Chapter 16: Last Smile

Both of us were visibly injured.

It once again clicked, standing before me was a demon with regeneration abilities.

A drawn out battle would give me the disadvantage,

I'm now worn out, I needed to end it quickly.

As if reading my thoughts,

"Thinking of ending this early? We still have plenty of time~" said Chiaki.

Using my inner clock, I guessed there were approximately 2 hours until sunrise.

What's taking my backup request so long? Whatever.

"I guess I'll have to end you at my own pace then, get ready." said Tokan.

[Frost Breathing, Sixth Form! Flowing Fractures!]

, charging in, I released quick and powerful slashes towards Chiaki.

As she blocked my attacks, I sprinted past Chiaki, appearing behind her and aimed my katana towards her neck.

Realizing what I did, she ducked, turned around, and kicked me in the stomach sending me backwards but regained my stance.

My seventh form couldn't maintain any longer since I barely had enough energy for it.

"I might as well give it my best shot." I said.

[Frost Breathing, Eleventh Form! Transparent Snow!]

, the area got cold enough for me to use this.

"Ara~A transparent Nichirin Blade? That's new." said Chiaki.

[Frost Breathing, Third Form! Snow's Reflex!]

, attacking and deflecting attacks, I was getting more and more tired. But I couldn't fall right here, not now. We were going at it faster than eye can perceive.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. They're our backup huh?

"Tokan-san! Rengoku-san! We're here! Sorry for being late we'll hel-" before Tanjiro can say anything else.

"Don't move!" yelled Rengoku and I.

"It's an order." said Rengoku but I can barely hear.

(Tanjiro POV)

We couldn't help them,

they're having a battle faster we could see.

"Zenitsu, Inosuke, even if we want to help them. We can't, we'll only end up being a burden." I said.

(Tokan POV)

The 3 boys had a frustrated aura around them, but this was not a battle they could join.

In the corner of my eye, I saw the sun, it was almost sunrise.

I looked over to Rengoku and my eyes widened.

Rengoku had a arm through his stomach while trying to desperately kill Akaza.

I used my fastest and strongest form to help him,

[Frost Breathing, Tenth Form! Frozen Love!]

, "Oh no you don't." said Chiaki.

[Autumn Breathing, First Form! Leaf Guidance!]

, but Chiaki was too slow.

In a blink of an eye, I was there.

Slamming my katana on Akaza's neck, and together.

We killed him, his neck came off.

"Tokan-san! Watch out!" yelled Tanjiro.

Before I could react, a blade pierced through my abdomen.

I turned around and spotted Chiaki with a grin.

For the first time, I felt anger. Anger for stabbing me, anger for interrupting me when I was going to talk to Rengoku, anger for taking advantage of the situation.

But I didn't have any strength left, the fastest thing I did was stop the bleeding and form a fracture of ice around the wound. Chiaki had already disappeared and I was falling unconscious.

The last thing I heard was some screaming and,

"Kamado, let's have a final chat. I remembered some things when I saw a dream of my past."

It's been a week since Rengoku's death and my wounds had closed up.

Then the door went open, revealing a Shinobu with a monstrous aura around her.

She came and made me sit down and scolded me. This went on for 30 minutes,

"Are you dumb? Are you stupid? Do you really want to die that badly? Why do you always get in danger?"Shinobu scolded me.

"I'm sorry, I'll take carry of myself." I said.

"Good, at least you're alive." said Shinobu.

My eyes went wide when she suddenly hugged me,

I couldn't move. I felt my face heat up, my heart was racing, I didn't know what to do.

She pulled away and gave me a mischievous smile as she left.

I did not know what to do.

Was this love? Was this an emotion?

Do I love Shinobu?

What am I going to do?

Thinking about my emotions, I recalled the fight.

I felt a surge of anger when I saw Akaza's arm through Rengoku's stomach and when Chiaki pierced my abdomen.

Were my emotions coming back?

It wasn't like I wanted it or hated it,

It was just that I didn't really mind.

Removing those thoughts, I headed to the training room.

I was going to add another 5 levels of this hardcore training, after all.

I was still weak, even though I said I was the strongest Hashira.

I feel ashamed.

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Somewhere in Heaven

"It seems like she has it for the insect girl." said the mother.

"Well, I don't really mind. As long as she's happy." said the father.

"It seems she's also bringing out our daughter's emotions." said the mother.

"Well that's good." said the father.

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Somewhere in a dimensional library

"Chiaki, you couldn't even finish off the pillar that was already weakened? And yet you dare to say that the Flame Pillar was killed with pride? It's natural, demons kill humans. You're now upper demon 3, upper demon 2 is not a rank for someone that weak." said Muzan,

'Tokan, I swear the next time we meet. I'll torture you, rip you limb by limb, then kill you.' thought Chiaki.