The reason Hayashi reacted so strongly upon seeing Lower Moon Three, Wakuraba (Sick Leaf), was naturally because of the two Hashira standing beside him.
The Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro, had once single-handedly slain the former Lower Moon Two, Hairo.
The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, along with his comrades, had also defeated the former Lower Moon One, Gyoukotori.
And besides them, Hayashi himself could restore at least twenty percent of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's strength.
With such a configuration, let alone facing a Lower Moon—
Even if they pushed harder, it would not be impossible to slay an Upper Moon.
Although his true purpose in coming to Asakusa, Tokyo was to meet Tamayo, Hayashi certainly didn't mind erasing this Lower Rank demon along the way.
His gaze sharpened, and he spoke in a low, commanding voice:
"—Get him!"
On the other side, Wakuraba's expression stiffened unnaturally. But if one looked closely, his pupils trembled like an earthquake.
The good news—he had found the target his lord had ordered him to seek: the boy with crimson hair and sun-patterned hanafuda earrings.
The bad news—two Hashira were standing right beside him!
Wakuraba let out a sharp, panicked scream and bolted.
Are you kidding me?!
A Pillar…?! Two of them!!!
As one of the Twelve Kizuki, Wakuraba understood perfectly the level of a Hashira. Especially the golden-haired swordsman with crimson tips—whose burning eyes resembled those of an owl. The former Lower Moon Two had perished at his hands.
While running, Wakuraba desperately tried to use his blood to contact Muzan Kibutsuji. Only that lord could save him now!
But to his horror, the reply came cold and brief:
"Good. Kill him immediately."
And then—silence.
Wakuraba nearly lost his mind.
What?! You want me to kill him? Did you not hear me say there are two Hashira right beside him?! Damn it all!
The boy with crimson hair might have a weak aura, yes… but those two Hashira were on a level no single demon could possibly defeat.
The only option left—escape!
If he could just run far enough, or lure them into another Lower Moon's territory…
Though Muzan had forbidden demons from gathering or forming alliances, Wakuraba knew well that many had been drawn to the prosperity of Tokyo Prefecture. They met often, secretly, and at the very least, he knew the usual haunts of several others.
Perhaps he could join forces with them against the crimson-haired boy and his two protectors. Even if that incurred Muzan's wrath afterward—
No! First, survival. Only if he lived would there be a chance to worry about Muzan's punishment.
Driven by this thought, Wakuraba's legs pumped even faster, his speed increasing further.
Hayashi, pursuing him closely, narrowed his eyes.
"He's trying to escape! His speed is impressive…"
He recalled how, in the original events, Wakuraba had burst forth with astonishing speed when summoned to the Infinity Castle, desperately trying to flee from Muzan's wrath. Although he had been slaughtered in the end, his escape attempt proved just how confident he was in his swiftness.
Rengoku Kyojuro's voice rang out, brimming with fiery spirit:
"Don't worry! I won't let him get away!"
The next moment, wisps of white mist escaped from the corners of Rengoku Kyojuro's mouth, and the tempo of his footsteps suddenly increased.
In Hayashi's perception, it felt as though flames were bursting from Rengoku's body—his entire figure blazing like a streak of fire as he charged after Wakuraba.
"Damn it! I won't let him get away!"
At the same time, Sanemi Shinazugawa drew in a deep breath and leaned forward. The air whirled tightly around him, and he shot forward like a cannonball wreathed in wind.
Wakuraba, running ahead, immediately noticed the two Hashira behind him accelerating. His expression twisted, and he spat out a sharp cry:
[Blood Demon Art: Disease Spore Poison]
Everywhere he ran, grotesque spores of flesh and blood burst into existence. Under his control, they writhed madly, ripened within seconds, and split apart with wet cracks.
Dark red clouds of spores churned in the air, choking the space behind him.
Rengoku and Sanemi had to hold their breath and slow down, wary of infection.
Yet Wakuraba dared not relax. His mind spun furiously.
This won't hold them for long… if they're willing to risk infection, they'll still catch me! I need to wound one of them—cripple their pace!
His sharp gaze flicked backward, past the two Hashira, to the young swordsman trailing just half a step behind them.
Yes… him! If I cripple this boy, the Hashira will hesitate!
Though he didn't know why "that adult" wanted Hayashi alive, Wakuraba was certain: anyone guarded this closely by two Pillars had to be important.
Seizing the chance, Wakuraba skidded to a halt, his legs snapping and cracking grotesquely under the strain as he forced himself backward.
His arms spread wide.
[Blood Demon Art: Cross Scythe]
A crimson cross-shaped blade—mirroring the "X"-scar carved across his own face—manifested in his hands. With a vicious thrust, he hurled them forward. The twin blood-blades tore through the air, too fast for the naked eye.
Hayashi's pupils contracted sharply.
Him again?!
He nearly cursed aloud.
Last time, that crab-like demon with the grotesque tongue had also chosen him as the target, ignoring Giyu Tomioka and Murata.
Now, once again, when Wakuraba had three targets before him—two Pillars and Hayashi—it was Hayashi he went for without hesitation.
Why me, every time?!
With a sharp motion, Hayashi unsheathed his blade. His strike cleaved the incoming blood blades apart in one decisive sweep.
The crimson shards evaporated in the air.
But instead of panic, Wakuraba's lips curled into a strange smile.
"Hehe… come out quickly!"