Crossover: The Problematic Deity of Arcadia

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In a secluded estate under the control of the Ubuyashiki clan, the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were gradually gathering.

The towering blind monk—Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira.

The white-haired, scar-faced man with a perpetual scowl—Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira.

The flashy one with a white headwrap and extravagant eye makeup—Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira.

The soft-spoken man with short black hair and bandages around his mouth—Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira.

And the newest Water Hashira, still a bit of an outsider, silent and distant, dressed in a haori with mismatched patterns—Giyu Tomioka.

Only two were still missing: Kanae Kocho, the Flower Hashira, and Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira.

All the remaining Hashira were now assembled in the estate's modest courtyard.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya had yet to appear. 

Tengen crossed his arms and casually asked, "You all read the message Lord Ubuyashiki sent, right?"

"He's calling for a full-scale assault on the demons. Gotta say, that's a flashy move!"

Giyu responded dryly, "Or maybe a flashy way for us to get wiped out."

The atmosphere instantly dropped. No one replied. It was like the air had been sucked out of the courtyard.

Even Tengen, the one who had started the chat, looked a bit awkward.

Compared to the Twelve Kizuki, the Demon Slayer Corps really was at a disadvantage.

They could handle the Lower Kizuki. Every Hashira here had killed at least one—some, several.

But the Upper Kizuki? Those elite demons hadn't lost a single member to the Corps since the group was founded. Most of the Hashira who'd died in recent years had fallen to them.

So yeah—Giyu wasn't wrong.

A full-on assault might be necessary... but the chances of total annihilation were very real.

Still—couldn't he have said it a little less bluntly?

Tengen gave Giyu a sideways glance. Now he understood why everyone said the guy was hard to get along with.

That mouth of his is lethal.

The awkward silence hung in the air for another minute or two before Tengen cleared his throat and broke it. "You guys think Lord Ubuyashiki is being too reckless with this plan?"

Sanemi scoffed. "What's reckless about it? Demons eat people. We kill demons. That's how it's always been."

Gyomei, the oldest among them, pressed his palms together solemnly. "Amitabha... We don't even know who all the Upper Kizuki are right now. Planning a final strike against Muzan Kibutsuji himself—this isn't something we should rush."

From his perch in a nearby tree, Obanai looked down at the group and added, "Knowing Lord Ubuyashiki, he wouldn't have called for this without a solid plan."

Tengen rubbed his ear with his pinky, unconvinced. "Maybe he got some kind of intel that gave him the confidence to call us in."

At that, Giyu spoke up, brow slightly furrowed. "Before I came, I noticed a large number of demons moving out of my assigned region. They were heading toward Edo."

Everyone froze.

Tengen turned toward him, voice raised in disbelief. "Wait, what? And you're just telling us this now?"

Demons were territorial. Like wild predators—lions, tigers—they usually stuck to their own turf.

So for a whole group to abandon their territories and head to Edo? That wasn't just unusual. It was a red flag the size of Mt. Fuji.

It might even be why Ubuyashiki called for this operation. If all the demons were gathering in one place...

That would change everything.

Giyu, still calm, replied, "I didn't think it was necessary to inform you."

Tengen's good mood finally snapped. "You smug little—!"

Obanai laughed softly from the tree. "About to throw hands? Right here in Lord Ubuyashiki's courtyard?"

Sanemi's hand dropped to his sword hilt, his voice sharp. "Try it, and I'll cut down whoever starts the fight."

Neither Tengen nor Giyu backed down, but they didn't move, either.

Just then, two identical white-haired girls stepped out of the house. "Lord Ubuyashiki has arrived."

The five Hashira instantly stopped, dropping to one knee in respect as they turned toward the traditional-style room.

From within, the frail and coughing figure of Kagaya Ubuyashiki emerged. He made his way to the edge of the corridor and knelt.

"Is everyone here?" he asked softly.

One of the girls bowed her head. "Father, the Flame and Flower Hashira have not yet arrived."

"I see... then let's wait a bit longer. Cough, cough."

Before the silence could stretch too long, Giyu spoke again, his voice firm.

"Forgive the interruption, my lord. Earlier today, I discovered a large number of demons moving from their territories under the cover of night. After capturing and interrogating one, it appears they were ordered to head to Edo."

Tengen and the others stared at him, dumbfounded.

What the hell?!

Didn't he just say there was no need to tell them? And now he blurts it out to the Lord?

What was that supposed to mean? He thought they'd steal his thunder? Was he trying to kiss up?

But before the mood could sour further, Kagaya gave a soft laugh through his coughs.

"I was already made aware of this, Giyu. I received word early this morning."

He glanced around at the gathered Hashira, smiling.

"The demons are being manipulated—driven to Edo by someone I trust."

The five Hashira blinked.

Wait—who the hell was capable of herding all those demons toward Edo? Even commanding one was hard enough.

That kind of control... did his friend happen to be Muzan Kibutsuji himself?

Only someone like the Demon King could order the Kizuki around like that, right?

But despite their confusion, none of them voiced their doubts. Their trust in Kagaya was absolute.

Tengen, though, was already speculating wildly. 'Could it be... a defector from the Upper Kizuki? An insider helping from the shadows?'

If so, that would explain everything—why Ubuyashiki was confident enough to launch a full assault.

And if that were the case...

'Lord Ubuyashiki is playing 4D chess.'

"I understand now," Giyu replied, bowing his head.

Tengen smirked. 'What a kiss-ass. Thought you had the scoop, huh? Turns out the boss was ten steps ahead.'

Just then, Kagaya added, "As it happens, my friend is likely traveling with the Flower and Flame Hashira as we speak. I'll introduce you all once they arrive."

That caught the group off guard.

The mastermind behind all this—the person who could manipulate demons like pawns—was going to show up in person?

No security measures? No secrecy?

They weren't mentally prepared for this!

A moment later, a member of the support staff sprinted into the courtyard, shouting breathlessly: "Lord Ubuyashiki! Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho, and an unknown individual have arrived!"

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