"After all, you're not like me. The sunlight won't protect you."
Akaza's expression darkened.
He knew Hiru was right—sunlight would never protect a demon. Even Muzan himself couldn't fight humans under the sun.
And the one standing before him… though Akaza despised him and could suppress him in pure martial skill, that Blood Demon Art was equally troublesome. If this fight dragged on, the outcome would only be his defeat—even if dawn never came.
[ Why do disgusting creatures like Doma even exist in this world? ]
[ Their very existence is a stain on martial arts. ]
But if he could drag Hiru into the Infinity Castle…
Akaza lowered into a fighting stance. Veins bulged along his arms as his golden eyes locked onto him.
[ Then that revolting creature will definitely die. ]
Sensing the hostility radiating from him, Hiru let the teasing smile fade and lowered his stance as well.
"Haa… so we're really doing this after all? Akaza, you're pretty stubborn."
But Akaza—who had been talking nonstop just moments ago—now stood silent, cold as stone.
Without a single word, he launched a fierce attack.
Noticing that Akaza was deliberately targeting the short spears in his hands, Hiru tossed them aside without hesitation and met him head-on in hand-to-hand combat.
The sight left the onlookers at the edge of the battlefield completely baffled.
"Huh? Mr. Hiru threw away his weapons? Why? Isn't it better to fight with one?"
Nezuko was still tending to Rengoku's wounds. Hearing that, she instinctively glanced toward the battlefield, worry flickering across her face.
"Actually… Mr. Hiru seemed a little strange earlier. I've been thinking about it."
"Mmm! No need to worry!" Rengoku said with a warm smile. "A Hashira will not lose! You can rest easy—everyone will be safe!"
[ His thoughts must be a complete mess right now, yet he's still reassuring us… He really is the kind of person who'd sacrifice himself for others. ]
Zenitsu sat nearby, pressing down on his calf with a bitter expression.
[ But what is that demon Hiru thinking?
[ He just admitted he's a demon, didn't he? Shouldn't that be something he hides?
With that thought, Zenitsu turned his attention back to the battlefield.
A battle between two demons was far more terrifying than one between humans and demons. One moment, a punch or kick would tear straight through flesh. The next, the injured flesh would crystallize into bluish shards, which were ripped off and tossed aside.
If those kinds of injuries happened to a human, they would be fatal instantly.
[ This is strange… Why is that demon dragging the fight into the forest? Wouldn't close combat be better in an open area? ]
Zenitsu pursed his lips and closed his eyes, focusing harder on his hearing.
[ The sounds aren't as chaotic as before… but this feeling… joy? Why joy? ]
He squeezed his eyes shut even tighter and pressed a hand against his head, forcing every sense he had into listening.
For a moment, the world seemed to fade away.
Then the voices around him flooded into his mind.
[ So strong! Really strong! There's no way I could even join a fight like that! Damn it—I want to go too! ]
[ Seriously… that idiot Inosuke actually wants to fight something like that? He's a total beast. ]
[ I never expected Hiru to be a demon… Mmm, I'm honestly a bit confused too. ]
[ Even someone like Mr. Rengoku only just found out?! What exactly did that guy do to earn so much trust?! ]
[ Damn it… If only I were stronger. When we get back, I need to train harder. I have to break down my sword forms as soon as possible. ]
[ Yeah… Takeo really is a training fanatic. Even now, he's still thinking about practice. ]
[ Is it really okay for Mr. Hiru to fight in that condition? It feels dangerous. Brother's state is strange too. If he loses control… will Takeo and I even be able to restrain him? ]
[ And Mr. Rengoku is badly injured… The medicine is running low too. It must hurt a lot. Zenitsu looks completely exhausted… but at least he didn't suffer any serious injuries. ]
[Ah—and Inosuke. Why does he always refuse bandages? If the wounds get worse, it'll only hurt more]
Hearing that, a faint smile crept onto Zenitsu's lips.
[That's Nezuko's thoughts. Even now she's worrying about everyone…]
[ Little Nezuko really is an angel—]
[ No, no. Focus. Focus… I need to hear the battlefield.]
[ Tsc… demons who reinforce their bodies are such a pain. Damn it, this hurts like hell! Why do I keep getting dragged into the Demon Slayer Corps' mess? I never should've gotten involved with Sabito when I came down that mountain… #%￥%—]
[ I'm not trying to hear you! And your inner monologue is way too long! Damn it… focus… focus!]
[ I've already contacted Nakime. As long as we stall a little longer—until she connects the door between the two locations—that disgusting bastard won't be able to speak ever again.]
[ I wonder what kind of expression he'll make when he faces death…]
[ Just thinking about never seeing that nauseating face again already puts me in a good mood.]
"Something's wrong…"
Zenitsu suddenly shot to his feet.
"Something's wrong!"
"Mmm? Has the blond boy noticed something?" Rengoku asked.
"He'll die! That guy's going to die! I have to warn him! That demon is—!"
Zenitsu turned toward them, but the moment he saw their confused faces, his voice caught in his throat.
[ No… I can't say it. If they find out what I'm doing, it'll definitely… definitely end up like before—]
"Mmm! I see!" Rengoku said suddenly. "So we just need to warn him, correct?"
"Huh?"
Zenitsu stared blankly as Rengoku stood up.
"Y-yeah… That demon is trying to open some kind of door. And he's certain Hiru won't be able to escape. He must be planning something!"
"Mmm! Understood!"
"Wait, Mr. Rengoku! Your injuries—"
"It's fine! Wounds like these are nothing! Besides, they've already been bandaged!"
Rengoku gently patted Nezuko's head, then took a deep breath and raised his voice.
"Hiru! Be careful! That demon is trying to open some kind of door!"
Even amid the thunderous clash of battle, Rengoku's voice carried clearly to both fighters.
They reacted instantly.
Akaza's movements grew sharper. The subtle attempts to steer the battlefield earlier had now turned into open pressure.
Hiru's attacks also became more ruthless, abandoning any hesitation.
Yet a thought quietly surfaced in his mind.
[ A door? The Infinity Castle?]
[ If I get dragged into the Infinity Castle…]
[ Hmm. Kitaro knows where Tanjiro's medicine is. Sunrise is coming soon. The others should be able to restrain Tanjiro.]
[ As for me…]
[ If Ubuyashiki explains things afterward, it shouldn't cause too much trouble.]
With that thought, Hiru leaned even further into the act. He put on a show of furious resistance, as if he were desperately trying to break free.
Yet beneath the performance, his footwork remained steady, subtly coordinating with Akaza as the two pushed deeper toward the forest.
The onlookers, unaware of his intentions, grew increasingly anxious. Though his attacks became sharper and more aggressive, he still seemed to be getting forced back toward the trees.
"What the hell is that pretty-boy doing?! Isn't he supposed to be some super-strong demon?!"
"Obviously because he can't win! And who are you calling a pretty-boy, huh?! What gives you the right to say that?!"
"Huh?! What did you say?!"
Rengoku ignored the argument between Zenitsu and Inosuke. He simply tightened his grip on his blade, preparing to step back into the fight.
After all, aside from him, no one present could possibly keep up with movements at that speed.
[ As long as I control my breathing, I should still be able to fight a little longer. ]
"No! Mr. Rengoku, your injuries are already serious!"
Nezuko didn't even dare tug too hard on his sleeve.
"If you keep fighting—even with a Hashira's body—you could die!"
Rengoku was just about to reassure the worried group when his expression suddenly changed. He frowned, then stepped forward and instinctively moved to shield Nezuko behind him.
Seeing his reaction, the others quickly turned around as well.
Only then did they notice—
Tanjiro had woken up.
At some point, he had silently moved behind Takeo and was now standing there, quietly watching him.
Among them, Takeo was clearly the most frightened. He instinctively stepped back, looking up at Tanjiro, who still appeared no different from an ordinary young man.
"…Brother?"
Tanjiro didn't respond.
He simply stared down at Takeo, expressionless.
When Takeo took another step back, Tanjiro followed—silently matching his pace.
The small movement made Takeo freeze completely, no longer daring to move at all.
Having fought alongside Tanjiro in his demonized state before, Rengoku knew just how terrifying his speed could become once he exploded into action. With his current injuries, he couldn't guarantee he would be able to save Takeo the instant Tanjiro lost control.
So instead of rushing forward, he slowly adjusted his position, watching carefully.
Meanwhile, Takeo—standing closest to Tanjiro—felt fear for the first time since his brother had turned into a demon.
He had no idea when Tanjiro had regained consciousness.
Nor did he know when Tanjiro had come to stand behind him.
He hadn't heard even the faintest sound of footsteps.
But what truly frightened him was the look Tanjiro was giving him now.
There was no focus in those eyes—only a cold, detached gaze.
None of Tanjiro's usual warmth remained.
Even when Tanjiro had first turned into a demon and lunged at him, there had still been emotion in his eyes.
But now…
there was nothing.
"What's going on? I can't sense this guy at all," Inosuke muttered, gripping his twin blades.
"Did he mutate or something?"
Zenitsu was just as shocked. He couldn't hear Tanjiro's "sound" anymore either. Only then did he realize that even earlier—when he had been focusing so intensely—he hadn't heard Tanjiro's presence at all.
Which meant Tanjiro had already regained consciousness and had been standing behind them since then.
Cold sweat instantly soaked Zenitsu's back.
If Tanjiro had truly wanted to attack them, they would already be dead.
Silence fell over the group.
But the standoff didn't last long.
Rengoku soon heard movement behind him. Without even turning around, he raised a hand and spoke in a low voice.
"Don't go over there. The Kamado boy isn't fully conscious right now."
"It'll be fine."
Nezuko stepped past him, her expression gentle but resolute.
"Please rest assured."
Rengoku stared at her determined face, every muscle in his body tightening.
"I'll keep watch."
Nezuko gave a faint smile. Calm as ever, she walked forward, pulling Takeo behind her before placing herself directly in front of Tanjiro—without the slightest guard.
Throughout the entire exchange, Tanjiro remained still. His gaze merely shifted from Takeo to Nezuko.
After signaling Takeo to step back, Nezuko slowly reached out and took Tanjiro's hand.
"…Brother, can you hear me?"
"You've held on this long. You can't lose yourself now. You don't need to do much—just hold on a little longer."
"Just a little longer… and we can live together again like we used to."
There was no fear in her voice.
No distance.
Only quiet, overflowing concern.
Under Nezuko's gentle words, Tanjiro's expression softened slightly. The tension in his shoulders eased, if only a little.
Seeing this, the tight knot of fear gripping everyone else loosened as well.
But the moment Tanjiro's gaze slid past Nezuko and settled on Takeo again, his expression hardened.
A low, threatening growl rumbled from his throat.
From the others' perspective, it was obvious—Tanjiro had revealed killing intent the instant he looked at Takeo.
Even Takeo himself felt it.
And that realization twisted painfully in his chest.
Nezuko panicked.
She threw her arms around Tanjiro, trying to hold him back.
"Wait! Brother! Please wake up! Please!"
But the embrace never reached him.
Tanjiro lightly placed a hand on Nezuko's shoulder. Using the small bit of leverage, he vaulted upward, passing over her head in a smooth motion.
His feet barely touched the ground as he shot straight toward Takeo.
Just before Tanjiro could reach him—
a Nichirin wreathed in orange-red flames cut through the space between them.
Tanjiro immediately pulled back his strike, his body halting mid-motion.
Rengoku seized the opening and swung his blade toward Tanjiro's waist, intending to disable him before dealing with the situation further.
The sword cut cleanly through Tanjiro's figure.
But the sensation traveling through the blade told him the truth.
He had struck nothing.
It was only an afterimage.
A faint breeze brushed past his cheek, and Rengoku sensed something flash by.
Unable to pinpoint the exact position, he relied on instinct. He slashed to the side while shouting for Takeo to be careful.
The moment Rengoku's blade moved, Takeo instinctively grabbed the hilt of his sword.
But just before drawing it, he hesitated.
He didn't want to raise his blade against his brother.
And he refused to believe his brother would attack him.
Yet in that brief moment of hesitation, he suddenly felt a force pressing down on the hilt of his sword.
By the time he realized what was happening—
Tanjiro had already slipped past Rengoku and closed the distance.
He was now standing directly in front of him.