Obanai was sent flying by the tremendous force of Meng Xiyu's punch, crashing heavily into a nearby tree before sliding to the ground.
"Mr. Iguro!" Mitsuri cried out as she rushed to his side, desperately checking the extent of his injuries.
The others also grew alarmed the moment they saw Obanai's condition.
"You still have time to worry about someone else?" Hera sneered coldly as she swung both of her scythe-like forearms in a wide arc. Towering trees were sliced clean through, toppling toward Obanai and the others like an avalanche of timber.
Sanemi immediately dashed forward, kicking aside the falling trunks one after another, but there were simply too many to stop alone.
At the critical moment, Mitsuri seized Obanai and pulled him clear of the collapsing trees, preventing him from being crushed beneath them.
Kanae took advantage of the opening, spinning gracefully as she launched a continuous barrage of sword strikes at Hera. She knew she couldn't compete with Hera's overwhelming physical strength, so she focused entirely on speed and precision.
Moreover, as a demon who had retained her humanity, Kanae no longer feared fatal injuries in the same way a human swordsman would. Fighting recklessly to create opportunities for her comrades was a risk she was willing to take.
Genya supported her from the rear, carefully firing precise shots whenever Hera exposed even the smallest opening.
Sanemi couldn't allow Kanae to face such a terrifying opponent alone. Without hesitation, he abandoned the fallen trees and rushed back into the battle.
Meanwhile, Meng Xiyu glanced smugly toward Obanai.
"So that's your face beneath the bandages. No wonder you keep it hidden. It's hideous."
Obanai remained conscious, but he didn't dare look toward Mitsuri.
He feared seeing horror… disgust… disappointment reflected in her eyes.
But he was completely mistaken.
To Mitsuri, the scars covering Obanai's mouth were not ugly in the slightest. Without hesitation, she stepped in front of him, shielding him with her own body as she faced Meng Xiyu alone.
"Mr. Iguro isn't ugly at all! You're the ugly one! You horrible bug! Weird bug! Stinky bug!"
Mitsuri was far too kind to insult anyone properly. In her mind, "big meanie" was probably the harshest thing anyone could say.
In a world filled with humans, demons, and monstrous insects constantly exchanging vicious taunts, she truly was a refreshing exception.
With renewed determination, Mitsuri tightened her grip on her flexible Nichirin Blade.
Love Breathing, First Form: Shivers of First Love!
Her whip-like blade danced through the air with astonishing speed, launching an elegant yet relentless assault against Meng Xiyu.
Even Meng Xiyu had to admit the technique was extraordinary. Its speed and precision were exceptional.
But he was no ordinary opponent. He possessed strength capable of contending with even Akaza for a time.
Of course, "contending evenly" was merely a flattering description. In reality, he had been thoroughly overwhelmed before ultimately retreating. Such embellishment was simply a matter of preserving one's dignity.
Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Winds of Love!
Mitsuri gracefully evaded Meng Xiyu's close-range attacks time after time while counterattacking from impossible angles.
For the moment, she completely suppressed him.
Yet humans possessed one undeniable weakness.
No matter how gifted a Hashira might be, their stamina and endurance could never truly rival creatures like these monstrous insects, whose physical resilience approached that of demons.
The instant Mitsuri's movements slowed ever so slightly, Meng Xiyu seized the opportunity.
His fist slammed directly into her abdomen.
BOOM!
Obanai's heart nearly stopped.
Mitsuri was blasted backward, crashing to the ground beside him.
Meng Xiyu strode forward confidently, preparing to deliver the finishing blow.
Then…
Mitsuri stood up.
She rose as though nothing had happened.
Meng Xiyu froze in disbelief.
Was this woman another demon?
His Blood Demon Art had struck her head-on. Her uniform had been torn open across her abdomen by the explosion.
Yet aside from superficial damage to her clothing, she remained standing.
Obanai forced himself back to his feet as well.
He could not continue hiding behind Mitsuri forever.
Without hesitation, Mitsuri charged once more.
Love Breathing, Third Form: Catlove Shower!
Her movements became even more agile than before, leaving Meng Xiyu struggling merely to defend himself. Every slash threatened to carve into his true body, forcing him to protect himself constantly.
Obanai's eyes narrowed.
His scarred lips curled into a fierce grin as he struck once again, moving like a venomous serpent waiting for the perfect opportunity.
"You actually dare come close?" Meng Xiyu roared, raising both fists to crush Obanai's skull with a single blow.
Suddenly…
The hilt of a Nichirin Blade appeared directly before his eyes.
The sword that had slipped from Obanai's grasp moments earlier had somehow returned.
Before Meng Xiyu could comprehend what had happened, another figure appeared between them.
Mitsuri caught both of his fists with her bare hands.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the surrounding forest.
Blood flowed from Mitsuri's palms.
Her sleeves were shredded.
Yet her eyes never wavered.
Meng Xiyu genuinely began doubting reality itself.
Was this woman even human?
She possessed absurd physical strength, and despite catching the full force of his Blood Demon Art, she had suffered nothing more than torn skin and bleeding hands.
What he didn't know was that Mitsuri Kanroji had been born with muscles approximately eight times denser than those of an ordinary human.
Her seemingly delicate frame concealed overwhelming physical power.
A true prodigy blessed by nature.
Obanai refused to let Mitsuri's sacrifice go to waste.
Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Narrow-Headed Serpent!
Entering a state of complete concentration, Obanai finally perceived the location of Meng Xiyu's true core.
It appeared for only an instant.
But one instant was enough.
His winding Nichirin Blade pierced straight toward the hidden body, stopping less than an inch from the vital point.
Just before the blade could land…
Hera suddenly appeared.
Her scythe-like forearm hooked around Obanai's arm and hurled him violently aside.
At the same moment, the recovering Meng Xiyu lashed out with a kick, sending Mitsuri flying as well.
"We're leaving," Hera said calmly. "They're almost here… and this next one is strong."
From the distant tremors echoing through the forest, she could already sense the approach of an extraordinarily powerful opponent.
There was no reason to continue fighting.
She had not yet found the prey she truly sought, and prolonging this battle served no purpose.
Meng Xiyu trusted Hera's instincts completely.
Without another word, the two monstrous insects retreated together into the depths of the forest.
As for why they didn't finish off the Demon Slayers…
The answer was simple.
These opponents refused to stay down.
Especially that pink-haired woman.
To Meng Xiyu, Mitsuri Kanroji was practically a monster.
He had no confidence that he could kill them all before the approaching powerhouse arrived.
Moments after Hera and Meng Xiyu disappeared, the strongest warrior of the Demon Slayer Corps finally reached the battlefield.
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima.
Having only just completed another mission, he had not even returned to Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters before immediately rushing here after receiving the Kasugai Crow's report.
Back at the Ubuyashiki Estate…
Kagaya quietly listened as the returning swordsmen delivered their report.
Although none of the enemy had been slain, he was deeply grateful that every one of his comrades had returned alive.
That alone was a blessing.
When Tamayo heard Kyojuro recount Kokushibo's actions, hope quietly blossomed within her heart.
"Lord Kagaya," she said thoughtfully, "Lord Muzan can observe the memories of demons connected to him. If Kokushibo and Upper Rank Three Akaza openly spared the Demon Slayer Corps, then it likely means they have already severed their ties with Muzan."
This was one of the few genuinely encouraging developments.
Kagaya silently prayed that Kokushibo might someday stand with humanity.
Although…
Knowing Kokushibo, his true ambition was probably to unite both humans and demons under his own banner.
In a strange way, perhaps that wasn't entirely different.
While many celebrated everyone's survival, Tanjiro was on the verge of despair.
His Nichirin Blade…
…had been stolen.
Which meant there was only one possible solution.
He would have to ask Hotaru Haganezuka to forge him another sword.
The mere thought of facing Haganezuka after losing yet another blade made Tanjiro's soul leave his body.
He was absolutely doomed.
Meanwhile, as Kokushibo and Akaza traveled together, Kokushibo calmly explained everything he had built over the past decade.
Akaza listened in stunned silence.
"You really endured all of that for so many years…"
Kokushibo shook his head.
"It wasn't really endurance."
After all…
Watching Muzan constantly change appearances and identities over the centuries had been unexpectedly entertaining in its own bizarre way.
After a brief silence, Akaza asked another question.
"Then why didn't we simply have Nakime transport us through the Infinity Castle?"
"…"
Kokushibo remained completely silent.
Some questions…
…were better left unanswered. After all, not every oversight in the world required an explanation.
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