A thunderous shout exploded through the night as scorching flames, sharp as blades, came crashing down!
Enmu's pupils shrank. He retreated at once.
When the blaze scattered, a tall figure stood before Ryosuke.
Golden-red hair flared like living fire. A white-and-red haori snapped violently in the heat waves, battle intent surging without restraint.
Enmu's heart sank. Even now, his hands still throbbed from the burning pain of that single strike just now.
That aura… that power…
"Y-you… are you a Hashira?!"
The man didn't spare Enmu so much as a glance.
Instead, his blazing eyes turned to Ryosuke, and his heavy palm slammed down on Ryosuke's shoulder.
His voice rang like a great bell.
"I felt it! That pure intent to slay demons burning in your heart!"
"Well done! That resolve—that is the sharpest blade we demon slayers possess!"
The sheer force of his grip and voice jolted Ryosuke's body.
That surging battle spirit crashed in like a tidal wave, shattering the mire of Enmu's Blood Demon Art. Ryosuke staggered back a few steps—and snapped fully awake.
He looked up, finally seeing the man clearly.
That resolute, heroic face.
That unmistakable flame-like hair—
Ryosuke almost blurted out a name, but swallowed it at the last second.
Not yet.
The "big brother" wasn't old enough.
This had to be his father—the current Flame Hashira.
Rengoku Shinjuro.
Ryosuke's lips twitched.
Early on, this man was solid—reliable, even admirable. It was only after his wife died of illness that he lost his way and became a washed-up wreck.
But right now?
He was still at his peak.
Ryosuke broke into an Anya-style grin and casually raised a middle finger at Enmu.
I can't handle you—why don't you try sparring with this guy?
Let's see how long your pretty-boy act lasts.
Enmu completely lost it, shrieking in rage.
"So what if you're a Hashira?! Under my Blood Demon Art, you'll die all the same!"
As his voice fell, his ten fingers danced wildly, strange syllables spilling from his mouth.
Countless blood-red seashells materialized out of thin air, buzzing and vibrating like a swarm of insects!
With a violent sweep of his arms, a sky-filling tide of crimson light shot toward Shinjuro!
Shinjuro's eyes burned even brighter—utterly fearless.
He stomped forward. The ground cracked as raging flames erupted around him!
Flame Breathing — Third Form: Blazing Universe!
His crimson Nichirin Blade cleaved out a massive arc of fire!
Flames surged. The explosion shook the night!
A roaring sea of fire, like an enraged dragon, swallowed the incoming shell swarm whole!
Before absolute power, resistance was meaningless.
The bloodlight was purified in the flames, leaving only the stench of scorched air.
"N-no—!!"
Enmu wailed in despair as his Blood Demon Art was crushed with ease.
Run!
I have to run!
A Hashira was far beyond anything he could contend with!
As long as I can reach that lord…
As long as I can reach him, I can survive!
All will to fight vanished. Enmu turned, trying to melt into the darkness.
"Demon! Don't you dare flee!"
Shinjuro roared, flames condensing along his blade.
"Repent and atone in hellfire!"
Ryosuke froze for half a beat.
Wait—no! I need the last hit! I NEED the last hit!
I'm a score-chasing freeloader, damn it!
"Flame Breathing — Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"
With Shinjuro's thunderous shout, his blade came down—
A deafening roar tore through the night sky!
A gigantic tiger of raging flames manifested out of nothing, lunging straight for Enmu!
"I'll help!"
Ryosuke yelled, exploding forward with Thunderclap and Flash!
Pretty boy! Hold on a second!
Die anywhere you want—but die to my blade!
Enmu couldn't mount any defense.
In his eyes reflected the gaping jaws of the blazing flame tiger—and, just beside it, a thin streak of lightning moving far faster than it had any right to.
Flames surged skyward, turning half the night into blazing daylight.
Before Enmu's body was completely incinerated, Ryosuke burst through the inferno and cleanly severed his head.
He collapsed to one knee, scorched and battered, but let out a long breath.
Bakayarō! Look how considerate I am!
So you wouldn't get erased by the Flame Hashira's ultimate, I charged straight through the fire to kill you myself!
Truly. I'm moved to tears.
The night wind swept through, carrying smoke and the smell of burning.
As Enmu's body crumbled away, hazy memories surfaced.
"I was born wealthy—my parents were pearl merchants with fortunes to spare."
"One day I saw a girl on the street. She was beautiful. I wanted her. I had to have her."
"But that bitch refused me—said she loved someone else!"
"Damn it! Damn those lowborn trash!"
"In my rage, I slaughtered her entire family with the authorities' help. That man—I tortured him to death."
"Hahahaha! I finally had her. Everything about her was mine!"
"And yet, on our wedding night, the bitch stabbed me with scissors!"
"As I lay dying, I saw a pair of eyes—beautiful, rainbow-colored eyes."
"That lord was like a god. He granted me demon blood and rebirth."
"From then on, I fed on women just like him… and awakened this Blood Demon Art—using seashells to manipulate desire…"
Ryosuke spat at the remains.
Another living piece of garbage.
And a Dōma fanboy on top of it—killing you was a bargain!
[Terminal-stage demon Enmu slain. Lifespan gained: 5 years. Current remaining lifespan: 8 years, 360 days.]
Almost nine years.
The ten-year goal was getting closer.
Last-hit steals really are satisfying.
A suppressed sob came from nearby.
The woman who had been taken finally snapped out of the haze of desire.
Seeing the battlefield—and the bloodstained blades in their hands—she screamed and fled through the courtyard gate without a single word of thanks.
Ryosuke didn't mind.
That was how Demon Slayer Corps work went.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
A hearty laugh rang out behind him.
Shinjuro strode over and clapped Ryosuke hard on the shoulder.
"Well done, kid!"
"To remain unmoved before a mind-bending Blood Demon Art—now that is strength of heart! I admire it! Pure and blazing, like burning charcoal!"
He leaned closer, golden eyes locking onto Ryosuke.
"Kid! Would you like to become my tsuguko?"
Ryosuke's mouth twitched.
These lines were way too familiar.
The Rengoku family—not only did they look alike and act alike, even the habit of taking disciples was hereditary?!
Ryosuke waved his hand.
"Sorry. I refuse."
Shinjuro froze.
Any swordsman would be honored beyond measure to be chosen as a Hashira's tsuguko.
It was recognition. A privilege.
And this kid just… declined?
Ryosuke sighed softly.
Of course he knew the benefits of being a tsuguko.
But with his talent, there was no way he could naturally master Flame Breathing.
Even with the system, he didn't have the spare lifespan to invest.
Jack of all trades, master of none.
For Ryosuke, the most cost-effective path was simple—
Thunder Breathing, all the way.
Agatsuma Zenitsu had proved it: specialize to the extreme, and reach the peak.
Once he maxed out every Thunder form, wouldn't that be even more terrifying?
"Flame Hashira-dono," Ryosuke said calmly,
"I'll become a Hashira through my own strength. Please leave the tsuguko position to others."
"Hahahaha! You really are interesting, kid! Calm, unarrogant—better than the brat back home!"
Shinjuro's thoughts drifted wildly, convinced Ryosuke was a selfless warrior devoted to the Corps.
A righteous talent!
Ryosuke, of course, had no idea what was going through his head.
He only noticed Shinjuro's gaze growing… uncomfortably intense.
As someone who'd lived in Sichuan in his previous life, Ryosuke immediately went on high alert.
As the saying goes: prejudice in the heart is a Sichuan-sized mountain.
The shadowy beast gives chase~ the forbidden love draws nigh~
He'd seen too much. Lived too much.
Men looking at him like that set off every alarm bell he had.
You've got a wife and kids, man!
Please stop looking at me like that!
The Demon Slayer Corps does not allow hidden rules like this!
Shinjuro, completely oblivious to boundaries, slung an arm around Ryosuke's shoulders.
"Kid! I really like you!"
Ryosuke: o_0 ?
He immediately jumped back, bowed sharply.
"Flame Hashira-dono! I—I still have private matters to attend to! I'll take my leave!"
Before Shinjuro could finish speaking, Ryosuke activated Thunder Breathing and vanished.
Shinjuro scratched his head, sighing with regret.
"That kid… I wanted to invite him over to my place."
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/NightScript