Chapter 44: Chapter 44: The Student of the Butterfly Hashira, Kanao.
Chapter 44: The Student of the Butterfly Hashira, Kanao.
"I have no interest in the flesh of boys, so don't meddle in things that don't concern you!"
Douma spoke with a serious tone, a smile lingering on his face, as his hand clenched around Tanjiro's throat, pinning him to the ground. Blood trickled from Tanjiro's mouth, his chest heaving as he struggled for air. His mind raced.
'This is bad. I can't move his hand at all. It's as if he's made of stone. What is this strength? Who is this man…?'
With a slow blink, Tanjiro's eyes opened fully, his gaze locking onto Douma's glowing eyes, the words Upper Rank Two etched upon them. In that instant, Tanjiro's body trembled, finally understanding why he couldn't even budge Douma's hand. But even in the face of such overwhelming strength, Tanjiro refused to give up. With the last remnants of air in his lungs, he raised his sword toward Douma's neck.
"Water Breathing – First Form ~ water surface slash!"
Tanjiro's sword, surrounded by a flowing stream of water, slashed toward Douma's neck. But with effortless grace, Douma lifted his free hand and caught the blade. A shallow cut appeared on his hand, causing blood to drip onto Tanjiro's face, who remained paralyzed and terrified by the ease with which Douma had stopped his attack.
Just moments earlier, in the room where patients were resting, Zenitsu stood alongside Shinobu, Inosuke, Kanao, and the young girls. Shinobu, with her usual calm expression, glanced at Tanjiro's wooden box and spoke softly.
"What do you think? Is the demon you're hearing actually Tanjiro's sister?"
Nezuko's eyes opened slowly as she crawled out of the wooden box, standing before them. Zenitsu, still nervous, responded.
"Of course not. I can't pinpoint its exact location, but there's definitely a demon inside this house."
As they tried to make sense of the situation, the sound of splintering wood echoed from the kitchen. It was the result of Tanjiro's earlier clash.
Without hesitation, Shinobu drew her sword and dashed toward the kitchen, Kanao following close behind. Inosuke began running as well, shouting.
"Let's move, Zenitsu!"
Zenitsu, trembling with fear, replied, "I-I think I'll stay back and make sure Nezuko-chan doesn't leave the room…"
Glancing at Nezuko, Zenitsu was met with a look of disappointment on her face, as she hummed, "Mmm, mmm!"
"What's with that look on your face? I've never heard a sound like this before. Clearly, it's someone really strong…" Zenitsu muttered, still worried.
At that same moment, Shinobu arrived in the kitchen, freezing in place as she took in the scene.
Douma, the Upper Moon Two, had Tanjiro's sword in his left hand, and his throat in a crushing grip with his right. Nearby, Kanzaki Aoi was paralyzed with fear, unable to do anything. Douma slowly lifted his head, sensing the presence at the doorway. The moment his eyes fell on Shinobu, a chilling smile spread across his face.
"Hmmm? That's not a face unfamiliar to my memory…"
When Kanao arrived, she couldn't understand why Shinobu was frozen in place, so without hesitation, she charged forward.
"Flower Breathing – Fifth Form – Peonies of Futility!"
Kanao moved with incredible speed, her body spinning in a graceful arc. Her sword whirled around her in a beautiful display, like a whirlwind of pink petals. She slashed at Douma's hands, his chest, his ear, and his neck, all in one fluid motion, dragging Tanjiro out from under him and leaping three meters back.
Douma's body was riddled with shallow cuts, a faint wound on his neck. But despite this, his smile remained as his wounds healed almost instantly. He gazed at Kanao with admiration.
"What a fine attack. And what a delightful scent. Like that of a fragrant flower… perfect for eating."
A bead of sweat slid down Kanao's cheek upon hearing this, while Tanjiro finally took in a deep breath, relieved. However, Douma's words caused something to stir in Shinobu's eyes, something deep and painful. He had spoken almost the same words to her older sister long ago. Memories of that day flooded Shinobu's mind, igniting a fierce anger within her. Veins bulged on her forehead as she spoke through gritted teeth.
"Upper Moon Two, Douma! I never thought the day I'd meet you again would come so soon. I, Shinobu, the Butterfly Hashira, swear to sacrifice my life to cut off your head tonight and avenge my elder sister!"
Shock spread across the faces of Tanjiro, Inosuke, Kanao, and even Aoi and the girls standing in the background. The calm and rational figure they all knew as Shinobu was now consumed by a burning rage, her mind clouded by memories of the past. Yet Douma remained cool and collected, his gaze icy as he responded.
"Hmmm? A grudge from the past? Although I'm not here for you, this could be a bit entertaining. Your flesh looks quite tasty after all, though I'd rather start with the flower girl."
He glanced meaningfully at Kanao, causing Shinobu's eyes to narrow in fury. She inhaled deeply, her purple eyes burning with hatred.
"I will never let you lay a finger on Kanao… not over my dead body!"
Fwoosh!
In a blur, Shinobu charged at Douma, her eyes blazing with determination. Meanwhile, in the snowy forest, the purple glow in Kintaro's eyes had become even more brilliant, like a fierce flame. He had reached the peak of his abilities, to the point that purple cracks had begun to form on the skin of his face. The level of power he was using was at 67%, more than he had ever utilized since he first held his sword. He wasn't even aware of it, driven purely by his emotions.
~ More Chapters;
patr eon. com/Ayaka0
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone