Kenta took a slow breath. The room remained focused, silent under the weight of his memories.
"After Kaminari… he stayed with me. Helped me rebuild the Tokyo Corps. He never said it aloud, but I think… he needed a reason to keep going."
Kagaya nodded softly. "And did he find it?"
Kenta smiled faintly. "In helping others, yes. He trained the newer slayers. Improved logistics. Took on the missions no one dared to. He lowered my workload by half."
Giyu spoke up, quiet but steady. "He did all of that while still grieving?"
Kenta looked to him. "He did it because he was grieving."
Tanjiro clenched his fists in his lap.
"And then," Kenta continued, voice more solemn now, "came the night he told me about Infinity Castle."
Even Amane's hands tensed slightly.
Kenta turned to Kagaya. "He found a demon that fled into the forest. He followed it—and the creature dove into a gate. A dimensional one."
"Infinity Castle," Kagaya confirmed softly.
Kenta nodded. "He barely made it through before it closed. And inside… he fought."
Zenitsu was already pale. "W-Wait, wait—he actually fought Muzan…?"
"He did."
Everyone leaned in, their expressions grave.
"Sahiru said he unleashed his tenth form for the first time. Went toe-to-toe with the Demon King himself. Muzan… was overwhelmed."
Sanemi blinked, stunned. "That's… impossible."
"He said Muzan trembled."
Obanai's eye narrowed. "And he lived?"
Kenta nodded again. "Nakime teleported him out when Muzan screamed. But Sahiru said one thing I'll never forget."
He looked across the room, gaze landing on Tanjiro.
"He said: 'I didn't fight to kill him. I fought to send a message.'"
The message hung heavy in the air.
"He wanted Muzan to know… that his time was running out."