The wind was thick with killing intent.
Tanjiro gritted his teeth as he stood protectively in front of Nezuko. The forest around the Swordsmith Village echoed with the unnatural laughter of the Hantengu clones, each born from the original demon's fear-driven split.
One moment of hesitation had caused the demon to clone himself — four distinct personalities: Sekido (Anger), Karaku (Relaxation), Urogi (Joy), and Aizetsu (Sorrow) — each faster, stronger, and deadlier than expected.
Nezuko growled and pounced first, her limbs stretching unnaturally, flames dancing on her blood. She kicked Urogi mid-air with enough force to shatter the nearby boulder.
Tanjiro followed in her wake, spinning his blade with practiced fury.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form — Striking Tide!"
His strikes slashed through the mist, deflecting Aizetsu's spear just before it could pierce Nezuko's side.
But then — a gust of wind.
Karaku's fan slammed into them both, launching them into a tree with brutal force. Nezuko's body cushioned Tanjiro's from impact, her back sizzling with scorched bark and blood.
"Stay sharp!" Tanjiro shouted, his eyes wild with motion.
Suddenly — Sekido's staff crackled with lightning, and he hurled it into the ground. Red thunder exploded, turning the area into an electric death trap.
Tanjiro and Nezuko leapt into opposite directions, dodging by inches. But they were being overwhelmed — four demons, four relentless styles.
Tanjiro remembered Rengoku. The Mugen Train. The Entertainment District.
He steadied his breath, eyes narrowing.
"Nezuko!"
She turned, reading her brother's resolve.
"Let's go!"
He combined Water and Hinokami Kagura, flames wrapping around flowing tides.
"Sun-Water Hybrid Technique — Blooming Flame Cascade!"
Nezuko followed, her blood igniting like wildflowers in a forest fire.
Together, they disoriented Urogi and Karaku, cutting down on their wings and fanning arms. One after another, the clones were severed — but they regenerated almost instantly.
Sekido snarled. "You pests—!"
Aizetsu wept even as he lunged. "So much pain…"
But Tanjiro didn't stop. Every strike had to count. Every breath had to be perfect.
Nezuko caught Urogi again, tearing into his wing with clawed hands. Her foot slammed into Karaku's jaw, cracking it sideways.
The tide was shifting. But the battle wasn't over.
Because with a scream — a fifth clone emerged, born from the fusion of the four:
Zohakuten — embodying Hatred.
Tanjiro's blade shook in his hands.
Nezuko's flames flickered wildly.
This was only the beginning of the storm.
____