The demon let out a shrill roar, dropping onto all fours. Its back arched grotesquely, and countless bone spikes shot toward Kaigaku like a storm of arrows.
"Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Gathering Thunder Swarm!"
Kaigaku spun rapidly in place, his body becoming a whirl of lightning. The spiraling current around him crackled in waves, knocking every bone spike out of the air.
"So weak?" he sneered, his lips curling into a smirk.
He had thought the demon here would be formidable—but it wasn't even close to being his match.
"It's over. Become the stepping stone for my power!
Thunder Breathing, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!"
Electricity exploded from Kaigaku's body as he launched forward with lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, he was upon the demon, his Nichirin Blade slicing in rapid succession.
In moments, the demon was torn apart—its body disintegrating into ash under the moonlight.
But before Kaigaku could even exhale in satisfaction, two more demons emerged—one from the rubble behind him, one from the shadows ahead—trapping him between them.
"So that's it... The reason half the village was slaughtered is because there was more than one of you," Kaigaku muttered.
"But no matter how many of you come, it's useless!
Thunder Breathing, Fifth Form: Heat Lightning!"
Flames of electricity erupted from his sword, scorching arcs that blasted toward the two demons.
Dust billowed into the air as the strikes landed.
Thinking he had destroyed them, Kaigaku turned to leave—but froze in disbelief.
The demons were still standing. Their bodies were blackened and charred, yet within seconds, their flesh regenerated completely.
"A Demon Slayer, huh? What luck," one demon hissed, its forked tongue sliding over its lips. Horns jutted from its head like a ram's.
"Compared to the average human, Demon Slayer flesh and blood are so much more nourishing…"
"And with the Twelve Kizuki seats open," the other—a one-horned brute—added greedily, "if we devour enough Slayers, we might even become Lower Moons… maybe even Upper Moons!"
Both demons lunged at once. Kaigaku swung his blade, but the impact sent him flying, crashing into the dirt.
He climbed to his feet, gritting his teeth. Though his attacks could hurt them, their raw power forced him on the defensive. Inwardly, he began weighing his odds—and retreat was starting to look very appealing.
The demons charged again.
"Thunder Breathing, Sixth Form: Rumbling Thunderclap!"
Kaigaku unleashed a barrage of slashing strikes that radiated out like a thunderstorm, searing through the night.
Both demons howled in pain as deep, charred gashes tore across their bodies—but their heads remained intact.
Kaigaku's resolve broke. He abandoned all thought of "the trial," turning his back and fleeing.
"Run, run! The more you run, the more fun it gets!"
The demons' laughter echoed grotesquely as they gave chase.
From their vantage point, Zenitsu's eyes widened in alarm.
He was about to leap from hiding to help, when Yosuke's hand pressed down on his shoulder.
"Do you really think your senior can't handle those two demons?"
Zenitsu didn't answer, eyes fixed anxiously on Kaigaku as he fled through the ruins.
Yosuke continued quietly,
"Those demons... If Kaigaku truly wanted to, he could kill them."
Zenitsu turned to him in disbelief.
"But… he's running! How could he possibly—"
"Look closely at their wounds," Yosuke said.
Zenitsu focused—and then he saw it. The deep, blackened gashes from Kaigaku's Rumbling Thunderclap still hadn't healed.
Just as Yosuke had said, if Kaigaku stood his ground and fought, he could win. It would be difficult, but victory was within his grasp.
Zenitsu couldn't understand. If he could win… then why run?
Yosuke's gaze was calm.
"Your senior, Kaigaku of the Inadama line, doesn't believe in his own strength.
The moment he couldn't overwhelm his enemies, he gave up—because he feared death.
The trial isn't over yet. Don't interfere."
Zenitsu took a deep breath. Though his heart still raced, he nodded, trusting Yosuke's judgment.
Kaigaku kept running, muttering curses under his breath.
"Damn that Ubuyashiki Yosuke... How could one person handle this mission?! He's doing this on purpose—he just wants to humiliate me!"
Then, suddenly—
A small child stumbled out from a pile of rubble, directly into his path.
Kaigaku didn't even slow down. His expression twisted into something cruel. Just as he was about to collide, he grabbed the child by the collar—and threw him toward the pursuing demons.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu all gasped in horror.
They had never imagined that a Demon Slayer could use an innocent child as a shield.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
A deafening crack of thunder split the air. In the next instant, a flash of light streaked past—Zenitsu appeared, child safely in his arms.
He landed between the demons and the boy, saving him from certain death.
Kaigaku's face went pale.
"Z–Zenitsu?! What are you doing here?!"
The demons lunged again, but Zenitsu gently set the boy behind him and exhaled a slow breath.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash—Eightfold!"
Each step was a lightning strike, each movement faster than sight.
In the blink of an eye, both demons were decapitated, their heads rolling before their bodies crumbled into ash.
Kaigaku stood frozen in disbelief.
"What... what speed is that…?!"
Zenitsu turned to him, face shadowed with anger.
"Why... why did you use a child as a shield?!"
The normally timid Zenitsu was unrecognizably firm—his voice like steel. His indignation made Kaigaku's blood boil.
"You bastard! What's with that look?!
That brat was going to die anyway—better he buy me some time!"
Zenitsu's heart sank. All respect, all kinship—gone.
"You're not worthy of being a Demon Slayer.
Apologize. Apologize to that child."
Kaigaku's veins bulged across his forehead as he shouted,
"You think you can lecture me? Don't make me laugh!
I'll never apologize or repent—never!"
At that moment, Tanjiro and Inosuke rushed to Zenitsu's side.
Kaigaku's face turned ashen. If they were here, that meant... Yosuke must be nearby too.
If Yosuke had witnessed what happened—if word spread through the Corps—his title as a Demon Slayer would be stripped away.
But before either of the newcomers could speak, Yosuke had already told them to stay silent.
He wanted to see how Kaigaku would try to justify himself.
Tanjiro stepped forward.
"Yosuke-sama isn't here."
Kaigaku exhaled in relief, color returning to his face.
"But Zenitsu's right," Tanjiro continued, voice hardening.
"You owe that child an apology."
Kaigaku scowled.
"I did nothing wrong. I have no reason to apologize to anyone."
Inosuke clenched his fists, growling.
"You're impossible! I'll knock some sense into you myself!"
He started forward, but Zenitsu raised his sword, blocking him.
His Nichirin Blade pointed squarely at Kaigaku, his eyes unwavering.
"You will apologize—even if I have to make you.
Because this isn't just between you and me.
This is about our master.
You've disgraced him."
Pls drop some power stones supper me at my
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