After a week of recuperation, the group's bodies had mostly recovered.
A Kasugai Crow flew in from outside, landing in Tanjirou's hand. "North-north-east, north-north-east! Three people to Mt. Natagumo, Mt. Natagumo!"
Dressed and ready to depart, Tanjirou thanked the old woman after stepping out of the Wisteria House's gate. "Thank you very much for your care these past few days!"
The old woman nodded, taking out a flint from her sleeve. "Please allow me to strike sparks for you."
"Thank you very much!"
Tanjirou and Zenitsu turned around. Only Inosuke watched the old woman's actions, confused. She struck the flint with force, producing sparks, and Inosuke was startled.
"What are you doing, old hag!"
Zenitsu stopped Inosuke and reprimanded him, "What are you doing? This is to strike sparks, to ward off misfortune for us, because we are going to dangerous work!"
After this small interlude, the old woman remained unperturbed.
"No matter what, please live with pride." She bowed to the three. "I wish you good fortune in battle."
Running along the mountain path, Inosuke wanted to win no matter what, rushing to the front. Tanjirou followed steadily behind him, while Zenitsu, lagging behind, complained.
"Wait for me!"
Night fell, and the three finally reached their destination. The huge forest exuded an eerie and sinister aura. Zenitsu plopped down onto the ground.
"Wait a minute, wait!"
"Zenitsu, there's not much time to stop now!"
"Tch, what a pain."
"I'm completely normal! You're the abnormal ones!" Agatsuma Zenitsu raised his hands in protest.
What a smell. The wind carried a strange odor. Tanjirou frowned and ran towards the distance, with Inosuke close behind.
"Wait for me!" Zenitsu got up from the ground and followed.
"Are you alright!" A person was lying on the ground in the distance. By his clothes, he was a Demon Slayer Corps member. He stretched out his hand towards Tanjirou in terror, muttering, "Save me, save me!"
Just as Tanjirou approached him, before he could even touch him, the member suddenly flew up into the air and was pulled into the forest, startling a flock of birds.
"What's going on!" Watching the other person disappear before his eyes, a terrifying smell rushed into his nostrils. Tanjirou struggled for a moment, then clenched his trembling hands, stating firmly, "I'm going in!"
Inosuke drew his nichirin blade, pushing Tanjirou aside. "I'll take the lead! You can just shiver and follow behind me."
The two ran into the forest. Agatsuma Zenitsu was greatly frightened by the previous scene, hugging his legs and unable to move. Tears of fear flowed. "Wait for me! Don't leave me alone!!"
In the dim forest, just a few steps would cover them in spider silk. Large expanses of spiderwebs were woven throughout the trees.
It truly lives up to its name, Spider Mountain, Tanjirou thought, brushing the spider silk off his shoulder.
"It's all spider silk, so annoying!" Inosuke waved his arms, shaking off the spider silk from his hands.
Tanjirou looked at him.
"Inosuke."
"What!"
"Thank you! I feel very reassured that Inosuke is coming along too."
"The ominous aura from the mountain made me a little hesitant too."
"Oh?"
Inosuke felt a sensation he had never experienced before, a lightness in his heart.
Snapping back to reality, he shouted angrily.
"Whether it's you, or that blonde guy, or that old hag!"
"You! Don't make me feel light-headed anymore!"
"Shh!" Tanjirou pointed to a figure hiding in the bushes in the distance; it was a Demon Slayer Corps member.
The two approached him together, gently patting his shoulder, which startled him so much he almost drew his blade. Facing his still-frightened face, Tanjirou whispered, "We're here to help. I'm Kamado Tanjirou, Mizunoto rank."
"Mizunoto? Why isn't it a Hashira! A few Mizunoto are meaningless!" Hearing Tanjirou's rank, despair washed over the man's face. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain as Inosuke punched him in the face. The intense pain in his nose helped him calm down slightly.
"Quickly, explain the situation to me!" The man's face turned pale as the strange boar-headed figure pressed closer.
"Ten members came here, but after entering the mountain, everyone suddenly started hurting each other!"
"I... I ran away."
...A fair hand gently stroked the panting crow, and a soft yet authoritative voice said, "It's truly hard work to return."
"Are most of my children killed?"
He had shoulder-length black hair, deep purple scars spreading from his forehead to his cheeks, and wore a white kimono with purplish-red patterns at the ends.
"There might even be a Twelve Kizuki here."
"It seems a Hashira will have to go."
"Giyuu, Shinobu."
The two people sitting behind the man responded in succession.
"Yes, sir!"
"It would be nice if humans and demons could get along~ Don't you think so, Mr. Tomioka?" Just like Yoizumi, Shinobu's lips curved into her usual perfectly gentle smile.
"No, as long as demons are still eating humans." Giyu Tomioka's face was cold, his black hair tied in a braid at the back of his head, his deep blue eyes as calm as a lake... "Why don't you let the two demons on your back out!"
After leaving Mr. Murata, the two encountered many Demon Slayer Corps members whose bodies were controlled by spider silk. They thought they could save them, but the angry demons killed them all.
With their combined efforts, they successfully killed the demon that was controlling them, but from its mouth, they learned that there was a Twelve Kizuki in this forest.
"If too many Demon Slayer Corps members come here, we'll be exposed." Tanjirou still had concerns. To find a way to turn Yoizumi-nii and Nezuko back into humans, he had to stay in the Demon Slayer Corps. Only then could he find Kibutsuji Muzan.
The wooden box suddenly opened by itself, and Yoizumi jumped out, landing on the ground.
"Yoizumi-nii! Don't come out!"
"It's alright, it's very dangerous here." Yoizumi reverted to his original form, and casually healed the injuries Tanjirou and Inosuke sustained in battle.
"I will help you. Rely on me more," Yoizumi said.
"Tanjirou, Nezuko-chan!" Agatsuma Zenitsu called out in the forest, simultaneously cursing Tanjirou angrily.
Tanjirou, that idiot! How could he bring such a cute girl to such a dangerous place!
What a brainless fool!
Nezuko-chan! I will definitely protect you!
Wait for me!
This forest is full of spiders. Although I know spiders work hard to live, the "rustling" sound of walking is really disgusting!
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his palm. Agatsuma Zenitsu raised his hand to check. See! He was bitten again!
I've had enough!
Once I find Nezuko-chan, I'll take her out of here!
A spine-chilling scuttling sound came from behind him. Agatsuma Zenitsu, already in a bad mood, turned around angrily and pointed, yelling curses.
"Seriously! So noisy! Stay still!"
Once he clearly saw what it was, Agatsuma Zenitsu trembled all over and ran away.
"Eek!!!"
Snot and tears streamed down his face, utterly terrified.
What was that! Where did those giant spiders with human heads come from!
Help!
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