Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Rengoku stood in front of the wrecked train, their eyes sweeping over the unharmed passengers. For once in their lives, they had managed to survive without someone losing a limb or getting eaten.
"Thank you, dear gods, for watching over us!" Tanjiro said, bowing deeply.
Zenitsu, holding onto Tanjiro's sleeve, nodded rapidly. "Yes, yes! I swear, if I live through this mission, I'll never complain about Raja's training again!"
Inosuke, meanwhile, was dramatically flexing. "HA! The great Inosuke needed no divine intervention! I AM THE GOD HERE!"
Raja, still lurking in the shadows, snorted.
"Oh sure, now they thank the gods. Meanwhile, I literally carried the train's passengers to safety, and do I get a 'thank you'? Noooo."
But their moment of gratitude was rudely interrupted.
BOOM!
The ground trembled as two demonic figures landed in front of them, creating deep craters from the sheer force of their entrance.
Two figures stepped forward—one smug and icy, the other a battle-crazed maniac.
Upper Rank 2: Doma.
Upper Rank 3: Akaza.
The Demon Slayers' expressions froze.
Zenitsu promptly passed out.
Inosuke hissed like a cornered raccoon.
Tanjiro gripped his sword tighter.
Even Rengoku's usually cheerful expression darkened.
"Two Upper Moons at once?!"
Doma smirked and waved. "Hello, hello! Sorry to break up your little prayer session, but unfortunately… none of you are leaving alive~"
Akaza cracked his knuckles, eyes glowing with excitement."Finally, a worthy battle."
Rengoku instantly stepped forward.
"Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu—take the passengers and run. You are not ready for this level of battle."
Tanjiro opened his mouth to argue, but Rengoku's firm, unwavering gaze silenced him.
"You want to fight Upper Moons? Become Hashira first."
Tanjiro clenched his fists. "Damn it!"
Doma laughed. "Oh? You think they'll get the chance to grow stronger? No, no, no… because I'll be killing all of you today~"
"Oh really, who decided that?"
A deep, powerful voice echoed through the air.
Doma and Akaza immediately tensed.
A gigantic figure stepped out of the shadows.
Towering. Muscles rippling like a god of war.
Yujiro Hanma.
Doma felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
Akaza's battle instinct flared to maximum.
The Demon Slayers?
Tanjiro: 😨 "Who… the hell…?"
Inosuke: 😱 "IS THIS A DEMON?! I MUST CHALLENGE HIM!"
Zenitsu: (still unconscious, but probably screaming in his head).
Rengoku's eyes widened.
"Are you… Yujiro Hanma? The one who saved Kocho-san?"
Yujiro grinned.
"Yes, the butterfly lady. It's been years since that incident… and what do we have here? A demon banquet?"
Yujiro turned his piercing gaze to Doma.
"Oye, kid. Did you forget our bet?"
Doma flinched.
"No eating humans until you defeat me. Did you break it?"
Doma gritted his teeth."Shut up, you monster! I haven't eaten any humans… YET. But today, I will feast on your body!"
Yujiro cracked his neck.
"Oh yeah? Let's see about that."
He turned to Rengoku.
"Little Lord is right—demons are cunning. They created this entire incident to lure a Hashira out and eliminate them."
Rengoku nodded."You are sharp, Hanma-san. They specifically came for me."He was impressed by the little lord's cunning and intelligence in predicting that two Upper Rank demons would come and sending backup.
Yujiro: "Oye! Hashira what breathing technique do you use?"
Rengoku "I use Flame Breathing. Why do you ask, Hanma-san?"
Yujiro grinned.
"Upper Rank 2 is an ice user. You take him. I'll deal with the muscle-headed fool who has lost the true meaning of being a warrior."
Akaza grinned wildly."A strong warrior like you should become a demon! Let's fight, and when I win, you'll join us!"
Yujiro laughed in his face.
"You think a pathetic demon can defeat me? Today, you will learn the meaning of invincibility. If you run before the battle ends, then you're a coward. And you still won't eat any humans until you defeat me."
Akaza's eyes burned.
"COWARD?! HA! I'LL SHOW YOU A TRUE FIGHT!"
Doma sighed dramatically.
"Why do I have to fight the serious one? I'd much rather battle a cute, little Demon Slayer instead."
Rengoku grinned, unsheathing his blade.
"FLAME BREATHING, FIRST FORM: SUN FIRE!"
A blazing arc of flames ripped through the ground, making Doma leap backward.
"Oh ho~! So aggressive already? I like it."
Doma twirled his fans, summoning ice shards.
"Let's see if your flames can handle my ice~"
Akaza charged, and delivered a powerful fist.
"Don't DIE Fast, HUMAN!"
Yujiro stood completely still.
BAM!
Akaza's fist collided with Yujiro's abs… and did absolutely nothing.
Silence.
Akaza froze.
Yujiro smirked.
"That's it?"
Then, he grabbed Akaza's wrist and flung him across the battlefield like a ragdoll.
Akaza crashed through six trees.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu watched in stunned silence.
Zenitsu: "HE JUST YEETED AN UPPER MOON LIKE A PIECE OF TRASH!"
Inosuke: "I HAVE A NEW HERO!"
Tanjiro: "I think we should listen to Rengoku-san and run."
Meanwhile, Akaza stood up, shaking with excitement.
"FINALLY, A REAL BATTLE!"
Yujiro cracked his knuckles.
"I hope you're ready, demon. Because I'm about to end your entire career."
Meanwhile, Rengoku's flames roared, and Doma's smile faltered for the first time.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu?
They sprinted away with the passengers at speeds even demons would respect.
The real fight… had begun.
TO BE CONTINUED… 🔥💀