"What?" Shinazugawa Genya, who had been on high alert, was startled when he suddenly heard Tanjirou's voice.
Before he could react, Hantengu, in the form of a child, frowned, and the muscles in his face visibly contorted with rage.
Boom! Boom!
He repeatedly slammed his two fists against the thunder drums on his back, and several Wood Dragons rose again, actively attacking the group.
Not only was Tanjirou not flustered, but his face showed delight.
Indeed!
That feeling from just a moment ago wasn't wrong!
Although the hot springs in Swordsmith Village were very effective, their smell was too strong and had severely interfered with his nose these past few days.
The gust of wind just now happened to blow away the smell of the hot springs.
Tanjirou stood in front of Genya, fending off the charging Wood Dragon for him.
Tanjirou's face showed pain: "Genya! Go find it quickly! Leave this place to us!"
"That guy's main body is in the forest!"
Tanjirou decided to entrust the task of finding Hantengus Main Body to Genya.
Although it might sound arrogant, Genya was the weakest among them right now and might not have the ability to fight this 'Hatred' Demon.
However, this guy's main body was different; although it was only for an instant, that aura did come through.
It was a weak aura, completely different from the monster in front of them, which was why it was covered by the smell of the hot springs.
The oppressive feeling this monster gave them was already incomparable to Gyuutarou and Daki; this guy's main body must not be as strong as the 'Hatred' Demon.
Genya gritted his teeth, somewhat hesitant. He was a bit hot-headed, but that didn't mean he was an idiot.
He clearly understood what Tanjirou meant, which was why he hesitated.
Tanjirou held off the Wood Dragon, his Nichirin Blade creaking, and said with difficulty: "Don't you still want to prove yourself to your brother?"
Genya's eyes widened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "I understand!"
He hoisted his Nichirin Blade and firearm, then turned and ran into the forest.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
Seeing Genya's movements, the Hatred Demon became even more agitated, continuously striking the thunder drums with its drumsticks.
As the dull sound of the thunder drums echoed, the Wood Dragons also became frenzied.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!!
Frenzied Roar!! Thunder Kill!!!
The Wood Dragons spewed forth lightning and ultrasonic waves derived from joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.
The three quickly dodged.
"Zenitsu, Inosuke, hold this guy back!" As Tanjirou dodged, the Demon Slayer Mark on his forehead had already appeared due to the severe situation.
"Oh!"
"Hold back? this great lord is going to chop off this brat's head right now!" Inosuke's muffled voice came from his boar mask.
"..."
Tanjirou sweated a bit, his expression suddenly changing: "Here it comes!"
Watching Genya run further and further away, the Hatred Demon lost its initial composure, its anxiousness completely undisguised on its face.
"Blood Demon Art: Infinite Karma Tree!"
Several Wood Dragons rushed towards the three, one after another, overturning a layer of soil.
Such a wide-range attack.
Tanjirou's forehead was beaded with sweat. He had only seen this kind of wide-range attack once from Mizuki.
That strange form, he heard, was borrowed from Moon Breathing, an Origin Breathing comparable to Sun Breathing.
Yes, it was that monster's swordsmanship.
Although Tanjirou and the others hadn't witnessed the Entertainment District battle firsthand, the aftermath left everyone chilled to the bone.
The destructive force and range, even the ground itself was overturned in layers; it was completely abnormal, practically a natural disaster.
Even with the combined attack of several Wood Dragons, the three, who had already activated their Demon Slayer Marks, could only temporarily avoid its edge, dodging out of the way.
After dodging, the anticipated pursuit did not come, and Tanjirou looked back nervously.
"Oh no!"
The Wood Dragon merely swept past them, not bothering with them at all.
Its target was Genya!
Tanjirou shouted: "Genya! Get out of the way!"
Shinazugawa Genya only had time to turn his head before the Wood Dragon was already upon him, too close to dodge, and he was bitten in the waist.
"Ugh!" Genya was carried into the air by the impact, a tremendous pressure assailed his waist, and blood continuously seeped out.
It's going to bite through... Genya's face showed pain.
Just then, a graceful and voluptuous figure stepped onto the Wood Dragon, and rose-red flames blazed fiercely on it.
Tanjirou's face lit up with joy: "Nezuko!"
"Hmph!" Nezuko raised her leg high and kicked the Wood Dragon's mouth to pieces, rescuing Genya.
Tanjirou asked happily: "Nezuko! Where is Miss Mizuki?!"
Nezuko had already transformed into her voluptuous older sister form, but she still couldn't speak, so she could only helplessly point to the hot springs.
"Are there enemies over there too?"
Tanjirou, as her brother, immediately understood Nezuko's meaning.
With such a commotion here, Miss Mizuki couldn't possibly not notice; she must have been held back by other demons.
Who could hold back Miss Mizuki... Could it be... Tanjirou's mind involuntarily conjured that tall figure.
A figure like a samurai.
It must be said that encountering Kokushibou, who almost effortlessly annihilated them in that situation, left a deep trauma in Tanjirou.
That feeling of powerlessness, of being utterly unable to resist such a formidable foe, only able to watch his companions fall before him.
The oppressive aura was far more terrifying than facing Kibutsuji Muzan directly in Asakusa.
Whether it was the height difference or the intimidating presence in his appearance.
Tanjirou didn't say it aloud, but he felt... Miss Mizuki might lose... Mizuki carefully put away the collected blood, awkwardly tugging at the corner of her yukata.
Although this yukata was beautiful, moving in it was truly inconvenient; she couldn't exert any strength.
She hadn't worn such proper women's clothing in hundreds of years.
Never mind, I'll endure it for now.
She wasn't sure how things were going with Tanjirou and Nezuko.
The entire Swordsmith Village was surrounded by mountains, nestled in a basin.
At this moment, with the ringing of the bell, the entire Swordsmith Village was lit with torches and bustling with people, clearly in a state of readiness for battle.
Looking down from above, several Wood Dragons swayed in the night sky.
Is that... an Upper Rank Demon Moon?
Sure enough, meeting Mitsuri and Tokito in Swordsmith Village wasn't a coincidence.
Perhaps it was a certain official plotline... Swordsmith Village... it should be the plotline where Tanjirou's sword broke and he came to Swordsmith Village for repairs, right?
Only because she gave Yoriichi's sword to Tanjirou.
But then, by chance, she needed a suitable Nichirin Blade, which is why the plot took a different turn back here.
So... the fish demon just now was the Fifth, and this guy should be the Fourth, right?
The Blood Demon Art's abilities are still easy to distinguish; Douma and Kokushibou definitely don't have such abilities.
By process of elimination, it can only be the Fourth.
Its aura was indeed far weaker than Akaza, and not much stronger than Gyokko.
Just as Mizuki relaxed slightly, a sudden slash emerged from the distant forest.
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