The stars shone brightly over the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, casting a soft glow over the training grounds. After the intense sparring sessions with the Hashira, the group had retired to their quarters to rest. The physical exhaustion from the day's training clung to them, but it wasn't enough to dampen their spirits. Each of them had pushed themselves to new limits, growing stronger with every passing day.
Gon, sitting cross-legged outside their quarters, stared up at the night sky, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of the fight against Rengoku. His fists were bandaged from the impact of his punches, but the excitement in his eyes hadn't faded.
Killua leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as always. He was quiet, his silver eyes focused on the distance as if lost in thought.
"That fight today," Gon said suddenly, breaking the silence. "It was incredible."
Killua glanced at him, his usual smirk replaced with something more serious. "It was tough. The Hashira are strong—stronger than I expected."
Gon nodded, his excitement tempered by the reality of what they had faced. "Yeah. They're amazing. But… if they're this strong, how strong are the Upper Moons?"
The question hung in the air for a moment, the weight of it settling over both of them. The sparring matches with the Hashira had been intense, but they both knew that the real battle would be far worse. Nakime had been a taste of what the Upper Moons were capable of, and the idea of facing even stronger demons was daunting.
Killua's gaze shifted to the horizon, his mind working through the implications of what lay ahead. "The Upper Moons… they're on a completely different level. If Nakime is any indication, we're going to need more than just strength to beat them."
Gon, always optimistic, grinned despite the seriousness of the conversation. "That's why we'll keep training! We'll get stronger, and when the time comes, we'll fight them together."
Killua didn't respond immediately. He knew Gon's determination was unshakable, and part of him admired that. But the reality of the situation weighed heavily on him. They were facing enemies that could regenerate, enemies that didn't follow the same rules they were used to. It wasn't just about being stronger—it was about surviving.
Before Killua could voice his thoughts, the sliding door behind them creaked open, and Tanjiro stepped out, his face lit softly by the moonlight. Nezuko, always close to her brother, followed quietly, her large, expressive eyes gleaming in the night.
"Couldn't sleep?" Tanjiro asked, sitting down beside Gon. His tone was gentle, but his eyes were tired.
Gon shook his head, grinning. "Too excited. That training was intense!"
Tanjiro smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah… but it's just the beginning. We still have a long way to go."
Nezuko settled beside Tanjiro, her gaze shifting between the boys as if sensing the weight of the conversation. Though she couldn't speak, her presence was calming, a quiet reminder of why they were fighting in the first place.
Killua, his voice low and thoughtful, broke the silence. "You've faced demons like the Upper Moons before. Do you really think we can win?"
Tanjiro's smile faded, his gaze lowering slightly. "I don't know," he admitted quietly. "But we have to try. If we don't stop Muzan, more people will die. I've lost so many already… I can't let it happen again."
Gon's eyes softened at Tanjiro's words. He could feel the weight of the responsibility Tanjiro carried—the burden of protecting others, of fighting against an unstoppable force. It was the same weight Gon had felt many times during his own journey as a Hunter, and it was a feeling he knew all too well.
"We'll help you," Gon said firmly, his voice filled with resolve. "Whatever it takes, we'll fight with you."
Killua nodded, his gaze sharpening. "We're in this together."
Tanjiro's eyes brightened slightly, and for the first time that night, a genuine smile crossed his face. "Thank you. I couldn't do this without you."
Nezuko, sensing the shift in her brother's mood, gave a soft hum of agreement, her head tilting toward the sky as if she, too, found comfort in the stars above.
For a moment, the four of them sat in silence, the cool breeze carrying the sounds of the night through the trees. It was a brief reprieve from the tension that had been building over the past few days, a quiet moment of peace before the storm that was sure to come.
A Whisper of Darkness
The peace of the night was suddenly shattered by a distant rumble. It was faint at first, almost like the distant roll of thunder, but it quickly grew louder, the ground beneath them trembling slightly. Gon, Killua, and Tanjiro jumped to their feet, their senses immediately on high alert.
Nezuko's body tensed, her demonic instincts flaring as she stepped protectively in front of Tanjiro, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger.
"What is that?" Gon asked, his fists already glowing faintly with nen as he prepared for a fight.
Killua's eyes narrowed, his body crackling with electricity as he activated Godspeed. "It's coming from the mountains."
Tanjiro's heart raced as he focused on his breathing, trying to center himself. "It feels… wrong. Like the air is getting heavier."
Before they could react, a figure appeared in the distance, moving toward them at an unnatural speed. It was one of the demon slayers, his face pale with fear and exhaustion. He stumbled as he approached, his breathing ragged and uneven.
"Ubuyashiki-sama… needs you," the demon slayer panted, his voice filled with urgency. "There's… something happening in the mountains. It's… the demons. They're gathering."
The words sent a chill down Tanjiro's spine. "Gathering? What do you mean?"
The demon slayer shook his head, struggling to catch his breath. "I don't know exactly… but something's wrong. The Upper Moons… there's movement. Ubuyashiki-sama has called for all the Hashira to prepare."
Gon's fists clenched tighter, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "Then it's starting. Muzan's making his move."
Killua's eyes gleamed with cold determination. "Looks like we're out of time."
Tanjiro's mind raced as he tried to process the information. He knew this moment would come eventually, but now that it was here, the reality of it hit him hard. The Upper Moons were gathering, and Muzan's presence was looming closer than ever.
"We have to get to Ubuyashiki-sama," Tanjiro said firmly, his voice filled with resolve. "We need to know what we're up against."
Without another word, the group moved quickly, following the demon slayer back to the main building where Ubuyashiki and the Hashira were waiting.
The Gathering of the Hashira
Inside the main hall of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the tension was palpable. Ubuyashiki sat at the head of the room, his expression calm but his eyes filled with deep concern. The Hashira were gathered around him, their faces grim as they listened to the reports from the demon slayers who had returned from the mountains.
Rengoku, standing with his arms crossed, was the first to notice Gon, Killua, Tanjiro, and Nezuko as they entered. "You're here," he said, his voice filled with its usual warmth, though there was an unmistakable seriousness in his tone. "Good. We've received troubling news."
Ubuyashiki's gentle gaze shifted to the group as they approached. "Thank you for coming so quickly," he said softly. "It seems that Muzan has begun his attack."
Tanjiro's heart sank. He had known this day would come, but hearing it from Ubuyashiki made it all too real. "What's happening?"
The leader of the Corps sighed, his expression heavy with the weight of his knowledge. "The Upper Moons have begun gathering in the northern mountains. Reports from our scouts indicate that they are amassing demons in large numbers. We don't yet know what their full plan is, but we cannot afford to wait for them to strike. We must act."
Shinobu, standing nearby with her usual serene smile, spoke up. "We believe Muzan is planning something larger than just an attack. He's gathering power—preparing for something far more devastating."
Killua's fists clenched, his mind racing with the implications of what they were hearing. "So what's the plan? Are we going after him?"
Ubuyashiki's expression hardened slightly. "Yes. We cannot allow Muzan to consolidate his forces. The Hashira will lead an assault on the demons in the mountains. But we must be careful. If we rush in unprepared, we will be walking into a trap."
Rengoku nodded, his fiery energy barely contained. "We'll fight with everything we have. The Upper Moons won't stand a chance!"
Gon, his eyes burning with determination, stepped forward. "We're ready. We'll fight with you."
Ubuyashiki's gaze softened as he looked at Gon, Killua, and Tanjiro. "Your strength will be invaluable. But remember, this is no ordinary battle. Muzan and the Upper Moons are beyond anything you have faced before. You must be prepared for the worst."
Tanjiro's heart pounded in his chest, his resolve hardening. He looked at Gon and Killua, his voice filled with quiet determination. "We'll be ready."
Killua, his silver eyes gleaming with cold focus, nodded. "We're not backing down."
Nezuko, standing silently beside her brother, growled softly, her eyes burning with the same fierce determination. She would protect her brother and her new allies, no matter what.
As the group prepared for the inevitable battle ahead, the weight of what they were about to face settled over them. The gathering of the Upper Moons, the shadow of Muzan, and the sheer scale of the fight that lay ahead loomed like a dark cloud on the horizon.
But despite the fear, despite the uncertainty, they stood together—united by their resolve to fight against the darkness.
And as the night deepened, the final battle drew closer.