Rokuya's mind raced, calculating every possibility.
"Kanae, you and Mitsuri keep leading the villagers along the planned evacuation route," Rokuya decided without hesitation.
"What about you?" Kanae abruptly grabbed Rokuya's arm.
"Tanjiro, the others, and I will take Nezuko and split off from the main group." Rokuya looked into Kanae's eyes, his voice utterly firm. "Muzan is after Nezuko and us. Once we leave, the villagers will be safe."
Kanae immediately shook her head.
"No, that's too dangerous. There are only a few of you. If the Upper Ranks surround you, you'll die for certain." Kanae's voice trembled slightly.
She remembered the despair she had felt facing Doma. She absolutely did not want Rokuya to face that kind of danger alone again.
"This is the safest option." Rokuya turned his hand to clasp Kanae's. "Don't worry. I'm hard to kill. Besides, only I can sense demons approaching. I can lead them through the mountain forests, circling around to buy time until the Master's reinforcements arrive."
Kanae bit her lip hard, her eyes slightly reddened.
She knew Rokuya was right. This was their only way out of the current predicament.
If they all stayed together and encountered an Upper Rank, all the villagers would become burdens, ultimately leading to everyone's annihilation.
"Promise me you won't push yourself." Kanae let go and looked at Rokuya earnestly. "If you encounter an enemy you can't match, run immediately. I'll get the villagers settled as quickly as possible, then bring people to reinforce you right away."
"I promise." Rokuya smiled faintly and reached out to ruffle Kanae's hair. "I still want to live a peaceful life with you. How could I let myself die so easily?"
Rokuya turned around and called Tanjiro, Genya, and Yuichiro over.
He briefly explained the plan to split into two