"Cough... vomit... vomit..."
Tanjiro braced himself on his elbows, slightly lifting his body, and couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood.
Is this the difference between myself and Upper Rank?
Can't even withstand one move?
Nezuko! Inosuke!
Tanjiro looked to the side and saw two figures not far away, lying quietly on the ground without moving.
Tanjiro breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the breath from the tip of his nose.
Thankfully, they just fainted!
Oh, and there's also Big Brother Rengoku!!
Tanjiro quickly looked towards the battlefield, and the scene before him caused Tanjiro pupils to shrink involuntarily.
A faint blue light converged towards Upper Rank Two's hand, and then his fist was raised high...
Tanjiro's body trembled uncontrollably.
No, I have to save Big Brother Rengoku!
We can't let Big Brother Rengoku die!
Can...
How can I save myself if I can't even block a single attack from the opponent?
Tanjiro's trembling body inexplicably calmed down, and he stared blankly into the distance.
And... it's not just Big Brother Rengoku...
After killing Big Brother Rengoku, won't they come to kill me?
There are also Zenitsu, Inosuke, Nezuko...
And... so many people on the train...
Everyone will die today!
The fist, gleaming with a faint blue light, slowly descended towards Tanjiro's eyes.
If it were Mr. Kato, things might not have turned out this way today...
Mr. Kato?
Tanjiro's eyes suddenly lit up as memories swirled in his mind, everything seemingly connecting into a single thread.
In the small restaurant, Mr. Kato said he wanted to take the train...
Before boarding, Zenitsu was laughing, saying, "He's such a grown man, and he still wants to ride the train with us..."
Upper Rank Two suddenly arrives and demands Mr. Kato's address...
So... actually...
Could it be that Mr. Kato wanted to take the train because he wanted to find Upper Rank Two?
"I know where Mr. Kato is!!"
The anxious shouts made the fist that was already grazing Kyojuro's nose stop.
The faint blue light gradually dissipated from his fist, Akaza slowly stood up, looking at Tanjiro with indifferent eyes.
Do you know where Teiichi is?
Tanjiro was panting heavily.
So close, so very close!
"Yes, I know..."
"No! Tanjiro, no..."
Bang!
Akaza kicked Kyojuro in the neck, sending him flying.
Tanjiro's gaze followed Big Brother Rengoku's flying figure. Seeing that Big Brother Rengoku hadn't gotten up after landing, he turned to Akaza and shouted angrily:
"Didn't you say you wouldn't kill anyone as long as I told you where Mr. Kato was?"
Akaza walked towards Tanjiro.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll just make him pass out!"
As they were talking, Akaza had already come to Tanjiro's side, squatted down, and looked directly at Tanjiro.
Do you really know Teiichi's location?
Hearing what the other person said, Tanjiro finally breathed a sigh of relief.
His gaze was fixed on those golden pupils engraved with the characters for Upper Rank Two, and a sense of oppression washed over him.
Tanjiro swallowed hard and nodded.
"Yes, I know where Mr. Kato is."
Where is Teiichi?
Akaza asked, his words revealing a hint of anticipation and excitement.
When I first met Zhu, I thought I could find out where Teiichi was from him.
Unexpectedly, that pillar refused to say anything.
I thought I'd wasted my time today, but it turns out a Demon Slayer who isn't even a Pillar knew Teiichi's location.
Tanjiro took a slow, deep breath.
The situation was so urgent that I didn't think much; I just wanted to save Big Brother Rengoku first!
But now that I think about it carefully, it seems a bit inappropriate.
The biggest question is, how did Mr. Kato know about the train mission?
And how could they know they'd encounter Upper Rank Two on the train mission?
It was strange that Mr. Kato specifically emphasized that he needed to be notified when he was on a mission on the train.
But we can't say for sure that the other party is looking for Upper Rank Two!
So... maybe Mr. Kato really does want to take a train ride?
Wouldn't revealing Mr. Kato's location to Lower Rank Two have harmed Mr. Kato?
Seeing the Demon Slayer's changing expression but remaining silent, Akaza's gaze gradually turned icy.
"From now on, every 5 seconds, if I don't hear Teiichi's location, I will kill someone!"
5!
Upon hearing this, Tanjiro's expression changed drastically, and he looked up at Akaza.
You can't do this!
Akaza stood up, ignoring Tanjiro.
4!
Tanjiro was in a frantic dilemma.
Should I tell him or not?
On one side is Mr. Kato, and on the other side are... so many... people!
Isn't there a way to have the best of both worlds?!
Tanjiro painfully pressed his head to the ground.
3!
Akaza slowly raised his hand, and a faint blue light converged towards his palm, which was pointing directly at Kyojuro's location.
Perhaps I could tell him Mr. Kato's address and rescue everyone here first.
Then let the Kasugai Crow inform Mr. Kato?
Tanjiro's eyes lit up more and more as he thought about it; this really seemed to be the best method!
"2!"
"If I tell you, will you really let everyone here go?" Tanjiro asked.
"Don't worry! I keep my word; that's the way of the demons, Akaza!"
Tanjiro breathed a sigh of relief. Judging from the scent emanating from Akaza, the other man was indeed not lying.
Before Tanjiro could speak, Akaza spoke again.
"Also, I advise you not to give me a random address!"
The cold words made Tanjiro raise his head slightly, his gaze meeting those golden pupils.
Tanjiro couldn't help but shudder, feeling as if he had no secrets from the other person when stared at by those golden eyes.
However, he never intended to lie. Whenever he did lie, he didn't need any special abilities; he could tell just by looking at him.
Tanjiro closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly spoke.
" Mr. Kato is..."
After hesitating for a moment, Tanjiro finally spoke.
" Cape Ashizuri!"
Akaza kept his eyes fixed on Tanjiro, paying close attention when the other man revealed Teiichi location.
After confirming that the other party had indeed not lied, Akaza slowly nodded.
I turned my head and glanced at the sky that was about to brighten.
A smile finally appeared on his icy face, and an inescapable surge of excitement rose within him.
Soon! I'll see you soon, Teiichi!
After obtaining the address, Akaza did not leave immediately.
These two consecutive failed attempts over the years clearly indicate that Teiichi is avoiding them.
So... we can't let Teiichi know we're going to see him!
Akaza glanced around, confirming that apart from the Demon Slayer from before, no one on the battlefield was awake, and there were no more of the annoying crows of the Demon Slayer Corps in the Ueya.
Akaza's gaze shifted back to Tanjiro.
Noticing that the other person was looking at him, Tanjiro looked up again, and in his pupils, Akaza slowly raised his hand.
"To avoid you leaking information and making us come all this way for nothing, I'll have to ask you to sleep here!"
Tanjiro's pupils contracted sharply.
"No! No!..."