Shinobu returned Aoyama's gaze with a smile.
She couldn't quite understand him anymore.
Moments ago, he had shielded a demon.
Now, he had cut one down without hesitation.
What kind of person was he, exactly?
Tanjiro was still running when—
Bang!
A sudden kick struck his back, sending him crashing to the ground.
Nezuko slipped from his arms.
A girl stepped on Tanjiro's back and drew her blade, aiming straight for Nezuko.
Gritting his teeth, Tanjiro grabbed the girl's cloak and yanked her backward.
"Nezuko, run! Run far away! Don't get caught! Hurry!"
The girl—Kanao Tsuyuri—fell back slightly, then calmly lifted one leg and brought it down hard on Tanjiro's head.
Thud.
Tanjiro collapsed flat, unable to rise.
He recognized her now.
Final Selection.
She had survived to the end at Mount Fujikasane.
Kanao Tsuyuri.
And most importantly—
The butterfly hairpin she wore matched Shinobu's.
Nezuko scrambled to her feet, dodging left and right as she fled.
Kanao's blade slashed down—
Just as it was about to strike—
Nezuko shrank.
In a puff, she transformed into her miniature form.
…She can shrink?
Kanao's eyes flickered slightly.
More puzzling—
The demon only ran.
No counterattack.
Why?
It didn't matter.
Her task was simple.
Slay demons.
Miniature Nezuko sprinted with tiny arms and legs pumping furiously, pink eyes wide with determination.
Just as Kanao swung her blade again—
Clang!
Another sword intercepted hers.
The impact knocked Kanao's blade from her hand.
She looked up.
Giyu Tomioka had arrived.
Recognizing that he bore no hostility toward her, Nezuko scampered behind him, peeking out.
"Mm-mm!" (She's super fierce!)
She tugged at Giyu's sleeve and pointed at Kanao as if filing a complaint.
Giyu couldn't understand her words—
But he had come to protect her.
Tanjiro forced himself upright, relief washing over him.
"Mr. Tomioka… thank you!"
He glanced behind him.
No sign of Senior Brother Aoyama.
No sign of Shinobu.
Kanao retrieved her sword and stood silently, staring at Nezuko behind Giyu.
No one spoke.
Tanjiro hesitated, gesturing weakly for Nezuko to come to him—
But lowered his hand.
In his current state, he couldn't protect her.
Behind Giyu—
She was safest.
Time stretched on.
Finally, Giyu spoke, stiff and blunt.
"You cannot harm her."
Kanao tilted her head slightly, studying him.
Tanjiro frowned.
She hadn't spoken once.
Even during Final Selection, she had stood silently watching butterflies.
Did she… not talk much?
A crow suddenly swooped down overhead, circling as it cried out:
"Order received! Order received! Headquarters commands—capture Kamado Tanjiro and the demon Nezuko! Bring them back immediately!"
"Kamado Tanjiro—checkered haori, scar on forehead!"
"Demon girl with bamboo muzzle—Nezuko! Capture and return!"
Upon hearing the order, Giyu sheathed his sword.
He stepped aside from in front of Nezuko and walked toward Tanjiro.
Kanao also lowered her blade and approached Nezuko.
She bent slightly and asked quietly,
"Nezuko… you're Nezuko, right?"
Tanjiro instinctively shifted backward.
Something felt off about Giyu.
Before he could react—
Chop.
A swift strike landed on the back of his neck.
As darkness overtook him, Tanjiro faintly heard Giyu's voice:
"Bring them back to Headquarters."
Meanwhile—
Aoyama and Shinobu also received the crow's message.
Shinobu sheathed her blade with a gentle smile.
"Aoyama-kun, until next time~"
With that, she departed swiftly.
Before leaving Mount Natagumo, she still had matters to attend to.
Aoyama did not pursue her.
With Headquarters' order issued, even Giyu would no longer block Nezuko's capture.
On the contrary—
Giyu would personally carry out the order.
Even if Aoyama ran now, it would be too late.
Shinobu's smile as she left made perfect sense.
She understood Giyu well.
He would obey.
Aoyama rubbed his forehead—
Then froze.
A sudden realization struck him like lightning.
Blood.
Extraction of blood!
"Damn it!"
Rui had been Lower Five of the Twelve Kizuki.
His body contained a dense concentration of Muzan's blood.
And he had forgotten to collect it.
The Twelve Kizuki weren't opponents one encountered casually.
Who knew when he would meet another?
Aoyama's chest tightened in frustration.
A missed opportunity—
And not a small one.
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