Laughter echoed through the courtyard of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Paper lanterns swayed in the breeze, casting warm light across the garden as the Slayers shared stories and food. Kenta chuckled with Zenitsu and Inosuke, while Shinobu and Mitsuri smiled beside Amane Ubuyashiki. Even Sanemi stood still, arms crossed, lips twitching in the hint of a grin.
Then—
The air froze.
A choking stillness fell like a death shroud. Shadows deepened unnaturally. All eyes turned to the center of the courtyard.
He stood there.
Muzan Kibutsuji.
Uninvited.
Unchallenged.
Unholy.
His eyes gleamed crimson beneath the moonlight, his presence alone warping the air with dread.
"Oh," he smiled. "A party? How adorable."
Everyone was frozen.
Kagaya stood, calm even in the presence of darkness incarnate. "Muzan Kibutsuji," he said softly.
Muzan's smile widened. "You celebrate hope… but I bring reality."
And with a wave of his hand—hell opened.
The earth cracked. Black portals split the ground. One. Ten. A hundred. Thousands.
From them poured horrors—grotesque demons of every shape, size, and bloodlust. Ten thousand fiends screeched into the night, swarming like a storm of rot and death.
Muzan turned away, already fading into shadow.
"You won't survive the night. Goodbye… Meiyo."
He vanished.
Screams erupted.
Tanjiro unsheathed his blade. Zenitsu's breath cracked lightning. Inosuke howled like a beast. The Hashira formed lines—Sanemi, Giyu, Mitsuri, Gyomei, Shinobu, Obanai.
But the wave didn't stop.
No matter how many they cut down, more came. And more.
Blood rained.
And for the first time in years, the Demon Slayer Corps… began to falter.