Sanemi Shinazugawa stood there arrogantly, holding the wooden box high in one hand, his sharp eyes falling on Tanjiro.
"Tsk, tsk… so this is the idiot who drags a demon around?" he sneered, baring his teeth. "What kind of stupid game are you playing?"
He looked untouchable.
Unrestrained.
But he had no idea—
Up in the tree, Aoyama was staring at him with fire in his eyes.
Sanemi's time to be arrogant was running out.
Mitsuri Kanroji noticed the fresh wounds on Sanemi's body and felt a strange thrill. To her, scars were proof of glory.
A Kakushi rushed forward and knelt before him.
"Shinazugawa-sama! Please, you're putting me in a difficult position. Please set the box down!"
Shinobu's expression darkened as she rose to her feet.
From a distance, Giyu's gaze sharpened slightly at the corners as he looked toward Sanemi.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Tense.
Heavy.
"Shinazugawa-san, please do not act on your own."
Shinobu's tone lacked its usual gentleness. It carried warning.
Sanemi ignored her completely.
He stared at Tanjiro.
"Hey, brat. What were you saying just now? Fighting for the Corps? Protecting humans?"
He laughed harshly.
"As if that's even possible, you idiot!"
His hand moved toward the hilt of his Nichirin Blade.
Suddenly—
The branch above snapped violently.
Obanai sensed something was wrong. Kaburamaru lunged toward the disturbance—
But bit only air.
Aoyama shot forward like a streak of lightning.
Before Sanemi could react—
Bang!
A fierce kick slammed into his chest.
In that split second—
Aoyama snatched the wooden box from his hand.
Sanemi skidded backward, boots grinding across the ground before he stabilized himself.
At least he didn't fall.
That would have been embarrassing.
Tanjiro, who had been struggling to rise and fight, froze mid-motion.
His eyes locked onto the wooden box suspended briefly in midair.
He couldn't even process what had just happened.
Everyone present stared at the box.
No one understood how it had happened.
But one thing was certain—
Someone else was there.
Seeing all eyes turn toward him, Aoyama calmly tore off the Concealment Talisman.
The paper turned to ash as his figure appeared.
Obanai's pupils shrank.
He had been right beside him.
And hadn't noticed a thing.
"Senior Brother Aoyama!!!"
Tanjiro's voice cracked with shock and joy.
Shinobu watched him, her earlier gloom fading.
They met again.
Aoyama walked toward Tanjiro, helped him to his feet, and cut the ropes binding him.
"Senior Brother…"
Aoyama patted his shoulder, then turned toward Sanemi.
"When you pick on someone," he said lightly, "you should at least make sure they're someone you can afford to pick on."
The sarcasm was obvious.
Sanemi's face twisted with rage.
"You! Where did this brat come from? Sneaking up on me?!"
A Hashira.
Kicked in front of everyone.
Even if it was a sneak attack—
It was humiliating.
Aoyama's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Brat? You've got a lot of nerve."
In a blur—
He moved.
Like an arrow released from its bow.
His fist smashed into Sanemi's cheek.
Gasps erupted.
Once could be blamed on carelessness.
Twice?
That was different.
Blood split from the corner of Sanemi's mouth.
He wiped it away and grinned.
"Heh. Not bad. Looks like you're worth taking seriously."
He drew his blade.
If he hadn't been kicked away earlier, he would've already stabbed the demon inside the box.
In his world—
Humans and demons could never coexist.
Mitsuri covered her mouth.
"You… you can't fight! That violates Corps rules!"
Her gaze flicked toward Giyu.
They had just been discussing violations.
If Sanemi attacked now—
That would be another.
Aoyama glanced at her and smiled faintly.
"Violating the rules? I wonder if you care."
He paused deliberately.
"As for me…"
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
He didn't care at all.
Shinobu understood perfectly.
Back at Mount Natagumo, he had already made his stance clear.
Sanemi's eyes widened.
"I'm killing a demon! That's not breaking the rules!"
He charged.
Blade flashing straight for Aoyama's throat.
If necessary—
He would kill the obstacle first.
Clang!
Aoyama drew his sword in one smooth motion, blocking the strike.
At the same time—
His leg lashed out.
Sanemi retreated three steps, barely avoiding another direct hit.
Carrying the box limited Aoyama's mobility.
He turned and handed it to Tanjiro.
Right now, the only real threat to Nezuko was Sanemi.
The others—
Would not interfere.
And even if they did—
He trusted Shinobu and Giyu would not let things spiral recklessly.
Aoyama rolled his wrist.
If he didn't beat this man down properly—
Sanemi would never give up the idea of killing Nezuko.
Sanemi lunged again.
Aoyama tilted his head, dodging the blade by a hair's breadth.
He seized Sanemi's shoulder—
Twisted—
And hurled him.
Crash!
Sanemi slammed into a tree.
Mitsuri gasped and covered her mouth again.
Aoyama didn't stop.
He closed the distance instantly.
Before Sanemi could recover—
A high, brutal kick came crashing down on his head.
Then—
Aoyama retreated smoothly to a safe distance.
A faint smile curled on his lips.
"If you dare draw your blade again," he said calmly,
"I'll let Tanjiro's head hit the ground first."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Absolute.
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