Under the moonlight, the town, barely illuminated by candlelight, wasn't entirely engulfed in darkness. Since there was still plenty of light, Shinobu could easily discern the unknown woman appearing ahead.
She floated in mid-air, wrapped in sashes, her waist-length hair with green tips cascading like pure white strands. A floral ornament adorned her head, and pink flower tattoos decorated her left cheek and the right side of her forehead.
Her attire was somewhat revealing, portraying a woman of considerable beauty, but her overly pale skin and fine cracks like wrinkles marred her appearance with a touch of ferocity.
At this moment, the woman looked at Shinobu with a flicker of joy in her eyes, a mixture of admiration and a menacing glare.
Meanwhile, as Shinobu looked into the woman's eyes, the Japanese characters 'Upper Rank' were engraved in her left eye, while 'Six' was in her right eye, causing Shinobu to narrow her eyes and realize who this woman was.
"Upper Six..." Shinobu muttered, her hand instinctively resting on the sword at her waist.
"That's right. I'm Upper Six, Daki."
Daki seemed in no hurry to deal with Shinobu and hovered calmly in mid-air, basking in the moonlight while smiling at her.
"You're a Hashira, right? It's been a while since I've seen a beautiful one... Alright, I've decided—you'll be the eighth Hashira I eat!"
"...So, you've eaten so many Hashira?" Shinobu murmured.
"Yes, I've eaten many Hashira. Of course, there are even more Hashira I haven't eaten." Daki seemed to boast. "Not all Hashira are good-looking since I only eat the beautiful ones. Ugly things aren't even worth a glance, let alone being eaten. So, you should feel honored because you're beautiful."
"Oh, I should feel honored, you say?" Shinobu remarked as she drew her sword.
It was a peculiarly shaped Nichirin Sword with a butterfly-shaped guard, an orange handle wrapped in turquoise cords, and a lavender-blue blade. Its blade was slender—or rather, it had lost its blade and was replaced by a rod with a needle-like tip at the end, resembling an insect's stinger in appearance and function. On either side of the blade were inscribed the words 'Evil Demon' and 'Destruction'.
"Heh, you want to resist?"
Daki appeared to be in a good mood, admiring Shinobu's face while mocking.
"Seems like you've never faced an Upper Rank before, huh? Just so you know, I'm different from the demons you've taken down before, and those Lower Ranks are nothing compared to me. Likewise, mere human swordsmen, even if they're Hashira, are just as pitifully weak to me. Now that you know, will you obediently let me eat you?"
"Unfortunately, that's not going to happen." Shinobu responded with a smile. "Although I've never encountered an Upper Rank, I'd like to get along with you if possible, but it would be troublesome if I were eaten, no?"
"Hah? Get along? Hahahaha..." Daki burst into laughter. "Stop fooling around, Missy. Do you think I can't feel your murderous intent just because you're smiling? You're clearly itching to kill me!"
Shinobu didn't argue and just continued to smile. However, there was indeed an unprecedented coldness and murderous intent in her eyes.
"Tch..." Daki suddenly felt annoyed, tilting her head to the side. "You really annoy me, but for the sake of your beautiful face, I'll spare you from becoming reserve food and eat you now."
With that, the sashes floating around Daki seemed to come to life one after another.
Seeing this, Shinobu adjusted her breath and tightened her grip on her sword, making its blade shimmer with a strange hue.
===
Meanwhile, not long after Shinobu and Daki encountered each other, in one corner of the town, Gyokko emerged from a vase.
"Hyo, hyo, hyo..."
He covered his mouth with his small hands, suppressing his smile.
"Well... let's begin the slaughter..."
As his words fell, unknown disturbances began to emerge from various corners of the town.
Upon closer inspection, vases were placed in these corners, each one trembling before disgorging strange aquatic creatures.
These creatures had muscular, humanoid bodies varying in height from two to three meters tall, with some as short as two meters. Instead of humanoid heads, they sported goldfish heads, and their backs were adorned with vases, defying all norms of human aesthetics and anatomy.
Roaring, they extended their clawed hands and immediately launched attacks on any humans in sight.
*BOOM!*
A loud noise erupted in the town.
"De-Demons!"
"Demons are here!"
"AAAAAHHHHH—!!!"
All the townspeople rushed out of their houses in panic, creating chaos in the streets as they fled.
The aquatic creatures lunged at the humans, roaring as they either slammed with brute force or slashed with their claws, sending several members of the Demon Slayer Corps flying or cut down, leaving them lying in pools of blood.
"Enemy attack!"
"Demon invasion!"
"Quick, notify the Corps! Inform the Master!"
"Protect the residents!"
Swordsmen clad in the uniforms of the Demon Slayer Corps shouted one after another and charged toward the aquatic creatures, their voices filled with rage and determination.
And so, the town descended into chaos, no longer peaceful.
===
*Cough!* *Cough!*
In the Ubuyashiki Estate, Kagaya, despite his increasingly frail body, crawled out of his bed.
"Master Kagaya, please try to remain calm."
Kagaya's wife, Ubuyashiki Amane, supported and comforted Kagaya, but to no avail.
In the next moment, a pitch-black crow appeared at the window of the room and spoke with a human voice.
"Demon attack! Demon attack! The headquarters is exposed! The town is exposed!"
Needless to say, as the Kasugai Crow of the Demon Slayer Corps brought such alarming news, Kagaya was clearly unable to remain still.
"Amane, which Hashira are still in the town?"
Kagaya grabbed his wife's hand, inquiring with panic.
"..."
Amane was silent for a while, then suppressed her emotions as she answered.
"...Shinobu is certainly here, Kyoujurou just returned not long ago, so both Insect Hashira and Flame Hashira are in the town. Love Hashira and Mist Hashira left recently, lingering around the Swordsmith Village's area, seemingly preparing to go there. Stone Hashira, Water Hashira, and Sound Hashira are all in their respective jurisdictions. Wind Hashira and Serpent Hashira have entered deep mountains to practice. So, of the nine Hashira, only two are in the town."
From her answer, this was undoubtedly a dire situation.
Out of the nine Hashira, seven were not in the town, leaving the town's ability to resist demons extremely weak.
Regardless, this was, in fact, the town's usual routine.
Muzan might have thought that there would be multiple Hashira stationed at the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps, but in reality, there were just a few Hashira, sometimes none at all.
Because the combat force of the Demon Slayer Corps consisted of only a few hundred people spread across the entire country to hunt demons, especially the Hashira, each responsible for their own area of jurisdiction, were usually busy with their duties and missions.
Actually, this was also the reason why the Hashira council meeting was held every six months.
Because of this, the town where the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps resided was not as heavily guarded as Muzan had imagined.
However, it was more accurate to say that Kagaya always advocated against arranging too many Hashira around him. Instead of having them wasted for him, who could die at any moment, it was better to send them out to hunt demons, eliminate as many demons as possible, and protect as many people as possible, bringing the Demon Slayer Corps closer to its ultimate goal.
As a result, although there were patrols and security provided by other members, there were few Hashira stationed in the town, at most two or three.
At this moment, only Shinobu, who managed the Butterfly Mansion, and Kyoujurou who had recently returned from a mission were present at the headquarters.
*Cough!* *Cough!*
Kagaya couldn't help but cough a few times, spitting out blood.
"Master!" Amane couldn't hide her worry in her voice.
Kagaya extended his hand, signaling her to calm down, then spoke with difficulty.
"Have the Corps cover the evacuation of the residents, discreetly assist them, and follow the prepared routes."
Since the Demon Slayer Corps had faced numerous crises of destruction, their experience of nearly being wiped out several times over the centuries led them to consider how to respond and find a place of refuge in case of an attack.
Thanks to this, the Ubuyashiki family had prepared many shelters and evacuation routes near the town.
Now was the time for them to be put to use.
"Yes."
Amane immediately complied and went to give orders.
*Cough!* *Cough!*
Kagaya coughed again, then looked at the full moon outside the courtyard.
"I hope we still have time..."
His faint voice spread in the moonlit night, lingering for a moment before fading away.
===
*Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*
In a flurry of hurried footsteps, Kyoujurou leaped across the rooftops of the houses, fully armed, with the wind beneath his feet and flames swirling around him, propelling him forward at an extremely fast pace.
'Didn't expect demons to attack the town! I must find Master first!'
Kyoujurou's objective was clear—to confirm Kagaya's safety and protect him while evacuating.
Although the town was under attack and screams of the people echoed in his ears, urging him to protect them, ensuring Kagaya's safety was his top priority.
Kyoujurou suppressed his urge and chose to trust the ability of the other members, rushing toward the Ubuyashiki Estate.
"—?!"
However, as he hurried on, Kyoujurou suddenly stopped and sharply turned toward a spot he had just caught sight of out of the corner of his eye.
"Hiiii!"
An elderly-looking demon with a scared face and two horns protruding from his head peeked out from the corner, trembling as he looked at Kyoujurou, and let out high-pitched cries.
"Do-Don't bully me! I just wanted to ask where Tsugikuni Yoriichi is!" Hantengu cried from his hiding spot in the corner.
Upon hearing that, Kyoujurou took only one action—he charged forward.
*BOOM!*
Flames erupted, propelling Kyoujurou like a rocket to Hantengu's front, slashing with his sword.
*Pu-chi!*
In the next second, Hantengu's head was severed.