Horitake detailed the Burrow Demon's threat and its dangers to the Ubuyashiki twins. Their calm facades cracked, panic seeping in.
The sister, Hinaichiro Ubuyashiki, fretted, "What do we do, Kiriya? Should we stop the Selection with this demon loose?"
Kiriya, despite his youth, showed remarkable composure. "No, we can't stop it. It's the final night—halting now is irresponsible and might alert the demon. We must report this to Oyakata-sama and request a Hashira."
Hinaichiro nodded. "I'll send a Kasugai Crow to headquarters immediately."
She hurried off to dispatch the message. Horitake watched, impressed. Ubuyashiki kids are something else. Kiriya, especially, shone with decisive wisdom, a future leader of the Corps. Reliable little guy.
Mitsuri, meanwhile, was smitten. So cool and cute! Kiriya's competence and cross-dressing charm had her daydreaming about having such a sibling—or child. He's adorable in a kimono. Oyakata-sama must've been like this… Her thoughts veered, face flushing as she turned, pressing her forehead to the torii pillar in embarrassment.
Kiriya, puzzled, asked Horitake, "Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Let her cool off," Horitake replied.
Hinaichiro returned. "The crow's sent. Oyakata-sama will get the message soon. A Hashira might arrive by morning. Until then, please be cautious."
Horitake grinned. "Cautious? Nah, I'm going on the offensive." Drawing his Nichirin Blade, he continued, "My eyes and Thunder Breathing counter that demon. It's likely staying in Fujikasaneyama to feed. Tonight, I'll scour the mountain and take it out."
The twins exchanged glances. Horitake called to Mitsuri, "I'm hunting the Burrow Demon. Wanna join?"
"Absolutely!" she replied.
"Let's go! Target: Burrow Demon!" They leapt back into Fujikasaneyama, darting across branches, radiating resolve.
Hours later, after sweeping most of the mountain, they found no trace of the demon. On a sturdy branch, Horitake frowned. "I thought it'd be active at night, but it's still hiding underground. What a cowardly demon."
Mitsuri tilted her head. "Lord Horitake, why not use your Spirit Vision to search?"
Horitake's brow twitched. "It's useful, but draining. Hours of it, and I'd be dizzy, useless."
"Oh, I see."
Arms crossed, Horitake brainstormed. The demon was too elusive. The only plan was a trap with bait—but who? He glanced at Mitsuri. No way. She was his mission and, frankly, his type. Risking her was out of the question. Without bait, they'd keep searching.
After a brief rest, they scoured the mountain again. No Burrow Demon, but they stumbled on the Hand Demon—grotesque, blue-green, a mass of flailing arms, two guarding its neck. The killer of Sabito and Makomo.
It was chasing a terrified swordsman. "How is this fair? A demon this strong in the Selection?!" the swordsman cried, fleeing.
Mitsuri sprang forward, slicing off the demon's arms, shielding the swordsman with fierce grace. The Hand Demon regenerated, leering at her. "Heh, a cute girl. Tasty."
Mitsuri engaged, her blade clashing with its countless arms in a fierce stalemate. Horitake, watching from a tree, wasn't worried. She's got this.
He briefly considered sparing the Hand Demon for Tanjiro to face later, fulfilling its narrative role. But no—its body count was too high. Letting it live for sentiment was reckless. He smacked his head, chiding himself.
Drawing his blade, he struck. "Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap Twenty-Four Flashes!" Lightning surged, his slashes relentless. The Hand Demon's arms were shredded, blood spraying. It gaped, terrified. How is someone this strong here?! I need to run!
Too late. Horitake closed in, beheading it with a single strike. The demon collapsed, dissolving, its head roaring in defiance.
Then, Spirit Vision activated. Horitake saw the Hand Demon's fading memories—its life flashing before death. Before he could process, the system chimed: a new task had appeared.
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