After visiting the village where Akane originated even before becoming a demon, Shinobu still couldn't process the memories. Akane herself can barely recall her own past while Shinobu receives it in forms of dreams and visions. They're usually difficult to deal with for Shinobu since she's usually paralyzed or suffers excruciating headaches.
"I remembered seeing you clearly. It's like you were right in front of me"
I think I felt you too in this dark place I'm trapped in...
"Before I could barely see your figure inside my mind, but now it felt like you're standing in front of me"
That could mean we're getting more compatible in a way. You've seen a bit of my old life, right?
"I did. You killed people...but you tried so hard to feel any form of remorse. For a moment, I knew what your heart felt"
My heart, huh...
Due to the recent events, the two idles somewhere on top of the mountain where the view of the moon and pitch black night sky is at its best. On normal days, Shinobu would go on to hunt other demons, but she couldn't ignore a part of Akane's memories.
I kept ignoring it, but I discovered I was born flawed...I think? I was born lacking something that made me normal My so-called memories were like hazy dreams to me
"You had small parts of your human life all this time? You never talked about it..." Shinobu sighs
They didn't matter since I think saw something when I was smaller. That me had an abnormal heart that made me short of breath most of the time. I couldn't even move too much or I wouldn't be able to breath...but I think that got fixed by a travelling doctor with dangerous eyes
"So you were born with a malfunctioning heart, but at least a doctor managed to treat you" Shinobu briefly smiles
I couldn't remember much after that. I don't even know who my family was and what I was like...
"You're not the only one who was born flawed, Akane. Though, unlike you it's not birth defect that can be treatable
Shinobu?
"I was born flawed. Unlike my sister, I lacked enough arm strength to cut off a demon's head. I loved my sister, but I always felt insecure about my own weakness"
To Akane's genuine surprise, Shinobu is willing to reveal more of the emotions weighing on her. Shinobu has been spending weeks alone with only sharing constant conversations with Akane while she is hunted by others while hunting down the culprit for her current situation. Not to mention, the risk of her humanity slipping away in an instant is the primary burden of her newfound demon strength.
"She was gentle but she was stronger than me. Even so, I desperately polished my expertise in poison...until I became Pillar"
To truly kill a demon, you must go for the head or fight till sunrise. Poison is a double-edged sword with how demons can resist it like how your poison didn't kill me back then
"I know that, and I couldn't stop doubting myself whether it's truly possible to have my revenge on the demon that killed my sister"
Is that what kept you going all this time? I've been sensing how there's another reason for why you're enduring all this time as a demon
"Yes, nothing else. Revenge on Hirokuma and for my sister. I would allow myself to die yet...until I avenge"
Shinobu's furiously shaking hands tightly clutches her haori, seeking solace on a reminder of her sister. Akane falls quiet as she analyzes on the current situation, specially towards the somewhat familiar haori.
Shinobu, that haori...
"This is a memory of my older sister, Kanae
Ko...chou...Kanae. She was...your older sister...
The presence of the haori and the fact Shinobu confirms the name of her sister stings Akane more than it should. The demon's lips shake and her body trembles from the unusual emotion. Shinobu remains oblivious of Akane's growing anxiety.
I should have known the obvious, but perhaps...I didn't want to accept it
"Akane?"
The Flower Pillar...was your older sister. It's the same haori she wore...
"What are you talking about? How do you know she's the Flower Pillar?"
Shinobu's thoughts drifts within a black space, but her consciousness remains intact within her own body. Unlike the completely empty and neverending space from before, Shinobu faces the demon herself. Their distance from before makes it impossible for them to be at each other's reach, but that boundary is growing thin with each passing moment.
"What kind of sick joke is this? For you, of all people, to be the one I met that night..." Akane grits her teeth
The demon adorning a white kimono with faint intricate strokes of ink on her sleeves and a small black worn out scarf gently wrapped around her neck, couldn't refuse to even briefly glance at Shinobu. Akane's expression sinks in frustration to what people call fate and complete displeasure from how it leads her up until to this point.
"What's going on?" Shinobu swallows her breath
"Your revenge, your sister, your anger - I'll show it to you, but you have to trust me on this one" Akane reaches out her hand
"..." Shinobu hesitates
"I'm aware of what happened at the red light district. I wouldn't deny that I may have done something wrong which justifies your distrust" Akane lowers her hand
"You recovered your Blood Demon Art, which means your old strength is returning"
"That's true. I didn't tell you how I'm slowly regaining my powers with each passing day...and back then I was too scared to defy the demons"
"..." Shinobu grunts
"I am still a demon even if I used to be a normal human with a normal life. I wouldn't do anything that would endanger myself or put effort in it. That's why, you can distrust me and I wouldn't justify myself. Also, I may have...been restraining just to see how you would fair with every obstacle"
Akane may have been constantly accompanying Shinobu against her will since the beginning, but she isn't fully committed with aligning to fa former Pillar. She overtakes Shinobu before in fear of her own survival. Of course, she wouldn't automatically prioritize Shinobu's wishes unless it serves a purpose to her interest. From the beginning, she may be going along with Shinobu, but her own interests and amusement are always her source of ulterior motives.
"Although, what I will tell you is the truth" Akane faces Shinobu
"What truth?"
"A few years ago, on the night your sister met her fate, I met her after I just ate a skilled demon slayer. Kochou Kanae, the Flower Pillar who actually had that haori. She was a gentle person who pitied someone like me who would cut down even my fellow demons"
"You..."
"That's why, you have to take my hand. My words aren't enough to speak the truth, but my memories are solid as the ground we stand in"
"..." Shinobu still hesitates
"I won't try to atone for keeping my ulterior motives, but that person - she's a strange one for a demon slayer"
Akane freely offers Shinobu what could possibly be answer to her sister's death due to their encounter, but Shinobu continues to doubts the demon who may still have an ulterior motive behind her back. Since Akane is forcibly forced with Shinobu, it's natural for her to be prioritize her own goals and life more than the Pillar she once find annoying and unworthy of her attention.
"I want to know...about that night. I wouldn't be able to die in peace if I wouldn't be able to exact my revenge" Shinobu clenches her fists
"..." Akane briefly widens her actually charcoal grey eyes
"Akane, show me...what truly happened that night"
You wouldn't question if I was the demon who killed her?" Akane frowns
"No. My sister died in my arms, but she was able to speak...about the demon responsible for her death"
"Don't you feel angry? Whenever we talk, I know you've been biting your own anger"
"I am. You're a demon and I admit that I'm not fully comfortable with you...but I learned to co-exist with you. We have our mutual interests even while we have our differences"
"Oh?"
"Akane, I don't hate you even though I have no mercy for demons. I've seen bits of your old human life that you've been rejecting. You were a child with a peaceful life, but you stained your hands. I felt your anger...stemming from your grief and frustration"
Shinobu describes the memory of Akane slaughtering the people around her using a technique meant for demons. Her eyes presents no regrets nor guilt, just buried in her own sorrow. She howls in pain and loathes herself more than the people who have wronged her.
"When I saw your younger self being innocently happy with the only family you have, it reminded me of my days with my family. I was an innocent and naive child until the death of my parents, shattered that wishful thinking" Shinobu sympathizes
"My past no longer matters to me. Whoever I was as a human had died a long time ago" Akane instantly rejects her forgotten life
"Even if you hated who you were, I couldn't fully hate or bear a grudge now. I kept seeing your human life where you were content with a mundane life"
"...I see"
Akane briefly hesitates, genuinely surprised at Shinobu willing to trust her after learning of the past she still rejects. A faint smile curves on her lips unbeknownst to Akane, who couldn't comprehend her disorganized thoughts.
"Then let me show you, Shinobu..."
Akane gently stretches out her hand, amused at Shinobu's suddenly softening on her. The former Pillar who struggles to restrain her own anger with a false smile, would pity the innocent life of a demon who has no interest with the repetitive world. Shinobu gently nods in response and gently holds Akane's hand.
The world around them paints various colors, swallowing the empty space between their reality and shared consciousness. The blank world builds a quiet town with not a single soul in sight as night reigns on the land below, where demons thrive and feast. In such night, Akane spills the soil with the blood of a demon slayer who falls before even landing a blow.
"A girl this time, huh. Kibutsuji Muzan spares no one, may it be young or old"
The Flower Pillar, Kochou Kanae, arrives on the scene too late that Akane has spilled the boy's guts and swallowed most of his insides.
"You're no cannon fodder. Must be a Pillar? Otherwise, someone naive looking as you wouldn't be out here running around" Akane gently licks the blood on her finger
At first sight, she already despises the Pillar who views her without the slightest hatred, just pity and naive kindness. Akane doesn't even known her name, but she's already irritated at Kanae's deeply sorrowful yet gentle eyes.
"You wield a sword and from the damage on the surroundings, you use the Wind Breath. Swift yet destructive, but not yet on the Wind Pillar's level" Kanae examines the clean and deep slashes on the walls
"I don't care if you find it strange I use Wind Breathing. You're a demon slayer, yet you look at the demon in front of you with pity" Akane grits her teeth
"Doesn't it pain you? You use Breathing techniques, without questioning how you learned it. Surely, a former demon slayer taught it to you back when you were human"
"Who I was as a pathetic human died two hundred eighty years ago. What matters now is who I am today" Akane lifts her sword
"Do you even know why you're fighting?"
"I fight to solely polish and perfect my techniques. There is someone I wish to surpass. Well, that and to simply experience living in the present" Akane clicks her tongue
Kanae sorrowfully lifts her sword, her heart pains from having to cut down a demon who may have been an innocent child who wishes for a peaceful life with her family.
"I am Kochou Kanae, the Flower Pillar. What's your name, demon?" Kanae prepares a fighting stance
"...It's Akane. I don't like you, but I have standards when fighting - even against demon slayers. Although, it doesn't apply half of the time" Akane scoffs
Akane raises her sword and takes a deep breath, preparing to move the second the Flower Pillar moves her arms and legs.
"Kanae..." Shinobu's lips shake
"Your haori may be the same, but I refused to believe she was your older sister with how kind and gentle she was" Akane scoffs
The two views the old memory right at the scene, but it's impossible to interfere what they can only see and hear according to Akane's memory. Shinobu's grief and sorrow from losing the older sister she deeply admires urges to reach out to her even if she cannot interact with her. Akane, on the other hand, shrugs her shoulder as if she's uninterested with Shinobu's old stinging wound.
"This is the night where my sister died, yet you aren't the one who killed her"
"If I was, I wouldn't have shown it to you. My goal is to restore my body" Akane gently touches the mark on her cheek
"How did my sister got killed by the demon responsible. Kanae may be gentle and soft, but she's a Pillar because she proved herself to be strong" Shinobu grits her teeth
"You're about to find out..." Akane shifts her attention back to the so-called battle
Kanae focuses her strength with each swing and her latest retaliation almost cuts through Akane's neck. Akane leans back and jump a split second before the blade reaches to her flesh, only leaving a shallow cut to her throat.
"Why do you hold back? Is it because you don't wish to fight?" Kanae softly asks
"I'm supposed to be asking that. You're attacking hoping that I would change my mind. With that mindset, you'll be killed"
"My hopes is that at least we can come to an understanding. You have your own sorrow, but you reject it. Doesn't the contradiction weighs you down? If only you could face it to finally understand it" Kanae tries to reason
"You're a talkative one. I'd appreciate it if you're focus is entirely on the fight. Someone who talks more than swings leaves a bad taste on my mouth. Akaza-dono taught me that only weaklings tries to talk their way out" Akane couldn't hold her own venomous words
"You don't hate others as much you claim it..."
"If you have a will as fragile as that, you shouldn't be even a demon slayer. People who rely on being kind always dies first because they prioritize others and their own feelings"
"It seems you have a lot buried frustration"
Akane's hands tremble when Kanae refuses to be fueled by her bloodlust rather than kind and gentle nature. She's instantly irritated at the sight of a Pillar, the strongest of the demon slayers, to lack killing intent compared to other demon slayers.
"What an eyesore. This isn't enjoyable the least. I don't particularly care about the goals of all demons or humans, just my own amusement. As long as I'm getting the thrill, I'm willing to play along"
Akane's blade rattles with the mixture of her personal resentment and boredom fighting a kind Pillar, despite her usually unfriendly and slightly irritated personality. When fighting, one mustn't shake their own focus or their emotions will blind them from the sole goal of overpowering the enemy and cutting them down.
"Heh~ It's rare to be bored in a bad way at demon slayers. You're usually like Kokushibou-san, looking down on everybody minus the uninterested and annoyed face"
A slight cold wind blows from Akane's back, but the latter is more annoyed than surprised at the sudden appearance. Right as Akane lift her hand to the side, preparing to swing on the intruder, her youthful body is lifted a couple of meter from the ground.
"Interrupting as usual, Douma. This is the third time you interrupted me when I'm fighting a Pillar" Akane lazily turns her head
The tall demon with false carefree expression, a distinct blood splat on his forehead, and pair of folded metallic fans on each hands, gently swings Akane up and down as if she's a child. Akane may be irritated, but she's presently more worried about her black scarf with tears on both ends as she holds them with her only free hand.
"That's him. There's no doubt about it...!" Shinobu tightly clenches her fists
"Upper Moon two, Douma. He's an annoying sight who uses an ice Blood Demon Art spread by his pair of metallic fans" Akane crosses her arms
"Someone like him who killed my sister with the most frustrating carefree face and smile..."
"He liked to eat girls, specially youthful ones, so he already eyed your sister when I encountered her. I admit I followed his advice...unlike Akaza-dono who refused to eat women" Akane describes him with pure disgust
"He's the one...who murdered Kanae. Someone like him...!" Shinobu explodes in anger
(I knew she would act this way. Well, considering his personality that gets on everyone's nerves) Akane faintly sighs
The pair continue to observe the important memory unfolding right their very eyes with Shinobu being at the edge of her fury while Akane is quietly standing beside her with lack of interest written on her face.
"You're not going to kill her? You seem to be out of the mood. Did you eat something bad?" Douma sarcastically asks
"You really have been observing. No wonder I feel irritated" Akane clicks her tongue
"That's not it, right? A really nice Pillar is so rare that you were taken by surprise. Do you like her already?" Douma keeps teasing her
"What a pain in the ass..." Akane grits her teeth
"If you're not going to eat her, then I'll be eating her. It's a shame to let good food go to waste, you know~"
"Do what you want with the Pillar. I already lost my appetite" Akane clicks her tongue
"Yey~ I was right stay and watch the whole thing"
Shortly after gently lowering Akane back to the ground, he cheerfully claps his hands and almost jumps in joy.
"Your smile isn't fooling me which is why I find you as annoying as Gyokko. Hantengu isn't different since his mouth is filled with hypocrisy"
"Of course you only respect Kokushibou. Not only he's so intimidating, he's super strong too"
Douma pats Akane in the head, only to be rudely slapped away. The more Douma plays the facade of someone filled with joy and excitement, the more Akane grows to detest him.
"You can't even give a proper advice and only says a lot of stupid things. At least Akaza-dono knows a lot of fighting the likes of demon slayers"
"Yeah, he's number three while I'm number two. That alone says a lot how he can't beat me"
"I'm leaving. I need to take my mind off from that Pillar and specially you"
Akane fixes the wrinkles on her worn out scarf and carefully places it back to her usually comfortable position. It's as if the scarf is her most prized possession without even knowing why and how. Although Douma isn't blind to not notice how Akane has been consciously clutching the scarf with care, he faintly smiles at the "contrasting" trait compared to her unfriendly and loner-like attitude.
"Kochou Kanae. While I see you as someone with a fragile will and weak resolve, you're barely fighting like a Pillar. It's a shame we won't be able to cross paths again"
"...There's something I have to ask you!" Kanae manages to speak again after being frozen by Douma's heavy presence
"I have nothing to talk with you. If you keep up that kindness to someone who will surely kill you, then you should have dropped dead a long time ago. It's a waste to face you" Akane scoffs
"..." Kanae drops her shoulders, still pitying Akane rather than hating her
"Good grief. To think someone like you made me lose my temper. This isn't how I normally am when facing demon slayers"
Akane briefly swings her sword in the air before she conceals it back the scabbard secured at the side of her hip. Although she behaves as if she finds Kanae's gentle and kind nature, even to bloodthirsty demons, Akane's tone is that of a bewildered yet sorry one.
"I can't show anything else since I left at that point. It should be obvious Douma killed her...and that idiot even told me everything about it"
The scene fades the moment Akane turns her back from Kanae while Douma licks his lips in anticipation of his next meal. The color disappears and so does the completely empty space they both share. Shinobu returns to reality where the cold night breezes passes to her skin and her hand touches the rough boulder she is sitting on.
That's everything that I know. The one who killed your sister is the second strongest Upper Moon with a Blood Demon Art strong against Breath users
"No matter how strong he is, I won't let it stop me. I swore on my sister that I will avenge her no matter what it takes" Shinobu refuses to back down
...Then what will it be, Shinobu? If you choose the path of the demon, there might not be a way back. You might get your revenge, but you'll never be with your tsuguko and that Water Pillar again
"I refuse to submit to those options. I will find a path where I can return to them without losing my revenge"
You're the complete opposite of your sister, but you pitied me the same way she did. This must be fate that Kazuto keeps blabbering before
"..."
I'm a little curious not because of your sister but because of Tomioka Giyuu. You won't die so long as I'm here, Shinobu
Shinobu isn't sure if Akane is being serious or being sarcastic with how she chuckles and possibly smirk while residing in their shared consciousness and communicating as a disembodied voice.
Even if it's a bit, I did see moments between you and him. The former Pillar who hides deep anger with a forced smile...is actually fond of a melancholic and unfriendly Pillar
"That's none of your concern, demon"
Whatever. If you two happen to see each other again, you have my word I won't interfere this time
"I doubt that"
Harsh, aren't we? That's normal considering I did consider using you to restore my old body
The recent incident haven't been completely set aside, but Shinobu is more fuelled with her revenge on Douma, after learning his identity through Akane's memory. Akane, on the other hand, unusually changes her behavior to a calmer and relaxed one unlike the irritated and talkative behavior she displayed when the memory played.
"Before I get revenge on that Upper Moon, we need to focus on the bastard who merged us against our will" Shinobu reminds Akane
He's been causing more ruckus ever since the red light district incident
"He must have caught wind of our presence there. I don't know if he's smoking us out or mocking us"
You mean like that one time he told us he knows how to get you? We didn't really hear every since you were busy tearing them with your own hands...
"He's after something"
Since I escaped as soon as regained my consciousness, Hirokuma must be a little pissed off since I resulted in the burning of his workshop
"Compared to his grudge, I'm much angrier. He's toying with us like we're confused rats"
The only makes him the worse rat. All he do is scavenge and hide if he know it won't benefit him the least
"Let's not waste any more time. He might target another village again..."
Their enemy can be both impulsive and calculating which makes Shinobu unsure whether the plain yet random incidents are on purpose. They've gathered the attention of other demons now, Hirokuma possibly being one of them.
A Rural Mountain
A demon toying with human life softly hums even with the repugnant stench of thick blood and piled up organs from various test subjects. From the ceiling to the corner of each walls, either the mess from the workshop thickens or rots, adding more the vomiting stench. As a demon, Hirokuma enjoys the scent of blood and even pumps adrenaline, "inspiring" him even more.
"I had a perfected one, but that one was newborn. That brat Akane and the former Pillar took them down"
Rather be furious after one of his masterpieces being wasted by the renegade pair, Hirokuma curves and amused and barely impressed smile. His pawn takes a lot of trials and errors to be even considered adequate, but Shinobu unknowningly cute it down like rending meat.
"At least it didn't go completely wasted. Each pawn they take out is like a branch snapping in a quiet forest. They're too predictable"
Hirokuma cheerfully and excitedly laughs off the bigger benefit of having his pawns wasted while flailing a freshly severed hand with blood still bleeding on the sawed off forearm. The owner of the arm, on the other hand, has been dead for hours but still retains the horrified expression from bleeding to death after the loss of both arms.
"Akane herself isn't that strong, but Breath users are troublesome, specially demon ones. Her heart gets easily destroyed and it's easy for her to lose focus of her breathing. The Pillar is weak without Akane sharing her strength...but she's faster than she was as a human"
"Haaah...uuuaahh..."
A raspy voice, short of breath, desperately inhales and exhales for any air to breath. The source, a severed head poorly connected to a mangled body. The head once belongs to a an ordinary young man, now connected by partially torn muscle fiber-like threads. Blood spills from both his nostrils and gasping mouth, but he cannot die no matter how much blood he loses.
"I wonder if I should go for the Water Pillar. What do you think?" Hirokuma jokingly asks the victim in excruciating pain
"Aaaagghhkk...Kkkaaahhh"
"You're right. I would need preparations to even have a chance against a Pillar"
"...Aaeeuuhh..."
"Hahahaha! The method isn't important, just the results. The goals of other demons or that man is no importance to me, not even climbing into ranks. My sole interest is to fulfill what my insides are lacking for centuries"
After he gently places down the severed hand beside the animated head clearly and desperately begging for the swift release of death. That wish is far from possible since Hirokuma can't yield results if the "patient" is dead.
"Oh? What's this? It seems a number of them have invaded the mountains. I wonder if they got wind of my presence here"
Hirokuma shifts his attention away the split second he senses several demon slayers approaching with every passing minute. The humans swinging their nichirin swords with little care couldn't pique his interests, judging they are merely regular demon slayers.
"Their cannon fodders against mine. Since I could use more stocks, I might as well refill my inventory. That brat keeps cutting down anyone who isn't human"
Hirokuma slips his arms off his kimono and allows the various markings on his body to appear on their respective sections.
"These are all...normal people. From the foul smell, none of them are alive" Kanao briefly covers her nose
There are few demon slayers mixed with the regular humans, and all of them are already corpses with no will of their own. Their skin rots, slowly exposing the brittle bones and partially intact organs. It's like they would collapse on their own at any moment seeing the corpses incapable of healing any wounds, thus the progress decomposition.
"I've pinpointed where they are being summoned. Kanao, I will be leading this area to you!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou appears from behind and severs three animated corpses right through their torso and both arms. Fortunately enough, they don't remain alive and falls dead like a regular human. As soon as the corpses lie truly lifeless to the dirt, their bodies begins to melt and sizzle as repugnant white smoke rises from each part. The smell alone can make anyone hurl even when not right beside the melting corpses.
"B-be careful!" Kanao nods
"Hahaha! Don't worry about me. As the Flame Pillar, I won't let any demon harm any humans!"
Kyoujurou bends his leg and gathers as much force as possible. He mows through the incoming corpses with after springing forward in a dash like engulfing flames. Kanao is occupied with more animated bodies, but some of them follows Kyoujourou, the mastermind possibly alarmed the approaching Pillar.
"To think Master could have ended up like one of them. Well, not like being a demon is any better..."
During the last incident involving the defeat of the weakest Upper Moon, Kanao lets the opportunity slips the moment her thoughts freezes and goes blank at the sight of Shinobu being truly alive.
"Because of these demons that Master is forced to abandon her old life and always run away from everyone hunting her. I'll never forgive them..." Kanao grits her teeth
Kanao vents out her trembling anger, remembering the days of Shinobu as the Flower Pillar and caretaker of everyone in the Butterfly estate being impossible to return now. Ever since that night, the guilt she doesn't necessarily has to carry continues to weigh down on her, sometimes keeping her wide awake at night.
"I won't forgive every single one of them!" Kanao holds her scream and focuses on channeling her anger before it blinds her
"Oh my~ Look what we have here"
(I...I didn't sense anyone coming!)
The remaining animated corpses disappear from sight the second a voice directs towards Kanao. The latter freezes in one spot and her hands tremble, rattling her nichirin sword out of unusual fear. Cold sweat drips from her forehead and a chill runs down to her spine while a demon approaches her with complete confidence and calmness.
"Kanao. I heard they refer you as Kanao, both the Water Pillar before and the Flame Pillar a while ago"
(A voice of a man? No, it's a demon. There's no doubt about it...) Kanao couldn't let out a single word
"What's the matter? Am I that scary? I'm a normal looking demon who can't level down a village like the Upper Moons. I specialize at messing with individuals instead. Hahahaha!
The demon, Hirokuma, jokingly sparks a conversation with Kanao who remains frozen and completely silent due to the pressure from his mere presence. He may not be as destructive as Upper Moons, but he has killed demon slayers and only Pillars poses a threat to him.
"W-who...the hell are you...?" Kanao desperately forces her voice to come out
"I didn't really come out in the beginning even though you were there. It's natural you don't recognize me" Hirokuma shakes his head in disappointment
"What are you blabbering, demon?"
After regaining control of her stuff muscles and composure, Kanao immediately jumps back a distance the moment the demon casually walks right in front of her, even waving his hand in a sickening friendly manner.
"You know, the night where you failed to save the Insect Pillar when she chased after little Akane. She was bleeding horribly after directly taking cuts from Moon Breathing which was the main reason she died"
"How did you know about that night? Answer me!"
"How do you think Kochou Shinobu lives after her mangled body slowly bleeds to death? The obvious answer is me! So you should thank me since she would have joined with your other friends by now~"
"Thank you? Bastard!"
Hirokuma spreads his arms wide open, welcoming Kanao who pounces in one shot with her sword pulled to her back. If it's a Pillar, Hirokuma would be constantly calculating movements, but a tsuguko poses little to no threat.
"Your fast, but they former Pillar is faster, specially after I stuffed that brat with her!"
Kanao tightly holds her sword with both hands in preparation to swing at full force right towards the demon who makes absolutely no effort into fortifying his defenses. Just as the demon slightly commends her speed, he moves his right arm, tightly squeezes the side of Kanao's head with a swift and precise grab.
"Huh?!"
Despite her keen eyesight, Kanao is unable to react at the demon swiping his arm right to her head until she is brutally smashed to the ground with sheer physical force.
"Not yet!"
Demon slayers are physically stronger and more resilient compared to regular humans, so he's unsatisfied with a simple smash to the ground and tosses her around and repeatedly smashing her at the nearest trees surrounding them.
"...!"
Hirokuma is about to throw Kanao again like a rag doll, but she manages to retaliate by slicing his belly open and spilling his intestines and blood. The injury reflexively causes him to throw Kanao away from his grip and moves several steps back.
"Not bad, but that wound is nothing to a demon? See? It got patched up
Red veins spread around the area of the slash itself while he stuffs his hanging intestines inside him since it's preventing the center of the attack from reconnecting his skin and flesh.
(He regenerated already?)
"I'm using a lot of resources to speed up my own healing. Those guys can do it naturally, but I'm using up a lot of energy on my Blood Demon Art"
"I don't care. All you do is mock me with a bright smile on your face like you're hiding how scared you are" Kanao sarcastically scoffs
"You've got quite the mouth like the Insect Pillar who keeps insulting me every time she hears my voice"
"What did you do to my Master, you filthy asshole?" Kanao raises her blade
"I made sure she'd live a little longer since I wonder if she can synchronize with that brat. It's not perfect yet with how I have to contain a toxic substance with another toxic substance. Although, I need the Blood Demon Art she developed" Hirokuma chuckle
"You're the one who turned her into a demon?!" Kanao stomps her right foot
"Well, yes and no? I was indeed responsible...but it's that brat's blood that made it possible. She was still alive, so I grabbed the opportunity while I'm at it. You should have seen how she kept barking like a dying dog back then-"
Hirokuma laughs with complete amusement while Kanao is at the point where she couldn't hold down her own anger. In a split second, she lashes out by simultaneously severing both of his hand and only manages to slice his throat when he jumps back to barely avoid complete death.
"Huh, you're actually fast if you out effort in it. Also, your eyesight is fascinating"
"I'm going to chop you over and over again in order to get answers about that night. You weren't there, just the white haired demon girl with a sword"
"I don't give answers for free. Since you managed to deal a good blow on me, I'm willing to tell you a bit" Hirokuma raises his newly regenerated right hand
"...?"
"The Pillar is far weaker than the demon. That's why I suddenly thought what would happen if I forcibly contain the superior factor to the interior vessel. Will the vessel adapt to it or break? Will the factor shape the vessel to suit its needs or vice versa? You know, like piling up rocks in random order every time it collapses" Hirokuma tilts his head left and right
"That...doesn't make any sense!"
"I'm just testing the limit of so-called human willpower. If she had little motivation, her consciousness would have collapsed a long time ago. I'm just curious who likes to test out every single possibility. I'm even thinking of what would happen if I stuff a demon to you!"
"...!"
Their air booms around Hirokuma as soon as he retaliates again in a display of speed car greater for Kanao to even react with her keen eyesight. The demon crushes the ground beneath him as soon as he appears right in front of Kanao in disbelief.
"Even if I rip out a limb or two, it's fine if I keep you alive" Hirokuma raises his hand
His towering figure loom over Kanao who is overwhelmed by his bloodlust and large stature. One hand can instantly grip her skull and crushes it like a pebble if he wishes it, but there's no point of instantly ending a possible pawn he could use for any scenario.
"Blood Demon Art: Engulfing Delusion"
"...!" Both Hirokuma and Kanao instantly freezes at the sound of another person
Hirokuma swiftly raises his head to the incomplete moon and widens his eyes in enthusiasm upon discovering with his own eyes that a certain demon in white kimono and silently raging dark grey eyes makes her entrance with her sword drawn.
"Hahahaha! So you've come...and with a new trick on your sleeve!"
Completely filled with joy and anticipation, Hirokuma willingly embraces the furious demon seeking revenge and allows his chest to be torn from the rest of his body the moment the third person lands on the ground without exerting too much force and swings her sword right before she straightens herself.
"It can't be..."
There's no doubt about it. The snow white hair and metallic grey eyes only belong to one demon. The demon steps right on front of Kanao, protecting her from the recovering Hirokuma after his torso is nearly split in half.
"..."
While Kanao is unsure how and what to react next, the demon partially turns her head, further showing sharp and stern dark grey eyes and the faint incomplete mark on the left side of her cheek.
"He really did went after you, Kanao. I won't let him get you or anyone else"
"M-Mas...ter?"
"You've been well" Shinobu sighs in relief
The voice may be different, but Kanao's thoughts and emotions both agree that the one in front of her is Shinobu in the appearance of an a demon she once fought. Her gentleness expression and kind tone is identical to Kanao's memory. Kanao, seeing her master even in different form, is on the verge of joyous tears while "Shinobu" assures her with her usual faint smile.
Chapter 21:
Using a new technique, Shinobu wields the strength of the demon fused with her and faces off with the man responsible to her transformation. Hirokuma grows even more excited seeing allowing the two to live is no mistake and cultivated results.