I don't want to be an elf!

Kotori Itsuka's expression remained unchanged as she looked directly at Muzan Kibutsuji, who had finally appeared, and the five Upper Moons following behind him.

"After all, if we let such a good opportunity slip by, who knows when we'll get another one?"

Muzan Kibutsuji's gaze swept over the members of Ratatosk, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

But at the same time, much of the unease in my heart also disappeared.

Even though Ratatoskr and the Demon Slayer Corps executed their plan as naturally as possible without revealing any clues, Muzan Kibutsuji still became somewhat wary.

Because it went too smoothly.

The intelligence gathering on the opposing team members and the tracking of their operational routes were both going too smoothly.

Although the eye scouts sent out by Nakime were already highly capable of gathering intelligence, having obtained the addresses of 60% of the Demon Slayer Corps members and even found the location of the Sword Forging Village, the naturally cautious Muzan Kibutsuji still sensed something was amiss.

However, he could not give up this precious opportunity because of even a slight unease in his heart.

So here he is.

However, after seeing the members of Ratatosk, that slight unease eventually dissipated.

Because he felt that these guys posed absolutely no threat to him.

Tamayo's strength is almost the same as it was when she escaped from his side five hundred years ago; she hasn't improved at all over the years.

The combined strength of the Kamado siblings is at most equivalent to that of an Upper Moon, and only Upper Moon Five or Upper Moon Four.

Dazai Osamu and Yushiro's strength goes without saying; Muzan Kibutsuji could crush them with a single finger.

The only thing that could pose a threat to him was the Balrog of Ratatosk.

On the other hand, not only was the Demon King himself present, but all five Upper Moons also accompanied him.

The difference in strength between the two sides is not just one level.

"You don't seem afraid...and not at all surprised that I'm here?"

Despite the vast difference in their fighting strength, Muzan Kibutsuji saw no fear on Kotori Itsuka's face and couldn't help but ask, "How interesting. Did you guess I would appear here all along?"

However, before Kotori Itsuka could speak, he continued talking on his own.

"Forget it, it doesn't matter whether you guessed it or not, the result is the same anyway."

Muzan Kibutsuji remained calm as he casually instructed his subordinates, "Let's get started, lest things get complicated."

Upon receiving the order, the Upper Moons behind Muzan Kibutsuji sprang into action.

However, Dazai Osamu's Blood Demon Art was activated even faster.

Without needing Kotori Itsuka's instructions, and seeing that the other party had no intention of chatting and was about to attack, he didn't hesitate and directly cut his own wrist.

A large amount of blood gushed out.

The blood turned into a fine mist, which, under Dazai Osamu's control, quickly spread throughout the entire mansion.

However, after more than a month of improvement in his strength, the area he could cover was no longer just that.

In just a few seconds, almost half of the forest was shrouded in blood mist.

Sensing that the activity of the cells in his body seemed to have decreased somewhat, Muzan Kibutsuji frowned slightly.

Many of his abilities were restricted.

However, he did not panic; instead, he smiled with a hint of sarcasm.

If this is Ratatosk's trump card, then he will only find it utterly ridiculous.

Even without the Blood Demon Art, their strength still gives them an overwhelming advantage.

Their weakening doesn't mean the other side has become stronger.

However, Ratatosk clearly has more than one trump card up its sleeve.

In the pitch-black forest, nine auras rapidly approached from afar.

Upon witnessing Dazai Osamu use his Blood Demon Art, the Pillar-level members lurking on the outskirts of the forest immediately sprang into action.

"How interesting... the prey has set a trap instead."

Muzan Kibutsuji sneered, waved his hand, and sent the Upper Moons out.

Since he had been teleported here through the Infinite City, he simply searched his surroundings.

Unexpectedly, the Demon Slayer Corps was lying in ambush in a more distant place.

"Is this your trump card?" Muzan Kibutsuji sneered. "If you think you can eliminate my carefully selected Upper Moons with just a few Pillars, you're being too naive."

"You seem to have misunderstood something. They're just there to hold off the troublemakers."

The campaign officially began.

Kotori Itsuka simply stopped pretending, revealing her divine armor and angelic form, a tyrannical smile appearing on her lips.

"My trump card is myself."

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Blood On My Name (Part Two)

The air temperature became scorching.

As the first spark appeared in the air, it was like dry wood meeting a raging fire, and a roaring flame appeared out of nowhere.

Behind Kotori Itsuka, Ratatosk and his group immediately retreated to a safe position.

Even if they are not burned by the flames, they will be affected by the aftershocks of the ensuing battle.

The Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji and the Flame Demon Kotori Itsuka were the two strongest combatants in their knowledge.

This level of combat is beyond their ability to intervene.

"Go help the Demon Slayer Corps."

Kotori Itsuka, holding the Scorching Demon Slayer in her hand, glanced at her subordinates and said, "They'll only get in the way if they stay here."

Although the words were blunt and merciless, the group from Ratatosk knew that it was the truth.

Even if they stayed here, the commander who wanted to support them would be powerless to do so.

The five people left through the passages on both sides of the main hall and joined the battle outside.

"You seem very confident." Muzan Kibutsuji narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think you can kill me all by yourself?"

"Of course because..."

Kotori Itsuka chuckled softly and instantly exerted force with both feet.

I am stronger than you!

He shot out like a cannonball, the crimson axe blade radiating an aura that could melt anything, heading straight for Muzan Kibutsuji's neck.

Feeling the heat wave coming towards him, Muzan Kibutsuji remained expressionless and slightly raised his hand.

The next moment, countless grotesque pieces of flesh gushed out from his arm.

Flesh and blood transformed into tentacles of various shapes, attacking Kotori Itsuka from different directions and gripping her tightly.

"You are indeed very strong, stronger than any of my Upper Moons," Muzan Kibutsuji said calmly. "However, you are still far from being able to defeat me."

Kotori Itsuka's record so far is already quite impressive.

He defeated Lower Moon One with a single blow, crushed Upper Moon Six, fought all nine Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps alone, and even managed to maintain the upper hand when attacked from both Upper Moon Three and Upper Moon Five.

Even the most arrogant Pillar in the Demon Slayer Corps would feel inferior in the face of such power.

However, for Muzan Kibutsuji, who has lived for over a year and has continuously grown stronger during that time, such a record can only be considered somewhat impressive.

"Perhaps in a few hundred years, you will grow to a level that can truly pose a threat to me."

Looking at Kotori Itsuka, who was being controlled by tentacles, Muzan Kibutsuji said coldly, "But you won't have that chance. On my path to immortality, I will not allow someone like you to exist."

As he spoke, he clenched his fist.

The tentacles binding Kotori Itsuka tightened as if they were trying to crush her to death.

Despite this situation, she remained calm and composed.

"You're right. With the strength I showed before, it's impossible for me to kill you."

Kotori Itsuka tilted her head and asked with a half-smile, "But why do you think that's all the power I have?"

The next moment, spiritual energy was released.

Centered on Kotori Itsuka, the frenzied spiritual power within her body exploded, piercing the surrounding fleshy tentacles into pieces.

In order to avoid revealing her true strength, she has never used her full power in any of her battles so far.

Because she knew that Muzan Kibutsuji's ability allowed him to see what any demon could see.

The power of elves is undoubtedly exceptional in this world.

Once Muzan Kibutsuji discovers his true strength, he will surely retreat into seclusion and never emerge again.

That's why Kotori Itsuka chose to hide her strength.

He never even used his full spiritual power; he always fought using breathing techniques and spiritual power together.

And now, Muzan Kibutsuji is standing in front of her.

There's no need to hold back now.

As Kotori Itsuka's aura steadily rose, Muzan Kibutsuji's expression darkened slightly.

"It seems your confidence isn't unfounded."

Bone spikes pierced through his body, blood covered his skin, and Muzan Kibutsuji's aura surged upwards.

The crimson in their eyes had reached its peak.

"bite----!"

The next moment, both of their figures turned into afterimages.

The bone spikes collided with the axe blade, producing a crisp clanging sound.

However, the bone spikes, which were strong enough to chisel through rocks and pierce through steel, immediately cracked upon impact, turning into bone dust after only resisting for a moment.

Muzan Kibutsuji's eyes narrowed, and a dozen bone spikes struck Kotori Itsuka from different directions.