When the sinful life of Rokuro came to an end in Shinichi eyes, Shinichi vision was immediately engulfed by a vast darkness and his body became extremely weak due to overexertion.
Thud!
With a clear sound, Shinichi collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
In the bloodied and shattered battlefield, only Elder Moriki was left barely able to move.
After struggling for a moment, Elder Moriki used his Nichirin Blade as support and laboriously stood up, slowly making his way towards where Shinichi had fallen.
Looking at Shinichi slightly exposed fangs, Elder Moriki eyes were deep and silent.
At that moment, a crow with jet-black feathers flapped its wings and gently landed on the ground, right in front of the lifeless Kawachi.
The crow looked up at its master, who had already lost his warmth and tears of crystal overflowed from its eyes.
The crow, who had spent countless days and nights with Kawachi, had long regarded him as a family and a companion.
"He was a brave child. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to defeat that Lower Moon Demon. Crow, could you deliver a message and a request to Oyakata-sama for me?" Elder Moriki, who had somehow arrived in front of Kawachi, spoke in a solemn tone.
***
As the moon completely set, the dawn of a new day gradually rose and the sky brightened.
"Caw! Caw! Lower Moon Four has been defeated! Lower Moon Four has been defeated!" A large crow flapped its wings, shouting loudly as it flew into a spacious estate.
Under the eaves, a black-haired man kneeling on the tatami mat looked up gently putting down the book in his hands.
Hearing the crow voice outside, the slender man stood up and walked outside the room.
He extended his arm, and a crow steadily landed on it, repeating the message it had just delivered.
"Lower Moon Four? That's wonderful. Defeating one of the Twelve Kizuki will surely boost everyone confidence" the black-haired man said with genuine happiness.
At the same time, a clear and melodious voice sounded behind him.
"Master, the Water Hashira is waiting for your audience."
The black-haired man turned around with a smile, his smoke-purple eyes looking at the stunningly beautiful young woman, who was also his wife and said softly.
"Amane, there's no need to address me so formally. By the way, I just received news that the demon slayer have successfully slain a Lower Moon Demon."
"Really? That's such an uplifting piece of good news" Amane replied happily.
"Yes, but... several very brave young swordsmen have also lost their precious lives" the black-haired man expression turned somewhat somber.
"However, the Breath of the Forest, which everyone thought had vanished, has reappeared and something incredible has also happened."
"Breath of the Forest?" Amane showed a puzzled expression, clearly having never heard of this breathing technique.
***
Crack!
A crisp sound echoed as a wooden stick was stepped on and broken.
In the dense mountain forest, a figure as swift as fire darted rapidly through the trees.
The figure moved so fast that it was impossible to make out its appearance, only catching a glimpse of a fluttering cloak that resembled a raging flame.
As the sun gradually rose, the heart of the current Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, grew slightly restless.
Upon receiving the message from the Kasugai Crow, he had rushed madly towards Shirai Mountain.
As the Flame Hashira, he was well aware of the strength of the Twelve Kizuki. Although he had faith in Kawachi and the others, those young swordsmen were of a lower rank and stood no chance against the Twelve Kizuki.
Despite Rengoku Shinjuro desperate efforts to arrive quickly, even using the Flame Breathing technique multiple times to accelerate his journey without regard for his stamina, by the time he reached Shirai Mountain, the sun had already begun to rise.
As soon as he set foot on Shirai Mountain, Rengoku Shinjuro keen senses detected the scent of blood in the air.
Determining a direction, he gripped the hilt of his Nichirin Blade and with a swift motion, the figure of the Flame Hashira vanished from his original spot.
"Cough, cough, cough... I'm indeed getting old. Even with the Forest Breathing technique, I no longer have the strength to fight the Twelve Kizuki. However, it's fortunate that someone who can truly inherit the Forest Breathing has appeared."
The hunched figure of Elder Moriki struggled to stand up, looking towards Shinichi, who lay unconscious on the ground.
"Ancestors, is this all part of fate arrangement?" Elder Moriki sighed, but suddenly his expression changed and he turned sharply.
From the shadows of the bushes, a ferocious figure let out a low growl, its eyes filled with savagery and hunger, the only visible features in the darkness.
This was a Demon that had been starving for a long time, lurking on Shirai Mountain. Before Rokuro arrived, the missing woodcutters and hunters on the mountain were his doing.
But after Rokuro arrival, out of fear for the higher-ranking Demon, he had been forced to hide.
However, the intense battle last night and the strong scent of blood were too tempting for this long-starved Demon.
With Rokuro presence suddenly gone, the Demon could no longer resist.
Elder Moriki slowly tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade, his expression turning serious.
Although his body was very weak, if it was just an ordinary Demon, it shouldn't be a problem.
Taking a deep breath, the unique Forest Breathing technique began to circulate within Elder Moriki body.
The Demon in the bushes could no longer hold back, dawn was approaching and he was truly hungry!
With a ferocious grin, the Demon body shot forward like an arrow towards Elder Moriki.
Elder Moriki quickly raised his Nichirin Blade, but before the first form of Forest Breathing could take shape, a figure cloaked in orange-red flames appeared behind the Demon, moving even faster!
"Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!" With a sharp shout, the Nichirin Blade, engulfed in orange-red flames, slashed upwards at an incredible angle without any resistance.
The pouncing Demon didn't even have time to react before his head was severed!
Crack!
The broad hand easily sheathed the Nichirin Blade and the Demon disintegrated into ashes.
Rengoku Shinjuro looked up at Elder Moriki, who was wearing an old-style uniform and loudly asked.
"Old man! Where is the Lower Moon Demon?"
Looking at Rengoku Shinjuro attire—the pure white haori with flowing flame patterns, the crisp Demon Slayer Corps uniform, the slightly disheveled yet remarkably spirited golden hair with tips dyed a vivid red, the rugged eyebrows and righteous face along with his wide, orange eyes—it was easy to associate him with an owl.
"You... you're a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Rengoku Shinjuro, gripping the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, responded loudly.
"Yes! I am the Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Rengoku Shinjuro!"
***
The Kasugai Crow with a red feather stuck in its tail, flapped its wings desperately, its beak almost foaming at the corners, finally managing to catch up to its master Rengoku Shinjuro.
Soon, with the crow perched on his arm, Shinjuro understood everything.
"Old man, so you've already slain Lower Moon Four? That's truly remarkable!"