For the first time facing a member of the Twelve Kizuki's Upper Ranks, both Rengoku Kyojuro and Tanjiro could feel the crushing pressure and overwhelming aura radiating from the demon known as tsukumogami.
"A piece of trash… and a barely passable insect. Pathetic. That worthless Enmu actually lost to such weaklings? How he ever became a member of the Twelve Kizuki is beyond me. A disgrace through and through!"
Rengoku ignored the taunts. He drew his Nichirin Blade, flames bursting forth as he charged:
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Like an erupting blaze, Rengoku lunged toward tsukumogami.
"So eager to die? Dawn is still far off. That leaves us plenty of time to play. Let the performance begin — act by act, the curtain will rise until we reach the climax! Every emotion — joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure — I'll savor them all.
Now, entertain me! Blood Demon Art: 'This Is Not That!'"
Tsukumogami unleashed his Blood Demon Art. Rengoku stayed on guard, but nothing seemed to happen. With no chance to hesitate, he pressed on with the clash.
Seeing the Flame Hashira locked in battle, Tanjiro unsheathed his blade, rushing to support him:
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust!"
Tanjiro thrust forward like a rippling current across the water's surface, aiming for tsukumogami's chest.
But when the blade struck, the sound was not of flesh — it rang like steel. In a flash, tsukumogami's figure shifted — Tanjiro's sword was clashing not against the demon, but against Rengoku Kyojuro.
Realization dawned instantly. Rengoku understood the nature of tsukumogami's Blood Demon Art. Before Tanjiro could be struck down, he threw the boy clear of danger.
"Tanjiro! Don't be deceived by appearances. The breathing of humans and demons is different. Focus on that. The one who cannot use Breathing Forms — that's the demon!"
Coughing, Tanjiro dragged himself upright, frustration boiling in his chest.
"Damn it… I just slowed Rengoku-san down!"
Though Rengoku had revealed the demon's weakness, Tanjiro's wound throbbed unbearably, scattering his concentration and making it impossible to distinguish breaths properly.
Just then, Inosuke, Nezuko, and the still-unconscious Zenitsu arrived at his side.
"Santaro! You okay?! What the hell's going on with that guy?!" Inosuke demanded.
Tanjiro's voice was grim as his eyes fixed on tsukumogami.
"That's Upper Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki!"
"A demon, huh? Leave it to me! Beast Breathing—"
"Wait, Inosuke! Don't charge in! The one fighting Rengoku-san right now… might not actually be him!"
"Hah?! What the hell are you babbling about, Santaro? You're talking in circles!"
Tanjiro explained breathlessly:
"That demon distorts our vision, traps us in illusions. What looks like Rengoku-san might actually be tsukumogami! The one using Breathing Forms — that's the real Rengoku-san!"
"Tch… then I'll sniff him out myself! Beast Breathing, Seventh Fang: Spatial Awareness!"
Inosuke sharpened his heightened senses, detecting even the faintest ripples in the air.
"Hah! Just as I thought — I found you! Beast Breathing, First Fang: Pierce!"
Crossing his dual blades, he stabbed toward one of the "Rengoku" figures.
A clawed hand caught his swords mid-strike. The illusion of Rengoku shimmered, revealing tsukumogami, who then kicked Inosuke aside like a ragdoll.
But that reckless attack sparked inspiration in Tanjiro.
"Of course! If we can't rely on distinguishing Breathing, then I'll use my sense of smell to track the demon's scent! Zenitsu!"
Though still asleep, Zenitsu instinctively relied on his acute hearing. Like Tanjiro, he would attempt to tell apart man from demon through the subtlest cues.
Together, the three launched their assault:
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
"Beast Breathing, Eighth Fang: Explosive Rush!"
The coordinated strike bore down on tsukumogami. Rengoku, sensing the chance, moved to create an opening:
"Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"
A blazing tiger roared forth, jaws wide to swallow the demon whole.
Pinned by the flaming beast, tsukumogami movements slowed. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke's blades converged — only to slice through nothing. Their attacks passed through as though cutting air, shattering the earth beneath instead.
Dust and debris exploded outward, clouding their vision.
When the smoke cleared, tsukumogami stood unscathed a dozen meters away, smirking.
"Not bad. That almost stung a little. Good — this is getting interesting. If it were over too quickly, I'd be terribly bored."
From beneath his boar's-head mask, Inosuke snorted twin streams of white breath.
"Your tricks are useless on me, mountain king that I am!"
Tsukumogami sneered. "Is that so? You've been relying on smell, sound, touch, and intuition to tell us apart, haven't you? So far I've only tampered with your sight. But now… I'll strip you of every last sense."
"Blood Demon Art: Manipulation of the Five Senses!"
In an instant, their vision was flooded with tsukumogami's figure multiplied countless times. Every corner, every space — illusions of the demon filled the battlefield.
Tanjiro tried to sniff him out, but each duplicate reeked with the same heavy scent of a demon. There was no way to tell who was real.
None of them dared to move, fearing they might strike an ally.
But tsukumogami made the first move. He lunged at Tanjiro, whose blade intercepted — yet the attack passed through harmlessly, an illusion.
"A fake?!"
Another strike came at once. Tanjiro blocked again, but this time a jolt of paralysis surged through his sword arm, like a bolt of lightning.
"Zenitsu! It's me!" he shouted.
But in Zenitsu's ears, distorted by the demon's power, Tanjiro's plea twisted into tsukumogami's mocking jeers. His sense of hearing betrayed him.
Inosuke fared no better — his keen touch rendered useless, he slashed wildly at phantoms. Suddenly, he was slammed to the ground, his instincts screaming that Rengoku Kyojuro himself had pinned him there.
Even the Flame Hashira's face hardened with tension. Their method of distinguishing human and demon by breathing had been completely neutralized. With his allies at risk, he could only defend, unable to strike freely.
The tide of battle was turning — and not in their favor.
PS: Access advance (100+) chapters at