"I... I'm back."
Akaza, who had been struggling to get up, knelt on the ground, his hands raised high in an embrace.
Hakuji tightly hugged the person he had hidden deep within his mind, in the most inaccessible place.
Koyuki embraced her beloved without hesitation.
The hellfire... she would endure it with Hakuji.
He... was radiating gratitude... and joy?
Tanjirou was somewhat stunned, slowly lowering his nichirin blade. He watched Akaza, whose body was disintegrating. As Akaza slowly vanished before everyone's eyes, Tanjirou finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.
They won!
He had helped.
It wasn't like last time.
He was no longer just someone who could only watch Yoizumi-nii and Rengoku-sensei charge ahead, someone they had to protect.
Tanjirou pursed his lips, for a moment, he didn't know why, but he really wanted to cry.
"Tanjirou! Well done!" Kyoujurou said with a smile, his remaining arm resting on Tanjirou's head.
"..." After a long silence, feeling Rengoku-sensei's broad hand gently stroking his head, a smile slowly appeared on Tanjirou's scarred face, and he chuckled softly.
"Yoizumi, we won." Shinobu, who had been worried about what to do if this demon overcame decapitation, lowered her eyebrows and carefully wiped the bloodstains from Yoizumi's face, speaking softly.
Suppressing the constantly agitated cells deep within him, Yoizumi pressed his face against Shinobu's hand, as if only this could make him feel a little better. His sapphire eyes were still vertical slits, but there was no demonic ferocity, only gentleness towards Shinobu.
"Mm."
Akaza had already overcome decapitation, but for some reason, he gave up.
Yoizumi didn't dwell on it. Now, after a brief rest, they would head towards the locations of the other Upper Moons.
He closed his eyes. Every part of his body was tingling with an intense itch. Yoizumi looked down at his hands. The exhaustion from the Sixth Form had completely vanished. He clenched his fists, making a "click" sound.
His strength seemed to have more than doubled, yet there was a strong desire to vent within him. It was indeed the malicious cells of Kibutsuji Muzan.
The surging malice almost overwhelmed Yoizumi. The weight in his hand suddenly increased. Yoizumi opened his eyes to see Shinobu's purple eyes filled with worry, her hands clasping his.
"Yoizumi, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
His eyelashes drooped slightly. He gently squeezed Shinobu's hand back. His agitated heart no longer felt so noisy.
"Is Shinobu injured?"
"With you protecting me like this, what could happen?" Shinobu sighed. Yoizumi's originally snow-white clothes were now stained crimson with large patches of blood. Her fingertips caressed the somewhat damp fabric, her purple eyes a little dim.
"Yoizumi, I'm not just someone who needs protection."
"I can fight alongside you too."
A faint glow appeared on the hand holding Shinobu's, and after checking and confirming that Shinobu had no injuries, Yoizumi nodded.
"I know."
"Shinobu is very strong."
"But I can't help but do this."
"..." Staring at Yoizumi's unusual eyes for a long while, Shinobu slowly averted her gaze. Yoizumi had still used that activating agent... "Yoizumi, take care of yourself first."
Tonight's battle was fraught with danger, and the ultimate target was still Yoizumi.
As long as Kibutsuji Muzan was alive, her heart would remain unsettled.
Clutching a corner of her rainbow-colored haori, Shinobu closed her eyes and prayed silently.
Sister, please protect us.
"Now, without further ado, let's go find the other Upper Moons!" Kyoujurou's head was still bleeding, but he didn't care at all. Successfully killing an Upper Moon undoubtedly paved a broad path to victory for the Demon Slayer Corps.
"With this momentum! Let's keep going!"
"Ah! Rengoku-sensei, please be careful!" Tanjirou fussed around him, feeling that Kyoujurou's current blood loss was enough for him to collapse at any second.
Yoizumi reached out and placed his hand on Kyoujurou's shoulder. A gentle glow suddenly brightened, and Kyoujurou's severed right arm grew back at an extremely fast speed. Facing three times the pain of a severed arm, Yoizumi merely frowned slightly.
Holding Yoizumi's hand, it inevitably tightened. Seeing Yoizumi silently endure such pain, Shinobu pressed her lips together without a word, only her beautiful eyebrows furrowed.
But she couldn't stop him, because she understood that what Yoizumi was doing now was correct.
Kyoujurou stared at his re-grown arm, his sharp eyes flickering slightly. He spoke to Yoizumi seriously, his voice booming.
"When we return, I will formally thank you."
"Yoizumi."
Yoizumi withdrew his hand, his calm face expressionless, his tone very flat, yet he spoke chilling words.
"Mm, you still owe me an apology. Remember to give it to me when we get back."
Hearing this, Kyojuro Rengoku's pupils widened slightly, then he broke into a cheerful smile.
"Mhm, I certainly won't forget!"
At this, Shinobu at the side helplessly covered her forehead and smiled. He really was... too serious.
"Huh?" Tanjirou maintained a smile. Although he didn't know what was happening, everyone was smiling, so he would smile too!
... "We won!"
"The Flame Pillar, Insect Pillar, Snow Pillar, and Tanjirou have successfully killed Upper Moon Three!" Ubuyashiki Kiriya shouted excitedly.
"Cough... cough cough... Well done!" The overjoyed Kagaya coughed uncontrollably, as if he was about to cough up his lungs, but he showed no discomfort, his face beaming with joy.
"Muzan has lost another general. He must be venting his anger right now."
"Immediately locate Muzan's position!"
"At the same time, warn the swordsmen not to approach!"
"Yes!" With the replies of his wife and children, Kagaya wiped a few strands of blood from the corner of his lips. They couldn't relax yet!
The battle... had only just begun!
Muichiro... Tengen... you must all be safe!
Outside the house
Hearing the good news of Upper Moon Three's annihilation, Rengoku Shinjuro showed no joy. Instead, he frowned, his orange-red eyes downcast, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
Urokodaki Sakonji, wearing his mask, spoke in a somewhat aged voice.
"Since there's no other news, it means everyone is still alive."
"Shinjuro, cheer up!"
"We are the last line of defense here; we cannot afford to relax even a little!"
His clenched fist slowly loosened. Shinjuro slowly raised his head, looking at the moon high in the night sky, and said softly.
"I... I know that, of course."
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