'Run!'
'Get away from that monster! Damn it, why did that old man turn into a demon?'
'With such overwhelming power, how could I possibly defeat him?'
'Let that idiot Zenitsu stall him instead!'
'As for the Demon Slayer Corps' duties—to hell with them when my life is on the line!'
"Kai...Gaku..." A hoarse, broken voice grated from the demonized Jigoro's throat.
Kaigaku, who had been ready to flee at any cost, froze as if struck by lightning.
He slowly turned and saw the short demonic figure advancing toward him step by step, each footfall accompanied by flickers of dark purple lightning.
Realizing he was the target, Kaigaku was flooded with intense terror.
Watching the demonized Jigoro draw closer, he quickly steeled himself.
During the earlier confrontation between Tanjiro's trio and the demonized Jigoro, Kaigaku had already gauged his strength—the demonized Jigoro was undoubtedly no weaker than his own peak as the Thunder Hashira.
No! He was even stronger!
Relying on Thunder Breathing's speed to escape from the demonized Jigoro was utterly unrealistic!
To be fair, Kaigaku basic skills and reflexes as a Kinoe-ranked were sufficient.
Almost instantly, he reacted.
"Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit!"
Pale golden lightning erupted from Kaigaku Nichirin Blade, transforming into five lightning-shaped slashes that shot straight toward the demonized Jigoro!"
But the demonized Jigoro was faster!
Like a mirror image, five dark purple lightning slashes of the same sword form but completely different in color clashed head-on!
Crack!
The pale golden lightning was completely devoured by the dark purple in less than half a second!
Immediately after, two lightning-wreathed figures swiftly engaged in close combat—except Kaigaku was purely on the defensive!
Unlike other Breathing Styles, Thunder Breathing clashes weren't flashy or varied.
For Thunder Breathing swordsmen who pursued extreme speed and power, battles were often decided within mere seconds.
This fight was no exception!
By the time the injured Zenitsu struggled to his feet and Tanjiro dug Inosuke out from the rubble, the outcome was already decided.
Clang!
A Nichirin Blade clattered to the ground.
A figure tumbled awkwardly several times before barely managing to stand—but the moment Kaigaku rose, a menacingly patterned Nichirin Blade was already pressed against his neck.
The fight was over...
Time seemed to freeze before the demonized Jigoro could react further.
Thump!
A soft sound.
"No... no! Master! Don't kill me! I—I'm Kaigaku!"
Kaigaku's legs gave way, and he dropped to his knees, raising his trembling hands high.
"Master! I'm willing! I'm willing to follow you! I'll become a demon! Please spare me! Let me be your disciple again! I'll follow you forever!"
As he spoke, Kaigaku prostrated himself, forehead pressed firmly against the ground.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and the newly risen Zenitsu stared in disbelief.
"Kaigaku... you..." Zenitsu's voice trembled almost beyond recognition.
"What are you saying... becoming a demon... How could you..."
"Shut up! What do you know?!" Kaigaku suddenly raised his head, roaring at Zenitsu with a face twisted by fear and madness.
"I don't want to die! I don't want to die here! What does it matter if I become a demon?! Surviving is all that matters!"
'It wasn't the first time anyway, was it?'
That secret had been buried in Kaigaku's heart for a long time.
As an orphan, he had already surrendered to a demon once before.
Back then, he and a group of other orphans were taken in by an incredibly kind blind monk.
When he encountered a demon while wandering outside the temple at night against the rules, hadn't he knelt on the ground begging for his life just like now?
As for the price of survival, it was merely Kaigaku betraying the other dozen orphans and leading the demon to the temple where they lived.
What did other people's lives have to do with him?
Wasn't his own survival enough?
Later, when he joined the Demon Slayer Corps, it wasn't out of any determination to slay demons or seek revenge.
He just used this identity as a shell for living and satisfying his vanity, wasn't that right?
Why would he actually risk his life?!
Thinking this, Kaigaku turned again toward the demonized Jigoro.
"Master! Please accept me! I'm willing to abandon my human identity! I'll be your disciple forever!"
The demonized Jigoro's grip on his Nichirin Blade loosened momentarily.
He looked down at Kaigaku kneeling before him, the complex light in his crimson eyes growing stronger on his face covered with eerie patterns.
Dark purple lightning danced and flickered unpredictably along the Nichirin Blade.
And at this suffocating moment—
A green light, like dawn tearing through darkness, suddenly descended from above!
BOOM!
Shinichi landed steadily not far in front of Kaigaku and the demonized Jigoro, his Nichirin Blade pointing diagonally at the ground, the green light illuminating this devastated battlefield.
He cast a cold glance at Kaigaku kneeling on the ground with a stunned expression, then looked toward the ominous demonic figure ahead—the former Thunder Hashira, Kuwajima Jigoro.
Through Shinichi's sharp perception, he could see deep within Jigoro's demonized shell—that extremely faint yet still existing trace of human vitality, or rather, humanity!
There was no need to wonder who had turned Jigoro into this state!
"Tanjiro." Shinichi's calm voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"Zenitsu and Inosuke, fall back. Leave this to me."
Tanjiro's eyes widened, staring incredulously at the suddenly appeared figure, his eyes instantly moistening.
"Shinichi-senpai!"
Inosuke rubbed his chest, panting heavily.
Upon hearing Shinichi's voice, a flicker of relief crossed his face beneath the boar mask.
"This lord could use a break too."
Meanwhile, Zenitsu looked at the familiar figure, making choked sounds in his throat.
"Forest Hashira-sama, please... please give my master a release!"
Shinichi didn't turn back, only slightly tilting his head to glance at Kaigaku kneeling on the ground with his face alternating between pale and flushed.
His gaze held no anger, no contempt, only calm.
"The Demon Slayer Corps," he said quietly, "has no need for cowards who would abandon even their comrades."
His voice remained calm.
"Much less traitors who grovel before demons."
Kaigaku's face instantly turned purplish-red like liver.
He wanted to retort, but found himself speechless under the overwhelming pressure of Shinichi's vibrant life force.
Shinichi withdrew his gaze and looked ahead at the demonized Jigoro.
The Nichirin Blade slowly rose, its bluish-green glow growing increasingly brighter.
"Former Thunder Hashira, Jigoro-senpai." His voice carried a trace of respect.
"You taught an outstanding disciple like Zenitsu. Even in desperate situations, he never abandoned his respect and longing for you. For that alone, you deserve my reverence."
"Next, I will use my full strength to grant you peaceful rest."
As his words fell, a surge of immense vitality erupted from Shinichi's body!
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