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"Emergency! Emergency!"
A Kasugai Crow circled above Naruto and the others, its sharp, urgent cry ringing through the air.
"The Master's estate has been exposed and is under attack by a demon!The attacker is Upper Rank One!Proceed to assist immediately! Proceed to assist immediately!"
"The Master… how could this be?!"
Mitsuri Kanroji's face drained of color the instant she heard the report.
Naruto's expression hardened, and Tomioka Giyu's eyes narrowed sharply.
Tomioka Giyu reacted first. Turning toward Kamado Tanjirō and Genya Shinazugawa, he said coldly
"Kamado Tanjirō. Genya Shinazugawa. You two will remain here and handle the aftermath in Swordsmith Village. Protect the survivors."
"Giyu-san, I can still—"
Kamado Tanjirō tried to object, forcing himself upright, but Tomioka Giyu cut him off immediately.
"Silence."
Tomioka Giyu's voice was firm, leaving no room for discussion.
"This is an order."
Naruto stepped forward and placed a hand on Tanjirō's shoulder, his tone calm but direct.
"Your injuries are too severe. You can't keep up with our speed right now. And even if you did, you wouldn't be able to help much. Stay here and take care of what remains."
Kamado Tanjirō clenched his fists, unable to argue. He knew Naruto was right.
"Let's move."
Tomioka Giyu took a deep breath and leaned forward into a running stance. Naruto and Mitsuri Kanroji mirrored him. In the next instant, all three vanished, their figures dissolving into afterimages as they tore through the forest at terrifying speed.
"So fast…"
Kamado Tanjirō stared in stunned silence. Even at his best, he wouldn't have been able to follow them.
"Tch."
Genya Shinazugawa suddenly stood and sprinted after them without a word.
"Genya! Stop—come back!"
Kamado Tanjirō shouted, but Genya never looked back.
He understood immediately what Genya intended to do.
Gritting his teeth, Tanjirō turned to Kotetsu.
"Kotetsu, I'm going after Genya. Can I leave the village to you?"
Kotetsu blinked, startled, then nodded firmly and patted his chest.
"Go! I'll take care of things here!"
"Thank you."
Kamado Tanjirō placed a hand on Kotetsu's shoulder, then turned to his sister.
"Nezuko… carry me."
Nezuko nodded. In a flash, she transformed into her full demon form, lifted Tanjirō onto her back, and leapt forward, chasing after Genya Shinazugawa.
Yoshiwara District — Flower Street
The once-vibrant district was buried beneath a thick blanket of ice.
Shinazugawa Sanemi and Kyojuro Rengoku stood amid the frozen ruins, their bodies covered in blood. Their lips were tinged purple, their breathing ragged, and their sword hands trembled.
Behind them, Uzui Tengen lay half-buried in ice and snow, unmoving.
The battle had turned catastrophic the moment Dōma activated his Blood Demon Art.
The ice crystals filling the air did more than restrict breathing techniques—they carried a lethal poison. To continue fighting meant inhaling them. There was no alternative.
Sanemi and Rengoku's lungs burned with every breath, their organs already beginning to fail.
Uzui Tengen fared even worse. In addition to the frozen poison, he had been slashed by Gyutaro's poisoned blood sickles. Two poisons ravaged his body at once. Only his years of shinobi training kept him alive.
"Oh my, oh my."
Dōma sat serenely atop a colossal ice bodhisattva, gazing down with a hollow smile.
"To survive this long after inhaling so much frozen poison… Hashira truly are frightening."
"Yeah."
Gyutaro stood beside him, perched on the statue's shoulder.
"These three are stronger than any Hashira I've ever fought."
"So what?"
Daki scowled.
"They're still going to die here."
Sanemi spat blood onto the ice and tightened his grip on his blade.
"Oi, Kyojuro."
He laughed hoarsely.
"This situation… it counts as the 'desperate state' Shinobu talked about, right?"
"Most likely,"
Rengoku replied, his expression resolute.
"Have you made your decision?"
Sanemi pulled a vial from his coat, grinning fiercely.
"In a situation like this, do we even have a choice?"
Rengoku smiled and produced an identical vial.
"This is our last chance. No matter what happens… we must kill this Upper Rank."
"Hey—don't forget me!"
Uzui Tengen forced himself upright and laughed weakly. He pulled out the same vial and tossed it into his mouth, biting down hard and swallowing.
Without hesitation, Sanemi and Rengoku followed.
The medicine—developed by Kochou Shinobu—was designed to forcibly awaken the Demon Slayer Mark by driving the body temperature beyond forty degrees Celsius.
Their skin flushed crimson.
Steam rolled off their bodies.
Distinct patterns bloomed across their flesh—windmill scars, flame-like marks, and musical note crests.
"Hahahaha!"
Sanemi's laughter echoed across the frozen district as power surged through him. He raised his nichirin blade and pointed it straight at Dōma.
"Alright, demons… round two!"