At the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's usually calm face showed a hint of worry. "What? They all disappeared?"
"Can you confirm it?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa, his chest bare, had two new scars. His voice was low and strong.
"Confirmed. All the eyeballs disappeared overnight!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki murmured, "The eyeballs disappeared. Did the demon find what he was looking for? What are they looking for?"
Caw caw caw!
A crow swooped down, landing in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's arms. His expression changed slightly. "Yutaro? What's wrong? Did something happen to Mr. Aomura?"
Kasugai Crows were intelligent and had names.
Even the members didn't always know their crows' names, but he remembered all the members and their crows.
The crow took a breath, flapping its wings, and explained anxiously.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked serious. "Disappeared? You mean Mr. Aomura was walking when Upper Moon Three suddenly appeared, and they disappeared together?"
Sanemi looked grim. "Could he have used his ability to leave?"
Before the crow could explain, Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, "No! Mr. Aomura's ability can't teleport enemies!"
Sanemi thought for a moment. "He wasn't killed. No one can kill him silently, not even Muzan!
Upper Moon Three's Blood Demon Art doesn't teleport people. There must have been another demon involved."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki said slowly, "Sanemi, could the eyeballs have been looking for Mr. Aomura?"
Sanemi's face changed slightly. He thought about it. It was possible, even likely.
Aoki had killed many demons, even Upper Moon Two.
He could grow stronger by devouring demons.
Demons definitely saw him as a threat.
There weren't many targets that would make demons go to such lengths. If it wasn't the Demon Slayer Corps...
"This is my fault."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed.
He hadn't told Aoki about the eyeballs because Aoki didn't want the Demon Slayer Corps to interfere.
More importantly, he hadn't thought anything could happen to Aoki, with his strength.
"Master, it's not your fault. No one expected this," Sanemi said, comforting him. "If this is a plot against Aoki, he's facing more than one or two demons. Muzan probably planned this himself!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki knew that. "We have to find a way to help Mr. Aomura!"
"I'll go!"
Sanemi said.
Aoki had proven to be a good ally.
They couldn't ignore an ally in trouble.
"Sanemi alone might not be enough!" Kagaya Ubuyashiki said.
Sanemi said, "Giyu Tomioka should be nearby. Let him go too!"
"That's all we can do."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded. The Pillars were scattered. He couldn't gather them all quickly.
"Sanemi, Giyu, remember, focus on finding Mr. Aomura and providing support. Don't act rashly!"
"I understand, Master!" Sanemi replied.
He was frustrated, but they couldn't beat the Upper Moons, let alone Muzan.
He and Giyu could barely protect themselves.
Aoki was even more important now.
...
Infinity Castle.
Large sections of the buildings had collapsed, turning into ruins. Infinity Castle looked like it had been hit by a powerful typhoon.
But Aoki hadn't caused this.
Most of it had nothing to do with him.
Muzan had done the most damage, followed by Kokushibo and Hantengu.
Whoosh!
A barbed whip lashed out. Aoki couldn't dodge in time. Rip! A huge gash opened on his waist, and blood spurted out.
Before the next attack came, Aoki used Space Traverse, creating distance between himself and Muzan.
Muzan glanced at the wound on Aoki's waist and sneered. "Looks like you're running out of stamina!"
Aoki didn't argue.
He was running low on stamina. His wounds were healing slower.
The fight had lasted all night.
He had been trying to conserve energy since the beginning.
He had stopped using the Transparent World, used Space Traverse sparingly, and let his wounds heal instead of regenerating them.
But he was near his limit, even with those efforts.
Muzan couldn't hurt him much, but he had only used up some stamina.
He hadn't hurt Muzan or the others much either.
He had been running most of the time, facing Muzan and the Upper Moons. He had few chances to attack.
Kokushibo and Akaza hadn't fought continuously. They were still full of energy.
Muzan was at full strength.
Muzan had five brains and seven hearts. His special body gave him incredible regeneration and almost unlimited stamina.
"Rat, prepare to die!" Seeing victory, Muzan attacked Aoki quickly, lashing out with his whips.
Rip!
Aoki used Space Traverse, disappearing. He secretly took out a red pill and swallowed it quickly.
A faint fragrance and a hint of sweetness spread in his mouth.
It tasted good!
He hadn't tasted anything but sake since becoming a demon.
This was the first and only time.
The pill melted quickly, and warmth flowed from his chest to his limbs. His depleted stamina returned quickly.
He had eaten a Qi and Blood Pill.
He had given one to Kanae. He had two left.
It was useful now.
He was glad he hadn't eaten them as snacks.
At the same time, Aoki's wounds healed instantly.
Muzan paused, looking surprised. "What's that healing speed? He was running out of stamina! Why did his regeneration suddenly get faster?"
The Upper Moons looked shocked.
Aoki looked at them. "Looks like I won't die yet. Come on, let's start round two!"
---
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