Chapter 76: It's a Pity, I Can See Your Moves Clearly
"Shinobu! Don't!"
Kanae let out a heart-wrenching scream, her voice filled with terror, despair, and disbelief.
She never expected that her usually obedient younger sister would defy her wishes and strike with such ruthless decisiveness.
Kanae abruptly activated Flower Breathing, pushed off with her legs, and dashed frantically toward Kocho Shinobu.
"Flower Breathing, Fourth Form: Crimson Hanagoromo!"
Kanae attempted to close the distance with her sword technique, trying to use her own body to block her sister's fatal strike.
Her heart was filled with regret and self-reproach.
"I was too naive."
"I misjudged Shinobu's hatred for demons."
However, Kanae's actions were ultimately a step too slow.
Kocho Shinobu was already known for her speed, and with the enhancement of Insect Breathing, her speed had reached an unfathomable level.
By the time Kanae rushed out, the tip of Kocho Shinobu's blade was less than half an inch away from the heavy curtains.
With just one more step forward, the curtains would be torn, and the sunlight would descend like the scythe of the Grim Reaper.
A cold sneer had already curled onto the corners of Kocho Shinobu's lips.
However, at this critical moment, an unexpected change occurred.
A black figure, like a phantom, appeared without warning in front of the window, forcibly blocking the space between Kocho Shinobu and the window.
It was Tatsu!
All of this was within Tatsu's expectations.
In fact, from the moment Kanae and Kocho Shinobu stepped onto the second-floor hallway of the inn, Tatsu had already sensed their arrival.
As a demon who had mastered the "Transparent World," his perception abilities had transcended the norm.
In the vision of the "Transparent World," the appearances of all things were stripped away; the flow of blood, the contraction of muscles, and the movement of bones were all laid bare before his eyes.
Kocho Shinobu's muscles were in a state of extreme tension, and her blood flow was far faster than that of an ordinary person.
Tatsu knew clearly that from the moment Kocho Shinobu entered the room, there was only one thought left in her mind—to kill him.
Therefore, the moment Kocho Shinobu stepped into the room and locked her gaze on the window, Tatsu had already discerned her entire plan.
"Want to use the sunlight to kill me?"
"A very clever tactic, and also the most effective one."
"It's just a pity, I can see your moves clearly."
Tatsu did not choose to dodge, because once the window was broken, he would have nowhere to run in this cramped room.
He had to meet the attack head-on.
The moment Kocho Shinobu drew her sword, Tatsu also moved.
His movements lacked flashy sword techniques or terrifying momentum; they possessed only extreme precision and efficiency.
With the aid of the "Transparent World," Tatsu accurately predicted Kocho Shinobu's trajectory.
It was as if he were waiting for the prey to walk right into his trap, arriving at the window a step ahead.
Just as the tip of Kocho Shinobu's blade was about to touch the curtains, Tatsu made his move.
His palm, like an iron pincer, reached precisely into the sea of purple blade light.
He did not try to catch the sharp blade directly; instead, at an extremely tricky angle, he slammed his hand against the side of the nichirin sword.
"Clang!"
Kocho Shinobu only felt an irresistible, terrifying force surging through the blade.
That force not only interrupted her forward momentum but also numbed her hand, causing her to lose control of the sword.
"What?"
Kocho Shinobu's heart was in turmoil.
"How could he be this fast?"
"How could he predict my movements?"
Kocho Shinobu's pride-and-joy speed was easily neutralized before Tatsu as if it were child's play.
She hadn't even seen how Tatsu made his move before her attack was completely dismantled.
However, Tatsu's actions did not stop there.
The moment he knocked away the nichirin sword, his other hand, transformed into a blade-like palm, struck accurately at the back of Kocho Shinobu's neck.
The force of this hand-blade strike was controlled with extreme finesse.
It was enough to make Kocho Shinobu lose consciousness instantly without causing any substantial damage to her cervical spine.
"Ugh…"
Kocho Shinobu only let out a muffled groan, and her purple eyes, filled with killing intent and shock, instantly lost focus.
Her petite body collapsed softly, like a kite with a broken string.
"Thud."
Kocho Shinobu fell to the ground with a dull sound, completely unconscious.
The whole process happened too quickly; from Kocho Shinobu drawing her sword and charging, to Tatsu neutralizing the enemy, everything occurred in a split second.
By the time Kanae rushed to the window, the battle was already over.
Kanae stared blankly at her unconscious sister on the floor, then looked at the calm-faced Tatsu standing to the side; her brain momentarily short-circuited.
"Clang."
The nichirin sword in Kanae's hand dropped to the floor. She lunged toward Tatsu, her legs gave way, and she knelt directly on the ground.
"I'm sorry! Tatsu, I'm really, really sorry!"
Kanae's eyes instantly turned red, and tears welled up.
Her voice trembled, filled with endless regret, "I thought… I thought Shinobu had already promised me. I thought she was truly willing to give you a chance. I thought she could understand me… I really didn't expect her to suddenly attack. If… if your reaction had been a second slower, you might have already…"
Kanae dared not think any further.
If Tatsu were to die in the sunlight because of her negligence, she would never be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life.
Looking at the tearful Kanae kneeling before him, Tatsu sighed slightly.
He bent down, reached out, and gently held Kanae's shoulders, helping her up from the ground.
"It's okay, Kanae."
Tatsu's voice was calm, without a trace of anger or blame, "I can understand you, and I can understand her."
He looked into Kanae's guilt-filled eyes and said with sincere tone, "She is your younger sister, and also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. In her understanding, demons are the enemies who took everything from you, monsters that must be eradicated. Her killing intent toward me stems from her desire to protect you, as well as her duty as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. If she had greeted me with a smile today, that would be what's abnormal."
Tatsu's words were very realistic; he did not use any high-sounding excuses to comfort Kanae, but instead pointed directly to the core of the problem.
He understood the irreconcilable blood feud between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons all too well.
"But… but I promised you…"
Kanae's tears still couldn't help but fall. She bit her lower lip tightly, looking pitiful.
"You don't need to promise me anything, Kanae."
Tatsu patted her shoulder gently, "Since I chose to trust you, I was already prepared to face all of this. I can handle this little trouble."
After soothing Kanae's emotions, Tatsu turned his head and cast his gaze toward the unconscious Kocho Shinobu lying on the floor.
Looking at that delicate face, still frowning even in unconsciousness, Tatsu couldn't help but feel a headache.
If it had been any other Demon Slayer swordsman, Tatsu might have thrown them out directly or used harsher methods to make them submit.
But the young girl before him was Kanae's most beloved younger sister.
"How should we deal with your sister now?"
Tatsu looked at Kanae, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Kanae looked at her unconscious sister and reached out to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
Now was not the time to cry; she had to find a way to solve the dilemma before them.
Shinobu's killing intent toward Tatsu was too strong; if she were to wake up, she would absolutely launch another attack on Tatsu without hesitation.
By then, the situation might become even more unmanageable.
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