~# Keep the chapters coming — Support with Power Stones!
<><><><><><><><>
Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters
"CAW! Dragon Hashira Kaidō and Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku jointly repelled Upper Rank Three! CAW! Zero casualties—everyone survived! Dragon Hashira Kaidō critically injured!!"
The crows circled Headquarters three times, their cries echoing at maximum volume.
Shock rippled through the Corps members below.
"What?? Kaidō-kun is... Shinobu, quickly!" Kanae urged, her face paling.
"I'm on it, sister!" Shinobu replied instantly, already moving.
"Those Upper Rank bastards... one day I'll settle this score!" Sanemi Shinazugawa's expression turned vicious upon hearing the news.
"Upper Rank Three, huh?" Tengen Uzui crouched on a rooftop, processing the information. "That flamboyant kid Kaidō and Kyojuro teamed up and only managed to repel him..."
After a moment, a grin spread across his face. "Kid, you're seriously flamboyant. Looks like I need to step up my game too. Next time, we'll fight side-by-side and flamboyantly cut down an Upper Rank together!"
"Obanai, Kaidō-kun will be okay, right?" Mitsuri Kanroji clasped her hands to her chest anxiously.
"He'll be fine..."
Obanai Iguro replied, though his visible eye flashed with deadly intent. "If anything happens to him, I'll personally hunt down that demon and take its head."
Giyu Tomioka listened to his crow's report in silence. After a long pause, the barest hint of a smile touched his lips. "As long as he's alive..."
Gyomei Himejima gazed toward the distant horizon, hands clasped. "Namu Amida Butsu... Upper Rank Three's power was beyond expectations. Kaidō, you must recover."
—————
Ubuyashiki Estate
"Kaidō, Kyojuro... my children, you have worked so hard,"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was warm despite his underlying concern. "Not only did you protect over two hundred passengers, but you also repelled an Upper Rank demon. Amane, once they have recovered, we shall visit them together."
"Yes, Master," Amane replied softly.
—————
Butterfly Mansion
"Hurry! Dragon Hashira and Flame Hashira are critically injured—emergency transport to the Butterfly Mansion!" Kakushi members rushed forward with stretchers, their movements urgent.
Tanjiro and the others were also carried on Kakushi backs, heading swiftly for treatment.
Inside the Mansion, Kanae directed the chaos. "How did Kaidō-kun and Kyojuro get hurt this badly?? Quickly, bring them inside! Shinobu, help me!"
"I am not important—treat young Kaidō first! His injuries are far worse than mine!" Kyojuro insisted, even while being carried.
"Understood! Aoi, Kiyo, Sumi, Naho—Rengoku-san and the other four are your responsibility!" Kanae ordered.
"Yes, Flower Hashira-sama!" they replied in unison, scrambling to prepare beds and supplies.
—————
When Retsuki heard her brother had returned, joy flooded through her, quickly followed by icy fear when she learned he was gravely injured. She sprinted from Kaidō's estate toward the Butterfly Mansion, heart pounding.
She searched frantically through the bustling building.
"Aoi-nee! Where is my brother? How is he? Is he okay?? Tell me where he is!" Retsuki grabbed Aoi's hands, tears streaming down her face, her small body trembling.
Kaidō was her only family now, the thought of losing him was unbearable.
"Retsuki-chan, do not worry! Flower Hashira-sama and Insect Hashira-sama are treating him right now,"
Aoi squeezed her hands reassuringly, trying to project calm. "We are overwhelmed with patients. Help us—it will let them focus entirely on saving Dragon Hashira-sama!"
"I understand!" Retsuki agreed without hesitation, wiping her tears. She knew what needed to be done.
—————
That Night—A Luxurious Estate.
Akaza knelt respectfully on one knee outside a second-floor balcony, reporting to the child-like figure inside. "Lord Muzan, I have come to report."
The child was Muzan Kibutsuji, currently disguised as someone's young son.
"Did you find it?" Muzan asked, his pupils instantly turning blood-red, radiating malice.
"I conducted a thorough investigation but found no concrete leads," Akaza reported dutifully. "I was unable to locate the legendary Blue Spider Lily. And then—"
"And then you failed to kill those two Hashira because you had to flee the sunlight, correct?" Muzan's voice was ice.
Akaza remained kneeling, silent.
"Akaza, you seem to have misunderstood something," Muzan continued, his tone turning venomous. "I want the Demon Slayer Corps annihilated. Wiped from existence so they can never interfere with me again!"
"But what did you do? You did not find the Blue Spider Lily. You did not kill those two Hashira. You did not destroy the Demon Slayer Corps!" His voice rose, sharp with displeasure. "Not only that, but you were humiliated by the same Demon Slayer Doma let escape!"
"You were even struck by a swordsman who is not even a Hashira while fleeing! AKAZA!! I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED!!" Muzan tore the book in his hands to shreds.
Overwhelming pressure crashed down on Akaza, his body began cracking, blood pouring from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth.
After a moment, Muzan regained his composure, looking down at the kneeling demon. "It seems even Upper Rank Three has begun to decay... You are dismissed."
"Yes, Lord Muzan." Akaza vanished into the shadows.
Akaza reappeared in a nearby forest.
Three Nichirin blades were embedded in the ground before a tree. One was Tanjiro's intact blade. The other two were broken—a greatsword with only the blade remaining, and a crimson blade snapped clean in half.
Staring at Tanjiro's sword, rage built inside Akaza. He threw a single punch, shattering it into pieces.
"Your face... I will remember it. Next time we meet, I am caving your skull in!!" Akaza's expression shifted as he thought of the other Hashira.
"And that white-haired boy... I cannot believe you reached the Supreme Territory. I am looking forward to our next encounter. What will you be like then?? Hahaha!!" He disappeared again.
<><><><><><><><>
~# 18 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~# Every 200 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!