling over.

"You poor thing… I'm sure you carry painful memories too. Don't be shy—confide in me."

"You're the bastard who killed my sister!" Shinobu ripped off her haori. "Don't you recognize this coat?!"

"Hm?" Doma thought for a moment. "Ah… the Flower Breathing girl? So kind and lovely. I'd planned to eat her, but the sun came up. Pity, really…"

Before he could finish—Shinobu's blade was already out.

The Wisteria-poisoned tip stabbed straight into Doma's eye, forcing him back before he could react.

When he retaliated, Shinobu leapt back immediately.

But the icy aura clinging to his fans nearly froze her in place.

Her lungs felt like she had inhaled a knife.

She knew—she couldn't fight him head-on.

"Such a shame," Doma said lightly. "A stab won't kill a demon, you know. Gotta cut off the head~!"

"Then how about poison?"

Shinobu resheathed her sword, quickly adjusted the mixture inside, and in the next instant—Wisteria poison exploded inside Doma's body.

"Ahahahaha…"

Doma looked as though the poison had wounded him severely.

But he only said: "Your poison's stronger than in previous reports!"

Then he raised his head, bloodied face smiling maniacally.

"Ayayayaya~ looks like I've broken down your carefully crafted poison!"

"Your sheath lets you adjust poison formulas, doesn't it?"

Doma quickly recovered and clapped gleefully.

"Ayayaya—poison is so fun! I'm getting addicted! Shall we continue?"

"..."

Shinobu drew her blade again, silently reconfiguring the toxin.

"At the very least… this is all still within my expectations…"

Just then—moaning voices echoed around her.

She turned toward them—

The girls who should have been dead… were glowing faintly green.

And their wounds were healing at an unnatural speed.

Even the girl whose neck had nearly been severed—her gaping wound was closing rapidly.

Shinobu's eyes widened in shock.

The next moment—she saw the same green light enveloping her own body.

Her fatigue and injuries were fading fast.

"What… is going on!?"