Chat group, become my wings!

Thanks to the xenon lamps, this time Lord Ubuyashiki's plan didn't involve any self-sacrifice. In fact, he hadn't needed to prepare such a contingency at all.

Now it was simply a matter of soldier versus soldier, general against general. Everyone was to unleash their full strength aside from the xenon lamps to bring down the enemy.

Marks, crimson Nichirin Blades, and other advanced techniques had already been widely practiced by the Demon Slayer Corps since Shinobu had shared the future plot of Demon Slayer with the leadership. Now, aside from Shinobu herself, nearly every Pillar had mastered the use of these methods, despite the price: shortened life spans.

As for why Shinobu had not achieved the mark or the crimson blade before, it was due to her own physical limitations. Her body had always been too small, her strength too limited.

To manifest the Mark, one required an exceptionally strong body, capable of sustaining elevated heart rate and temperature. Likewise, turning a Nichirin Blade crimson required a powerful grip something Shinobu had never possessed.

In truth, she had been the weakest among the Pillars.

But last night, after drinking too much, she had taken advantage of her drunken courage and slept with Kevin Cross. While alcohol had certainly played a role, she had also been motivated by something else. Two women before her Izumi Uchiha and Saeko Busujima had both shown significant power increases after being with Kevin.

And now, with the final battle looming, she had wanted that edge. She wanted to be the one to strike down Doma.

That was why she had ultimately chosen to go through with it, even if it ended with all four of them in the same bed.

Now, Shinobu's body had transformed. Though still not as powerful as the Stone Pillar, she had gained considerable strength. Her speed had increased drastically, and her mastery over the Insect Breathing Style had deepened. She had even unlocked the Transparent World the highest realm of breathing techniques.

While she might not yet be a match for the legendary Yoriichi, she was now undeniably one of the strongest among the current Pillars.

When the Twelve Kizuki appeared, and Shinobu saw the boyish figure with a fake smile holding a fan, her eyes turned red with fury.

"Doma!" she shouted, her voice heavy with grief and murderous intent, and rushed toward him.

Doma's false smile seemed to grow even more radiant upon seeing her. Of course, it was just an act a poor imitation of human emotion, worn like a mask.

"A beautiful woman? Such a delicious sight," he said, licking his lips theatrically. "Hmm... that haori you're wearing, it looks familiar. Ah, that's right! It's just like the one worn by that Flower Pillar I killed. What a shame I never got to eat her. The sun rose before I could dig in. Judging from your expression, she must've been someone close to you, wasn't she?"

Rage flared in Shinobu's eyes.

"Die, you bastard! Insect Breathing: Dance of the Bee Sting, True Flutter!"

In a flash, she vanished, her body accelerating like a bolt of lightning. Doma barely had time to raise his fan before her blade pierced straight through his eye and deep into his brain.

Of course, as a demon, such a wound was hardly fatal not unless it took off his head. Even the most devastating human injuries meant nothing to demons, who could regenerate in seconds.

That was why Doma always acted so carelessly. He believed himself untouchable.

Just like Deadpool in that other world an expert swordsman who could slice bullets out of the air, but once he became immortal, he stopped caring, letting bullets punch holes through him just for fun. His swordplay turned into a showy dance, no longer functional.

Doma was the same. He never bothered to fight seriously.

What he didn't expect was that Shinobu had already seen through him. After watching Demon Slayer, she understood his nature and had prepared accordingly.

The moment her blade pierced his eye, her grip tightened. Her will surged forward, resolute and unyielding. Her blade responded, glowing with a red-hot light.

In the instant her Nichirin Blade turned crimson, the steel hissed into Doma's eye and bored through his brain.

"Aaagh!" Doma screamed. For the first time, he felt it true pain. A burning sensation like fire spread through his eye socket and skull. His regeneration stalled, slowed to a crawl. He wasn't completely helpless, but his recovery had clearly been disrupted.

A flicker of triumph flashed in Shinobu's eyes as she pressed the attack, striking again and again.

Doma, finally taking the fight seriously, began to respond but Shinobu had already stolen the initiative. He was forced on the defensive, retreating, blocking. For now, he couldn't even find a chance to counter.

If this went on much longer, he might actually die at her hands. Of course, if he could just hold out a little longer, the tide might turn.

Meanwhile, Izumi Uchiha activated her Sharingan three tomoe spinning in her eyes. In her hand, she held a Nichirin Blade. Although her ninjutsu was powerful, it lacked the lethality required to kill demons. Only the Nichirin Blade could ensure victory.

She considered using her Mangekyō Sharingan perhaps even Tsukuyomi. If she could shatter a demon's mind, that alone might be enough to end them.

She faced down Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One, his face bearing six eyes.

Izumi was second only to Brunhilde among the women in strength. Since Muzan hadn't appeared yet, Kokushibo was the strongest opponent present and thus, her chosen target.

As for Brunhilde, she had her own reasons for not intervening.

She needed Izumi for something else, and had no intention of competing with her for this battle.