The scent of freshly cooked food filled the front hall of the Kyogoku House.
Rengoku Kyojuro sat by the table, shoveling rice into his mouth with cheerful energy, his face glowing with satisfaction. "Didn't expect the food in the Entertainment District to be this good! Kanroji, eat more too—keep your strength up for the mission!"
Kanroji Mitsuri nodded eagerly, her chopsticks moving nonstop, cheeks puffed with food. "Mmm! This grilled fish is so tender! But, Kyojuro-san, we're here to deliver Tamayo-san's medicine update to Tomioka-san… aren't we being a little too flashy?"
"Don't worry!"
Kyojuro pounded his chest, his voice booming with confidence. "We're just here to eat! Once we finish, we'll find a quiet way to contact Giyu-san. No one will suspect a thing!"
Just as he spoke, an icy, suffocating presence swept through the air near the entrance.
A shadow slipped silently inside—black-clad, tall, and familiar. It was Tomioka Giyu, just returned from the Infinity Castle.
The moment he stepped into the hall and saw Kyojuro and Mitsuri seated at the table, his brows furrowed sharply.
Why are they eating here of all places? This is way too reckless!
Before he could move, an overwhelming sense of danger surged through him. His instincts screamed a warning—he snapped his head upward.
On the second-floor balcony stood a woman in a black kimono, her crimson eyes cold and still. It was Kibutsuji Muzan—in her female form.
"Eliminate these insects."
Her voice was soft as silk, yet carried the absolute weight of command.
Giyu's heart dropped like a stone. Muzan… here? He's testing me.
Without hesitation, Giyu unsheathed his Nichirin Sword. Blue ripples of Water Breathing flashed across the blade as he rushed straight toward Kyojuro and Mitsuri.
"Tomioka-san?!"
Mitsuri's chopsticks slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Her eyes widened in shock.
Kyojuro instantly stood, flames flickering in his eyes as he saw the red vertical pupils and killing intent burning in Giyu's gaze. He understood at once.
He stepped protectively in front of Mitsuri, his Nichirin Sword bursting into fiery orange. "Tomioka! What's happening to you?"
Giyu didn't answer. His cold stare was all the reply they needed.
Kyojuro clenched his jaw—he understood perfectly. Giyu was under Muzan's watch.
The clash came instantly. Giyu's blade swung down toward Kyojuro's chest, so fast that even he barely had time to block.
With a deafening clang, the swords met. Kyojuro felt a crushing force shoot through his arm, numbing his hand as he was driven back two full steps. Deep grooves burned into the floor beneath his feet.
"Kanroji! Send a crow—now!"
Kyojuro shouted while tightening his grip on his sword, flames roaring to life around him. "Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
A blazing arc of orange-red light shot toward Giyu like a meteor. Giyu sidestepped swiftly, twisting his wrist as his blade swept around.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
A wave of blue light swirled gracefully, striking Kyojuro's sword and diverting his flame slash.
In the same motion, Giyu stepped in and slammed the hilt of his sword against Kyojuro's chest.
"Kh—!"
Blood burst from Kyojuro's mouth as he was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall. Cracks spidered across the plaster behind him.
"Kyojuro-san!"
Mitsuri cried out, pulling out her Kasugai Crow from her sleeve. She quickly scribbled a message and released it into the air.
Giyu didn't go after her. Instead, he advanced toward Kyojuro again. He had to make this fight look real—Muzan was watching.
But he couldn't kill them. Every swing had to avoid fatal points while still carrying convincing intent.
"Flame Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe!"
Kyojuro forced himself to his feet, flames surging again as he slashed downward, his blade glowing white-hot as it cut toward Giyu's neck.
Giyu didn't dodge. He brought up his sword and blocked with the dull edge, letting the impact rattle the air. Then, using the recoil, he drove his knee into Kyojuro's abdomen.
Kyojuro groaned, his body curling as blood spilled from his lips.
Giyu's attack didn't pause. He thrust his Nichirin Sword forward, its tip aimed straight for Kyojuro's shoulder.
He deliberately avoided Kyojuro's heart and lungs, wounding him severely but not fatally—to convince Muzan of his "loyalty."
With a sharp shhhk, the blade pierced Kyojuro's shoulder, blood streaming down from the wound.
Kyojuro trembled with pain but refused to fall. He glared at Giyu with burning resolve. "Tomioka, you must have a reason! We'll save you!"
Giyu didn't respond. He pulled his blade free and turned toward the second floor.
Muzan stood there on the balcony, her dark indigo eyes flashing with satisfaction before her figure slowly faded from sight.
She believed in his "loyalty" and had no reason to linger. Staying longer would only risk exposure.
Once Muzan disappeared, Giyu's tense body loosened slightly, though his senses stayed sharp. He knew Mitsuri's crow had already been sent. Reinforcements would arrive soon.
Sure enough, hurried footsteps echoed from outside moments later.
Uzui Tengen burst through the door first, his short silver-purple hair swaying, twin blades drawn. "Stop!"
Right behind him came Shinazugawa Sanemi, the fierce air of Wind Breathing flaring around him. "Traitor! I knew once you became a demon you'd turn on us!"
Kocho Kanae entered next, holding her skirt to step lightly across the floor. Her eyes filled with concern as she saw Kyojuro on the ground and Giyu covered in "blood," but she played along. "Giyu, how could you do this? We were once comrades!"
Finally, Himejima Gyomei stepped inside, massive axe resting on his shoulder, his voice deep and heavy. "Tomioka Giyu, do you realize the magnitude of your sin?"
Giyu's grip tightened on his Nichirin Sword, his cold blue slit pupils scanning across the four Hashira. He understood immediately—
They all knew the situation. Every one of them was playing their part, acting for Muzan's hidden spies who might be watching.
Kyojuro, still lying on the floor, caught sight of their stance and managed a faint, relieved smile. Giyu's safe… and everyone's here. They'll find a way to save him.
Uzui stepped forward, pointing his dual blades toward Giyu. "Tomioka Giyu! Today we'll cleanse the Demon Slayer Corps of your betrayal!"
Sanemi raised his own Nichirin Sword, green wind energy spiraling around it. "Die, traitor!"
Kanae and Gyomei readied themselves as well, weapons poised, eyes locked on Giyu.
Giyu slowly lifted his sword, faint blue ripples of Water Breathing glowing once more.
He knew this "battle" had to look real—to fool Muzan's eyes and whatever spies lingered nearby. But more than that, he needed time. Time for Tamayo to complete her medicine. Time to break Muzan's control for good.
The air in the hall froze. The tension was sharp enough to cut.
Under the name of "betrayal," the staged battle began in deadly silence.
(Narration: Uzui Tengen had already been stationed near the Entertainment District while investigating Muzan's traces, so he arrived immediately after receiving the signal. Shinazugawa Sanemi was the closest to the area and had been keeping tabs on Giyu's movements, making his arrival the fastest. Kocho Kanae had been sent ahead by Shinobu out of concern for Giyu's condition, arriving just in time. Himejima Gyomei, under Oyakata-sama's orders, had been secretly guarding Kyojuro and Mitsuri during their mission to deliver Tamayo's progress report, allowing him to appear at the perfect moment.)