Immediately after Kokushibo drank Akira's blood, a bizarre and majestic scene unfolded in the deepest abyss of the Infinity Castle.
From Kokushibo's body, crimson blood vessels and sharp bones emerged, wrapping around themselves to form a massive spherical cocoon.
With a diameter over three meters, the cocoon radiated an oppressive aura, as if a red moon had descended upon the earth.
Creak, crack. Grind.
From inside the cocoon, the sounds of bones breaking and resetting, muscles tearing and regenerating, echoed incessantly. This was no mere evolution—it was the agonized scream of a brutal rebirth, a complete transformation of existence.
"Hmm. As expected of Upper Rank One. The process is more intense than the others."
Akira watched the pulsating cocoon with interest, arms crossed.
"It'll take a full day. After all, he's talented, his body is powerful, and Muzan's blood is that potent."
"A whole day? Mine was over in an instant."
Nakime asked in surprise. She had been reborn in just minutes after drinking the blood.
"You're different, Nakime. Kokushibo has been a demon for over 400 years. The vessel of his strength is immense. It's like tearing down an old house to build a skyscraper—it takes time."
Akira placed a hand on the cocoon and whispered softly.
"But you can look forward to it. The being that emerges from that cocoon will be a monster surpassing Muzan. Not a moon turning its back on the sun, but a moon shining under the sun."
Akira isolated Kokushibo's cocoon in a safe area of the Infinity Castle and moved on to the next task.
In a corner, Hantengu's true form caught his eye, trembling under Tamamo's spell.
A small, wretched old man, like a rat.
"Eeek...! D-don't come near me! I'm scared! Spare me!"
"Quiet. Your voice is grating."
Akira lifted Hantengu by the scruff of his neck with one hand. Hantengu's true form was too unsightly and unappealing to keep as a mere subordinate.
It went against Akira's aesthetics.
"Your abilities are useful, but that shell isn't needed. I'll remodel you."
Akira's finger pierced Hantengu's neck and injected blood.
This wasn't simple recruitment or enhancement. It was genetic-level forced modification.
"Kyaaaah~!!!"
Hantengu's body began to melt away with a scream.
Akira's cells infiltrated, devouring the old, diseased cells and sculpting new, beautiful forms in their place.
"Split apart. And be reborn."
CRACK!!!
With a dazzling light, Hantengu's melted flesh divided into five spheres, which soon took on human shapes.
What stood where the light faded were not dull demons.
They were five beautiful women.
Sekido (Wrath), Karaku (Pleasure), Urogi (Joy), and Aizetsu (Sorrow)—the original emotion clones of Hantengu.
And the strongest clone that appeared when they combined: Zohakuten (Hatred).
They had all been reborn as women with individual bodies.
Sekido, a fierce warrior with red hair tied roughly, wielding a lightning bolt club and sharp eyes.
Karaku, holding a fan and wearing a sangtu, with a playful, mischievous expression.
Urogi, a lively woman with wings on her back, like a harpy.
Aizetsu, a cold beauty with a sorrowful, icy impression, dressed in blue and carrying a spear.
And at their center, Zohakuten, a girl radiating oppressive presence with thunder god drums arrayed behind her back.
"Wow~ Master, your taste is impeccable. Turning that wrinkled old man into such pretty girls. Is it a miracle?"
Shuten clicked her tongue in admiration.
"From one old man, five women? Is such a thing possible?"
Shinobu exclaimed in shock.
Mitsuri blushed and said, "Oh my, they're all so cute!"
"It's pleasing to the eye, isn't it? I can't have dull old men wandering around my castle. If the view isn't enjoyable, work loses its flavor."
Akira shrugged and laughed.
"Besides, before, Zohakuten could only appear if the clones merged, reducing our combat strength. But now, I've adjusted it with my blood so all five can exist simultaneously. Limitations like Blood Demon Arts don't apply to me, a perfected being."
The five demon girls knelt in unison before Akira. No trace of fear toward Muzan remained in their eyes.
Only absolute loyalty and reverence for their creator, Akira, who had sculpted them anew.
"Thank you for granting us new life and beautiful bodies, my Master."
Zohakuten bowed her head as their representative. Though she had the appearance of a young girl, her voice carried the dignity of a ruler.
"All our emotions and abilities, we will use solely for you, Master."
"Good. Your abilities are excellent. Serve me with that power, now stronger than before."
""""Yes, Master!""""
"I still need to consider how best to utilize you all. But basically, Zohakuten, guard Nakime. And the other four, protect the east, west, south, and north of our mansion."
They were capable but tricky to place precisely.
So, for now, he decided to use them as guards for the house.
With the new forces deployed, Akira moved to the upper levels of the Infinity Castle with his Servants. The endless expanse of the castle spread out beneath their feet.
"Now, let's remodel this place."
Akira's eyes gleamed.
"This is no longer just a den for demons. It will be the new headquarters of our Akatsuki Trading Company and the central hub of logistics connecting the world."
"A logistics hub?"
Kanae tilted her head in confusion.
"Think about it. Nakime's Blood Demon Art can open doors anywhere, regardless of distance, as long as she knows the coordinates. Using this, we can deliver goods and transport people anywhere in the world in one second. It's like Amazon.com's subspace delivery!"
"But Master, these people don't understand what that means."
The Servants, with modern knowledge and memories from the Fate world, understood Akira's ambitious plan to dominate the delivery industry, but the others were bewildered.
"Anyway, this place will be used as a logistics warehouse for now. We'll store weapons, food, resources, and valuable items. Nakime, can you manage it?"
"No problem. The coordinates of every room are recorded in my mind."
"Good. And let's make the lower levels into sparring grounds and training facilities. We'll adjust gravity to create extreme environments. That should allow for more effective training than the current grounds."
"Wine cellar! Master~! Make the wine cellar the biggest and coolest one!"
Shuten clung to Akira's trouser leg, throwing a rare tantrum. Akira smiled like a father and nodded.
"Alright, alright. I'll give you a top-tier storage room."
Akira mapped out the Infinity Castle in his mind, delineating each section one by one.
Laboratories, prisons, lounges, and luxurious living quarters for Akira and his women, among others.
Muzan had never utilized the Infinity Castle much. He used it only as a means of transportation, a residence, a laboratory, or to summon demons, with Nakime living there alone.
Did he use it as a warehouse? No, not really. From the start, Muzan didn't run proper businesses like Akira; he created fake identities and had demons make money, so he didn't bother.
In other words, he never properly utilized this overpowered ability called the Infinity Castle.
Akira planned to use the Infinity Castle as a new city.
"Now, once Kokushibo awakens, all preparations will be complete."
Akira looked toward the direction of Kokushibo's cocoon and grinned fiercely.
"Muzan, wait for it. By now, feel the terror of having your home stolen by a mysterious monster."
As if celebrating the birth of a new king, the lanterns of the Infinity Castle blazed brightly all at once.