Mitsuko's Nichirin Blade struck the Snake Demon squarely in the chest, rendering it unable to break free.
To prevent the Snake Demon from shedding its skin and escaping again like last time, Mitsuko used a whip to pierce the Snake Demon's body and inject venom into it.
The Snake Demon is now completely unable to move.
Mitsuko pulled the Nichirin Blade from the Snake Demon's chest and held it to the Snake Demon's neck.
The Snake Demon was terrified and kept begging Mitsuko for mercy: "Spare me! I will never tell that person where you are. Oh, right! Can't you transform demons into half-human, half-demon beings like yourself? I'm willing to accept your blood and become your servant!"
"You seem to have misunderstood something. Not every demon is qualified to accept my blood and become my companion."
Mitsuko plunged his Nichirin Blade halfway into the Snake Demon's neck.
Memories of the Snake Demon's human days flooded into Mitsuko's mind.
The Snake Demon from its human era had a heart as venomous as its current appearance.
She used her beauty to seduce men and amass wealth.
When a man has no value left to be exploited, she will abandon him without hesitation.
However, as human beings, we will all grow old and lose our beauty one day.
Hearing that eating newborn babies could maintain one's beauty, the Snake Demon mercilessly preyed on newborn children.
The human era of the Snake Demon was filled with lies, deception, and killing.
It's less like a human and more like a demon in human skin.
Mitsuko looked at the Snake Demon with extremely cold eyes: "You are not qualified!"
Mitsuko directly sentenced the Snake Demon to death.
The Nichirin Blade traced an arc, and the Snake Demon's head flew into the air before falling to the ground.
The Snake Demon's body gradually turned into ashes.
Even on its deathbed, the Snake Demon, now only a head, still stared intently at Obanai Iguro beside it.
The Snake Demon's eyes were filled with resentment.
It seemed as if he was unwilling to give up escaping Hachijo Island immediately for the sake of Obanai Iguro.
It was as if they were still disappointed because they hadn't gotten to eat Obanai Iguro.
...
The death of the Snake Demon also marked the demise of the Iguro family, which had controlled Hachijo Island for over three hundred years.
Obanai Iguro looked at the dead Snake Demon, his emotions running high.
The nightmare that had tormented me for years has vanished today.
Mitsuko approached Obanai Iguro and said, "It's safe now. You can go to town."
Obanai Iguro shook his head and said, "The Snake Demon is dead. I want to go back and see my people."
Mitsuko was worried that Obanai Iguro might be angered by his clan if he went back alone, so he said, "Let's go together."
When Mitsuko and Obanai Iguro returned to the palace, they found the floor littered with severed limbs and blood.
Obanai Iguro's body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Although those tribespeople treated him as a sacrifice, Obanai Iguro still regarded them as his own family.
Now that all her loved ones are dead, Obanai Iguro is filled with confusion.
From then on, Obanai Iguro was all alone.
"There are still people alive."
Mitsuko sensed that there was still a presence inside the palace.
Mitsuko led Obanai Iguro to a pool where a woman was hiding in the water, shivering.
"cousin?"
Obanai Iguro pulled his cousin out of the pool.
But the next second, Obanai's cousin shoved him away and angrily accused him, "It's all your fault! Everyone was killed because you ran away! As a sacrifice, wouldn't it have been better if you had just obediently been eaten?!"
Obanai Iguro was deeply hurt by her cousin's unreasonable accusations.
Obanai Iguro had considered the calamities that would befall her people after she fled...
But he still ran away.
Obanai Iguro's mouth was slightly open, her hand tightly clutching her chest, and her breathing gradually became difficult.
Mitsuko patted Obanai Iguro on the back to help her catch her breath before asking, "Do you really want to listen to her accusations and let your heart bear this burden?"
Obanai Iguro said with a pained expression, "But as a descendant of a scumbag clan, I am scumbag too..."
Mitsuko comforted Obanai Iguro, saying, "None of this has anything to do with you. The wounds you inflict on yourself are the hardest to heal. Even if you are spoken ill of, disliked, or criticized, there's nothing to care about, because those are other people's opinions. Bearing other people's opinions will only make you feel pain."
Mitsuko coldly looked at Obanai Iguro's cousin and said, "The Snake Demon was killed by me. Despite being a human, it did not live a down-to-earth life, but wanted to rely on the power of demons to gain wealth, steal money and kill people, disregard life, and still had the nerve to criticize others. It was truly shameless. If you want to resent someone, then resent me. The Iguro family of Hachijo Island was destroyed by Katō Mitsuko!
Now you can seek revenge on me, but in return, I will show no mercy in killing you.
Obanai Iguro lowered her head, her eyes brimming with tears.
Obanai Iguro's cousin glared at Mitsuko with resentment, but when she saw the Nichirin Blade at Mitsuko's waist, she took a step back in fear.
Then, gritting his teeth and stamping his foot, he turned around and ran back into the palace.
When they came out again, Obanai's cousin was carrying a full load of gold and silver treasures.
Now that the Snake Demon is dead, there is no one left to protect her.
When the people of Hachijo Island learn that the Iguro family has been destroyed, they will surely be attacked by all of them.
Therefore, Obanai Iguro's cousin had to leave Hachijo Island before the people on Hachijo Island could react.
Mitsuko and Obanai Iguro did not stop Obanai Iguro's cousin.
Looking at the heartbroken Obanai Iguro beside her, Mitsuko understood that Obanai Iguro could not stay on Hachijo Island either.
Mitsuko was certain that if Obanai Iguro stayed on Hachijo Island, those on Hachijo Island who had been oppressed by the Iguro family would definitely take their anger out on Obanai Iguro.
Even if Obanai Iguro was also a victim, it was to no avail.
Simply because Obanai Iguro's surname is Iguro, she is a member of the Iguro family.
Therefore, Mitsuko needs to take Obanai Iguro off Hachijo Island to ensure his safety.
Just as Mitsuko was about to ask Obanai Iguro where she wanted to go next.
Suddenly.
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
A flame blazed from the darkness, hurtling towards Mitsuko's position with incredible speed.
To prevent Obanai Iguro from getting injured.
Mitsuko quickly pulled Obanai Iguro behind her and then parried with her Nichirin Blade.
The two Nichirin swords clashed.
The flames clearly illuminated Mitsuko's and the other person's faces.
Mitsuko kicked at the other person.
The opponent dodged and created distance between themselves and Mitsuko.
Mitsuko's expression was extremely solemn; he recognized who the other person was.
The current Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Rengoku Shinjuro!