Infinite: The Main God Space Starting from Naruto

Chapter 218 Layout

"Um"

Tsubaki Kamishiro slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually returning to clarity. A dull pain shot through his chest as he breathed, causing him to frown involuntarily.

Only a few faint rays of light seeped into the dimly lit room through the cracks in the window.

Tsubaki Kamishiro tried to move her neck, which was wrapped in thick gauze.

"Where is this?"

Memories flooded back. The last image was of the blond man grabbing her neck, and then she lost consciousness.

Tsubaki Kamishiro instinctively reached for his waist, only to find it empty. His Nichirin Blade was gone. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

There was a faint smell of blood in the room. Tsubaki Kamishiro stood up, leaning against the wall, her steps unsteady.

He pushed open the door, and a blast of cold air hit him.

Upon seeing the scene before him, his pupils suddenly contracted.

At the far end of the hall stood a massive stone throne. Dio leaned against it, one leg resting on the armrest.

He was toying with a crystal goblet in his hand, the scarlet liquid swirling inside.

Beside his legs lay a horrifying monster, a huge black dog with a woman's head.

"Hmm"

A strong urge to vomit surged up her throat, and Tsubaki covered her mouth as her stomach churned violently.

He had seen countless evil spirits, but this monster that mutated the living was more repulsive than any ghost.

"Awake?" Dio watched Tsubaki's reaction with amusement, reaching out to stroke the monster's head. "Do you like my new pet?"

"What...what did you do to her?" Tsubaki Kamishiro asked, her voice trembling as she tried to suppress her nausea.

"It's just a minor modification," Dio said lazily. "This is my invention, a fusion of humans and animals, creating creatures that are completely obedient to me."

"Why don't you kill me!" Kamishiro Tsubaki suppressed her nausea and stared intently at the figure on the throne.

"Heh." Dio chuckled softly, his long, slender fingers stroking the monster's head. "That old woman, though also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, was merely a peripheral member; she knew far too little. And you..."

A hint of amusement flashed in his golden eyes. "You possess the information I desire."

"Hmph!" Tsubaki Kamishiro sneered. "Even if you kill me, I won't tell you anything!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Dio placed his wine glass on the armrest and slowly stood up. He looked down at Tsubaki Kamishiro. "I knew you'd say that. However..."

"Do you think I would use such a brutal method to interrogate you? I prefer taming to violence."

Two undead beings suddenly sprang out of the darkness, grabbing Tsubaki Kamishiro's arms from the left and right and pinning him down.

Dio slowly walked up to Tsubaki Kamishiro and reached out to pluck a strand of her golden hair.

Under Tsubaki Kamishiro's gaze, the hair began to wriggle, gradually swell and deform, eventually turning into a worm as thick as a thumb.

"Ugh!" Kamishiro Tsubaki's throat spasmed as stomach acid surged up into her throat.

"As long as you put this thing in your head," Dio said, pinching the insect close to Tsubaki Kamishiro's forehead, "you will become my most loyal servant."

"Stop!"

Dio pressed his fingers against his forehead, and with a little pressure, a small wound appeared on his skin.

The pale worm immediately burrowed into the brain, and under Dio's deliberate control, it left almost no trace on the outside.

"Ah!!!" Tsubaki Kamishiro's body convulsed violently, her eyes rolling back.

A few seconds later, Tsubaki Kamishiro's body suddenly stopped trembling. He slowly stood up, turned to Dio, and then knelt down heavily.

"Lord Dior," his voice was filled with fervent adoration, "your faithful servant salutes you."

Dio sat back on his throne, gently swirling the blood goblet in his hand: "Tell me, what is the true strength of the Demon Slayer Corps' strongest members?"

"With my abilities, I couldn't even last a single round against the weakest 'Pillar'." Tsubaki Kamishiro remained kneeling, her voice trembling. "Those monsters, each one of them possessed strength far exceeding that of ordinary people."

"A pillar?" A hint of interest flashed in Dio's eyes.

"Yes, they are the nine strongest swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, and each of them has a unique breathing technique."

"Then, what about Muzan, the Demon King?"

"The Demon King." Tsubaki Kamishiro paused for a moment, "No one has ever seen his true appearance. Even the Demon Slayer Corps spies have never been able to track him down."

"Furthermore, he has six of the strongest demons under his command, known as Upper Moons. Their strength is second only to Muzan, and they have never been killed by any swordsman. Each of them possesses extremely powerful Blood Demon Art."

Dio leaned back on his throne, lost in thought. According to Tsubaki Kamishiro's intelligence, the power system in this world was far more complex than he had imagined.

With my current abilities, I'm afraid I'm not yet able to contend with those top-tier powerhouses. Before dealing with Muzan, I need to strengthen my own forces first.

Dio looked at Tsubaki Kamishiro: "Tell me, how does the Demon Slayer Corps operate? What is your relationship with the Shogunate?"

"Lord Dio, the Demon Slayer Corps has been managed by the Ubuyashiki family for generations," Tsubaki Kamishiro replied respectfully. "All funding and equipment come from the family's private assets."

A glint of light flashed in Dior's eyes. An organization that didn't rely on the government and was entirely privately managed...

"Someone come here." Dio whispered, and a corpse-like person immediately stepped out of the shadows, holding Kamishiro Tsubaki's Nichirin Blade in both hands.

"Here you go." Dio gestured to Tsubaki Kamishiro. "I want you to return to the Demon Slayer Corps and continue your work."

Tsubaki Kamishiro took the sword, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "What does Master mean?"

"You will soon receive my instructions," Dio's voice carried an undeniable command. "Until then, do not reveal your identity."

Just as Tsubaki Kamishiro was about to get up, Dio suddenly spoke up: "Wait. You can't just go back like this."

Kamishiro Tsubaki immediately understood Dio's meaning. Without hesitation, he drew his Nichirin Blade, the blade flashing with a cold light.

"puff!"

Blood splattered, and his left arm fell to the ground with a thud. His face showed no sign of pain, as if he hadn't severed his own arm.

Kamishiro Tsubaki gritted her teeth and immediately activated the Water Breathing Technique to gather her breath and stop the bleeding.

Dior tossed him a cloth bag: "Here are the things you need. Remember, don't let anyone discover your true identity."

Kamishiro Tsubaki knelt on one knee: "Yes, Master. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

…………

after one day

Inside the royal palace in the capital, a violent coughing fit rang out.

"Ugh!" Jiaren raised his hand and spat another mouthful of blood onto his handkerchief. He trembled as he wiped his mouth, his face as pale as paper.

"Your Majesty!" The maids rushed over at the sound of the commotion. "Should we call a doctor?"

"Get out!" Jiaren swung his hand violently, smashing a teacup on the ground. "Get out, all of you!"

The maids hurriedly retreated, leaving only Jiaren alone.

He leaned back on the couch, his gaze fixed on the prescription on the table. The doctor said his condition was deteriorating and he had at most three more years to live.

"Why?" He gripped the bedsheet tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Why can't I live a few more years? I don't want to die, I don't want to die like this!"

"Hehe." A deep laugh suddenly rang out in the palace.

Jiaren sat bolt upright: "Who?!"

"I can grant your wish."

A deep voice suddenly rang out in the room. Jiaren turned his head sharply and saw a blond man standing in the corner of the room.

"Protect!" Jiaren was about to shout when a hand swiftly gripped his throat.

That hand was so cold it didn't seem human; Jiaren felt as if a venomous snake was coiled around his neck.

I'm currently reading the error-free version! This is the first time I've published this novel.

"You want to live, don't you?" Dio's voice held a seductive tone. "By making you my slave, you can gain eternal life!"

The veins in his arm throbbed, and a stream of dark red blood flowed from his fingertips into Jiaren's neck.

"what!"

The intense pain caused Jiaren to scream. Dio released his grip, and he fell heavily to the ground, his body convulsing uncontrollably.

Dio leisurely walked to the throne and sat down, admiring the scene before him.

Gradually, Jiaren stopped struggling.

He slowly stood up, feeling the power surging within him. The ailments that had plagued him for years had completely vanished, replaced by an unprecedented vitality.

But when his gaze fell upon Dio, a sense of oppression from the depths of his blood suddenly surged into his heart.

Jiaren's knees buckled uncontrollably as he knelt down, an irresistible urge that made him feel as if his entire body should submit to the man before him.

He crawled on his hands and knees to Dio's feet, reverently kissing his boots: "Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master, for giving me a new life."

"Arise, my servant."

Dio nodded in satisfaction, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "Tell me, do you know the Ubuyashiki family?"

"I know," Jiaren replied respectfully. "They are one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country, with family assets all over the nation."

"I don't want this family to continue existing." Dio stood up. "Then... you know what to do, right?"

"Understood, Master." Jiaren nodded, turned, and walked to the door. "Come in!"

A young maid in a kimono strode into the hall.

When she saw Dior in the room, she was clearly stunned. His overly perfect face and golden hair seemed particularly out of place in Japan at that time, but she didn't dare to say anything.

"Go, pass on the order." Jiaren's voice was calm. "Summon the Army Commander to see me immediately. Tell him I have important matters to discuss."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The maids immediately withdrew.

Dio smiled slightly: "Very good, the first step will be to dismantle the foundation of the Ubuyashiki family."

………………

Butterfly House, in a quiet hospital room.

"Um"

Zenitsu slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness still somewhat hazy.

He tried to sit up, but a tearing pain shot through his body. Looking down, he saw that his body was wrapped in thick bandages.

"Don't move." A gentle voice sounded: "Your body has been severely damaged from overusing Thunder Breathing during the battle, resulting in serious injury to your muscles and nerves."

Zenitsu turned his head and saw Kanao sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a bowl of warm water in her hand.

"How long was I unconscious?" Zenitsu picked up a glass of warm water and drank it.

Kanao put the bowl aside: "It's been three days."

"Three days?!" Zenitsu sat up abruptly, pulling on his muscles and gasping in pain.

Zenitsu was stunned. His memory of the battle was completely blank. He only remembered that he had used Thunder Breathing, and then he knew nothing more.

"Brother Tsubaki!" Zenitsu suddenly grabbed Kanao's wrist. "How is Brother Tsubaki?"

Kanao's expression was grave: "Kamishiro was found by the search and rescue team on the second day, far from where you were. His injuries were more serious than yours, and he hasn't woken up yet."

Zenitsu bit his lip, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes: "It's all my fault for being so useless."

Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open. A figure dressed in a black haori strode in: "Lord Zenitsu, the Pillars wish to see you."

"What? Pillar?!" Zenitsu's voice rose eight octaves in an instant, and he shrank back into the blankets. "W-Why do you want to see me?"

Yin's expression turned serious: "It's about Qingye Town."

"No!" Zenitsu cried, clutching the blanket and trembling. "I don't remember anything, and... and the Pillars were terrifying!"

Before Zenitsu could say anything more, Kaku had already stepped forward and nimbly carried him on his back.

"Wait, wait a minute! I can walk by myself!" Zenitsu struggled frantically.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room of the Ubuyashiki residence was heavy.

Shinobu Kocho unfolded the report in her hand: "According to the on-site investigation, although these transformed people have the characteristics of demons, they are very different from ordinary demons."

"What's the difference?" Yoshiyuki Tomioka asked, arms crossed.

She tapped her finger lightly on the paper: "First of all, they don't have any obvious signs of demonization; they can even perfectly disguise themselves as ordinary people. What's even stranger is that they don't react to wisteria flowers at all."

"The most dangerous thing is," her voice turned serious, "that while these monsters aren't individually strong, they seem to be able to reproduce rapidly. In just a few days, they've transformed all the residents of Qingye Town."

"It's so pathetic, it's like a plague," said Gyomei Himejima in a low voice.

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open, and Zenitsu walked in, his back to Zenitsu who had completely curled up in a ball.

"Excuse me," Yin bowed slightly, "I have brought Lord Zenitsu."

All eyes were on Zenitsu, who was trembling.

(End of this chapter)