Tanjiro's group was gradually being pushed into a disadvantage. The illusions before them couldn't be destroyed at all.
While battling, Kyojuro Rengoku kept glancing at the Tsukumogami watching nearby. Perhaps, if he could eliminate it, the illusions would disappear.
"Flame Breathing, Sixth Form: Blazing Flame Tornado!"
Swinging his Nichirin Blade, Rengoku unleashed a whirlwind of fire that surged toward the Tsukumogami.
But just as he closed in, Rengoku's own illusion suddenly appeared, intercepting his strike with its blade.
The Tsukumogami sneered coldly.
"Not a bad idea. Indeed, if you destroy me, the manifested illusions will vanish. But—can you do it?"
The illusion mirrored Rengoku's own Blazing Flame Tornado, blasting him back.
Time slipped away second by second.
Tanjiro's abdominal wound, reopened during the fight, tore wider despite the medicine he had taken earlier. The constant strain left him wracked with unbearable pain.
Inosuke's left arm was now completely broken. Already exhausted, he made a mistake—an illusion slashed his arm. Luckily it was with the back of the blade, so the limb wasn't severed.
Zenitsu, locked in a ceaseless exchange of Thunderclap and Flash with his illusion, finally slowed. His double pierced his calf, sending him crashing to the ground. The searing pain wrenched him from his unconscious state, leaving him writhing and screaming.
Rengoku was locked in a fierce clash with his illusion, unable to spare a moment to help Tanjiro and the others. As the fight dragged on, more wounds accumulated across his own body.
The battle was becoming one-sided. At this rate, Tanjiro's group was doomed to lose.
Seizing an opening, Rengoku kicked his illusion aside and rushed to his comrades, scattering their illusions with a sweep of his blade.
"Kamado boy, move! Take your sister, Zenitsu, and the boar-headed one and escape!"
"Rengoku-san, what about you?"
"I'll stay here! I must protect the passengers of the Infinity Train—until dawn."
Even in such dire straits, Rengoku remained steadfast in his resolve to shield those powerless to defend themselves.
Tanjiro shook his head desperately.
"No! I can still protect the passengers!"
"I'm not running either!" Inosuke bellowed. "I can still fight!"
"If you all die here—then that means I've lost!" Rengoku answered with his bright, fearless smile.
"Don't worry about me. As a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, this is my duty! Once the sun rises, the battle will be over!"
"Rengoku-san…" Tanjiro tried to object again.
"Enough. Go—now!"
Turning his back to them, Rengoku alone held off the four illusions and the Tsukumogami.
"Rengoku-san…" The three looked on, eyes filled with unwillingness, yet they knew staying would only drag him down.
Nezuko helped Tanjiro to his feet, while Inosuke shouldered Zenitsu and they turned to flee.
But suddenly, the Tsukumogami appeared before them, blocking their path with a mocking grin.
"Leaving so soon? Did you forget about me?"
Rengoku's chest tightened. He wanted to rush to their aid, but his illusions barred the way.
Nezuko released Tanjiro and lunged with a kick, only for the demon to catch her leg and lift her into the air.
"The two brats with the Hanafuda earrings… You're my true targets. How could I let you just walk away?"
Inosuke dropped Zenitsu and swung his Nichirin Blade at the hand gripping Nezuko.
The Tsukumogami didn't even flinch. The strike landed, yet not even a scratch appeared.
"You're all so pathetically weak!" he snarled, tightening his grip. With a sickening crack, Nezuko's leg bone snapped.
"Nezuko!" Tanjiro roared, fury surging. He slashed with his Nichirin Blade, only for the demon to seize him by the throat.
"You two still have value, so you won't die yet. But those other two brats—useless. They can die here."
As Inosuke and Zenitsu faced imminent death, a figure suddenly dropped from the sky.
The Tsukumogami's head was slammed into the ground, his body dragged across the earth for a hundred meters before being smashed into the dirt. His flesh was shredded and bloodied.
"Talk about luck! I've finally found you—Upper Rank Three, Tsukumogami! Our last fight isn't over yet!"
Tanjiro and Nezuko were freed. The siblings and their friends stared in confusion at the newcomer.
The Tsukumogami clawed his way from the ground, glaring with hatred.
"Hakuji/Akaza!"
But Hakuji ignored him. His eyes instead fixed on Tanjiro and Nezuko.
"Those Hanafuda earrings… You must be Tanjiro and Nezuko, right? Just like Yosuke-sama said."
Tanjiro's mind reeled, unable to comprehend what was happening. He nodded instinctively.
Hakuji's brow furrowed as he noticed Tanjiro's bleeding wound.
"That injury's serious. Don't move anymore. If you die here, I won't be able to face Lord Yosuke."
At the mention of Yosuke, Tanjiro's eyes lit up and he asked eagerly:
"Yosuke-sana? He's here too?"
" Yosuke-sama hasn't come. I was hunting down a member of the Twelve Kizuki and happened to arrive here."
Tanjiro's shoulders slumped with disappointment.
A vein bulged on Hakuji's forehead.
"Hey—you don't actually think I can't beat an Upper Rank, do you?! A mere Upper Rank like this doesn't require Yosuke-sama to lift a finger. Got it?!"
Startled, Tanjiro quickly nodded. "Y-Yes!"
Hakuji shifted into the stance of the Compass Needle.
"Watch closely—this is my strength! Technique Deployment! Destructive Death: Compass Needle!"
A twelve-pointed snowflake sigil unfurled beneath his feet.
"Martial Arts Technique—Destructive Death: Air Type!"
He unleashed a flurry of six blindingly fast strikes, pounding the space where the Tsukumogami stood.
The impact shrouded the area in a storm of dust and debris. But when it cleared—the Tsukumogami had vanished.
Hakuji smirked, turning toward a direction.
"Still relying on the same cheap tricks? Against my Battle Aura, your illusions are worthless!"
The Tsukumogami reappeared, his face twisted with fury.
"You didn't beat me last time! Blood Demon Art: Twin Soul Execution!"
Another illusion manifested beside him.
"Be careful!" Tanjiro shouted. "That illusion is real!"
"No need to warn me. I know that technique inside out!" Hakuji roared.
"Destructive Death: Leg Type—Glorious Flashing Bloom!"
He unleashed a dazzling series of explosive kicks.
The illusion countered with the same move, and both were forced back by the shockwave.
Meanwhile, Rengoku was overwhelmed by four illusions, battered until he was driven back toward Hakuji.
Hakuji glanced at him and grinned.
"Hey, owl-eyes—you're impressive. Your Battle Aura is refined—close to the supreme realm."
Rengoku cut down the illusions threatening Tanjiro's group, then answered firmly:
"My name is not owl-eyes. I am the Flame Hashira—Kyojuro Rengoku! And I like your spirit as well!"
Hakuji burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha! Is that so? I'm Hakuji. Once this fight is over, Rengoku, let's have a duel of our own!"
"With pleasure!" Rengoku replied with his trademark smile.
Back-to-back, the two warriors charged forward, each striking at the illusions before them.
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