Tanjiro stared in disbelief at the shattered blade in his hand.
His sword… had broken.
His mind went blank.
"Chichichichi~" The Hand Demon cackled with glee, its voice high and gloating.
"My neck is reinforced! Your sword's gone—you've got no chance now! You're both just meats waiting to be devoured!"
Shin Arashi didn't hesitate.
Without a word, he hurled his own Demon-Slaying Sword toward Tanjiro.
"Tanjiro—catch!" he shouted.
The blade spun through the air, glinting in the moonlight like a falling star.
Tanjiro's eyes widened. He snapped back to focus, thrusting out his hand—and caught it.
The Hand Demon's smug grin froze the instant it saw the sword change hands.
"No!" it snarled. "I won't let you succeed!"
Flesh squirmed and twisted as it forced one final arm to regenerate. A massive, veined fist launched forward, aiming directly for Tanjiro's skull.
This was the same move it had used years ago—to kill Urokodaki Sakonji's most promising disciple. That boy's sword had also broken against its neck, just like Tanjiro's.
This time, it would repeat history.
"Die!" the demon shrieked.
But Tanjiro didn't flinch.
He lowered his head—and charged forward.
WHAM.
A dull, sickening thud rang out as his forehead slammed into the demon's regenerated fist.
A wave of shock passed through the Hand Demon.
What kind of skull is this brat made of?!
Tanjiro didn't stop moving. He grabbed Shin's Demon-Slaying Sword, still airborne in his hand, and twisted his body, grabbing hold of the demon's arm like a swinging bar.
With one seamless motion, he launched himself up, using the arm to vault toward the demon's neck.
"Water Breathing! First Form—Water Surface Slash!"
The water surged around him as he spun in midair.
A tide of blue light swept across the darkness.
The blade came down.
"Hah! You tried that already—what makes you think it'll work this time!?" the Hand Demon jeered voice full of false bravado.
But Tanjiro didn't waver.
"Because this time… I carry my master's trust! And I won't let down Senior Shin Arashi!"
The Demon Slayer Sword—Shin Arashi's blade—cut deep into the Hand Demon's neck.
Water splashed into the air like a crashing wave.
The mocking voice turned to panic.
"N-No… no, this can't be happening!"
"GO TO HELL!" Tanjiro roared.
With a final surge of strength, the blade carved cleanly through.
The demon's head detached, flying into the air before crashing to the ground with a dull thump.
Its grotesque body collapsed beside it—lifeless.
It was over.
Tanjiro fell with the momentum, landing hard on the forest floor, breath ragged, muscles trembling.
But he held the sword tight in his hands.
Shin, watching from a distance, finally allowed himself a small smile.
"Well done, Tanjiro."