"What could it be?"
Is it because I underestimated Doma's strength? Is fighting him just seeking death?
Kurozawa pondered silently as he walked. Soon, he dismissed this possibility because he knew Doma's abilities were primarily based on manipulating Blood Demon Arts. Among the Upper Moons, the one with the most outstanding physique was Upper Moon Three, the Fighting Demon, Akaza.
If he were to encounter Akaza, the current Kurozawa would definitely not engage him.
Akaza, like him, possessed Fighting Spirit, and all of his skills were derived from it. His physique was extremely strong, and his control over Fighting Spirit was much higher than Kurozawa's.
Facing such an enemy, Kurozawa wasn't confident he could escape from his Fighting Spirit lock. Suppressing the fluctuations of his Fighting Spirit so it wouldn't be perceived also required a certain distance.
As for the Ice Demon Doma, although he ranked above Akaza, because he didn't use Fighting Spirit and his physique wasn't too strong, his threat level wasn't very high. Kurozawa felt he could escape anytime if he sensed he couldn't win.
As long as the opponent wasn't an Upper Moon specializing in physique, Kurozawa's full-power burst speed was enough to surpass them.
"Maybe it's because fighting him will leave me severely injured. After all, my overall strength isn't a match for Doma."
Kurozawa trusted his intuition. Tonight was likely not going to be easy.
"Kurozawa, I see one of our people," Kanae tugged at Kurozawa and whispered.
She pointed ahead. There stood a slender man with calm, regular breathing, a Nichirin Blade hanging at his waist. Beneath his outer coat, the black Demon Slayer Corps uniform was faintly visible.
There were Demon Slayer swordsmen in Lotus Town too.
"He might be a swordsman on a nearby mission who came to investigate on his own after noticing something unusual in Lotus Town," Kanae looked at the swordsman, quickened her pace, and walked over.
The middle-aged man walking with them saw Kanae's actions and wanted to follow, but Kurozawa stopped him with a hand. "She met a friend. She'll say a few words and be right back."
In less than a minute, as Kanae approached, the swordsman suddenly turned his head. His perception was quite sharp; he sensed Kanae's approach.
"You are?" After seeing Kanae's attire, the swordsman's wary expression vanished, replaced by respect.
The golden buttons on Kanae's collar and cuffs, representing her Pillar status, were very noticeable to the swordsman. He recognized Kanae's identity as a Demon Slayer Pillar.
Kanae said softly, "Kocho Kanae, Flower Pillar."
"I'm here on a mission. I didn't expect to meet other swordsmen. What are you planning to do?"
This swordsman was in his twenties, with an ordinary appearance, the kind who wouldn't stand out in a crowd. Through his breathing, Kanae judged that his Breathing Technique level was only at a proficient stage.
In Lotus Town, where an Upper Moon was suspected to be present, a swordsman of this strength would only hinder her and Kurozawa's actions and was likely to die in vain.
"Flower Pillar-sama, my name is Uonoo, a Rank C Stone Breathing swordsman."
"I feel that something is wrong with this Lotus Town. The church inside might be created by a Demon, so I planned to investigate."
"Flower Pillar-sama, you're here too. Is there really a problem with this town?"
Uonoo might have rarely seen a Demon Slayer Pillar in person; his tone seemed a bit excited.
Kanae nodded. "Yes, although it hasn't been confirmed yet, there is a high probability of an Upper Moon of the Twelve Kizuki hiding here."
Upper Moon of the Twelve Kizuki! These four words struck Uonoo's heart like a thunderclap, making his breathing become disordered for a while, turning a bit heavy.
"Breathing Technique, keep it steady," Kanae reminded him.
Swordsmen must maintain regular and stable Breathing Technique at all times. This is the source of a swordsman's Strength.
Uonoo calmed his breathing and apologized, "I apologize for my lapse. The news of an Upper Moon of the Twelve Kizuki is too shocking."
Let alone a Rank C swordsman like him, even among the Pillars, currently, besides Kanae, no one has encountered an Upper Moon. Rank A swordsmen are promoted to Pillar based on slaying a large number of Demons, plus the merit of slaying Lower Moons.
Among the Twelve Kizuki, the Lower Moons change frequently, but the Upper Moons have never changed.
Kanae stated her intention clearly: "Your strength is not enough to join the fight against an Upper Moon, so trying to help will only result in death."
"Since you are here, I won't tell you to leave immediately, but you must hide in the shadows and not engage."
"If I cannot defeat the Upper Moon here, note down the information, leave, return to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, and inform the Master."
In fact, after arriving here, Kanae no longer had the idea of returning to the Demon Slayer Corps to gather people to surround and eliminate the Upper Moon of the Twelve Kizuki.
Because of this so-called Sacred Selection, if she returned to the Demon Slayer Corps and brought people back, many would surely die.
Moreover, the safety of over ten thousand people was under the control of a Demon, especially one that could make these people happily embrace death with just a word. This situation was too urgent, and Kanae couldn't stand idly by.
Kanae couldn't bear to see such a scene; she had to deal with the Upper Moon here.
Furthermore, with herself and Kurozawa, even if they were no match, they could definitely entangle him until dawn, forcing him to leave.
Also, once these followers saw the true face of their faith, they would no longer think of dying but would stay away from this place, and the people here would be safe.
Kanae's words sounded somewhat like making final arrangements. Uonoo said worriedly, "If it's really an Upper Moon, you might not be a match either... That's too dangerous."
After a pause, Uonoo said seriously, "How about this, I'll draw the Demon's attention, and after you confirm his Upper Moon status, you go back to headquarters and bring the information back."
"My family all died because of Demons. I'm alone and only regret that I can't slay more Demons. You are more useful than me and shouldn't put yourself in a dangerous situation."
Kanae glanced at Uonoo in surprise, then smiled, "The value of human life is the same. I am no more important than you."
"Don't worry, I have a companion with me. He is no weaker than any Pillar."
She extended her hand and pointed at Kurozawa not far away.
Because he was suppressing his Fighting Spirit fluctuations, aside from his tall and muscular physique, Kurozawa gave off a very ordinary feeling. But Kanae, as the Flower Pillar, certainly wouldn't say that casually.
Uonoo looked at Kurozawa, then turned his gaze back and said, "Since that's the case, I won't say more."
"May your martial endeavors be prosperous and everything go smoothly."
Kanae nodded and said, "Alright, you leave too. Remember, hide yourself and record the relevant information."
"I understand." After speaking, Uonoo quickly mixed into the dense crowd, his figure disappearing within it. He followed Kanae's instructions, hiding himself and watching her from the shadows, ready to record information at any time.
Afterward, Kanae returned to Kurozawa's side and whispered, "I told him to hide for now, and I instructed him not to interfere during the fight, otherwise it would just be suicide."
Kurozawa wasn't surprised; he had already guessed Kanae would do this. "No problem, insufficient strength will only get in the way."
Kanae raised her head, looked at Kurozawa, and then asked, "Did you sense the Demon's Fighting Spirit? Is it strong?"
As dusk deepened, Kanae's mood slowly calmed down in preparation for the upcoming battle.
Kurozawa nodded. "I sensed a portion of it, and there's more than one Demon."
In his Fighting Spirit perception, the Demons' Fighting Spirit was gradually becoming denser, and he could vaguely sense their scattered locations, clearly indicating more than one presence.
With such a large church, it was perfectly normal for Doma to convert some subordinate Demons to help him manage things. Kurozawa didn't think much of it.
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