The One Punch Man (a.k.a Saitama) in Demon Slayer

Chapter 79: Chapter 77: A New Threat Looms (820 words)



The festival had ended, leaving the Demon Slayer Corps in high spirits. The Hashira, exhausted but satisfied, rested in the Butterfly Mansion, while Saitama sat quietly on the rooftop, gazing at the starry sky.

Despite the fun, something still felt off to him. The brief flicker of an ominous presence during the festival hadn't escaped his notice. He wasn't one to worry, but instincts honed from years of fighting monsters told him one thing—something dangerous was coming.

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A Silent Intrusion

Far from the joyful aftermath of the festival, deep within a mist-covered forest, a lone Demon Slayer patrolled the area. His breath was steady, his grip on his sword firm. But as he took another step forward, the air around him changed—thick with an unnatural chill.

Something's here.

His heartbeat quickened. He turned sharply, but the moment he moved—

SHHK!

A blur of motion. A gleam of sharp claws.

Blood splattered onto the grass.

The slayer barely had time to react before his body was thrown back, crashing into a tree. His sword tumbled from his grip as he gasped for air, his vision blurring.

A voice, cold and mocking, echoed through the mist.

"Oh my, how fragile… I barely touched you."

From the darkness stepped a new Upper Moon—Upper Moon Four: Kuroya, the Phantom Demon.

Kuroya's form was strange, almost like a shadow given life. His long, flowing black hair blended into the mist, his piercing silver eyes glowed eerily, and his sharp claws dripped with the blood of his victim. Unlike the other Upper Moons, his body flickered as if he wasn't entirely there.

He knelt beside the dying Demon Slayer, watching him struggle. "You must feel honored," Kuroya whispered. "You're the first to witness my return… but not for long."

The slayer's breath hitched. "W-what… are you?"

Kuroya only smiled. Then, with a swift motion, he vanished—as if he had never been there.

---

A Sudden Meeting

Back at the Butterfly Mansion, the Hashira were gathered, discussing the festival events when a messenger crow suddenly flew in, cawing frantically.

"URGENT NEWS! A DEMON SLAYER HAS BEEN FOUND DEAD NEAR THE EASTERN BORDER! UNIDENTIFIED UPPER MOON SUSPECTED!"

Everyone's expressions hardened instantly.

Giyu clenched his fist. "Another Upper Moon…?"

Mitsuri shuddered. "This doesn't feel right… Why now, after all this time?"

Saitama, who had been quietly sipping tea, finally spoke up. "Guess that means I should check it out."

Tengen smirked. "Not alone, cue-ball. We're all going."

Rengoku stood up, his eyes burning with determination. "An unknown Upper Moon appearing suddenly is no coincidence. This is a challenge… and we shall face it together!"

The Hashira nodded, each preparing for battle.

Saitama sighed. "Guess this means my nap is canceled."

---

Into the Darkness

The journey to the eastern border was swift. The moment they arrived, the overwhelming stench of blood filled the air. The ground was littered with shattered trees, and in the center… the lifeless body of the fallen Demon Slayer lay still.

Shinobu knelt beside him, her expression dark. "It wasn't just brute force… The cuts are precise. He was toying with him."

Rengoku's eyes narrowed. "Whoever this was, they're fast. Faster than the others we've faced before."

Saitama yawned, rubbing his head. "So, where is this guy? If he's that strong, shouldn't he be running around causing trouble?"

As if answering his question, a whisper floated through the wind.

"You're already surrounded."

The mist thickened. Shadows began shifting unnaturally. They weren't alone.

Tengen's sharp eyes darted around. "Tch. This presence… it's like he's everywhere and nowhere at the same time."

Then—attack!

A blur of black mist shot toward Mitsuri. She barely managed to leap back, but a sharp claw grazed her shoulder, cutting through her haori like paper.

The Hashira barely had time to react before another attack came—this time targeting Rengoku. He swung his blade in a flaming arc, but his sword cut through nothing.

"It's an illusion," Giyu muttered. "He's making us see what he wants us to see."

Laughter echoed from the mist.

"Correct," Kuroya's voice taunted. "But knowing that won't save you."

A sudden strike from behind—aimed directly at Shinobu!

Before it could land, Saitama casually raised his hand—and caught Kuroya's wrist.

The mist demon's eyes widened in shock. "What—?"

Saitama blinked. "Huh. So you are real."

Without warning, he tightened his grip—and Kuroya's entire arm disintegrated from the force.

The Upper Moon let out a strangled hiss and leapt back, regenerating immediately. His mist form flickered erratically, his confident smirk briefly faltering.

"Interesting…" Kuroya murmured, his gaze locked onto Saitama. "You're different."

Saitama yawned. "Yeah, yeah. Look, are we fighting or not? I don't have all night."

The Hashira took their battle stances, the air tense.

Kuroya only smiled again. "Not today. But soon."

And just like that, he vanished once more—his presence fading like a ghost.

The mist cleared. The battlefield was silent.

Saitama clicked his tongue. "Man, this is getting annoying."

Rengoku exhaled, gripping his sword. "This is no ordinary Upper Moon… This is just the beginning."

Tengen smirked. "Guess that means we'll have to put on an extravagant performance next time."

The Hashira knew—this wasn't over. A new battle had begun.

And this time, their opponent was unlike any they had faced before.

To be continued…

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End of Chapter 77


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