The battlefield was drenched in the stench of blood and the echoes of fallen cries. The once-mighty ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps were reduced to scattered, broken warriors. Those who had managed to survive thus far could barely stand, their bodies battered and their swords chipped. Around them, the shattered remains of the Infinity Castle loomed like a crumbling mausoleum.
Muzan stood at the center of the carnage, his grotesque form gleaming in the faint light that seeped through the cracks in the castle walls. His white hair flowed wildly, and the mouths on his limbs dripped with the blood of countless slayers. His plum-red eyes burned with fury and disdain as he surveyed the remnants of the Corps.
"You thought numbers would save you," Muzan sneered, his voice reverberating through the battlefield. "Your futile struggle only serves to amuse me."
Above, on the fractured balconies, the Hashira watched in grim silence. Shinjuro Rengoku, his towering figure casting a shadow over the others, stepped forward. His fiery eyes were locked onto Muzan, his grip tightening around his sword. "We can't let this monster take any more lives."
Mitsuri Kanroji nodded, her usually warm eyes now cold and resolute. "We've seen enough of his cruelty. It's time we end this."
Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, pressed his prayer beads together, murmuring a quiet prayer for the fallen before gripping his massive flail and axe. "The time has come to fulfill our duty."
Obanai Iguro's mismatched eyes gleamed with determination as he coiled Kaburamaru, his pet snake, tighter around his shoulders. "Let's see how his regeneration handles the combined might of the Hashira."
Sanemi Shinazugawa, ever brash, spat to the side, his blood-streaked face twisted into a snarl. "I've been waiting for this. Let's make him bleed."
From a distance, Bell stood alongside Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Kanao. The five of them watched as the Hashira prepared to confront the Demon King.
"Shouldn't we join them?" Tanjiro asked, his voice tinged with urgency. "The more of us there are, the better chance we have."
Bell raised a hand, silencing him. "This isn't our moment yet. The Hashira need to test his limits. They're the strongest warriors here, and if anyone can uncover his weaknesses, it's them."
Zenitsu trembled, not with fear but with a sense of anticipation. "But what if they—"
"They won't fail," Bell interrupted, his crimson eyes fixed on Muzan. "They're not fighting to win outright. They're fighting to expose him."
Kanao's hand lingered on her blade, her usually calm demeanor shadowed by uncertainty. "We can't just stand here while they risk their lives."
Bell glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "They're risking their lives so we'll know how to finish him. Trust in their strength."
With a battle cry that shook the crumbling walls, the Hashira leapt into action. Shinjuro led the charge, his blade igniting with the fiery brilliance of Flame Breathing. "Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!" A roaring inferno shaped like a tiger surged toward Muzan, its blazing heat illuminating the battlefield.
Muzan barely moved, a grotesque limb shooting out to intercept the attack. The flames seared his flesh, and for the first time in centuries, he flinched.
Mitsuri followed closely, her Love Breathing technique weaving through the air like a dance. Her flexible sword struck Muzan's side, slicing through the dark-red mass sprouting from his limbs. "Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Winds of Love!" she cried, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her heart.
Obanai and Sanemi flanked Muzan, their blades moving in perfect synchronization. Obanai's Serpent Breathing struck with fluid precision, while Sanemi's Wind Breathing howled like a storm, slicing into Muzan's body with unrelenting force.
Gyomei's flail and axe struck with earth-shattering power, each blow shaking the ground beneath them. "Stone Breathing, Third Form: Stone Skin!" he bellowed, his weapon striking Muzan's grotesque body and leaving cracks in the red mass.
For a fleeting moment, the combined assault of the Hashira seemed to overwhelm Muzan. His regeneration slowed, and the monstrous mouths on his limbs shrieked in agony. Blood sprayed across the battlefield as the Hashira pressed their attack, their synchronized movements pushing Muzan onto the defensive.
From their vantage point, Bell observed with a faint smirk. "Impressive. They're forcing him to adapt."
Tanjiro clenched his fists, his heart pounding as he watched the Hashira fight with unwavering resolve. "They're amazing..."
But Muzan was far from defeated. With a roar of rage, his grotesque form expanded, his limbs morphing into even more monstrous appendages. The mouths on his body grew larger, snapping and spewing streams of acidic blood. His regeneration accelerated, undoing the damage almost as quickly as it was inflicted.
"You think this is enough to stop me?" Muzan snarled, his voice dripping with contempt. "I am the pinnacle of evolution. Your efforts are meaningless!"
A massive tendril shot toward Mitsuri, its serrated edges glinting ominously. She barely dodged, her flexible sword wrapping around it to redirect its path. "He's getting faster!" she shouted.
Sanemi growled, blood dripping from a wound on his shoulder. "We need to keep him distracted!"
Despite the mounting danger, the Hashira did not waver. Shinjuro's flames burned brighter, his strikes fueled by the memory of his fallen son. "I won't let you take any more lives, monster!"
Gyomei's voice boomed like a bell, his towering presence unyielding. "We fight for the future of humanity! Hold your ground!"
Obanai and Mitsuri moved as one, their blades striking Muzan from opposing sides. Sanemi's wild, feral strikes tore into Muzan's limbs, buying precious seconds for the others to regroup.
As the battle raged on, the cracks in Muzan's regeneration became more apparent. Each coordinated strike from the Hashira left deeper scars, forcing Muzan to focus his energy on recovery. But his fury only grew, and with it, his attacks became more devastating.
Bell's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he watched the Hashira push Muzan to his limits. "They're chipping away at him, bit by bit. But it's only a matter of time before he shifts the tide."
Kanao stepped forward, her grip on her blade tightening. "Then we'll be ready."
Tanjiro nodded, his eyes burning with determination. "For now, we have to believe in them."
The stage was set, the battle escalating with every passing second. The Hashira fought with everything they had, their combined strength a testament to the resilience of humanity. Muzan, the King of Demons, roared with fury, his grotesque form a nightmare given life. And as the observers stood ready to join the fray, the world held its breath, waiting for the turning point that would decide the fate of all.