Clang!
The long swords clashed, and the tip of the sword that was originally aimed at Giyu Nezuko's Nichirin Blade, which arrived at the scene, and was forced to deflect.
However, in the blink of an eye, the next attack arrived.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Tanjiro squatted on the spot, holding Nezuko, staring blankly at the dense, impenetrable net of swords dancing around him.
Wow, so fast!
They must be the pillars Mr. Kato mentioned, right?
Shinobu Kocho, observing Giyu Tomioka's impenetrable defense, remarked, "It seems Mr. Tomioka isn't even using his full strength when Hashira Battles. How can you protect two more people so well?"
Giyu silently brandished his sword, facing Shinobu Kocho's attacks. He wanted to protect the two people, but even he didn't have much free time or energy to reply.
"Hey, when are you going to have a one-on-one fight with me?" Inosuke followed Kanon and pressed on.
Kanon felt a headache coming on; this was already the umpteenth time she'd heard a challenge to a duel along the way.
I already refused, but this Boar's Head still asked.
"Hey! I'm asking you a question!" Inosuke pressed.
"Why do you want to fight me one-on-one?" Kanon asked helplessly. Having failed to refuse, she decided to try a different approach.
Inosuke his arms and tossed his head back. "Hmph, is that even a question? I'm going to get stronger, the strongest!"
"If you want to become the strongest, then why did you come to me?"
"Because you're the strongest I've ever seen!" Inosuke said matter-of-factly.
Upon hearing this, Kanon's eyes lit up, and she said, "There's an even stronger person ahead later. If you want to fight him one-on-one, go find him."
"Really? Even stronger than you?" Inosuke's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really! Even better than me!"
"Okay! Let's hurry!" Inosuke impatiently.
The two continued on their way, and soon a clanging sound came from the direction of the sound. They quickly ran towards it.
"Huh? Shinobu-nee, Mr. Tomioka, what's going on here?"
A voice as clear as a spring rang out, and Shinobu Kocho and Giyu both withdrew their attacks, their gazes turning in the same direction.
Inosuke quickly focused his attention on Tanjiro, a smug smile spreading across his face.
"Hey, Tanshiro, I chopped off that demon's other hand after you left! If that demon hadn't been able to shed its skin and I hadn't run out of gunpowder, I would have killed it myself!"
" Inosuke, I'm so glad you're alright!"
Seeing that Inosuke seemed to be alright, Tanjiro breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, with a hint of worry in his eyes, he looked at the figure who had come with Inosuke. Judging from the way that person addressed him, it was clear that he was closer to the Pillar who wanted to kill Nezuko.
Shinobu Kocho's gaze lingered on Inosuke for a moment. Although she was somewhat curious as to why this teammate was wearing a Boar's Head, she still chuckled lightly at Kanon:
" Kanon, Mr. Tomioka has betrayed us! He's protecting demons now!"
Upon hearing this, Kanon glanced at Tanjiro and Nezuko, then focused her gaze on Nezuko.
"Oh, I see!"
The Nichirin Blade was slowly drawn; no words were spoken, but the attitude was clear.
Inosuke took two steps forward, preparing to stand on Tanjiro's side.
"Hey, you guys..."
Bang!
Kanon clasped her hands together and bowed to the Inosuke lying on the ground.
"I'm sorry, you should take a nap first!"
The scene before him startled Tanjiro.
Originally, Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho were evenly matched, but now the other side has one more person.
"No, let me explain! Nezuko really doesn't eat people. She's never eaten anyone before, and she never will..."
"Run!" Giyu interrupted Tanjiro. "If you don't want your sister to die, run as fast as you can! I'll do my best to hold them off!"
Tanjiro looked into Giyu's resolute eyes, feeling a mix of reluctance and helplessness, but ultimately chose to believe.
He gritted his teeth, picked up Nezuko, and turned to run wildly into the depths of the forest.
Shinobu Kocho watched Tanjiro's figure gradually disappear into the distance, then turned to look at Giyu Tomioka, who was standing ready in front of her, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"It seems Mr. Tomioka is really serious this time!"
Shinobu Kocho whispered something, then suddenly rushed forward.
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
The dense clanging of metal echoed through the forest, and Kanon joined the fray without hesitation.
The three figures darted back and forth amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the gleam of their Nichirin Blade tracing dazzling paths through the air.
After the battle had been going on for a while, Shinobu Kocho looked up at Tanjiro, who was almost out of sight, and then looked down at Giyu Tomioka, who, although in a sorry state, could clearly hold on for a little longer.
After a moment's consideration, Shinobu Kocho said:
" Kanon, hold them off for a second, I'm going to chase after that teammate!"
"Yes!" Kanon replied immediately, then intensified her attack on Giyu.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shinobu Kocho Flash away from the battlefield and chased after Tanjiro in the direction he had fled, like an arrow released from a bow.
Seeing this, Giyu Tomioka wanted to give chase, but was quickly stopped by Kanon.
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Clang!
After exchanging blows, Giyu used one of his attacks to create distance between himself and Kanon. Then, ignoring Kanon, he turned and ran towards Tanjiro.
It hurts so much! My whole body aches!
Tanjiro struggled to run through the forest, the pain from his injuries washing over him like a tidal wave, making him almost want to give up.
but.
Tanjiro glanced at Nezuko, gritted his teeth, and continued running forward.
Moreover, what worries Tanjiro even more than his injuries is...
Am I leaving the Demon Slayer Corps?
But where could I go if I left the Demon Slayer Corps?
A figure slowly appeared before Tanjiro's eyes.
Or... I should just go and seek refuge with Mr. Kato myself!
Speaking of which...
Was Mr. Kato's departure from the Demon Slayer Corps due to some special reason?
Whoosh--!
A loud whooshing sound came from behind.
Tanjiro turned his head to look.
Before he knew it, the pillar wearing the colorful haori had already climbed up the tree behind him.
Further away.
Mr. Tomioka Mr. Tomioka strode after him, and behind him was the last member of the team, dressed in a white haori.
The specially made Nichirin Blade slowly pierced Nezuko in Tanjiro's eyes.
Glancing at Giyu Tomioka, who was still some distance away, despair rose in Tanjiro's heart.
Mr. Tomioka is going to miss it...
In other words, Nezuko is going to be...
Did they kill him?
sorry...
Nezuko, I'm sorry...
It's because your brother didn't protect you well...
Tears welled up in Tanjiro's eyes.
In the distance, seeing Shinobu Kocho's Nichirin Blade already aimed at Nezuko, Giyu Tomioka also became anxious.
After quickly thinking it over in his mind, he opened his mouth and shouted:
" Kato and Kanae know about this!"