Ubuyashiki Kagaya had not left the frontlines. As the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, his current position was not far from the Ubuyashiki estate, which had now become a battlefield.
Originally, he should have been at the location of the swordsmiths, but now he was at the frontlines. Only his wife and children were not here with him.
He now wore strange talismans on his head, which allowed him to communicate with other members of the Corps.
All the information seen by the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen was being relayed to him.
The table in front of him was covered with various scribbled papers, representing Ubuyashiki Kagaya's gradual understanding of the structure of the Infinite Fortress. Black Kasugai crows flew throughout the city, constantly feeding back what they saw, allowing him to form a clear mental image of the fortress's layout.
This helped him command his "children" to fight more effectively.
"How is the situation?"
"It's been handled, Father."
"Have all personnel been contacted?"
"Yes. But... there's no news from Brother Li Mo."
Assisting Ubuyashiki Kagaya were two young girls, his eldest daughter Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Nichika.
The children of the Ubuyashiki family were educated from a young age, learning everything the head of the family needed to know. The fact that the Ubuyashiki family had survived as a single lineage for so long was no small feat, and they had prepared a complete set of measures to ensure their continuity.
"Li Mo? From now on, don't worry about him. He will do what he needs to do."
In Ubuyashiki Kagaya's mind, an image from long ago appeared—the third vision he had seen. His trust in Li Mo outweighed everything else.
"Yes, Father!"
The two girls replied in unison, their young voices filled with determination.
"Now, Hinaki, Nichika, begin allocating our forces. Among the Twelve Kizuki, the Lower Moons have already appeared. Send the seeds to deal with the Lower Moons, while the true Hashira continue to push forward. At the same time, search for Muzan Kibutsuji's location.
Once Muzan Kibutsuji's location is found, immediately dispatch the Hashira to confront him.
Additionally, if any Upper Moons are discovered, assign Hashira to intercept them as well."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's arrangements were methodical and precise, his commands cold and calculated. But all of it was to maximize the use of the resources at his disposal. With Li Mo's current whereabouts unknown, every decision was made with one goal in mind:
To create an environment where the "general" and the "king" could face off without interference.
...
"Father's two daughters... they're not very old, are they?"
The location where Ubuyashiki Kagaya was stationed was clearly the command center of the Demon Slayer Corps. Even though they couldn't afford to waste the valuable combat power of the Hashira here, they still needed to arrange sufficient defensive forces.
The retired Hashira were undoubtedly the best candidates for this role.
The one who spoke was Rengoku Shinjuro, the former Flame Hashira. Three years ago, during a battle with Upper Moon Three, he had suffered severe injuries that greatly diminished his strength, causing him to lose his position as a Hashira.
But this didn't mean Rengoku Shinjuro could no longer wield a blade. Thus, he was assigned to this location.
"They're probably around six or seven years old. The children of the Ubuyashiki family have always been precocious," Urokodaki Sakonji replied.
The "curse" of the Ubuyashiki bloodline had caused their lineage to dwindle, which was undoubtedly a negative. But it had also brought benefits to the family, as each generation's head was at least competent, if not exceptionally talented.
"Ah... Speaking of which, that 'Mysterious Hashira'... has he really returned?"
"Didn't you and the Flower Hashira see him disappear with your own eyes? Why are you still doubting? When the boy was declared missing, weren't you the one who insisted on it?"
"I just saw the Flower Hashira smiling so happily back then, and I didn't want to ruin her illusions... As an old man, what I saw and heard back then was just too far beyond my understanding."
Rengoku Shinjuro spoke softly. Back then, Li Mo had vanished into thin air before their eyes. If it weren't for the ravaged land and the fresh blood on the ground, he would have thought it was all a dream.
Over the past three years, he had been deeply despondent. Even though his wife's illness had taken a turn for the better, every time he thought of that young boy, a shadow would cloud his heart.
That boy had died in his place.
This thought had always haunted him.
It was only recently that he had begun to let it go.
So, he really had returned.
"Is that so? I wasn't there at the time. Rengoku Shinjuro, how do you think this final battle will turn out?" Urokodaki Sakonji asked.
In truth, when he had heard the shocking news that his most talented disciple was still alive, he had been stunned as well. That youngest disciple, the one with the greatest talent, was still alive. It was a good thing.
"What's there to say? Of course, we will win."
The third person present spoke up. Unlike Urokodaki Sakonji, who wore a mask, Sakonji Kuwajima openly displayed his aged face.
He was short in stature, with a scar under his right eye—a testament to his battles in his youth.
The former warrior, now mellowed by time, had become a kind elder. "I'm waiting for this battle to end so I can go back and take care of my grandson. I can finally tell him that he doesn't have to learn swordsmanship anymore."
Sakonji Kuwajima had an adopted grandson named Agatsuma Zenitsu. He was a child who hated sword training so much that he had once clung to a tree to avoid it and was struck by lightning, turning his hair from black to yellow.
After the final battle was won, he would go home and tell the boy the good news. Zenitsu would be overjoyed, wouldn't he?
"You're right. This time, we will definitely win," Rengoku Shinjuro said firmly.
No one believed this operation would fail.
The Demon Slayer Corps had poured everything into this battle.
...
Kocho Shinobu stood alone on the ridge of a roof. As a swordsman who had been heavily trained, she should have been with Iguro Obanai, leading the main force into the city.
But she had stayed in the rear, alongside the old men, to hold the backline. For now, Kocho Shinobu was at ease, but later, when the injured began to be brought back by the Kakushi, it would be her time to work.
Sister, Makomo, Li Mo...
How are you all doing?
The lost physician's white robe fluttered in the wind as she gazed up at the night sky, feeling that tonight would be a long one.
Yes, a very long night.
The girl looked into the distance, as if she could see through the walls of the city and catch a glimpse of those familiar figures.
...
Running through the shadows like a bat, Li Mo avoided killing any demons along the way to avoid alerting others.
The moment he struck, the other demons would notice. Even if they didn't react immediately, death itself was a form of information.
Finally, he approached a certain floor of the fortress.
Sneaking into the room, he saw a disheveled woman sitting there, holding a biwa in her hands.
Found her.
Li Mo thought.
In the next moment, he dropped from the ceiling like a bat, pouncing on his prey.
And then...
The Nichirin Blade was dyed crimson, and in almost a single breath, three different slashes followed different trajectories, all landing in the same place.
"Secret Sword: Swallow Return."
He landed.
The head fell.
His snow-white tails swayed beside Nakime's body.
The moment he found Nakime, the outcome was already decided.