"Strange, this flower..."
Time returned to the Infinity Castle. Inside that lotus church, Kanroji Mitsuri looked down at the black datura flower pressed beneath the religious garments, subconsciously reaching out to pick it up.
[Why would this demon be carrying a flower?]
[And this looks like a datura flower, doesn't it?]
[Datura flower...]
Suddenly recalling the intel regarding Upper Rank One, Kanroji Mitsuri's pupils contracted sharply.
[Wait! Could it be that this flower is actually...]
"Hey, little lady, could you return my flower?"
The instant Kanroji Mitsuri realized this, before her, the set of garments on the ground vanished, and a figure suddenly appeared.
Literally appearing out of nowhere, without the slightest warning.
This figure was also crouching on the ground, smiling as he extended his hand toward her.
"After all, this flower was given to me by that child Inosuke.
It's rare for that child to care about me so earnestly. I really don't want to hand it over to just anyone～"
Every hair on her body standing on end, her expression nearly frozen in shock. Hearing that familiar tone, Kanroji Mitsuri raised her head in disbelief, slowly looking at the face of the figure before her.
It was Upper Rank Two—Doma.
He wasn't dead?!
[How is this possible...]
"..."
"Upper Rank One, three of your companions have already fallen."
"Mm, I suppose that's true."
On another battlefield, Mitsuba was also confronting Shinazugawa Sanemi and Himejima Gyomei.
Unlike Mitsuba, who stood in place gripping her blade with one hand without even breathing heavily, even though it was two against one, the two opposite her were already panting heavily.
Different-shaped marks had already emerged on both of their cheeks and foreheads. Clearly, even with the enhancement of the Demon Slayer Marks, they still couldn't harm the demon before them.
This was the natural result.
Having been personally instructed by Yoriichi, thoroughly versed in every Breathing Style, capable of using different Breathing Styles to respond to different situations—Mitsuba.
When fighting against practitioners of a single Breathing Style, it was practically a dimensional reduction strike.
Capable of both long-range and close combat, both fast and slow, both single-target and area-of-effect—these effortlessly executed techniques from various Breathing Styles directly beat the two before her into complete submission.
"It seems you don't care at all about your companions' deaths?"
Noticing Mitsuba's completely unchanged, tranquil expression, Shinazugawa Sanemi asked.
This was both out of curiosity and to buy time,争取喘息的机会 for them.
"I wouldn't quite say that."
Shaking her head slightly, Mitsuba replied meaningfully:
"It's just—do you truly believe they're dead?"
"What do you mean?"
Her words instantly put the two before her on high alert.
Why would she say something like this?
Could it be those demons weren't actually dead?
No, that was impossible. The Kasugai Crows couldn't lie...
Could it be that she actually had a method to resurrect those slain demons?!
No, that was impossible. Her Blood Demon Art should only be effective on humans, not on demons...
Could it be that she had hidden part of the intel about her Blood Demon Art?
If that were the case, then wouldn't that mean...
"Speaking of which, you two are waiting for someone, aren't you?"
Taking in their completely shaken reactions, Mitsuba suddenly smiled.
"Let me guess—the person you're waiting for, could it be that child Kanae?"
They were indeed waiting for Kanae.
She was the only one capable of stalling the demon before them.
But for some reason, at this very moment, when this name came from Mitsuba's mouth, everyone present felt a sense of foreboding.
"Unfortunately, I suggest you stop waiting, because that child isn't coming."
"What do you mean? Have you already seen Kanae?"
His unease growing thicker, Shinazugawa Sanemi hurriedly pressed.
"No, what I mean is—that child never entered this Infinity Castle from the very beginning."
"What did you say?"
"Gentlemen, haven't you noticed that ever since reporting that idiot Doma's death, your Kasugai Crows that were tampered with haven't made a single sound?"
As Mitsuba spoke, she gestured with her gaze toward the Kasugai Crow perched on the eaves not far away.
"If I'm not mistaken, there should be someone controlling and guiding these crows from behind, right?
Why don't you try now—can you still contact the person behind them?"
"What are you trying to say?"
The Kasugai Crow made no response.
With that strange talisman stuck to its chest, facing Mitsuba's provocation, it made not the slightest reaction.
"Still don't understand? What I mean is—Kiriya, the backup plan left behind by your master, just died moments ago.
And the one who killed him was Kanae, whom you've been waiting for.
When tonight's decisive battle began, that child didn't come with you from the start, but went directly to find your young master.
I never thought that child would actually succeed..."
Speaking to this point, even Mitsuba herself smiled.
"For a thousand years, the Ubuyashiki Clan that always managed to escape demon pursuit has finally ended quietly in such a manner.
The gods granted them extraordinary charisma, granted them words that could always win people's hearts, granted them the ability to foresee the future.
In the end, they truly weren't finished off by demons, but by a Demon Slayer. How ironic."
"Nonsense! Kanae could never be a traitor?!"
"She truly isn't a traitor, because she was never loyal to your Demon Slayer Corps from the very beginning, so there's naturally nothing to betray."
"Alright, alright, enough of that..."
Casually mentioning it and speaking no more, Mitsuba looked at the two before her, their faces a mixture of shock and doubt, her own expression finally turning somewhat serious.
"It's about time. I remember that boy Tanjiro went to Doma's location earlier.
Now that Doma has sent himself away, that means he's definitely trying to make his way here.
Out of respect for our protagonist, I think it's necessary for me to clear this battlefield before he arrives, don't you think?
So, gentlemen, the playtime ends here. It's time for you to depart.
Of course, out of respect for you, I can guarantee I won't use my Blood Demon Art. I'll only use sword techniques—your greatest specialty—to slay you!"
As her words fell, Mitsuba launched her attack with zero wind-up. The Nichirin Blade in her hand fiercely swung out a massive crescent slash accompanied by numerous moon blades of varying sizes, sweeping toward the two before her with overwhelming momentum!
Moon Breathing: Eighth Form—Moon-Dragon Tailing?!