CHAPTER 47 – Congregation: Part 1
Two nights had passed and without incident. Zoro had left the Mansion in search of some fresh air. Shinobu knew he had tried to suppress his impatience. Everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps was tensed after the Demon attacks suddenly simmered down to minimal activity in the past few days. Law knew it was the eye of the storm. Or maybe not. Doflamingo might have done them all a favour by ending Kibutsuji, whilst the latter wasn't looking. Huzzah! The Demon threat is finally over. Not bloody likely. Law realised that their luck wasn't that great, having the ominous feeling that he felt ever since he had heard the news of Doflamingo and Kibutsuji forming at alliance.
"Heard all of them came back in the morning?" Law asked.
"The Master is ill. Every Hashira received the news and came back to check on him." Tomioka replied.
"I checked on him in the morning. I told him he'd be safer here with us in the Mansion than at his residence. I would be here to keep an eye on his health, but he refused the idea. Like always, he refuses to be guarded by any of the Hashira." Shinobu explained. "I heard that the heads of the Ubuyashiki family never had a bodyguard throughout history."
"The Ubuyashiki Residence is well hid from the eyes of the Demons. Kibutsuji hasn't found its location and will not. We won't let the Demons get to the Master." Tomioka said.
Law looked to his left along the corridor and found Yushiro followed by Kanae Kocho walking towards them.
"Where is Lady Tamayo?" Shinobu asked.
"She has left a while back. To run some errands." Yushiro replied.
"I hope she comes back safe. I don't appreciate this dead silence."
Kanae beckoned at Law. Both of them walked out of the conversation and whispered within themselves a few distance away.
Yushiro nodded, "With all the Hashiras gathered in the area, the general population in the Mainland is in danger from the Demon Moons, regardless of their recent sudden inactivity."
"Half of them will leave by tomorrow morning. They needed to check on the Master." Tomioka said.
"Understandable." Yushiro gazed at Shinobu, who had been observing Kanae and Law with great curiosity. She found Law listen to her big sister with great attention.
"Either way, we should be prepared for anything. There are yet four Upper Demon Moons out at bay, biding their time. And they might strike at any moment." Tomioka said.
The side conversation was completed and Kanae left the corridor along the way she had come from. Law joined back the main conversation. He had a grave look on his face.
"The Kakushis are under your command, Captain. The Master has wholeheartedly agreed to the idea." Shinobu told Law, observing his worry simmer down a little. "Mitsuri is more than willing to be with you at the Medical Camp. That brought in an uncanny urge from Obanai Iguro to join the same. I thought he hated you and Zoro."
"I don't mind more powerful hands at the Camp, and that gives me more reason to bring in Kagaya Ubuyashiki there. Kocho-ya, I went there with you in the morning. And we both know he's in bad shape and he's going to be getting worse unless he gets some immediate medical treatment. Your Master emphasises that his curse of being born in the Ubuyashiki family had borne misgivings through their generations, but I assure you, no ailment can be cured without trial. And thus, whether you Demon Slayer people like it or not, I'll force him into the infirmary by tomorrow morning." Law declared.
No one made a reply to that. Shinobu knew Law was right and she herself had proposed the idea to Ubuyashiki, but she was in a dilemma. Ubuyashiki was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Neither she nor Tomioka felt to defy the Master.
Shinobu returned back to her point, "Aoi and the girls have grown loyal to you, and I won't have any need to explain them the situation. They are ready to follow your steps should the battle arise. Also, Uzui has consented to let his wives assist you in your Unit. Hinatsuru, Makio and Suma shall be there upon your command."
"Very well." Law nodded. He looked at the moonless night, feeling the cold air breeze through the courtyard and along the corridor. His brows creased, him walking away along the floorboards.
"Where are you going?" Shinobu asked.
"I'm heading out for a while. Let me know through one of those messenger crows should something arise." Law replied, leaving the gate.
"I don't know if we are doing the right thing involving them with our burden. It's been more than a month since they came ashore and they are eager to meet back their friends." Shinobu said, feeling tad guilty.
"Don't worry about it. I had a talk with Law, a few days back. I realised that he felt no regret from the overstay here despite his own priorities. That went for Zoro as well. Law told me Zoro and he'll stay to oversee the situation out here till it becomes safe for common people and Demon Slayers to sleep at night, without having to worry about Demons. He mentioned their crews were strong to survive on their own, and they could wait a little longer for the two to return." Tomioka explained.
"He said that?" Shinobu asked, to which Tomioka nodded with reassurance.
"Also, them being pirates, I was surprised when I heard they refused the hefty stipend that Master Ubuyashiki had provided them for their rank and duty." Tomioka added. "Law said to invest their stipends into the medical bills that would aid the wounded Demon Slayers. Zoro agreed to it without hesitation. These people have earned my respect and praise."
"Indeed, they have." Shinobu agreed, with a glad look.
An hour had passed. Zoro had finally found the road and was out of the woods. He was covered in leaves and was annoyed to have lost track of his way.
"I should head back." He told himself, knowing the night was precarious.
Despite the darkness, he kept his eyes open upon the road track. For once, he was on his correct way back to the Butterfly Mansion, or it should have been, in a night without trouble.
Zoro turned around and made a quick glare at the night sky.
Clank!
He struck off an incoming projectile with his Shusui, only to realise there was no physical object. No bullets, unlike that of Doflamingo's Bullet String. His Observation Haki sensed more of them invisible projectiles coming in from the air. That time he dodged all of them. He felt an entity rushing towards him at great speed, and he realised it was out for blood.
Zoro armed his Shusui rushing ahead and clashing against the entity. Sparks lit the dark night for a moment, with the belligerents landing on their opposite sides. Zoro felt a familiar vibe from the foe. He couldn't see the face, thanks to the dark night. But he could see a silhouette of a man with a dagger on his right hand, a full jacket, long hair and horns.
No words were exchanged. The foe was fast as he swung his dagger. Zoro realised that the invisible projectiles had been shot from the man's blade. Zoro blocked the fired-shots that came in two waves of barrage.
"Bird Dance!" Zoro retorted.
The enemy sensed the fast Flying Blade and moved sideways despite the short distance, much to Zoro's surprise. The former jumped ahead, slamming his right leg upon the Shusui. Zoro's Observation Haki sent off an instant warning, forcing him dodge below the very next moment. A large gust of compressed air pressure went past, capable of cutting anyone upon target.
"That technique…" Zoro was baffled leaping back, drawing out his Kitetsu.
"That's right. You have seen this technique two years back at Enies Lobby." said the enemy.
"That's one of those techniques used by those CP9 bastards." Zoro said.
"Tempest Kick. One of the Six Powers."
Zoro knew well he hadn't met the fellow back at Water 7 or Enies Lobby. And contrary to the CP9 agents he fought two years back, Zoro knew the fellow in front of him was much more powerful and dangerous. The enemy was able to dodge Zoro's Bird Dance at a close distance, expecting the foe to possess Observation Haki at least to an effective level.
"I have been looking for you, Pirate Hunter Zoro. Looking forward to ending your life along with your Captain's." said the foe.
Zoro was reminded that they had done a number on Enies Lobby back then; the Straw Hats taking down all of the CP9 Agents, letting the island come under attack from a Buster Call (though not their fault in that) and escaping the whole Marine Fleet with Nico Robin, a member of the Straw Hats, wanted by the World Government.
The foe used a CP9 technique and that made Zoro believe for a moment that he might have come along with Fujitora and Sengoku. According to the reports, the Marines landing at the Mainland had chased off Jack and his crew from Shi-niju. Did the Marines know about Tora-o and myself out here? He wondered.
There was no point in talking. The CP9 agents were tools of the World Government ready to execute their most brutal orders. Zoro was ready to take down the foe.
"Two Sword Style…" Zoro leaped ahead at great speed, holding his Shusui and Kitetsu up front.
The foe sensed Zoro's intentions and leapt behind. Much to Zoro surprise, the foe began jumping through the air.
"Moon Walk!" bellowed the foe, dodging Zoro's trajectory.
"Tempest Kick!" A counterattack.
"Tower Climb Ripple!" Zoro unleashed his attack, breaking through the Tempest Kick and hitting the foe straight on mid-air.
"Iron Body!" bellowed the foe, taking the attack with full force. He winced from the pain, realising his defence had failed to an extent.
Zoro withdrew his Kitetsu, rushing ahead whilst holding his Shusui with both hands.
"One Sword Style…" Zoro imbued his Shusui with Haki.
The foe sensed him coming. He swung his dagger towards Zoro.
"Blade Pistol!" A wave of invisible air bullets rushed towards Zoro. The latter dodged the shots continuing his attack run. There was no way for the foe to run. Instead, he played offensive imbuing his right leg with Armament Haki, ready to counter Zoro's attack.
"Great Dragon Shock!"
Two attacks of Armament Haki clashed. The foe's short notice kick was overwhelmed, throwing him off from the shockwave.
"36 Pound Phoenix!" Zoro made a quick retort against the flown enemy.
"Shave!" The enemy held ground and dodged the Flying Blade. With quick movement, he moved around Zoro and rushed from behind. His dagger and Zoro's Shusui clashed for a moment before deflecting each other off, giving distance between the two.
"You won't find me like the riff-raffs from CP9. I'm way past that." said the foe.
"So, you are sent by the Marines stationed not too far off." Zoro said.
"Marines? Haha!" the foe laughed hard in the silent night, "No, I have no allegiance to them after they sent me to Impel Down. I'm a member of the Beast Pirates. And I go by the name of Who's-Who."
"Beast Pirates!" Zoro was surprised. Law, himself and the Demon Slayer had evaded the Beast Pirates after their encounters at Shi-niju and hoped the situation to remain that way. In the end, one of Jack's crewmates found him in the dead of the night.
"You are not totally wrong." said Who's-Who. "I was once a part of CP9 on par with the genius Rob Lucci, but that's all past."
At that moment, a rumble began to shake the ground. Both of them realised the vibrations came in from the woods next to them. Before long, a huge reptile had thrashed out of the thicket, breaking down the trees on its path.
"A Dinosaur!" Zoro bellowed in surprise.
"Damn it all! He has found us!" growled Who's-Who.
"So.. cough… cough, you are here?" muttered Ubuyashiki sitting on the tatami mat inside his room, facing the courtyard. His wife, Amane was wary, observing the person in front.
"You must've seen better days, Ubuyashiki."
"I had an intuition relating to our meeting. You finally came to my home, right in front of me, Muzan Kibutsuji."
Ubuyashiki turned to his wife, "Amane, what form… cough, what shape does this man have… cough?"
"He looks like a man in his late-twenties. But his eyes are plum red. And his pupils are vertical like a cat's."
"Oh… okay… cough." Ubuyashiki nodded. "I… cough, had a feeling you'd come for sure. I'm sure you are extremely mad at the Ubuyashiki family. But that's also why I was the only one who thought you'd come to kill me yourself."
"I'm truly disappointed, Ubuyashiki." said Kibutsuji, with an indifferent face. "I've lived a thousand years without showing signs of aging. And the old family who has gotten in my way all this time is now reduced to this."
"Repulsive. Utterly repulsive. This mortal life. And you, Ubuyashiki, is on the edge of life and death. Be done with this cursed form." He added.
"I figured as much… cough… I was told by the doctors a while back that I'll be dying sooner than later. And yet, I am still alive and those doctors were at a loss for words."
Ubuyashiki tried to stand up. His wife, Amane, picked him up on his shoulders to his feet.
Ubuyashiki continued with a satisfied grin, "And I solely dedicated my soul to defeating you, Muzan."
"And your fleeting dream will go to waste tonight." Kibutsuji replied with the same indifferent face. "I will kill you right now."
"You… cough… you might not know this, but you and I are of the same blood. You were born a thousand years ago, so maybe your blood is different than mine."
"What are you trying to say?"
"A monster like you came out of this family and that led my family to be cursed." Ubuyashiki had the sudden spasm of hard-breathing for a moment.
"My dear!" Amane tried to console him.
"No, I must speak my words." Ubuyashiki was adamant. "Every child born in our family was weak and they died right away. But when my family was about to get wiped from existence, the priest gave us some advice. He mentioned that a Demon had come from our bloodline, and we must dedicate our souls to defeating you, and doing so would save out family from dying out of existence. Our children through the generations have gained resilience to death over the years, but nobody in our family has lived beyond thirty. But we will continue to fight you until the very end. I may die tonight by your hands, but as long as my family draws breath, you shall never see daylight in your existence."
"And now, you are reduced to ramblings. It's utterly disgusting." mocked Kibutsuji. "Did that sickness get into your brain?"
"Well, that is of no consequence to me." he added. "After all, the heavens are not punishing me for all the humans I have killed. I've been let off the hook and have never found a God over these thousand years…"
"What is your dream?" Ubuyashiki interrupted.
"What?"
"It's been a thousand years. What kind of dreams do you have exactly?"
Kibutsuji was stuck in his thoughts for some reason and Ubuyashiki could make out an answer through the former's silence.
"How about I make a guess, Muzan? I think to believe I understand your heart and soul." said Ubuyashiki. "You dream of eternity and you dream of being indestructible."
"Exactly. And it will soon come true very soon, once I get my hands on Nezuko. I'll kill your pirate friends as well. They are a thorn upon my plans." replied Kibutsuji.
"Your dream won't come true, Muzan." said Ubuyashiki with confidence.
"You seem pretty confident in Nezuko, under the protection of that Insect Hashira of yours. But, unlike you, I have a lot of time on my hands to acquire the girl for my needs."
"You are forgetting something. Or should I believe that you are trying to hide your embarrassment. I admit that the Demon Slayers Corps or the Hashiras could not make contact with you, despite having to face your minions. Except for that once many centuries back where you had almost faced defeat. You know whom I speak of?"
Kibutsuji began to feel a fury inside for the first time since the meeting.
"Times are changing." Ubuyashiki continued. "I asked if you are forgetting something. You know very well as I that you had faced defeat, for your second time in history against no Demon Slayer, but a Pirate, an outsider, of all people. You are afraid ever since the day they stepped on that beachhead and faced your minion Kokushibo, only to show strength beyond your comprehension. Thanks to them, my children, the Demon Slayers have gotten stronger. You have lost three of your Upper Demon Moons in just a matter of few weeks. Having faced such obstructions from humanity and the living, do you yet believe that you can dream of eternity? Your dream of being indestructible?"
"You done talking?" Kibutsuji asked, extending his hand-claws next to Ubuyashiki's face.
"Yes… cough… Though I didn't expect you to actually listen to me, I thank you, Muzan." the latter replied.
"Emergency summon! Emergency summon!" bellowed all the messenger crows representing every Hashira and Demon Slayer. "Attack on the Ubuyashiki Estate! Attack on the Ubuyashiki Estate!"
"What in the world?" bellowed Shinobu.
She met up with Tomioka and Yushiro at the corridor.
"Yushiro, you are in-charge of the Mansion." she prompted.
"Very well. Save the man and the family at all cost. Good luck." Yushiro replied.
"We will."
Shinobu and Tomioka rushed out of the Mansion with their blades drawn.
"What the…" Zoro was shocked to hear the news.
"Demon King at the Estate! Demon King at the Estate!" continued the messenger crow.
Right before the crow had shown up, a Dinosaur had smashed out of the adjacent woods.
"Damn you, Sasaki! You won't get to my prey!" bellowed Who's-Who upon the Dinosaur.
To Who's-Who's surprise, Zoro had rushed off following the crow towards the Ubuyashiki Estate.
"He's running away!" Who's Who bellowed in annoyance. He followed suit with Sasaki right behind him.
"That bastard Kibutsuji will kill the blind fellow and his family. Damn it all. He's picked the wrong place to show up tonight. That Demon's gonna die, tasting my blades a second time." Zoro told himself, rushing ahead with priority and enthusiasm.
The Hashiras, all situated in the area, made a rush for the Ubuyashiki Estate. As they all closed in to find the place in their sights, bafflement shook them to the core as the Estate blew up in flames.
"Ubuyashiki!" bellowed Kibutsuji, as his body was engulfed in flames from the explosion, his body wrecked and skin burnt to display his muscles and bones engulfed in the inferno. He was beyond furious to remember the last smile of the blind man. He believed, Ubuyashiki had the smile of the Buddha. Kibutsuji couldn't believe Ubuyashiki blew himself up with his wife and children. A complete nutjob, he regarded Ubuyashiki upon the latter's very end.
Kibutsuji was in a shock, trying to regenerate from the explosion along with the spike traps that Ubuyashiki had laid to delay his regeneration. He realised that Demon Slayers were closing in on his position, making him all the more furious, having believed that Ubuyashiki had planned all of it for Kibutsuji to fall right into the latter's trap.
At that moment, Kibutsuji discovered another surprise he hadn't fathomed.
"Flesh Seeds!" he bellowed to himself, "A Blood Demon technique!"
The seeds popped out spikes impaling Kibutsuji into a static position. After a moment of surprise, he believed to absorb the spikes, since them being a product of a Blood Demon Art. Being engrossed in his thoughts to make an escape from the hellish situation, Kibutsuji failed to recognise Tamayo, his former subordinate, having stabbed her left hand into his torso.
"Tamayo, why are you…" Kibutsuji was dumbfounded.
"These Blood Demon Spikes belonged to the man who got turned into a Demon in Asakusa." Tamayo replied in fury.
Kibutsuji realised she had evaded his notice through a Smokescreen Blood Demon Art.
"You absorbed my fist, Muzan. Do you have any idea what's inside it?" Tamayo demanded.
"A drug to turn Demons back into humans." She answered before Kibutsuji could guess. "So, is it working? Are you feeling the effects?"
"You shouldn't be able to…" Kibutsuji muttered.
"Oh, but I've done it! The situation's completely changed. Though it would have been impossible for me to do it alone."
"You are one stubborn woman, Tamayo. And your hatred towards me is unjust." said Kibutsuji.
"Who killed your husband and kids?" he demanded grabbing onto Tamayo's head, "It wasn't me. Not at all. Nobody but you. You ate them all up!"
Tamayo cried. Tears in her eyes, "If I knew that would happen, I wouldn't have become a Demon! All I wanted was to not die from my disease! I just wanted to see my kids grow up…"
"Then you killed a whole bunch of humans after that. Was that all an illusion?" mocked Kibutsuji.
"That's right. I killed countless people after falling into the depths of despair." explained Tamayo. "So to pay for my sins, you and I are dying right here."
Right behind Kibutsuji was the Stone Hashira Himejima, swinging his flail weapon high.
"Himejima-san! Do it, please!" Tamayo yelled.
"Namu Amida Butsu." muttered Himejima, throwing his flail, crushing Kibutsuji's head.
Himejima was surprised to find Kibutsuji's head regenerate the next moment, realising Ubuyashiki's words that the Demon King wouldn't die no matter the countless times the head's cut off. Himejima remembered from Ubuyashiki that if nothing else worked, the former would have the only option to drag and delay Kibutsuji until the next sunrise.
"Black Blood: Brambles!" Kibutsuji tried to stall Himejima's advance.
"Stone Breathing: Third Form… Stone Skin!" Himejima broke off the incoming brambles with his supporting axe.
At that moment, he sensed the Hashiras closing onto the position. He yelled to the others, "It's Muzan! Kibutsuji, Muzan! He won't die if you cut his head off!"
"That's him!" Shinobu bellowed in shock, encountering the Demon King for the second time. Every one of the Hashiras began initiating their Breathing techniques.
"Mist Breathing… Fourth Form…"
"Serpent Breathing… First Form…"
"Love Breathing… Fifth Form…"
"Sound Breathing… First Form…"
"Wind Breathing… Seventh Form…"
"Water Breathing… Third Form…"
"Flower Breathing… Fourth Form…" muttered Shinobu following the rest, ready to employ her broad Nichirin blade upon the Demon King.
None of the Hashiras could have realised at that moment.
Kibutsuji had played his trump card. Grinning in malice as he saw all the Demon Slayers lose foothold and fall below towards a labyrinth made of wooden panels and doors. The combined attack had failed.
"You seriously thought you could corner me?" Kibutsuji yelled in arrogance. "You are all going to hell now!"
"You pathetic Demon Slayer pests! I'm slaughtering you all tonight."
"No, you ain't!" To everyone's surprise, they discovered Trafalgar Law, the Captain of the Heart Pirates, next to Kibutsuji, swapping himself into the warzone. He pulled Tamayo out from the Demon King's body. Unaware to Kibutsuji during the entire confusion, Law had activated a huge 'Room' for quite a while.
"Things would have gotten pretty bad out here. So, you are Kibutsuji?" Law got acquainted, flipping his right hand fingers. "Shambles!"
At a single moment, all the Demon Slayers, including Tamayo, all destined to fall upon the labyrinth were flipped out of the danger zone.
"Now, for you." Law placed both his thumbs upon Kibutsuji. "Counter Shock!"
The attack thundered Kibutsuji that very moment, and weakened him from struggling.
It was a mere moment situation. The Hashiras realised that Law had taken all the others out of the battlefield leaving himself behind to deal with Kibutsuji.
"Don't let that man handle Kibutsuji all on his own!"
Shock was the word. Everyone had believed the leader of the Corps to be dead after the recent explosion at the Estate. Kagaya Ubuyashiki was well alive with his family and away from the enemy, desperate to stop Law from going along with his plan. Law had briefed his idea to Ubuyashiki during the time Tamayo was facing Kibutsuji.
But it was too late. Kibutsuji and Law had fallen through one of the open labyrinths, with the wooden door shut behind them.
"I couldn't believe it." muttered Mitsuri, tears developing on her eyes.
"We must go after him!" bellowed Tomioka leaping ahead. Shinobu and Uzui followed, only for them to realise that the earth rumbled from yonder. It had been the most uncanny sight amongst the Demon Slayers and others situated in the area. There he was, Pirate Hunter Zoro, chased by a man flying through the air and then the most bafflement amongst them, a Dinosaur, a talking Triceratops following the other two.
"Stop, Pirate Hunter! You are going to die tonight!" bellowed Who's-Who.
"I sense Tora-o and Kibutsuji down there." Zoro observed the labyrinth on the ground. Without a second thought, he leaped into one of the other open labyrinths.
"Zoro!" Shinobu bellowed in shock, much to his deaf ears.
"These pirates are insane!" bellowed Tomioka. "After him!"
But before they could have made a move, they found Who's-Who seemingly determined to follow Zoro to the ends of the earth.
"Moon Walk!" Who's-Who roared, flying inside the labyrinth.
In the end, Shinobu, Tomioka and Uzui discovered Sasaki, in his Triceratops form, rampaging towards them. The Hashiras had no choice but to jump in through the same labyrinth. Followed by Sasaki, who went through breaking the wooden panels falling inside.
TO BE CONTINUED…