A series of disappearances occurred consecutively in Nagano Prefecture.
According to survivors' accounts, there were monsters lurking in the darkness, abducting people every night.
Upon receiving the news, the Demon Slayer Corps immediately took it seriously.
It was highly likely that a Demon was active in Nagano Prefecture.
Thus, a team was assembled under the leadership of the newly promoted Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, along with several Demon slayer swordsmen to carry out the demon-slaying mission.
Shinobu Kocho had been promoted to Hashira rank just a month prior.
To some of the younger newly joined Demon Slayer Corps members, this newly appointed Hashira might have seemed exceptionally gentle, with a voice that was truly soft and kind.
But for most of the Demon Slayer Corps members, everyone knew just how much the Insect Hashira had changed.
At the thought of this, nearly everyone's hearts grew heavy.
The sacrifice of the Forest Hashira had dealt an immeasurable blow to the Corps.
Hinoe Rank Matsudaira secretly glanced up at the Insect Hashira standing atop the roof above them.
Her large violet eyes reflected the moonlight, making them appear exceptionally radiant.
Her delicate face bore a near-perfect smile, her expression serene and composed.
Her once-short hair had grown slightly longer.
This version of Shinobu Kocho truly seemed gentle.
Yet, Matsudaira couldn't help but feel a pang of regret as he averted his gaze.
He had once carried out missions with the Forest Hashira, Shinichi Moriki and back then, he had often seen Shinobu Kocho before she became a Hashira.
At that time, Shinobu Kocho had been somewhat willful and straightforward in personality, reminding Matsudaira of his own younger sister, who had been killed by a Demon.
Only when Shinobu and the Shinichi bickered and played around did Matsudaira feel that was her true nature.
But half a year ago, it was said that the Forest Hashira, along with the Flower Hashira and Shinobu Kocho, had encountered one of the legendary Upper Rank Demons.
In the end, the Flower Hashira was severely injured and the Forest Hashira never returned.
From that day onward, Shinobu Kocho seemed like a completely different person, growing more and more like her elder sister, the Flower Hashira.
Yet, while her gentleness was reserved for humans, her methods against Demons were nothing short of brutal.
Matsudaira was certain that the Insect Breathing technique was the most agonizing way a Demon could die.
"It must be because the Forest Hashira's sacrifice hit her too hard..." Matsudaira muttered under his breath.
Shinobu Kocho lowered her head, smiling as she looked at Matsudaira.
She tilted her head slightly and let out a soft hum.
"Hmm?"
Matsudaira quickly shut his mouth.
But just then—a piercing scream suddenly erupted from a street not far away.
"AHHHH!!"
"Something's happening!" Matsudaira sprang to his feet, his Nichirin Blade instantly unsheathed as he locked onto the direction of the scream and dashed toward the street.
Beside him, Kanoe Rank Tsuruko who had been dozing off was startled awake by the sudden scream.
Grabbing her Nichirin Blade, she hurriedly followed after her senior, Matsudaira.
As for the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho?
She had already darted toward the source of the scream as swiftly and gracefully as a fluttering butterfly, her speed far surpassing that of Matsudaira and Tsuruko.
In the dead of night, a piercing scream drew the attention of all the lurking Demon Slayer Corps members.
They swiftly converged from all directions, their black uniforms clearly displaying the character "Destroy" and their variously colored Nichirin Blades tightly gripped in hand.
Each face bore a resolute expression.
Only Shinobu Kocho's expression remained gentle and calm, though her slightly furrowed brows betrayed the turmoil beneath her serene facade.
"Demon!"
****
Thud!
A woman in a kimono was forcefully pinned against the wall, her mouth clamped shut by a white claw.
Though unable to scream, she struggled violently, her eyes filled with terror.
The owner of the claw was a grotesque demon with bared fangs and peculiar markings on its face.
Green patterns forming the character "工" adorned its forehead, nose and under its eyes, while its orange-black hair was tied into four buns.
In its pale purple left eye, the faint characters "Lower Six" could be discerned.
A Lower Moon demon!
Indeed, the one gripping the woman was none other than a Lower Moon demon.
However, Kamanue the newly promoted Lower Six, was in a foul mood.
As one of the Twelve Kizuki, he deserved the prestige befitting his rank.
The humans he consumed should at least be young and healthy, if not of higher quality.
Yet, to Kamanue disgust, the woman he had seized harbored a filthy disease within her body.
What a revolting meal!
"What's this? Women like you, dressing up like this—it infuriates me!" Kamanue snarled, baring his fangs as he leaned in close to the woman.
His claw tightened, soon piercing her cheek.
He had no intention of eating her, but Kamanue wasn't about to let her go either.
Just as he prepared to crush the despairing woman, a sudden chill ran down his spine!
Without hesitation, Kamanue body flickered, retreating dozens of meters in an instant.
At the same moment, a slender uniquely shaped Nichirin Blade struck the spot where Kamanue had stood.
Regaining his footing, Kamanue glared at the sudden intruder.
When he caught sight of the black Demon Slayer Corps uniform beneath the butterfly-patterned haori, his pupils contracted.
"Demon Slayer Corps? You're from the Demon Slayer Corps?" His voice dripped with wariness.
Shinobu ignored Kamanue question, instead turning to the woman who had collapsed in terror.
Softly she said, "Ma'am, are you alright? If you can, please leave this place immediately. Leave the rest to us."
The woman nodded frantically through her tears.
Struggling to her feet, she ignored the wound on her face, stammering her thanks before hastily fleeing the scene.
Only after the woman had left did Shinobu shift her gaze back to Kamanue.
When she noticed the "Lower Six" in his eye, her lips parted slightly in surprise.
"Oh my, it's a Lower Moon demon. How rare~ Demon-san, nice to meet you. I'm Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Pleased to make your acquaintance~" Shinobu Kocho held her Nichirin Blade with one hand, a gentle smile gracing her face.
Meanwhile, Kamanue bared his fangs and sharp teeth.
"Damn it! A Hashira?! You've got to be kidding me! I just became a Lower Moon less than a month ago!"
At the same moment—whoosh! whoosh! whoosh!—several figures emerged from all directions.
One after another, Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen gripped their Nichirin Blades, surrounding Kamanue completely.
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