"Huh? That's Zenitsu's voice! Did he come in?" Tanjirou looked in the direction of the startled birds.
"If there's a Twelve Kizuki here, he's in great danger alone. I have to go find him!" Tanjirou was about to go to Agatsuma Zenitsu's side when Yoizumi pulled him back. He looked at Yoizumi in confusion, not understanding why he was stopping him.
"He's fine. He's a very strong swordsman, and a demon is approaching." Seeing Yoizumi staring in one direction, Tanjirou's nose couldn't detect the demon's presence due to the constant pungent smell in the forest. He drew his nichirin blade, his gaze fixed on the trees.
"Here it comes!" A giant demon suddenly appeared in the sky. Yoizumi grabbed Tanjirou's collar and pulled him back. Inosuke also dodged away.
It landed on the ground, creating a deep crater. Dust billowed. It had grayish-brown skin, a face covered in purple fur with several spider-like green eyes, and protruding fangs that made its face even more hideous.
Facing such an ugly demon, Inosuke and Tanjirou felt unprecedented pressure.
"Calm down, it's not a Twelve Kizuki," Yoizumi reminded them from the side. His blue eyes glanced to the side; another demon was hiding behind a tree. That demon hadn't expected to be discovered and quickly left the area.
Did it run away?
Then let's deal with this one first.
The demon swung its fist, its massive body twisting, exuding immense pressure, even making Inosuke momentarily stunned.
Oh no!
Tanjirou leaped, raising his nichirin blade high above his head.
Water Breathing: Second Form: Water Wheel.
The blade shimmered with blue water splashes. He swung the blade with all his might, channeling all his weight and strength into the blade. The nichirin blade struck the demon's arm, but Tanjirou was astonished to find that his attack hadn't even scratched its skin!
How could this be! Such a hard body!
Yoizumi also noticed this. He stepped on Tanjirou's nichirin blade, helping him cut off the arm.
"Damn it, who told you to save me! I could have done it too!" Inosuke shouted angrily, drawing his nichirin blade, which had many uneven nicks. The nichirin blade was like a saw, hacking at the demon's other arm.
The demon, already in pain, casually swung its arm, sending Inosuke flying. Tanjirou caught him just as he was about to hit a tree trunk.
"Are you okay, Inosuke!"
"Hah! Of course I'm fine, I could have dodged it!" Inosuke stomped his foot, pressing the dirt deep into the ground.
"Is that so? My apologies!" Tanjirou quickly apologized.
Tsk, why is this demon so strong? Just a casual swing, and my arm is numb. I'm trying hard to control my trembling arm. I can do it too! How can I let Kentarou and Yosuke steal the show!
Inosuke charged at the demon.
"Boar Assault! Boar Assault!"
Beast Breathing: Third Fang: Rip and Tear.
Crossing his nichirin blades, he dodged one of the demon's punches. The force of the air grazed Inosuke's arm. The sharp pain in his arm reduced the power of his attack. He swung his nichirin blades forcefully in two directions, using the jagged, notched blade surface to slash at the demon's head.
Due to the imbalance of force, it only managed to make a small cut.
Damn it!
He was hit in the abdomen by the demon again, and a large amount of blood gushed from his mouth. Inosuke fell to the ground. The demon raised its foot high, preparing to stomp down.
"Inosuke!" Tanjirou held his blade.
Water Breathing: Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow!
Using the Ninth Form to quickly approach the enemy, his incredibly fast movements created countless water splashes. He lunged to the demon's side, and the splashing waves obscured the demon's vision.
The nichirin blade swung towards the demon's waist. The demon dodged the attack.
"Yoizumi-nii!"
Yoizumi picked up Inosuke's nichirin blade that had fallen to the ground. This demon's body was very hard, and he wasn't sure if his Blood Demon Art could penetrate it.
Then he would try to concentrate his power, compressing the strength of the Blood Demon Art to achieve greater explosive force, rather than area.
So now he needed to get close to this demon.
Holding the nichirin blade in one hand, he ran through the shallow stream. Splashing water wet the hem of his clothes, making the light blue at the end of his garment even darker.
Tanjirou followed Yoizumi's movements, waiting for an opportunity to cooperate.
He kicked small stones and water from the stream to obscure the demon's vision. The moment the demon closed its eyes, he used his nichirin blade to stab out its eyes. Yoizumi was already close to the demon's front. He raised his hand and pressed it against the demon's chest, a cold glint in his blue eyes. It was time to end this.
Blood Demon Art: Air Raid!
The concentrated, compressed power exploded in a large hole in the demon's chest. Yoizumi dodged the splashing demon blood. Tanjirou found his chance.
Water Breathing: Second Form: Modified Horizontal Water Wheel!
The water vapor transformed into a sharp blade, felling a giant tree that heavily pressed down on the demon's body. The demon was pinned in the water, unable to move. Its rapid breathing caused countless stream water to rush into its mouth, making the turbulent stream bubble with countless air pockets.
"Tanjirou!" Yoizumi called out.
Alright, next, if I use the strongest form of Water Breathing, I can probably cut off the demon's head!
He adjusted his slightly disordered breathing, inhaling a large amount of air into his lungs.
Total Concentration! Water Breathing: Tenth Form: Constant Flux!
His footwork and movements coordinated. He spun his body, brandishing the nichirin blade in his hand. The water flowing from the blade swirled like a giant dragon. With each rotation, its power increased. After several rotations, the roar of the water dragon seemed to echo through the sky.
The water dragon bit into the demon's head.
"Aaaah!"
Cut it off! Cut it off!
With the sound of flesh being sliced.
The demon's head separated from its body, gradually dissipating in the water.
Slumping exhaustedly in the water, gasping for air, Tanjirou looked at Yoizumi, a brilliant smile on his face, his voice joyful.
"We did it, Yoizumi-nii!"
Yoizumi reached out to Tanjirou, pulling him from the cool stream. His facial expression softened slightly, no longer as rigid as before.
"Mm…"
"Oh, right! Inosuke!" Tanjirou, standing up, ran to Inosuke's location. Seeing Inosuke unresponsive, he hugged him tightly, calling out anxiously.
"Shut up! So noisy!" Inosuke struggled to make a sound. His stomach felt so painful. Had some internal organs been damaged? His ribs seemed to be broken again, puncturing his lung.
Breathing was so painful… Damn it! I didn't help at all, and I just held them back!
He slammed his hand heavily on the ground, tears of frustration threatening to spill.
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Next time, next time! I must train my bones so they won't break!!
"I'll help him with his injuries." Yoizumi bent down. As his hand was about to touch Inosuke's body, Inosuke swatted it away.
"No need! I'll heal myself!" The agitated Inosuke coughed up another gush of blood. Though unwilling, he still said, "Also… there's a Twelve Kizuki. Don't waste your strength…"
"When I'm much better, I'll… come find you guys!"
"Hurry and go!" Inosuke pushed Tanjirou.
"But…"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Carefully placing Inosuke on the ground, Tanjirou still looked at him worriedly.
"Alright, Inosuke, we'll be back soon!"
"Don't die before then!"
"This great me… won't die!" Struggling to swallow the blood that threatened to gush from his mouth, Inosuke said stubbornly.
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