Learning of Kyojuro's disappearance, everyone showed great concern.
I prepared to investigate that train. Shinazugawa and Obanai proactively requested to fight. Wanted to go with me.
Usually in this situation, I'd choose to go with Ume or Gyutaro. But Shinazugawa and Obanai were very insistent.
Besides them, Mitsuri also ran over. Said worriedly she also wanted to come along.
From this, one could see how good Kyojuro's relationships with colleagues were. Compared to a certain Water Hashira—simply heaven and earth.
Though three Hashira were a bit too many, just in case, bringing more people was never wrong.
Since they wanted to follow, I had Ume and Gyutaro substitute for them to guard their jurisdictions... Additionally, Sabito and Ritsuka also helped handle Kyojuro's unfinished business.
That train departed from Tokyo Prefecture. Final destination in Nagoya. Would pass through many places along the way. Quite many suspicious points.
No way to judge which link had problems. I specially selected a train with the same crew and departure time as Kyojuro's. Boarded the train with everyone.
Worried the demon hiding in the shadows would be wary and not dare act, we split into two groups.
Obanai proactively proposed acting together with Mitsuri. I looked at him several times.
Before he couldn't hold on anymore and his face turned red, I nodded. Agreed.
Mitsuri didn't mind. From her tone, seemed she'd also chatted privately with Obanai many times. Tone very familiar.
After Kyojuro's matter was handled, I definitely had to ask her what was going on between her and Obanai.
Shinazugawa naturally grouped with me. Even chose the car Kyojuro rode.
After boarding, he stared at the seat Kyojuro sat in. Walked over with sharp eyes to carefully inspect.
At this time, another sickly youth walked up. Covered his mouth with a handkerchief coughing. Stumbled looking for a seat.
Walking beside Shinazugawa, the youth swayed. Nearly fell. Was grabbed by Shinazugawa.
"Hey, you alright?"
The youth showed him a pale smile. Nodded slightly. "Thank you... I'm fine."
At this time, a soft inquiry also came from behind me: "Um... Miss, could I trouble you to let me pass?"
Accidentally blocked the aisle. I quickly moved aside. Several girls behind me walked past.
Looking back again, that youth had already walked far away. Sat down at the very end. Immediately pulled out a water bottle and started taking medicine.
I involuntarily twitched my nose. Didn't get any useful feedback.
As soon as I boarded, I smelled the unique stench on demons. The headache was every place in the car emitted this smell. Couldn't find where the source was at all.
Surrounded by this stench, I also couldn't smell other scents.
However, Shinazugawa was experienced. Vigilance much stronger than Kyojuro's.
He sat in the seat Kyojuro sat in. Gave me a look then shook his head. Meaning he checked what that youth carried. Didn't find anything abnormal.
But even so, he still tensed his body. Still observing the surroundings.
I sat down one row away from him. Watched the night curtain rising outside the window.
Woo—
The train let out a long whistle. Vibrated lightly. Slowly pulled out of the platform.
After leaping out of the city's boundary, before us was a vast plain.
Wouldn't reach the next major station until six in the morning. Meaning next, on this plain, was most dangerous.
We sat for two hours. During this time, exchanged information with Mitsuri and Obanai at the car connection. Didn't discover anything abnormal.
Waited so long and the enemy still didn't act. Then we could only take initiative.
After brief discussion, we used the current car as starting point. Split into two directions.
Mitsuri and Obanai went to check other cars toward the rear. Shinazugawa and I walked all the way toward the front.
After parting with Obanai and the others, Shinazugawa keenly glanced at me. "At the front?"
"Just my guess." I said.
If this entire train was filled with demon scent and couldn't find the source, could only mean this train had become a demon's nest.
If comparing the train to a human, I thought the front position should be more dangerous than the rear.
Still so many passengers on the train. Leaving Mitsuri and Obanai in the back meant not worrying too much.
Shinazugawa had no objections. Silently took out his hidden sword. Fastened it at his waist.
In the train's clanging and swaying sounds, passengers all lowered their heads. As if unable to resist fatigue and fell asleep.
We constantly walked forward in this deathly silence. Seeing only a bit left to the front car, heard Shinazugawa's footsteps behind me halt.
As soon as I turned back, saw his eyelids close heavily. Couldn't suppress falling to the ground.
Before I could catch him, saw a flash of blade light. He pulled out a small knife and stabbed his arm. Suddenly jumped up and stood straight. Eyes bright and alert, surveying the surroundings.
"Rengoku fell for this trick, right?" Shinazugawa quickly reviewed everything that happened since boarding. "If there's anything strange, it's that man who bumped into me had brief contact."
I noticed after his blood flowed out, the atmosphere seemed to change accordingly. As if prying eyes swept over from the shadows. Stared at Shinazugawa especially restlessly.
Heard Shinazugawa had rare blood constitution. But judging from this reaction, his blood's attraction to demons was stronger than ordinary rare blood.
"Lady Chihaya, should we go back to support Iguro and Kanroji?"
I looked toward the front car close at hand. "No need. They're not that fragile either. Let's go meet that guy."
The front car should have the conductor standing there. But when we reached there, discovered it was completely empty inside. Only viscous flesh filled the entire space. Still constantly wriggling. Like a beating heart.
"Oh~ What unexpected distinguished guests—"
This voice carried an echo. Like the entire car was vibrating.
Shinazugawa retreated half a step. Made the starting stance for drawing his sword.
The Twelve Kizuki? Actually fused his body with the train as one.
"Where is Rengoku Kyojuro?" I asked. "You used him to lure us here. Aren't you afraid of death?"
"Hehehe... You jest. Even if you have heaven-defying abilities, as long as you have weaknesses, won't you still be controlled by me?"
The car walls began wriggling and changing. Like human intestines. Grew many fleshy buds.
He threatened us with a car full of hostages. Indeed had some brains. But I was right here. Wanting to seize his control—nothing easier.
Seeing those fleshy buds already lunging at the sleeping passengers, I didn't think further. Decided to control him first.
But at this moment, those extending fleshy buds instead lunged at me. Used a crazed force to drag me back into the front car.
There, a bloody maw split open. Swallowed me in one gulp.
Before the surroundings fell into darkness, I only heard Shinazugawa's anxious shout. Then lost perception of the outside world.
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