"Takeshi-kun, be careful. The demon in front of us might have already reached the level of a Lower Rank!" Kanae reminded him nervously.
"Hmm... but I don't think there's much to worry about right now."
"Huh? What do you mean? Takeshi-kun, you mustn't underestimate a Lower Rank Demon; they are much stronger than ordinary demons!" Kanae feared that Takeshi might have become conceited due to his recent explosive growth in strength, so she quickly warned him.
"It's not that I'm looking down on it..." Takeshi raised his finger and pointed at the sky. "It's still daytime. I don't think that demon would dare come out yet."
"Ah!" Kanae suddenly realized, her small face turning bright red from embarrassment.
As a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, she had actually forgotten such an important thing... No, it must be because it's too dark... Dark?
That's right, it was getting dark... Takeshi also noticed it. Since a moment ago, clouds had been gathering in the sky, and soon... the sunlight would be completely obscured by dark clouds!
Takeshi immediately looked toward Nezuko at the doorway.
He saw Nezuko with one foot already stepped out of the doorway. She was waiting!
Waiting for the sun to disappear!
The speed at which the sun was covered by dark clouds was very fast, and Takeshi hadn't intended to leave in the first place.
If he left, Nezuko would run around. If the dark clouds dispersed then and Nezuko couldn't find cover in time, she would likely suffer burns from the sun.
Moreover... he couldn't use his Blood Blade!
"Although I don't know why this demon is at Mr. Urokodaki's house, Takeshi-kun, you must prioritize your safety!" Kanae did not know Nezuko's identity or story.
"Mhm!"
Takeshi nodded, his tone becoming much more solemn.
He held that ordinary blade in his hand.
The moment the dark clouds completely obscured the sun.
Nezuko moved!
Power surged in her legs, and in the blink of an eye, she charged toward Takeshi!
"So fast!"
Takeshi was utterly shocked; Nezuko's speed was completely different from the two demons he had encountered before.
Her speed was incredibly fast, and the moment she charged over, Nezuko's body grew a size larger.
Even Kanae was exceptionally surprised.
There was essentially no difference between this and the Lower Rank Demons she had encountered before!
A fair leg with a beautiful pattern swept toward Takeshi.
Takeshi hurriedly bent down to dodge. There happened to be a thick tree behind him.
Nezuko accurately kicked that tree.
Boom!
A heavy, muffled sound exploded, and wood chips flew. The thick trunk was actually snapped by this single kick, letting out a strained groan before crashing down to one side!
Takeshi looked up at the fierce little... big girl in front of him, feeling incredibly astonished.
"Mmm!"
Nezuko was incredibly violent right now, saliva uncontrollably dripping from the edges of the bamboo muzzle. Those crimson eyes were locked onto Takeshi. Within them swirled the most primitive predatory desire, like a beast staring at fresh flesh.
"She... she doesn't want to eat me, does she?" Takeshi couldn't help but say.
Even Kanae agreed: "It seems so. With her being so agitated, it appears, Takeshi-kun, that your blood isn't 'foul-smelling' to all demons."
"Mmm—"
Nezuko charged at Takeshi again, and Takeshi held his sword horizontally to block.
With a loud "Clang," the massive force transmitted through the blade made his arms go numb, and his feet plowed two tracks into the snow.
Takeshi's stubborn resistance made Nezuko irritable.
She was very hungry now!
And the scent emanating from Takeshi was so tempting that it caused her to completely lose her reason.
"Kanae, is there a way to knock her out? The sun will be out in a while."
"Eh? You want to keep her?"
Takeshi found a suitable excuse: "After all, she was in Mr. Urokodaki's house. What if Mr. Urokodaki left her there on purpose?"
Takeshi naturally didn't tell Kanae what he knew, so he made up an excuse.
"That's true. You can strike a spot slightly above her neck. As long as the force is sufficient, she will briefly faint," Kanae told Takeshi, while also mentioning the danger, "However, that demon is hard to get close to, so be careful."
Takeshi nodded. "Mhm, I understand."
Although Nezuko's attacks were fierce, they were disorganized.
This time, Takeshi took the initiative to meet her—
"Flower Breathing, Third Form: Shadow Plum!"
This Move was a defensive technique of Flower Breathing, and Takeshi quickly neutralized all of Nezuko's attacks.
Countless flashes of the blade flew wildly in the air like petals.
This also achieved the effect of confusing Nezuko's vision.
Takeshi's figure slid in like a swimming fish, the distance between him and Nezuko rapidly shortening. He instantly reversed his grip on the sword, aiming the thick back of the blade at the target, calculating the angle and force, preparing for a precise strike to the back of her neck—
"Don't bully my sister—!!!"
Just as Takeshi was about to strike, a voice rang out incredibly loudly. Takeshi subconsciously glanced to the side and saw a flash of fiery red—
A young boy charged toward Takeshi and, in the moment Takeshi was dazed, crashed into his chest.
Before Takeshi could react, the boy suddenly grabbed his shoulders.
Before Takeshi could speak, the boy shouted with his huge voice: "I'm sorry—"
Thud—
Takeshi felt as if his forehead had been hit by a car traveling at high speed. Instantly, a wave of dizziness washed over him.
His eyes rolled back—
A revolving lantern of memories began—he seemed to have returned to his original world, forcing smiles on the internet like a clown...—
"Ah!"
Takeshi woke up with a start, noisy sounds reaching his ears.
"Mmm! Mmm!"
"Nezuko, Nezuko, please calm down! He's a human, a comrade, not food!"
"Mmm..."
Nezuko struggled in the boy's arms for a good while before slowly falling into a deep sleep, as if exhausted.
"I'm..."
Takeshi slowly sat up. As soon as his hand touched his forehead, intense dizziness and a splitting pain from his brow made him gasp.
"Hiss—"
"Ah, you're awake!"
Seeing Takeshi wake up, the boy first carefully laid the sleeping Nezuko flat on the nearby Tatami mat, then immediately turned to Takeshi with a movement so fast it kicked up a gust of wind.
Following that, with a "thump," he assumed the most standard Dogeza posture, pressing his forehead firmly against the Tatami in front of Takeshi:
"Um, I'm extremely sorry for hitting you with my head! Once I have money, I will definitely compensate you!"
Takeshi's head was in a daze.
The boy in front of him, who was frantically apologizing, was none other than the protagonist of this story, Kamado Tanjiro.
Ah, he remembered.
While he was fighting with Nezuko, Tanjiro had rushed over and knocked him unconscious with a headbutt.
One should know that Tanjiro was teased by many as the 'Head Hashira'!
That hit was indeed powerful, and Takeshi had certainly experienced it... "It's fine..." Takeshi endured the dizziness and sat up, looking around. This was a simple but tidy Japanese-style room, and he was lying on a laid-out futon. "By the way, where is this..."
"Eh? You don't remember?" Tanjiro suddenly looked up, the worry on his face deepening, his eyes turning a bit red. "As I thought, was that hit too hard? It caused you to lose your recent memories. I'm truly sorry, I will definitely take full responsibility!"
What is this kid freaking out about now?
"Hmm? You're awake?"
While Takeshi was still confused, an old man wearing a light blue kimono and a Tengu Mask walked in. "Kochō Takeshi, if you want me to take you as a Disciple, please come out with me once you've rested."
"Kochō... Takeshi?"