Feng Yu furrowed his brows as he gazed into the distance, while Xiao Hei pushed himself to his limits, maximizing his speed.
"Why is this happening again… just like last time…"
Feng Yu raised his head to look at the sky, as if feeling invisible strings pulling at him, controlling not only his actions but the very events unfolding in the world around him.
(While lying in bed and browsing my phone, the idea for spicy dried tofu hotpot suddenly startled me!!!)
(Cough, just kidding...)
"Master, the Water Pillar's crow has sent word that two Upper Rank demons have been encountered. One is the same demon we faced at Mount Tiancheng, but the other is unknown. All we know is that it hides within a pot..."
"All the Pillars without assignments have already started heading toward the Water Pillar's location!"
Xiao Hei, sensing Feng Yu's anxiety, spoke up quickly.
"A pot… a demon in a pot… could it be the Fifth Upper Rank… Gyokko?"
Feng Yu thought back to his previous life and realized that among all the demons, only Gyokko seemed to fit the description.
"Akaza and Gyokko… Giyu Tomioka is likely in danger…"
"I hope he can hold out until I arrive…"
Suddenly, the corner of Feng Yu's eye caught a glimpse of a white figure dashing across the ground.
"Xiao Bai!"
Xiao Hei immediately understood, and began descending from the sky, though his speed remained unchanged until they reached the edge of a cliff.
On the ground, Xiao Bai leapt into the air. Beneath the bright moonlight, three tails swished behind him.
Xiao Bai's size gradually shrank, until he landed directly in Feng Yu's arms.
"Master, you forgot to bring me along. I told you, wherever you go, Xiao Bai will be there!"
Xiao Bai expressed his dissatisfaction with being left behind, but Feng Yu's gentle strokes soon soothed his mood.
"I didn't expect Xiao Bai's speed to have increased so much. Even Xiao Hei, who can break the sound barrier, had trouble keeping up. It seems that this transformation isn't just about gaining the ability to summon deities."
Feng Yu looked at Xiao Bai, who was nestling into his arms, and sighed.
Meanwhile, in the Demon Slayer Corps, the Flame Pillar, Insect Pillar, and Wind Pillar were all speeding toward the scene.
"Is it the same demon from before?"
Shinobu Kochou recalled the terrifying aura Akaza had radiated back then, her face now serious, losing the usual smile.
"Hmph, no matter how strong the demons are, I can still take them down!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa glanced at Shinobu's serious expression, speaking with arrogance.
"Ha, now this is getting exciting. Sanemi, are you planning to burn yourself out in the fight?" The flame-patterned haori fluttered in the wind, resembling a blazing fire.
Of the three Pillars, only Shinobu had felt the crushing pressure of an Upper Rank demon. She alone understood the terrifying strength of such foes.
She remained silent, unwilling to back down. After all, she was a Pillar, and a girl seeking revenge for her family.
Kyojuro Rengoku smiled, exuding a sense of security, but this would be his first time facing an Upper Rank demon. His blood was beginning to boil with the anticipation of the battle.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, though speaking arrogantly, bore the scars of his violent past, making him all the more ferocious.
"Tch, if that kid could defeat Upper Rank Three, then these Upper Rank demons must be weak!" Sanemi said.
Shinobu and Rengoku did not speak, but continued on their way as fast as possible.
Tianshan Village
Giyu Tomioka, lying on the ground, slowly rose to his feet. However, blood continued to drip from his arm, indicating that his injuries were more severe than his calm expression suggested.
He climbed to his feet and coldly glared at the two demons before him, whose overwhelming presence sent a chill down his spine.
His azure blade was tightly gripped in his hand.
"Tsk, not bad. You must be one of the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps," Akaza sneered.
"To think you're still standing after being hit by my Destruction Kill – Final Form – Blue Eye Raging Light. I've already acknowledged you!"
"My name is Akaza, Upper Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki. Come, become a demon and join me in exploring the highest realm!"
"A human body only limits you. You'll grow old, you'll die, your strength will fade. But if you become a demon… you'll have eternal life and the ability to heal instantly from any injury!"
Akaza extended his hand, inviting Giyu Tomioka.
However, Giyu Tomioka said nothing. He merely reached into his cloak and took out a healing pill created by the Demon Slayer Corps, swallowing it in one go.
As the pill entered his body, Giyu's injuries began to heal.
"See, this is what you humans are like—when you're injured, you can only wait. But demons can heal instantly, even regrow severed limbs!" Akaza continued mockingly.
Then, Akaza tore off his own arm and casually reattached it. The wound sprouted countless flesh buds that intertwined and healed, until the arm was as good as new.
Giyu Tomioka remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on Akaza.
"You must have been trained by the same master as that last one, Natsukawa Feng Yu. Your breathing style is exactly the same, though that demon slayer seems to use other styles as well…" Akaza said with a knowing smile.
When Giyu Tomioka heard Feng Yu's name, his expression shifted slightly, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual indifference.
Before Akaza could say more, the demon hiding in the pot slowly emerged. A fishy stench filled the air.
The creature was entirely white, with yellow eyes, green lips, and purple fish fins on its head. Its mouth was located where the eyes should be, and its eyes were on the forehead and where the mouth should be. Several small arms sprouted from its head and other places. The appearance of Gyokko was revolting, a stark contrast to the elegance of Akaza.
"Giggle giggle, I think I can smell a tender little girl inside. Heh heh, must be delicious!" Gyokko chuckled excitedly.
Bang!
A powerful force slammed into Gyokko, sending it crashing into a house and trapping it underneath.
Akaza's face darkened, and he punched Gyokko away. "I told you, no eating women in front of me!"
Gyokko struggled to free itself from the debris, its face twisted in anger as it glared at Akaza.
Though aware that it lacked the strength to fight Akaza, Gyokko remembered Muzan's orders and swallowed its fury.
"Sorry, Akaza-san, it was Gyokko's fault…" Gyokko said, its eyes locked on Giyu Tomioka while its heart marveled at Akaza's growing strength.