Upper Rank Three, Akaza

Three to four days had passed since Suzuki Mufeng and the others arrived at the Kamado Family home, a period during which Tanjuro Kamado had worked tirelessly on preparations for their move.

Early on the fourth morning, Tanjuro Kamado took the initiative to announce the move to his family.

"I apologize, everyone. This is for the sake of your safety; it is a step that must be taken."

Kanae Kocho pressed her palms together, her face filled with apology. She had only learned of this from Suzuki Mufeng two days prior.

Having been kept in the dark for so long, Kanae Kocho could not help but feel a bit of resentment. Mr. Mufeng really has a tight lip. To think he and the Master conspired to hide this from me for so long, making me look like a fool. When I return to the Butterfly Mansion, I will certainly have to treat him to a proper 'welcome' in return.

The Kamado Family were all gentle people and naturally expressed their understanding, though they were still shocked to learn that evil demons existed in this world.

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

No sooner had Kie Kamado finished speaking than Suzuki Mufeng appeared at the doorway like a phantom, his travel-worn appearance suggesting he had been on a long journey.

"Mr. Mufeng, are these...?"

Suzuki Mufeng was laden with bags of all sizes, clearly having gone on a massive shopping spree. He handed the items to the members of the Kamado Family one by one.

"The journey is long, and we must move quickly, so I purchased some supplies for the road. I hope this makes things a bit easier for you."

"Wow, new clothes!"

"This outfit is so pretty! Nezuko-neechan will definitely look beautiful in it!"

The children couldn't wait to put on their new clothes. Nezuko was surprised to find that her new kimono fit her perfectly. How did Mr. Mufeng know my size?

The young girl's face flushed slightly, and she couldn't help but steal glances at Suzuki Mufeng, who was currently conversing with her older brother, Tanjiro. Just then, Suzuki Mufeng noticed her gaze, and their eyes met.

"Is it not a good fit, Nezuko-san? I didn't think too much when I left the mountain and just picked a few things based on feeling. If it really doesn't work, we can exchange them when we reach our destination."

"No, I love it. Thank you, Mr. Mufeng."

Hearing Nezuko's reply, I thought, My eye for detail is quite good. As for how Suzuki Mufeng knew Nezuko's size? My eyes are the ruler.

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

Suzuki Mufeng naturally hadn't forgotten; he produced a brooch decorated with pink petals.

"Consider this compensation for tricking me earlier. Thank you, Mr. Mufeng."

Kanae Kocho smiled as she pinned the brooch on, which effectively saved her from being added to the little black book in her heart.

"You are very thoughtful, Mr. Mufeng. Without further ado, let us head down the mountain as soon as possible."

The group carried only some dry rations and a few changes of clothes; the rest would be prepared for them upon reaching their destination.

"Tanjuro-san, do you remember the demon we killed earlier? That proves that Muzan Kibutsuji is already aware of this location. We have no time to rest, so please, treat this as a matter of life and death."

Under Suzuki Mufeng's repeated warnings, the Kamado Family took the matter very seriously. They descended the mountain, bid farewell to the people in the town, and hurried toward the meeting point agreed upon with Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Once he delivered the Kamado Family to the designated location, Kakushi members would take over.

They traveled without pause until nightfall. Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae Kocho were each carrying a sleeping child, Takeo Kamado and Hanako Kamado, respectively, while the others were drenched in sweat and pale-faced.

The relentless pace had left everyone exhausted; it was time to let them rest.

Just as Suzuki Mufeng stopped and was about to suggest resting for the night, Tanjuro Kamado, who had remained calm until now, suddenly shouted in agitation.

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

Something? What is that presence!

His body reacted faster than his brain could command. At the very last moment, Suzuki Mufeng tossed Takeo Kamado to Kie Kamado.

In the blink of an eye, a dull, thunderous boom echoed—Bang!—and Suzuki Mufeng was sent flying by a single punch from a figure.

Rumble...

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

A bolt of lightning struck the figure, only to be deflected. Suzuki Mufeng, still reeling from the impact, planted his feet against a tree trunk and slashed at the figure again. It took two attempts to barely force the opponent back by a meter.

Only then did everyone see the appearance of this uninvited guest. When Kanae Kocho saw the demon's eyes, her pupils constricted, and she couldn't help but exclaim.

"Upper Rank Three! Tanjuro-san, you must leave! Leave this to us!"

"Your fighting spirit burns so brightly! Such immense fighting spirit! Swordsman of the Thunder Breathing, tell me your name. Would you like to become a demon? With your talent, I doubt it would take long for you to reach the supreme realm."

Akaza appeared to be speaking to Suzuki Mufeng, but his attention remained fixed on the Kamado Family. He could not disobey the orders of Muzan Kibutsuji; none of this family could be allowed to escape. Wait, why does that man have no fighting spirit?

"Kanae, he is Upper Rank Three, Akaza. His Blood Demon Art is Destructive Death. When he uses his Compass Needle, a snowflake-shaped formation appears beneath his feet, allowing him to sense our fighting spirit to attack and counter. He also has other derivative techniques; it's hard to say for sure, but I will warn you."

Suzuki Mufeng rattled off the information about Akaza at high speed, startling the demon so much that his eyes widened. What the hell? As a demon, I've actually been exposed!

"Thunder Breathing swordsman, to think you know so much about me. I'm starting to get interested in you. Are you sure you won't choose to become—"

Before he could finish, Suzuki Mufeng vanished from before Akaza's eyes. All he saw was a seven-colored blade slashing horizontally. Where did he go? The sudden attack caught Akaza off guard, and his raised arms were sliced through by the blade's light.

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

Suzuki Mufeng appeared behind Akaza like a ghost, his Nichirin Sword slashing out, but Akaza had already anticipated this.

"Your techniques are interesting; I've never seen them before. But the fighting spirit on you has completely given you away."

Snap—

The Nichirin Sword was crushed by Akaza's hand. As Akaza swung his fist in a violent counterattack, the terrifying shockwave made Suzuki Mufeng's face sting with pain.

"Mufeng, dodge!"

His ears could no longer hear Kanae Kocho's voice, but driven by survival instinct, he subconsciously activated his Sharingan to cast a genjutsu while simultaneously commanding his Stand, Soft & Wet, to detonate bubbles in front of him.

Taking advantage of the momentary lapse caused by the Sharingan's illusion and the shockwave from the bursting bubbles, Suzuki Mufeng narrowly evaded a strike that would have left him severely wounded.

After tumbling backward several times, Suzuki Mufeng used Shave to dissipate his momentum in mid-air, finally landing on the ground without a scratch.

"Those are some impressive tricks. Your name is Mufeng, right? Let's have a glorious battle!"

Akaza assumed his stance, digging his feet deep into the ground as he took a horse stance, causing a snowflake-shaped formation to rise from the earth.

"Blood Demon Art: Destructive Death - Compass Needle!"