Spade was currently running through the streets of an abandoned part of the entertainment district, Ajna and the rest of Spirit Force sans Ace right behind.
"Spade, do you mind telling us where you're going?" Zebei asked. "You saw something outside and ran off!"
"It's another Shadow Knight, isn't it?" Y'shtola said.
"Yes. When it came to infiltrating and gathering information on the most corrupt figures in the multiverse, Nitez was the best." Spade said.
"Nitez… is that his name?" Ginseng asked.
"Yes, he was also known as the Silent Assassin. With his skill using the Ninjato and his incredible speed, he would cut them down without a second thought." Spade said. "If it wasn't just his Ninjato, he also mastered very powerful Ninpo which covered up for his rare moments of speech." he said before skidding to a halt.
A lone figure stood before them as two Genma Kurama Tengu materialized next to him on both sides, the moonlight shined over him revealing a modern designed assassin outfit as he wore a tattered hooded cloak over his head while also having a mask over his face as he opened his eyes to show slit red pupils.
"Nitez. I know why you're here, I don't expect you to forgive me, but just know that I am sorry." Spade said as he drew Tyrfing.
"If you cannot defeat me…then you will have no chance against the others…" Nitez said, materializing a spiked Ninjato in his hands. "Now defend yourself!" he said, charging at him as Spade did the same, resulting in a shockwave that emitted through the entire district.
Meanwhile…
Tanjiro and Mark were currently in combat with the demon as she heard the shockwave before looking down at the two in annoyance. "What an infernal noise, almost as bad as the racket just before that. Just how many of you are there? Seven, perhaps?"
"Well, if you take that number and multiply it by like hell we're telling you, then you'll get the answer." Mark said.
"Ugly little brat!" she said as her sashes continued to go at the two as they jumped back. "Hmm, it seems your swords are already starting to wear, I mean they've chipped already."
"Damn it, she's right." Mark cursed. "Swinging a sword at lightspeed is murder on the durability. But…why's your sword wearing out already, Tanjiro? It hasn't been that long since the weapon experts looked at it."
"The blade suffers when the user is inadequate. That's how mine got chipped. Let's face it…I'm not suited for Water Breathing." Tanjiro said.
"What? You can't just…" Mark said as the demon attacked once more.
"Hinokami Kagura!" Tanjiro said, slashing the bsashes with two flaming slashes. "Raging Sun!"
"What in the world?" the demoness said as Tanjiro got close.
"Flame Dance!" he said, swinging downward as the demon jumped back before using her sashes to go through his neck.
"No, Tanjiro!" David called out.
At that moment, Tanjiro's body suddenly vanished. "Hinokami Kagura! Fake Rainbow!" Tanjiro called out.
"(Phew…)" Mark sighed internally as he saw Tanjiro reappear behind the demon, sword ready to swing. "(Yes! That's a hit for sure!)"
"Hinokami Kagura! Fire Wheel!" Tanjiro called, as his blade inched to the demon's neck.
"Far too slow." she said before smacking him away with her obi.
"I don't get it. Why aren't his attacks working?" Mark asked.
"His rapid use of Hinokami Kagura is slowly dwindling away at his stamina. At this rate…Tanjiro will collapse before he can even land a hit." David said.
"Damn it… and she's too fast." Mark realized. "Tanjiro's attacks are too slow. He needs a longer opening!"
Mark then used a Flash Step to get in front of Tanjiro, standing in front of him, facing the demon.
"(Why did we agree to let Scarlet carry all the Senzu, again?)" he wondered to himself as he blocked an attack from the opponent's obi, he and Tanjiro leaping into the air. "We're at a stalemate here, Tanjiro. You got the power, but the attacks are too slow. I've got speed, but my style's discount compared to Hinokami Kagura. Any ideas?"
"Just work together for now. Eventually, she's gonna tire out. Until we get help from the others, just continue to wear her down." David said.
"Right then." Mark said, steeling himself and drawing breath. "Next assault, coming up! Here we go!"
"The way you two sweat like pigs is truly repulsive!" the demon said as the battle continued.
"Hmm…pigs…wonder how Inosuke and the others are doing?" Tanjiro pondered.
Somewhat earlier at House Ogimoto….
"Hahahaha!" Inosuke said as he found a hole. "So this is that demon's hideaway!" Inosuke said as he jumped and was able to get his head inside.
"How are we supposed to follow the demon's trail down there?" Mermista asked.
"Hahahaha! This may stop you guys…but I'm a master who can dislocate all his joints!" Inosuke said as he went and did so before burrowing down the hole.
"Okay… Not something I wanted to imagine." Sectonia said. "Then again, I remembered when I didn't even have joints."
"All aside, that guy is not well." Tenebris said.
"Maybe, but he's reliable when it counts." Sectonia said.
"Plus…Inosuke has the tracker from his comm in his mask." Tails said. "We can just follow him to the demon's lair."
"Let's see where this burrow leads." Sectonia said.
They followed him from above ground before stopping on a patch of road.
"Stops here." Tails said.
"There must be some underground cavern where the demon lurks." Aelita said.
"Yes. That must be where it is keeping its victims." Sectonia said.
"We're gonna have to go down." Chopper said going into Horn Point before digging downward, creating a large hole for the others to jump through.
"What…am I seeing?" Sectonia asked, seeing Zenitsu, Gemini, and two women among others bound by obi. "Those obi… The demon is using these to absorb their victims. We have to free them, now!"
"Oh…trying to go at our food supply?" a voice asked as an obi with a face rose up. "Don't even think about it!" it said as the obi went right at them.
"Time for something grating. Breath of Thunder, Seventh Form: Lightning Swarm!" Sectonia said as multiple electric-imbued bees emerged from her sword.
"Feeling a bit slow? The problem is you've put on too much weight!" DW type as he smacked the living obis attacks away with a roller. "You should try Weight Watchers!"
"Hahahaha! I said the same thing to this fat worm belt!" Inosuke said, dicing away at it and freeing the captive women.
"Now for the others. Breath of Lightning, Third Form: Lightning Needles!" Sectonia said as she fires needles of lightning from her sword at the obi holding Zenitsu and Gemini.
"Well…seems you created a difficult situation for yourself." the demon said as the obi went right at the unconscious women.
"It's trying to eat them to get stronger." Scarlet said.
"Then don't let it!" CP said, racing towards the women.
"Captain, stop!" Sectonia said.
The captain came to a stop as the obi was pinned down by several kunai.
"Whew… That was close." Sectonia said.
"My thanks, Sectonia, but those aren't mine." CP said. "Who threw those?"
"Well, well… Looks like they recover fast." Sectonia said as she looked at two kunoichis.
"Those have to be Uzui's wives." Tigre said.
"And fully-fledged fighters too. I can see why Uzui values them so highly." Teba said.
"We're gonna give you a hand with this thing, so fight the good fight!" the blonde-haired girl said.
"Thanks! Great to have help!" Bow said, pinning a part of the obi with an arrow.
The sashes tried to go at them but…
"Thunder Breathing! 1st Form!" a voice said as they were cut up in multiple places by Zenitsu. "Thunderclap and Flash! Sixfold!"
"Zenitsu, Gemini! You guys are okay!" Sectonia said.
"Sorry to worry y'all." Gemini said, dropping her disguise to the ground as she was dressed up in her usual cowgirl gear. "Once we were set free, Mr. Uzui's Ninju brought me and Zenitsu our swords. We're ready for action!"
"Are those two demon slayers, too?" the blonde known as Makio asked. "Why do they look like idiots?"
"Yeah, good question!" said the kunoichi known as Suma.
"Wait…I thought I heard sounds. One from the boy and one from…above!" the demon obi said as something fell down from above. That something was the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui.
"Alright! Tengen's here!" Glimmer said.
"Lord Tengen…" Makio said.
Uzui smiled as he went and carved up the remaining parts of the belt, freeing the remaining captives. As he did, he approached his two wives, stunned by his arrival.
"Still, it's quite daunting that he has more than one wife." Ming said.
"Ming…Have you ever heard of a polyamorous relationship?" Sectonia asked.
"You mean, the kind of thing harems do?" Ming asked.
"Something like that." Sectonia said. "Basically, they're practices where someone has an intimate relationship with multiple partners at a time. This kind of practice tends to require the consent of all parties involved."
"All right…think we've all had enough time standing around." Uzui said. "From here on out…things are going to get real flashy!"
