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 in her sight.

"360 Pound Phoenix!"

The large stones hacked into pieces. Zoro passed through the debris dodging using his Observation Haki. He looked around.

"Any sign?" he asked. Kanao landed back. She shook her head.

The barrage of the large boulders was the beginning of their obstacles. As they walked uphill, a small bridge connected their path ahead. A small river flowed below. Fast currents. The bridge had no guard rails. It seemed shaky and was a risk.

Kanao walked ahead and crossed the bridge with ease. Her balance was top-notch. Zoro had to double-think before making the attempt. He hadn't much trouble and wasn't bad in his balance compared to Kanao. He was halfway when he looked below. 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.

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. In her view, she found something hovering in front of the moon making a silhouette. It seemed to be static at a point until she noticed that it grew bigger moving towards their way. As the distance grew closer, she realised that the object dashed towards Zoro.

"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 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.

Zoro couldn't observe 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 of the bridge if he had lost his sword into the waters below. Kanao rushed to the bridge's end and shouted for him to hurry. Zoro got back up and gave his fastest to get to the other. The test for crossing the bridge was a trick against impatience. The bat must've been associated with those tumbling rocks and the devising of the hostile bridge, Zoro assumed, inciting fury to confront it. As the bat returned back, he decided to make a stand, He aimed his Shusui upon the incoming enemy.

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

Kanao observed that the bat-creature changed direction. Zoro followed, releasing his attack.

"Bird Dance!" The Flying-blade attack swooped but missed, thanks to the enemy's zig-zag movements. The bat rushed for the bridge's edge finding Kanao. The latter hacked her blade upon contact, ripping off a segment of its left wing. The enemy screeched in pain. Kanao confirmed it as a demon as smoke emitted from its wounds. She was quite surprised at its enormous size found upon close range. She realised her terror when the bat managed to cut down the bridge's ropes whilst its previous dive. The ropes were in their last legs, each strand tearing off with the bridge's weight. Kanao rushed ahead and grabbed the bridge after the remaining strands snapped off. 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 with her face turning red, trying her best to hold the bridge. The bat had regenerated its cut-down wing and made a long turn. Zoro found it turn 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 his 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 thrown 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 suffocated from the blade 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 in the heat of the moment.

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 confrontations in various locations."

"So your predictions were correct." Law said.

"Gyumei Himejima and his team have already confronted a significant demon group. The Demon Slayers succeeded and managed to kill a Lower Demon Moon, Number 5. A number of our own were killed and injured. The injured shall be brought to the Butterfly Estate as soon as possible."

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. Gyomei faced the replaced Demon Moon. We must be prepared."

"So, you put Mitsu-ya at the Mansion to protect the Headquarters?" Law asked.

"We need to protect the people, and we have the Hashiras 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 will have an unparalleled advantage against the civilians." explained Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

He added, "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 has a chance of showing 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 won't force you to fight, since you are busy with your work."

"I doubt that's possible if the Demon King shows his face out here."

"That's where Mitsuri comes in to defend you."

"What?" Law was surprised.

Ubuyushiki observed him, "I believe she has 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 felt offended.

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

"Mitsu-ya can flail around her supernatural strength should demons invade, but I won't allow her to protect me. Kocho-ya instructed her to help me out with the estate, but I won't show mercy if she or anyone else decides to stand in the way of my fight." Law declared, "You do know that I am a pirate Captain? Any enemy looking out to kill me is my responsibility to handle."

"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. "You worry too much. I may be able 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 hometown. But I'm alive today by fate, which denied me death when it seemed inevitable for me to continue ahead. If you are a man, you live your life to the fullest." Law looked upon Ubuyashiki's eyes, "Fate maybe sometimes cruel upon a person's existence, but that doesn't mean you should follow that fate. You will find some answers. Don't give in."

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 more 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 by 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 Hashira Himejima's battle. Work would be busy soon. Mitsuri met him on his way, and Law relayed the matter discussed earlier.

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

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

"I… if you say so."

Law saw doubt in her eyes.

"Those Demons should worry that I don't find them first." He patted her shoulder, leaving for his study.

TO BE CONTINUED...