"You're… Ren!"
The Flame Hashira ground his teeth. He had seen Ren before. When Ren was still human, the Hashira was just a child, trailing his father, and had met Ren, already a Hashira.
As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, he knew this demonized murderer of his father all too well.
"I am now Burial Crow," Ren said calmly.
"I don't care what crow you are! What are you doing at the Corps' stronghold?" the Flame Hashira roared.
"Isn't it obvious what I'm here for?"
Ren spoke, his voice steady. "You thought hiding these Hashira's descendants here would keep me from finding them?"
The Flame Hashira stared into Ren's eyes, etched with the kanji for "Demon Moon," and said coldly, "Even Michikatsu Yagatsu only dared to strike the Corps at night. You barge in openly? Then you won't leave alive."
"There are gaps even among demons."
Ren's body vanished, striking first. "Tonight, not a single soul survives."
Ren's attack was parried by the Flame Hashira, while the two beside him launched their own assault.
One wielded Water Breathing, the other Wind Breathing. Like Rengoku Kyōkawa, they were the current Water and Wind Hashira of the Corps.
Ren faced three Hashira alone, yet moved with ease.
"I didn't want to kill your father back then—he wasn't my target. But do you know why I did?"
Ren's voice reached the Flame Hashira mid-battle.
The Hashira's forehead pulsed with veins. "I don't care! All I know is I'll kill you here today."
He attacked Ren recklessly, fury ignited by Ren's words.
Ren sighed. "He was too close to the Sound Hashira that day. It's a pity none of you use Thunder Breathing—maybe then I'd feel a hint of that old fight."
"You traitorous, bloodthirsty Corps defector—shut your filthy mouth! Go to hell!" The Flame Hashira bellowed, coordinating with the other two Hashira in a fiercer, more ferocious assault.
The battle raged like wildfire, the Flame Hashira and his comrades' bodies gradually marred by Ren's attacks, wounds piling up.
This was the cruel disparity between humans and demons: a demon's wounds healed at astonishing speed, while each human injury brought lasting pain.
But slowly, the Flame Hashira slipped into a trance-like state. His father's dying image flashed in his mind, and before him stood his father's killer, taunting.
Rage blazed in his heart, his killing intent surging like a tidal wave, stronger than ever.
As his emotions surged, his swordplay grew sharper, faster. In his eyes, Ren's movements slowed, becoming clearer.
Unnoticed by him, his forehead's skin seemed to ignite, a vivid scar suddenly blazing into existence.
Ren's gaze flickered at the sight, but he quickly regained composure, a faint smile curling his lips. "Haha, as expected, you're stronger than your father. You've awakened the Demon Slayer Mark. But…"
He turned to the other two Hashira, continuing, "You two better step it up. If you don't want to die, strive like him!"
"Shut up!"
Emboldened by the Mark, the Flame Hashira fought with growing ferocity, supported by the others, gradually overwhelming Ren.
The Flame Hashira pinned Ren from the front, while the others struck from the sides.
The tide turned. Ren faltered, his wounds multiplying. Though they healed quickly, he could no longer harm the Hashira.
Seizing the moment, the Flame Hashira thrust his Nichirin Blade into Ren's neck. The other two slashed, severing his arms.
"Now's our chance!"
The Flame Hashira, gripping harder, yanked his blade free and swung heavily at Ren's head.
Splatter!
Blazing flames slithered through the air like a viper, lunging at Ren's neck.
A crisp sound rang out as the flame-wreathed blade sliced mercilessly across Ren's throat.
In an instant, a ghastly gash appeared, blood gushing forth.
Ren's eyes widened, his face etched with disbelief.
Instinctively, he reached up, trembling, touching his neck, unable to accept the reality.
He had actually lost?
Across the battlefield, the Flame Hashira panted heavily, a victor's smile tugging at his lips.
He glared at Ren, snarling through clenched teeth, "Traitor, die."
Ren's eyes burned with unwillingness and hatred, glaring venomously at the Hashira. But in the next moment, his head, unsupported, rolled from his neck like a ripe fruit, thudding to the ground with a dull thump.
His body collapsed in a heap.
But before the Hashira could celebrate, a shocking scene unfolded.
Ren's body, which should have disintegrated, began to transform eerily.
In a blink, his corpse morphed into a headless, jet-black crow.
His severed head became the crow's head.
The crow's neck bore the same gash as the Flame Hashira's strike, blood pouring out, staining the ground red.
The Hashira stared, dumbfounded, hearts gripped by confusion and shock.
They exchanged glances, speechless.
Hadn't they just killed Ren?
Why had he turned into a crow?
Was this Ren a fake?
If this was a fake, where was the real Ren?
A terrifying thought struck the Flame Hashira.
His face paled, sweat beading on his forehead. He whipped around, staring toward Lord Ubuyashiki's escape route, eyes filled with panic and despair.
"No! Lord Ubuyashiki is in danger!"
...
🤦 : Oops! You've reached the limit for today. But just for your power stone and recommendation I might— no I would add additional Chapter.
20PS — 1 additional Chapter
40PS — 2 additional Chapter and special mention if you've contributed 3 or more PS.
That's all. Enjoy Reading!