Because the size difference between the enemy and their side was simply too vast, the three little ones were under tremendous pressure.
Horitake also shifted his position, turning so that his back faced the campfire. He looked straight ahead at the situation, especially observing the sumo demon that had appeared.
The three little ones were mainly focused on the demon's enormous build.
But Horitake keenly noticed something else: there were characters written in the demon's eyes. In both eyes were the words: Lower Rank, Six.
So that's how it is—a newly promoted Lower Rank Six.
To Horitake, a mere Lower Rank was nothing at all. But for the three little ones, even the lowest-ranked member of the Twelve Kizuki was far beyond what they could handle right now.
The only thing he didn't quite understand was: why would one of the Twelve Kizuki go to the trouble of traveling all this way just to hunt down three rookies?
So Horitake sat there calmly, looking at the sumo demon, and asked in a composed voice:
"I didn't expect it to be Lower Rank Six of the Twelve Kizuki. Running into one of the Twelve Kizuki out here in the middle of nowhere is quite fortunate. May I ask for your name, sir?"
This big fat sumo demon stood there, his mind seemingly not working too well. His voice sounded dull and slow-witted. He let out a smug, booming laugh:
"Hahahaha! I didn't expect to run into some lone Demon Slayer members here. This is perfect! Tonight I can slaughter to my heart's content!
You must be the new Demon Slayer recruits who just finished the Final Selection on Fujikasane Mountain, right?
In other words, you're fresh blood in the Demon Slayer Corps?
Excellent—I specialize in killing newbies.
As long as I wipe out you rookies, the Demon Slayer Corps won't get any new talent to replenish their ranks. Eventually, they'll be completely wiped out! Hahaha…"
Although the sumo demon didn't answer Horitake's question about his name, his rambling revealed quite a bit of useful information.
A full-fledged Lower Rank Six—one of the Twelve Kizuki—why would he come all the way out to this remote wilderness to ambush them in the middle of the night?
Because this guy's hobby was apparently hunting down Demon Slayer newbies. He'd stationed himself near Fujikasane Mountain specifically to intercept and kill swordsmen who had just passed the Final Selection.
The big fatty's brain really didn't seem to work too well. His theory about specializing in killing newbies sounded sort of reasonable… but also somehow off.
In any case, after hearing this logic, Horitake almost felt like clapping for him.
Horitake smiled and asked the big fat sumo demon:
"Hey, big dummy—since you know this is the time of the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection, you've been lurking around Fujikasane Mountain, specifically targeting the new recruits who pass.
But why go to all that trouble? Why not just go straight into Fujikasane Mountain and kill them there? Wouldn't that be way more convenient?"
Faced with the question, the big fat sumo demon answered very honestly:
"I went to Fujikasane Mountain. I originally planned to kill them inside. But the mountain is surrounded by a circle of wisteria flowers. I hate wisteria flowers—I can't go in.
No choice, so I came out here to the surrounding area to do the killing instead."
Horitake almost burst out laughing.
Why did he suddenly feel a trace of… simple-minded honesty from this guy!?
Well, putting it nicely: simple-minded. Putting it bluntly: stupid!
Was Muzan really so short on talent that he had to promote someone like this to the Twelve Kizuki?
While holding back his laughter, Horitake waved his hand:
"Alright, alright, alright—you really are clever.
By the way, we've talked this much and I still haven't asked for your name. You're one of the Twelve Kizuki after all—not even giving your name feels a little impolite, doesn't it?"
The big fat sumo demon scratched his head and answered very straightforwardly:
"Oh, my name is Tsunahami."
"Tsunahami…" Horitake nodded. "Very fitting name. Suits you perfectly."
After saying that, Horitake turned to look at the three little ones in front of him:
"There you go—that's your enemy. Any confidence?"
Thanks to Horitake's earlier banter and fooling around, the three little ones weren't as nervous anymore. The pressure had eased up considerably without them realizing.
They also noticed that while this demon in front of them had overwhelming visual impact, his brain really didn't seem to work too well.
Tanjiro gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly, though cold sweat still dotted his forehead:
"To be honest, Horitake-senpai, I don't have much confidence."
Yaeko raised her Nichirin Blade, but her confidence didn't look very solid either:
"Please, Shixiong—this is one of the Twelve Kizuki. Even if he's the lowest rank, he's still not someone we can handle right now."
Zenitsu was on the verge of tears:
"Why do we have to face an enemy on the level of the Twelve Kizuki right after becoming rookies? This is too much! We're really no match—we'll actually die!"
Even though Zenitsu's words were full of despair, they were unfortunately the truth.
Horitake, however, shrugged it off casually:
"What's the rush? I already told you—this is just training. I'm not asking the three of you to actually go all-out and fight this guy to the death. I know you're not his match.
Just fight him for a bit and see how far you can go against him.
If things really get dangerous, I'll step in."
Horitake once again emphasized his bottom line—that he wouldn't stand by and let them die—which put the three little ones noticeably more at ease.
After saying that, Horitake glanced at Nezuko, who was standing side by side with the three little ones.
At this moment, Nezuko was glaring fiercely at the sumo demon Tsunahami across from them. Her sharp claws had extended from both hands, and she looked ready to attack at any second.
Horitake said to Nezuko:
"Nezuko, are you planning to join in on the fun too?
Alright. I'm sure there'll be plenty of times in the future when you fight side by side with your brother. If you want to get in on the action, then go ahead and take on this enemy together with the three of them."
Tanjiro clearly had a different opinion. Without making it obvious, he subtly maneuvered to push his little sister behind him:
"Nezuko, it's dangerous! Stay right here and don't move. Being next to Horitake-senpai is the safest place. Don't rush in recklessly. If you feel something's really wrong, then come over—okay?"
Nezuko furrowed her brows in thought for a moment, then obeyed her brother. She took a few steps back and retreated to Horitake's side.
With that, the ones now facing off against the enemy were just the three little ones: Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Yaeko.
While they were chatting heatedly on this side, the sumo demon Tsunahami on the opposite side was growing more and more impatient:
"Are you guys done talking yet? If you're done, hurry up and come die already.
I haven't eaten anything tonight yet. Having a little appetizer before the main course sounds pretty good too."
Seeing that the enemy was getting impatient, Horitake stopped wasting words:
"Treating us like appetizers? Truly fearless because of ignorance.
Alright then, my dear little brothers and sisters—go have some fun with this big dummy. Try to cause him as much trouble as you can, and try to hold out for as long as possible, okay?"
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