Horitake's Thunder Breathing: Second Form, Revised—Thunder Tiger Kill clashed head-on with Akaza's Destructive Death: Annihilation Form, unleashing a cataclysmic shockwave that shook the heavens and earth!
But in this collision, Horitake was at a disadvantage!
Watching the thunder tiger suppressed by his devastating fist, Akaza let out a feral, triumphant laugh. "Hahaha… Horitake, prepare to meet your end!"
Meanwhile, the other battlefield reached its conclusion.
Nearly a hundred swordsmen overwhelmed the dozens of demons, who either fled in panic or were steadily cut down.
The two Lower Moons, Zero Yuko of Lower Moon Four and Kama Nue of Lower Moon Six, were no match for the Pillars. Tengen Uzui and Muichiro Tokito defeated them decisively.
Tengen's fight was straightforward; he dispatched Kama Nue in short order.
Muichiro showed no mercy, even against the seemingly delicate Zero Yuko. Despite her charm, he brought her down in just a few moves!
But note—they were defeated, not slain.
Horitake had previously coordinated with Tengen and Muichiro: they could only defeat the Lower Moons, not kill them.
As members of the Twelve Kizuki, their deaths—whether simultaneous or singular—would alert Muzan. He would access their memories before they perished.
This would reveal that Akaza, against Muzan's knowledge, had infiltrated the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters!
Muzan would realize the situation was dire for his demons.
Narume, at Muzan's side, wielded a unique Blood Demon Art that could summon all Twelve Kizuki to Infinity Castle, including Akaza.
This would expose the location of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
And worse, Narume could transport Muzan himself to the headquarters.
That would be catastrophic! Horitake had no desire to face Muzan now!
Thus, Horitake had planned with Tengen and Muichiro to only defeat the Lower Moons, not slay them.
How to defeat them?
Thanks to Shinobu Kocho.
Before leaving the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Horitake had requested two vials of a special concoction from Shinobu.
These were toxin agents, meticulously crafted from wisteria flower extracts, tailored to incapacitate demons.
After defeating the Lower Moons, Tengen and Muichiro didn't kill them. Instead, they injected the toxins into Zero Yuko and Kama Nue.
The toxins paralyzed the Lower Moons without killing them.
This way, with the Lower Moons defeated but alive, Muzan wouldn't be alerted to the situation.
Having incapacitated the two, Tengen and Muichiro surveyed the surrounding battlefield.
The situation was favorable: not a single swordsman had fallen, and they were mopping up the last of the demons.
With that under control, the most critical matter remained—Horitake and Akaza's battle!
Tengen and Muichiro exchanged a silent glance, then leaped toward the other battlefield.
Upon arriving, they saw a vast stretch of ground reduced to shattered ruins.
At the center, Horitake was locked in combat with Akaza.
The troubling sight was that Horitake seemed to be losing ground, with Akaza steadily overpowering him!
Akaza, of course, noticed the Pillars' arrival.
Truth be told, he felt a twinge of panic.
Facing this Heavenly Pillar was already taxing. Now, with two more Pillars, the situation was grim!
Their arrival meant Zero Yuko and Kama Nue were likely defeated.
Akaza had hoped to breach the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters and present Muzan with a grand surprise. Clearly, that plan was doomed!
Frustration boiled within him as he mentally cursed Zero Yuko and Kama Nue: Useless fools! Not only did you fail to contribute, but you've become a liability!
Once this is over, I'll propose to Lord Muzan that we purge the Lower Moons and replace them with stronger, more useful ones.
Seeing Horitake further suppressed, Tengen couldn't hold back. He shouted, "Horitake, you holding up? Need a hand?"
He and Muichiro gripped their Nichirin Blades, ready to charge Akaza and relieve Horitake's plight.
Horitake's brow furrowed, and he barked, "Stay back! This is my fight with Akaza. No one else interferes!"
Tengen groaned in frustration. "Horitake! This is no time for one-on-one nonsense! Killing Akaza quickly is what matters!"
Horitake shook his head. "You don't understand. Akaza must be dealt with by me alone. At the end, a worst-case scenario might arise—one you can't handle. Enough talk—how's the other battlefield?"
Tengen replied tersely, "The two Lower Moons are down. The remaining demons are being wiped out."
"Good!" Horitake steadied his breath, issuing a solemn command. "As the highest-ranking officer here, I order you: exterminate the remaining demons, then you two lead all swordsmen and evacuate immediately!"
"What!? Evacuate!?" Tengen's jaw dropped.
Muichiro said nothing, but his brow creased in concern.
Tengen protested loudly, "No way! You're telling us to run like cowards? What about you?"
"Follow orders!" Horitake snapped. "The trouble coming isn't something you can handle. If you and the other swordsmen stay, you'll only hold me back, or worse, make me hesitate! If you don't want to jeopardize me, obey my command and leave now! Take all the swordsmen, rendezvous with Lord Ubuyashiki, and protect the others at headquarters! Don't worry about me!"
Muichiro, unable to stay silent, frowned. "Horitake…"
"Obey my orders!" Horitake's tone brooked no argument.
Tengen relented, exasperated. "Fine, but what about the two Lower Moons?"
"Take them with you. When the sun rises, let them have a nice suntan!"
"Got it!" Tengen sighed. "We'll follow orders, but Horitake—are you really okay?"
Horitake decided to give them some reassurance.
He flashed a faint smile. "Of course I'm fine. Don't believe me? Watch this… Thunder Tiger Dual Kill!"
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