Tokyo.
Shinjuku!
This was also a highly modernized city, though it placed greater emphasis on industry. Factories and railways could be seen everywhere.
By the time he arrived, the blazing sun hung high overhead.
Tanjiro walked along the bustling streets, occasionally hearing the hushed discussions of passersby.
"I heard someone got ripped open again last night..."
"Was it the Ripper again? What are those guys at the police station even doing? Why haven't they caught him yet?!"
"I don't even dare go out at night anymore."
Hearing this, Tanjiro immediately approached the people who were talking. He looked at one plain-faced middle-aged man and asked respectfully.
"Excuse me, where did that Ripper kill someone? Could you tell me?"
Everyone turned to look at him, including the plain-looking middle-aged man. Seeing that he was only a teenager, the man lowered his guard.
He merely assumed Tanjiro was curious, but he still felt the need to warn him. "It was on a street near the train repair yard, but I advise you not to go there.
After all, several people have already died. It's very dangerous there."
Infinity Train Arc
"Thank you for the warning. I truly appreciate it!"
Tanjiro bowed, then turned and left without looking back, asking for directions as he hurried toward the area near the train repair yard.
His nose twitched as he began searching for the scent of demons along the way.
And with Ajuramaru acting as a radar.
Tanjiro only needed to locate the general area, and Ajuramaru could pinpoint the exact location.
Together, their efficiency at finding demons was exceptionally high.
However, upon reaching one of the streets, Tanjiro indeed caught the lingering scent of a demon in the air, though it was not very strong.
"There really is a demon here, but the scent is faint. It probably only passed through..."
He analyzed the situation based on the scent.
He followed the lingering smell through the air, but the demon seemed to have been circling around. The surrounding streets in every direction.
All carried the demon's scent, making it difficult to tell which way it had gone.
Just as Tanjiro was feeling troubled, Ajuramaru's irritated voice rang out in his mind. "Are you an idiot? If you can't track it.
Can't you just wait here for it to come back? You can rest a little too. Try using your brain more often, will you?"
With that reminder, Tanjiro came to his senses.
The demon's scent was so dense and complicated here. This was probably where it hunted, and waiting here might actually work!
"Sorry, I was too anxious."
It was not without reason. He was afraid of wasting precious time. Ever since he had left the Demon Slayer Corps to hunt demons.
He had barely rested properly, spending nearly every day and night killing evil demons. Even Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had been following behind him, had begun to feel exhausted.
Fortunately, Tanjiro finally stopped. He found a secluded, empty alley, sat down on the ground, and fell into a deep sleep.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had been following behind him, could finally find somewhere to rest as well.
Night fell.
In the pitch-black alley, Tanjiro suddenly jolted awake. His nose caught the incomparably foul stench of a demon in the air!
He immediately stood up and rushed out of the alley.
He looked toward the street he had come from.
A figure was rapidly charging toward him. It was a bald man with a grayish-brown body, blue markings covering his skin.
His eyes were an eerie dark green.
The demon saw Tanjiro as well, and Tanjiro's attire in particular filled him with disgust.
"Ptooey... A demon slayer? I'll torture you to death! Hahahaha..."
As he spoke, he accelerated once more.
Like a streak of blue light, he shot toward Tanjiro.
Tanjiro immediately drew Ajuramaru from his waist. His enhanced eyes locked onto the demon.
But he could not help saying.
"So fast!"
The demon was clearly pleased to hear that and bared his teeth in laughter.
"I'm the fastest!"
The moment his words fell.
He had already arrived before Tanjiro. The demon raised his claws and lunged, his target clear as he reached straight for Tanjiro's chest.
Tanjiro, meanwhile, gripped his sword with both hands and slashed forward, splitting the demon's palm in half.
The demon immediately retreated.
After just one exchange, it knew the person before it was not someone to be trifled with. It had no intention of prolonging the fight.
Instead, it quickly backed away and grinned.
"You're pretty strong, but I'm going to eat people now. Can you keep up with my speed?! Hahahaha...
By the time you get there, all you'll see are the corpses after I'm done eating!"
After saying that, it suddenly seemed to notice something. It glanced at its split palm, looking somewhat confused.
"What's wrong with my hand..."
Before it could finish.
A Nichirin Blade suddenly appeared behind it and severed its head, followed by several more slashes that minced the head to pieces.
It did not even get the chance to leave behind any final words.
Ajuramaru in the blade could not help but comment.
Indeed.
It had come fast and died fast.
The person who appeared behind it was none other than the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. He looked at Tanjiro with fierce eyes and gave him a vicious reminder.
"From now on, try to kill them in one blow. Don't give those demons any chance to exploit an opening, understand?!"
"I understand, Mr. Sanemi!"
Tanjiro hurriedly sheathed his sword and replied.
Then, a Kasugai Crow appeared above their heads.
"Board the Mugen Train. Board the Mugen Train with the reinforcements..."
After the Kasugai Crow's voice faded.
Three figures slowly came into the two men's view. The newcomers were none other than the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, along with Zenitsu and Inosuke!
Seeing them again.
Tanjiro looked at the three in delighted surprise, a sincere smile spreading across his face. "Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Mr. Rengoku..."
Kyojuro Rengoku looked back at him with bright eyes and praised him without hesitation. "You've become stronger again, young man!"
"Tanjiro, I missed you so much..."
Zenitsu cried out as he ran over, intending to give him a hug, though his eyes remained fixed on the wooden box and Ajuramaru at Tanjiro's waist.
Inosuke also came over and laughed.
"Hahaha, I've gotten stronger too, Tanjiro!"
The three youngsters chatted among themselves.
As for Kyojuro Rengoku, he walked directly over to Sanemi Shinazugawa. His gaze blazed as he explained the details of the mission.
"This mission is due to over forty passengers disappearing from the Mugen Train within a short period. Our purpose is to investigate and eliminate the evil demon causing trouble aboard the train!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa nodded slightly at that.
"I have no objection to the mission, but if anything happens, we must ensure Tanjiro can leave safely!"
Kyojuro Rengoku agreed with that as well. He turned his bright, spirited gaze toward the three youths and answered righteously.
"No problem. Tanjiro's safety is the most important thing. Even if I have to give my life, I will protect him!
Besides that, I have already asked at the train repair yard. The Mugen Train will resume operation tomorrow, and we can board in the evening!
Until then, let's find somewhere to rest and regroup!"
No one present had any objections to that suggestion.
Under the cover of night, they found an inn and stayed there.
It was not until dusk the next day that everyone left the inn and headed to the nearby station to buy tickets.
After entering the platform, they watched the Mugen Train slowly pull in before them.
Among the group, Inosuke spread his arms wide. The expression beneath his boar mask was one of shock. "What is this creature?! This guy must be the ruler of this land..."
As he spoke, he was about to draw his swords.
Tanjiro hurriedly stopped him from behind. "Wait, Inosuke. It might also be the guardian deity of this land. If you draw your swords so rashly..."
Zenitsu truly could not stand it anymore.
"You two country bumpkins, it's a train! It's a mode of transportation for carrying people!"
Complaining as he spoke, the group boarded the train.
The Train Has Taken Enmu's Form
Ajuramaru, within the blade, also confirmed through its senses that the Mugen Train had taken on the form of a demon. If nothing unexpected happened, it was Lower Rank One, Enmu.
He seemed to be in the process of merging with the train, though Ajuramaru could not tell how far that fusion had progressed.
But it did not matter.
Tanjiro now had his own support.
With all his abilities unleashed, he could kill Enmu in a single strike. What truly needed attention was Akaza, who would appear later.
Outside.
The group of five had entered the train and taken seats in the fourth carriage. Kyojuro Rengoku sat in a seat closer to the front first, then said cheerfully.
"Sit here, Tanjiro."
Tanjiro sat somewhat stiffly in the window seat beside him.
Inosuke excitedly slapped the window and exclaimed, "It's amazing inside this steel beast!"
"Hey, don't smash the glass." Zenitsu hurriedly went over and pulled him back, afraid it would shatter the next second.
Seeing that he truly could not stop him, he had no choice but to open the window.
Across from the two of them, Sanemi Shinazugawa sat there watching them, his brows tightly furrowed in displeasure.
These two idiots...
Especially that yellow-haired one. He really wanted to beat him to death...
On the other side, Kyojuro Rengoku crossed his arms over his chest and stared straight ahead with a serious expression. "Become my tsuguko. I will do everything in my power to train you!
Come train under me, and you can rest assured!"
Before you continue