The mountains loomed ahead of them, their peaks shrouded in mist as the group made their way up the winding path. The air grew cooler with each step, and the dense forest that had surrounded them slowly gave way to a more open landscape, the towering trees thinning out as they climbed higher.
For the past few hours, they had moved in relative silence. The weight of the encounter with Nakime still hung over them, each of them reflecting on the demon's strength and the sheer difficulty of the battle they had barely survived.
Killua, his usual smirk replaced by a look of contemplation, glanced at Tanjiro as they continued up the mountain path. "This headquarters of yours… are we really going to be safe there?"
Tanjiro nodded, though his expression was tense. "It's the safest place for us right now. The Demon Slayer Corps has defended it for centuries. If there's anywhere Muzan's forces won't easily attack, it's there."
Gon's gaze was fixed ahead, his mind still replaying the fight with Nakime. He had felt powerful—strong enough to take on anyone—but Nakime had dodged his attacks with ease. The thought of it frustrated him deeply. "We need to get stronger," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Killua glanced at his friend. "You're not wrong, but don't beat yourself up. We didn't lose. If Nakime comes back, we'll be ready."
Nezuko, walking silently beside Tanjiro, gave a soft growl in agreement. Her eyes, sharp and alert, darted around their surroundings. She, too, had felt the strength of Nakime, but her fierce desire to protect her brother had not wavered.
After several more minutes of walking, the path opened up, revealing a large, open courtyard. At the far end stood a grand, traditional Japanese building—simple yet imposing in its design, with sweeping eaves and wooden beams. The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. The air was thick with the scent of incense, a faint breeze carrying the smell of fresh pine and moss from the surrounding mountains.
"We're here," Tanjiro announced, his voice steady but filled with a sense of urgency. "Come on, I'll take you inside."
As they crossed the courtyard, they noticed several other figures moving about—demon slayers in various stages of training. Some practiced with their Nichirin Blades, their movements precise and fluid, while others meditated, their breathing steady as they honed their senses. Each one of them carried the same focused determination that Tanjiro had displayed in battle.
"This place…" Gon murmured, taking in the sight of the disciplined warriors around him. "It feels different. Everyone here is so strong."
Killua, too, was impressed by the sheer focus and skill on display. "No wonder the demons haven't wiped this place out yet."
Tanjiro led them through the main gates, past the bustling training grounds and into the main building. As they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted—quieter, more somber. The wooden floors creaked underfoot, and the air was cooler, almost reverent, as though the building itself held the weight of centuries of history.
They walked down a long corridor, lined with sliding doors, before arriving at a large, open chamber. Inside, several figures were already gathered—members of the Demon Slayer Corps, their expressions serious as they sat in a semi-circle, waiting.
At the head of the room stood a tall man with an air of authority. His piercing eyes and sharp features made it clear that he was a leader among the demon slayers. His haori bore the insignia of the Corps, and the presence he carried demanded respect.
"This is Ubuyashiki-sama," Tanjiro explained quietly, nodding to the man at the front. "He's the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Gon and Killua exchanged glances. They had heard of powerful leaders before, but there was something about this man—something quiet but undeniable—that made them stand a little straighter.
Ubuyashiki smiled softly as he looked at Tanjiro and his companions. His voice was calm, yet carried a weight of knowledge and experience. "Tanjiro, I'm glad to see you have returned safely."
Tanjiro bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Ubuyashiki-sama. But we have news—dangerous news. One of the Upper Moons, Nakime, attacked us on our way here."
A murmur ran through the gathered slayers. The mention of an Upper Moon caused even the most stoic among them to tense. Ubuyashiki's expression, though calm, darkened slightly at the mention of Nakime.
"Nakime…" Ubuyashiki repeated, his voice soft but steady. "An Upper Moon appearing this close to headquarters is no coincidence. Muzan is moving his forces."
Tanjiro nodded, his gaze serious. "And these two," he gestured to Gon and Killua, "they're from another world. They were drawn here by a rift, and their power is unlike anything I've ever seen. They fought Nakime with me, and they've agreed to help us fight Muzan."
Gon and Killua stepped forward, feeling the weight of the room's attention shift to them. Killua, though unfazed by the stares, kept his arms crossed, his silver eyes scanning the group, already sizing them up.
Gon, on the other hand, gave a bright, confident smile. "We'll help in any way we can! We've fought dangerous enemies before, and we'll do whatever it takes to stop Muzan."
Ubuyashiki's gaze softened as he regarded the two boys. "I see… another world, you say? The appearance of this rift and the arrival of strangers cannot be ignored. Muzan's influence may be reaching further than we realized."
One of the demon slayers, a man with a muscular build and a scar across his face, stepped forward, eyeing Gon and Killua warily. "Are you sure we can trust them, Ubuyashiki-sama? We don't know what they're capable of—or if they'll even survive a battle with the Upper Moons."
Killua raised an eyebrow at the challenge, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Worried we can't keep up? Trust me, we've taken down monsters a lot worse than demons."
The scarred slayer frowned but didn't argue further. He could sense the power radiating off Killua and Gon, even if he didn't fully understand it.
Ubuyashiki raised a hand, silencing the room with a simple gesture. "I trust Tanjiro's judgment. If he believes these two can help us, then we will accept their aid. But you must understand," he said, his gaze shifting to Gon and Killua, "the demons we fight are unlike any enemies you've faced. Their strength is overwhelming, their abilities unpredictable. If you join us, you will be putting your lives at risk."
Gon's eyes burned with determination. "We understand. But if there's any chance we can help stop Muzan, we won't back down."
Killua, though quieter, nodded in agreement. "We'll be fine. Just point us in the right direction."
Ubuyashiki smiled gently, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "Very well. Then we shall begin preparations."
After the meeting, Tanjiro led Gon and Killua out of the chamber and back into the open air. The tension from the meeting still hung over them, but there was a sense of purpose now—an understanding that the real fight was only just beginning.
"We'll need to prepare," Tanjiro said, his voice thoughtful. "The Upper Moons won't stay hidden for long, and we have to be ready when they strike again."
Gon's face lit up, his usual excitement returning. "Then let's get started! I want to see how your training works. Maybe we can combine our nen techniques with your breathing forms!"
Killua, always more reserved, gave a nod. "It's not a bad idea. The sooner we're ready, the better."
Tanjiro smiled, though his eyes remained serious. "It won't be easy. The Upper Moons are stronger than anything we've faced so far. But if we work together… we might stand a chance."
Nezuko, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, stood beside her brother, her eyes filled with a quiet but fierce resolve. She, too, understood what was at stake, and she would fight with everything she had to protect those she cared about.
As they walked toward the training grounds, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the mountains. The sky turned a brilliant shade of orange, signaling the end of one day and the beginning of a new chapter in their battle against the demons.
But somewhere, far beyond the horizon, Nakime was watching. He had retreated, but not because he had been defeated. He had learned everything he needed to know about his new opponents. And when the time came, he would strike again.
The Upper Moons were moving, and soon, the real war would begin.