Chapter 61: A Punch That Leaves Nothing Behind

[TL/N: Read my new work - Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!] 

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"Shinobu!"

Mitsuri Kanroji's eyes lit up as she spotted Shinobu.

However, Shinobu still seemed slightly dazed, struggling to steady herself.

It was her first time flying at high altitude, and she hadn't quite adapted yet.

The Hashiras remained on guard, their bodies tense.

"Are they enemies?"

A strong and cold aura suddenly burst forth—

Esdeath grinned, her expression predatory.

A chill so intense spread through the air that several Hashiras felt their skin sting as if being corroded by frost.

"It's Blood Demon Art!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa's sharp eyes filled with killing intent.

He roared as he lunged forward.

"Protect the Lord! Die, demon!"

"Sanemi! Stop!"

"Shinazugawa, wait—!"

Shinobu and Kagaya Ubuyashiki both tried to intervene, but it was too late.

Sanemi exhaled sharply, his Nichirin Blade flashing in the moonlight as he swung at Esdeath—

First Form: Dust Whirlwind Slash!

A powerful and rapid horizontal strike tore through the air toward her.

However—

"Too weak."

Esdeath barely spared him a glance before casually kicking out with her right foot.

A brutal impact landed squarely on Sanemi's abdomen.

His eyes bulged, his mouth spewed blood—

Before the crimson liquid could even touch Esdeath's leg, it froze mid-air and shattered into icy fragments.

Sanemi's body flew backwards, crashing into the courtyard rockery with a thunderous BOOM!

The structure collapsed instantly.

"Sanemi!"

The Hashiras were horrified.

She was too fast—

None of them had even seen the moment she moved.

Some instinctively gripped their blades, prepared to attack together.

But before they could—

Esdeath simply sighed in boredom, withdrawing her foot.

Her tone was laced with disappointment.

"Pathetic. I was expecting a challenge."

Shinobu rushed forward, quickly placing herself between Esdeath and the other Hashiras.

Her voice was firm.

"Enough! These people are my allies. They are neither demons nor enemies."

Her words made the Hashiras pause, but their suspicion remained.

Especially toward Esdeath.

A single kick had sent Sanemi flying like a ragdoll.

If she had targeted their Lord instead—

It would have been catastrophic.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised a gentle hand, stopping further hostilities.

"Lower your weapons. This battle serves no purpose."

His calm voice carried enough authority that, albeit reluctantly, the Hashiras complied.

A few immediately rushed to check on Sanemi.

Though he was unconscious, his injuries weren't fatal.

With the assistance of Ubuyashiki Amane, Kagaya stepped forward, facing Nanashi and his group.

"You must be the ones Shinobu mentioned—the ones capable of opposing Muzan Kibutsuji."

Despite his weakened body, Kagaya lowered his posture respectfully.

Through brief messages from Shinobu, he had already formed a rough impression of these visitors.

A haloed angel, radiating a divine presence.

A woman in military uniform, exuding a chilling aura of war.

And a young man with a casual demeanor, yet seemingly the center of the group.

Though their abilities seemed similar to Blood Demon Art, Kagaya did not believe they were demons.

"My Lord!"

Shinobu knelt before Ubuyashiki.

"Shinobu."

"Yes!"

Upon receiving Nanashi's silent approval, she stood up and proceeded to introduce everyone.

However—

She deliberately avoided mentioning their origins.

It wasn't her place to reveal such things.

Nanashi, stepping forward, greeted Kagaya Ubuyashiki with ease.

"Mr. Kagay, leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. I am Nanashi."

He didn't waste time with formalities.

"I have a plan to deal with Muzan Kibutsuji, but it requires your cooperation."

Before the Hashiras could object—

Nanashi raised a hand and clenched his fist.

Whoosh—

A gust of wind suddenly began to stir.

It started as a breeze.

Then—

It turned into a raging storm.

The atmosphere distorted as an overwhelming force converged toward Nanashi's fist.

The air hummed, swirling chaotically—

Until—

BOOM!

Nanashi punched the sky.

A devastating shockwave erupted.

The winds compressed and exploded outward, forming a tornado that tore through the heavens.

Objects lifted from the ground, violently sucked into the storm.

The sky itself seemed to fracture, as if a hole had been punched straight through the atmosphere.

The Hashiras could only stare in awe and terror.

Mitsuri Kanroji's legs trembled, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"S-So strong…"

Uzui Tengen, known for his extravagance, couldn't help but gasp.

"What… a magnificent Wind Festival!"

Even Iguro Obanai, the ever-distrustful Serpent Hashira, was rattled.

His voice wavered.

"T-This… isn't Blood Demon Art, is it? It can't be…"

None of them doubted the truth anymore.

This man—

If he punches Muzan, there might not even be a corpse left to bury.

Nanashi casually lowered his fist, unfazed.

His golden eyes gleamed as he looked at the silent Hashiras and their speechless leader.

"Now, shall we talk about the plan?"