Everyone had been too immersed in the delicious flavors of the meal to notice any changes in their bodies.
But now, after Yohan's hint, they suddenly realized—something was different.
"I… my strength has increased!"
Mitsuri Kanroji, who had been leaning against the table for support, suddenly noticed something shocking—the corner of the table she had been gripping tightly had snapped clean off!
She knew she had always been naturally strong, but this—this was on a whole new level!
"That's right," Yohan confirmed with a satisfied smile. "Fugu cuisine isn't just delicious. More importantly, it strengthens the body."
He gestured to the others. "Take a moment and feel it for yourselves. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
The rest of the group quickly focused on their own physical conditions.
"You're right! I feel incredible!" Rengoku Kyojuro's voice boomed with excitement. He had been told by the medics that he needed at least a month of rest to recover from his injuries. Yet now, after eating this fish, he felt stronger than he had even before his battle with Upper Moon Three.
Shinobu Kocho suddenly sprinted outside. Without hesitation, she drew her blade and slashed at a large rock in the courtyard.
A cold glint of steel flashed.
"Ah!"
"Nee-san! Nee-san, come look!"
Shinobu could hardly contain her joy as she called out to Kanae.
Because—
The rock had been split clean in half.
A single stroke.
Before today, Shinobu had always struggled with her lack of raw strength. While her elder sister, Kanae, had risen to the rank of Hashira, Shinobu herself had been unable to cut through a demon's neck. Even though Kanae had always reassured her, praising her piercing speed and precision, the reality remained—she simply wasn't strong enough to decapitate a demon.
She had long since come to terms with this, accepting that her path to becoming a Hashira would have to rely on her medical knowledge and poison techniques rather than brute force.
But now—her strength had surged to an unimaginable degree!
Kanae, witnessing the scene before her, was just as astonished.
"You really did it, Shinobu!"
Kanae quickly grabbed her sister's hand and rushed over to Yohan.
"Yohan, is this… is this real?"
"Of course it is, Kanae," Yohan reassured her with a calm smile. "There's absolutely nothing to worry about."
Even after hearing his words, Kanae still found it difficult to believe. But once Yohan confirmed it with such certainty, relief washed over her.
Her eyes grew slightly misty.
She could still remember the day she and Shinobu were rescued by Himejima Gyomei. The struggles they endured, the countless trials they had to pass before finally joining the Demon Slayer Corps.
Ever since then, Kanae had long accepted that their fates were tied to the fight against demons. She had already steeled herself for the possibility of laying down her life to protect others.
But Shinobu—her dear little sister—Kanae had always wished for her to have a normal life, to live peacefully as an ordinary girl until old age.
Yet, in this world filled with demons, such a wish was painfully unrealistic.
The only thing she could do was protect her as best as she could.
But now, Shinobu had gained real strength.
She was beyond overjoyed.
Without hesitation, Kanae lowered her head deeply and bowed to Yohan.
"Yohan, thank you… thank you so much. This food… it's far too precious…"
"Haha, no need to be so formal," Yohan laughed. "It's not as rare as you think. Just difficult to obtain."
"And besides, Kanae, didn't you save my life before?"
"So, just accept it happily!"
"Then… I won't refuse."
Since the food was already in their stomachs, Kanae had no choice but to accept this extraordinary gift. She said nothing more, but deep down, she had firmly engraved Yohan's kindness in her heart.
Shinobu, who was usually composed and sharp-tongued, now had a faint blush on her face. She hesitated, then mumbled in an uncharacteristically soft voice:
"Th… thank you…"
Then, as if embarrassed by her own words, she quickly turned and fled. Showing such a girly side of herself was too much for her to handle.
As time passed and everyone gradually adjusted to the changes in their bodies, Yohan's extravagant feast finally came to an end.
…
Deep within the Infinity Castle—
The greatest hiding place of Kibutsuji Muzan.
At this moment, something highly unusual was happening.
The six Upper Moons, rarely gathered in one place, had all assembled here.
"Oh my, what's going on?"
The voice belonged to a man with snow-white hair, eyes shimmering with shifting rainbow hues. His head bore the eerie stain of what looked like fresh blood.
He lazily twirled a golden iron fan in his fingers, a playful smile on his lips as he turned toward Akaza, who stood silent and grim-faced.
"Could it be that you made a mistake, Akaza?"
The white-haired man chuckled. "No way, right? You couldn't have been defeated by a human, could you?"
His grin widened, but when he noticed the other demons paying him no mind, he sighed dramatically.
"How odd. It's like none of you want to talk to me."
"But I really do care, you know—"
A swordsman with six eyes suddenly snapped, his tone cold and authoritative.
"Shut your mouth, Doma."
"Lord Muzan is arriving."
Doma blinked, then let out a light laugh.
"Understood, Lord Kokushibo."
Whether it was because Kokushibo had spoken, or because the mere mention of Muzan's arrival was enough to silence him, Doma finally stopped talking.
Just then, a figure emerged from the darkness.
A woman, draped in a black yukata, stepped forward gracefully.
"Lord Muzan!"
The six Upper Moons spoke in unison, bowing their heads.
None of them knew Muzan's true form—his appearance always changed. Each time they saw him, he seemed to have taken on a different shape.
But one thing never changed.
The overwhelming sense of oppression emanating from his very being.
The sheer weight of his presence, rooted in their blood, sent a chill through their entire existence.
The woman standing before them now…
This was none other than the being who had summoned them.
Their master—Kibutsuji Muzan.
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