Slaying

In her daze, Anxia Niaozi saw an S-shaped stream curve around her. The instant it passed, it was gentle before turning icy cold. Giyu Tomioka was the one leading that stream forward.

Water Breathing: Third Form: Flowing Dance.

After dealing with the clones that had surged onto the shore, Giyu rushed back into battle to assist Hiruma.

His greatest talent was his precise observation and calm judgment in battle. When fighting alongside others, he could predict his opponent's next move from the details of their movements and coordinate with his comrades at any moment.

But Steel Sickle truly deserved to have once been Lower Rank One. Even against two opponents, he did not fall behind. Of course, both sides were still probing each other and had yet to go all out.

In Tsutako's eyes, she could only see three afterimages—blue, yellow, and white. Even though she could see nothing clearly, she kept staring intently.

Because she knew that blue afterimage was Giyu.

"Damn brats, ahhh!"

Steel Sickle roared, and an even more formidable aura erupted from him. The sickle in his hand gleamed coldly and rapidly grew larger.

In the blink of an eye, the sickle had grown more than ten meters long. He gripped it and swung fiercely, the giant sickle slicing through the air with a piercing howl.

Like a meteor, the attack came crashing down on Hiruma and Giyu. Yet neither could retreat; the island was not large, and evading it would injure innocent people.

Hiruma had still underestimated the strength of a Lower Rank, especially one who had once been Lower Rank One.

Though he and Giyu were talented, they were still young, and their stamina had not reached its peak. They had to take this seriously.

Way Breathing: Mountain Form: Black Tortoise.

Earthen-yellow battle aura rose around Hiruma as he swiftly swung his blade in every direction. However, Black Tortoise's opening stance was vastly different from Vermilion Bird's.

Black Tortoise was a defensive sword technique he had comprehended through Stone Breathing. He swung the Nichirin Blade in a full circle, drawing the blade wind inward in a continuous cycle, as immovable as a mountain.

A faint golden phantom of a Black Tortoise covered in rocky patterns appeared. The mysterious serpent on its shell bit down on the blade, blocking the giant sickle outside. At the sight, Steel Sickle's pupils shook.

Not a Hashira, yet better than one. This damned brat had been hiding his strength. Was he looking down on me?

At the thought, his face turned green with rage. Veins like little snakes bulged beneath his shriveled skin as the giant sickle pressed down with the force of a collapsing mountain, cracking the ground beneath Hiruma's feet.

Giyu gripped his sword tightly. He did not understand why Hiruma had yielded the main attacking role to him. Hiruma was clearly stronger and more suited to that position.

Hiruma's response was that you had already done all the showing off, so as your buddy, he had to make you look good.

If you kept saying you would avenge her, then you had to be the one to cut down that Demon.

"Hahaha!" Steel Sickle hid the surprise in his eyes and sneered. "Two brats who don't know their place—one's pinned down by me and can't move, while the other is too scared to move. Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

"You two pieces of trash should consider it an honor to die by my hand."

As soon as he finished speaking, rolling thunder erupted. A crimson-gold Qilin-shaped blade wind rose from the ground and snapped the giant sickle in half.

Hiruma immediately mocked him in return. "Your piece of junk isn't very sturdy, huh? Do kicked-out Lower Ranks still count?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

Steel Sickle lost it again upon hearing that. He could not understand why this damned brat kept harping on that matter.

"You... are... dead!" His teeth itched with fury as he ground them together, producing crackling sounds like firecrackers.

With the exchange of trash talk over, Steel Sickle's sickle appeared in his hand in the blink of an eye. He transformed into a cannonball and charged straight at Hiruma, shattering the ground wherever he passed.

Giyu quickly retreated to the side. Since Hiruma truly wanted him to serve as the main attacker, he had to seize the opportunity and kill the Demon in one strike.

Pale-blue battle aura flared around Hiruma. His agile figure resembled a flood dragon churning rivers and seas. For a time, blade flashes filled the air as he fought Steel Sickle to a draw.

Giyu withdrew from the battle. So far, he had used seventy percent of his strength, still retaining thirty percent to deal with unforeseen circumstances.

"Brat, you're struggling now, aren't you!"

"You put on such an act. Did you really think you could beat me alone?"

"You'll pay for your arrogance!"

Seeing that he was faintly gaining the upper hand, Steel Sickle began boasting wildly. He felt that killing this brat whose ambitions exceeded the heavens was only a matter of time.

Seizing the opportunity, he stomped his foot. In an instant, five white clones burst out of the ground. He had not only made preparations in the water; he had laid out traps on shore as well.

The clones surrounded Hiruma from all directions. Even Giyu, whose heart was as still as water, could no longer remain calm. If he did not act now, something would truly go wrong.

But when he met Hiruma's confident gaze, he dismissed the thought.

When the five clones lunged at Hiruma, Steel Sickle was astonished to discover that it was only an afterimage. That was right—so that he could become a qualified wingman, Hiruma had used ninety percent of his strength while still holding back ten percent for emergencies.

Unfortunately for Steel Sickle, he had let his attention wander. Hiruma seized the new opening.

A flood dragon formed from his afterimages locked Steel Sickle in place. His legs vanished without a trace, and his body toppled forward beyond his control.

Now was the time. This was Giyu's turn.

He twisted his body and charged toward the Demon at the fastest speed of his life.

Water Breathing: Tenth Form: Constant Flow.

Wave after wave surged forth. A water dragon head emerged from the azure Nichirin Blade, and within only a few breaths, Giyu had already spun ten times.

Each rotation sent powerful force rippling outward. As his movements grew faster and faster, the water dragon head spun ever more rapidly.

When his blade slashed toward Steel Sickle's neck, Constant Flow had stacked to its twelfth rotation. This was Giyu's best result so far.

One slash fell, and the Demon's head was severed.

Steel Sickle's world spun upside down. His shriveled head traced a graceful arc through the air before finally falling into the sea.

With a gurgle, several bubbles burst on the surface. Then everything returned to calm, just like Giyu's state of mind at that moment.

Holding his sword, he watched the Demon's body slowly fade away. It seemed he had realized something, though it would still take time to temper it. Still, having this moment of beginning was enough.

"Well done!" Hiruma, the battle's best support and gold-medal wingman, patted Giyu on the shoulder before shoving him in front of Anxia Niaozi.

Tsutako lifted her head. Her black-jewel-like eyes sparkled as she gazed at Giyu Tomioka.

"Your revenge is complete," Giyu said, still wearing his icy, expressionless face.

"Mm!"

"Thank you, Giyu!"

Tsutako covered her face and burst into tears. Her small figure looked so pitiful.

Hiruma, standing nearby, was dumbfounded.

That was it?

And then what? The girl had just lost her parents and was crying so heartbreakingly in front of you, and you were just going to stand there?

Shouldn't you at least give her something to lean on? If nothing else, give her a tissue!

Seeing Giyu still standing there foolishly, Hiruma helplessly facepalmed.

Sigh...

Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless!

He walked over to Giyu and whispered, "Give her something to wipe her tears with."

"I don't have anything!"

"Then comfort her!"

"How do I comfort her?"

"I—***"