As the demon vanished, the forest returned to its natural colors, though Hiru looked somewhat irritated.
"Seriously..." Hiru scrubbed the soles of his shoes hard against a rock. "Even if nothing's left behind, it's still disgusting. I should've gone and gotten a Nichirin Blade last night... What, am I supposed to kick every demon to death from now on?
Spare me, that's just filthy. Seriously, isn't there a Swordsman somewhere who could just drop dead and leave me a Nichirin—huh?"
He stopped mid-motion, raising his head toward the forest on his left. "That fast? For real? Hmm... guess I should check it out. It's really inconvenient not having a Nichirin Blade."
...
"Ha... ha..." A boy with center-parted hair was running through the forest, carrying an unconscious youth on his back. Panic was written all over his face. "Why... why? That shouldn't be possible! How could a demon like that exist? Didn't the inspectors ever notice? I need to find help. That thing isn't—ugh!"
Something yanked him backward. Reflexively, he drew his sword one-handed and swung behind him, but to his shock, the blade only cut halfway before it stopped dead.
[A demon? Is there an even stronger one in these woods?]
Without hesitation, he released the sword and retreated quickly with the unconscious boy still on his back.
[I'm not strong enough to fight that thing. And this guy was entrusted to me... I have to find someone else to help! Faster, I have to run faster! I don't taste good at all, so please don't come after me!]
Hiru, holding the blade between his fingers, silently watched the center-parted boy dart into the woods, carrying the youth in the dark red haori. The boy looked utterly panicked and disheveled.
"What's that about? That guy attacked without even saying a word... must be running for his life. Pretty quick-thinking and loyal, though.
Was the one he was carrying Giyu? That dark red haori should only belong to him. Or... maybe it's someone else's white haori soaked in blood?
But I don't see anyone in white... so that means Sabito's the one fighting?"
Hiru let out a resigned sigh. "I told him—get too hot-blooded, and you'll end up with a death face. No wonder I saw that shadow earlier.
So... the fight's in that direction, huh? Guess I'll lend a hand.
At least not before he takes me to Mount Sagiri to learn wood carving. If that craftsman gets too upset over losing his apprentice and refuses to teach me, what then?
Yeah, right. This is for the wood carving."
Nodding to himself, Hiru finally gripped the Nichirin Blade in his other hand and started walking toward the sound of battle. As he walked, he kept adjusting his grip, none of the positions feeling quite right.
"Ahh, let's just get this over with already. I might have a long lifespan, but I really don't want to waste seven days in a place this ugly doing something I hate..."
...
Sabito gripped his sword tightly, adjusting his breathing. His mask had already shattered and lay scattered on the ground, but he didn't care. His full attention was on the towering green demon before him—ten meters tall, covered head to toe in arms.
[Damn, this demon is strong... Cutting through so many demons on the way here drained too much stamina. Is Giyu alright? Maybe I should retreat for now... recover first and then come back.]
"Ah, my adorable little fox~ hehe!" The giant demon let out a grotesque laugh from its throat. "Are you angry at what I said? You don't need to be. Soon enough~ you'll be reunited with them~ guhuhuhu—Then I'll find the other little fox and eat him too! I won't let a single disciple of Urokodaki escape, guhuhuh~
That fool Urokodaki probably thinks those [Disaster-Warding Fox Masks] can protect you, huh? But it's because of those masks that you'll all be devoured! I recognize his carving—those masks are just like his tengu mask! Hehehe! That bastard trapped me here, but I'll make sure he pays dearly—"
"Don't you dare insult Master Urokodaki!" Sabito's silver eyes flared with rage. Forcing his weary body into motion, he invoked his Breathing Technique once again, narrowly dodging the Hand Demon's countless attacks. Leaping high into the air, white mist visibly coiled around his mouth.
"Water Breathing, Third Form! Flowing Dance!"
Blue waves of [Form] wrapped around the blade of his Nichirin Sword as Sabito's agile movements carried him closer to the Hand Demon's neck.
Veins bulged along his sword arm, his voice trembling with fury. "Go to hell and repent!"
The blade sliced toward the demon's neck—
Clang.
Sabito stared blankly at the broken edge of his sword. The world went white for an instant. By the time he came to, the demon's massive hand was already right before him. Suspended midair, he had nowhere to dodge.
[So this is it... I can't go back either, huh?]
Then, a deafening boom split the air. The Hand Demon was suddenly blasted backward by an unseen force. Sabito landed clumsily, spun around, and saw Hiru still holding a follow-through pose, a trace of impatience on his face.
"...Hiru?"
Hiru let his hand drop, sighing as he walked toward him. "Didn't I tell you? People who get too hot-blooded always end up with death written all over their faces."
"Uh." Sabito scratched his head awkwardly. "Anyway, thanks. But... what did you just throw?"
"Hmm? My sword."
"Your... sword?!" Sabito gawked at the Hand Demon, whose body was now half-destroyed.
[You can do that... with a sword?]
"Didn't I say? I'm pretty strong."
Sabito recalled Hiru once saying, [I'm just swinging a sword around with brute strength.]
Sabito: ...
[So that's what you meant by 'swinging randomly'?!]
[Isn't that way too reckless?!]
Hiru picked up the Nichirin Blade gifted by that mysterious center-parted-haired youth and approached the demon. "What an ugly creature."
"I'll help—"
"No need. Two swings and it's done."
The Hand Demon had already regenerated. The moment he heard those words, his eyes filled with fury. "You arrogant brat! I'll kill you! Kill you!"
"Hah. Try it if you can."
Sabito watched, dumbfounded, as Hiru awkwardly gripped the sword—but with every swing, dazzling arcs of light flashed through the air, cleaving through every arm the demon threw at him.
All the while, Hiru's pace remained calm and steady.
Sabito stood frozen, unable to move, as Hiru methodically sliced away every one of the demon's arms, then, almost casually, severed its head.
His expression remained cold and detached throughout, as if this weren't even a battle, but just some dull, meaningless chore.
[So strong.] Sabito stared at him standing amidst the drifting ashes, stunned. [But... using a sword like that—any bladesmith would be crying right now.]