"For over a hundred years… the Upper Moons have never been replaced…"
As Enmu died, several silhouettes he had never personally seen flashed through his mind.
They came from the memories Muzan Kibutsuji had planted in him.
"Even after Lord Muzan granted me so much blood… I still cannot defeat a Hashira class Demon Slayer?"
"How utterly tragic…"
Without a head, Enmu had lost all strength.
His body scattered in the cold night breeze, turning to ash bit by bit.
"It seems you have mastered Total Concentration Breathing, Constant."
Kyojuro Rengoku walked up to Tanjiro, studying him seriously.
"Your abdomen is bleeding. Use your breathing to stop it first."
He pointed at Tanjiro's stomach, where the fall had torn him open. His Demon Slayer uniform was soaked through, fresh blood still leaking out.
"Breathing… to stop the bleeding?"
Tanjiro froze for a second.
Breathing techniques could do that?
Seeing his confusion, Rengoku explained patiently.
"The uses of breathing are ever changing. As you grow more familiar with Total Concentration Breathing, Constant, you will be able to apply it in more ways. For now, you must learn to restrain your strength. If you keep bleeding like this, your life will be in danger."
Once he finished explaining, he began to guide Tanjiro step by step.
"Focus your mind. Sharpen each breath. Let your breathing travel to every corner of your body. Find the torn blood vessels, then seal them."
Tanjiro's breathing turned rough and shallow.
The side effects of blood loss were already showing in full.
Gritting his teeth, he followed Rengoku's words and activated his breathing.
Closing his eyes, he sank his consciousness into his body.
His awareness flowed along his blood and veins, circling through every part of him.
"Found it."
Tanjiro whispered in surprise, then adjusted his breathing with even more care.
"Wrap the ruptured vessel."
Rengoku continued to guide him while watching Tanjiro's condition closely.
"Right there."
At his own low murmur, Tanjiro's consciousness seemed to press against the torn blood vessel, wrapping around it with his breath.
At last, the bleeding stopped.
"Well done."
Rengoku straightened, a faint hint of approval in his eyes.
"You are still a long way from becoming a Hashira, but if you train every day, you will certainly be stronger than you were yesterday."
"Breathing techniques can do all sorts of things. They are not omnipotent, but they are far from simple."
As he spoke, he lightly tapped a finger against Tanjiro's forehead.
"Young man, I have high hopes for you."
"Thank you."
Tanjiro struggled to his feet, worry written all over his face.
"What about the passengers on the train?"
"I just checked the cars."
Vincent Fox walked back from the wreck and reported to the group.
"Many are injured, but no one is in mortal danger."
He glanced at Tanjiro.
"So stop worrying and focus on resting."
Hearing that, Tanjiro finally let out a small breath of relief.
Suddenly.
The ground began to tremble.
A figure walked out of the mist.
A pair of eerie eyes stared straight at them.
Rengoku immediately went on guard.
His right hand dropped to the hilt of his flame guard Nichirin Blade. He stared at that pair of slowly approaching eyes and readied himself.
The Demon Slayers around him all tensed, gripping their swords tightly.
As the mist dispersed, a young man's figure became clear.
He wore only a thin red sleeveless shirt. Complex markings covered the skin of his bare upper body.
Tanjiro forced himself to look up.
His gaze met a pair of pale yellow eyes.
In the demon's pupils, several characters were clearly written.
Upper Rank.
Three.
The newcomer was Upper Rank Three, Akaza.
The brief eye contact only lasted an instant.
Akaza moved.
He blurred like an apparition, fist driving straight toward the still prone Tanjiro.
"Damn it."
Breath curling around his lips, Rengoku's hand tightened on his sword hilt. His Nichirin Blade was about to leave its sheath when a streak of flame flashed first.
A blazing sword arc struck Akaza's arm and chopped his fist clean off.
"Mr. Fox."
Tanjiro looked gratefully at Vincent.
Forced back, Akaza glanced at his severed arm with mild curiosity.
In the next instant, the limb regrew in a smooth, fluid motion.
"So fast…"
Tanjiro sucked in a sharp breath.
The regeneration of this demon was on a completely different level than the Lower Rank they had just fought on the train.
"Regeneration is rapid, the pressure is overwhelming, and the demon aura is dense."
Rengoku raised his voice, warning the others.
"This opponent will be troublesome. Stay sharp."
He cast Vincent a quick look.
"I did not expect your swordsmanship to be this close to Hashira level. I will leave their protection to you."
"I will handle it. Please fight without holding back."
Vincent nodded and stepped in front of the others, blocking Akaza's line of approach.
"An Upper Rank chooses to strike the wounded first. Is that how you demons conduct yourselves?"
Rengoku's gaze turned stern as he faced Akaza. There was anger in his tone.
"I judged he would only get in the way of my conversation with you. Besides…"
Akaza cast a glance of open disdain at Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
"I despise weak humans the most. Why do such fragile beings insist on living? They may as well hurry up and die."
"Still, tonight has a pleasant surprise. The two of you are strong."
His eyes lit with a hint of genuine appreciation as he pointed toward Rengoku and Vincent.
"I can see it at a glance. You are both powerful. Tell me. Do you want to become demons?"
His fists clenched slowly as he coaxed them.
"Your fighting spirit blazes like fire. Both of you are Hashira level Demon Slayers, are you not? You stand very close to the highest realm."
"But do you know why you can never reach it?"
"Because you are human. You will age. You will die. It is pathetic."
He clicked his tongue in pity and went on.
"If you become demons, you will gain an inexhaustible lifespan. If you train with me, there is no doubt you will reach the highest realm."
Vincent was unmoved. His gaze on Upper Rank Three remained cold.
Rengoku gave his answer with a shake of the head.
"I disagree. It is precisely because humans age and die that we are precious."
"Within a short life, weak humans still accomplish countless things. That kind of person is already strong."
"And besides…"
He looked over at Tanjiro, who was struggling up from the ground, and spoke with firm conviction.
"Tanjiro is not weak. I will not allow you to insult him."
"No matter what you say, I will never become a demon. I am a Demon Slayer."
"Is that so?"
Akaza narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to Vincent.
"Do you feel the same way?"
Vincent did not answer with words.
He slowly lifted his sword and pointed the blade straight at Akaza.
No rage.
No roar.
The oppressive intent alone was enough.
"Very good."
Akaza's eyes darkened, killing intent spilling out.
"Then you can both die by my hand."
He stomped down hard.
A snowflake-shaped pattern spread from under his foot, glowing with a sinister red light.
"Technique Development."
----------------------------------------------------
The deeper he goes, the more the truth unravels. Don't wait read ahead and witness Vincent's rise before the world catches up!
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