176. Chapter 176: Prelude to the Decisive Battle! The Wooden Coffin!
"You don't need to worry about these things. What you need to worry about is whether you can arrive in time when the battle begins."
"Namu Amida Butsu. Oyakata-sama, what you are doing is too risky. I have an idea: we could have someone else disguise themselves as you to meet Muzan Kibutsuji. After all, he doesn't know what you look like and wouldn't recognize you." Gyomei Himejima, clad in a brownish-yellow Buddhist robe, clasped his hands together, tears streaming from his eyes.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki gently shook his head, put down the teacup in his hand, and said in a gentle voice, "Then who should I send? Muzan is already familiar with your appearances and auras, so you are clearly not a suitable Candidate. As for the other Demon Slayer Corps members, it's impossible for them to remain calm in front of Muzan, and their lives are also lives.
I do not believe I was born nobler than others, nor do I believe the Demon Slayer Corps cannot function without me. Even if I die, there will be a next Oyakata-sama to take my place. As long as the conviction of the Demon Slayer Corps exists, the Demon Slayer Corps will never disappear.
Alright, I have made my decision. Kanata, help me back to the Room to rest."
Watching Oyakata-sama turn and walk towards the Room, The Hashira's brows were furrowed with worry. They had no mind for rest now and exchanged anxious glances. "Everyone, please come up with an idea. In any case, I absolutely disagree with Oyakata-sama taking such a risk. We all know how dangerous Muzan is. It's very likely that Oyakata-sama will not return if he goes this time."
Sanemi Shinazugawa, standing under the tree, shook his head. "Oyakata-sama has made up his mind about this matter; it's not something we can change. Besides, with Xia Shang here, an accident might not necessarily happen. I believe everyone has witnessed his strength. As soon as he appears, Muzan's first reaction will definitely be to turn around and run."
Xia Shang, however, wasn't in the mood to listen to their discussion.
Currently, the Fusion Degree of his Five Brains, Seven Hearts was about to reach 100%. His arms and legs each contained a brain, located very close to the heart: one on the forearm or calf, and one on the upper arm and thigh. What he was worried about now was how to hide his changes from Homelander's X-ray Vision after returning to The Boys world.
Regarding this, he already had two plans.
First, directly tell Homelander that his superpower is body modification. This has high credibility and can also explain why he has so many eyeballs inside his body. More importantly, during his battle with Stormfront, he not only changed his appearance and body shape but also destroyed all the eyeballs.
Even if Stormfront miraculously survived, all she could say was that the mysterious person's chest could emit Heat Vision.
Second, decompose the Six Hearts Four Brains inside his body before returning to The Boys world. However, the next time he encountered combat, it would take a certain amount of time to reconstruct these things, which would be very troublesome.
Therefore, Xia Shang was more inclined towards the first plan.
Not long after Xia Shang left, The Hashira also dispersed. When Shinobu Kocho, who was with Tamayo, heard Muzan's demand, she immediately prepared to go and persuade Oyakata-sama. She even wanted to replace Oyakata-sama and go meet Muzan herself.
"Don't forget, Muzan has seen you, but he hasn't seen me. Furthermore, I can use special methods to hold my breath. Most importantly, with Miss Tamayo's help, we have already developed a medicine that can restrain Muzan."
"That quickly?" Mitsuri Kanroji exclaimed in shock.
Shinobu Kocho looked at Tamayo. "Miss Tamayo has been doing research in this area for hundreds of years. Many of her serums are quite effective. Even without my help, she could quickly develop a medicine sufficient to restrain Muzan."
"Miss Kocho is truly too modest. Her research in the area of poisons has already far surpassed mine," Tamayo's voice remained incredibly gentle. "Oh, right, you mentioned earlier that Muzan could make an area disappear instantly, like a collapse after an earthquake?"
"That's right." Hearing Mitsuri Kanroji's confirmation, Tamayo said softly, "That must be Muzan using the Infinity Castle. That is an extremely special Space. No one knows where that Space is, and outsiders cannot enter without Muzan's permission. The Infinity Castle can affect the surrounding Space, pulling everything in the vicinity, such as buildings and humans, into it.
The disappearance of that area should be related to the Infinity Castle."
Mitsuri Kanroji didn't expect Tamayo to know how the area disappeared. Speaking of which, fear stemming from the unknown is the most terrifying. During The Hashira's discussion, they had repeatedly mentioned how Muzan made buildings and the residents inside disappear. If this puzzle couldn't be solved, they would always feel uncertain.
"That's great! I'll go call Kyojuro and the others over right now. Oh, and Xia Shang too."
After Mitsuri Kanroji left the Room, a black Kasugai Crow landed on Tamayo's windowsill shortly after.
"Come with me," Tamayo said, leading the Kasugai Crow into her Room.
*Click!* After closing the door, the Kasugai Crow spoke, "Oyakata-sama is very grateful for the serum you sent, but he disagrees with your plan to embed the serum in your body and be swallowed by Muzan, putting yourself in danger. Xia Shang also said it's unnecessary. You should stay in the Butterfly Mansion and wait for the news of Muzan's death."
Tamayo was silent for a moment, then said, "I must go. Even if I cannot kill Muzan with my own hands, I must witness his death. Furthermore, once you are pulled into the Infinity Castle, you will definitely get lost. Yushiro's ability can share your field of vision through the eye charm attached to the Kasugai Crow."
"Okay, I will relay this information to Oyakata-sama. Please wait a moment."
...
As time passed bit by bit.
Under the scorching sun, a group of burly men wearing thin shirts were burying something in the ground. After filling the pits, they waved towards the distance.
Two coachmen were seen flicking the reins in their hands, urging two fine horses, one yellow and one black, to the designated spot.
The horses pulled a Rokuro cart, and on the cart was a wooden coffin. Beside the coffin was a man whose upper half of his face was disfigured. The man wore a slight smile on his lips, giving off a feeling like a spring breeze. "You've gone to a lot of trouble."
"It's no trouble at all. Please come down quickly, sir." The strong men felt a sense of goodwill towards him the moment they saw him. One of them helped him down from the cart.
The others jumped onto the cart, rolled up their sleeves, and prepared to lift the wooden coffin.
"So heavy! Is it made of iron inside?" Seven or eight strong men couldn't lift the coffin at once. Their faces were flushed red, and the blood vessels in their necks bulged. After several attempts, they finally managed to lift the wooden coffin onto the ground with difficulty. *Bang!* The moment the wooden coffin landed, it kicked up dust and made a dull thud.
(End of Chapter)