Turning Kagaya into a demon would be worse than letting him die.
A man who had dedicated his entire life to destroying demons could never accept becoming one himself. Raiden understood that clearly. Just as he respected Tamayo for choosing her own path, he could only respect Kagaya's decision as well.
Kagaya slowly opened his eyes. A faint light returned to them, though it was incredibly weak.
His lips moved slightly, and his voice came out hoarse and barely audible.
"Raiden… you've come."
Raiden stepped closer and answered softly, "Yes, Master. I'm here."
His tone was unusually gentle, as if he were trying to give Kagaya a little strength.
Kagaya nodded faintly, relief flashing through his tired eyes.
"Raiden… I have something important to entrust to you…"
Every word clearly cost him great effort. His breathing became more uneven with each sentence.
"Yes. Please speak."
"I know that even though you are a Hashira, you don't truly see yourself as part of the Demon Slayer Corps. I won't force you to do anything, but I hope you will help us deal with Kibutsuji Muzan in this final battle."
"I will," Raiden replied immediately. "Even if you didn't ask, I would still do it."
A faint smile appeared on Kagaya's face.
"I will lure Muzan here and use the special explosives hidden in the courtyard to injure him. Explosives alone will not be enough to kill Kibutsuji Muzan. The rest will depend on you."
Raiden stayed silent for a moment. The responsibility that originally belonged to the Stone Hashira now rested on his shoulders.
He did not feel honored. Only the weight of it.
Kagaya never mentioned what would happen to him when the explosives went off. He only spoke about the damage they would cause to Muzan.
After a short pause, Raiden nodded.
"I understand."
Kagaya's lips moved again, forming another weak smile.
"I was very happy to hear you call me Master just now. All of you are good children, just like the others."
Raiden turned his head slightly. His eyelashes trembled. He had never liked emotional conversations.
Seeing his reaction, Kagaya spoke again, his voice softer this time.
"You've worked hard, Raiden."
The moment those words left his mouth, Kagaya's eyes slowly closed.
Amane immediately rushed forward and checked his pulse, her hands trembling slightly. For a moment, it seemed as if her breathing had stopped completely.
Only after confirming that Kagaya had simply fallen unconscious did she finally relax.
Her eyes were filled with worry as she gently touched his forehead, as if hoping the simple gesture could ease his pain.
Raiden stood quietly and watched.
Amane and the children were clearly used to this situation, but the anxiety in their eyes could not be hidden. Kagaya's exhausted face made Raiden's chest tighten slightly.
This was no longer just a mission.
It was a promise to Kagaya and a responsibility he could not ignore.
Raiden took a deep breath and lowered his head slightly, looking at Kagaya's pale face one last time.
Respect and sorrow filled his heart.
Without saying another word, he turned and walked out of the house.
Sunlight passed through the leaves and scattered across the courtyard. Small patches of light danced on the moss-covered stone steps and the vines along the walls.
But the warmth of the sunlight could not ease the heaviness in Raiden's heart.
His mood remained heavy, and his steps were firm.
…
Three days later, night fell.
A thin crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold light across the courtyard.
Raiden sat cross-legged, focusing completely on his breathing. The night wind brushed against his face, carrying a faint chill with it.
He pushed his breathing to the absolute limit. Every inhale expanded his lungs to their fullest, and every exhale felt as if it were forcing out every last trace of weakness inside his body.
During these three days, he had spent almost every moment training. Apart from basic rest, he did nothing else.
His clothes were already soaked with sweat, but he did not care. The only thing on his mind was breaking through his limit.
Unfortunately, the results were far from satisfying.
After pushing himself to the extreme, his progress had only increased by one percent. He was now stuck at ninety nine percent, and that final step felt impossible to cross.
No matter how much he refined his breathing, that last one percent remained out of reach.
Raiden frowned slightly. Even he could not completely suppress the anxiety rising in his chest.
At that moment, a foul smell suddenly entered his senses.
His eyes snapped open instantly.
The calm in his gaze turned sharp in an instant.
He immediately recognized the scent.
Kibutsuji Muzan.
Raiden's heart began to beat faster, and his fighting spirit ignited without hesitation.
Muzan is here.
He already knew the only place Muzan would target. Kagaya had deliberately left the Ubuyashiki Estate exposed.
Raiden did not hesitate for even a second.
His body moved instantly, disappearing from where he sat and turning into a faint afterimage as he rushed toward the estate.
The night wind howled past his ears, and the moonlight fell across his body, making him look like a silver shadow moving through the darkness.
His speed was incredible. Every step landed lightly on treetops and rooftops, silent and precise.
There was only one thought in his mind.
Reach the estate. Protect Kagaya.
The deeper the night became, the quieter the Ubuyashiki Estate looked under the moonlight.
But beneath that silence, something dark was waiting.
When Raiden finally saw the estate from a distance, his heart tightened slightly. He could feel it clearly.
A battle was about to begin.
He slowed down gradually and adjusted his breathing to its perfect state. Every movement became quieter as he approached the courtyard.
The foul scent was already there, heavy and filled with killing intent.
Raiden exhaled slowly, a hint of conflict appearing in his heart.
Part of him wanted to rush in immediately and fight Muzan head-on.
But he could not do that.
Kagaya had already placed his own life on the line to set this trap. If Raiden acted impulsively now, everything Kagaya had prepared would become meaningless.
So he stopped just outside the courtyard.
And waited.
===
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