Chapter 55: The Infinite Nightmare Begins

**Chapter 55: The Infinite Nightmare Begins**

The Hashira and members of the Demon Slayer Corps felt the air shift violently as they plunged into the depths of the Infinity Castle. Hearts raced, faster and faster, driven by the terrifying unknown that awaited them. The disorienting pull of the castle's twisted space sent a chill through their bodies, gripping their chests like an iron fist. Hands tightened around the hilts of their swords, the only comfort in a world that had suddenly been turned upside down.

But not Kintaro. He alone had no sword. He had left it behind in Ubuyashiki's house, and now he was falling, empty-handed, into the heart of the enemy's domain.

As the warriors landed in various parts of the castle, some hit the ground hard, sprawling in the twisted, maze-like floors, while others managed to stay upright, their training kicking in at the last second. The Hashira, as disciplined as ever, landed with grace, but even they felt a cold sweat running down their spines. Each one realized, in that moment, that they were separated into pairs, scattered across the infinite, shifting rooms.

Rengoku found himself standing beside Mitsuri Kanroji. The Flame Hashira's eyes glowed with the fire of determination, while Mitsuri looked around, her heart pounding, trying to make sense of their surroundings. On the other side of the castle, Giyu Tomioka stood stoically, his Water Breathing calm against the chaos. Next to him, Sanemi Shinazugawa's sharp gaze flickered with both rage and readiness. He grinned, savoring the battle to come. Each Hashira was partnered with another, unsure of where the rest of their comrades had fallen, but knowing full well that Muzan's demons were lurking in the darkness.

Meanwhile, Tanjiro Kamado landed with a thud, his hand instantly reaching for his sword. He stood up, heart racing, only to find Zenitsu and Inosuke nearby. Zenitsu, unconscious as usual, muttered fearfully in his sleep, while Inosuke immediately jumped to his feet, his wild eyes scanning the surroundings like a beast ready to charge.

They were all in the *Infinity Castle*, a place unlike any other. The walls shifted like shadows, their angles twisting and turning in impossible directions. It was as though they had fallen into a labyrinth created by madness itself. The castle seemed alive, its dark corridors extending into endless, black voids. Floors floated at different levels, suspended in the air, some towering high above, others sinking deep below. It was a space where gravity felt unreliable, where the laws of physics seemed to bend and break at will.

In a quiet, dimly lit room, Nakime, the demon who controlled the castle, sat with her biwa in hand. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and her face remained serene, expressionless. Her fingers moved delicately across the strings, each note she played echoing through the castle and manipulating its structure. With every strum, the rooms shifted, sending the Demon Slayers deeper into the maze.

Nakime's calm, almost indifferent expression was in stark contrast to the chaos she orchestrated. She sat on her cushion, her eyes closed, her mind in complete control of the sprawling, nightmarish space.

Back in the shifting corridors, each pair of Hashira faced the same, overwhelming realization: they were isolated, and they had no idea how far Muzan was from them. Rengoku's fierce grin never wavered as he turned to Mitsuri. "Our goal is clear," he said, his voice full of confidence. "We must find Muzan and destroy him."

Mitsuri nodded, though she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. "We'll fight through whatever demons stand in our way!" she agreed, her grip tightening on her sword.

And demons there were—countless in number, crawling out from the shadows like waves of darkness. Their grotesque forms twisted and contorted as they lunged toward the Hashira, their bloodthirsty eyes gleaming in the dim light.

Rengoku was the first to react, his sword igniting in a blaze of golden flames. "*Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!*" he roared, his blade slicing upward, sending a torrent of fire crashing into the wave of demons. The heat from his attack incinerated the lesser demons instantly, turning them into ash before they even had a chance to scream.

Mitsuri followed suit, her whip-like sword dancing through the air with grace and deadly precision. "*Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Winds of Love!*" Her strikes were swift, her sword wrapping around the necks of the demons and decapitating them effortlessly. Her expression, normally filled with warmth, was now fierce, her love for her comrades driving her to protect them.

In another part of the castle, Giyu and Sanemi faced their own horde. Giyu's sword glided through the air like water, his movements fluid and controlled. "*Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!*" A powerful surge of water enveloped his blade as he slashed through the demons, washing away their twisted bodies like a flood.

Beside him, Sanemi laughed, his bloodlust palpable. "*Wind Breathing, Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind!*" His sword unleashed a fierce gust of wind, slicing the demons apart with brutal force. Blood sprayed through the air as Sanemi's wild eyes glimmered with a dangerous joy.

Meanwhile, in another chamber, Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu faced their own set of demons. Tanjiro's senses were on high alert, his breathing steady as he activated his Fire Dance. His blade became a blur of flame as he cut down the demons in rapid succession, each strike fueled by the burning memory of his family.

Inosuke, with his dual blades, charged forward recklessly. "*Beast Breathing, Seventh Fang: Spatial Awareness!*" His heightened senses allowed him to detect every demon in the room, and with a wild roar, he tore through them with sheer force, his swords moving like savage fangs.

Zenitsu, unconscious yet again, unleashed his full power without realizing it. His body moved in a blur of speed as he executed *Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash* in an instant, his sword cutting down the demons with lightning-fast precision.

But far above them all, in a high, distant chamber, a different kind of battle was about to begin.

Muzan Kibutsuji stood tall, his crimson eyes glowing ominously in the dim light of the room. His presence alone was suffocating, a force of pure malice that made the air feel thick. He smirked, his voice cold and smooth. "I must admit, this is a rather tragic end for a child like you."

Across from him, Akaza, the Third Upper Moon, knelt in deference to his master. His golden eyes, emblazoned with the mark of the Upper Moon, flickered as he stared at Kintaro. "It seems to me that Douma continued to pursue women until he lost his level," Akaza said, his voice carrying a hint of disdain. "How could he lose to a child like this?"

On the other side of the room, Kokushibo, the Upper Moon One, stood silently. His six eyes gleamed in the darkness, his presence foreboding and unreadable. Further away, Hantengu, the original Upper Moon Four, quivered slightly, though his eyes betrayed a cruel delight in the coming bloodshed. Finally, Daki, the Upper Moon Six, stood by herself, her expression twisted with amusement.

And there, in the center of it all, was Kintaro.

He knelt on one knee, his right leg steady as he slowly rose to his feet. His purple eyes glowed faintly as he surveyed the room, calm and unflinching despite the overwhelming power surrounding him. He had no sword, but his body was filled with a quiet, deadly resolve.

"This place again…" Kintaro muttered, his eyes narrowing. "The stench here is unbearable. But if this means I get to rid the world of all of you tonight, then I'll tolerate it for a while longer."

Akaza's lips curled into a slight smirk. "This boy has guts."

Daki laughed softly, her voice filled with mockery. "He thinks he can defeat us? All of us?? How cute."

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