Author here, I just wanted to say thank you all for the support-the ff broke through 40K views and the power stone contributions have been amazing. As long as you guys keep supporting I will write more and more. I just finished writing five of my best chapters I've ever written for the finale, you can find them on my Patreon. Thank you, and enjoy the chapter.
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Two days passed. In that time, the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, along with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, faced the Upper Moon Six demon in a fierce battle—and won. After the intense fight, Tengen made the decision to retire from the Demon Slayer Corps, and the trio returned to the Butterfly Mansion to recover from their injuries.
Meanwhile, Mark sat across from Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. "I agree, Mark. The situation is indeed dire. The Corps will need all the Hashira ready for the upcoming battle," Ubuyashiki said thoughtfully. "I will issue the order for all the Hashira to return to headquarters immediately."
"I just hope they make it back in time," Mark replied, setting his cup of tea down. "My team is prepared to defend the headquarters at any moment. This could be the final battle, the end of the demons in Japan."
Later that night, Mark stood in the garden of their mansion, gazing up at the pale moon hanging over the Demon Slayer world.
"What's on your mind, standing here alone?" Zach asked as he walked up behind him, stopping to look at the same moon.
Mark turned slightly and replied, "Did I ever tell you this was the first world I was sent to?"
Zach raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? I didn't know that. What was it like? Your first time?"
Mark gave a faint smile, tinged with nostalgia. "Back then, I was weak, skinny, and completely in shock. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was teleported into a village, and my personal mission was to eliminate a number of demons. But I knew nothing about this world—nothing about how to fight, or even how to survive. So, I stayed in that village for a week, too scared to move. In that week, I grew close to one of the girls there. She helped me, took care of me—a frightened boy thrown into a nightmare."
Mark's voice became quieter as he continued, his eyes still on the moon. "On the last night of the week, she went into the woods to collect water from a nearby river. I waited for her outside, but then I heard her scream. Without thinking, I ran toward the sound. When I got there, I saw a demon devouring her... eating her guts right in front of me. I froze. I couldn't move. Then, the demon turned its attention to me and lunged."
Zach stayed silent, sensing the gravity of what Mark was saying.
"I was torn apart while I stood there, too scared to lift a finger. I still remember that moment so vividly. I lay on the ground, watching this same moon as that demon tore into me." Mark paused, taking a deep breath. "In the last second, I was teleported back to Reincarnation Paradise. My body was whole again, like it had all been some horrifying nightmare. I guess someone completed the world mission at the last moment and saved my life."
Zach, understanding the horrors of Reincarnation Paradise all too well, nodded in silent empathy. The first worlds were always the hardest.
"Come on," Mark said, straightening up, determination burning in his eyes. "Tomorrow night, the demons attack. Let's finish them and be done with this wretched world."
Zach's aura flared in response, his eyes glowing bright yellow in the night. Both men were ready for the impending battle.
The next day, all the Hashira returned to headquarters, each of them preparing for the fight they had trained their entire lives for. Among those preparing was Ali, who quietly slipped back into the Butterfly Mansion after receiving word from his eagle that the foreign guild members were training in the garden. Seizing the opportunity, Ali made his way into the mansion, heading for Shinobu's study. Inside, she was holding a picture of her late sister, the Flower Hashira, who had been killed by Upper Moon Two, Doma.
Ali quietly opened the door, startling Shinobu. She quickly set down the picture and stood up, surprised to see him. "Where have you been?" she asked as Ali closed the door behind him.
"In the forest, training alone," he answered plainly.
"Oyakata-sama has been asking for you," Shinobu said, turning back toward the picture of her sister. "The demons, including Muzan, will attack tonight. Ali, you're the strongest Hashira we have—you can't just disappear like that."
Ali's eyes briefly lingered on the photograph. "Your former teacher?" he asked.
"My sister," Shinobu replied, her voice thick with emotion. "She was taken from me by Doma, Upper Rank Two. Tonight, I'll have my revenge. No matter what."
Ali's mind churned with thought. 'Upper Rank Two... that's the one with the white hair. If she goes after him alone, she'll die. Should I intervene? I'll see how things play out.'
"I'll be there tonight," Ali said. "Until then, I'll continue training."
With that, he disappeared as suddenly as he'd come.
Shinobu turned around, trying to catch him before he left, but it was too late. She sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the impending battle. She had wanted to tell him something before the fight—something important. But now, with the fight so close, she wasn't sure she'd ever get the chance. She glanced back at her study, where a small bottle of purple liquid sat on the desk.
As night fell, the ten Hashira—excluding Ali—gathered before Ubuyashiki. He asked, "Shinobu, where is Ali?"
"He told me he'll join us when the attack starts," Shinobu replied. "Until then, he's training."
Ubuyashiki nodded, accepting the response, and waited for Mark and his companions to arrive. When they did, Mark spoke to the assembled Hashira, "The attack will happen tonight. The demons believe most of you are still out on missions. But now, they face the full might of the Demon Slayer Corps—and my team."
The Hashira nodded in agreement, ready for the confrontation.
Ubuyashiki addressed his warriors, his voice strong and unwavering. "Tonight, you fight not just for yourselves, but for humanity, for your families, your comrades. Show Muzan and his demons what you're made of. Show them death."
The meeting concluded, and the Hashira spread out across headquarters, ready for the inevitable attack. Mark and his team took their positions on the roof of the Butterfly Mansion, scanning the streets for any sign of the enemy.
Suddenly, a small yellow light appeared on the main road, expanding with every second. Mark's eyes narrowed. "It's them. Zach, signal the Hashira."
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Zach let out a piercing whistle, loud enough for everyone at headquarters to hear. The Hashira arrived quickly, surrounding the expanding light. Behind them were Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and other demon slayers, all ready for the battle.
Their hearts pounded in their chests as the light continued to grow, eventually forming a square in the road. From within, the interior of the Infinity Castle became visible. Then, tiny brown hands emerged from the entrance, followed by Hantengu's small, tear-streaked head. The demon looked around at the Hashira, panic flashing in his eyes, and immediately let go of the entrance, dropping back into the castle in terror.
HOHOHOOOOOOOOOO!
Zach let out a wild cry of excitement as he leaped from the roof, diving into the entrance without hesitation. One by one, the Hashira followed, their weapons drawn, with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Mark, and the twins jumping in behind them. Julia was the last to enter, her eyes briefly flashing red in surprise before the entrance closed behind her.
At the far end of the street, Ali appeared, his spear slung across his back. He wore the same clothes he had arrived in this world with. Without stopping, he walked past the closed portal, heading toward the heart of headquarters.
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Five extra chapters on patreon.com/Rondo312