Episode 286: A Surprise Attack on Upper Moon 3 - Akaza!
『 "AHHHHHHH—!"
"A ghost! AHHHHHH—! What is this thing! AHHHHHH—!"
The short-haired boy cried out in terror, running blindly through the pitch-black world of his mind.
This experience became an indelible shadow in his heart; even after growing up, he would sometimes dream of Agatsuma Zenitsu's~ terrifying appearance.
However, he didn't run far before being caught by Agatsuma Zenitsu's giant scissors.
Hearing only snip, snip sounds one after another, the boy's hair, eyebrows, and even his clothes were all ruthlessly shorn off… At this moment, he looked extremely disheveled; it was impossible to tell who was truly injured.
"What's going on? It's like being covered in a layer of mist. There's a faint, strange smell all around. But I can't find the source…"
"I have to be quick… Nezuko is bleeding."
"If everyone stays asleep, we're in big trouble…"
Kamado Tanjiro looked tense, searching for a way out of the illusion in the dense forest filled with swirling snowflakes.
What the hell should I do?…
I must leave this place as soon as possible. Is it because I can't use my usual techniques here…
"Tanjiro…"
Just as he was burning with anxiety, looking around the forest for a solution, that familiar voice reached his ears—it was truly his father's voice.
"Pick up your sword, the thing that must be cut down has been here all along!"
Hearing this, Kamado Tanjiro was shocked. He looked back, and his father had already transformed into a flurry of snow, vanishing with the snowflakes.
Afterward, in his dream, he did not hesitate to slit his own throat, instantly breaking free from that eerie spell.
Regaining consciousness, Kamado Tanjiro was still panting heavily. Most people couldn't bring themselves to do something like self-harm.
"Nezuko! Are you okay?"
Nezuko looked extremely adorable. Afraid her brother would see the wound on her forehead, she subconsciously covered it with both hands, her pink eyes blinking.
Next, Kamado Tanjiro and Nezuko rescued everyone together, but they still couldn't wake them from their dreams.
The boy finally decided to face Enmu alone! 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Kyojuro Rengoku (Demon Slayer): "Hahahaha! Not bad, very good indeed." ]
[ Kyojuro Rengoku (Demon Slayer): "I didn't expect it, you were actually the first to wake up. None of us is as good as you." ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "Hehehe…" ]
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "Since you've already woken up, there shouldn't be any problems this time, right?" ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "But in that previous title." ]
[ Rimuru Tempest (Tensura): "Could it be that, this time, he didn't wake up?" ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "No, impossible. Big Brother would absolutely never become like this." ]
[ Kyojuro Rengoku (Demon Slayer): "Alright, alright, Tanjiro. Getting caught in this state was all because I was too careless. Perhaps, this is the necessary sacrifice we have to make." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "Ugh, how come I feel like I won't dare to eat randomly when I go out in the future?" ]
[ Lumine (Genshin Impact): "Well, that could actually save money." ]
[ .....]
『 In the speeding train carriage, Enmu smiled and teased, "I went through all the trouble to give you a beautiful dream. Actually, I could let you dream of your whole family being murdered~ Would you want that kind of dream even more?"
"Of course I wouldn't! It's too painful!"
Enmu seemed to never tire of it, jumping back and forth on dangerous topics, saying, "How about I give you a dream of your father coming back to life next?"
This kind of demon loved to let people experience a happy dream first, then follow it up with a terrifying nightmare. He loved nothing more than to admire the look on people's faces when they despaired. Truly an extremely perverted existence. 』
『 .....』
〜One Punch Man World〜
Z-City, Saitama's house—
Saitama had just killed a Golden Needle Mushroom monster and returned home, preparing to make a sumptuous Golden Needle Mushroom feast. He looked at Enmu with a cold expression:
"I wonder if stir-fried ghost tastes good."
The kelp monster he killed before had a very high-quality texture; it was even better than what he bought on sale at the supermarket. Truly wild, pure, natural kelp.
Ever since he discovered that monsters could be eaten, Saitama had become very interested in these strange-looking creatures in the Light Screen. It was said that the weirder they looked, the better they tasted, and life had more to look forward to.
—
『 Previously, Kamado Tanjiro and Nezuko, who were the first to wake up from the nightmare, untied the ropes binding Rengoku Kyojuro, Inosuke, and Agatsuma Zenitsu, and also subdued the four children controlled by the nightmare.
The video showed what these four children had experienced before, and many anime viewers finally understood that these children were not betraying humanity.
They were just… influenced by the demon.
Those people working for the nightmare… were all people who had experienced grief, lost loved ones, and seen the most tragic side of the world.
These people were trapped by that hateful nightmare with a fictional good life.
This world is truly too dark.
Just as Enmu didn't take the Kamado Tanjiro in front of him seriously, he was enjoying himself.
Hearing Enmu insult his father, Kamado Tanjiro was furious. The veins on his face bulged, and he gritted his teeth, roaring: "Don't use your dirty feet!! To step into other people's hearts!"
"I will never forgive you!"
At this moment, Enmu looked carefully at Kamado Tanjiro and was surprised to find that this person was the target Muzan Kibutsuji was looking for.
"WATER BREATHING FIFTH FORM: BLESSED RAIN AFTER THE DROUGHT—!"
A water dragon made of water elements circled around Kamado Tanjiro and rushed toward Enmu.
Although it was easily blocked by Enmu, no matter what Blood Demon Art Enmu used next, Kamado Tanjiro did not fall asleep.
He was shocked, not understanding how this person could be so powerful.
After careful observation, he discovered that every time Kamado Tanjiro was attacked, in his dream, he would pull his sword and stab himself without hesitation, ending the nightmare.
What a strong will this must be.
Next, Enmu changed his dream, letting Kamado Tanjiro see his deceased family, attempting to destroy his defenses through their reproaches.
"How could my family say such things!! You are not allowed to slander my family!" Kamado Tanjiro's emotions were enraged, and the fire in his heart seemed to burn through his whole body.
He swung his Nichirin Sword, as if controlling a surging water dragon, roaring in the air, slashing directly at Enmu's neck. The water dragon then lunged at Enmu, aiming for his head.
Enmu's head flew several meters away, but Tanjiro felt something was wrong, always feeling like what he cut was a fake.
Just as the onlookers cheered for this scene, a terrifying thing happened.
"Lord commanded me to kill you and those Hashira."
"I understand everything now! Your existence is a nuisance!"
Disgusting flesh and blood spewed from Enmu's severed neck, instantly turning into a huge, disgusting worm made of blood and muscle, looking extremely weird, weird to the point of making people vomit.
Immediately after, in Tanjiro's terrified gaze, Enmu actually fused with the train carriage.
It turned out that while Tanjiro, Rengoku Kyojuro, and others were asleep, Enmu had already become one with the train.
This is why even after cutting off its head, it didn't die.
Countless tentacles grew wildly in the carriage, slowly approaching the hundreds of sleeping passengers.
Enmu attempted to devour everyone's power to strengthen himself and then eliminate Kamado Tanjiro.
In this precarious situation, only Inosuke and Tanjiro were on the train, dealing with these terrifying flesh tentacles; the situation was extremely critical.
But this train was too long, and relying solely on the two of them… was still somewhat lacking.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
When the atmosphere in the carriage became extremely tense, the cute Nezuko stepped forward, waving her demon claws, tearing the flesh tentacles attacking the passengers to shreds.
Even though she was wrapped by those tentacles, she didn't give up at all, struggling with all her might. Her goal was very clear—to protect these passengers, these companions! 』
『 .....』
〜Dimensional livestream, Chat Room〜
[ Chika Fujiwara (Love Is War): "Little Nezuko is simply too cute." ]
[ Saikawa Riko (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid): "UHEHEHE—! It's Nezuko, Nezuko is so cute, cute and cool!" ]
[ Kanna (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid): "Tohru-sama, this little girl is amazing! So many disgusting tentacles, and she wasn't scared." ]
[ Tohru (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid): "Indeed, quite impressive." ]
[ .....]
『 CRACKLE—!
A thunderclap was deafening!
On the carriage door, not far behind Nezuko, blue and yellow lightning flashed.
Only a loud boom was heard.
WHOOSH—!
"THUNDER BREATHING FIRST FORM: THUNDERCLAP AND FLASH—!"
Agatsuma Zenitsu transformed into a blue lightning bolt and rushed forward, cutting off the tentacles binding Nezuko.
Chain lightning six-fold strike!
The bloody scene in the entire carriage was swept away by this blue light.
With six consecutive lightning strikes interwoven, even the newly grown tentacles were wiped out.
At this moment, Agatsuma Zenitsu put away his sword coolly and announced loudly: "Leave Nezuko to me to protect!"
However, this heroic posture didn't last long; in an instant, he fell asleep.
Nezuko stared wide-eyed from the side. Originally, she was truly attracted by Agatsuma Zenitsu's cool moves… 』
『 .....』
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"Hahahaha… Zenitsu did well! It's just a pity he fell asleep at the end."
Kamado Tanjiro covered his mouth, trying hard not to laugh; this scene was just too funny.
However, seeing that there were no casualties among everyone yet, Kamado Tanjiro felt relieved inside.
Perhaps in this famous scene, there would only be death shots of Enmu and other demons.
Beside him, Agatsuma Zenitsu was just about to stand up and act cool, but seeing himself instantly fall asleep in the video…
He acted as if nothing had happened, scratched his head, and whistled, extremely embarrassed!
But Nezuko is really cute!
Agatsuma Zenitsu turned his head to stare at Nezuko, his eyes unable to tear themselves away from her.
"Nezuko is amazing!"
"So strong, so strong! Nezuko is too cool!"
"Cooler than Agatsuma Zenitsu! Nezuko, stay here and play with us!"
Terauchi Kiyo, Nakahara Sumi, and Takada Naho rushed toward Nezuko, one touching Nezuko's face, one combing Nezuko's hair.
Hmm-HMM—!
Nezuko saw her performance in the video, her expression very happy, waving her little hands joyfully.
Being able to help her brother, this feeling is really good.
Always protected by brother… This time, it should be my turn, Nezuko, to appear!
Looking at Nezuko at this time, everyone showed a kind smile.
And Kochou Shinobu wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her expression lingering with fear; fortunately, she was stopped by Giyu…
Otherwise, how much she would have regretted it, almost eliminating a treasure of the world.
—
〜Kaguya-sama: Love Is War World〜
"I really wish I had a sister like Nezuko…! She too cute! I want to make Nezuko the most beautiful!"
Fujiwara Chika touched her cheeks, giggling foolishly.
She had already started imagining in her mind: if Nezuko were really her sister, the first thing would be to buy Nezuko a bunch of new clothes.
Then, dress Nezuko up every day and take her out shopping every day!
Teach Nezuko how to eat ramen by herself, and in this way, our Fujiwara family could also have a seat among the Four Heavenly Kings of the ramen world!
No one can resist Nezuko's charm~~
"Fujiwara-san… what are you doing…"
Shinomiya Kaguya stared at Fujiwara Chika with an annoyed look. What crazy idea does this woman have again…
Ishigami Yu bit his finger and said tremblingly:
"This is a symptom of severe brother complex. We'd better stay away from her. It is said that such people might develop into even more dangerous states, especially terrifying!"
"So that's it… But is there really such a disease?"
Although skeptical about the 'brother complex' claim, Shirogane Miyuki still took a few steps back with them. Thinking of Fujiwara Chika's creepy behavior before, his heart was drumming.
The surroundings were filled with a fearful aura, and even Shirogane Miyuki and Shinomiya Kaguya instinctively retreated two meters away.
Just thinking if Nezuko were really her sister…
These ghosts would definitely not have a good life.
Fujiwara Chika is actually so terrifying.
—
『 "Nezuko… now even protecting the people around me is tough."
"What a bother… what should I do next?"
"Feeling like my stamina can't keep up."
Kamado Tanjiro was swinging his Nichirin Sword desperately in the carriage, cutting off one tentacle after another.
"I only dozed off for a while, and it became like this."
"It's just too caught off guard! Being a Flame Hashira and ending up so disheveled, I really want to find a crack to hide in!"
Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro finally woke up. Seeing those terrifying flesh tentacles, he immediately turned into a flash of fire, burning all the flesh on the three carriages to ashes.
Afterward, Rengoku Kyojuro told Kamado Tanjiro to deal with that Enmu, while he stayed behind to take care of the passengers' safety.
So Kamado Tanjiro hurriedly called Inosuke, and the two rushed toward the train engine!
Finally, with their joint efforts, they successfully cut off Enmu's head, and the whole train overturned and stopped.
After exhausting all his strength, Kamado Tanjiro also fell to the ground, with a wound on his abdomen.
Enmu, with only a little bit of his body left, looked miserably at Kamado Tanjiro lying there, full of regret: he shouldn't have provoked these people in the first place!
Truly asking for trouble.
Such a useless Lower Moon demon, Enmu, dared to target a Flame Hashira… simply overestimating his own capabilities.
However, at this moment
The third-ranked Upper Moon demon, Akaza, suddenly crawled out from some inconspicuous place.
"How could there be Akaza! Rengoku Kyojuro is in trouble!" Kochou Shinobu said in surprise, Rengoku Kyojuro and the others' mission this time was truly full of danger.
Kamado Tanjiro and Agatsuma Zenitsu, who were in a good mood, were both badly frightened.
"The third-ranked Akaza, how could he appear here?"
Kamado Tanjiro, lying on the ground, was also shocked.
BOOM—!
The ground shook violently!
Akaza's figure instantly disappeared, rushing over as fast as lightning, punching Kamado Tanjiro, who was seriously injured on the ground.
"FLAME BREATHING SECOND FORM: RISING SCORCHING SUN—!"
A flaming curved blade directly blocked Akaza's attack, saving Tanjiro.
Akaza jumped back to distance himself, his right arm partially severed by the flaming blade.
"What a powerful move."
But Akaza just waved his hand and instantly recovered as before.
This amazing self-healing ability.
As expected of a high-level demon… Rengoku Kyojuro looked at him with a serious expression, knowing that the next battle would be a hard one.
"You have an excellent choice: become a demon, Rengoku Kyojuro!"
"No way!" Kyojuro refused the other party without hesitation.
Facing the refused proposal, Akaza was not angry but continued to persuade: "It's clear that you are a very strong Hashira, your spirit is burning brightly."…
"You are just a little bit away from the highest realm!"
"And there is only one reason hindering you, because you are human. Humans will age, die, and get sick."
"After becoming a demon, these problems will no longer be problems. You can use your time freely, no matter how many years you want to train."
"Come be a demon! Rengoku Kyojuro!" 』
『 .....』