The villagers lay unconscious where they had fallen, knocked out during the commotion.
Unfortunately, no one had moved them to safety yet.
Nearby, the two Hashira-level swordsmen were already locked in fierce combat with Upper Moon Five.
Together, they fought to contain the battle within a controlled area and prevent anyone from approaching the unconscious villagers. If they failed, heavy casualties would be inevitable.
This was exactly what Rengoku and Giyu wanted to avoid.
They should have evacuated the villagers earlier, but they misjudged the situation and the demon's strength. Now, they faced tremendous pressure.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
Oboro heard the battle cries from the battlefield and turned to look. Giyu slashed through the air with precise, fluid movements. His blade cut through Gyokko's body at calculated angles, inflicting multiple wounds. His exquisite swordplay flowed like a powerful tide through the void.
But it missed completely.
In the instant the sword flashed, Upper Rank Five Gyokko's body tore into pieces, his limbs separating as if he were self-dismembering. He effortlessly avoided the path of the blade.
As soon as Giyu landed, the demon's arm suddenly elongated like a whip. It wrapped around his cleaver and attacked from behind.
Had a streak of fiery light not shot out from the side to block the cleaver, the Water Hashira would have been gravely injured.
"Get out of here, you two bastards!"
Gyokko was visibly agitated, yet he clearly didn't take Rengoku and Giyu seriously. His attention remained fixed on Oboro.
After a brief exchange, both Hashira were exhausted, sweat pouring down their faces.
Gyokko could see Oboro standing not far away. He hadn't fled; he simply watched the battle unfold.
"Flame Breathing, Second Form: Ascending Blazing Flame!" Rengoku completely ignored the demon's taunts; his mind was fully concentrated and showed no fear. After helping his companion escape danger, he took the initiative and darted toward the Upper Moon's flank at incredible speed.
He straightened his back, gripped his sword with both hands, and cut upward in a powerful strike.
A crescent-shaped halo of flames bloomed brilliantly.
However, his blade only penetrated about a dozen centimeters into the demon's body, failing to cut through completely.
His sword's momentum halted, and in that moment, the demon caught him. A powerful kick to his abdomen caused blood to spray from his mouth as he rolled backward.
"Hmph! You don't know your limitations!"
Gyokko wore a mocking expression as the wounds inflicted by the Flame Hashira slowly healed.
Ding, ding, ding!
Coming to his senses, Giyu saw the demon preparing to attack Rengoku while he was vulnerable. He immediately tried to intervene, hoping to buy his friend time to recover. However, before he could reach Upper Moon Five, a horde of blood-flesh constructs surrounded him, leaving no gaps through which to break through.
This is too challenging.
Beyond the demon's incredible recovery and raw power, its multiple Blood Demon Arts made it nearly impossible for Giyu and Rengoku to gain the upper hand.
The first Blood Demon Art allowed the demon to extend or retract its arms at will.
The second ability allowed its body to split apart and reassemble, making it exceptionally effective at avoiding sword strikes.
The third Blood Demon Art allowed the demon's abdominal mouth to spew out "monsters" formed of minced flesh that could multiply. This forced the two Hashira to contend with not only the demon's direct attacks, but also to remain vigilant against interference and ambushes from these creatures.
Furthermore, according to the Demon Slayer Corps, this Upper Rank demon likely possesses Blood Demon Arts that have yet to be revealed.
The demon held a scale in one hand that appeared to be a weapon.
Both he and Rengoku had extensive combat experience, but primarily against lower-ranked demons. Giyu was promoted to Hashira after slaying fifty demons. Rengoku was one of a few Hashira who had killed a Lower Rank demon, but it was worlds apart from the Upper Rank demon they faced now.
Different demons fight differently due to their unique Blood Demon Arts. Lower-ranked demons usually combined their abilities to gain an advantage. However, Upper Ranks possessed frighteningly high base attributes that allowed them to overwhelm opponents through sheer power.
Their strength, defense, and recovery were incomparable to lower-ranked demons or ordinary demons.
The Water Hashira moved continuously, slashing his blade to chop approaching creatures into pieces.
His hand, which gripped his sword, was torn and bleeding.
Blocking Upper Rank Five's cleaver was enough to overwhelm him with the force transmitted through his blade.
He couldn't help Rengoku for now.
Perhaps they would both die here.
With this thought, Giyu glanced into the distance between attacks.
The man stood there, smiling and motionless.
Rengoku felt a searing pain in his abdomen and his vision blurred.
He had barely steadied himself when he heard the sharp sound of air being torn apart.
He instantly leaped backward.
Immediately after, an elongated arm swung down a cleaver, creating a deep crater where he had stood.
The blade's sharpness aside, its raw power alone was enough to make anyone shudder.
Upper Moon Five advanced step by step. The arm holding the cleaver transformed into a long, swaying serpent that "struck" at the retreating Rengoku, who desperately blocked with his sword.
Compared to the struggling Hashira, Gyokko appeared calm and composed, seemingly not even using his full strength.
This was intentional.
He was cautious of the man observing from outside the battlefield.
Fighting while secretly watching.
Though angry, he wasn't foolish.
Compared to these two fragile Hashira, that man exuded far greater pressure.
He had not only sent the demon flying with a single punch but also broken its stomach.
That kind of power was inconsistent with the characteristics of a "newborn." That kind of strength could render someone unconscious.
Could someone really attain power comparable to an Upper Rank demon immediately after transforming?
How could this be possible?
Gyokko remained confused.
"Devouring these two Hashira should temporarily increase my strength."
Gyokko thought to himself.
"Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"
At that moment, Rengoku slashed off the demon's extended arm. Instead of retreating, he pressed forward, using offense as defense. He pushed his heels against the ground, gathering immense strength.
With a sharp cry, he thrust his sword forward, creating a massive, tiger-shaped blast of flame.
"Idiot."
Upper Moon Five looked coldly at the Flame Hashira, whose eyes burned with fighting spirit, yet he failed to understand his own predicament. The Upper Moon Five uttered a single word.
Then, a silent flash of light streaked before the charging Rengoku.
Bright red blood suddenly sprayed forth.
Before he could finish his technique, Rengoku collapsed.
As one of the Upper Moons, he possessed not only physical prowess and Blood Demon Arts but also a lethal technique. How else could he have slain so many Hashira-level swordsmen with ease?
Regardless of its power or speed, his blade could always move in absolute silence.
The previous clash of swords had been intentional.
"Rengoku!"
The Water Hashira broke through the monsters' encirclement and charged at the demon's head.
His body rotated at the perfect angle and with the perfect amount of momentum for his attack.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
Yet this powerful, heavy strike ultimately failed.
Gyokko, standing below, instantly disintegrated his body, scattering it in different directions and causing Giyu's attack to miss completely.
The arm holding the cleaver dodged and flew out, then instantly reversed direction, driving the blade deep into the Water Hashira's side.
Though Giyu contracted his muscles using his Breathing technique, he was severely wounded and unable to straighten his body.
"The moment you confirmed my identity as an Upper Rank, your priority should have been to escape. I have no interest in you. Perhaps you might have survived."
The scattered body parts merged back together, reforming the demon's body. Gyokko asked cruelly, "How much do you think I can sell your skin and flesh for?"