Oboro listened as Doma recounted how he and Kokushibo had betrayed Muzan.
Upper Rank Three, Akaza, had been devoured by Gyutaro.
With this development, the siblings Gyutaro and Daki had now killed both Upper Rank Five and Upper Rank Three.
This was their pledge of loyalty.
Furthermore, Doma had revealed every detail of Kibutsuji Muzan's current abilities and powers.
Kokushibo, though burdened by heavy chains forged from his history with Yoriichi Tsugikuni, was at heart a samurai who had never feared death.
The same applied to Doma. Devoid of basic human emotions, he did not even have a concept of fear or mortality.
It was impossible that they had come to surrender simply out of terror.
They believed, quite simply, that if battle were joined, the side most likely to lose… was Muzan's.
They sought something greater: a power far transcending their current limits.
Both Muzan and the inheritors had demonstrated the ultimate potential that a demon's bloodline could achieve through evolution.
The new power Muzan had acquired originated from the consciousness of the inheritors.
But the inheritors had been transformed personally by Oboro. In other words, everything Muzan had gained… was something Oboro had granted in the first place.
"We… wish to become inheritors ourselves," Doma finally stated, revealing their true objective after speaking at length.
"Nakime has not yet unleashed her Blood Demon Art to draw you into the Infinity Castle. That means Muzan has not yet received word of your betrayal. But once he learns of it… you two are as good as dead," Oboro said softly.
Nakime's ability allowed her to summon members of the Twelve Kizuki instantly into the Infinity Castle no matter where they were located. It was the method Muzan had always used to gather them.
Therefore, Doma and Kokushibo could not run or hide.
They knew this perfectly well, which was why they were acting with such urgency.
"Are you interested… in killing Muzan?"
A cool night breeze drifted by as Oboro, his hair white as snow, smiled faintly.
"To Muzan, we were merely tools to be used. The rules of the Upper Ranks dictate constant battle: whoever proves stronger takes the throne… Therefore, he himself worships strength above all else. If that is the case, then as long as one possesses enough power, replacing him is only natural."
Kokushibo, silent until now, spoke suddenly.
Oboro chuckled.
He was not surprised by these words.
He understood exactly why Doma had betrayed Muzan and was unwilling to die so easily… and why he sought immortality. It was because of Oboro himself.
This twisted man seemed to possess a deep fascination for him.
Doma believed that if he remained by Muzan's side, Oboro might eventually kill him—depriving him of any future chance to interact with him.
Doma was fully aware of Oboro's actions in this world… From the perspective of ordinary people—such as the Ubuyashiki clan or the Demon Slayer Corps—Oboro was viewed as "abnormal," his mind warped, deriving pleasure only from death and chaos.
This was something Doma could easily resonate with.
He felt that Oboro, like himself, stood above the vulgar and mundane thinking of humanity, existing beyond the reach of base emotions and desires.
Unlike Muzan… who, despite being the progenitor of all demons, still felt anger, still lost control over his actions… displaying behaviors and emotional outbursts that were just as "foolish" as any human's.
As for Kokushibo… his motivation came from a profound inner emptiness. Even when he was human, his entire existence had been defined by his desperate desire to surpass his younger brother—Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
It had not changed even after he became a demon. Though he had lost his memories of his human life, the feeling and obsession remained etched deep within his soul.
The image of Yoriichi as the ultimate symbol of strength was permanently branded into Kokushibo's very being.
Even now, as Upper Rank One, Kokushibo still believed his own power to be weak and inferior compared to his brother. He refused to stop here; he needed to transcend him.
The reason he had chosen to follow Muzan long ago was because Muzan had deceived him with promises of granting him demonic power. And now, the reason he betrayed Muzan to serve Oboro remained exactly the same.
It was a tragedy… for he could never truly surpass Yoriichi, who had long since passed away.
Kokushibo would always be the loser… Even if one day his power truly exceeded his brother's, deep down he would still believe himself weak.
"Very well. I shall grant your wish."
Oboro replied.
He extended a single finger, upon which hung a fresh drop of blood.
"I believe… what happens next will prove to be quite spectacular."
The sudden appearance of these two Upper Ranks was something Oboro had never anticipated.
But because of it, he no longer needed to seek out Muzan on his own.
---
Inside the Infinity Castle…
Muzan stood upon a floating platform, his face devoid of expression.
His eyes were calm on the surface, yet radiated an icy, sinister chill.
But the dense network of bulging veins and arteries visible across his face betrayed the truth: his emotions were dangerously unstable.
He already knew everything about Doma and Kokushibo's actions and betrayal.
Kneeling on the platform below were the only two remaining Upper Ranks, too terrified even to breathe too loudly.
One was Hantengu; the other was the replacement for Gyokko.
There were six Upper Ranks in total. Now, two had betrayed him, and one was dead… Only yesterday, the newly appointed Upper Rank Six had been slaughtered by the combined efforts of two Demon Slayer Hashira.
Currently, aside from Nakime who stood behind him, these were the only two he could still command.
Since the day he became the Demon King and began building his forces, this was the single worst loss he had ever suffered.
Even during the years of chaotic three‑way wars between his faction, the Demon Slayers, and the inheritors, when the fighting was at its most intense, only the Lower Ranks had ever been completely wiped out.
The Upper Ranks were his core fighting force and had rarely changed.
When Gyokko was devoured by Gyutaro, Muzan had considered it a serious blow.
"When did it come to this… that even Upper Ranks have become so useless?"
The atmosphere inside the Infinity Castle was oppressively heavy.
Muzan spoke in a flat tone.
Hantengu held his head in his hands, shaking uncontrollably and weeping constantly.
Next to him, the new Upper Rank Six sweat profusely, droplets splashing continuously onto the floor.
Deep down, Muzan wanted nothing more than to kill them both right now to vent his rage. But reason told him he could not.
Although he considered these two Upper Ranks mediocre and not particularly useful, it was undeniable that they had shown enough talent to grow to their current level…
Furthermore, raising and cultivating a demon to the rank of Upper Rank required time, effort, and specific environmental conditions.
It was unrealistic to search for new recruits with enough potential to fill the empty positions in such a short time.
If this was the state of the Upper Ranks, the situation with the Lower Ranks was even worse.
In the current Twelve Kizuki, the turnover rate among the Lower Ranks was shockingly high. It had only improved recently, after Muzan had infused them with his new blood and allowed them to grow stronger.
At the very least, they were no longer being cut down effortlessly like vegetables by the Hashira.
"I… I will… I will go and kill those two…"
After a long silence, the new Upper Rank Six finally summoned the courage to speak, stammering nervously.
He was referring, of course, to Doma and Kokushibo.
"You?"
Muzan narrowed his eyes slightly.
It was obvious the man was lying, terrified that Muzan would kill him in his anger.
An Upper Rank Six… He couldn't fight both of them. Even just Doma alone could slaughter him effortlessly.
They were not even in the same league, neither in terms of experience nor era of growth.
Suddenly, Muzan smiled. "Very well… I shall give you the opportunity."
"I shall see if you truly have the ability to do so…"
As he spoke, Nakime behind him, perfectly attuned to his will, strummed a single note upon her biwa.
Instantly, doors throughout the Infinity Castle opened and closed rapidly, shifting positions.
Countless rooms and floating platforms inverted and rotated, as if the entire space were spinning.
"Betraying me?"
Muzan whispered.
It was the one thing he could not tolerate.
As for the reasons why Doma and Kokushibo had turned against him… Muzan could guess some of it.
Do they think… that I will lose?
Regardless… there was nowhere left for them to run.
Nakime's Infinity Castle would draw them inside. This place existed in a separate dimension, and those who were not invited "guests" could not enter.
That was why Muzan felt no fear regarding Oboro.
He assumed that Doma and Kokushibo had already met with Oboro. But so what?
The space remained the same, yet the scenery within the Infinity Castle and the arrangement of the floating platforms had completely altered.
Near the platform where Hantengu and the other Upper Rank knelt, two figures appeared upon the platforms to the left and right.
One was Kokushibo in his samurai attire; the other was Doma in his long robes of a cult leader, holding his iron fan.
"Ah… this familiar atmosphere… truly brings back memories… I always feel such overwhelming joy every time I am brought here, I wonder why?"
Having suddenly been pulled back into the Infinity Castle, Doma and Kokushibo remained remarkably calm, as if they had expected this all along.
Doma even spread his arms wide, smiling brightly and sighing with emotion.
"Perhaps it is because coming here means… I am guaranteed to see you, Lord Muzan…"
Doma's kaleidoscopic irises swiveled as he glanced toward the figure high above, radiating a terrifying killing intent.
Faced with Muzan in this state of extreme danger, Doma showed not a shred of fear. His expression remained as natural and unchanged as ever.
He acted as if he were still a loyal subordinate and had never betrayed him.
BAM!
But before he could finish speaking, Doma's head exploded without warning.
All that remained was a headless corpse collapsing limply to the floor.
Muzan didn't even bother to ask questions before eliminating him.
Then he shifted his gaze toward Kokushibo, who remained silent. He didn't speak to him either, instead turning to the terrified Upper Rank Six. "Didn't you say you would kill the traitors? There is still one left… go ahead."
Hearing this, the pupils of Upper Rank Six dilated violently, his skin trembling uncontrollably as he stared at Kokushibo standing opposite.
Upper Rank One!
"What is the matter?"
Muzan asked knowingly.
"I… I…"
Upper Rank Six stood up slowly, sweating buckets.
For him to challenge Upper Rank One… it was impossible.
Kokushibo, meanwhile, ignored everything happening before him, completely composed.
He only watched Muzan. As for Upper Rank Six, he didn't even spare him a glance.
"I'm going to die!"
Despair filled Upper Rank Six's heart.
He would either be killed by Kokushibo… or slaughtered by Muzan.
There was simply no way for him to survive.
"I suggest you make a move…"
"Because being killed by an Upper Rank One—ah, no, former Upper Rank One… would be relatively painless. But if you anger Lord Muzan… based on what I know, it is highly likely that before you die, you will be subjected to torments that make life worse than death."
"Or perhaps… do you actually enjoy being tortured? Think of it as a reward?"
Suddenly, without warning…
A familiar voice laughed.
The sound caused Muzan—who had been expressionless until now—to instantly narrow his eyes and change color completely.
He whipped his head around toward Doma's corpse.
He saw Doma regrowing his head, rising back to his feet.
Muzan was stunned.
Ever since he touched upon the power of the soul, his control over his own cells had become absolute. Even with Upper Ranks, all it took was a single thought and their flesh and blood would change or disintegrate on command.
He didn't even need to lift a finger.
In other words, he could have simply stopped Doma's cells from regenerating at any moment.
Yet… contrary to all expectations, Doma had come back to life!
"Lord Muzan… the expression on your face right now… it is truly fascinating."
Doma seemed slightly unaccustomed to his newly regrown head and deliberately twisted it left and right with his hands. Then his tone turned eerie as he stared straight at Muzan.
"Surprised? You should be very familiar… with this feeling of things slipping out of control. Just like when the inheritors first appeared, isn't it?"
"That power you obtained… or should I say, that secret… I possess it now too~"
"You should be happy for me."
Doma beamed radiantly.
Muzan's expression twisted into a mask of pure malice. Instinctively, he unleashed a wave of spiritual pressure fueled by his newfound soul power.
In an instant, invisible ripples expanded outward.
Everything swept over by this tidal wave of psychic energy felt as if time and space itself had frozen.
That Upper Rank Six immediately rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot.
Hantengu likewise turned into a statue, losing all sensation in his body.
Nakime set down her biwa, wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and shivered uncontrollably.
But… Doma and Kokushibo were clearly completely unaffected.
"Useless. Save your energy."
Kokushibo spoke gravely.
"..."
Muzan's eyes shook with disbelief.
How… could this be happening?
"Although I am not a woman… if only… if only I could add you, Lord Muzan, to my collection… it would be the happiest thing imaginable… and hold very special meaning indeed."
Doma chimed in.
"You two…!"
Muzan snapped back to reality and roared in absolute fury.
How dared these two trash—who owed him their lives and everything they were—speak to him in such a manner?
"Huh? Are you angry?"
"But before you think about how to punish us… perhaps you should first welcome our guest."
"He… has been standing by the side… for quite some time now."
Doma lifted his eyelashes slightly and reminded him softly with a chuckle.
"Hmm?"
Hearing Doma's words, Muzan finally sensed something amiss. His heart skipped a beat as he began to turn his head toward a certain direction.
But at that moment—rustle.
It sounded like the soft shifting of fabric.
Out of the corner of his eye, Muzan caught sight of a black haori… one he was very "familiar" with.
A figure appeared beside him, as if materializing out of thin air.
Although he had never seen Oboro in person… that distinctive coat…
It was him.
He… had arrived!
Muzan's mind went blank.
This… was completely outside all his predictions and plans.
How… how on earth did he enter the Infinity Castle?!
"We finally meet… Kibutsuji Muzan."
Oboro's wooden sandals tapped softly against the floor as he stood right next to Muzan.
At that moment, Muzan's limbs went numb. His body stiffened as he backed away several paces, retreating to create distance between them.
He swallowed hard.
"Originally… finding you would have taken quite some time. After all… you are an incredibly cautious man… But I never expected these two to seek me out first. It has brought our meeting much sooner than planned."
Muzan looked at the old man before him—white‑haired, smiling, holding a wooden staff, his expression calm and benevolent.
He seemed to have suddenly lost the ability to speak.
He had no idea what to say or what to do.
Oboro noticed Muzan's body language. His gaze deepened as he looked straight into his eyes.
"Are you planning to run?"
____________________
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