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Dazzling lightning erupted, instantly snaking from the Anger clone's metal staff toward Sanemi.
The Pleasure clone waved its war fan, sending a chaotic hurricane directly at the people behind Sanemi.
"Hehehe..."
The half-human, half-bird Joy clone flapped its wings, attempting to bypass Sanemi from the air on the other side.
"Blood Demon Art: Weeping Tears!"
The Sorrow clone thrust its spear with a cross-shaped tip, releasing several powerful shockwaves that covered an extremely wide area, encompassing everyone ahead.
The four demon clones attacked simultaneously, flooding the area with a overwhelming barrage of assaults.
"Wind Pillar-sama! Please run! Don't worry about us!!"
The Kakushi members trembled as they shielded the Tokitō family, their hearts already filled with despair.
At least... at least we can't let the Wind Pillar sacrifice himself here for us...
The Tokitō family watched the scene in horror.
Until now, they had been nothing more than ordinary mountain folk, living a simple, albeit poor, but normal life.
Yet the experiences of these past few days had shattered their perception of the world, forcing them to confront its deepest malice.
"Enough nonsense! I'm a Pillar!!" Sanemi's resolute voice rang out.
How could he possibly flee from those he needed to protect!
"Wind Breathing, Seventh Form: Sudden Gust!"
Ignoring the pain from his numerous wounds, he leaped up, his Nichirin Blade swiftly releasing multiple tornado-like spiral wind blades aimed at the four demon clones.
The Anger clone's lightning dissipated in the wind; the Pleasure clone's hurricane collided with the wind blades; the Joy clone flying above was blocked by the wind blades; several of the shockwaves from the Sorrow clone's thrusts were neutralized by the wind blades.
However, one final shockwave slipped through, threatening to graze past Sanemi and strike the people behind him.
With Sanemi's skill, he could have easily dodged.
Yet, he deliberately shifted sideways a step, allowing the shockwave to strike his chest directly.
At that moment, his already battered body could no longer withstand the damage. He swayed precariously.
"Sorry, run. Now."
He spat blood, managed to speak these words over his shoulder, and then collapsed powerlessly.
"Wind Pillar-sama!!!" The Kakushi members' agonized cries pierced the night sky.
Earlier, they had attempted several times to escape with the Tokitō family while the Wind Pillar fought the demon, but each time they were intercepted by the demon's clones.
The result was not only failure but also causing additional injuries to the Wind Pillar who rushed to their aid.
Thus, they could only stay put, relying on Sanemi alone to form a resilient defensive line.
But now, that line had crumbled.
The attacks from the four demon clones eagerly surged past the fallen Sanemi, heading straight for the group of ordinary people.
The four members of the Tokitō family clung tightly to each other.
Tokitō Ichirou turned his back to the incoming attacks, shielding his wife and children firmly within his embrace.
Mrs. Tokito looked at her two children with streaming tears, her heart overflowing with endless pity.
Why... oh gods... please save these children...
Muichirō peeked out from his parents' embrace, staring directly at the scarred, fallen figure, intense emotions swirling in his eyes.
"Protect!"
At the critical moment, several paper talismans shot through the air, erecting a massive barrier around everyone.
The demons' attacks crashed against the barrier, cracking the translucent shield in several places but ultimately failing to shatter it completely.
"My apologies. It seems the trouble I've brought upon you has exceeded my estimates."
Kaito's figure suddenly appeared. He knelt beside Sanemi, placing a hand on his back.
"Fortunately, I made it in time."
"Kaito-sama!!"
Cries of relief and joy came from behind them.
"I'm glad you're all safe."
Kaito smiled back at them before turning his attention to the four bizarre demon clones.
"Upper Rank Four?" He smiled slightly. "You're the fifth Upper Rank demon I've encountered."
"How sorrowful..." The Sorrow clone immediately began to weep. "Even Lord Kokushibō couldn't stop you?"
"It seems your strength is indeed formidable."
As soon as the Anger clone spoke, the bodies of the other three clones disintegrated and were absorbed into its own form.
"It appears I must face you in my strongest state."
In an instant, it transformed into a demon resembling a young boy, with several thunder drums inscribed with the character for "Hatred" on its back, holding curved drumsticks.
"Oh? Using the clone to distract me while the main body tries to escape?"
Kaito smiled. Although Upper Rank Four's main body was well hidden, it still remained within his sensory range.
"You wish to harm the main body?" The Hatred clone before him looked at Kaito with disgust. "Only bullying the weak? You villain!"
"My, what an interesting way to put it."
Kaito couldn't help but show a strange expression.
"Why waste words with this trash."
Sanemi, his wounds noticeably improved, pushed himself up with one hand, grabbed his Nichirin Blade with the other, and swiftly rose to his feet.
"Thanks for the assist." He raised his blade toward the Hatred clone. "Since you've found his main body, leave this guy to me. You go kill the main body."
"No need for such trouble." Kaito stood up and patted his shoulder. "You've lost too much blood. You should rest properly!"
But Sanemi didn't move, gritting his teeth. "I'm furious right now! If I don't cut this bastard down myself, I won't be able to sleep!"
"In that case..." Kaito nodded.
"Star!"
"Vitality!"
After quickly casting enhancement spells on Sanemi, Kaito turned away. Ignoring the intense battle that immediately erupted behind him, he reinforced the protective barrier around the others with a few more talismans.
Smiling at Muichirō, who was watching with curious eyes, Kaito vanished on the spot.
...
Deep within the dark forest, Kaito appeared to stroll leisurely, yet he quickly arrived under a large tree.
"Heh."
He chuckled softly, reaching out to pluck a tiny old man, no larger than a mouse, with two fingers.
The small figure was bound by spiritual chains, his face filled with timidity and streaming with continuous tears.
"So this is the true form of Upper Rank Four? Pity you still couldn't escape my sensory range."
Kaito looked mockingly at the trembling figure in his hand, then turned and walked back toward the edge of the forest.
...
The fierce battle between Sanemi and the Hatred clone ceased the moment Kaito reappeared.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, how are you? Feeling better now?"
Kaito raised his hand, showing the mouse-sized demon he held pinched between his fingers.
"It seems that without killing this main body, the clones can regenerate indefinitely."
"You villain!!"
The Hatred clone stared fixedly at the main body in Uchiha Ri's hand, its expression drastically changing.
"Bind!"
Seizing the moment of distraction, Kaito bound it with spiritual chains as well.
Then, he tossed the tied-up main body toward Sanemi.
"Your turn, Mr. Shinazugawa."
Swish!
A swift blade flash sliced toward the demon's neck.
But it didn't cut through.
"Your neck is really hard!"
Sanemi grinned ferociously at the mouse-like demon trembling on the ground, then kicked it into the air.
"Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind, Mountain Mist!!"
*****
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