Chapter 28: Encountering Muzan Kibutsuji

For the past six months, Shinjuro Rengoku had either been guarding the small grave marker of his late wife or drinking alone in the inner room.

Every time Senjuro Rengoku prepared a meal, he would go to call his father to eat.

And after finishing all the chores in the house, he would go to the backyard alone, holding a wooden sword to continue practicing his swings.

But what Senjuro Rengoku did not know was that every time he practiced his swings alone, Shinjuro Rengoku would watch him from a corner nearby.

After more than half a year of reflection, Shinjuro Rengoku had finally awakened at this moment.

After his wife died, he had fallen into such depravity, using alcohol to numb himself, giving up on himself, and escaping reality!

He had failed his wife's high hopes, failed the expectations of his children, and even nearly tarnished the reputation of the Rengoku family.

Even when Kyojuro Rengoku and Senjuro Rengoku saw him like this, they had never thought of giving up, always taking him as their role model.

Even after becoming like this, the two of them always tried every possible way to make him pull himself together again.

They had always believed that their father would one day pull himself together and continue to teach them personally, just like before.

After watching Senjuro Rengoku practice his swings for a while, he returned to Ruka Rengoku's room, looked at the small grave marker, and fell into deep thought again.

"Ruka, perhaps I really should make a change..."

Finally, he took one last look at Ruka Rengoku's small grave marker, stood up, and left the room...

The next day.

Zero returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters and received a notification from the Messenger Crow, Yuki.

"Master, Fujikasane Mountain selection! Fujikasane Mountain selection!"

Only then did Zero remember that besides being a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, he was also an examiner for the Fujikasane Mountain selection.

Because he was afraid of forgetting this, he had told his Messenger Crow, Yuki, to remember to notify him when the time came.

Calculating the time, he had been in the Demon Slayer Corps for almost a year, and the Fujikasane Mountain selection was held once a year; it was about time for it to start now.

"Yuki, how many days until the selection starts?"

"Five more days! Five more days!"

"Alright, I understand."

"It seems I won't be able to attend the Hashira Meeting this time; I can only ask Xiao Yue to attend for me!" Zero thought to himself, then shouldered his scythe and walked quickly toward his mansion.

On the way, he ran into the Butterfly sisters.

"Ara, Zero, you're back~"

"Hmm, Kanae, Shinobu, what are you two doing?" Zero looked at the sisters in front of him, both holding their Nichirin swords, seemingly preparing to do something.

"Little Shinobu has been at the seventh rank for a long time, and I am going to take her to complete a mission later. Once this mission is finished, Little Shinobu will be about ready to be promoted to a Hashira-level swordsman, and then she can join me for the Hashira Meeting in five days!"

"I see, congratulations, Shinobu, you'll be a Hashira soon too! That's amazing!" Zero congratulated her from the bottom of his heart.

Over the past year, Shinobu Kocho had either been researching poisons at the Butterfly Mansion or carrying out missions with Kanae, killing quite a few evil demons during that time.

When he first met the Butterfly sisters, Shinobu Kocho was only a Mizunoto-level swordsman.

And as early as half a year ago, Shinobu Kocho had already been promoted to a seventh-rank swordsman.

Calculating the time now, she had already killed almost fifty evil demons.

It was estimated that after this Hashira Meeting ended and he returned, Shinobu would already be a Hashira-level swordsman.

"That goes without saying, I don't want to hold my sister back!" Shinobu Kocho replied with a very tsundere attitude.

"Zero, will you be coming to attend the Hashira Meeting?"

"I'm afraid I won't be able to attend. I am still an examiner for the Fujikasane Mountain selection and need to make preparations. As for the Hashira Meeting, I will entrust my younger sister, Xiao Yue, to attend on my behalf."

"I see..." Kanae Butterfly seemed a bit disappointed, but she quickly adjusted her mindset.

"Then Zero, see you later, I'm going to take Little Shinobu to complete the mission now!"

"Hmm."

Kanae Butterfly watched Zero gradually walking away, not knowing what she was thinking, and didn't even react when her sister, Shinobu Kocho, called her.

"Sister!"

"Ah, what is it, Little Shinobu?"

"Sister, what's wrong with you? I've been calling you for a long time!"

"It's nothing, let's go, let's get ready first, we'll set off in a moment!"

"Oh~"

Although Shinobu Kocho was curious, she still listened to Kanae Butterfly, but she wasn't thinking that way in her heart.

Looking at Zero's departing figure and then at her sister, she thought: "Could it be that my sister..."

"I'm back, Xiao Yue!"

"Master!"

Seeing her master, Xiao Yue flew over directly and threw herself into Zero's arms, hanging on his chest.

Seeing this, Zero couldn't help but laugh, held Xiao Yue in his hands, and said: "Alright, alright, you're such a big child now."

"Hee hee~"

"Xiao Yue, in five days I will set off for Fujikasane Mountain to invigilate. You will attend the Hashira Meeting for me. I will help you disable the 【Growth Function】, and after things are over, I will take you out for a stroll."

"Mm-hmm, no problem!"

Over the past year, in order not to let Xiao Yue worry, Zero would return every month or two to take Xiao Yue out for a walk and look around.

And Xiao Yue had no complaints at all; she was very happy when they went out to play. At the very least, her master had always kept his promise to her.

Five days later.

Before setting off, Zero left two hundred 【Energy Crystals】 for Xiao Yue and helped her unlock the 【Growth Function】, after which he arrived early at the outskirts of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Kiriya Ubuyashiki, along with the ten high-ranking swordsmen, had already been waiting there for a long time.

Subsequently, Zero took out the 【Dark Alloy Armored Vehicle】 from the 【Nano Space】 and led them all to set off for Fujikasane Mountain.

After about seven or eight hours of travel, Zero drove the 【Dark Alloy Armored Vehicle】 and brought the group to the foot of Fujikasane Mountain.

After the group got out of the car, Zero put the armored vehicle back into the 【Nano Space】, held the small hands of Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Kiriya Ubuyashiki, and stepped onto the stairs, with the ten high-ranking swordsmen following closely behind.

Arriving at the scene, he found that five or six swordsmen participating in the selection were already waiting there. Some of these swordsmen participating in the selection were those who had been eliminated last time and were participating in the selection again.

Because the selection started at night, Zero stood on the high platform to wait, while Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Kiriya Ubuyashiki stood on Zero's left and right sides, and the ten high-ranking swordsmen divided into two rows and stood on the left and right sides behind Zero.

Those swordsmen participating in the selection saw Zero once again, and with such a lineup, they were still more or less shocked in their hearts.

Butterfly Mansion backyard, Hashira Meeting.

After Xiao Yue finished absorbing the energy in the 【Energy Crystals】, she turned into a child form about 1.2 meters tall, then changed into a beautiful halter-neck dress, which was one of the gifts Zero had brought back for Xiao Yue every time he returned.

Xiao Yue—Child form

A red and white dress, wearing a pair of black flat shoes on her feet, and a cherry blossom decorative hairpin accessory hanging on her head.

A head of blue hair hung down casually, with large, doll-like blue eyes, looking just like a sunny and cheerful little girl from next door.

After doing all this, she arrived early at the Butterfly Mansion backyard to wait for the arrival of others.

The first to arrive were the Butterfly sisters and Mitsuri Kanroji; the three of them came to the Butterfly Mansion backyard laughing and talking.

But when they saw a very cute little girl standing in the backyard, they were suddenly surprised, and Mitsuri Kanroji's eyes even sparkled with stars.

"Wow! So cute! Hey, hey, what's your name? Why do I feel like I've seen you somewhere before?" Mitsuri Kanroji leaned in and asked.

Even the Butterfly sisters were the same; they both always felt like they had seen her somewhere before.

After Xiao Yue unlocked the 【Growth Function】, no one else had seen her appearance except Zero, so they didn't know that the person in front of them was Xiao Yue.

"Little Kanae, Little Shinobu, Little Mitsuri, don't you recognize me anymore? I'm Xiao Yue."

"Eh!?" The three women exclaimed at the same time.

However, thinking about it carefully, she was indeed Xiao Yue, because only Xiao Yue would address the three of them like that.

"How did you grow up?" Shinobu asked.

"It's my brother; he used a special method to temporarily make me bigger. Once the time is up, I will return to my original appearance."

Zero had already instructed Xiao Yue on what to say beforehand, so the three women understood what was going on.

Zero had also said before that because of special reasons, he had made Xiao Yue small, so it was nothing strange that he could make her big now.

However, it was also the first time they had seen Xiao Yue after she had grown bigger, and they couldn't help but surround Xiao Yue, looking left and right, and pinching her little face.

Not long after, Giyu Tomioka and Muichiro Tokito also rushed over. Muichiro Tokito came to the backyard and stood on the side, staring at the sky.

While Giyu Tomioka stood alone on the other side, still expressionless.

Muichiro Tokito: What shape was that white cloud in the sky again?

Giyu Tomioka: I am different from them.

Next was Tengen Uzui, who walked into the backyard with a dashing pace. Seeing Xiao Yue, he clicked his tongue in praise: "Yo! Who is this flashy little sister? She's really flashy and cute! Hahahaha! Do you want to consider becoming my flashy successor?"

"I can, as long as you can beat my brother, I can consider it! Hee hee~" When Xiao Yue said this, she, like Zero, revealed a very black-bellied smile.

"Who is your brother?"

"Don't you know my brother? He is Zero!"

When Tengen Uzui heard this, his eyes instantly turned into bean eyes. He knew who the little girl in front of him was as soon as he heard the name Zero, but he didn't understand why Xiao Yue had grown bigger?

He only remembered that Xiao Yue was clearly very small, like a little puppet in the palm of his hand.

But thinking about having to spar with Zero, let alone whether he could beat him, just Zero's weapons alone—he could take out any one of them and turn him into a hornet's nest! Just thinking about it felt terrifying!

Especially the incident last time when he saw Zero fight Gyokko; that machine gun had such fierce firepower, and there was also that strange large metal box that launched missiles. He estimated that before he could even rush in front of Zero, he would already be gone...

"Uh... this is not flashy at all!"

"Pfft~" The three women almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Time passed second by second.

Kyojuro Rengoku, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and finally Gyomei Himejima all arrived at the Butterfly Mansion backyard at this moment.

They were also a bit curious when they saw Xiao Yue. Gyomei Himejima couldn't see, but he could feel it.

It was Kanae Butterfly who explained it, and then they understood what was going on.

Just as everyone was waiting for the arrival of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, another person who everyone did not expect came.

This person was wearing the same flame haori as Kyojuro Rengoku, a Demon Slayer Corps uniform, and a Sun-wielding sword that was almost identical to Kyojuro Rengoku's was tucked at his waist.

With sharp eyebrows and eyes, and flame-colored hair.

He was the former Flame Hashira—Shinjuro Rengoku.

"Father!" Kyojuro Rengoku was undoubtedly the happiest one when he saw his father had also come.

Shinjuro Rengoku came to Kyojuro Rengoku, placed his hand on Kyojuro Rengoku's shoulder, and said: "Kyojuro, I'm sorry, it was my fault. I failed the reputation of the Rengoku family, and I also failed your mother, causing you and Senjuro to worry."

When Kyojuro Rengoku heard this, he suppressed the urge to cry. He could feel the change in his father; the Shinjuro Rengoku of the past had returned.

"Father, welcome back!" Kyojuro Rengoku shouted loudly with fiery enthusiasm.

Subsequently, Shinjuro Rengoku turned around and bowed to apologize to the other Pillars on the side: "Sorry everyone, it was my fault before. Here, I apologize to you all!"

After Shinjuro Rengoku's wife passed away, Shinjuro Rengoku became depressed, stepped down from the position of Flame Pillar, and drowned his sorrows in alcohol.

Some of them had also visited Shinjuro Rengoku and tried to persuade him, including the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

But without exception, they were all driven away by Shinjuro Rengoku without mercy. Shinjuro Rengoku was very angry in his heart; the one who passed away was his most beloved wife. How could they understand this kind of pain!?

And ever since that time he opened his heart and talked with Zero while drinking, he had been self-reflecting for the past six months, and later he understood.

Everyone who joined the Demon Slayer Corps—who hadn't lost family members or beloved relatives, or experienced even more painful things?!

And they joined the Demon Slayer Corps not only to kill evil demons and avenge their lost relatives and friends, but even more so to protect.

This kind of pain, this kind of heartache, this kind of desperate feeling, etc., he had already experienced, but how could others not have...

"Welcome back! Mr. Rengoku!" Kanae Butterfly spoke first.

"Welcome back!"

"Mr. Rengoku, welcome back!"...

The others also expressed their welcome one after another. They were all happy for Shinjuro Rengoku that he could walk out of the shadows and return to the Demon Slayer Corps.

Seeing that everyone did not blame him, Shinjuro Rengoku shed tears, and he also felt a warmth in his heart.

"Sorry, I've made a fool of myself in front of everyone. I'm old, and it's easy for me to shed tears." Shinjuro Rengoku hurriedly wiped away his tears.

Just as everyone was happy, the voices of two girls came from the inner room.

"Master has arrived!"

Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki shouted at the same time.

"Good morning, my swordsman children!"

Seeing this, the Hashira, including the former Flame Hashira who had already stepped down, all knelt down to show their respect.

Xiao Yue did not do as they did, but everyone did not find it strange. After all, they all knew that Zero was also like this, so it was nothing for Zero's sister to be like this.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki came to everyone, looked at the sky, and said: "The weather is so good today, the sky is still so blue!"

Everyone looked up and saw that Kagaya Ubuyashiki's curse had been completely eliminated; his complexion was ruddy, and he didn't look particularly weak like he did before.

Sanemi Shinazugawa: "Master, your body?"

"Thank you, Sanemi. The curse on my body has been completely eliminated by Zero. Now I can also do more for everyone!"

Then he turned his head to look at Shinjuro Rengoku: "Mr. Rengoku, I am really very happy that you can come back. Thank you for being willing to return to the Demon Slayer Corps again!"

"Master, you are too kind. It was my fault before, causing you all to be like this. I am no longer the Flame Pillar now; let my son Kyojuro Rengoku continue to inherit the position of Flame Pillar! But I will come back to train and teach other swordsmen!"

"That is excellent, thank you, Mr. Rengoku!"

Subsequently, Kagaya Ubuyashiki knelt on the tatami in the inner room, with Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Nichika Ubuyashiki kneeling on the left and right sides behind Kagaya Ubuyashiki respectively.

Everyone also stood up and began the content of today's meeting.

"Now, let's begin today's Hashira Meeting."

"Master, there is still one person who hasn't come!" Obanai Iguro said.

The person referred to was Zero.

"Sorry, it was my oversight. I previously entrusted Zero to serve as the examiner for Fujikasane Mountain to deliver the latest blood to the Demon Slayer Corps, so he is temporarily unable to attend this Hashira Meeting, and his sister Xiao Yue will attend the following Hashira Meeting on his behalf."

As soon as the words fell, everyone's eyes looked straight at Xiao Yue in her child form.

"That is indeed the case. After my brother returns, I will convey the content of the meeting to him."

Seeing that Xiao Yue and Kagaya Ubuyashiki had explained the reason, they all understood what was going on and stopped asking further.

"There is one thing in today's meeting: I hope Shinobu Kocho will become the eleventh Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps! If you have any opinions, you can put them forward."

"I... I agree." Mitsuri Kanroji expressed her thoughts first.

"I agree too!" Immediately after, Obanai Iguro also expressed his agreement.

"Umu, I agree too!"...

Finally, including the former Flame Pillar Shinjuro Rengoku and Little Moon who attended the Pillar Meeting on behalf of Zero, everyone expressed their agreement without any objections.

Originally, there could only be nine Hashira, but since the last Hashira Meeting, after Zero put forward his own views and opinions, everyone had changed their minds.

Rules are dead, people are alive; some rules can indeed be changed.

And Kagaya Ubuyashiki also agreed with this matter.

"Since that is the case, then, Shinobu, I wonder if you have thought of your own title?"

"Replying to Master, my Breathing Technique is the Insect Breathing derived from my sister's Flower Breathing, so I will use 【Insect】 to replace my title!"

"Good, then I announce that from this day on, Shinobu Kocho will be the eleventh Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps: Insect Hashira!"

"Yes!"

After that, the content of the meeting was basically about the future planning of the Demon Slayer Corps and the discussion of demon-related injury incidents in various areas. The meeting lasted until the evening...

The sun set behind the mountains, and night fell.

At this time, about thirty swordsmen participating in the selection had gathered at Fujikasane Mountain, half of whom were swordsmen who had been eliminated in the previous session and were participating in the selection again.

However, a large portion of those who were eliminated did not come to participate in the selection again, presumably because they felt their strength was too weak and continued to train, or perhaps for other reasons.

Hinaki/Kiriya: "Swordsmen, tonight, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your hard work in coming to participate in the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps!"...

Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Kiriya Ubuyashiki still gave the same speech as last time, and finally, it was Zero's turn.

After clarifying the rules, everyone entered Fujikasane Mountain one after another, and those who were participating in the selection again also stepped into Fujikasane Mountain once more.

However, among them, Zero saw a very strange person. That person looked gloomy and had eyes that didn't take anyone seriously.

When that person passed by Zero, he was startled when he saw Zero's scarlet eyes and hurriedly dodged away.

When he left, he muttered to himself extremely quietly: "How could this Hashira have such eyes?! What a damn guy!"

Although this was extremely quiet, it was still heard by Zero. Not only that, he also saw arrogance, selfishness, and even eyes that were extremely disdainful and contemptuous of others in his eyes just now!

However, Zero did not pay much attention to it. Now what he had to do was to invigilate those swordsmen participating in the selection.

"Everything will proceed as it did last time. Remember, do not take action unless necessary!"

"Yes, Lord Zero Hashira!" The ten high-ranking swordsmen behind him shouted at the same time, then separated and began to act according to the previous session's selection.

Afterward, Zero also took out the twenty 【Destroyer Small Drones】 from the 【Nano Space】 again, switched the high-explosive bullets to paralysis bullets, and began to control them to disperse using the 【Analysis Glasses】.

He turned on the projection and projected all the images captured by the drones onto the screen in the void.

And there was one thing he always remembered, and that was that mysterious arm. Zero could feel that the arm must have come from some mutated evil demon in this Fujikasane Mountain.

Although he had sent high-ranking swordsmen to check several times, he still gained nothing.

So this time he decided to observe carefully and thoroughly, and by the way, sent his Messenger Crow, Yuki, to go into Fujikasane Mountain to check.

Time passed slowly, and the selection arrived at the early morning of the seventh day in the blink of an eye.

In the past few days, about twenty swordsmen participating in the selection had been eliminated, but they were basically new swordsmen, and only a few were swordsmen who had been eliminated once in the previous session and were eliminated again.

Zero's gaze was still carefully fixed on the twenty images transmitted by the drones on the projection screen, but he still did not find the trace of the evil demon with the green arm.

"Strange, there isn't even a trace!? Either I was wrong last time, or this mutated evil demon is very vigilant!"

Thinking about it, Zero was more inclined to the second guess, because he believed he wouldn't be wrong; that green alien arm was definitely a mutated evil demon in this Fujikasane Mountain.

Gradually, the sky began to reveal a fish-belly white, and the sun in the east rose slowly. Zero still did not find the trace of the alien demon with the green arm, but he still firmly believed that he would not be wrong.

It could only mean that the mutated evil demon was a very vigilant guy, which was why it hadn't been discovered.

He simply stopped thinking about it and recalled his drones.

But in a dark corner somewhere in Fujikasane Mountain, the green arm took advantage of the fact that those strange flying objects in the sky had flown away, quickly reached out to grab an evil demon that was preparing to avoid the sunlight, and then retracted.

Not long after, a sound of chewing came.

Zero looked at the swordsmen participating in the selection who were left on the field, numbering less than ten, and frowned slightly, but relatively speaking, it was at least better than the previous session.

Although these were basically the swordsmen who had returned to participate in this session's selection from the previous session.

The things that followed were speeches, Messenger Crow selection, and choosing Tamahagane.

After things were over, the Messenger Crow, Yuki, also flew back from Fujikasane Mountain to report the situation.

"Yuki, did you find any other situation?"

"Master, no abnormal situation was found, it is still the same as before!"

"Is that so... thank you for your hard work, Yuki."

Not finding anything did not mean that Zero would cut off his guess. Zero still firmly believed in his guess that there must be a mutated alien demon in this Fujikasane Mountain.

Subsequently, Zero packed up the remaining Tamahagane, held the small hands of Hinaki Ubuyashiki and Kiriya Ubuyashiki, and led the ten high-ranking swordsmen to the foot of the mountain.

He took out the 【Dark Alloy Armored Vehicle】 and sent everyone back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

After a few hours of travel, after sending everyone to the Demon Slayer Corps, Zero first sent Kagaya Ubuyashiki's two children back to the Ubuyashiki mansion, and he himself returned to his mansion.

In the mansion, Zero listened to the content of the Hashira Meeting reported by Xiao Yue...

"Master, these are the contents of the Hashira Meeting from a few days ago."

"I see, Shinobu has already been promoted to a Hashira-level swordsman, that is truly worth celebrating! Thank you for your hard work, Xiao Yue. Tonight, I will go to my area to patrol first, and in a few days, I will take you out for a stroll again."

"Mm-hmm! Thank you, Master! Mwah~" As soon as Xiao Yue heard that Zero was going to take her out to play again, she was very happy in her heart, flew in front of Zero, and kissed Zero on the face.

"You! I really have no way to deal with you! I don't know who taught you that!? I'll go take a bath first, you go take care of Yuki first, it's been so many days, it must be very tired too."

"Mm, okay~"

"A year has passed, I wonder how Brother Zero is doing now?" Tanjiro, carrying a bamboo basket filled with prepared charcoal, walked on the street, recalling the time Zero spent with their family.

"Ah!!! Tanjiro, come and help me!" A young man who was grabbed by the shop's landlady shouted at Tanjiro, his nose still bleeding, and he was a bit bruised and swollen.

The small village at the foot of the mountain all knew Tanjiro, because he was not only kind-hearted but also often helped them.

"Tanjiro, I've been mistaken for the culprit who broke the bowls and dishes~ Come and help me!!" The young man brought a wrapping cloth containing broken bowls and dishes in front of Tanjiro.

Tanjiro sniffed with his nose and found that there was the smell of a cat on it, so he said: "There is the smell of a cat on this."

"Oh! It's a cat!" The landlady then understood that she had misunderstood.

The young man immediately broke free from the landlady and cried out: "Didn't I say it! It really wasn't me!"...

Night fell, and heavy snow was flying.

Tanjiro finished selling the charcoal and found that it was already dark. He walked on the small path in the forest, preparing to go home quickly.

"It's already so late, I must go home quickly! But it's great that I could sell all the charcoal today! Plus, there is still some money left from what Brother Zero gave before, enough to buy a lot of delicious food for my younger brothers and sisters!"

Thinking of this, Tanjiro quickened his pace home.

But when passing by a house, he was called out by an old grandfather.

"Hey, Tanjiro! Are you still planning to go back into the mountains? It's dangerous when it's dark! Don't go back tonight!"

"Grandpa Saburo, it's okay, my nose is very sharp!"

"Stay at my house tonight, it's okay, come quickly!"

"But..."

"Alright, come over! There will be demons at night!"

Just like that, Tanjiro stayed behind under the persuasion of Grandpa Saburo.

However, what Tanjiro did not know was that because of this reason, he escaped a disaster!

On Mount Yunxue.

A man wearing a suit and a Western-style hat walked in the snow; he was Muzan Kibutsuji.

Suddenly, he sensed the aura of humans nearby, and a plan was born in his heart.

"Well, it just so happens that I have nothing to do, let me see if I can create a subordinate who is not afraid of the sun."

After speaking, he walked toward the direction of the humans he sensed...

In the Kamado family, Nezuko had just coaxed Rokuta to sleep, looked at her mother, and said: "Mother, Brother hasn't come back so late, is there any problem?"

"Don't worry, Nezuko, it's so late, I think it's Grandpa Saburo who kept Tanjiro behind. After all, it's dark, and there will be dangers in these mountains."

"I see..."

"Alright, Nezuko, hurry up and rest! Don't worry, Tanjiro will be back tomorrow."

"Mm, I know."

"Takeo, Shigeru, Hanako, you all hurry up and rest too, don't play anymore!"

"Yes, Mother."

Nezuko, who was about to hold Rokuta to rest, suddenly saw someone approaching outside the window and thought it was Tanjiro who had returned.

She hurriedly stepped forward to open the door, but a powerful force shattered the wooden door, and a thorn whip hit Nezuko, and Rokuta in her arms was also injured and fainted!

"Nezuko! Rokuta!" Kie Kamado reacted, immediately rushed up wanting to protect Nezuko and Rokuta, but didn't notice the wooden door fragments under her feet and tripped to the ground.

A metal chip in her arms also fell out.

It was precisely because of this trip that Kie Kamado dodged the thorn whip that Muzan attacked again.

"Sister! Mother!" Takeo, Shigeru, and Hanako saw this and also wanted to step forward to help, but were stopped by Kie Kamado: "Children, stay there and don't move! Takeo, protect them well!"

She immediately picked up the metal chip, recalled what Zero had said in her mind, and rushed to Nezuko and Rokuta again!

She protected Nezuko and Rokuta under her body.

"What a boring move!" Muzan Kibutsuji's eyes were full of contempt, and the thorn whip swung over again!

At this very moment, Kie Kamado pressed the button on the metal chip, and a blue light appeared in a spherical state, blocking Muzan Kibutsuji's thorn whip attack, protecting the mother and daughter and Rokuta.

"Hmm? What is this thing!? It can actually block my attack?" Muzan Kibutsuji looked at the blue spherical protective shield in disbelief and was stunned for a moment.

Seeing this, Kie Kamado immediately picked up Nezuko and Rokuta, came to Takeo and the other two, and held the metal chip tightly in her hand!

"Hmph, even so, I want to see how long this strange thing can protect you!?"

After speaking, he continued to swing the thorn whip to attack the spherical protective shield.

Every time the attack hit the shield, it produced a strong vibration. Kie Kamado tightly protected her children, looked at the seriously injured Nezuko and the fainted Rokuta, and could no longer hold back, tears streaming down her face!

"Who will save my children?!" Kie Kamado prayed constantly in her heart!

Muzan Kibutsuji found that although this strange blue spherical shield was powerful, his continuous attacks would make the blue light of the shield dissipate a little.

"So that's it, hehe, I want to see how long you can hold on?"

This method of Muzan Kibutsuji was indeed effective. Under several minutes of continuous attacks, the light of the shield gradually dimmed.

Just as he was preparing to increase the intensity of the attack, a deafening cannon sound came from behind him!

Boom!

Seeing this, Muzan Kibutsuji immediately flashed to the side.

But the speed of the bullet was faster than him, directly piercing Muzan Kibutsuji's shoulder, causing an explosion, and blowing his shoulder to pieces.

It wasn't until Muzan Kibutsuji came to his senses that he realized who the person in front of him was.

"So it's you!"

【Beep beep beep beep beep beep!】

Just as Zero was finishing his patrol in his area and preparing to return to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the 【Analysis Glasses】 suddenly issued an extremely strong red alarm!

【Alarm! Alarm! There is danger!】

"Hmm? What is this?!" Zero immediately used the 【Analysis Glasses】 to check the situation and found that it was the information about being attacked transmitted by his 【Quantum Shield】.

And he had given the 【Quantum Shield】 to Kie Kamado. Because he was not at ease, he connected the 【Quantum Shield】 with the 【Analysis Glasses】. Once there was very dangerous information, he could receive it immediately.

Looking at the red alarm situation, Zero realized that the Kamado family must have encountered life-threatening danger!

He took out the 【Light Energy Aircraft】 from the 【Nano Space】, put in an energy crystal, and carried it on his back.

The 【Light Energy Aircraft】 unfolded its pair of black and white metal wings and flew quickly toward Mount Yunxue.

"Must catch up!"

The danger alarm transmitted by the 【Quantum Shield】 made Zero very uneasy. He even guessed that the one who could cause such huge damage to the 【Quantum Shield】 must be at the Upper Moon demon level, or... the Demon King—Muzan Kibutsuji!?

But no matter which one it was, he would not let it go! A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring; the Kamado family gave him a delicious meal and even took him in to stay overnight at their house.

Such a kind family must not have anything happen to them!

"Perhaps Kanae was right, I have really changed a lot..." Zero thought to himself.

After a few minutes of flight, he finally arrived at Mount Yunxue and reached the air above the Kamado family's house.

But when he saw a strange guy in front of him, his right arm turned into a long thorn whip, attacking the 【Quantum Shield】, he took out the 【Dark Alloy Annihilation Cannon Sniper】 without saying a word.

He used "Implosion" and fired a shot at that guy!

Boom!

The deafening cannon sound resounded through the mountains and forests. That strange person could not dodge in time, and his shoulder was blown to pieces.

Zero landed in front of Kie Kamado and the others, aimed the cannon sniper at the guy in front, and immediately turned on the 【Analysis Glasses】 to analyze the data!

【Name: Muzan Kibutsuji】

【...】

"What?! This guy is Muzan Kibutsuji?!" Zero was surprised in his heart.

As soon as he saw the first piece of data from the 【Analysis Glasses】, he understood what was going on. As for the information analyzed later, he didn't have time to look at it, because Muzan Kibutsuji had already completed rapid regeneration and recovered.

"So it's you!" Muzan Kibutsuji stared fixedly at Zero in front of him.

He had already known through Upper Moon Five that this demon slayer in front of him was a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, so he recognized him.

Zero's top priority now was not to continue analyzing, but to figure out how to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji while protecting Kie Kamado and the others.

His strength was suppressed by the interface of this world to only about half, so he felt a little danger from Muzan Kibutsuji!

And the 【Quantum Shield】 could only withstand three or four more attacks at most before the energy would be exhausted, and then the Kamado family would be even more dangerous.

Zero saw the space around him fluctuate, and one 【Dark Alloy Cross Floating Cannon】 after another appeared, protecting him in front.

On the way here, Zero had already put several 【Energy Crystals】 into the cross floating cannons as a reserve, just in case. He didn't expect them to come in handy now.

Muzan Kibutsuji saw this strange method and didn't understand how he did it?

Although he could do it too, that required Nakime's Blood Demon Art, and it was still inside the Infinity Castle.

"I know you, you are the demon slayer who killed Upper Moon Five!"

"So what if you know?"

"Hehe, you should have died, but if you are willing to accept my blood and become my subordinate, then I will let bygones be bygones for what happened before!

Furthermore, I can also let you become the strongest Upper Moon demon! Even the position of Upper Moon One can be yours!"

"Hehe..."

Muzan Kibutsuji saw Zero laughing there and suppressed the anger in his heart: "What are you laughing at?! As long as you become a demon, you can have endless life and become stronger! And help me find the Blue Bianhua, I will become the most perfect ultimate creature, and then you can also..."

"Shut up! You are really a pitiful little baby!"

"What did you say?!?"

"I said you are a little! ba! by!! You don't even have half my age, and you have the nerve to say these things to me! You are truly pitiful!"

"This is impossible! You damn human! How could there be a human who has lived for so long?!"

"Whether you believe it or not is your own business, go to hell!"

Boom!

The cannon sniper fired another bullet that rotated at high speed and attacked Muzan Kibutsuji's abdomen, where one of Muzan's brains was.

Just now, during the conversation with Muzan, Zero scanned his body structure, wanting to find his weakness.

But he didn't expect that the result scanned by the 【Analysis Glasses】 was that Muzan Kibutsuji had five brains and seven hearts.

A plan immediately emerged in his mind; he wanted to try if destroying Muzan Kibutsuji's brain or heart would weaken his strength?

However, what he didn't expect was that after the brain in Muzan Kibutsuji's abdomen was damaged by the cannon sniper, it immediately completed regeneration!

"Such fast regeneration speed!" Zero thought to himself.

Swish!

Ding!

Muzan's thorn whip was so fast, but it was blocked by Zero's cross floating cannon and couldn't get close at all.

While Zero fired at Muzan Kibutsuji, he quickly turned his brain to come up with a countermeasure.

At the same time, he had to be careful to dodge Muzan's attacks. He remembered what Tamayo had told him: Muzan's attacks carried his own blood.

Plus, his previous guess that Muzan Kibutsuji's blood contained highly toxic substances and curses was also confirmed.

Therefore, every attack was always very cautious.

But the more they fought, the more shocked Zero became, not only because Muzan broke the speed of sound with his attacks, but his regeneration speed was also particularly fast, completing it in just an instant!

Even if he aimed at his heart and brain, it only completed regeneration in an instant.

Soon, he discovered the reason.

Because his 【Dark Alloy Annihilation Cannon Sniper】 could not use 【Energy Crystals】, it could not produce an effect similar to a Bright Red Blade.

Although "Implosion" could severely damage Muzan Kibutsuji in a short time, that also required two seconds to gather energy!

But Muzan Kibutsuji was also very shocked, wasn't he!?

He found that every time his attacks were blocked by those strange black metal crosses. He had to know that the speed of his thorn whip attack was extraordinary. 【331】 "This damn guy! What exactly are those weapons? Why do they have such strong defensive power!" 【332】 Swish! Swish! 【333】 Muzan's other arm also turned into a thorn whip and swung over at the same time. The cross floating cannon appeared again to block the attack. 【334】 But this blow was very powerful, and one of the cross floating cannons was knocked away. 【335】 Whoosh! 【336】 "Oh no!" 【337】 Just now, in the gap where one 【Dark Alloy Cross Floating Cannon】 was knocked away, Muzan Kibutsuji's thorn whip swung over. Zero, who had no time to dodge, directly blocked it with his mechanical left hand! 【338】 Boom! 【339】 The power of this blow knocked Zero back several meters. A shallow white mark was left on the mechanical left hand. 【340】 And there was some blood attached to the surface. Presumably, Muzan Kibutsuji wanted to pierce his skin through the attack just now and then inject blood to turn him into an evil demon. 【341】 Because it was blocked by his mechanical left hand, it didn't succeed, and only left blood on the surface of the mechanical left hand! 【342】 "Zero!" 【343】 "Brother Zero!" 【344】 Kie Kamado and her children shouted behind Zero. 【345】 "Stay there and don't move! I will definitely protect you!" Zero shouted at them, who were protected within the 【Quantum Shield】 behind him. 【346】 "It seems that I must attack at close range! I can only use that weapon!" Zero thought to himself. 【347】 He took the 【Dark Alloy Annihilation Cannon Sniper】 in his hand back into the 【Nano Space】. 【348】 "Dark Alloy Armor, arm yourself!" ===== CHAPTER 29 =====

"Damn this guy! What exactly are those weapons? Why do they have such formidable defensive power!"

Swish! Swish!

Muzan's other arm also transformed into a thorn whip and lashed out simultaneously, but the cross-shaped floating cannons reappeared to block the attack.

However, the power of this strike was immense, knocking one of the cross-shaped floating cannons away.

Whoosh!

"Oh no!"

Just then, in the split second that one 【Dark Alloy Cross Floating Cannon】 was knocked away, Muzan's thorn whip lashed over; unable to dodge in time, Zero directly used his mechanical left hand to block it!

Boom!

The force of this strike knocked Zero several meters backward, leaving a shallow white mark on his mechanical left hand.

Moreover, there was some blood smeared on the surface; presumably, Muzan had intended to pierce his skin with the attack and inject blood to turn him into a demon.

Because it was blocked by his mechanical left hand, the attempt failed, leaving the blood only on the surface of the mechanical hand!

"Zero!"

"Big Brother Zero!"

Aunt Kui Zhi and her children shouted from behind Zero.

"Stay there and don't move! I will definitely protect you all!" Zero shouted to them, who were protected behind him by the 【Quantum Shield】.

"It seems I must engage in close-quarters combat! I have no choice but to use that weapon!" Zero thought to himself.

He retracted the 【Dark Alloy Annihilation Sniper Cannon】 in his hand back into the 【Nano Space】.

"Dark Alloy Battle Armor, arm!"