"Waking up to hear you all making such a racket here... One after another, not going home to sleep properly at night?"
Within the blood-red mandala domain, a somewhat helpless voice rang out.
But the one who arrived was not Mitsuba—it was Akaza.
"Tanjiro! Retreat!"
The instant he saw him, Rengoku immediately shouted, his muscles tensed throughout his body, his expression grave to the extreme.
[So strong... is this what an Upper Rank demon is?]
Immense oppressive force accompanied by surging demonic aura assaulted them head-on, nearly overwhelming like mountains and seas. Under this terrifying pressure, before both sides had even begun fighting, the swordsmen behind him already couldn't grip their swords firmly, their whole bodies trembling.
"Upper Rank Three: Akaza. That is my name."
Walking slowly to before Ubume and Enmu under the gaze of the Demon Slayer group, Akaza didn't rush to attack, but rather very politely introduced himself first.
"Flame Hashira: Rengoku Kyojuro."
Both hands gripping his blade, watching Akaza's every move as if facing a great enemy, Rengoku similarly replied in a deep voice.
"Oh, Flame Hashira..."
His gaze sweeping over Rengoku's body, Akaza suddenly grinned.
"Kyojuro, you are quite excellent. Among all the Demon Slayers I have encountered to date, the battle aura emanating from you is the strongest."
[This generation of Demon Slayers—their overall quality indeed far surpasses any generation in the past several hundred years?]
"I likewise think so."
To this praise from Akaza, Rengoku replied with the same words:
"Among all the demons I have encountered in the past, the demonic aura on your body is undoubtedly also the strongest."
The Ubume he had fought previously had already refreshed Rengoku's record for "strongest demon encountered."
Ubume's strength could defeat without suspense any demon he had slain in the past.
But before this Upper Rank Three before him, her strength became like that faint firefly light beneath the bright moon—completely unable to match in the slightest.
From Lower Rank One to Upper Rank Three, with only three ranks between them, the gap could actually be this large?
Just what kind of existence were Upper Rank demons?
If even Upper Rank Three was already this strong, then that Upper Rank One who was two ranks higher than him—just how strong should she be?
Wait... Upper Rank One?
Rengoku, who had been in tense confrontation with Akaza, suddenly froze and abruptly reacted.
Damn it! Where was Upper Rank One?!
Since this mandala domain was Upper Rank One's Blood Demon Art effect, then wouldn't she also be nearby?!
There were actually two Upper Rank demons hidden in this Infinity Mountain Villa?!
"Good evening, Tanjiro. We meet again."
Just as Rengoku realized this, behind him...
Or rather, behind Tanjiro, a voice that made him incomparably familiar—one he wanted to forget but couldn't—abruptly rang out.
[?!]
Every hair on his body standing on end, his pupils contracting to their limit in an instant, Tanjiro almost stiffly turned his head, meeting eyes with Mitsuba—who had her hands behind her back, body leaning forward, having appeared behind him at some unknown time.
[When... when did she appear behind me?]
Staring blankly at Mitsuba's smiling face, extreme terror swept through Tanjiro's entire body in this instant—this was a creature's normal reaction when sensing a death threat.
"I truly didn't expect that after parting at Mount Fujikasane, we could meet again so quickly."
Appreciating the stunned expression on Tanjiro's face, that cruel smile once again appeared on Mitsuba's face.
"Little one, since we are so fated, why not tonight you also accompany me in playing a game, how about it?"
Game.
Game...
Game?!
"Ugh!!"
With the speaking of this keyword, the scenes that had occurred at Mount Fujikasane once again surfaced in Tanjiro's mind. He almost instantly regained his senses, raising his hand and slashing toward Mitsuba with one blade!
"Ubume, Enmu, you have completed tonight's mission very well. Now, you may leave. The following matters will be handled by me and Akaza."
"Yes, My Lady."
Her figure instantly flashing to Akaza's side, after letting Ubume and Enmu both leave, Mitsuba then looked again at the angry Tanjiro, smiling as she spoke:
"Little one, so many days have passed, and it seems you still haven't let any of your companions awaken their Marks, have you?"
[Such fast speed!]
The naked eye completely failed to capture how Mitsuba moved there. Rengoku's heart instantly sank to the bottom.
Figure unable to be captured, battle aura unable to be perceived—the strength of this female demon before him had undoubtedly exceeded the limits of his cognition.
Her strength absolutely far surpassed Upper Rank Three!
There actually existed such a powerful creature in this world?
Then that legendary Demon King—just how powerful had he become?
"Truly disappointing. Clearly I told you in goodwill a good method to increase strength. How could you be so negligent? This won't do."
Hands behind her back, Mitsuba looked at Tanjiro, speaking with a smile:
"Therefore, little one, as motivation to push your growth, I have decided to play another game with you.
Tonight, no matter which one of your companions beside you, as long as you can help one of them successfully awaken their Mark.
Then besides him, I can let everyone else leave safely.
Likewise, if you cannot accomplish this, then besides you, little one, everyone here tonight must all remain here."
Mitsuba once again proposed a cruel game.
Among all the Demon Slayers here tonight, as long as one could awaken their Mark again, then only sacrificing that one person, all the rest could leave safely.
But if no one could awaken, then besides Tanjiro, everyone would have to die here tonight!
Yet another game requiring the sacrifice of companions... the cruelty of this game was not inferior in the slightest to that time at Mount Fujikasane.
"How could I possibly play this kind of game with you!"
"Little one, don't say such meaningless words. You are very clear that you must play with me."
Facing Tanjiro's anger, Mitsuba's tone was quite calm.
"Don't forget, Demon Slayer, you currently have no qualifications to negotiate conditions with me.
Strength determines everything. I am in a good mood and thus willing to give you this opportunity. Otherwise, I could kill all of you here at any time."
"Very well, I will play with you."
The one who opened his mouth to respond to Mitsuba was Rengoku.
"Rengoku-senpai?!"
"Lord Flame Hashira?!"
In the shocked and disbelieving gazes of Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayer swordsmen behind him, Rengoku slowly stepped forward. Looking at Mitsuba, he spoke in a deep voice:
"Upper Rank One, I am unclear of your purpose in doing this. But as long as I can awaken my Mark, you will let them leave—is this correct?"