Suzuki Makoto and Tengen Uzui's judgment was spot-on. Daki, the fraud of an Upper Rank Six, was being completely overwhelmed by the three youngsters.
The first wave was Tanjiro Kamado's show of force. He used Hinokami Kagura to break Daki's silk obi net, and Zenitsu Agatsuma seized the opportunity to use a modified version of First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, Godspeed, slicing Daki's head off along the dotted line previously left by Suzuki Makoto.
Then, Suzuki Makoto blew a foul whistle, gave the ball—oh, no, the head—back to Daki, and ordered Zenitsu Agatsuma not to use Godspeed again. The trio then resumed their attack.
The second wave was an all-out assault by Inosuke Hashibira, with the other two providing support. Then, the boar had a relapse of his old habits, casting aside the Niten Ichi-ryū Suzuki Makoto had taught him in close combat and using his two serrated blades to literally saw Daki's head off. The sight made even Suzuki Makoto's eyelid twitch twice.
Then, Suzuki Makoto blew a foul whistle again.
The third wave was Tanjiro's solo performance. Weaving between Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura, he relentlessly slashed at the already defense-broken Daki until her fighting spirit shattered, and she stopped resisting altogether.
So, Suzuki Makoto also conveniently lopped off Gyutaro's head. After all, his opponent's techniques weren't anything special; the rest was just using his Blood Demon Art to increase their lethality. After a few exchanges, he had already grown bored. So, he basically left the opponent with just a head and a neck, mincing the rest while waiting for his students to finish their test.
Only then did the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, who had been idle enough to act as a lifeguard evacuating civilians, walk over.
"I never thought this was my mission, but it looks like I was superfluous after all."
"How could that be? Without you, Lord Tengen, we couldn't have saved so many people."
Tanjiro tried to get up, but his exhausted body refused the command.
At the very end, he had finally managed to cross that threshold and use Hinokami Kagura consecutively, but his body truly couldn't hold out any longer. The other two also had numerous wounds, and Zenitsu was already on the ground, clutching his leg and rolling around.
"Mr. Tengen, it seems they won't be moving for a while. Could you please go outside and ask your wives if the Kakushi have arrived? I'll watch them here."
The Sound Hashira nodded, turned, and leaped away. Tanjiro had already skillfully called out for his cat, and Suzuki Makoto once again helped collect blood from the Upper Rank Six siblings.
"Has the researcher you met written back to you?"
"Yes! She said that Nezuko's blood seems to be undergoing some kind of change, and it's definitely a change for the better. She once used Nezuko's blood to save someone who was turning into a demon, and the effect seems to be getting even stronger."
Speaking of this, Tanjiro Kamado was very happy. Even Zenitsu stopped crying out and pricked up his ears to listen intently.
"That's good—but going back in this state, I'm afraid you'll be staying at the Butterfly Mansion again. I hope Miss Kocho doesn't get angry with me."
"She won't. Miss Kocho is a very gentle person. And recently, she's become much calmer. The anger that once burned like a volcanic eruption is gone. However, that anger is still brewing deep in her heart, but it seems she's able to control it now."
Tanjiro recounted what he had observed about Shinobu Kocho these past few days.
That was good news. Plus, Tanjiro hadn't smelled any wisteria flower in her tea, so maybe she really had changed her mindset.
While they were talking, Tengen Uzui returned with his three wives. Aside from being a bit weak, they seemed to be fine.
"The Kakushi will be here soon. These are my three wives: Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma—your rescue this time is all thanks to Lord Suzuki. Quickly, thank him."
"Thank you, Lord Suzuki" *3
All three bowed gratefully to Suzuki Makoto, and Tengen Uzui bowed as well.
"There's no need for that."
The group chatted while waiting for the Kakushi to arrive, and Suzuki Makoto remembered what he had wanted to ask earlier.
"Mr. Uzui, you said you were the one who discovered the intelligence about the Entertainment District. Besides this place, have you made any other discoveries?"
The Sound Hashira was taken aback, not expecting Suzuki Makoto to be interested in this.
"Just call me Tengen—if you're asking, there is indeed one thing. It's about a widespread cult that claims to be able to guide its followers to paradise. After the followers accept this guidance, no one ever sees them again. However, I already had the lead on the Entertainment District at the time, so I temporarily put the matter aside and didn't investigate it in detail."
The man's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected Tengen Uzui to still have more gold to drop!
"If it's alright, would you mind if I took over the investigation of this matter?"
"Of course. To be honest, the incident in the Entertainment District still frightens me a little, so from now on, I will definitely investigate alone. If you're willing to get involved, Mr. Suzuki, that would be for the best."
Tengen Uzui took a folded piece of paper from his clothes. Suzuki Makoto opened it and saw that it contained information about a cult called the Eternal Paradise Faith.
"Thank you, Mr. Tengen. As soon as the Kakushi take them, I'll head to where this cult is located."
"Then I'll go with you. As a Shinobi, although I don't have your ability to discern presences, my investigative skills are still solid."
Tengen Uzui confidently puffed out his chest. He had been a bystander for almost the entire fight against Upper Rank Six, so when Suzuki Makoto stated his intentions, he immediately decided to go along.
"Is that okay? After all, your wives have only just been rescued."
It was clear from the looks in Hinatsuru and the others' eyes that they were reluctant to part with Tengen Uzui, but the Sound Hashira reassured them, and his wives still chose to support their husband's decision. Zenitsu watched from the side with a face full of envy.
"I told them that once I killed an Upper Rank demon, I would retire and live in seclusion with them. This time doesn't count—but if we happen to find a new Upper Rank in the Eternal Paradise Faith, I'll have to trouble you to leave me a bit of an opportunity."
"Haha, of course, that's no problem, Mr. Tengen."
Suzuki Makoto smiled gently.
Right, I'll leave you an arm. I still have to be the one to cut off the head.
"Mr. Suzuki, are you leaving right now?"
Tanjiro Kamado asked reluctantly.
"Yes. The sooner we can kill demons, the fewer victims there will be. Since there's a lead, I must investigate it thoroughly."
Suzuki Makoto comforted the boy.
"However, even if I don't return right away, you all must train hard. Once your injuries have healed, I'll be testing you when I get back to see if you've been slacking off."
"Yes, sir! We will definitely not be lazy!"
_____
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