The old man and Zenitsu also looked on with curiosity at Horitake's actions.
They had noticed earlier that Horitake was stepping on something, but they hadn't had a chance to ask what it was.
Under the tense and curious gazes of the two humans and two demons, Horitake pulled the object he had been stepping on out from under his foot, gripped it tightly in his hand, and held it up for them to see.
The thing struggling and wailing in Horitake's hand was none other than Hantengu's main body!
That's right. This guy, who had shrunk many sizes down to the size of a mouse, was Hantengu's main body. Despite his diminutive size, he still retained the appearance of that withered old demon.
"Spare me! Spare me! Please, I beg you, spare me... I won't do it again, boo hoo hoo..."
Held in Horitake's grasp, Hantengu's main body wept and begged for mercy. He showed not a shred of the dignity befitting an Upper Moon Four; he was the very image of a cowardly, cowering old ghoul.
Hantengu's main body was known as the "Cowardice" demon.
As the name suggested, he was a demon defined by fear and weakness.
This had a lot to do with Hantengu's original personality. For so many years, this guy had used his cowardly and fearful nature as a disguise.
After using his Blood Demon Art to separate his emotions into clones, the primary emotion remaining in his main body was simply "fear."
This was also why, immediately after creating his clones, Hantengu's main body became so small and scurried away to hide.
Being the embodiment of cowardice, of course he had to be afraid. Of course he had to be spineless. Of course he had to use every means possible to hide and evade. Only when his main body was safe could he use his clones without restraint.
The Cowardice demon struggled incessantly in Horitake's hand, even opening his mouth in an attempt to bite Horitake's finger.
But how could Horitake let him inflict any damage? He pressed his index finger directly against the demon's lower jaw and applied a little pressure, clamping his entire hand firmly around the Cowardice demon, rendering him unable to make a sound beyond muffled whimpers.
The two clones, Sekido and Karaku, were nearly scared out of their wits. Pale with shock, they shouted in unison:
"Stop!"
Sitting on the ground, Zenitsu watched this scene with a foolish expression.
He didn't understand. Why had the two demons, who were so arrogant and domineering just a moment ago, suddenly become so terrified? It was as if their vitals had been seized. Was the reason related to that thing in Big Brother's hand?
"Big Brother, what exactly is that thing in your hand?"
The old man, being experienced and knowledgeable, had his guesses but didn't ask.
Pinching the Cowardice demon in his hand, Horitake chuckled and introduced him:
"This guy is Hantengu's main body, the demon of Cowardice!
"As Upper Moon Four, Hantengu's methods are indeed extraordinary. His Blood Demon Art allows him to create clones, which makes him incredibly difficult to guard against.
"Aside from possessing various emotions and abilities, his clones have no fear of decapitation. Even if their heads are cut off by a Nichirin Blade, it doesn't matter.
"However, if the head of his main body is cut off, then he is truly beyond saving."
Zenitsu pointed at the Cowardice demon in Horitake's hand, asking in confusion:
"So that's how it works... the key lies in the main body!
"But why is his main body so small? And Big Brother, how did you find him?"
Horitake kindly offered an explanation:
"This guy's personality is just like this. He is exceptionally cowardly and prioritizes his own survival above all else. That's why, when he split off his clones earlier, his main body shrank down to this size and fled.
"I have to admit, this method is actually quite formidable.
"Once a main body this small runs away, who could possibly find or catch it?
"But, unfortunately for him, he ran into me. These eyes of mine are no ordinary eyes. Finding his main body was a piece of cake!"
In the original story, the fleeing Hantengu was discovered only after Tanjiro unlocked the 'Transparent World.'
Horitake couldn't access the Transparent World yet, but he had 'Spirit Vision'!
The effect of Spirit Vision was not inferior to the Transparent World in the slightest; in fact, it might even surpass it.
Just moments ago, when he arrived at Peach Mountain in the nick of time, he saw the situation and understood that his master and junior were in crisis.
He didn't choose to appear dramatically at the very last second to save his family like in a TV drama.
He chose a different path entirely.
With a single sweep of his Spirit Vision, Horitake spotted Hantengu's main body hiding nearby. He quietly appeared behind it and, right before Sekido and Karaku could lay a hand on the old man and Zenitsu, he stepped on Hantengu's main body first!
What do you call this?
Giving them a taste of their own medicine!
You bastards planned to capture my master and junior to threaten me?
Fine. I'll follow your example.
I'll hold your main body hostage to threaten your clones!
Let's see who can threaten whom!
I'm not a good person, and my temper is even worse. I'm the type who refuses to eat humble pie. If you dare try this on me, don't blame me for being even more ruthless than you!
Horitake smiled broadly, pinching the Cowardice demon with one hand while displaying it to Sekido and Karaku:
"Gentlemen, I heard you wanted to capture my master and junior to use as leverage against me?
"Sorry about that. To prevent your blackmail, I had to strike first and take your main body as leverage against you clones.
"Well? I'm quite a reasonable person, aren't I?"
Sekido and Karaku hated Horitake with a passion right now—the kind of hate where they wanted to tear him into eight pieces!
This guy was actually using their main body to threaten them, the clones!?
The main body and the clones were all parts of Hantengu. If something happened to the main body, all the clones would be finished, and Hantengu would die!
So, Sekido and Karaku were truly held captive by Horitake now—completely and utterly.
The two demon clones dared not make a rash move, bitterness filling their hearts.
Just a moment ago, they were high and mighty, planning to capture the old man and Zenitsu alive.
In the blink of an eye, the offensive and defensive positions had swapped, and they became the ones being threatened!
Truly, the wheel of fortune turns!
Horitake held up the Cowardice demon with a smile, while his hand began to apply pressure.
Simultaneously, the Cowardice demon struggled even more violently in Horitake's grip.
Opposite them, Sekido and Karaku were terrified.
Applying a bit more force, Horitake sighed with interest:
"Hmm? Your main body's neck is quite tough. I used a bit of strength, yet I couldn't crush it. This is truly...
"Heh! As expected of Hantengu. The main body prioritizes survival at every moment.
"You made your neck this hard just to prevent a Nichirin Blade from cutting it, didn't you?"
That was indeed the case.
In the original story, when Genya Shinazugawa struck the Cowardice demon's neck with his Nichirin Blade, the blade snapped because the neck was too hard.
Simply put, Hantengu was a bastard with a wretched personality who would stop at nothing to survive!
But once his vital point—his main body—was seized, Hantengu was all too easy to handle!
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