Raiden scanned the information displayed by his detection technique, raising a single eyebrow. Did the system consider Daki and Gyuutarou as a single entity? Were their talents and comprehension merged?
Judging by Gyuutarou's past—even malnourished, he had defeated samurai effortlessly—his aptitude had been top-tier. But after merging with Daki, it seemed to have slightly diluted his individual potential. Now, Upper Moon Six's value lay mainly in his Blood Demon Art, while the Twin talent, though remarkable, was situational. Its main function was to bind two demons together, allowing one to revive as long as the other remained alive. Useful, yes, but not decisive.
Gyuutarou's hoarse, dark voice rumbled, "You're good-looking, clean skin, tall… must be over six feet. Popular with women too, I bet. Truly makes me jealous. You were going to die anyway, now it'll be even worse." He dragged his fingers across his face, leaving long bloody gashes, as if Raiden's existence alone was a sin.
"Thank you for the compliment. But before we solve our problem, tell me—could we ever truly be friends?" Raiden asked, unwilling to abandon the attempt. He had intended to pressure Daki, yet she had simply cried, refusing any engagement.
Gyuutarou's gaze hardened. "Friends? I'm so jealous of you it drives me mad." His face, already scarred, tore anew with bloody scratches.
"Then let's get this over with." Raiden drew his nichirin blade without another word, confident Gyuutarou's bravado would not last.
"Blood Demon Art: Destructive Kill—Compass!"
Beneath Raiden's feet, a hexagram pattern bloomed, its symbols pulsing with fighting intent. Gyuutarou's aura responded, intense but not as overwhelming as Doma's, still formidable.
In a heartbeat, Raiden and Gyuutarou vanished, their figures blurring as golden arcs of electricity collided with crimson, spinning sickles. The metallic clangs rang out sharply.
Zenitsu's eyes widened as he witnessed Gyuutarou. This demon's presence was far more terrifying than Daki's. Could Raiden handle him?
He leaped from the window, desperate to assist.
"Zenitsu!" A voice called nearby. He turned to see the Sound Pillar and Tanjiro rushing toward him. Relief washed over his face. A Pillar was here; Raiden had a chance.
"Where is Raiden?" Tanjiro asked urgently.
"He's fighting Upper Moon Six!" Zenitsu shouted, racing toward the electrified battle.
"Upper Moon Six?!" Uzui Tengen didn't wait for explanations. With several powerful leaps, he surpassed Zenitsu and landed closer to the fray.
Even the weakest Upper Moon demanded respect; and Raiden was not yet a Pillar. Facing Gyuutarou head-on, he would be in grave danger.
This brat had plunged straight into chaos instead of calling for backup. Did he even know the caliber of opponent he faced? Gyuutarou, an unbroken Upper Moon in over a century.
Uzui Tengen's landing on the nearest rooftop revealed a dark figure wrapped in sashes flying past him.
"Boom!"
The shadow crashed into a building, leaving a gaping hole.
"What just flew past?" he muttered. Then Raiden's grumbling voice reached him.
"I already said, don't bother me. Can't you understand?"
Uzui Tengen's jaw tightened. Raiden was holding his own against an Upper Moon? Was Gyuutarou really that weak, or had Raiden's speed and precision made it appear so?
Ignoring his doubts, Tengen leaped into the battle.
"What took you so long? He's all yours. I'm going to kill that demon. Watch out—his sickles are poisoned."
Raiden did not hesitate. He withdrew from the immediate clash and moved toward Daki, still needing her cooperation to handle Gyuutarou effectively.
Initially, Tengen ignored Raiden's intentions, but after a direct clash with Gyuutarou, his eyes widened in recognition. This demon was terrifying. Every strike carried incredible speed and force. Two rapid attacks were necessary just to counter one of Gyuutarou's blows.
Compared to Raiden's earlier movements, Tengen realized: Raiden had been suppressing Gyuutarou's potential. The demon's true power was far more dangerous than what Tengen had initially perceived.
"Not bad-looking either, but I'm not in the mood to play with you now. Get lost!" Gyuutarou snapped, catching his spinning blood sickle and swinging sharply at Tengen.
Though Daki remained safe while Gyuutarou lived, Tengen could not stand by. He braced against the heavy strike, feeling a numbness in his hands.
"Sound Breathing, Fifth Form: String Performance!" He launched a chain-tethered nichirin blade, spinning in a blur toward Gyuutarou.
"What a noisy technique. If you won't move, I'll kill you too!" Gyuutarou countered, gripping his sickle in reverse, ready for Tengen's assault.
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Patreon = _Zeph