Enemies on a Narrow Road

Tsugikuni Kuuga's Kasugai Crow flew over mountains and forests, delivering news of his Lower Rank kill to headquarters in record time. Many, including Oyakata-sama, were astonished—this was his first mission!

Ubuyashiki Estate.

Oyakata-sama sat at the entrance, gazing into the distance, muttering to himself: "Looks like we'll have another Hashira soon. Kuuga, Kyojuro, Mitsuri, Shinobu... I suppose it's time to hold a Hashira Promotion Meeting."

Oyakata-sama smiled warmly. After all, the number of Hashira in this generation already surpassed what was recorded in the Sengoku era. Truly, grudges would be settled here.

At that moment, Tsugikuni Kuuga was on his way back to headquarters. The mission was complete, so he wasn't pushing himself to travel day and night. Instead, he found a place to rest.

Since he'd been rushing during the day, he was still a long way from the nearest town. As usual, Kuuga found a sturdy branch and lay down on it.

The sky as his blanket, a tree as his bed—it wasn't so bad, really. Kuuga gazed at the tranquil night sky, feeling pleased. It seemed the Lower Ranks weren't as formidable as he'd imagined.

But those Upper Ranks who'd lived for centuries—each one could take on multiple Hashira alone. How tough was his road ahead!

Becoming a Hashira was already accomplished. Next, he'd have to prepare to deal with that twisted freak, Upper Rank Two. Douma was no easy fight. He really didn't know if his current strength could handle an Upper Rank.

Thinking about all this made Kuuga's head spin. Whatever—he'd take it one step at a time. He had to protect the Butterfly Sisters, even if it meant cutting down Muzan himself.

Just as he was lost in thought, Kuuga noticed a small figure darting swiftly through the trees, heading straight for the distant town.

Kuuga raised a hand and rubbed his eyes. For a moment, he thought he was seeing things—because even if that figure were burned to ash, he'd recognize her. Wasn't that Lower Rank Four, Zero Yu Zi?

He didn't know if it was fate or bad luck, but since righteous him had spotted her, he couldn't just sit by. Looked like he was about to set a record for taking down two Lower Ranks in a row.

Kuuga hopped down from the tree in a few quick moves and accelerated in pursuit. Looked like overtime tonight.

Zero Yu Zi wasn't moving very fast—maybe she wasn't in a hurry—so Kuuga closed to within three meters of her, hiding his steps as he went.

Suddenly, Zero Yu Zi stopped. She glanced back a couple of times, and only after confirming no one was there did she pause. She'd just gotten the news.

Lower Rank Six, Kamuna, had been killed. That made things difficult for the remaining Lower Ranks—Lord Muzan would be furious again. It wasn't the first Lower Rank to die recently, either.

At that thought, Zero Yu Zi picked up her pace. She wondered what Lord Muzan wanted with the Twelve Kizuki, summoning even the Upper Ranks.

Just as Zero Yu Zi was figuring out how to handle things, a figure burst out from the side. A bright streak of flame arced toward her neck.

Without a second thought, Zero Yu Zi misted her neck area, or she'd have become the third dead Lower Rank. After dodging the attack, she leaped back five meters.

Once she reattached her head, she recognized the person before her. Her expression was a masterpiece of shock.

"It's you!" Zero Yu Zi sneered, looking at Tsugikuni Kuuga with disgust.

"What? Miss me after a few days apart?" Kuuga grinned.

"I'm busy tonight. Don't feel like killing you. Get lost!" Zero Yu Zi shot him a glare.

"Old auntie Zero Yu Zi, you really don't miss me?" Kuuga said cheekily.

"You humans are so weird. Flirting with a demon—what a freak!" Zero Yu Zi wanted to tear Kuuga limb from limb, but the boss's summons came first.

Now she had to hurry and shake off this annoying pest.

"By the way, if I kill you, I'll have taken down two Lower Ranks today!" Kuuga reminded her.

"You killed Kamuna!" Zero Yu Zi was clearly shocked. She'd thought it was one of the Hashira.

"What, do I look weak?"

"I'm not that idiot Kamuna! Get out of my way!"

"Doesn't Rare Blood tempt you?" Kuuga said, lightly patting his own cheek.

"You're asking for it!"

"Blood Demon Art, Mist Manipulation Art, Harden!"

Zero Yu Zi's right arm swelled rapidly, growing several meters long and thickening considerably, its texture as ethereal as mist.

She raised her right fist and slammed it toward Kuuga. He sidestepped, but the wind from the punch still grazed his cheek, leaving a small cut.

Lower Rank Four's speed and power were far beyond Kamuna's. Looked like Zero Yu Zi hadn't gone all out in their last fight.

Kuuga raised his blade and slashed at Zero Yu Zi's neck, but her left arm instantly expanded into a claw, deflecting his sword with a single swipe.

Then a pair of mist-formed wings sprouted from Zero Yu Zi's back. Her entire body was encased in armor made of mist, and she lifted into the air.

"Blood Demon Art, Mist Manipulation, Full Body Armament!"

"Kid, you're dead today. I'm not that useless Kamuna!"

"Mad, huh? Mad and turning into an old auntie! Nyah nyah nyah!"

"I'll rip your tongue out first!"

Zero Yu Zi charged straight at Kuuga, her fierce attacks raining down like hail. Kuuga blocked and retreated step by step.

Zero Yu Zi laughed. So this guy had only killed Kamuna by luck. If it hadn't been for the Former Water Hashira back then, she'd have slaughtered Kuuga long ago.

"Hahaha! Cat got your tongue? If that Water Hashira hadn't stood in front of you back then, do you think you'd still be alive?"

"Looks like killing Kamuna was pure luck too. That won't work on me!" Zero Yu Zi taunted.

"Well, you've got it wrong. How else am I supposed to push myself to break through?"

"Sun-Breathing, First Form: Vortex Waltz!"

"Sun-Breathing, Second Form: Azure Sky!"

"Sun-Breathing, Twelfth Form: Flame Dance!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga shouted as he unleashed all twelve forms of Sun-Breathing in succession, and Zero Yu Zi's attacks slowed down noticeably.

Right after the Twelfth Form landed, Tsugikuni Kuuga immediately followed up with the First Form. He smiled—he'd finally linked them. Today was a day worth celebrating.

As expected, only a stronger opponent could unlock a fighter's potential. At this moment, flames swirled around Tsugikuni Kuuga, his entire being blazing like a sun.

Another round of attacks struck out. Zero Yu Zi's Mist Armor was now covered in cracks, and she herself was steadily retreating.

Finally, as Tsugikuni Kuuga swung the third iteration of Sun-Breathing, Thirteenth Form, Zero Yu Zi's Mist Armor shattered amid her shocked cry.