Akaza smiled silently. "Let's go. Everyone into the mountain."
He knew following the route Tetsu no Sosuke had left them was foolish.
But they had no other choice now.
This was where they could pick up Tetsu no Sosuke's trail. If they approached from another direction, he could play hide-and-seek with them on the mountain all night.
If they withdrew before dawn, that would be one thing. If they stayed, they might well end up trapped like birds in a cage.
Since they had no choice, they might as well send the other demons ahead to scout.
They had brought plenty of companions this time.
After waiting here so long, those demons were already itching to move.
As soon as he spoke, the two Lower Moons charged ahead, with the rest of the demons following behind.
Kokushibo entered without a word. Akaza brought up the rear.
A startled cry suddenly came from up ahead. Akaza took two quick steps forward and saw something on the ground split open, spewing smoke.
"What's this..." He frowned, then his expression shifted. "Poison again. Everyone, be careful."
They were Upper Moons, but even their words carried little weight in the confusion. Demons jostled a step forward or back.
A foot came down, then lifted. More smoke burst out, growing thick in an instant.
"Run!!!"
Someone shouted from within the smoke, and the entire group dissolved into chaos. Some ran forward, some back, and others veered left or right.
Akaza did not shout. There was no point.
At this stage, only Kibutsuji Muzan could have controlled them. No one else could.
Their panic triggered traps everywhere. Countless plumes of smoke erupted, until even Kokushibo and Akaza began to feel unwell.
Both were veterans of countless battles. Without a word, they charged straight ahead.
If they