As the final trace of Muzan Kibutsuji's existence completely dissipated, the twisted alternate dimension began to let out an overwhelmed wail.
Buildings collapsed.
Space shattered.
The Infinity Castle welcomed its destined end.
The annihilation of space was not something just anyone could withstand.
However, destruction did not fall upon the crowd.
A crisp snap of fingers echoed leisurely from high above.
The members of the Demon Slayer Corps and all the otherworldly visitors, caught in the midst of the crumbling world, were gently enveloped by an irresistible, soft power.
The scenery before their eyes shifted instantly.
The next moment, they had returned to the familiar, open courtyard in front of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
The shattered sky vanished, replaced by a tranquil night and a sky full of stars.
A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the faint fragrance of wisteria flowers from the courtyard, as if the apocalyptic battle just now was merely an overly realistic dream.
The wooden doors of the veranda were gently slid open.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, supported by his family, slowly walked out.
When everyone saw his face clearly, the Hashira were all stunned.
The terrifying purple curse covering his face, like a demonic brand, was rapidly fading at a visible rate.
After the curse dissipated, it revealed a handsome, refined face, carrying a bit of sickly pallor, yet incredibly clear.
The tragic fate that had entangled his family for nearly a millennium vanished into thin air with the death of the Demon King.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly opened his eyes.
For the first time, he used his clear vision to see the "children" before him who had entrusted their lives to him, the ones he had always been proud of.
He saw the scorching, sun-like flames radiating from Kyojuro Rengoku.
He saw the gentle yet resolute expression on Tanjiro Kamado's face.
He saw every figure that still stood tall after fighting a bloody battle.
Two streams of clear tears silently slid down his newly restored cheeks.
"Welcome back... my children," he murmured softly.
To celebrate this hard-won victory that spanned a millennium, an unprecedentedly grand banquet kicked off at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
The powerhouses from various worlds gathered together with the members of the Demon Slayer Corps, who had finally shed their heavy burdens.
The bonfires in the courtyard burned brightly, and massive slabs of roasted meat emitted a tantalizing aroma.
"This piece of meat is mine!" Naruto Uzumaki shouted, thrusting out his chopsticks as fast as lightning.
"I saw it first!" On the other side, Sun Wukong moved even faster, reaching directly with his hand for the sizzling roasted meat.
A thrilling eating contest subsequently unfolded between them.
On the grass not far away, a massive steel figure appeared somewhat at a loss.
Shinnosuke Nohara was looking up, trying hard to teach Optimus Prime how to do his signature Elephant Dance.
"No, no, Mr. Optimus Prime, you have to shake your butt!"
In another corner, the atmosphere seemed a bit tense.
Liu Haizhu, holding a bottle of sake and bare-chested, had his bulging right arm tightly locked with Gyomei Himejima's hand.
The two were arm wrestling.
However, no matter how much strength Liu Haizhu exerted, his face turning the color of pig liver, Gyomei Himejima's rock-like arm remained completely motionless.
"Damn it, are you even human?!" he cursed.
In yet another corner of the banquet, the atmosphere was completely out of place with the surrounding noise.
Josuke Higashikata held a glass of orange soda. Beneath his meticulously styled pompadour, a sharp gaze was locked onto the purple-haired man elegantly sipping red wine in the corner—Kars.
"Hey, you," Josuke said, lowering his voice.
Josuke's tone carried undisguised wariness.
"Where did you get that Stand of yours?"
"I don't recall Mr. Jotaro or the Speedwagon Foundation's database having any records of you."
Kars gently swirled the goblet in his hand, the dark red liquid tracing elegant arcs along the glass.
He set the glass down, a playful smile curling on his lips.
"A Stand?"
"Oh, you mean that materialized manifestation of spiritual energy?"
He elegantly extended a finger. On his fingertip, a miniature silhouette of Star Platinum, formed of pure light, quietly emerged.
Then it shifted into Silver Chariot, and a second later, transformed into Crazy Diamond.
"I merely 'observed' the interesting events happening on Earth for a bit while drifting in endless space," he explained.
"And then, I 'learned' it."
"The Ultimate Being can naturally analyze and transcend all rules of the world. This is a supreme realm that a lower lifeform like you could never comprehend."
Josuke Higashikata's expression instantly darkened.
Behind him, the burly pink and blue figure of Crazy Diamond Requiem quietly materialized.
A powerful force, mixing anger and Hamon, caused the surrounding air to warp and vibrate.
"Don't get too cocky, bastard!" Josuke snapped.
"That kind of power isn't a toy for you to just play around with!"
An invisible pressure spread wildly between the two, seemingly isolating them from the noise of the banquet.
Just as a conflict was about to erupt...
A hearty laugh forcefully squeezed into the frozen air.
"Now, now, young people shouldn't be so hot-tempered!"
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, walked over laughing heartily, holding a massive wine bowl.
He placed one hand on Josuke's shoulder and the other on Kars's.
"Hasn't the battle already ended? Come, come, let's drink! Drink!"
Saying that, he clapped his hands together.
"[Wood Release·Wine Cup Jutsu]!"
Two exquisitely crafted, antique-looking wooden cups, grown on the spot from living wood, were forcefully shoved into their hands.
An imminent crisis was thus easily defused by him.
The atmosphere of the banquet grew increasingly lively.
Gyomei Himejima incredibly respectfully served the fattiest, most succulent piece of roasted meat to Saitama.
Saitama, meanwhile, complained indistinctly while taking huge bites of meat.
"Ah, it seems I missed today's supermarket egg sale again..."
On the other side, the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, actually started a second earth-shattering eating contest with Sun Wukong, who had just defeated Naruto.
The plates in front of the two had already piled up like two small mountains, leaving the surrounding crowd dumbfounded.
Zenitsu Agatsuma finally mustered the greatest courage of his life.
He wanted to show off his newly learned Flying Thunder God Technique in front of Nezuko Kamado.
As a result, due to excessive nervousness, the coordinates deviated when the technique was activated, and he crashed headfirst into the arms of Minato Namikaze, who was smiling gently not far away.
This drew a burst of good-natured laughter from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Inosuke Hashibira, refusing to admit defeat, ran over to challenge Optimus Prime to an arm-wrestling match.
As a result, he was easily pinned to the table, unable to move, by a single pinky finger extended by Optimus Prime.
His unwilling roars echoed through the courtyard once again.