Lin Yoriichi: Why was it me again?

The reason Lin Yoriichi reacted that way upon seeing Lower Rank Three, Byōyō, naturally had to do with the two Hashira beside him.

The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, had single-handedly killed the former Lower Rank Two, Hairo.

And the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, had joined forces with a companion to behead the former Lower Rank One, Ghost Mother.

Not to mention, Lin Yoriichi himself was here, capable of reproducing 20% of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's strength.

With a lineup like this, taking on a mere Lower Rank was nothing.

With a little more effort, even taking down an Upper Rank would be no problem.

Although his main purpose in coming to Asakusa, Tokyo Prefecture, was to meet Miss Tamayo.

Lin Yoriichi certainly did not mind getting rid of Lower Rank Three along the way.

At that thought, he said in a low voice:

"Move!"

Meanwhile, Byōyō's expression was exceptionally stiff.

But a closer look would reveal that his pupils were trembling violently, as though shaken by an earthquake!

The good news was that he had effortlessly found the person that lord had ordered him to search for: someone with Crimson Hair and hanafuda earrings bearing a sun design.

But the bad news was that this guy had two Hashira with him!

Byōyō immediately let out a piercing scream, then turned and ran.

Was this a joke?

Me, fight a Hashira?!

Two of them, at that!!!

As Lower Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki, he knew all too well just how powerful these Hashira were.

Especially that owl-looking fellow with golden hair tipped with red.

The former Lower Rank Two had died at his hands.

As Byōyō ran, he tried to contact that lord through his blood.

In this situation, only that lord could save him by intervening!

Yet to Byōyō's surprise, after he sent the message, the only reply was:

"Good. Go kill him now."

Then there was no further response.

Byōyō was going mad!

What?

I'm supposed to kill that guy?!

My lord, didn't you hear me say he has two Hashira with him?!

Damn it!

Although that fellow with Crimson Hair and sun-patterned hanafuda earrings had a very weak presence.

The two Hashira beside him were more than he could defeat alone, no matter what.

Then... I can only run!

No matter what, as long as I can get farther away, or lure them to another Lower Rank...

A little hope suddenly rose in Byōyō.

Although that lord forbade demons from acting together, and especially from gathering in large numbers, and had even said that demons would kill one another.

As far as Byōyō knew, quite a few demons still coveted Tokyo Prefecture's prosperity and occasionally came here.

Although they had never dared defy that lord's orders by meeting frequently, they all had a rough idea of where the others often went.

He could absolutely seek them out and join forces against that Crimson Hair fellow and the two swordsmen beside him.

Even if it would anger that lord afterward...

No!

I have to survive first before I can even consider whether that lord will be angry!

With that thought, Byōyō practically flew, his running speed increasing further.

Seeing this as he pursued him, Lin Yoriichi's gaze sharpened.

"He's trying to get away!"

"He's fast!"

Lin Yoriichi still remembered how, in the original story, Byōyō had burst into astonishing speed after being summoned to the Infinity Castle and realizing Muzan Kibutsuji was about to eliminate him, trying to flee right in front of Muzan Kibutsuji.

Although his head and body had ultimately "gone their separate ways," the fact that he had attempted it undoubtedly showed great confidence in his speed.

Kyojuro Rengoku called out heartily:

"Don't worry, I definitely won't let him escape!"

The next instant, wisps of white mist escaped the corners of his mouth, and his feet began striking the ground more rapidly.

To Lin Yoriichi's senses, flames seemed to rise from Kyojuro Rengoku's body.

He practically became a streak of fire, pursuing Byōyō at astonishing speed.

"Damn it! I'm not letting him escape!"

At the same time, Sanemi Shinazugawa also drew a sudden, deep breath and leaned forward.

Wind seemed to coil around him as he shot forward like a cannonball wrapped in a gale.

Running ahead, Byōyō clearly sensed the two Hashira pursuing him pick up speed.

He immediately let out a shrill cry:

[Blood Demon Art: Sick Spore Poison]

Countless cysts made of flesh and blood instantly sprouted wherever Byōyō had run.

Under his control, these cysts writhed wildly, maturing in the blink of an eye before splitting open.

Dark red spores sealed off the space behind Byōyō like clouds of mist.

At this sight, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Kyojuro Rengoku had no choice but to hold their breath and slow down a little.

Sensing what was happening behind him, Byōyō still did not dare relax.

Not only did he keep thinking, he forced his mind to race-

No, this Blood Demon Art can only stop those Hashira temporarily.

If they risk being infected by the spores to speed up and chase me, I'm done for!

I have to injure one of them first and force them to slow down!

At that thought, Byōyō abruptly turned his head.

He fixed his eyes on Lin Yoriichi, who was half a body's length behind Sanemi Shinazugawa and Kyojuro Rengoku.

That's right. I have to seriously injure this guy!

Although he did not know why that lord had ordered him to find this fellow.

Since two Hashira were protecting him at close quarters, he absolutely had to be someone important.

As long as I severely wound him, I'll definitely be able to hold up the other two Hashira!

Byōyō suddenly turned around, then stomped both feet hard against the ground.

The sudden change in direction made the bones in his legs creak with a teeth-grating sound.

Yet his expression did not change as he used this method to force himself backward.

Byōyō abruptly raised both hands:

[Blood Demon Art: Cross Scythe]

A crossed blade of blood, closely resembling the X-shaped scar on Byōyō's face, appeared out of thin air in his hands.

Byōyō thrust both hands forward, and the crossed blood blade immediately flew toward Lin Yoriichi, the rearmost of his three pursuers, at a speed barely visible to the naked eye.

At this sight, Lin Yoriichi's pupils contracted.

He nearly blurted out a curse:

"Why the [beep-]?"

That demon last time, the one that looked like a crab but actually fought with its tongue, had been the same.

Out of Giyu Tomioka, Murata, and him, it had chosen him as its target.

Now, while they were pursuing Byōyō, this fellow had also decisively chosen him as his target out of Kyojuro Rengoku, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and himself.

Lin Yoriichi really wanted to ask Byōyō: Why was it me again?

He drew his sword and shattered the blood blade with a single slash.

Yet when Byōyō saw Lin Yoriichi instantly dismantle his Blood Demon Art, rather than panic, he revealed a strange expression.

"Kamanué, come out!"