The moment Tanjiro saw those golden eyes, he instinctively stepped forward, shielding Nezuko behind him.
A powerful scent flooded his senses. He caught a glimpse of characters engraved within those pupils—but the instant he tried to focus, the figure had already vanished.
A sharp whistle sliced through the air.
Tanjiro's heart jolted. His body moved before his mind could react, stepping sharply to the left.
Squelch—
The sickening sound of tearing flesh rang out.
Zenitsu felt something warm splash across his face. Startled, he slowly looked up.
A tattooed fist hung less than half a step away from him.
And the one who had taken the blow—
Was Tanjiro.
At that moment, blazing flames erupted nearby.
"Flame Breathing: First Form — Unknowing Fire!"
Rengoku's furious voice rang out.
The fist that had pierced through Tanjiro's torso withdrew instantly, and Tanjiro staggered forward several steps.
Not far away, Rengoku and the invading demon clashed, their battle steadily pulling farther away from the others.
Zenitsu trembled as he slowly raised a shaking finger toward Tanjiro's chest.
There was a hole the size of a bowl.
"T-Tanjiro… y-you…"
"I'm fine! Since I'm a demon, this level of injury isn't a problem at all!" Tanjiro didn't even turn around. "More importantly—Zenitsu, can you still move? If you can, start getting the unconscious passengers somewhere safe! Once the real fight starts, they'll get caught in it!"
"Who… was that?" Nezuko's voice trembled as she forced herself not to look at the massive hole in Tanjiro's body. "I'll send the crow to report it."
"A demon with peach-colored hair and tattoos all over his body… it happened too fast. I only caught a glimpse of 'Upper Moon' written in one eye…!" Tanjiro suddenly coughed violently. "Cough—!"
Blood mixed with fragments of internal organs spilled from his mouth. The muscles around the wound began to regenerate rapidly, sealing the hole in moments.
His body recovered quickly—
But his shredded clothing obviously did not.
"I'm going to help Rengoku-san," Tanjiro said, steadying his breathing. "After you send the message, hurry and help the passengers! And make sure you stay safe!"
Watching him leave, Zenitsu gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand.
"Yeah… I know. I'll do it."
"Sis!"
Takeo and Inosuke rushed over.
"Rengoku-san suddenly disappeared! Did something happen here?"
Nezuko watched Tanjiro run toward the two figures who had just stopped clashing and were now facing each other in a tense standoff.
She let out a long breath and quickly explained everything that had just happened.
Everyone immediately understood how serious the situation was.
No one questioned anything.
All four of them sprang into action.
...
Rengoku stared at the demon before him, his expression slightly tense.
Their clash had lasted only a moment, yet the resistance he felt through his blade when it cut the demon's flesh far surpassed any demon he had fought before.
And in that brief exchange, the opponent had already displayed an extraordinarily powerful fighting spirit—along with astonishing regenerative ability.
"Umu… such overwhelming demonic aura." Rengoku studied the demon carefully. "So this is an Upper Moon."
"That's right." The tattoo-covered demon smiled. "I am Upper Moon Two, Akaza. Your reactions are impressive… What's your name?"
"I am the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro!" Rengoku held his sword firmly with both hands, pointing it at Akaza. "But I cannot understand why you attacked the injured first. From a combat standpoint, attacking someone still capable of fighting would have been the better option."
"Normally, yes." Akaza tilted his head slightly. "But I thought their presence would interfere with our conversation."
"What could we possibly have to talk about?" Rengoku's gaze hardened. "Even though this is our first meeting, I already dislike you completely."
"Is that so?" Akaza chuckled softly. "I also despise weak humans. Seeing those who rely on petty tricks makes me feel so disgusted I could vomit."
"It seems our standards for judging things are very different," Rengoku replied firmly. "I cannot agree with anything you've said."
"In that case…" Akaza's smile widened slightly. "I have a wonderful suggestion. Why don't you become a demon as well?"
"Impossible!"
"I see…" Akaza narrowed his eyes. "The fighting spirit within you has been refined to the brink of the Supreme Territory. Yet you've never managed to step into it. Do you know why? Because you're human. You grow old. And you die."
"So become a demon, Kyojuro," he continued, his tone almost gentle. "If you do, you could train for a hundred years… two hundred years… as long as you wish. And by then, you would be far stronger than you are now."
"Right now, your growth is being held back by those so-called human bonds. Cast those useless things aside. After all… becoming stronger is the lifelong pursuit of martial artists like us, isn't it?"
"Compared to the people who taught me, I still have much to learn!" Rengoku's smile faded. "But I will never become a demon!"
"Aging and dying are beautiful parts of humanity's fleeting life!" His voice burned with conviction. "It is precisely because humans grow old and die that they are so lovable… so noble! Strength is not merely a word used to describe the body!"
"I completely reject your philosophy! As I said earlier—our standards for judging things are entirely different! No matter what reason you give… I will never become a demon!"
Akaza briefly glanced at Tanjiro, who was running toward them.
"Still… for a Hashira to stand alongside a demon." His smile carried a hint of mockery. "That's not very convincing."
"Kamado boy is a demon acknowledged by the Master!" Rengoku replied immediately. "He is our ally! Completely different from a man-eating demon like you!"
He turned his gaze slightly.
"Kamado boy! That movement earlier was splendid!"
"Yes." Tanjiro's breathing was somewhat hurried, sweat covering his forehead. "He moves incredibly fast. I honestly wasn't sure if I could block it… but thankfully I made it in time."
"Can your body handle it?!" Rengoku asked. "I've heard demon regeneration consumes enormous energy!"
"Yes! I'm fine!"
"A demon that helps humans…" Akaza suddenly laughed as he listened to their conversation. "I've seen one before. A truly disgusting creature."
"If I remember correctly… he was also one of your Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira. Was that one also a demon recognized by you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!"
But Akaza had already noticed the subtle change in Tanjiro's expression.
A malicious grin crept across his face.
"Kyojuro. If you don't believe me, why not ask the demon beside you?" His golden eyes slowly shifted to Tanjiro. "He should know very clearly who that Hashira-turned-demon is… right, kid?"