Hantengu did not hesitate.
She immediately rushed toward Kiyo.
Midway, Song Yue—who had been lying unconscious on the ground—slowly sat up, her vision clearing.
Hantengu's eyes lit up.
Perfect.
She could use Song Yue to block pursuit while she and Kiyo escaped.
But—
Song Yue stood, looked around—
And when she realized Ryuya was gone, her expression hollowed.
As if her soul had left her body.
She ignored everyone and ran aimlessly into the distance.
"...That idiot!"
Hantengu clenched her teeth and abandoned the idea.
She summoned Blood Thorns, plucked several half-grown fruits, and hurled them toward Rengoku Kyojuro and Kiyo's battlefield.
"You won't get away with this!"
The fruits detonated precisely in the center of the clash.
Boom!
Blood mist exploded.
Using that instant of chaos, Hantengu grabbed Kiyo's wrist and fled without hesitation.
Her decisiveness even impressed Kiyo.
They weren't the strongest Lower Ranks—
But they had mastered survival.
If they couldn't defeat a Hashira—
They ran.
There would always be another chance.
The Blood Mulberry Tree sank into the earth, and the ripe crimson mulberries crawled toward Rengoku like a living sea.
Not to kill him—
But to stall.
And it worked.
Rengoku, already heavily fatigued, could only focus on clearing the exploding swarm.
He had no strength left to pursue the fleeing demons.
By the time he neutralized the immediate threat, the Lower Ranks were gone.
Without delay, Rengoku turned and rushed toward another clash.
Hashira vs. Serpent
"What's going on? Aren't both of you members of the Demon Slayer Corps?!"
Rengoku demanded loudly as he arrived.
Iguro Obanai merely shot him a cold look.
Tch. Another one.
Giyu spoke calmly.
"The snake around his neck is a demon. He has already left the Corps."
Rengoku's eyes sharpened.
"Such a thing exists?"
Flames surged around his blade.
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
The blazing arc lit up the night.
Obanai blocked with a swift counter, retreating while sneering.
Giyu pressed forward in perfect coordination, waves crashing from his blade.
Two against one.
Obanai immediately felt the strain.
Even with Kaburamaru assisting, the pressure mounted.
This is bad.
Mitsuri, still in Obanai's arms, grew increasingly anxious.
"Mr. Giyu! Captain Rengoku! Please stop! Mr. Iguro means no harm!"
Giyu did not hesitate.
Rengoku's voice was resolute.
"We are not targeting young Iguro. We are targeting the demon snake. Once something becomes a demon, it cannot be forgiven!"
"But Kaburamaru doesn't hurt people!" Mitsuri pleaded. "He won't endanger the Corps!"
Giyu's attacks intensified—but he carefully adjusted every strike to avoid Mitsuri.
"Mitsuri," Rengoku declared sternly, "defending a demon violates Corps rules. You must recognize that."
"But if it doesn't harm anyone… why must it be killed?"
Her heart twisted.
She could feel Obanai reaching his limit.
If this continued—
Kaburamaru would die.
She had to act.
Mitsuri wrapped her arms around Obanai's neck, face burning red as she whispered urgently in his ear.
"Pretend to kidnap me. They'll hesitate. You can escape with Kaburamaru."
Obanai blinked.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?!"
"Why would you do this… for someone who left the Corps?" His voice tightened. "And Kaburamaru frightened you before. Aren't you afraid?"
Mitsuri's answer was simple.
"Kaburamaru won't hurt anyone if you're there, Mr. Iguro. He didn't hurt me before."
She hesitated only briefly.
"And as for why… it's because my heart tells me to."
Her breath brushed his ear.
Obanai felt his chest tighten.
"What is your name?"
"Kanroji Mitsuri."
Her eyes shone brightly.
"I'll remember it."
In one smooth motion, Obanai positioned his blade lightly against her neck.
"Don't come closer. Or I'll kill her."
Rengoku and Giyu froze instantly.
A comrade's life came first.
Using Mitsuri as a shield, Obanai steadily increased the distance.
Once he was certain they could not catch up—
The blade vanished from her neck.
"Until we meet again, Mitsuri."
Reluctantly, he released her warmth and vanished into the forest.
"Chase!"
After ensuring Mitsuri was unharmed, Rengoku and Giyu gave pursuit.
Mitsuri clasped her hands to her chest.
Mr. Iguro…
Please escape.
Snow Pavilion
Frost coated green bamboo. Cold air lingered beneath the pavilion.
Kanae shivered slightly, rubbing her hands and blowing warm breath onto her palms.
"Hui Hui, are you cold?"
Ryuya's tone had softened with familiarity.
Kanae nodded faintly.
Without hesitation, he pulled her into his embrace, arms locking across her chest.
She did not resist.
Leaning against him felt… safe.
Warm.
Kokushibo watched silently.
His six eyes felt oddly irritated.
The Go board before him no longer interested him.
"Wu Ya," Kokushibo spoke at last, "how do you plan to handle the Swordsmith Village mission?"
Ryuya smiled faintly.
"Hui Hui."
Kanae understood the unspoken question.
But she shook her head apologetically.
"I truly don't know the location."
The Swordsmith Village was hidden with extreme care.
Even Hashira were blindfolded and fitted with earplugs during transport.
Routes changed constantly.
No one knew its precise coordinates.
Kokushibo stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Ryuya's smile deepened.
"If you don't know, Hui Hui, then I'll handle it. I already have a plan."
Both Kokushibo and Kanae looked intrigued.
"How?" Kokushibo asked.
Ryuya recalled the pigeon report from Qingshu.
Kaigaku.
He was about to participate in the Final Selection.
Once he passed—
He would inevitably be taken to the Swordsmith Village to receive his Nichirin Blade.
And if Ryuya followed him—
The path would reveal itself naturally.
Kaigaku.
His good news.
Of course—
Kaigaku's strength was limited.
So Ryuya would need to "assist" him from the shadows.
Ensure he passed.
But not too easily.
Too smooth would be suspicious.
Perhaps—
It was time Kaigaku met an old acquaintance.
Enmu.
Yes.
He was certain Kaigaku would be very pleased.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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