Mount Fujikasane.
Fourth night.
Most candidates headed east—toward the first light of dawn.
But two moved the opposite way.
West.
The last glow of sunset faded.
No moon.
Only darkness.
Sanemi sprinted through the forest, cleavers on his back.
Above him—
Sui moved across the treetops.
Light.
Effortless.
Her crimson haori fluttered like a flame.
They had passed Kuroba earlier—now able to walk, heading east.
So that's where the haori went.
Sanemi clicked his tongue.
If I got hurt… would she lend it to me?
…Disgusting thoughts.
He crushed it instantly.
"What's your plan?" he asked.
Sui cut down a passing demon mid-motion.
Clean.
Efficient.
"Blood Demon Art," she said.
Sanemi frowned.
"That demon might've been controlled. There's another one."
"One that hid it."
"How do you find it?"
"…Simple."
A pause.
Then—
"Bleed more."
They reached the mountain's center.
Sui's blood would cover everything here.
"And if it works?" Sanemi asked.
"Every demon comes."
"Perfect."
He grinned.
"Then I forgive you for stealing my rabbits."
Meanwhile—West side, waterfall
A monk sat beneath cascading water.
Worn robes.
A sacred rope around his neck.
Burn scars across his face.
He looked like a wandering ascetic.
But—
This was Fujikasane.
He didn't belong.
"Fourth night…"
He murmured.
"That hand demon is too reckless…"
"We can't draw attention…"
A voice hissed—
From the rope around his neck.
"You forgot again."
"The Twelve Kizuki already answered you."
"Don't destroy the system."
"Just kill the talented ones."
"Let them rot slowly."
The monk lowered his head.
"…I forgot again."
"Every time I use my Blood Demon Art…"
"I lose memories…"
He stood.
Time to retrieve the Hand Demon.
But then—
He smelled it.
"…What is this?"
"Rare blood! Thousand-fold rare blood!"
The rope shrieked in excitement.
"Eat it! Become a Twelve Kizuki!"
"Maybe you'll stop forgetting!"
The monk staggered forward.
Like drunk.
No hesitation.
No caution.
Only hunger.
He reached the center.
The ground—
Wet.
Red.
Burnt flesh filled the air.
"…What happened here?"
"Doesn't matter! It's ahead!"
He roared—
Charging forward.
A demon collapsed before him—
Burning to ash.
A boy stood there.
White hair.
Scarred face.
Cleavers in hand.
Grinning.
"HAHA! You actually came!"
Sanemi.
But the monk ignored him.
His eyes locked on—
Her.
Sui.
Standing in the open.
Wrist cut.
Blood dripping.
To the demon—
It looked like molten gold.
"Don't waste it!"
He lunged.
A massive punch.
"BOOM—!"
Blocked.
With a sheath.
Sui slid back lightly.
Pale from blood loss.
Eyes closed.
Still—
Calm.
"Finally," she said softly.
She licked the blood from her wrist.
The monk roared.
"That's mine!"
Another strike—
She ducked.
Placed her blade—
Foot on sheath—
Drew.
A flash.
He missed.
She cut his arm clean off.
No wasted movement.
No wasted breath.
Her wound had already stopped bleeding.
Muscles tightening under control.
"…You're the one hiding it, aren't you?"
He stared.
Entrance.
Not afraid.
Just hungry.
He attacked again—
Again—
Again—
But every strike hit nothing.
Only afterimages.
"Answer me."
No reply.
She raised her wrist.
"Tell me the truth."
"I'll reward you."
"With a drop."
The rope screamed—
"Through the cave behind the waterfall!"
"It leads underground!"
"A river! No wisteria!"
Sui blinked.
Then smiled.
"Good boy."
"Anyone else involved?"
"Only us! The Twelve Kizuki don't care!"
"They just want talents eliminated!"
"Now give me the blood!"
"…Of course."
She beckoned.
"Come here."
The monk hesitated.
"…Wait—"
"Blood Demon Art—"
Too late.
Slice.
His head flew.
Sui stood beside the falling body.
Blade sheathed.
Lightning rippled outward—
Flattening the clearing.
Trees shuddered.
Ash scattered.
Gone.