"Yomi? Shinichi, are you telling us a myth?"
Everyone was surprised to hear Shinichi's explanation.
Sabito even asked directly if Shinichi was making up a fairy tale.
After all, concepts like death and reincarnation sounded quite fantastical to them.
"It is indeed fantastical, but it is the truth. The existence of demons is, in itself, strong evidence that the Underworld exists," Shinichi replied seriously.
"Hmm..." Sabito didn't press the issue further.
For the Demon Slayer Corps, whether Yomi truly existed or not wasn't the priority.
What mattered was what they could do right now.
Shinichi had already deduced Shokyu's goal—or rather, v had already stated it himself: to control the Underworld.
"Let's not talk about that nonsense! The key question is, what do we do now?" Shinazugawa Sanemi interrupted impatiently.
"It's like the demons have completely disappeared. Did we kill them all in the last battle?"
Since the destruction of the headquarters and the death of Kagaya, Sanemi had been consumed by resentment, believing he had failed to protect his lord.
Even though Himejima Gyomei had explained that it was the Master's own choice, Sanemi could not let it go.
Moreover, knowing that activating the Demon Slayer Mark limited his lifespan to twenty-five years, Sanemi had become increasingly anxious.
He was determined to exterminate every last demon before he died—whether it was Muzan or this Shokyu!
Seeing Sanemi's impatience, Shinichi smiled helplessly before speaking calmly.
"Actually, we don't need to hunt him down. Shokyu should be coming to find me on his own very soon."
"WHAT?"
....
Meanwhile, in the Infinity Castle.
"How could this be? I've already gathered everything! Why is it still not working?"
Shokyu's surroundings were a disaster.
Debris floated in the air, and ruins stretched as far as the eye could see. In his blind rage, Shokyu had smashed half of the Infinity Castle.
Although Nakime had the ability to repair the castle, she wisely decided to maintain the status quo, fearing Shokyu's current temper.
After venting his fury for a long time, Shokyu finally calmed down.
Although he was still seething inside, his face regained a cold composure.
He had failed countless times over the centuries, but this time was the closest he had ever come to success.
He had sensed it—for a brief moment, he had touched the gate to the Underworld.
But in the end, he was rejected.
It was this near-success that caused him to break down.
The last time he had been this enraged was over four hundred years ago.
Back then, he thought he had succeeded, only for Moriki Shunichi—an ancestor of the current Shinichi—to break free from his control and commit suicide right in front of him.
Because the previous Moriki had broken free, Shokyu realized that excessive control and intervention would not achieve his goal.
So, for the next few centuries, he changed his strategy, instead of forcefully guiding events, he patiently observed from the shadows.
Finally, after four hundred years, another person appeared who comprehended the Breath of Life: Shinichi Moriki.
Heaven knows how excited Shokyu was when he realized the Breath of Life had reawakened.
He had almost played his trump card immediately—Kamaro.
No one could have imagined that the "Upper Moon Six" the slayers fought was actually a part of Shokyu himself.
Shokyu's Blood Demon Art was the ultimate disguise technique: he could peel off his own flesh and blood to create autonomous clones.
Over the centuries, Shokyu's clones had assumed many identities: the beggar king who controlled the streets a decade ago, Abe Nobumasa who guarded the secrets of the valley, and many more.
To cultivate a swordsman who could comprehend the Breath of Life, Shokyu had even impersonated various Demon Slayer trainers, teaching thousands of swordsmen over hundreds of years.
Ironically, Shokyu was the reason the Demon Slayer Corps had managed to survive for so long.
Taking a deep breath, Shokyu suppressed his anger and snapped his fingers.
With the resounding twang of a biwa, a figure was teleported directly to his side.
It was Tamayo, who had been imprisoned shortly before.
Tamayo was confused.
Just a moment ago, Shokyu had been acting like a domineering god ready to rule the world.
Now, he looked like a gambler who had lost his entire fortune.
Of course, Tamayo did not think Shokyu had suddenly developed a conscience.
Through his bloodshot eyes, she could clearly see the greed and darkness swirling within.
"Shokyu, you...!"
Tamayo's voice was cut off the moment she opened her mouth.
Suddenly, Shokyu's body swelled, and a large mass of writhing gray flesh seeped out, wrapping around Tamayo like a living cocoon.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tamayo. If it were before, I might have had the patience to discuss my grand goals with you. Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood now, and I don't think you would cooperate willingly," Shokyu said coldly, watching as the gray flesh completely engulfed her.
Time seemed to blur...
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the silent Infinity Castle!
Amidst flying splinters of wood, Shokyu's scarlet eyes were revealed, his pupils burning with greedy flames.
He had found the answer in her memories!
Snap!
He snapped his fingers again, teleporting to a different room—a dungeon where three Upper Moon demons resides.
"It looks like I'll have to go myself and visit my friends at the Demon Slayer Corps personally," Shokyu muttered, a sinister smile forming.
"Shinichi, hmm? You're quite the survivor, kid. But it's time to end this here..."
....
Back at the Demon Slayer Headquarters.
"Why?"
When asked why Shokyu would come to him, Shinichi vaguely avoided the specifics.
Instead, he discussed how to deal with the imminent attack.
"Shokyu's attack will definitely come," Shinichi said with absolute certainty, "and it will be very fast. We must be fully prepared."
Shinichi was certain of this for a simple reason: he was still alive.
Before being rescued and awakened by Yushiro, Shinichi's consciousness had drifted in a chaotic state between life and death.
In that confusing space, he had a premonition—that place was the Underworld Shokyu was pursuing.
The key to entering it was the Breath of Life, and there was only one person left who understood it.
BANG!!
Just as Shinichi was thinking, a massive crash came from behind him!
The door to the room let out a mournful screech as it was violently blasted open by a force far beyond its capacity.
Immediately afterward, a voice drifted in—a voice that sounded incredibly gentle, yet sent shivers down Shinichi's spine.
"I'm sorry, everyone. Am I late?"
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