Whoosh!
The grotesque flesh-like tendrils surged toward the sleeping passengers once again.
Seeing the countless appendages closing in, Tanjiro clenched his teeth.
A deep sense of helplessness washed over him.
He had already used Water Breathing repeatedly in rapid succession. The continuous strain had nearly exhausted his stamina, and his lungs burned with every breath.
His body had reached its limit.
But…
Limits existed to be surpassed.
Just as Tanjiro forced himself to inhale once more
A blazing arc of crimson fire suddenly swept across the carriage.
Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire (Shiranui)!
The fiery slash instantly severed every tendril reaching toward the passengers.
Tanjiro's eyes widened.
A familiar, powerful voice echoed behind him.
"My sincerest apologies!"
"It seems that, as the Flame Hashira, I have arrived a little late!"
The next instant
Flames erupted once again.
Kyojuro Rengoku dashed through the carriage like a blazing comet.
His Nichirin Blade danced through the air.
Every remaining tendril was reduced to pieces in a single breath.
At the locomotive…
Enmu immediately sensed the destruction of his flesh throughout the train.
His cheerful smile stiffened.
"I didn't expect a Hashira to be aboard…"
He sighed dramatically.
"This has become rather troublesome."
Without hesitation, Enmu began merging his body into the locomotive, intending to fuse completely with the Mugen Train just as he had in the original plan.
Suddenly
Boom!!
An enormous impact shook the entire train.
Everyone froze.
Tanjiro.
Kyojuro.
Even Enmu.
Their first thought was exactly the same.
Did someone bring reinforcements?
Before anyone could react
RIIIP!
One of the carriage roofs was violently torn apart from above.
Wood and iron exploded outward.
Standing atop the ruined roof, Nezuko instinctively retreated.
She stared warily at the two unfamiliar demons before her.
For reasons she herself could not explain…
Every instinct in her body rejected them.
The first demon possessed a long segmented tail ending in a massive scorpion-like stinger.
He grinned cruelly.
"Oh?"
"Just a little girl."
The second demon hovered nearby on enormous moth-like wings.
His compound eyes examined Nezuko with open disdain.
"What a pitiful appearance."
He spoke coldly.
"Moko."
"Finish her."
The scorpion-tailed demon laughed.
"As you wish."
Without another word, he lunged.
His venomous tail lashed toward Nezuko with terrifying speed.
Before she could react
The stinger was already upon her.
Then
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
Lightning exploded across the roof.
A golden streak flashed past.
Slash!
Moko's poisonous tail was severed cleanly.
Before he could recover, the attacker had already disappeared.
The scorpion-tailed demon instinctively jumped backward.
His eyes widened.
"So fast…"
He looked around excitedly.
At the far end of the carriage stood Zenitsu.
Fast asleep.
Sword already sheathed.
His breathing remained perfectly calm.
Moko's grin widened.
"Interesting."
"You've caught my attention, brat."
Zenitsu naturally gave no reply whatsoever.
After all…
He was still asleep.
An awkward silence followed.
Moko's smile twitched.
"…"
"You dare ignore me?"
The veins on his forehead bulged.
Feeling utterly insulted, Moko roared.
His severed tail regenerated almost instantly.
Then he slammed it against both sides of the carriage.
Boom!
Boom!
The enormous force shattered the supporting structure.
The Mugen Train violently left the tracks.
The entire train overturned.
At that critical moment, however, Enmu's remaining flesh instinctively expanded beneath the derailing cars.
The fleshy mass absorbed much of the devastating impact, preventing countless passengers from being crushed instantly.
Realizing the situation had spiraled completely out of control, Enmu abandoned his attempt to fuse with the train.
He immediately separated from the locomotive and retreated.
Dust filled the air.
Standing amidst the wreckage…
Kyojuro slowly stepped forward.
Alone.
He faced the two mysterious demons.
Tanjiro drew his Nichirin Blade.
The scent…
The overwhelming smell of blood radiating from the two demons was unlike anything he had encountered before.
"They're responsible…"
"They're the ones behind the disappearances aboard this train."
He prepared to charge.
But Kyojuro raised one hand.
"Tanjiro."
"You and the others rescue the passengers."
"I'll handle these two."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Only unwavering confidence.
With one smooth motion, he drew his Nichirin Blade.
The crimson blade reflected the moonlight.
His figure stood proudly amidst the night wind.
Like an unextinguishable flame.
Tanjiro bit his lip.
He wanted to help.
But he also understood.
Many passengers remained trapped beneath the overturned carriages.
Their lives came first.
He bowed deeply.
"Please…"
"Rengoku-san."
"We'll return as soon as we've rescued everyone."
Kyojuro nodded.
Without another word…
He faced the two demons alone.
The moth-winged demon slowly examined Kyojuro from head to toe.
"You certainly look impressive."
He tilted his head.
"But your appearance lacks refinement."
"It is crude."
"Unadorned."
His tone carried complete contempt.
Unlike his companion…
He had no particular interest in fighting.
Moko, however, was the exact opposite.
His entire body trembled with excitement.
"I'll take him!"
The regenerated scorpion tail shot forward once more.
Kyojuro calmly inhaled.
His breathing deepened.
Heat gathered throughout his body.
It was as though an inferno had ignited around him.
Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire (Shiranui)!
A streak of fire collided directly with Moko's tail.
Clang!
Brilliant sparks exploded in every direction.
The impact echoed across the battlefield.
Moko laughed loudly.
"Excellent!"
His hardened fists struck like iron hammers.
Kyojuro's blade flashed repeatedly.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Each strike was deflected.
Even so, the immense force behind Moko's blows forced Kyojuro backward several steps.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Elsewhere…
Tanjiro, Inosuke, Nezuko, and Zenitsu hurried to rescue the trapped passengers.
Suddenly
Several massive tendrils burst from beneath the overturned train.
Without hesitation
Slash!
Tanjiro cut them apart.
Just then…
Enmu emerged from the front of the locomotive.
Cradled carefully in his arms…
Was Kyogai's precious manuscript.
He smiled pleasantly.
"Good evening."
Tanjiro immediately raised his blade.
Enmu was still a demon.
There would be no mercy.
Before Tanjiro could attack
Inosuke charged first.
"Leave him to me!"
With both serrated Nichirin Blades raised
He rushed straight at Enmu.
Enmu frowned.
Although Muzan Kibutsuji's blood had greatly strengthened him…
Facing Tanjiro, Inosuke, Nezuko, and eventually Zenitsu while simultaneously protecting the manuscript was far from ideal.
Just as Inosuke's blades descended
Clang!
Another sword intercepted them effortlessly.
Standing before Enmu…
Was Kokushibo.
His six eyes calmly observed Inosuke.
A faint smile appeared.
"Well, well."
"So it's the little boar."
Inosuke's instincts screamed.
He immediately leaped backward, landing beside Tanjiro.
Enmu's expression brightened.
"Lord Kokushibo~"
"You've arrived."
Standing beside Kokushibo…
Was another familiar figure.
Upper Rank Three.
Akaza.
The oppressive aura of two Upper Rank demons instantly engulfed the battlefield.
Tanjiro's breathing became heavy.
Upper Rank Three.
Upper Rank One.
How could they possibly fight monsters like these?
Fortunately…
Akaza showed no interest in bullying inexperienced swordsmen.
His attention had already shifted elsewhere.
He noticed the blazing clash in the distance.
Kyojuro Rengoku.
His eyes lit up.
"Kokushibo."
"I'm going."
Without waiting for an answer
Akaza shot forward like a cannonball.
Kokushibo sighed quietly.
"…That battle fanatic."
Watching Akaza disappear into the distance, he simply shook his head.
Then his gaze returned to Tanjiro.
"Nakime."
His voice was calm.
"Protect Kyogai's manuscript."
"Take Enmu back to the Infinity Castle."
The ground beneath Enmu suddenly transformed.
The doors of the Infinity Castle silently opened.
Enmu disappeared within moments later, still clutching the manuscript protectively.
The doors closed.
Silence returned.
Deep within the Infinity Castle…
Muzan Kibutsuji watched everything through Nakime's surveillance.
His expression darkened.
He had expected Kokushibo to confront the Hanafuda-earring boy.
Instead…
Kokushibo had immediately sent Enmu away.
The "show" ended before it truly began.
For a brief moment…
Muzan considered dispatching another demon.
Both to reinforce Kokushibo…
And to quietly observe him.
However…
He quickly dismissed the thought.
After all…
The last time he had irritated Kokushibo unnecessarily, the consequences had been unpleasant.
There was no reason to repeat that mistake.
Back at the battlefield…
Without Muzan's gaze directly upon him…
Kokushibo appeared noticeably more relaxed.
He looked calmly at Tanjiro.
"So…"
"Have you reached a conclusion regarding our previous discussion?"
The question caused Tanjiro's expression to tighten.
"I…"
"I think "
Kokushibo interrupted him immediately.
"I have no interest in hearing what you think."
With one effortless motion
He thrust his flesh-forged katana into the earth.
Boom.
The ground cracked beneath the blade.
"I care only about what I believe."
Tanjiro blinked.
Then…
Why ask me in the first place?
Even so…
He tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade.
His resolve did not waver.
Meeting Kokushibo's six unblinking eyes, Tanjiro answered firmly.
"Protecting those who cannot protect themselves…"
"Is never wrong."
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