Chapter 14


Rengoku's eyes immediately changed to a demon's. He sensed something. Something strong. He paused in what he was doing and stood up. He stared off into the distance as he inwardly tried to sense where the demon is located.

The demon. It's close. But where? I must check on Miss Koinastu.

Kyojuro quickly went to Koinastu's room, and his eyes widened. She wasn't there.

She's gone. Either she left or...

Kyojuro went back to his room and quickly changed back to his Demon Slayer Corps uniform. He sneaked out through an open window, deciding to move out and look for the demon from the outside.

The demon took her.


Not good. Tanjiro thought as he ran across the rooftops of the buildings. The sun was about to set. I've got to get to Inosuke's place fast.

Tanjiro then sensed something and he paused in his tracks. There's a scent. It's faint but it smells sweet. It's a demon! It has to be! And it's nearby. This is bad.


Inosuke was waiting impatiently at his place. "He's late. It's almost nightfall and he's still not here yet! Way to mess things up! I'll just take action myself!"

Inosuke leaped up and crashed his head through the ceiling. He called out to Uzui's mice. The mice brought Inosuke's swords to him. He then changed back to his uniform and burst through the building.


Back with Uzui, he sneaked into the Kyogoku House and he calmly interrogated the co-owner of the house.

"What happened to Zenko and Hinatsuru."

The co-owner raised his head, not daring to look who was behind him.

"Give me the short version." Uzui said. "And don't even think about asking questions."

Uzui held a small kunai against the man's neck.

"Zenko just disappeared. Hinatsuru fell ill so she was sent to get saved." the man said nervously.

"Tell me everything that you might think could be relevant. Who is it that she suspects." Uzui asked. He removed the kunai from the man's neck. "You can trust me."

The man took small breaths, slightly relieved to no longer be threatened.

"You have my word that I'll kill whoever it is. I'll get revenge for you." Uzui said.

The man started getting tears in his eyes as he thought of his wife and began explaining on what happened.

"It was an Oiran Warabihime. You'll find her on the north side. She lives in the room that has no light."

The man stayed silent. When it was too silent, he looked over his shoulder to see Uzui was no longer behind him.

Uzui went to the room that the man described. It was empty. Not here. She must be on the prowl for humans. Uzui continued his search. He ran across the rooftops of the buildings, with no sound to his steps except the jingling sounds of his headband.

I'll head to Hinatsuru while pinpointing the demon's presence. If she's still alive, she might have some information. Either way, the demon should be back here by daybreak. Then I can dispose of it with my own two hands.

"Uzui." said a voice.

Tengen looked to his right to see Rengoku running alongside him.

"Rengoku. Glad to see you picking up on the chase." Tengen said to him.

"I sense a presence." Rengoku said.

"So, you sense it too." Uzui said.

"Yes. Though I now sense two."

Uzui's eyes widen in shock. "Two? You mean there could be two Upper Ranks?" Uzui asked.

"I am uncertain. I will continue searching for the one I sensed." Rengoku said.

"Then I'll continue the one I've been tracking down. You be careful out there Rengoku." Uzui told Kyojuro.

"And to you as well." Kyojuro said and off the two went to track down these demons.


The scent is strong. There's no question.

"Miss Koinastu!" Tanjiro said as he found the location of the scent. But he wasn't prepared on what he was about to see.

"Are you a demon hunter?" asked Daki. "Glad you came. So, how many of you are there. I know there's a least two of you now that I have found that yellow-haired ugly brat."

"Is there a Hashira with you? Or is he on his way now? I can tell you're not a Hashira. You seem far too weak. I have no use for anyone who's not, understood?"

Daki has Miss Koinastu wrapped up in her ribbons, half of her body already being sunk into the ribbon's fabric.

I'm too late! What's going on?! I can't see Miss Koinastu's body. She's not bleeding. There's not even a scent of blood.

"I'm case you're wondering, I don't devour dirty people. Or anyone ugly for that matter." Daki said as she now looked directly at Tanjiro.

There's no doubt. She's Upper Rank Six!

"Let that poor woman go!" Tanjiro said as he unsheathed his blade.

Daki looked at Tanjiro with surprise. Then she angrily looked at him, veins nearly pooping out of her skin. "Just who the heck you are talking too! How dare you!"

Without moving, Daki released her ribbons towards Tanjiro. Tanjiro was pushed back into a building with such force. Tanjiro has his eyes wide open, shocked to feel the power of an Upper Rank.

She's so fast I didn't even see her move. This is an Upper Rank. I have no strength left in my limbs and my body's numb. Calm down. My body's responding fine. Otherwise, I wouldn't be alive right now.

Tanjiro struggled to get up. The only reason I can't get strength behind my attacks, is because I'm afraid. And I just slammed into that wall so obviously my body is numb. That demon's weapon is her belt, and it has supernatural abilities. She can absorb humans inside of it.

That's why no matter how hard I searched inside the building, I couldn't find a secret path that a human could fit through. All she needs to abduct humans is to have a space big enough for that belt.

"Are you still alive? Well, looks like you're tougher than I thought. And those eyes of yours are lovely, aren't they. So lovely I might just have to gouge to them out and gobble them up." Daki said, licking her lips.

Tanjiro got in a fighting stance to fight against her but then a strap from the box behind his back snapped. Tanjiro immediately held onto the box before it could fall off from his back. The box. It's not broken. But the next time she attacks me, it sure to be destroyed.

Tanjiro placed the box down. "Sorry Nezuko, the shoulder strap broke. I can't carry you while I fight." Tanjiro said to Nezuko.

Nezuko looked to where Tanjiro's voice came from with worry.

"Don't leave that box. Not unless you feel your life is in danger." Tanjiro told Nezuko.

Nezuko only hummed in response. She still looked worried for her brother.

Daki giggled darkly, ready to fight against Tanjiro.

"Water Breathing: Fourth Form," Tanjiro leaped towards Daki and Daki leaped towards Tanjiro. "Striking Tide: Turbulent!"

Daki had her ribbons chase after Tanjiro but Tanjiro cut through them easily using the Fourtn Form. Both ended back onto the ground.

"Call me impressed. Your aerial combat isn't half bad. And you carefully cut away Koinastu from my belt. Very fine sword work indeed." Daki said.

Tanjiro looked down to see Koinastu somewhat safe. Tanjiro looked back at Daki, taking small deep breaths.

"Ugly as you are, that was very cute of you. I think I'm starting to grow fond of you. Want to know why? Because you're like a rat on a brink of death." Daki said.

Upper Rank Six. Can I do it? Without Mr. Uzui, Zenitsu, Inosuke, or Mr. Rengoku here? Can I really do this alone? No. It's not a matter of if I can do it.

Tanjiro took a more better grounded and confident stance, his blade facing Daki. I have to!