Inside the temporary headquarters at the Moriki Manor, the study, usually filled with a faint medicinal aroma, was now thick with a solemn, cold atmosphere.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the master of the Demon Slayer Corps, sat propped against a cushion, his face was pale like a fragile mask under the lamplight.
He tilted his head, listening with pained patience to the broken, sobbing report from the young bodyguard who had survived the attack.
"…Monster… his eyes… they had words in them… So fast… everyone died… The lady… he took her… H-he said… he said to tell the Demon Slayer Corps… that he wants to make a trade… for… for that girl…" The young man was clearly broken, his mind shattered by the terror of an Upper Moon.
Soon, the room began to fill.
Shinichi, alerted by his Kasugai Crow, was the first to arrive.
He was followed by nearly the entire Hashira: Gyomei Himejima, Uzui Tengen, Kyojuro Rengoku, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Giyu Tomioka, and Tokito Muichiro and Yuichiro and finally Sabito.
Only Kanroji Mitsuri and Iguro Obanai, who were finishing their training assignments on the far side of the country, and the Kocho sisters in the Butterfly House, were absent.
As the horrifying details of the abduction were laid bare, a grim silence fell over the assembly.
Shinichi's face was particularly dark, his expression so grim it was frightening.
Kagaya's heart was heavy.
He had not expected such brazen arrogance.
A demon of that caliber, sneaking so close to their headquarters to abduct a crucial ally like Ryukawa Chinatsu with such overwhelming force… and then leaving a survivor to deliver a message.
It was a taunt, a provocation, and a naked declaration of war.
He felt a pang of regret for not providing Chinatsu with better protection, and a cold dread as he realized how the demon must have known of her importance.
It confirmed Shinichi's report: the highest echelons of human society had been compromised.
"Damn it!" Sanemi was the first to explode, slamming his fist on a nearby table, the wood cracking under the force.
"It's that same cowardly bastard again!"
"Calm yourself, Sanemi," Gyomei's deep voice rumbled, filled with both compassion and a heavy sorrow.
"The demon's intent is to throw us into chaos."
Even as he spoke, the suppressed anger radiating from his mountainous form was palpable.
"Trade her for Tanjiro's sister?" Kyojuro frowned, his golden-red eyes blazing.
"Never! That is the tactic of a despicable coward! It is absolutely unforgivable!"
Giyu remained silent, as was his way, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop around him.
The wave Hashira, Sabito, placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, his own expression equally grim.
Yuichiro gripped the hilt of his Nichirin blade, his face a mask of fury and guilt.
The area where Chinatsu had been taken was his patrol sector.
He felt this failure as a personal one.
"Only an ugly demon would resort to such ugly methods," Tengen said, his usual flamboyance replaced by a dark scowl.
"Utterly unflamboyant."
Shinichi stood apart from the others, a cold light glinting in the depths of his amber eyes.
He couldn't believe Kamaro had dared to attack Chinatsu directly.
And to demand Nezuko in exchange… this was a trap. A
blatant, terrifying trap.
At that moment, Kagaya, who had been silent, finally spoke.
His voice was soft, but it carried an unquestionable authority that instantly commanded the attention of every Hashira in the room.
"The demon's goal is clear," he said steadily. "And we, the Demon Slayer Corps, will give our response. Miss Ryukawa Chinatsu is our most important ally. We will risk everything to rescue her. But we will never hand over Nezuko. To do so would be a betrayal of Tanjiro, and a betrayal of all humanity."
He raised his head slightly.
His face was weak, but his gaze was unwavering.
"Shinichi."
"I am here," Shinichi said, stepping forward.
"You have faced this demon, Kamaro, before. You know his abilities. I am placing you in command of this rescue operation," Kagaya stated, his voice clear and decisive.
"Sabito, your swordsmanship is meticulous and steady; you will provide solid support. Muichiro, your Mist Breathing is unrivaled for speed and stealth; you will handle reconnaissance and surprise attacks. Yuichiro, the attack occurred in your assigned territory. Your knowledge of the terrain is vital. You will assist Shinichi."
"Yes, Oyakata-sama!" the three swordsmen responded in unison, their eyes firm.
A flicker of doubt crossed Shinichi's mind.
Rescuing Chinatsu was paramount, but sending four Hashira at once… seemed like an over-allocation of force.
His eyes swept over the other powerful figures in the room.
As if reading his thoughts, Kagaya continued calmly.
"Kyojuro, Sanemi, Giyu, Tengen."
"Oyakata-sama, your orders?" they replied as one.
"Kamaro's attack may be a diversion. We cannot allow other demons to take advantage of the chaos. I want the four of you to lead a full sweep of the areas surrounding Tokyo. Eradicate any and all demons you find."
"Yes, sir!" The four Hashira accepted the order without hesitation.
"Gyomei." Kagaya finally looked to the strongest of his children.
"My lord."
"I am leaving the safety of headquarters to you. While I… rest, you will have full command."
"As you command," Gyomei responded, his deep voice resonating as the huge prayer beads in his hands clacked together.
With the orders given, nearly every top fighter had been dispatched, leaving only Gyomei to guard the manor.
Shinichi's unease intensified.
On the surface, the plan was sound: a rescue team, a perimeter sweep, and a home guard.
But looking deeper, it felt as if Kagaya was intentionally scattering the Corps' greatest strengths, moving them away from headquarters.
But that can't be right, he thought.
Himejima-san is more than capable of defending this place alone.
"I must be overthinking it," Shinichi muttered, shaking his head to clear the strange thoughts.
He looked back at his master, but Kagaya had already tilted his head back, his eyes closed in rest, the audience concluded.
"Shinichi-san?" Sabito voice brought him back to the present.
Yuichiro looked at his master, his expression urgent.
"Master, let's go! We have to find that bastard!"
Shinichi took a deep breath.
The orders had been given.
All he could do now was execute them.
If anything went wrong, the other Hashira were still close enough to provide support.
"Let's move!" Shinichi's voice was sharp, his hesitation gone, replaced by cold resolve.
"Sabito, you investigate from the northeast. Muichiro, you take the southwest; check every shadow. Yuichiro, you're with me. We'll follow the strongest demonic trace! Everyone, stay in contact via your crows!"
"Understood!"
"Time to let those damn demons feel my wrath!" Sanemi snarled, already turning to leave with Tengen, Kyojuro, and Giyu at his heels.
Soon, only Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Gyomei Himejima remained in the study.
After a long silence, Kagaya let out a soft, weary sigh, his voice barely a whisper.
"...The time… is running out…"
Gyomei knelt silently beside him, a stoic, immovable mountain.
From the corners of his blind eyes, tears began to silently slide down his face.
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