CHAPTER 18 - Nightmares: Part 2

Heavy rocks rolled down the road that conjoined the neighbourhood with the castle. The night finally began. There was no time to dodge. Zoro moved ahead and cut down the first one in front with his Shusui. Kanao jumped high above after him. No sign of the perpetrator from her sight.

"360 Pound Phoenix!"

The large stones were hacked into two. Zoro passed through the remnants dodging with his Observation Haki. He was determined to end the trickery.

"Any sign?" he asked. Kanao landed back following the Pound Phoenix. She shook her head.

The barrage of the large boulders was the beginning of their obstacles. A small river ran in front of them at high speeds. As they walked up hill, a small bridge connected their path ahead. It had no guard rails and it seemed shaky enough to be considered a risk. Kanao walked ahead and handled the bridge with ease. Her balance was top-notch. Zoro had to double-think before making the attempt. He wasn't far away from Kanao in terms of balance and distance. The drop was dangerous. The river would've swept them away if there should've been any mistakes. Someone must've wanted visitors away from reaching the castle, whilst its absence from humans. Kanao made it to the other side and waited for Zoro to arrive. He was midway, taking it slow. The moon was bright. Kanao observed its magnificence. Something was found hovering in front of it. It seemed to be static at a point until she noticed that it was moving their way. As the distance grew closer, she realised that it was moving towards the swordsman.

"Zoro-san!" Kanao shouted.

The Pirate Hunter sensed the presence. It rushed towards him at full speed. There was no place to dodge on the shaky bridge. The flying-object swooped past him, forcing him to lose his balance. Zoro managed to grab onto the bridge ledge, bobbing up and down from the suspension. Kanao observed a bat-like creature fly overhead. She couldn't interpret it, declaring it a demon. It was hostile and sentient in every way. Zoro couldn't see the foe, being busy trying to get back up. It was a miracle he hadn't dropped his Shusui, but he would've let go having lost his sword into the waters below. Kanao rushed to the bridge's end and shouted for Zoro to hurry. The latter got back up and gave his best to rush ahead. The test for crossing the bridge was a trick against impatience. The bat must've been associated with those tumbling rocks and the devising a hostile bridge, Zoro thought, inciting fury to confront it. As the bat returned back, he got the time to aim his blade upon it.

"One Sword Style…" he waited until it was in range.

Kanao observed that it changed its direction. Zoro followed the same, letting his attack loose.

"Bird Dance!" The Flying-blade attack missed for the inconsistent flips. The bat was cunning and rushed for the bridge's edge towards Kanao. The latter hacked her blade, ripping off a segment of its left wing. It screeched in terror. Kanao confirmed it as a demon as smoke emitted from its wounds, and was quite surprised at its enormous size at close range. But to her terror, the bat managed to cut down the bridge's ropes. A set of ropes were down for the count, leaving the other set somehow holding on its own. She rushed in and grabbed the bridge after the remaining ropes snapped for good. Zoro tumbled and survived once again from falling over. He observed Kanao's struggle in holding the bridge on her own. The swordsman withdrew his Shusui, and began moving sideways with his arms. Kanao heaved turning her face red, trying her best to hold the bridge. The bat had regenerated and made a long turn as Zoro observed it around the moon. He had to hurry. Falling into the water would put him at a disadvantage, and Kanao wouldn't be able to hold for much longer.

"Don't drop the ropes!" Zoro bellowed, trying his best to move fastest along the side-turned bridge. The bat was fast and Zoro realised he wouldn't be able to make it. He drew out his Shusui once again to deal it a devastating blow upon contact. But his Observation Haki said a different story. The demon bat headed to finish off Kanao whilst she had her hands full. The girl realised the situation herself, but it was too late.

The Shusui pierced through the demon's neck right on time before striking Kanao. The demon bat deviated from its course crashing onto the trees hard beyond the road with its great momentum. It was strangled from the Shusui stuck in its neck, spraying demon blood, shrieking in agonising pain. Kanao was shocked to have survived the checkmate situation. Little did she know that she had dropped the ropes.

Law returned back to the estate after sunset that same day. He had a meeting with Kagaya Ubuyashiki who had mentioned an unfathomable idea. The conversation came up after the leader told Law of news that involved the Demons' movement.

"They are more organised in their ranks than before." said Ubuyashiki, "Led by Demon Moons, our Demon Slayers and kakushis have reported of expected confrontations in various locations."

"So your predictions were correct." Law said.

"Gyumei Himejima and his team have already confronted a significant demon group, succeeding in their attempt and managing to kill the Lower Demon Moon No. 5. Quite a number on our side were killed and injured. The injured shall be brought to the Butterfly Estate in a day or two."

Law nodded to take care of the situation.

"But it looks like Kibutsuji is restoring his ranks once again."

Law continued to listen.

"The former Demon Moon keeping the position of Lower No. 5 was defeated at the Natagumo Mountain by Giyu Tomioka and Tanjiro Kamado. We must be prepared."

"The idea you have in your mind. Are you serious about it?" Law asked, having doubts.

"We need to protect the people, and we have the Pillars busy with the situation on all the sides. Truth be told, I have no fear over my life and gladly would've gone into battle if I could've. If the headquarters should fall, the Demons shall have the advantage of the disorder."

"That's why you've put Mitsu-ya and myself for the job."

"Don't forget the high probability of Kibutsuji's interest in your skills. And I assure you he wants me and my family dead for putting up a fight all these years. I have a fear that the demon leader himself might show up out here to accomplish his plans."

"So the rumoured Kibutsuji's might show up?" Law asked.

"He's after you, and that's what I'm most afraid of. Kibutsuji is a monster that no one has been able to defeat. I don't want you to fight if a fight ever develops in the defence of the headquarters. You are busy with your work and has helped us beyond your time. Mitsuri's purpose in defending the area is less than the priority of protecting you and your objectives."

"What?" Law was surprised.

Ubuyushiki observed him, "I believe she must not have mentioned to you. It was my idea for your protection. You need to survive if we must stand a chance against Kibutsuji."

"I fight my own fights, if you are unaware of that. That means I don't let others do my job for me." Law retorted.

"I'm sorry, if I must've said something wrong."

"Mitsu-ya can flail around her supernatural strength against all the demons that must invade, but I won't allow her to protect me. Kocho-ya instructed her to help me out with the patients and the estate, but I wouldn't show mercy if she or anyone decides to stand in the way of my fight. Sympathy is for the weak, a real warrior takes responsibility. I'll let Mitsu-ya clarified on her objectives."

"I guess there's no stopping you in this regard." Ubuyashiki replied with a sigh.

Law observed the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps for a few moments. "I guess I'm beginning to understand your thoughts." he said, "You said you were twenty-three and mentioned you are going to die soon from a curse."

Ubuyashiki nodded.

"I was once destined to die at the age of 13, because of a disease that spread through my family and hometown. But I'm alive today by fate that denied me death when it was inevitable. If you are a man, you live your life to the fullest." Law looked at Ubuyashiki's eye, "Fate may be cruel sometimes upon a person's life, but that doesn't mean you should follow that fate. Don't give up. Try to find some answers, alright."

Ubuyashiki smiled, "You are a good man, Captain Law. Thank you."

Law turned around and decided to leave. Ubuyashiki did not ask him to stay longer for an answer to their first problem.

"I'll consent to the idea that you had mentioned. It's something I haven't done and I'd condemn in the usual context, but my job is not the concern here. I can only hope it works." Law said.

"I'll do my part. And I thank you for your approval." Ubuyashiki replied.

"It was your plan after all. You could've done it by yourself."

Ubuyashiki shook his head in denial.

Law wore his shoes and prepared to leave, "And one of thing, I'll head to the graveyard before sunset if no one has any problems. Is that okay with you?"

"It'll be fine." Ubuyashiki replied.

Back at the mansion, the caretakers were surprised with him. He carried a shovel and was muddied up from some kind of fieldwork.

"Is everything alright?" Aoi asked, looking at him.

"I'll be heading to my room. Let me know if something comes up. I'm expecting complaints."

Sumi and Naho observed the man heading inside.

Taking his shoes off, Law visited the infirmary and found that Tanjiro and his friends were gone, discharged on that day. He would be expecting the arrival of the injured Demon Slayers from Pillar Himejima's battle. Work would be busy soon. Mitsuri met him on his way, and Law discussed the matter relating to her.

"Oh." Mitsuri replied, quite unpleased, "The Master said so?"

"He told me it was his idea." Law replied, "You shan't worry about my life."

"I… if you say so."

Law saw doubt in her eyes.

"Those Demons should worry that I don't find them first." He patted Mitsuri's right shoulder with his light-hearted statement, leaving for his study.

TO BE CONTINUED...

P.S. - The next chapter will be uploaded before 6.30pm UTC/GMT on 24th April. Stay tuned :-D