Lucas gently patted Nezuko's head to comfort her.
He had nearly forgotten about Nezuko and Kanao.
Kanao, silent as ever, pointed her sword at Lucas. Her intent was crystal clear: she intended to kill the demon.
She didn't understand why Nezuko didn't resist, but that didn't matter to her. Orders were orders.
Lucas didn't move, even though he wasn't sure how Nezuko had ended up beside him. Still, since she was there, he couldn't let her be harmed without reason.
Kanao took off toward Nezuko, who was hiding behind Lucas. Her orders were to kill any demon, and she had no plans to harm Lucas. Her sword arced through the air as she launched herself into the attack.
Lucas's hand remained resting on Nezuko's head. He had no intention of drawing his sword.
When Kanao's butterfly blade was just a meter away—
A flash of electricity erupted in the air, deflecting Kanao's attack in an instant.
She halted and took a step back, looking at Lucas in confusion.
She remembered him well. During the Final Selection, his ghost-slaying speed had been remarkable, though she had been able to follow his movements back then. But what she just witnessed made her question that memory.
His hand hadn't moved at all. Could he have drawn his sword and countered her attack without her noticing?
Had his speed improved so drastically that even her eyes, trained as they were, couldn't keep up?
Kanao narrowed her gaze, analyzing him.
Then, she charged forward again, even faster this time.
But the result didn't change.
Another blinding arc of light blocked her attack. Her blade collided with something hot and solid.
Clang!
It wasn't the metallic clash she expected. It sounded more like a hammer striking heated iron.
The strange heat dulled her blade's force, rendering her attack ineffective.
Now it was no longer a coincidence.
The opponent must have drawn his sword. She just hadn't seen it.
Kanao adjusted her grip on her Nichirin sword and inhaled slowly.
"Flower Breathing, Second Form: Honorable Plum Blossom."
Suddenly, her blade emitted four sharp, curving slashes that spun through the air, like falling petals. The erratic movements made it nearly impossible to predict the attack's trajectory.
She stared at Lucas intently, waiting for him to react. If she could find an opening the moment he blocked, she could rush in and finish Nezuko.
Zheng!
A Nichirin blade being drawn echoed through the woods.
Kanao stiffened and was about to launch herself forward when—
Her slashes vanished.
They didn't get blocked. They simply disappeared.
Kanao knew the limits of her attack range. At this close distance, her technique should have at least landed somewhere.
But it was gone.
That could only mean one thing—Lucas had moved.
And he had done it faster than ever before.
Kanao's smile faded.
Her technique was chaotic and layered, yet Lucas had neutralized each individual strike before they could reach him. The precision, the speed—this was beyond what she had ever encountered.
"Do you want to continue?" Lucas asked calmly.
Had they met during the Final Selection, Lucas wouldn't have been able to defeat her. Back then, he relied solely on speed, and his breathing technique was underdeveloped.
But now, even without using any breathing forms, Lucas had clearly surpassed her.
Kanao didn't answer, but she raised her sword again.
Seeing her stubborn determination, Lucas sighed.
He wasn't eager to fight her seriously. He began contemplating ways to de-escalate the situation.
Just then, the unmistakable sound of a crow echoed through the forest.
Caw! Caw!
"Orders from headquarters! Orders from headquarters!" the crow shrieked.
"Capture Tanjiro and Nezuko! Escort them to headquarters!"
"Tanjiro wears a checkered coat and has a scar on his forehead!"
"Nezuko is a demon girl with bamboo in her mouth!"
Lucas tilted his head and sighed. "So that's how it is."
He gently pulled Nezuko forward.
"This is Nezuko," he said, presenting her calmly.
Nezuko clung tightly to Lucas's sleeve, unwilling to let go.
Kanao looked between the girl and Lucas, comparing them to the descriptions from headquarters. Slowly, she sheathed her sword and stood silently.
She no longer needed to kill Nezuko, but the mission still required taking her to headquarters.
Lucas adjusted the unconscious Zenitsu on his back, then reached for Nezuko's hand. He glanced at Kanao, signaling that they were ready to follow her.
Kanao gave him a long look, then turned around and began walking.
If Lucas chose to resist, she knew she probably couldn't stop him. His speed was simply too fast. Cooperation was the best outcome.
Lucas followed her with steady steps, mentally preparing for what was to come.
He knew that bringing Nezuko to headquarters would trigger the Hashira meeting.
There, most of the Pillars would vote for Nezuko's execution. Only a few—Water Pillar Giyu Tomioka and Mist Pillar Muichiro Tokito—would defend her.
Even with Urokodaki and Giyu vouching for Nezuko with their lives, the Wind Pillar would remain hostile. He'd test Nezuko himself, trying to provoke her with blood.
Nezuko, in turn, would resist due to the rotating lantern Urokodaki had conditioned her with.
Lucas reviewed each Hashira in his mind, strategizing how best to approach them and activate his "Friendship System" for maximum benefit.
First, the Mist Pillar: aloof and distant, barely acknowledges others.
Then, the Water Pillar: quiet and emotionally guarded.
The Wind Pillar? Unstable. Not a good candidate for friendship. If anything, Lucas might have to clash with him over Nezuko.
The Love Pillar was cheerful and warm. Building a friendship with her wouldn't be difficult—unless the Snake Pillar interfered, which he likely would.
The Sound Pillar was overly confident, almost narcissistic. Maybe flattery could win him over?
Lucas made mental notes.
His main targets at this meeting would be the Flame Pillar, the Insect Pillar, and the Stone Pillar.
The Insect Pillar, Kocho Shinobu, was approachable and curious—easy to talk to, and probably the first friend he could make at the meeting.
The Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku, had a bold, charismatic personality. More importantly, he had a compassionate heart and a firm belief in justice. Lucas believed Rengoku would respond well to honesty and conviction.
Finally, the Stone Pillar. Despite his towering presence and imposing exterior, Lucas knew he was deeply spiritual and empathetic. Reaching him through sincerity and a shared desire for peace might work.
Thinking through his strategy, Lucas felt excited about the upcoming meeting.
After all, opportunities to meet all nine Hashira in one place were rare—and Lucas wasn't planning to let it go to waste.
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