Boom!!!
Uzui Tengen's dual blades clashed violently with a demon resembling a turtle, sparks flying everywhere!
But this time, the Sound Hashira staggered noticeably, retreating several steps and nearly collapsing to the ground.
His breathing was rapid and ragged, the hilts of his Nichirin dual blades soaked in blood—both his own and the demon's.
"Damn it... this turtle's shell... is really tough!" Uzui Tengen gritted his teeth, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped his blades.
He had lost count of how many demons he had slain, and the horde of demons before him certainly wouldn't help him keep track.
Those crimson-eyed demons had only one command in their minds: tear the humans before them to shreds!
With a roar, the turtle demon led dozens of other demons as they bared their fangs and claws, charging madly toward Uzui Tengen once more!
"Sound Hashira-sama!!!" The Demon Slayer Corps members behind him wanted to assist, but they too were trapped in a sea of demons, unable to break free.
Uzui Tengen took a deep breath, ignoring his exhausted arms, and resolutely raised his dual blades once more.
"The magnificent me isn't going down that easily!"
Swish!
A streak of bluish-green light, like lightning tearing through space, suddenly shot into the battlefield from the edge!
Clang!
A deafening clash of metal! Shinichi's Nichirin Blade pierced through the turtle demon's abdomen in an instant, then sliced upward!.
The demon's grotesque head flew into the air!
"Shinichi?" Uzui Tengen's eyes widened, then he grinned, a look of relief spreading across his weary face.
"You... really know how to make an entrance!"
"Sorry I'm late." Shinichi flicked his wrist, shaking the demon's blood off his Nichirin Blade as he glanced sideways at Uzui Tengen.
"Can you still hold on?"
"What kind of question is that?!" Uzui Tengen, though covered in wounds, remained as imposing as ever.
"I am the magnificent Sound Hashira! These little injuries are nothing!"
Before his words faded, three figures followed closely behind Shinichi, charging into the battlefield!
"Hinokamikagura: Dance!" Tanjiro's crimson blade light slashed toward a low-level demon lunging at him, severing its head!
"Beast Breathing, Third Fang: Devouring Bite!" Inosuke roared, his dual blades whirling wildly as he tore two demons before him to pieces!
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!!!"
A golden bolt of lightning tore through the air! Zenitsu's figure transformed into a streak of thunder, instantly decapitating several demons along his path.
Upon landing, he tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade, his eyes burning with an unprecedented determination—the light of his inherited master's will.
"Oh! It's you kids!" Uzui Tengen's smile widened even further at the sight of Tanjiro and the other two.
"Perfect timing! Help me clean up this trash!"
With the four joining the fray, the situation instantly reversed! Shinichi's strength was unquestionable, and even Tanjiro and the others, though perhaps not yet at the level of a Hashira, were far stronger than ordinary Kinoe-ranked swordsmen.
Moreover, the three of them worked together seamlessly, their combined strength arguably matching that of a Hashira, greatly alleviating the pressure on Uzui Tengen and the other Demon Slayer Corps members.
"Forest Breathing, Fifth Form!" Shinichi's blade light resembled emerald bamboo breaking through the earth—straight and sharp.
The demons before him all wailed as they vanished within the bluish-green glow.
...
Some time later, inside the secret chamber.
Kiriya Ubuyashiki opened his eyes and looked at Shinichi, who had rushed into the room.
A relieved smile appeared on his youthful face. "Shinichi-san, thank you for your hard work."
Shinichi sheathed his Nichirin Blade and looked at the young child before him, his eyes filled with solemn respect as he bowed.
"Master, I have arrived late."
"No, you have arrived just in time," Kiriya Ubuyashiki said with a gentle smile. "Thanks to you and Tanjiro-san and the others, Tengen-san was able to catch his breath."
Shinichi nodded and was about to inquire about the battle situation when Kiriya Ubuyashiki's next words gripped his heart.
"Shinichi-san, Shinobu-san, Kanae-san, and Sanemi-san are currently engaged in a fierce battle with Upper Moon Two, Douma. The situation... is extremely intense."
Upon hearing this, Shinichi was startled. "Upper Moon Two, Douma?"
"Yes," Kiriya Ubuyashiki replied with a grave expression. "Moreover, according to the detection through Yushiro's Blood Demon Art, it seems Shinobu-san has used some kind of forbidden method. Her aura is mixed with demonic energy. Although they have temporarily suppressed Douma, the situation is far from optimistic."
Shinichi's heart sank heavily.
Mixed with demonic energy? What could that mean?
A certain possibility crossed his mind, and he could no longer remain seated.
"Master, I request permission to provide immediate support!" Shinichi said without hesitation.
Kiriya Ubuyashiki nodded. "Go. This place is safe for now. Tengen-san and Tanjiro will protect it well. Shinichi-san, I entrust you with this task—please bring everyone back safely!"
Shinichi nodded solemnly and was about to turn and leave when—
"Forest Hashira! Please wait!"
Yushiro's voice called out from behind.
Shinichi turned and saw Yushiro approaching quickly, his face gloomy.
His hands trembled slightly, and his eyes flickered with emotion, clearly indicating his unstable state of mind.
"Yushiro? What's wrong?"
Yushiro took a deep breath, as if trying to calm his emotions, then bowed deeply to Shinichi with utmost seriousness.
"I... I want to ask you... I beg you, please find Lady Tamayo!"
Shinichi was taken aback. "Lady Tamayo? She..."
"Lady Tamayo is still alive! Somewhere in the Infinity Fortress!" Yushiro raised his head, his tone unwavering.
"I can feel it! As a demon transformed by Lady Tamayo, I share a special bond with her! That connection, that resonance of blood... though faint, I can still feel it exists!"
He clenched his fists, his voice trembling with emotion. "Muzan captured Lady Tamayo for a reason. For hundreds of years, Lady Tamayo has researched demon blood, the cure for Muzan, the means to suppress demons... That bastard Shokyu must be trying to exploit Lady Tamayo's research!"
At this point, Yushiro bowed deeply once more. "My combat abilities are too weak. Among all the people I know, you are the strongest and most trustworthy. So, I beg you! Please find Lady Tamayo! You must rescue her!"
Shinichi fell silent for a moment, then extended his hand.
"I will do everything in my power!"