Upper Rank Three, Akaza

It had been three or four days since Suzuki Mufeng and the others arrived at the Kamado home. During that time, Tanjuro Kamado had been busy preparing for the move without stopping.

On the morning of the fourth day, Tanjuro Kamado took the initiative and told his family they were moving.

"Sorry, everyone. This is for everyone's safety, so we have no choice but to do it."

Kanae Kocho pressed her palms together, an apologetic look on her face. She had only learned about it from Suzuki Mufeng two days earlier.

Having been kept in the dark for so long, Kanae Kocho couldn't help feeling a little resentful. Mr. Mufeng certainly knows how to keep his mouth shut. He and Master kept this from me for so long, making me look like a fool. I'll be sure to treat him well next time I'm back at Butterfly Mansion.

The Kamado family were all gentle people, so they naturally understood. Still, they were startled to learn that demons existed in the world.

"Speaking of which, where's Mr. Mufeng? We haven't seen him since yesterday. Could something have happened to him?"

As soon as Kie Kamado finished speaking, Suzuki Mufeng appeared in the doorway like a ghost, looking dusty and travel-worn, as though he'd been on a long journey.

"Mr. Mufeng, what are all these?"

Suzuki Mufeng was loaded down with bags, clearly having gone on a shopping spree. He handed the items he was carrying to the Kamado family one by one.

"The journey is long, and we'll need to move quickly, so I bought some supplies for the road. I hope they'll make things a little easier for you."

"Wow, new clothes!"

"This outfit is so pretty! Nezuko would look lovely in it!"

The children eagerly put on their new clothes. Nezuko tried on a new kimono, and was surprised by how perfectly it fit. How did Mr. Mufeng know my size?

The girl's cheeks flushed faintly, and she couldn't help sneaking a glance at Suzuki Mufeng, who was talking with her older brother, Tanjiro. Just then, Suzuki Mufeng noticed her looking, and their eyes met.

"Doesn't it fit, Miss Nezuko? I didn't think too much about it when I went down the mountain. I just picked a few things based on instinct. If it really doesn't fit, you can change when we reach our destination."

"No, I really like it. Thank you, Mr. Mufeng."

Hearing Nezuko's answer, Suzuki Mufeng figured his instincts had been pretty good. As for how he knew Nezuko's size, my eyes are the perfect measuring tool.

"Mr. Mufeng, you really do have a good eye. Since you bought gifts for everyone, is there one for me?"

Suzuki Mufeng hadn't forgotten her, of course. He took out a brooch decorated with pink petals.

"This is compensation for tricking me before. Thank you, Mr. Mufeng."

Kanae Kocho smiled as she pinned on the brooch. That should keep her from adding another tally to the mental list she kept on him.

"You're very thoughtful, Mr. Mufeng. We shouldn't delay. Let's head down the mountain as soon as possible."

The group brought only some provisions and a few changes of clothes. Everything else would be ready for them when they reached their destination.

"Mr. Tanjuro, do you remember the demon we killed before? That proves Muzan Kibutsuji already knows about this place. We can't afford to rest this time. Please take this matter seriously—it's a matter of life and death."

After Suzuki Mufeng repeatedly stressed the danger, the Kamado family took it very seriously. They came down from the mountain, said goodbye to everyone in town, and hurried toward the meeting place arranged with Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Once he delivered the family to the designated spot, Kakushi members would take over.

They pushed on without stopping until nightfall. Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae Kocho each carried one of the sleeping children, Takeo Kamado and Hanako Kamado, on their backs. Everyone else was drenched in sweat and pale-faced.

The nearly nonstop journey had left them all exhausted. It was time to let them rest.

Suzuki Mufeng stopped, about to suggest they rest for the night, when Tanjuro Kamado, who had remained calm until then, suddenly shouted in alarm.

"Something's wrong! Something's coming! Mr. Mufeng, get out of the way!"

Something? What was that presence?!

His body reacted faster than his mind. At the last moment, Suzuki Mufeng tossed Takeo Kamado from his back to Kie Kamado.

In the blink of an eye, a thunderous bang rang out. With a muffled thud, Suzuki Mufeng was sent flying by a punch from a shadowy figure.

Rumble—

"Total Concentration—Thunder Breathing, First Form—Thunderclap and Flash, Threefold!"

A streak of lightning slammed into the figure, only to be knocked flying in turn. Suzuki Mufeng, still sailing backward, planted both feet against a tree trunk and drew his sword, slashing at the figure in front of him. He repeated the move twice before finally forcing his opponent back a meter.

Only then did everyone get a clear look at the uninvited guest. When Kanae Kocho saw the demon's eyes, her pupils shrank, and she blurted out, "Upper Rank Three! Mr. Kamado, get going! We'll handle things here!"

"Your fighting spirit is blazing! Such overwhelming fighting spirit! Thunder Breathing swordsman, tell me your name! Will you become a demon? With your talent, it probably won't take long for you to reach the Supreme Territory."

Akaza seemed to be speaking to Suzuki Mufeng, but his attention was fixed on the Kamado family. He couldn't disobey Muzan Kibutsuji's orders; none of them could be allowed to escape. Huh? Why doesn't that man have any fighting spirit?

"Kanae, he's Upper Rank Three, Akaza. His Blood Demon Art is Destructive Death. When he uses Compass Needle, a snowflake-shaped pattern appears under his feet. It lets him sense the fighting spirit in our bodies and attack or counter us. He has several other techniques derived from his Blood Demon Art. I can't explain them all right now, but I'll warn you."

Suzuki Mufeng rapidly rattled off everything he knew about Akaza. Akaza's eyes widened in shock. What the hell? How did I get exposed like this?

"Thunder Breathing swordsman, you know so much about me. You've piqued my interest. Are you sure you won't choose to become—"

Before he could finish, Suzuki Mufeng suddenly vanished from Akaza's sight. All Akaza saw was a multicolored blade slashing toward him. Where had he gone? The sudden attack caught Akaza off guard, and the blade cut clean through his raised arms.

"Total Concentration—Sunlight Breathing, First Form—Halo!"

Suzuki Mufeng appeared behind Akaza like a ghost, swinging his Nichirin Sword in a horizontal slash, but Akaza had already noticed him.

"Your technique is fascinating. I've never seen anything like it, but your fighting spirit gives you away completely."

Crack—

Akaza crushed the Nichirin Sword in his hand. When he suddenly threw a punch in retaliation, the terrifying blast of air stung Suzuki Mufeng's face.

"Mufeng, get out of the way!"

He could no longer hear Kanae Kocho's voice. Acting on instinct, he activated his Sharingan and released an illusion. At the same time, he had his Substitute, Soft & Wet, release bubbles that burst in front of him.

The daze caused by the Sharingan Genjutsu, along with the force from the exploding bubbles, let Suzuki Mufeng narrowly evade the blow, which would have left him badly injured.

Suzuki Mufeng flew backward, tumbling several times. He used Shave in midair to bleed off the force, then landed on the ground without a scratch.

"Those are some impressive tricks. Your name's Mufeng, right? Let's have a good fight!"

Akaza took his stance, planting his feet wide and sinking into a low crouch. He stamped down hard, driving one foot deep into the ground. A snowflake-shaped pattern appeared beneath him.

"Blood Demon Art—Destructive Death—Compass Needle!"