A blazing sword light cascaded from above, like the sun and moon traversing the heavens, rivers flowing across the earth—peerlessly domineering, yet carrying a righteous, natural air, as though this was simply how it should be.
Nezuko, who had been kicked flying into the distance, wore an anxious expression. She let out meaningless roars as she charged back at top speed.
But how could Araki's sword swing possibly be slower than her running?
Boom!
The waterfall-like sword light crashed down, viciously striking Tanjiro on the crown of his head!
Bang!
The seventeen whip-like tubes connected to his flesh instantly melted away, broken down by the dazzling sword light into tiny fragments nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Thud!
Tanjiro had already been crouched on all fours like a beast. Unable to withstand such overwhelming force, both his arms and legs gave way, and he collapsed face-first onto the ground. His head slammed heavily against the earth with a tremendous crash.
Only then did Araki realize that his previous strike had failed to cut completely through Tanjiro's skull.
It had gone in, but not all the way.
Because it had gotten stuck in his skullcap.
Or, more accurately, Tanjiro's skull was so incredibly hard and regenerated so quickly that it had actually reached a dynamic balance with the cutting speed of Araki's blade.
Thus creating this awkward deadlock.
The sight left Araki unsure whether to laugh or cry. "As expected of the legendary Head Hashira. Even after becoming a demon, is your head still your strongest part?"
Tanjiro had no spare attention to respond to Araki's words.
Araki's guess was not entirely correct.
Tanjiro had never developed his own Blood Demon Art. The abnormality of his skull was merely an instinctive enhancement resulting from receiving the full infusion of the previous