Seeing that Tengen and Tanjiro were determined to protect Nezuko, Gyutaro changed his strategy. He was stronger than the two of them to begin with; his poison was merely an added advantage. Since this demon could neutralize it, he would simply stop relying on it.
Gyutaro hurled one Blood Scythe at Tanjiro, then charged at Tengen with the other in hand. At the same time, countless blood blades shot out from his body in every direction.
Gyutaro's relentless attacks left Tengen no chance to help Tanjiro. All he could do now was trust Tanjiro to handle things on his own.
Tengen swung his Nichirin Blades, cutting through the blood blades, but Gyutaro was already upon him.
"Let's see how you beat me with a burden like that weighing you down." Gyutaro thrust his Blood Scythe toward Tengen's chest while directing the other one at Tanjiro's head.
Unlike Tengen, Tanjiro could not cut through the blood blades. He could barely deflect them, yet Gyutaro could control them and change their direction as well, leaving Tanjiro overwhelmed.
Under Gyutaro's control, a mass of blood blades closed around Tanjiro while the Blood Scythe slashed toward his head.
My strength... is almost gone...
Tanjiro's hands trembled. Had he not tied his sword to his hand beforehand, he would no longer have had the strength to hold it.
The ring of blood blades tightened, nearly touching Tanjiro's body, but he could barely lift his sword to block them or deflect their paths anymore.
Not far away, Nezuko ran desperately toward Tanjiro, her face filled with panic.
Clang!
Tanjiro used every last ounce of strength to block the Blood Scythe aimed at his head. Yet its tremendous force drove his broken sword back toward his skull along with it. His efforts had only slowed the scythe