Tanjiro was so angry his hair was practically standing on end, his face as red as a boiled shrimp, and his fists clenched like hammers.
Gentle?
Only those who kept their distance from his sister were worthy of his gentleness!
To Sakonji Urokodaki, it seemed like some wire in the kid's brain had crossed again.
You brat, you were clearly sober just now and knew to be afraid!
Yet you actually dared to give the young girl (demon) another "bear hug" right in front of him!
And you even have an ecstatic look on your face!
At this moment, even the tengu mask couldn't hide the bulging veins on his forehead!
"Shirakawa Sato!!!" Sakonji Urokodaki's low growl escalated into a roar. He released Tanjiro Kamado, who could no longer contain himself, and strode forward. "You! Let! Go! Right! Now!"
Tanjiro charged straight toward the two of them, each step kicking up clumps of dirt.
Seeing his master approaching with murderous intent and Tanjiro pouncing like a berserk little beast, Shirakawa Sato panicked.
But his hands holding Nezuko were like they had been welded in place, showing no intention of letting go.
The analysis rate prompted by the system was still rising cheerfully!
Can't let go! Even if it kills me, I can't let go!
"M—Master! Listen to my explanation! This is training! It's necessary for the Breathing Style! Really!"
While explaining in vain, Shirakawa Sato tried to step back, but with Nezuko pressed against him, he couldn't move at all.
"Training requires hugging this tightly?! Requires burying your face in there?!" Tanjiro shouted, leaping with rage, his eyes practically spitting fire.
"I'm… I'm… sensing her aura! Yes! Sensing her breathing rhythm!" Shirakawa Sato lied through his teeth.
"What rhythm are you sensing?! She's wearing a bamboo muzzle and can't breathe normally at all!"
Sakonji Urokodaki had already reached them, looking down from above, his shadow looming over the two tangled together. "Let go!"
Gulp.
Shirakawa Sato swallowed hard, but his head still shook like a rattle.
"Fine, if you're so capable, then don't you dare let go!"
Seeing that words were useless, Sakonji Urokodaki decisively took action.
He wouldn't actually draw his sword and strike, but he could certainly pick up this brat and shake him off.
Sakonji Urokodaki, the former Water Hashira and a seasoned, agile powerhouse, suddenly bent down, his large hands accurately grabbing both of Shirakawa Sato's ankles!
Tanjiro Kamado, the future Head Hashira with explosive sis-con energy, also seized his chance—and grabbed both of Nezuko's ankles!
"Pull!!"
With a low growl from Sakonji Urokodaki, the two pulled at the same time.
Instantly, Shirakawa Sato and Nezuko were lifted into the air.
But even so, Shirakawa Sato didn't let go—and neither did Nezuko. Even in mid-air, they still clung tightly to each other's necks.
Their faces remained firmly pressed together.
A tug-of-war!
A classic tug-of-war!
Unfortunately, Shirakawa Sato and Nezuko were the rope in the middle.
"Aaaah! Master, stop! My neck is going to break!!" Shirakawa Sato screamed in terror.
"Let go! You'll feel better once you let go!"
"I won't!"
And what about Nezuko, who was being held so tightly?
She didn't quite understand what was happening.
But she knew that this person holding her—who smelled so good and made her feel so safe—seemed to be getting pulled away?
No!
"Mmph—!!!"
An unhappy whimper came from Nezuko's mouth.
Her hands, which had been loosely resting on Shirakawa Sato's back, suddenly tightened. Her slender arms burst with incredible strength, locking around his neck as if vowing to live or die with him!
"Urgh…"
Shirakawa Sato was being strangled to the point where his tongue almost stuck out. Seeing this, Sakonji Urokodaki quickly reduced his strength.
When he loosened his grip, Nezuko loosened hers. When he pulled harder, Nezuko did the same.
Well then!
The scene fell into a temporary stalemate.
Neither Sakonji Urokodaki nor Tanjiro dared to use too much force, afraid they might actually hurt the one they were pulling.
But these two stubborn figures, acting like a pair of star-crossed lovers, simply refused to let go.
Sakonji Urokodaki: "Let go, you brat!" (╬￣皿￣)
Tanjiro: "Let go of my sister!!" o(▼皿▼メ;)o
Shirakawa Sato: "Master! This is necessary contact! Believe me—!" ┗( T﹏T )┛
"Mmph! Mmph-mmph!!" (Nezuko's protesting whimpers) o(≧口≦)o
The three of them (and one demon) were entangled together in the midnight forest clearing, performing a bizarre tug-of-war.
The Temple Demon's head, pinned to the tree, slowly woke up: "..."
(Who am I? Where am I? Why is no one paying attention to me? What are they doing? Have relations between humans and demons become this complicated nowadays?)
As time passed minute by minute, Shirakawa Sato felt both pain… and happiness during this tug-of-war.
[Analysis Progress: 10%... 16%... 27%...]
[Ding—Congratulations to the host. Analysis of Nezuko Kamado has reached 30%. Unlocking Tier 1: First Experience of Love.]
[Based on Nezuko Kamado's strength and potential analysis, the host currently gains a 30% all-around attribute boost when near her. (This value can stack and will increase as the target's strength increases.)]
[Analysis Progress: 33%... 45%... 57%...]
[Ding—Congratulations to the host. Analysis of Nezuko Kamado has reached 60%. Unlocking Tier 2: Love is Constant Companionship.]
[When within a five-meter radius of Nezuko, you will automatically enter the "Total Concentration Breathing: Constant Concentration" state, continuously strengthening your body with an efficiency of 70%. (This value can stack and will increase as the target's strength increases.)]
[Trait Analysis Progress: 66%... 72%... 87%...]
[Ding—Congratulations to the host. Analysis of Nezuko Kamado has reached 90%. Unlocking Tier 3: Love's Combination Technique.]
[Unlocked Exclusive "Form": Color Breathing, First Form: Heroine!]
[Note: When using this move, if the analysis target is nearby, the move's power increases to 200%. If not, the power remains unchanged.]
[System Prompt: Conventional analysis has concluded. Progress from 90% to 100% cannot be increased through regular contact. Please "explore" the specific method for improvement on your own.]
As the information about the special move flooded into his mind, Shirakawa Sato—his hands sore and neck aching—finally let out a sigh of relief and weakly released his grip.
From their initial mid-air stalemate, they had already dropped to the ground as Tanjiro could no longer keep pulling, and the four of them continued struggling there.
Now that Shirakawa Sato had let go, one of the two locks was gone. Nezuko couldn't hold on alone and was eventually dragged away by her brother, Tanjiro, her pink eyes blinking with confusion and a hint of grievance.
The moment they were separated, Tanjiro acted like a protective mother hen guarding her chick, spreading his equally sore arms and jumping in front of Nezuko.
A pair of vigilant crimson eyes stared intently at Shirakawa Sato, who lay motionless on the ground.
Shirakawa Sato ignored the hardcore sis-con Tanjiro. Instead, he rolled over weakly and called out, "Master… I think I've realized a new form."
"Hmph! Don't try to change the subject!"
Sakonji Urokodaki snorted coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "With your talent? You just learned the Breathing Style and you think you've created a new form? Don't think saying that will stop me from disciplining you when we get back!"
Shirakawa Sato rolled his eyes, sat up, and held out his hand toward Sakonji Urokodaki.
Sakonji Urokodaki glanced down and said irritably, "What?"
"Lend me your sword." Shirakawa Sato spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I'll demonstrate it for you."