Junpei Ogiya, noticing Mitsuko's eyes were fixed straight ahead, asked in confusion, "Mitsuko, what's wrong?"
Mitsuko explained, "There were seven figures in that alley just now, and each of them was wearing a Nichirin Blade at their waist."
Ogiya Junpei asked in surprise, "Nichirin Blades? They're from the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"I've never encountered the Demon Slayer Corps before, but since the whole team is carrying Nichirin Blades and their attire is similar to what Kenichi described last time, it's highly likely that they are the Demon Slayer Corps."
"If it's the Demon Slayer Corps, and they're here... does that mean there are demons in Kotohira Town?"
"I don't know, but we'll find out if we follow them."
Mitsuko and Junpei Ogiya caught up with the Demon Slayer Corps.
We followed them all the way.
The Demon Slayer Corps had a very clear objective. Without lingering in the vicinity, they rushed straight towards a house on the outskirts of Yūbe Town.
There was no one in the surrounding houses or on the streets, indicating that people had been evacuated in advance.
Mitsuko sniffed: "It seems this group is definitely the Demon Slayer Corps. The house they surrounded has a strong smell of blood and demons."
Junpei Ogiya's expression also became extremely solemn: "Although I can't smell the demon, I can smell the blood."
The seven members of the Demon Slayer Corps drew their Nichirin Blades and followed one by one into the house.
Soon, the sounds of fierce fighting came from inside.
Moreover, the voices of Demon Slayer Corps members could be heard coming from inside.
"Why is it a child?!"
"Damn it, this child's parents have already been killed by a demon. I never expected the target to be a child this time. I can't bring myself to do it!"
"Even if he's just a child, he's already become a demon!"
"While he's still a newborn demon, show no mercy! Don't forget our mission!"
And then the sound of a child crying also rang out.
"Why are you hitting me? Mom and Dad, get up! They're bullying Emi!"
...
Mitsuko and Ogiya Junpei exchanged a glance.
Junpei Ogiya knew he couldn't help Mitsuko with his current abilities, so he kindly said, "Mitsuko, go ahead, I'll wait for you here."
Mitsuko nodded and said, "I'll be right back!"
Mitsuko quickly darted into the house.
inside the house.
The Nichirin Blades of the seven Demon Slayer Corps members were pointed at a little girl on the ground.
The little girl lay sprawled on top of the already dead man and woman.
Both corpses were missing parts, and combined with the bloodstains around the little girl's mouth, it was clear that they had consumed human flesh.
That's why the little girl regained her senses after escaping hunger.
Faced with the seven gleaming Nichirin swords, the little girl cried out in terror.
The members of the Demon Slayer Corps all looked conflicted; they simply couldn't bring themselves to harm a child who looked only three or four years old.
One of the Demon Slayer Corps members stepped forward: "I'll take care of it. As a demon, she has already tasted human flesh. If we let her go unchecked, she'll become a menace sooner or later!"
Although he had already decided to do it himself, he still couldn't bear to look at the child crying so heartbreakingly in front of him, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
The Demon Slayer Corps member took a deep breath, raised his Nichirin Blade, closed his eyes, and slashed at the child's neck.
"bite!"
Instead of the sound of a blade piercing flesh, there was the sound of metal clashing together.
Mitsuko appeared just in time, deflecting the opponent's Nichirin Blade and standing in front of the little girl.
"Who are you?!" Everyone present frowned when they saw the Nichirin Blade in Mitsuko's hand: "Demon Slayer Corps? Why aren't you wearing uniforms? We haven't received any orders for other members to provide support."
Mitsuko lowered his head and did not answer. Instead, he picked up the little girl with his left hand and held her in his arms.
Mitsuko's actions prompted the Demon Slayer Corps members to shout, "Let her go! She's a demon now! Our orders are to slay demons! As swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, we must carry out our orders!"
"I am not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. In your eyes she is an evil demon, but in my eyes she is hope!"
Mitsuko raised his head and looked directly at everyone.
The Demon Slayer Corps members were startled when they saw Mitsuko's red vertical pupils.
"He's a demon! Prepare for battle!"
The Demon Slayer Corps members raised their Nichirin Blades and slashed at Mitsuko.
"Blood Demon Art: Black Mist Restraint!"
A thick black mist spread rapidly from the center of the Mitsuko tree to the surrounding area.
The black mist wrapped around the seven members of the Demon Slayer Corps, rendering them unable to move.
Junpei Ogiya is making progress, and so is Mitsuko.
Unable to master the breathing technique of the Sun Breathing, Mitsuko had to find another way, developing his own demonic abilities and successfully creating a new Blood Demon Art.
Mitsuko's figure was shrouded in black mist. The members of the Demon Slayer Corps could not see Mitsuko, but could only vaguely make out his crimson eyes.
Everyone was in despair. The highest-ranking Demon Slayer Corps member here was only Shin-rank, and the rest were Ren-rank.
Their mission has always been to kill ordinary demons without any special abilities.
The reason I'm here today is because my mission is to slay newly born demons.
I never expected to encounter a supernatural being who knows Blood Demon Art.
Supernatural beings possessing Blood Demon Art are all created by killing and devouring a large number of humans, built upon human lives.
The Demon Slayer Corps members had already given up hope of surviving.
But Mitsuko's next move was something they couldn't understand.
Mitsuko, carrying the unconscious little girl, did not choose to kill them, but walked straight past them and left the house.
After Mitsuko left, the black mist also dissipated.
The seven Demon Slayer Corps members collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, their clothes soaked with cold sweat.
"Isn't he a demon? Why doesn't he kill us?"
"I don't know, maybe they ate before they came?"
"What do we do now? Our mission has failed."
"Let's report the appearance of the Blood Demon Art-wielding demon in Shōhei Town to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters first. This is beyond our ability to handle."
...
Mitsuko has already met up with Junpei Ogiya, bringing the little girl with her.
Looking at the little girl in Mitsuko's arms, Ogiya Junpei was somewhat incredulous: "Is such a small child a demon?"
Mitsuko nodded: "Mm..."
Mitsuko and Junpei Ogiya looked at the little girl in their arms, and the two remained silent.
After leaving Shōhei Town, the little girl who had been unconscious woke up.
Upon seeing Mitsuko and Ogiya Junpei, the little girl shrank back in fear.
Mitsuko comforted him, "Don't be afraid, no one can hurt you anymore."
The little girl recognized Mitsuko as the person who had just saved her and lowered her guard: "I want my mom and dad. Big brother, can you take me back to find my mom and dad?"
Mitsuko didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he could only ask, "What's your name?"
"My name is Emi Matsuo."
Mitsuko hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Emi, your parents have gone to heaven. From now on, you will live with us."
Upon hearing the word "heaven," Emi Matsuo paused for a moment, because in the stories her parents had told her, heaven was the destination for the souls of those who had passed away.
Tears welled up in Emi Matsuo's eyes, and she burst into tears.