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"Hinokami Kagura: Clear Blue Sky!"
Kamado Tanjirō descended from above, his newly forged nichirin blade tracing a perfect circular arc through the air. Flames wrapped around the slash like a blazing halo as it swept forward, instantly severing the head of Lower Rank Two, Rokuro, who had been attempting to flee.
The demon's body stiffened for a brief instant before collapsing, dissolving into ash.
"Huff… huff…!"
Tanjirō staggered as he landed, gasping for breath. After a moment, excitement surged through him, and he raised his nichirin blade high.
"We won! We won!"
This battle had begun with Tanjirō and his sister facing Lower Ranks Two, Three, and Six alone, pushed steadily into a corner. It was only after Genya Shinazugawa arrived with the six-armed training puppet that the balance had begun to shift.
The true turning point, however, came when Kotetsu delivered Tanjirō's newly forged blade—allowing him to use Hinokami Kagura once more. That single moment reversed the entire battle, enabling him to finish all three Lower Ranks in succession.
Yet victory came at a cost.
After his shout faded, Tanjirō's strength finally gave out. His legs buckled, and he collapsed heavily onto the ground.
"Tch… it's all broken…"
Kotetsu knelt beside the six-armed puppet, staring at its shattered remains. The once-formidable construct now lay scattered across the ground, limbs torn apart beyond repair.
"I'm sorry."
Supported by Nezuko, Tanjirō made his way over and bowed his head deeply. "If not for it… we wouldn't have made it."
"It's fine."
Kotetsu shook his head, carefully gathering the broken pieces. "To fight until the very end… I think Yoriichi Type Zero would've been happy."
That was the name of the puppet—created generations ago by Kotetsu's ancestor, modeled after a legendary swordsman from the Sengoku era. Its six arms existed for a single reason: two arms alone were insufficient to reproduce that swordsman's techniques.
"Huh…?"
As Kotetsu continued clearing debris, his hands paused.
"Is this… a blade?"
Hidden within the puppet's chest cavity was a nichirin sword. Kotetsu carefully pulled it free, eyes widening.
"This must be the sword used by the swordsman Yoriichi Type Zero was modeled after!"
He examined the blade closely, then looked at Tanjirō.
"Earlier, you said the techniques recorded in Type Zero were similar to your Hinokami Kagura. Maybe there's a connection between you and that Sengoku swordsman."
He hesitated for a moment, then extended the sword.
"How about you use it?"
"…For me?"
Tanjirō instinctively wanted to refuse—but as his eyes met the rusted blade, an inexplicable familiarity stirred in his chest. Almost unconsciously, he nodded.
"I'll use it well."
Kotetsu passed him the sword with visible reluctance. "If Haganezuka Hotaru were still alive… he could've restored it properly."
"Haganezuka-san…"
Sadness flickered across Tanjirō's face. The name belonged to the swordsmith who had forged his previous blades.
"Tch."
Nearby, Genya Shinazugawa pushed himself upright, glancing toward the rear of the village.
"Ah—Naruto-san!"
Tanjirō suddenly remembered. He struggled to stand, preparing to follow Genya—
But before they could move, a familiar figure emerged from the far end of the village.
"Naruto-san!"
Tanjirō waved excitedly. "Did you defeat them too?! That's amazing!"
"Mm."
Naruto nodded, his gaze sweeping across them. Seeing that everyone was alive, he relaxed slightly.
"You did well," he said calmly.
Tanjirō scratched his head shyly.
"It was thanks to Genya and Kotetsu—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Naruto's expression had changed.
His hand tightened around his sword hilt, eyes locking onto the distance.
Tanjirō followed his gaze—and stiffened as two figures approached at high speed.
Then recognition hit.
"Giyu-san! Mitsuri-san!"
The arriving figures were Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu and Love Hashira Kanroji Mitsuri.
"…Is it over already?"
Giyu scanned the scene, subtly exhaling when he confirmed they were unharmed.
"Thank goodness…" Mitsuri said with relief, smiling brightly. "You're all safe!"
She looked around curiously. "I heard Lower Ranks attacked the village—did you handle them?"
Tanjirō shook his head vigorously.
"No—it wasn't just Lower Ranks. There were two Upper Ranks."
Giyu and Mitsuri froze.
"…Two?"
"They were defeated by Naruto-san," Tanjirō added.
"Upper Rank Four and Upper Rank Five," Naruto confirmed. "They're gone."
Mitsuri's eyes sparkled. "That's incredible!"
Naruto laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "Hehehe…"
Caw! Caw!
A Kasugai Crow suddenly descended, voice shrill with urgency.
"Emergency! Emergency! Master's residence has been exposed and is under demon attack! All available Hashira are to return immediately! Immediately!!!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Naruto's expression sharpened.
"…Let's move."