Killing Rokuro

Kujo Tachibana gathered all his senses, focusing them entirely inward.

Without the slightest obstruction, his perception instantly pierced through his skin and delved into the interior of his body.

Leaf Obscuring Vision.

At this moment, it was as if Kujo Tachibana had passed through a layer of sandpaper and entered an entirely different realm.

The mysteries of the human body, a universe unto itself, were laid bare before his eyes.

This was an experience Kujo Tachibana had never known before.

His heart, thumping with a rhythmic thud-thud, beat within his chest like a powerful, high-performance engine.

Thud-thud... thud-thud... thud-thud...

As his heart pulsed, blood surged through his vessels; in this moment, Kujo Tachibana felt as though he were standing amidst a raging, turbulent sea.

Constrained by muscles and veins, the waves of blood carried this violent energy to every limb and bone in his body.

Controlling senses that far exceeded those of an ordinary person, Kujo Tachibana began with the muscles and vessels governing his heart, gradually following the flow of blood as it slowly spread throughout his entire frame...

Hearing the boastful words of this Demon Slayer Corps member, Rokuro reacted as if he had just heard a hilarious joke.

"Hahaha... hahaha..."

Unable to contain himself, Rokuro clutched his stomach and burst into wild laughter.

It was only after a long while that Rokuro finally calmed down, looking at the Demon Slayer Corps member who had reached Kujo Tachibana and was now blocking his path.

Rokuro said with a blank expression:

"A creature no better than an ant, what are you blustering about in front of me?"

As soon as the words left his lips, Rokuro instantly lunged in front of Fujiwara Naoto.

Facing the terrifying demon before him, Fujiwara Naoto, having already steeled himself for death, felt no more fear!

Fujiwara Naoto took a deep breath, channeled the Water Breathing technique, and with all his might, unleashed the sword skill he had mastered most proficiently!

"Water Breathing First Form Water Surface Slash!"

Fujiwara Naoto shouted, swinging the sky-blue Nichirin Sword in his hand.

Carrying the bonds of his fallen comrades, the resolve to protect humanity, and the determination to face death!

He slashed toward Rokuro's neck!

With a loud bang, the sound echoed through the air.

With a casual strike, Rokuro swatted the Demon Slayer Corps member away.

Looking at the "wound" on the back of his hand—which hadn't even managed to cut through his Blood Demon Art-enhanced skin—Rokuro couldn't help but mock him:

"There's no need to shout the name of such useless sword skills."

"Even if I stood here and let you hack at me, you wouldn't be able to harm..."

"Water Breathing First Form Water Surface Slash." Kujo Tachibana, who had arrived behind Rokuro with his eyes closed at some unknown moment, whispered to the air in front of him.

At the same time, with a soft pfft sound.

Rokuro watched in a daze as the world before his eyes began to flip upside down.

Until, with a dull thud, his head hit the ground...

Rokuro looked at Kujo Tachibana's back with bewildered eyes and asked:

"How did you do it?"

"You frail human boy!"

"How could you suddenly possess the power to sever my head?"

Kujo Tachibana slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at Rokuro, his clear black-and-white eyes seemingly containing infinite power.

"This is the power of humanity itself."

Hearing Kujo Tachibana's words, Rokuro instantly lost control of his emotions, roaring in furious rage:

"So what!"

"Human power can never defeat a demon!"

At the same time, Rokuro's headless body, standing to the side, extended the sharp claws between its ten fingers and slashed viciously at Kujo Tachibana.

Unfortunately, Kujo Tachibana was no longer the frail version of himself from moments ago.

Inhale... Kujo Tachibana took a light breath.

He channeled the Water Breathing technique he had just learned by observing the internal workings of the Demon Slayer Corps member's body.

Activating the breathing technique allowed for a significant, short-term boost in physical capabilities.

Then, controlling every muscle and vessel in his body, he poured all his strength into the long sword in his hand.

Transparent World combined with Water Breathing—the question was, could Rokuro even handle it?

Water Breathing First Form Water Surface Slash!

Kujo Tachibana manipulated the blade's light, flashing downward in a single stroke; Rokuro's body, despite the hardening buff he had applied, remained as brittle as a sheet of paper.

The headless torso was sliced clean from neck to crotch by Kujo Tachibana!

Split in two!

He paid no mind to the look of horror on Rokuro's face.

Kujo Tachibana leaned down, grabbed the long hair on top of Rokuro's head, and yanked it up from the ground.

With his sword in one hand and Rokuro's hair in the other, Kujo Tachibana walked over to Fujiwara Naoto, who stood nearby, completely dumbstruck.

Kujo Tachibana plunged his sword into the ground, looked at the Demon Slayer Corps member, and said with a smile:

"Could you lend me the sword in your hand for a moment?"

Before Fujiwara Naoto could answer, Kuwajima Jigoro, who had arrived from the depths of the forest only moments before, tossed his own Nichirin Sword over.

"Young man, use mine!"

"It is an honor for it to sever the neck of one of the Twelve Kizuki."

Kujo Tachibana reached out to catch the Nichirin Sword and nodded.

Then, like someone gutting a fish, he bent down and pinned the struggling Rokuro—who refused to give up his demonic life—to the ground, drawing Kuwajima Jigoro's Nichirin Sword with one hand.

The blade rose and fell!

The brand-new neck Rokuro had just regrown was severed once again.

Watching as Rokuro's head slowly turned to ash before his eyes, Kujo Tachibana finally stood up, sheathed the Nichirin Sword, and returned it to Kuwajima Jigoro.

"Thank you for your blade."

"No need for thanks, young man!"

Kujo Tachibana nodded and looked at Fujiwara Naoto, asking, "How are your injuries? Do you need to see a doctor in town?"

Fujiwara Naoto shook his head and said:

"It's nothing serious, swordsman-sama. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Just then, the logistics unit of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Kakushi, arrived on the scene with impeccable timing.

The leader looked at Kuwajima Jigoro and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Rumble Hashira-sama!"

Kuwajima Jigoro shook his head and replied with a smile, "I arrived far too late."

"Thank you for your arduous battle, swordsman-sama!"

All the members of the Kakushi bowed in unison to Kujo Tachibana and Fujiwara Naoto, then began to methodically handle the aftermath.

Clearing the traces of the battlefield, collecting the remaining body tissues of the demon, and treating the wounded...

"What is this?" Kujo Tachibana asked, feigning confusion as he looked at Kuwajima Jigoro.

That night, the Kasugai Crow in the sky were exceptionally busy.

At 2:30 AM, inside the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

The current leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, the fourteen-year-old Ubuyashiki Kagaya, had yet to rest.

He was still waiting for the battle reports from the front lines.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at his wife, Amane, who was keeping him company, with a look of apology.

He did not tell his wife to go back and rest early.

Because Ubuyashiki Kagaya knew that even if his wife returned to their room, she would still be worrying about him.

Just as he was constantly worrying about the swordsmen slaying demons on the front lines.

Fortunately, the swift Kasugai Crow did not make their Master wait any longer.

They had already flown back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, bearing news of victory.

The Kakushi who came to deliver the message outside were as happy as if it were the New Year.

Seeing the expression on the members' faces, Ubuyashiki Kagaya finally set his mind at ease.

With a joyful smile, the Kakushi hurried before their Master, knelt on one knee, and reported the contents of the victory from this night.