Tanjiro clutched the still-dazed demon girl, Nezuko, and ran desperately down the mountain.
Asuka followed behind and could tell at a glance—the boy was covered in wounds. His breathing was heavy and erratic. He had to be enduring tremendous pain.
But if he wanted to live, this was necessary.
"Hey!"
Asuka was fast. In just a few strides, he darted up beside the tense and anxious Tanjiro.
"That form just now—how did you do it?"
Tanjiro was struggling even to breathe. Sweat mixed with dirt and blood blurred his vision, but he didn't dare close his eyes, nor did he dare stop. His eyes were fixed ahead so fiercely they seemed ready to bleed.
Hearing Asuka's voice, he instinctively tensed, then quickly relaxed.
It was the swordsman who had stood between him and the Lower Rank demon—and even blocked the others' attacks for him!
What does he want? Form? Is he talking about the Hinokami Kagura?
His thoughts faltered. His overtaxed body stumbled, and he crashed hard to the ground!
And the sister he treasured more than his own life—Nezuko—was flung from his arms by the fall.
"Nezuko—!"
Before she hit the ground, Asuka had already flashed forward, gently catching the drifting demon girl in his arms.
So light.
It was his first time holding a demon. The girl felt much lighter than she looked.
Tanjiro struggled to his feet, trembling as he ran toward Asuka, his eyes filled with concern and complicated emotion.
"That strike just now." Asuka spoke again, meeting Tanjiro's gaze. "Was it Flame Breathing? I could feel your aura burning."
"P-Please!"
But Tanjiro had no mind to discuss that. He gasped desperately for air, every bone in his body screaming in pain, his lungs feeling as though they were about to burst.
Seeing Nezuko just waking up in Asuka's arms, looking confused, he grabbed Asuka's haori like an injured animal and pleaded desperately.
"Please, save Nezuko! Please!"
"Nezuko... she's not a bad person. She... she's a demon who doesn't eat humans! If this goes on, she'll be killed!"
Summoning the last of his strength, he removed the wooden box from his back and set it down in front of him.
"I'll hold off the Demon Slayer Corps! Please take Nezuko and get out of here!"
Asuka's pupils contracted slightly. For some reason, something in his heart trembled faintly.
This scene... he felt as though he had seen it before.
A woman, crying, pleading, kneeling humbly on the ground, stuffing an infant into the arms of a stranger...
Who was she...?
"I don't care if it's the Hinokami Kagura or anything else! I'm begging you, swordsman!"
"...Alright."
As if possessed, Asuka agreed to Tanjiro's request. Nugata, having reverted to its Nichirin Blade form at his waist, let out a dissatisfied hum.
"But I don't need to take her away. Your family—protect her yourself."
"Huh?"
"Hide!"
Asuka tossed Nezuko back to Tanjiro and stepped in front of him.
From the moment he began following Tanjiro, Asuka's spiritual pressure had already spread silently, searching for potential danger or obstruction.
And now—it had arrived.
A swift, light presence was weaving through the forest at astonishing speed along a near-silent, butterfly-like trajectory, heading straight for them.
Shinobu Kocho? No—the aura felt different.
Whoosh—!!
A pink-purple figure cut through the air like a phantom!
A deep violet uniform skirt. A pink Nichirin Blade. A white cloak with the character for "Slay" emblazoned on the back.
A Demon Slayer.
The girl from the Demon Slayer Corps tapped lightly off a branch, her body twisting gracefully like a petal caught in the wind, streaking through the forest shadows at incredible speed—aiming straight for Nezuko!
Tanjiro recognized her as one of the examinees from Mount Fujikasane, though he didn't know her name. He shouted urgently in an attempt to stop her.
Asuka, who had entered the Corps through special recommendation, didn't know her either. But even if he did, if she stood against him, he would still act!
"Wind Wrap."
His left leg snapped upward in a fierce high kick infused with Wind Breathing, intercepting her path.
His teacher had said that Demon Slayers were not to attack one another without reason, so he did not draw his blade recklessly—choosing instead to subdue her with his fists and feet.
Whoosh!!
Facing the kick, the doll-like girl's expression shifted ever so slightly.
This man isn't a Hashira—but he's strong.
In midair, she displayed astonishing flexibility and control, folding her waist at an unbelievable angle like a puppet pulled by invisible strings, lightly evading Asuka's attack.
What kind of movement technique is this?
Asuka was momentarily stunned.
During his training, he knew that there were five major schools of Breathing in the world, but he had only experienced the ferocity and force of Wind Breathing. He knew little of the others.
It seemed all of them were worth studying.
The sharp wind pressure grazed past her temple, slicing away several strands of hair.
She landed lightly on a thick horizontal branch, crouching low like a poised kitten.
Her right hand silently tightened around the hilt of her Nichirin Blade. Her pink-violet eyes stared calmly at Asuka.
Though she did not speak, Asuka clearly understood the message in her gaze:
Move aside.
He slowly lowered his leg, raising his fists in a balanced offensive and defensive stance.
"Sorry. Not now."
Without further words, her figure vanished from the branch in an instant.
Asuka felt his vision blur.
The air seemed to bloom with phantom flowers. Multiple pink afterimages, indistinguishable between real and fake, swept toward him from different angles like petals caught in a gale!
Clang!!
He drew his Asauchi at top speed, blocking in front of Nezuko's face as sparks flew!
The girl's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn't expected him to perceive her so quickly.
It was simple. Asuka wasn't relying on sight—but spiritual pressure.
When her first strike failed, she twisted and used the momentum to spin, sweeping her blade horizontally again! Once more, Asuka blocked steadily, prompting a colder look from her.
"Hurry and go." Asuka met her gaze, reminding Tanjiro behind him.
Tanjiro snapped out of his daze, shouted his thanks, and fled deeper into the forest with Nezuko in his arms.
The girl attempted to pursue, but her blade was firmly pinned by Asuka, unable to move.
"If you get serious, I'll go all out."
After all, they bore no deep hatred as fellow Demon Slayers.
With Asuka's warning, the girl retreated, sheathing her blade, attempting instead to shake him off with her nimble footwork.
Her breathing accelerated, her steps bursting forward. Her figure flashed ahead, nearly catching up to Tanjiro!
Fortunately, Asuka reacted quickly, unleashing a flurry of violent slashes in front of him, stirring up a chaotic whirlwind of Wind Breathing!
The scattered sand and debris disrupted her footing, and her blade ultimately failed to reach Nezuko.
Frustrated by Asuka's interference, she began slicing through thick branches behind her, attempting to use obstacles as thick as bowls to slow his pursuit. But Asuka cleaved them apart effortlessly.
Thus, the two engaged in a chase along Tanjiro's escape path—only the flowers and trees suffered.
Finally, after rounding a bend, Tanjiro's stamina gave out. His movements visibly slowed.
The girl seized the opportunity. Pouring her full power into her Breathing, she transformed into a streak of pink light and struck toward Nezuko.
At the same time, Asuka prepared to unleash his fastest sword form—considering whether he should simply shatter her Nichirin Blade...
Caw—!!! Caw—!!!
"Master's order! Master's order!"
The sharp cries of Kasugai Crows abruptly shattered the killing intent beneath the night sky!
At that moment, whether it was the girl whose blade had nearly pierced Nezuko, Asuka whose Asauchi hovered before the pink blade, or even Shinobu Kocho, who was still locked in struggle with Giyu Tomioka elsewhere—all turned their attention toward the sound.
The Kasugai Crows weaved through the forest, delivering their message loudly to every Demon Slayer still within Spider Mountain:
"Capture Demon Slayer Tanjiro and the demon girl Nezuko alive! Bring them back to headquarters! Bring them back to headquarters!"
"Tanjiro, wearing a checkered haori, with a scar on his forehead! Nezuko, the demon girl with a bamboo muzzle! That is all!"
Caw—!!!
"Repeating: Master's order..."
Hearing the message echo through the forest, Asuka and the girl exchanged a glance and silently sheathed their blades.
Looking at Tanjiro's still-frantic eyes, Asuka spoke in a low voice:
"My mission is complete. When will I receive my payment?"