At the moment Takeru killed Akaza, he seemed to receive a flood of information. For a moment, Takeru fell silent, looking at the spot where not even a speck of ash remained of Akaza, his feelings complex.
Could it only be said that the pitiable have their hateful aspects? Although he felt sorrow for Akaza's circumstances, if given the choice again, Takeru would still not hesitate to kill him. And now, this outcome was perhaps the best.
Takeru wasn't sure if the faint figure he saw the instant Akaza dispersed was a soul, but if this world allowed for such things, then it wouldn't be strange for it to be Koyuki's soul.
Like before, when Tanjiro encountered the spirits of Sabito and Makomo, perhaps souls lingering in the human world could only be seen under special circumstances...
Just as Takeru was lost in thought, Tanjiro over there seemed to smell the scent of pain emanating from Akaza, tears involuntarily flowing from his eyes, his hand gripping Nezuko's even tighter.
As for Yukino and Rengoku, their attention was fixed on the destruction caused by Takeru's Kamehameha.
As far as the eye could see, there was only a deep chasm. This chasm pierced straight through the forest, all matter along its path had vanished, and even the soil was still smoking, as if scorched by some terrifying high temperature...
Most importantly, the distance, by visual estimate alone, already exceeded 200 meters in length.
After Takeru stopped pondering Akaza's matters, he closed his eyes, slightly sensing his own Aura. Releasing that attack just now had consumed roughly two-tenths of his Aura. In other words, under normal circumstances, Takeru could only fire five such attacks before his Aura would be completely depleted...
"Young man Takeru, please consider joining our Demon Slayer Corps once more!" Just as Takeru was resting, Rengoku once again extended an invitation to him.
Having witnessed Takeru's strength, Rengoku had a feeling that with Takeru's addition, the thousand-year-old grudge between the Demon Slayer Corps and Kibutsuji Muzan might be completely settled in this generation...
"Rengoku, although I can feel your sincerity, regardless of whether we wish it or not, we have to leave in two days!" Looking at Rengoku's earnest expression, Takeru spoke again.
"Two days, is it!" Hearing Takeru's words, Rengoku was also stunned.
"I understand. Then, do you have any plans for where to go in the next two days? If you don't mind, I would like to invite you to the Demon Slayer Corps' Headquarters as guests!" Rengoku thought for a moment and spoke again.
"Alright!" Hearing this, Takeru glanced at Yukino and Sylphin. Both showed expressions indicating they would follow his lead. Seeing this, Takeru nodded.
"Being able to invite you all, I think Oyakata-sama will also be very happy!" Seeing Takeru agree, Rengoku revealed a happy smile.
At that moment, the sun slowly rose. Watching the sunlight spill onto the earth, the demonic aura also seemed to dissipate under the sun's rays, and everyone felt a wave of comfort...
Takeru, looking at the completely unharmed Rengoku, also showed a smile.
'Rengoku, you owe me one life, you know.' Of course, this was just something Takeru thought to himself.
Simultaneously, a Kasugai crow that had been circling in the air the entire time swiftly flew towards the headquarters the moment Takeru completely killed Upper Rank Three.
"Young man Takeru, and everyone, without delay, let us return to headquarters now!" Taking a glance at the sun, Rengoku spoke.
"Sure!" Hearing this, Takeru also gave a slight nod.
...
As time passed, soon, all the Hashira learned of Takeru killing Upper Rank Three. Faced with this news, everyone, without exception, revealed smiles.
Having fought for so many years, with the Demon Slayer Corps losing countless people, the most they had ever achieved was killing Lower Ranks. As for Upper Ranks, they had never been killed before.
And now, with the demise of Upper Rank Three, everyone saw a glimmer of victory's dawn, even if it still seemed very far away...
"I see. So there are still such remarkable people in the world. If he could join the Demon Slayer Corps, perhaps the grudge with Kibutsuji Muzan could be completely ended in my generation. I truly look forward to seeing him soon!"
In a place with extremely beautiful scenery, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, along with his wife and daughters, stood there, bathing in sunlight and enjoying the sound of flowing water.
Kagaya spoke with anticipation. Due to a curse-like illness plaguing him, his face above the nose was severely disfigured, and he was blind.
Yet this very person was able to command the Demon Slayer Corps with its diverse personalities, and even the Hashira were extremely loyal to him, including the most temperamental Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa Sanemi.
…
Apart from Takeru's side, in other worlds, Ui and Yui, along with Hachiman, were also in one world. Initially, all three fell under Enmu's Blood Demon Art and lost consciousness. But during Tanjiro's battle with Enmu, the three successfully woke up.
While Yui and Hachiman, along with Rengoku, Zenitsu, and Nezuko, protected the train passengers, Ui cooperated with Tanjiro and Inosuke to behead Enmu.
Afterwards, they also encountered Akaza. Facing the terrifying Akaza, Ui and the others were naturally no match.
However, with Rengoku, who had preserved his stamina relatively well, taking the lead, and with the combined efforts of Ui, Yui, Hachiman, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, they managed to hold out until dawn at the cost of Rengoku sustaining moderate injuries, successfully driving Akaza away.
Furthermore, Rengoku's wounds were further alleviated by a Life Recovery Potion Ui produced.
Apart from their world, another world wasn't so fortunate. This was the world where Rikka, Umaru, Ritsu, and Tasokure Tadashi were.
Because Umaru and Ritsu weren't fond of Tasokure Tadashi and didn't want to do missions with him, initially both sides were fine: you don't bother me, I can't be bothered with you. Then, all four also fell under Enmu's Blood Demon Art and were put to sleep.
During the battle with Tanjiro and the others, Umaru, Rikka, and the third person woke up in time and offered assistance.
All the way until after everyone worked together to kill Enmu, and then Akaza's attack came. It was at this moment that Tasokure Tadashi, who had been slow to wake up, rushed towards Akaza in his eagerness to achieve merit, only to be directly attacked by Akaza.
And Rengoku, in order to protect him, directly took Akaza's attack head-on.
In the end, although Tasokure Tadashi still died at Akaza's hands, Rengoku, to prevent Akaza from indiscriminately killing innocents, also burned his life force to hold him off until dawn. And when Akaza left, Rengoku had perished completely.
...
Traveling at high speed, it wasn't until afternoon that Takeru and the others saw the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Takeru even saw Kagaya, who had been waiting for some time...
"Oyakata-sama!" Seeing Kagaya, Rengoku immediately knelt on one knee in salute.
"Kyojiro, there's no need for such formalities. And everyone, you've worked hard. I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya. Next, please, heroes, take some rest!" After Takeru and the others arrived, Kagaya also politely addressed them.
Seeing this, Yukino and the others also looked towards Takeru. Clearly, they were leaving everything to his discretion.
"In that case, we gratefully accept!" Soon, as everyone entered, inside the house, a large amount of delicious food had already been prepared.
"Ohhoho, it's delicious food!" Seeing the feast, Inosuke instantly got excited.
"Inosuke!" However, the restless Inosuke was immediately grabbed by Tanjiro and Zenitsu.
After learning that the man who appeared sickly before them was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Zenitsu also became extremely nervous.
But Kagaya didn't blame Inosuke. Instead, he was extremely kind to everyone, which was his unique gentleness.
Soon, under the hospitality of the Ubuyashiki Family, Takeru and the others quickly replenished themselves with the feast. Since they arrived in this world without any money, being hosted by the Ubuyashiki Family was also very good for Takeru and the others.
After enjoying the delicious meal, Takeru and the others, at Kagaya's urging, stayed overnight.