"Tonight, we move." Muzan issued his command in a cold voice.
"Yes!" the Upper Ranks answered in unison, their eyes shimmering with excitement and killing intent.
They had long grown weary of Muzan's hesitation, and now they could finally strike with full force and completely annihilate the Demon Slayer Corps.
But though Akaza felt excitement at Muzan's command, deep within his heart he felt a faint unease toward that power.
'I hope... nothing unexpected happens.' Akaza murmured under his breath.
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Garp had already arrived.
Not long ago, Garp had forcefully suppressed Aokiji, clearly having mastered the Breathing techniques Roy had passed on to him to a flawless degree.
"Ha ha ha, Roy my boy, this Breathing technique of yours is truly something!" Garp walked up to Roy with a big laugh, his tone carrying undisguised excitement.
"This old man feels like his strength has improved quite a bit more!"
Roy smiled faintly. "This is only the foundation, Mr. Garp. Your potential goes far beyond this."
Hearing this, a look of anticipation crossed Garp's eyes. "Oh? So there are even more powerful techniques?"
Roy nodded.
"Of course. However, there is a more important task that needs your help right now."
Garp raised an eyebrow. "What task?"
"Going to another world, and conquering it."
"Another world? That sounds very interesting! This old man has long wanted to see one!"
Garp broke into a hearty laugh, for another world was simply far too interesting.
In the Demon Slayer world, night fell quietly and gradually.
Muzan stood at the highest point of the Infinity Castle, and on his paper-white face his eyes shimmered with a gleam of greed and longing, as though he could already see the glorious future of ruling over all things after obtaining that tremendous power.
"Move out." Muzan's voice seemed to come from the depths of the underworld.
Those brief two words echoed through the sky above the Infinity Castle.
The instant the Upper Ranks heard the command, they transformed into blurred dark shadows and vanished into the night at tremendous speed, racing toward the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps.
However, the Upper Ranks did not know that at the very same moment they were moving, Roy and Garp had already quietly descended into this world.
Inside the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the remaining members had all gathered together, and many were still doubtful.
Snake Pillar Iguro Obanai had his brows tightly knit and his eyes revealed anger and contempt.
He crossed his arms and spoke in a firm tone. "I don't believe for a moment that there is any impressive force behind Tanjiro, and even if there were, it absolutely could not be stronger than our Demon Slayer Corps."
Water Pillar Tomioka Giyuu stood quietly to one side, his brows furrowed faintly, offering no opinion.
Just as everyone was murmuring among themselves, the previously calm sky suddenly showed signs of change.
A dark crimson vortex appeared in the air without any warning, spinning continuously like a mysterious black hole.
The space around the vortex seemed to be distorted, taking on a strange and rippling quality.
Immediately after, the sky seemed to carry a low, deep groaning chant, as though heaven and earth were wailing in agony.
At the same time, everyone felt as if the sky was slowly being pulled down by an invisible giant hand, as an intense sense of oppression washed over them.
Several of the Pillars felt their hearts suddenly sink, as though a massive stone had been pressed onto their chests, making even breathing difficult.
This feeling was like the instinctive fear and awe that a lower creature produces when facing a higher one.
"My body... won't respond."
Two figures stepped slowly out of the vortex, like gods descending from another world.
Roy, who walked at the front, had a faint and mysterious halo drifting around him.
Garp, who followed behind Roy, wore a radiant smile on his face, and his hearty laughter rang out and shattered the oppressive atmosphere.
"Roy my boy, you really are something." he said, reaching out his thick palm and giving Roy a heavy clap on the shoulder.
"Boom." This sound did not come from any physical impact from outside, but from the powerful shock that erupted deep within everyone's hearts at the arrival of these two figures.
The several Pillars below felt as though the sky itself had come crashing down.
That incomparably terrifying pressure, like a tangible wave, completely engulfed them.
The group trembled violently and uncontrollably throughout their bodies, their legs going weak, completely unable to raise their heads to look directly at these two powerful figures, their bodies quivering almost uncontrollably under the drive of instinctive fear.
"What... is this?" Snake Pillar Iguro Obanai's voice trembled, carrying a hint of disbelieving panic.
"How is this possible?" the Wind Pillar's eyes went wide.
Mist Pillar Tokito Muichiro, who had always worn a blank expression, was completely undone at that moment, his eyes filled with terror and confusion.
Fortunately, in the very next instant Roy and Garp seemed to sense the sorry state of those below them, and by silent understanding reined in the terrifying pressure radiating from their bodies.
In an instant, the several Pillars felt the massive stone lifted from their chests, the air became clear and flowing again, and they seemed to have walked back from the very edge of death and gradually recovered the sensation of being alive.
Tanjiro also let out a long breath at that moment, and the taut string in his heart finally loosened.
'Is this the power of Mr. Roy?' he murmured to himself, his eyes filled with astonishment and reverence.
The several Pillars, meanwhile, looked at Roy and Garp with expressions that were both complicated and shaken, unable to speak for a long while.
In their eyes, such power would not be an exaggeration to call the power of gods.
The very existence of Roy and Garp seemed to shatter everything they understood about power.
"Ha ha ha, so that Breathing technique comes from these people, does it?"
Garp laughed heartily, his eyes carrying curiosity and scrutiny.
"Truly impressive, and though their strength isn't much, their techniques are quite good."
His words paid absolutely no heed to the ugly expressions on the faces of the Pillars at that moment.
Hearing this, the Pillars' expressions turned complicated.
Wind Pillar Shinazugawa Sanemi heard this and his face instantly turned ashen, his hands clenching into fists involuntarily.
A flash of fury crossed his eyes, but before the unfathomable strength of Roy and Garp, he forcefully suppressed the impulse within him.
The atmosphere at the scene, because of Garp's remarks, fell once again into a delicate state.
Fortunately, Kagaya Ubuyashiki stepped forward at the right moment and broke the tense atmosphere.
He walked slowly to the front, his face carrying a gentle and respectful smile, though his eyes concealed deep shock and reverence.
Having felt the earth-shattering power of Roy and Garp, he truly realized for the first time that he had still underestimated the force at Tanjiro's back.
That power could destroy this world in the time it took to flip one's hand.
"Two lords from another world, welcome to ours." Kagaya Ubuyashiki gave a slight bow.
Roy looked toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and he could tell that the wisdom and composure of the man before him far exceeded that of ordinary people, yet it was a pity that his life was near its end.
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