"The atmosphere here is so eerie, it gives me chills," remarked a Demon Slayer Corps member gripping his Nichirin Blade amidst the mountain forest.
"Indeed. This place reeks of malevolence—it's practically screaming for demons to appear. But with Forest Hashira and Maple Hashira leading us this time, even if we encounter an Upper Moon Demon, we shouldn't have to fear it, right?" his comrade replied lightheartedly.
"That's true. By the way Izumo, after this mission, take me to try that eel rice place you mentioned last time. I've been craving it for ages."
"No problem! Let me tell you, Yukimi's eel rice is absolutely divine! Especially their teriyaki sauce—ahhhh, just thinking about it makes me drool~"
Just as their conversation veered further off-topic, an unsettling rustle suddenly emerged from a nearby bushes.
Instantly, the two previously relaxed Demon Slayer Corps members tensed up.
"Something's there!"
"Izumo! Keep watch. I'll go first. If anything seems off, signal immediately!" One Demon Slayer tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade and cautiously approached the rustling bushes, while the other remained on guard.
"Be careful!"
Swish!
The bushes was sliced open with the Nichirin Blade, revealing a young woman lying on the ground, drenched in blood, her eyes filled with despair as she stared at the sky.
"Huh? A woman?!" The Demon Slayer gaped at the figure.
A woman appearing in the middle of this desolate forest was beyond strange.
Judging by her attire, she seemed to be a hunter.
But Demon Slayers weren't fools—caution remained paramount.
His blade stayed drawn.
"Izumo! There's an injured woman here!"
"A woman? No way! In these mountains, in the dead of night? How could there be a human? Kotetsu, be careful—it might be a demon!" Izumo shouted in warning.
Kotetsu carefully examined the hunter girl.
Upon seeing the Demon Slayer, the despair in her eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope.
Trembling, she raised a hand and gasped out, "H-help me... There's... a monster..."
"Izumo! She really is human! Quick, throw me the first aid kit! She must have encountered a demon."
"What? She's actually human?" Izumo was stunned but immediately retrieved the kit from his waist and rushed over.
.....
Meanwhile, deep within the vast forest, over a dozen Demon Slayer Corps members were spread out, searching for traces of demons.
Shinichi and Yuichiro led separate teams into the heart of the woods.
According to intelligence, one of the Twelve Demon Moons was likely hiding in these mountains.
Given the gravity of the situation, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, had directly dispatched the nearest Hashira—Forest Hashira Shinichi Moriki and Maple Hashira Yuichiro Tokito—to carry out the demon-slaying mission.
Rustle!
With a casual tug, Shinichi ripped down a thick vine coiled around a towering tree.
His gaze lingered on the heart-shaped green fruits clinging to the vine, lost in thought.
"I recognize this. I've seen it before when gathering herbs with my grandfather in the mountains. It's called Mukago—can be used as medicine to treat sore throats, but needs processing. Eating it raw is poisonous," said a Demon Slayer Corps member following Shinichi, identifying the fruit in his hand.
Shinichi examined the fruit. "So it's called mukago, huh."
Crunch!
With a casual squeeze, white juice seeped through his fingers.
Narrowing his eyes, he gazed deeper into the distant mountain forest.
Whoosh!
His left eye gleamed emerald green—Breath of the Forest, Eighth Form: Whispering Forest Eyes!
Turbulent life forces and deathly auras twisted together in clear distortion.
The mountains indeed hid demons, but none matched the level of the Twelve Demon Moons.
Yet these demonic presences showed signs of converging—a behavior that began only as the Demon Slayer Corps tightened their search perimeter, as if the demons were willingly allowing themselves to be encircled.
"If there really is a Twelve Demon Moon here, should I call them cunning or foolish? What's their purpose in gathering these demons?" Shinichi scoffed, flicking away the crushed remains of the fruit.
"Eizo!"
"Caw! Caw!" A large Kasugai Crow flapped its wings and landed steadily on Shinichi's shoulder.
"Gather everyone quickly and head towards the Maple Hashira. Also, inform Yuichiro—I'll meet him in the south," Shinichi ordered swiftly.
Eizo nodded. "Understood, caw!"
Once Eizo left, Shinichi turned to the two bewildered Demon Slayer Corps members behind him.
"You heard me?"
"Ah? Forest Hashira, sir, do you mean... we should also regroup with the Maple Hashira?" one asked hesitantly.
"Correct."
"But what about you?"
"I have my own plans. Go now—tonight's battle will be tough."
"Yes!"
After sending them off, Shinichi crouched and lightly patted the ground.
"Maru-ni?"
Whoosh!
A black bolt shot from the shadows—a muscular wolf form with gleaming fangs, its presence alone enough to intimidate anyone.
After some time apart, Maru-ni's aura had grown even fiercer.
In his demonized state, his jet-black fur seemed tipped with flickering dark flames.
A low growl rumbled from Maru-ni's throat as Shinichi stroked his head, listening intently.
"So... roughly seventeen demons? A wooden hut? Strange behavior? With that description, this Twelve Demon Moon isn't simple. Could its Blood Demon Art involve controlling other demons? Interesting." Satisfied with the intel, Shinichi gave Maru-ni massive head an approving pat.
"Good work, Maru-ni."
...
Meanwhile, unaware that her location and abilities were largely exposed, Mukago was fully activating her Blood Demon Art, manipulating over a dozen nearby demons.
Though their strength was lackluster, if they could stall the Hashira even briefly, she'd have ample time to set her trap undisturbed.
By then, even if she couldn't kill the Hashira, she could at least severely injure them.
At the very least, even if she couldn't wound them badly, there would definitely be enough time to cover her escape.
Mukago had great confidence in her fleeing skills!
"Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, I'm truly sorry. I don't want this either—I really don't want to fight you. But there's no choice—if you don't die, then I will. And I don't want to die yet," Mukago muttered while kneading two lumpy fruits in her hands.
The fruits she held were none other than the very same 'Mukago' that shared her name.
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