This little devil… what's going on…
The massive wooden dragons that had once darkened the sky shattered into splinters, then disintegrated into nothingness.
Kanroji opened her pink lips in astonishment. Genya stood frozen, still trying to process what had just happened. Before he could even reach the battlefield, the formidable Zeng Botian had already been torn apart so thoroughly that even Hantengu wouldn't recognize him.
Nezuko glanced at Tanjirou with concern. Something was clearly wrong. A red lotus spun clockwise in his eyes, and the crimson mark on his forehead pulsed brighter and brighter.
Then, silently, a hand landed on Tanjirou's shoulder.
In that instant, the lotus vanished from his eyes, the glowing mark crumbled into ashes, and Tanjirou collapsed to the ground—completely drained.
Turning around, he saw who it was.
"James!"
Kanroji cried out in joy and rushed forward to embrace him—but James raised a hand and gently stopped her.
Nezuko, smiling, nuzzled her head against James's shoulder like a happy cat.
"Tch."
Genya exhaled in relief but still let out a prideful grunt, refusing to show his gratitude too clearly.
"James… just now, I felt so strange."
Tanjirou gasped from where he lay on the ground, lungs heaving as if about to burst.
James placed a hand over Tanjirou's chest and gently infused it with his breath. Warm energy flowed through Tanjirou's body, soothing his injuries and repairing the internal damage caused by the Red Lotus Breathing Technique.
"I told you—only use it if your life's on the line," James scolded.
Tanjirou didn't respond, still struggling to catch his breath.
James frowned. Tanjirou had been the first swordsman he met in this world—and if the boy died, he'd feel genuine sorrow. But more than that, James sympathized with him. Like Tanjirou, he had a little sister too. And he'd do anything for her.
That was what drew him to Tanjirou the most—his unwavering devotion to protecting his sister, even at the cost of his life.
The Red Lotus Breathing Technique was terrifying. It ignited the lungs first, scorching them from within. If left unchecked, the flames would spread throughout the entire body, leading to spontaneous combustion—turning the user into ash.
How did James know all this so clearly?
Because he had sensed it directly from Tanjirou's body. The Transparent World was more than a combat skill—it was a medical marvel.
Maybe the boy's physical stats just aren't there yet, James thought. If he could raise his core endurance to level 9, perhaps he could use it without burning out.
Fortunately, Tanjirou hadn't stayed in that state for long—just a brief moment. With a bit of Yang Breath infused, he could keep fighting.
"But Tokitou…"
"He's fine," James said calmly.
Everyone turned, surprised, and finally noticed Muichirou lying on James's back. Though pale, he gave them a weak smile.
"I… I'm okay," he said softly. "Just can't fight anymore."
When James had arrived, he found Muichirou barely clinging to life behind Akaza. Without hesitation, he had carried him back and healed his worst wounds.
CLANG!
A wave of cold sweat dripped down Akaza's spine.
"Thank goodness… Waaaaah!" Tanjirou cried out, hugging Muichirou tightly. Kanroji sobbed alongside him, accidentally pressing so hard that Muichirou almost passed out again.
"What are you doing?" James rolled his eyes. "The battle isn't over yet."
"Hehe… but if you're here, James, then there's nothing we can't handle," Tanjirou said with a boyish grin.
Then his face turned serious again, and he stood, sword in hand. Kanroji gently set Muichirou down and turned to face Akaza as well.
I came here with that guy Kokushibou… If this person is here too, then…
No—it couldn't be. Maybe they had just missed each other.
"You're the Upper Rank Three," James said flatly. "The fish-in-a-pot is Upper Rank Five. The little man hiding behind the stone is Upper Rank Four. And the one with six eyes… is Upper Rank One. So, where's Upper Rank Two? Didn't show up?"
With each word James spoke, Akaza's face grew darker.
This guy's encountered Gyokko and Kokushibou… and yet he's not even injured. Could it be…
Akaza didn't dare to think further. He immediately dropped into a fighting stance. His aura flared as he prepared for combat—but deep down, he was shaken.
He's reached the Transparent World… I can't win like this. What now?
"Akaza. Retreat," Muzan's voice echoed in his mind.
Akaza remained silent.
This wasn't just a matter of whether he wanted to retreat—it was a question of whether he could.
SWOOSH!
Akaza's pupils shrank.
He had no time to withdraw. All he could do was twist his body and drop to one knee, narrowly dodging the horizontal slash aimed at him.
So fast! He's on a completely different level than that charcoal kid!
"Destructive Death – Final Form: Blue and Silver Chaos Remnant Light!"
Still kneeling, Akaza launched his strongest technique without hesitation. Hundreds of energy blasts erupted from his body, each one tearing through the air faster than the speed of sound.
But before the technique even landed, James had vanished.
Gone!?
Akaza didn't wait. He leapt backward like a frog, bouncing through the forest in a blur of motion.
"Leave this demon to me," James said. "Tanjirou—you go after the Upper Rank Four!"
He turned and swung his sword, releasing an arc of invisible energy that carved a thick groove in the earth.
At the end of that line stood Zeng Botian, still trying to regenerate.
The blow tore through what remained of the demon's body. The flesh, bones, and sinew that barely resembled a human exploded into mist.
Zeng Botian wanted to scream—but he no longer had a mouth.
Although James had been briefly delayed by finishing him off, he quickly shot off in the same direction Akaza had fled.
Tanjirou and the others stared in awe.
Closing his eyes, Tanjirou focused his senses, trying to pick up Hantengu's scent.
Not here… not there… over there!
He opened his eyes and pointed.
"Let's go. Nezuko—you should head back. Dawn is almost here."
Nezuko gave him a soft nod and retreated, while Tanjirou, Kanroji, and Genya sprinted toward the escaping Hantengu.
---
On the other side of the forest…
Akaza was still on the move. The sky ahead was beginning to lighten—dawn approached quickly.
He had to get out.
Behind him, James pursued—not too fast, not too slow—keeping a precise distance.
Is he using me as bait? Akaza wondered.
James was conflicted. He could kill Akaza. Between the Transparent World, the Blade of Harmony, and Sun Breathing, he had everything he needed to deliver a finishing blow.
But… what if Muzan was watching?
What if Muzan was hiding, waiting to see what James was capable of?
James was convinced now—Muzan hadn't yet given up on Nezuko, the demon girl who could walk under sunlight. Which meant Muzan still underestimated him.
And that was good.
With the element of surprise, James could end him in one perfect strike.
So, after much thought—James let Akaza go.
For now.
---
Akaza was strong—he'd proven that. Not even three Madara-patterned swordsmen and two human "tanks" could take him down.
In fact, after activating the Madara pattern, a swordsman's power skyrocketed. That five-person team could've taken out most of the Demon Slayer Corps on their own.
But against James?
They still weren't enough.
James finally stopped, standing at the edge of a cliff, watching Akaza disappear into the early morning mist.
He didn't move.
He had bigger prey to hunt.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)