Over the past week everyone made preparations for a huge moment in all of the DSC's known history. The Ishikari River. The third largest river in the whole of Japan.
There's no doubting the river was beautiful as well as the pleasant scenery around it. It had pleasant atmosphere and was often a place many people came to visit.
Unlike how it was usually, there were no animals roaming it's banks, the sun was covered by dark gray clouds and the wind howled as it blew through the leaves of the huge trees around it.
The area was tense and while it had seemed nothing was happening all animals in the vicinity felt the coming chaos and scattered away.
Stretching for 268 kilometers and a width of 700 meters, the Ishikari river was going to become one the worlds most historic spots, but would obviously never be known by the public.
The meeting between demon and demon slayer is soon to come within a few more hours.
…
"Umm, I don't really know what to say to you all right now, but in a few hours I'll be meeting with the Insect Hashira, the Water Hashira, and the Sound Hashira. The meeting could go either way.
They could betray our agreement and come at me and my student with the full force of the DSC or they can honor our agreement and come with everyone who was supposed to come.
I can feel that a lot of you are extremely tense tight now and honestly it's understandable. I mean, we're one step closer to creating a paradise for all demons along with the possibilities of turning everyone who doesn't want to be a demon back to human.
I can't say I completely trust the DSC even if this meeting goes well. At the end of the day, we're only talking and nothing will be official if it isn't ran through their leader.
What'll happen if their leader disapproves? All. Out. War. Even if this meeting has potential to sail smoothly, at this point all of u should have enough strength to take a Hashira alone or together. No excuses.
While I'm at the meeting in case things go South I'll have this seal made by Habuki for communication. My gramps will hear it all and play it for you guys to hear as well.
I don't want u all too close by, but if it's needed I'll want you all on standby.
I'll do my best at the meeting to make it go smoothly, so wish me luck I guess."
Kyoshi turned around to leave the Infinite Castle through the door behind him amidst the applause he received.
He got his hair ruffled by a proud Muzan as he passed by with Rin as they both jumped out the door and landed on the ground in a forest.
Just through the forest line they saw a dirt trail which they decided to take to the river.
They had hours to get there so they weren't in any big rush and took their time with some ideal chat
They both wore more formal attire than usual. A neat, pitch black kimono for Kyoshi with his sword being secured through his obi along with wooden clogs.
While Rin wore a black and red military uniform for women.
…
About 150 or so miles away from then was a train that was headed towards Shinjuku. It was a rather famous train, both for the horrors that happened in the past along with its speed.
The Mugen Train.
Inside of which held one of the Hashira who was on his way to go check on the demon situation still taking place in Shinjuku as he ate his multiple bento's.
Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira.
He turned his eyes to his left and showed a big smile as he wolfed down the rest of the bento he was eating and jumped off the train from the back cart.
With a grin on his face as he inhaled sharply, Rengoku blasted off breaking the sound barrier as he did so, towards the location of two powerful demons.
It was his job to do so even if that meant he needed to die.
…
"Rin." Kyoshi said as he looked towards his left and saw Rengoku dashing towards them. He sneered and slightly popped his sword from the sheath as he prepared a quick draw attack.
Rengoku did the same and the two collided with a huge shockwave being produced. At the same time Kyoshi pushed Rin back because he knew she wasn't strong enough for him just by his aura.
He was on par with the upper moons.
The two broke off from their standstill and Rengoku pointed his sword towards Kyoshi.
"I am Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hadhira of the Demon Slayer Corps. It's my duty to vanquish demons at all cost so prepare yourself!!" Rengoku yelled with vigor.
His usual bog smile was still there with his vibrant eyes looking towards Kyoshi with determination.
Kyoshi didn't reply and instead signaled for Rin to go on up ahead. She activated the first phase of her Demon Blood Art and Sped past Rengoku. He vanished and was just able to get in front of her with his sword coming down for her neck.
Suddenly Kyoshi appeared and and parried his attack with his own blade. He followed up with a kick making Rengoku back away.
"You're just as skilled as they said." Rengoku commented.
"I know."
Kyoshi quickly ran towards Rengoku with his sword low to the ground. He slashed upwards causing Rengoku to push forward so his guard wasn't compromised.
Kyoshi, spun off the attack to the right and sent a slash towards his neck looking gor a quick finish, but Rengoku was able to block the attack with his sword raising vertically.
"Well trained indeed!!" Rengoku said as he ducked under a slash from Kyoshi and whipped his sword outward towards Kyoshi's stomach.
Kyoshi twisted his body causing the sword to rip through his waist, but with his momentum he was about to behead Rengoku, but he dodged the attack and backed away.
Kyoshi's wounds had already healed, but his kimono was still ruined much to his annoyance.
"Alright."
Kyoshi activated his Kakugan as he dashed towards Rengoku. While he was taken a bit off guard by the change in Kyoshi's eyes, he readied his blade with a low stance and dashed towards Kyoshi.
'Flame Breathing-'
Before Rengoku could get into his full stance, Kyoshi cut him off with a powerful slash above his head.
He ducked and tried to switch forms only for Kyoshi to shoot his knee out towards Rengoku's face.
He shifted his blade and blocked the knee, but was sent flying back.
Kyoshi ran towards him and and with one hand he slashed his sword downward on Rengoku who put his sword up to block.
He parried and got low to sweep Kyoshi's legs, but failed when Kyoshi flipped back.
He sprung forward after touching the ground and quickly drew his sword in a horizontal slash.
Rengoku jumped over the high pressure blade of wind coming towards him and as he was coming down towards Kyoshi he was in the perfect stance for his Third Form.
'Blazing Universe!!'
A scorching heat radiated from his blade as swung it downward and cut off Kyoshi's hands. His sword hit the ground, but his hand grew back immediately.
Rengoku's expression had already turned serious and his smile was gone as he watched Kyoshi get into a martial arts stance. He already knew Kyoshi was good with and without a sword so he didn't let his guard down.
He watched Kyoshi lightly bounce in place before he caught a glimpse of his calf muscles twitching and he quickly put up his guard. In the next instance he felt a heavy recoil smash into the side of his blade.
"Hmm, nice block." Kyoshi commented.
Rengoku pushed his sword back and slashed towards Kyoshi.
He ducked and as the veins bulged in his arms, he sent a strong punch at Rengoku's stomach. He coughed up a bit of blood, but Kyoshi winced at the fact it wasn't as strong as Akaza's.
It seems his week of training could've been spent on hunting but meh.
Rengoku was pushed back but didn't let up or show signs of weakness. He dashed forward as well as Kyoshi who was prepared to throw another attack.
Rengoku inhaled sharply and spun his blade in a circular motion. Kyoshi's fist slammed into the blade, but was redirected to his left giving Rengoku an opening.
His sword just barely slashed Kyoshi's throat before he shot out a tail and flung himself away as his neck healed.
He watched Rengoku who didn't seem to be getting tired any time soon and took a breath. Activating his Kakugan increased his reflexes speed which was good, but the strength gap would get annoying.
Physically, he wasn't there with Akaza, but he did have a multitude of other things to make up for it.
He dropped his stance and 4 tails ripped through his back. Dark red tails with pulsing veins in them waved around behind Kyoshi. Thunder boomed as the wind grew ever so fierce.
Then a single drop of rain hit the ground.
Then another.
Then another.
Then another, till it was pouring down with the sound of frightened creatures looking for shelter in there ecosystem.
**********************************************
"Like a devastating storm, death comes randomly." -IDK
Enjoy the chapter lads.