Overcoming Softness with Softness

The two demons both laughed. After all, they could have an extra meal today. This kid clearly wasn't under anyone's control, so he didn't fall under the category of blood donors.

"Split him fifty-fifty!" the two demons said in unison.

The skinny-looking demon charged forward. He was clearly faster, but just a second before his claws touched the little boy, a blade blocked them.

Tsugikuni Kuuga kicked the skinny demon away and shielded the little boy behind him.

"Bullying little kids isn't allowed, you know!"

"Demon Slayer, damn it!" the skinny demon cursed.

"Kid, go back inside first. Big Brother is going to beat up the bad guys!"

Rather than crying or making a fuss, the little boy quickly ran into the house. He knew the creatures before him were the Evil Demons his grandfather had told him stories about since he was little. Big Brother must be one of the legendary Demon Slayers.

The skinny demon ignored the little boy and accelerated toward Tsugikuni Kuuga. What he hadn't expected was that Tsugikuni Kuuga would evade his attack with a simple sidestep.

Before he could react, Tsugikuni Kuuga's blade had already fallen. A flash of fire passed by, and the skinny demon's left arm flew away.

The skinny demon had thought his severed arm would grow back quickly, but not only was it regenerating painfully slowly, it even carried a burning sensation.

Rage instantly filled the skinny demon's heart. He twisted his body and swiped at Tsugikuni Kuuga with his right claw. Tsugikuni Kuuga swiftly raised his blade to block it. After knocking aside the skinny demon's right arm, he followed up with Sun-Breathing Second Form: Azure Sky.

The upward slash pierced straight through the skinny demon's chest and shot toward his neck. The fury on his face was instantly replaced by terror.

Just then, the fat demon transformed into a ball and hurtled over. Tsugikuni Kuuga had no choice but to pull out his blade and retreat.

The fat demon looked at the skinny demon and mocked him. "That's all you've got? Stand back and watch me!"

"Tch! What do you know? That guy's at least Hashira-level!" the skinny demon retorted.

"So what if he's a Hashira? Our boss is still a Lower Rank!" The fat demon looked utterly disdainful.

Tsugikuni Kuuga's face darkened as he listened to the two demons' conversation. Was he really this unlucky? Encountering three demons on his first mission was bad enough, but there was even a Lower Rank among them? What kind of bad-luck magnet was he?

"Are you two pieces of trash done talking? Once you are, you can die!"

"And another thing, I'm the man who's even beheaded Lower Rank Four. What the hell is your boss supposed to be?"

Sure enough, Tsugikuni Kuuga's relentless taunts successfully enraged the two demons. Even with half his body split open, the skinny demon charged at him.

Tsugikuni Kuuga immediately used Sun-Breathing Eleventh Form: Halo Dragon—Head Dance. The unceasing slashes formed a perfect defense, blocking every attack from the two demons.

Then Tsugikuni Kuuga spun and unleashed Flame Slash, breaking through their defenses while leaving several blade marks across their bodies.

After breaking through their defenses, Tsugikuni Kuuga ran straight toward the outskirts of the village. His target was the direction the main group of villagers had gone.

"Not good! He's going to follow the group to find our boss's hiding place! Hurry, after him!" the skinny demon shouted.

The two demons immediately gave chase, completely ignoring the little boy in the village. That was exactly what Tsugikuni Kuuga wanted. It would keep the village from being damaged and ensure the boy wouldn't be harmed.

But these two demons had to die. Otherwise, if they reported back, things would get troublesome. The villagers would probably suffer for it.

When Tsugikuni Kuuga spotted the rear of the main group, he stopped. They should no longer be able to lose the trail.

Holding his blade in one hand, Tsugikuni Kuuga smiled. "To make sure your boss can be smoothly eliminated by me, I can only invite you two to drink some Wisteria Tea!"

"In your dreams! Die!" The skinny demon charged straight at him.

But what he hadn't expected was that Tsugikuni Kuuga's speed rose again. Before he could react, Tsugikuni Kuuga had severed his neck.

"You... why?" The skinny demon stared in disbelief.

"I just wasn't serious before. You two were too weak!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said mockingly.

"I see. So you think cutting off my head is enough?" The skinny demon burst into wild laughter.

Only then did Tsugikuni Kuuga notice that the skinny demon's body had not vanished. That was impossible. Other than those freakish Upper Moons and Scum Boss, no demon could survive having its head cut off.

Suddenly, the fat demon charged over. Tsugikuni Kuuga immediately used Sun-Breathing Form Four: Mirage Sun Rainbow to increase his speed, followed at once by Sun-Breathing Third Form: Setting Sun Transformation. The fat demon's neck was severed as well.

But Tsugikuni Kuuga had fallen into the brothers' trap. The instant their bodies touched, they began to fuse. Before long, a burly man appeared before Tsugikuni Kuuga.

The two demons had fused into one—a demon with two heads.

"Kid, this is what we brothers truly look like. You have to cut off both our heads at once to kill us. Too bad you no longer have the chance!" the skinny demon said regretfully.

"Are you a pig or something? You're actually telling others your weakness?" Tsugikuni Kuuga mocked.

"It doesn't matter if we tell a dead man!" The fat demon's head looked unconcerned.

"Then you're as good as dead!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga gripped his sword with both hands and charged forward. The two-headed demon's arms began stretching without end, and its whip-like arms started lashing through the air.

Tsugikuni Kuuga swung his blade at them, but it was like cutting rubber. The blade was deflected. Their arms were soft and could disperse force.

Damn, they were trying to disperse force against me? Then they'd really picked the wrong person today. Tsugikuni Kuuga put on a struggling appearance.

Seeing Tsugikuni Kuuga in such a sorry state, the two-headed demon laughed smugly.

"What's wrong, can't handle it anymore? Weren't you acting all arrogant just now? Didn't you say you were going to cut off our heads? Hahaha!"

The two demons mocked him as their arms continued striking at Tsugikuni Kuuga. Though they looked soft, they were as sharp as steel blades when they hit. Without realizing it, Tsugikuni Kuuga's face and uniform had gained many cuts.

"Oh, really?" Tsugikuni Kuuga asked.

Then Tsugikuni Kuuga swung his blade at the two-headed demon's soft arms, except this time, his blade moved in the direction of the force flowing through them.

Tsugikuni Kuuga's blade seemed to turn soft itself. Rather than being deflected, it severed the two-headed demon's arms.

If Tsugikuni Kuuga's sword techniques were as fierce as the sun, then this move was as gentle as water.

"What? How is that possible?" The two-headed demon's eyes widened, its face filled with disbelief.

"You simply haven't seen enough. This form is Sun-Breathing, Tai Chi Yin Style: Gentle Sun Dance!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga was already close to the two-headed demon. He made one final leap and unleashed Sun-Breathing Tenth Form: Brilliant Grace Light. After a fierce slash, both demons' necks were severed at the same time.

Tsugikuni Kuuga landed gracefully, then sheathed his blade in one smooth motion.

"After incorporating Tai Chi, Sun-Breathing doesn't only have a fierce side. It has a gentle side as well. You didn't lose unfairly!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga knew that all the sword techniques he had used before were Yang forms, because that naturally suited Sun-Breathing. Today, he discovered that Yin forms were just as important—overcoming softness with softness.