Early the next morning,
Yohan and Kyojuro Rengoku prepared to depart for the Mugen Train. Mitsuri Kanroji would be accompanying them as well.
Mitsuri said it had been a long time since she had gone on a mission with Yohan, and no matter what, she was determined to go this time.
"Yohan, Yohan, please let me come with you," she pleaded, clinging to his arm.
"I want to see the train too!"
"Mitsuri, this isn't a sightseeing trip."
Kyojuro Rengoku, standing nearby, was naturally aware that this mission would most likely involve an encounter with Akaza. It was bound to be a fierce battle, and having Mitsuri join them at such a time didn't seem safe.
"But…"
Mitsuri still wasn't willing to back down.
"It's fine, Mitsuri. Come with us," Yohan said with a gentle smile.
He understood her feelings. Ever since arriving at the Butterfly Mansion, he had often gone on missions alone, and most of the time, Mitsuri had obediently stayed behind. Watching Yohan head off into danger again and again while she remained powerless—it must've been eating away at her.
Mitsuri was never afraid of danger. What truly frightened her—what really made her heart ache—was the thought of Yohan being in danger without her by his side.
"Heehee, I knew you were the best, Yohan!"
Mitsuri beamed with joy, completely thrilled that Yohan had agreed.
Rengoku didn't argue anymore either. Since Yohan had already given his approval, there wasn't much else to say.
Yohan had indeed guessed part of Mitsuri's intention, but what he hadn't realized was that Mitsuri's motivation this time was even deeper—it was because of Akaza.
Back when Akaza attacked, Yohan had sustained the worst injuries of his life. And back then, all Mitsuri could do was stand outside and witness his struggle and victory from afar.
She had made a silent vow that day—never again.
So the moment she heard Akaza might be involved again, there was no way she'd let Yohan go alone. She would face it with him, no matter what.
And so, the final group was confirmed: Yohan, Mitsuri Kanroji, and Kyojuro Rengoku.
The departure station of the Mugen Train was still some distance away from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
With casualties already severe, none of them dared delay—no rest breaks, no pauses. They pushed forward relentlessly.
"Wow, is that the train?"
"This is what people ride in?"
Although Mitsuri had seen an electric tram with Yohan back in Asakusa, this was her first time seeing a proper train. The sight sparked her curiosity.
"That's right. It's incredibly fast," Rengoku explained beside her, full of energy.
Yohan, however, didn't react much. It was just a train—nothing to get excited about.
"So, has the departure time been finalized, Kyojuro?"
Yohan asked, referring to the train's schedule. Due to the ongoing string of casualties and the fruitless investigations, local authorities were considering suspending the train's operation.
"Yes. The Kakushi have already negotiated with the relevant departments. It will run once more tonight."
"Tonight, huh…"
Thanks to the Demon Slayer Corps' connections, they were able to persuade the officials to delay the suspension.
But if the situation wasn't resolved tonight, the train would be shut down immediately.
This would be their only chance.
Rengoku's expression darkened slightly with concern.
"Don't worry, Kyojuro," Yohan said, his eyes calm.
"They will definitely show up tonight."
He didn't believe Akaza and the others would let this go. If the train was bait to lure them in, then they wouldn't stop until their target arrived. And before that happened—more people might die.
Everything would be decided tonight.
….
As evening fell—
In the open wild, a train thundered along the tracks.
Aside from the gleaming headlights and the faint glow inside the cars, the night had swallowed everything else.
The roar of the engine echoed through the landscape, yet inside the train, everything was deathly silent. The passengers, perhaps tired from traveling at night, were all fast asleep.
In one dimly lit carriage, only Yohan, Mitsuri, and Rengoku sat awake.
This car had been specially prepared for them.
As the scenery outside whizzed past, Yohan spoke:
"Kyojuro, how are you feeling?"
Rengoku, who had been sitting upright like a statue, seemed startled by the sudden question.
"Ha ha ha! Yohan, you saw right through me."
"I'm nervous... and excited!"
Rengoku's aura was growing more intense by the second.
"They're here!"
The lights in the carriage suddenly flickered. Rengoku's sharp eyes locked onto the front of the car.
His instincts were proven correct—the lights all at once went dark, and in the next moment, the entire carriage was overrun with flesh and blood.
"They're trying to strike first, huh?"
"And there's more than just one Upper Rank Three…"
Rengoku had fought Akaza before—he knew this wasn't Akaza's handiwork.
"Still, if you dared to make a move here, then I, Kyojuro Rengoku, shall burn you to cinders!"
Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!
Rengoku's body blazed like a firestorm, launching himself toward the grotesque mass of flesh.
Under the blaze of his flaming blade, the writhing meat recoiled.
"Trying to escape?!"
Rengoku chased forward, storming through the train car.
….
"Is this Blood Demon Art?"
Back in the carriage, Yohan glanced at the two slumbering figures beside him.
Just moments ago, they had all been talking—had the Blood Demon Art put them to sleep so quickly?
"So Enmu's here too, huh?"
"The Lower Rank One—makes sense."
Still, he couldn't just let the two of them sleep like this.
Even though Yohan was confident both Mitsuri and Rengoku could wake up on their own, there was no need to risk it.
He stood up and opened the door to the next car.
"You woke up from the dream so quickly... no wonder Lord Muzan values you."
Enmu stared at the figure who had just appeared—Yohan.
Someone who could awaken from his dreamscape so effortlessly—this must be the one his master wanted him to test.
"Let me try again—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Enmu was abruptly slammed backward, his body crashing into the train door.
Yohan was already behind him.
"No, you're not even worth being my opponent. I'll leave you to Rengoku."
Yohan didn't even look at the defeated Lower Rank demon.
His focus was elsewhere—on the presence atop the train.
"I'll make sure this guy never gets another chance."
Enmu's Blood Demon Art might've been sneaky, but Yohan's spirit had already endured the baptism of the dragon's trials—such petty illusions had no effect on him.
The earlier strike had already alerted Rengoku and Mitsuri, who were now both awake. Their expressions were somewhat grim.
To think they had been taken in by the enemy's Blood Demon Art so easily…
"Mitsuri, be careful. I'm heading up."
Yohan leapt onto the roof of the train without hesitation.
An old acquaintance was waiting.
"You're here, Yohan."
"Long time no see, Akaza."
Sitting cross-legged atop the train was none other than Akaza—returned once more.
As Yohan approached, Akaza slowly rose to his feet, a gleam of excitement lighting up his face.
It was like seeing a long-lost friend.
"Yohan, do you know?"
"Since our last fight, I've been constantly training, honing my strength—just for this moment."
"I had already pushed past my limits, and honestly, I thought there was nothing more to look forward to…"
"But then, you killed Doma."
"That's wonderful news!"
"This time—surely—we can have a battle worth everything."
Akaza's expression had turned completely manic.