BOOM!!
An ear-splitting explosion erupted beneath the feet of the Demon Slayer Corps members.
In that moment, the solid ground beneath them suddenly collapsed as if splitting apart midair.
The sudden weightlessness caught everyone off guard, but these were seasoned swordsmen who had weathered many battles.
Thanks to Arai timely warning, though startled, none of the demon slayers panicked.
Instead, they all sought ways to stabilize themselves.
"Wait, what's that?!" Arai jaw dropped as he stared at the massive, blurry silhouette emerging through the dust.
A colossal "giant" standing over three meters tall, crawled out from underground.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Each enormous footstep struck the ground like thunder.
As the dust gradually settled, the demon slayers could finally make out the "giant's" appearance.
It looked like a grotesque amalgamation of lumpy, uneven rocks and dirt, its body still clinging to grass fragments and the corpses of small underground creatures.
There was no semblance of humanity—just a monstrous humanoid form fused from mud and rubble.
"Hahaha! You brats and all you other wretched fools, see this? This is my true power! I'll crush each of you one by one, then savor your flesh slowly!"
A muffled, arrogant voice boomed from within the creature.
The voice unmistakably belonged to the Earth Demon they'd been battling earlier!
Blood Demon Art: Giant Earth Armor—the Earth Demon's ultimate technique.
Using his unique Blood Demon Art, he fused vast amounts of soil and rubble onto his body, not only enhancing his defense and attack power but also granting him several special abilities.
"It's still him! Everyone, stay sharp—don't let this behemoth touch you! Aim for its joints and weak spots! Coordinate and find openings!" Arai shouted to his comrades while channeling power into his legs.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Zap!!
A dazzling arc of lightning erupted in an instant, streaking straight towards the colossal Earth Demon.
The other Demon Slayer Corps members weren't about to be outdone.
They raised their Nichirin Blades in unison.
"Water Breathing!"
"Wind Breathing!"
"Water Breathing!"
A torrent of fierce sword techniques and slashes surged towards the Earth Demon.
Yuichiro didn't act rashly.
Gripping his wooden sword, he remained alert, his bright eyes fixed on the Earth Demon's taunting laughter.
He recalled his master's words.
'Yuichiro, Forest Breathing is different from other breathing styles. What matters most is sensing the vitality of all living things—from a single blade of grass to an entire forest. They all possess their own life force.
Feel them.
Communicate with them. Let them accept you, synchronize your heartbeat and breath with theirs. Only then, Yuichiro, will you truly comprehend Forest Breathing!'
Shinichi's words echoed relentlessly in Yuichiro's ears.
"Perception, communication, acceptance, resonance... Master, I think I understand."
Yuichiro gripped his wooden sword, suddenly seeming to grasp something profound.
An inexplicable surge of energy erupted around him, stirring the flowers and grass beneath his feet and breathing life into the endless vitality of the forest.
Whoosh!
Two emerald-green lights ignited within Yuichiro's pupils.
***
Shinichi on the tree branch: Pfft! (spits tea)
He stared at Yuichiro in shock—what in the world? This kid was absolutely unbelievable!
The disturbance of life energy around them naturally didn't escape Shinichi's notice.
This brat Yuichiro had actually achieved a breakthrough right under his nose?
Sensing the aura emanating from Yuichiro, there was no mistaking it!
***
"Forest Breathing · Eighth Form · Whispering Forest Eyes!"
In an instant, everything in Yuichiro's vision underwent a dramatic transformation.
Countless things invisible to ordinary people now reflected clearly in his eyes—including the massive, grotesque Earth Demon nearby!
***
BOOM!!
A blade crackling with electricity sliced off half of the Earth Demon's arm, but what made Arai Masahiko's scalp tingle was how the severed stump immediately began writhing.
Countless clumps of earth and rubble from beneath the demon's feet merged into its body, rapidly repairing the damage.
"Hahaha! Useless, you pathetic insects! Just die quietly!" The Earth Demon cackled, swinging a massive fist towards Arai Masahiko.
However, the enlarged demon's movements had slowed significantly, allowing Arai to dodge the attack in time.
Yet this wasn't a sustainable solution—he and his teammates had practically hacked apart the demon's entire body, even decapitating it once, but they couldn't deliver a killing blow.
At this rate, their stamina wouldn't hold out much longer!
Just as Arai was wrestling with this dilemma, a figure suddenly dashed past him, charging straight at the Earth Demon.
Arai gasped and shouted urgently, "Yuichiro! Wait! Don't go near it—it's dangerous!"
But Yuichiro, his eyes shimmering with radiant light, paid no heed to it.
He merely tightened his grip on the wooden sword, glaring fixedly at the Earth Demon.
"Come at me, brat! I'll crush you to paste!"
Delighted rather than alarmed by Yuichiro's charge, the Earth Demon reached out with its massive form to grab him.
"Forest Breathing · Fourth Form · Dandelion Dance!"
Moving like drifting dandelion, Yuichiro effortlessly evaded all of the demon's attacks, drawing ever closer.
"Forest Breathing · Third Form · Thorn Stab!"
Five lightning-fast thrusts struck precisely at all the demon's joints, temporarily paralyzing its movements.
"Hahaha, is that all you've got? Pathetic, you little runt!" the Earth Demon continued to roar grotesquely.
Yuichiro remained expressionless, his gaze locked onto the demon's chest.
"Found you!"
"Forest Breathing · Fifth Form · Soaring Bamboo Slash!"
In that moment, Yuichiro's wooden sword blazed with unprecedented emerald brilliance.
Before the stunned demon's eyes, the blade cleaved through its chest, shattering the earthen armor to reveal the creature's true form—the Earth Demon had been hiding like a cowardly rat within its shell of dirt and stone.
But the wooden sword in Yuichiro's hand unable to withstand such tremendous force and it shattered into pieces.
Fortunately, Arai had been observing the battle closely.
At that critical moment, he suddenly threw his Nichirin Blade and shouted.
"Yuichiro! Catch it!"
Bang!
Reacting instinctively, Yuichiro caught the blade with precise timing.
Under the stunned and terrified gaze of the earth demon, he unleashed a fierce slash—
"Forest Breathing, First Form: Iron Birch Slash!"
"NOOOO!!!"
Crack! Thud! Crash!
A grotesque head soared into the air, its face twisted with resentment before plummeting to the ground with a heavy thud.
The massive earth armor of the earth demon collapsed in a deafening crash.
Yuichiro landed gracefully, gripping the heavy Nichirin Blade and gazed at the first demon he had slain, a peculiar emotion flickering in his heart.
"Muichiro, your brother now finally has the power to protect you."
***
Inside the Butterfly Mansion, Tokito Muichiro who had been sitting quietly suddenly sensed something and stood up abruptly, looking in a certain direction.
"What's wrong, Muichiro? Do you need something?"
A gentle voice sounded behind him as Shinobu Kocho walked by, carrying a tray of fragrant dorayaki.
Noticing his unusual behavior, she inquired curiously.
"N-no, it's nothing, Master. I just... felt something..." Muichiro shook his head, murmuring in confusion.
"Are you worried about your brother? Don't worry, with Shinichi-kun there, Yuichiro will be fine. By the way, Muichiro, how is your training with the Mist Breathing? I heard it's a long-lost breathing technique~"
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