"We need to split up"
Tanjiro's head snapped toward him "What? Akira-san, that doesn't make sense. You just killed Upper Moon One—staying together would be safer, wouldn't it?"
Nezuko's hand found Tanjiro's sleeve, gripping tight. Her brown eyes—human eyes, free of demon red for months now—widened with concern. She'd been silent since the battle ended, but now she spoke, voice still recovering its strength. "Akira-san... why?"
"Think it through." Akira leaned against the remains of a shattered tree. "I just killed Muzan's strongest piece. Upper Moon One—four hundred years of skill. What do you think happens when Muzan finds out?"
Tamayo's gaze remained steady, as she replied "He'll retaliate"
"Not just retaliate. He'll throw everything at us." Akira said "Multiple Upper Ranks. Maybe three, maybe four. He'll try to overwhelm me with numbers while someone picks off easier targets." His eyes swept over Tanjiro and Nezuko. "That means you two."
"Then we can fight together—" Yushiro tried to argue but.
"No" The word came flat, unarguable as Akira looked at Tanjiro "Against Upper Ranks? Tanjiro, you barely survived Lower Rank demons. Nezuko just became human again a day ago. If Muzan sends even Upper Rank Six after you while I'm busy with the others..." He didn't finish the sentence.
Yushiro's voice came sharp and hostile. "So what, we're supposed to just run away while you play hero? What if he sends demons after us? We can't fight Upper Ranks either, in case you haven't noticed." His pale green hair caught moonlight as he stepped protectively closer to Tamayo. "And more importantly, how do we know Lady Tamayo will be safe?"
"Because she's coming with me."
Silence.
Yushiro's face went through several colors. "What?"
"Lady Tamayo will now travel with me. Tanjiro, Nezuko, and you will take a different route." Akira pushed off the tree. "Two separate groups, two separate paths to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters."
"That's—no. Absolutely not." Yushiro's hands clenched into fists. "I'm not leaving Lady Tamayo with some stranger who—"
"Yushiro." Tamayo's voice was gentle but carried weight. "Let him explain."
Akira nodded. "It's tactical. Muzan will have to choose—send all his Upper Ranks after the bigger threat, or split his forces. Either way, it's better than handing him a chance to wipe us all out in one attack."
"But why does Lady Tamayo have to go with you?" Yushiro's voice cracked slightly. "She should stay with us, where I can—"
"Protect her?" Akira's tone wasn't mocking, just matter-of-fact. "Yushiro, if an Upper Rank comes after your group and I'm not there, you'll die. All of you. But if Lady Tamayo is with me, I can guarantee her safety because anything strong enough to threaten her will have to go through me first." He met Yushiro's glare evenly. "And more importantly—she knows more about demons than anyone alive. She's seen Muzan's abilities. If I run into him before we reach headquarters, I need that knowledge."
Tamayo studied Akira for a long moment. "You're planning to engage Muzan if you encounter him."
"If the opportunity presents itself, yes."
"That's..." Tanjiro said "Even for you, Akira-san—"
"Maybe. But I'd rather face him on my terms than get ambushed later." Akira's smile was cold. "Besides, I killed Upper Moon One. Might as well aim higher."
Yushiro looked ready to explode. His whole body trembled with barely restrained fury. "This is insane. Lady Tamayo, please tell him—"
"He's right."
Everyone turned to stare at Tamayo.
She stepped forward, her expression calm despite the tension crackling in the air. "Akira-san's reasoning is sound. If we stay together, we present a single target. Muzan is intelligent and ruthless—he'll exploit any weakness." Her gaze swept over the group. "Separated, we force him to divide his attention. And Akira-san is correct about another point—my knowledge of Muzan's abilities could prove invaluable."
"But Lady Tamayo—" Yushiro's voice was almost pleading now.
"I'll be safer with him than anywhere else." Her hand found Yushiro's shoulder, the touch gentle. "You know this. You felt the power from their fight. Akira-san defeated Upper Moon One with... relative ease."
"I still don't like it," Yushiro muttered, but his voice had lost its edge.
"You don't have to like it." Akira's tone was surprisingly sympathetic. "But you do need to trust it. And trust —" He raised one hand and made a specific gesture.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Three figures materialized from shadows behind Akira. Completely shrouded in dark cloaks, faces hidden, even their hands wrapped in black cloth. They stood perfectly still, eerily silent.
Nezuko gasped. Tanjiro's hand flew to his sword before he caught himself. Yushiro actually yelped and stumbled backward.
"What the—where did they come from?!" Tanjiro's heartbeat hammered in his ears. He hadn't smelled them, hadn't heard them, hadn't sensed anything until they simply appeared.
"They've been nearby the whole time." Akira gestured casually to the three figures. "These three will accompany your group. They'll stay hidden in the shadows, scouting ahead, and will eliminate threats before you even know they're there."
Yushiro stared at the motionless figures with undisguised suspicion. "Who are they?"
"Your allies" Akira's smile was sharp. "That's all you need to know. And before you start doubting—they're not weaker than me."
"Really?" Tanjiro breathed. "You defeated Upper Moon One."
"I know what I said." Akira met his eyes. "These three can handle Upper Ranks if it comes to that. They won't let anything happen to you."
One of the cloaked figures tilted its head slightly, the motion unnervingly smooth.
Yushiro looked like he wanted to argue more, but Tamayo spoke first. "Yushiro. I need you to do this."
His face crumpled. For a moment, he looked young—vulnerable in a way that didn't match his harsh personality. "Lady Tamayo..."
"I'm entrusting Tanjiro and Nezuko to you." Her voice was soft but firm. "They need your strength and your Blood Demon Art. Can you do this for me?"
Yushiro's jaw worked. Finally, he nodded stiffly. "...Yes."
Then he whirled on Akira, pointing a finger that shook with emotion. "But you—you better protect Lady Tamayo. You hear me? If anything happens to her, if she gets even a scratch, I will never forgive you. Never. I don't care how strong you are, I'll find a way to make you pay—"
"Yushiro, I'm going to stop you right there." Akira held up a hand, fighting a smile. "First, I appreciate the loyalty. Second, I promise you—nothing is going to happen to Lady Tamayo. But third, and most important—" His grin widened. "If somehow I fail and demons actually manage to hurt her, then we've got way bigger problems than your revenge fantasies. Because it means I'm already dead."
Despite everything, Tanjiro found his lips twitching. Even Yushiro's scowl lessened fractionally.
Akira pulled out a folded map, handing it to Yushiro. "Northeast route through the mountain passes. Slower, but more cover, fewer people. The shadow squad—" He nodded to the three figures. "—will handle any demons. You just focus on moving fast and staying quiet."
Yushiro snatched the map, studying it with hostile intensity. "And you?"
"Main roads. Faster but more exposed." Akira shrugged. "I'm betting Muzan sends upper ranks, not lower ones after me anyway."
Tanjiro stepped forward. "Akira-san... thank you. For everything. For saving us, for fighting Upper Moon One...We won't forget this."
Nezuko bowed deeply, her newly human movements still carrying a grace from her demon year "Thank you, Akira-san."
Akira waved them off. "Don't thank me yet. Thank me when we all meet up at Corps headquarters alive." He glanced at the shadow soldiers. "You three—protect them. Stay hidden unless demons appear. Understood?"
The three figures bowed in perfect unison, then dissolved back into darkness before anyone could blink.
"They can do that?!" Tanjiro spun around, trying to spot where they'd gone.
"Useful, right?" Akira stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, everyone get some rest. We move at first light. Long walk ahead."
---
Hours later, Akira stood outside the small inn they'd found, waiting while the others gathered their things. The night air was cool against his skin, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain.
He raised one hand, and the familiar blue screen materialized—translucent, glowing softly in the darkness.
*[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]*
*Rank 8 Gacha Ticket Available*
*Use Now?*
*[ACCEPT] / [DECLINE]*
"Let's see what it will gift me today." He pressed ACCEPT.
The screen rippled like water. Text scrolled, too fast to read, before settling on a single entry.
*[REWARD ACQUIRED]*
*LEVIATHAN AXE*
Two-handed battle axe forged by the Huldra Brothers Brok and Sindri. Imbued with frost elemental power. Can be thrown and recalled at will. Targets struck remain frozen until axe is recalled.
Akira blinked. Then blinked again. "No fucking way."
His hand moved to the inventory screen almost on instinct. The new item glowed there, waiting. He selected it, pulled—
SHHHING.
The axe materialized in his hands.
It was perfect.
The handle was leather-wrapped wood, worn smooth by use that never happened, perfectly balanced in his grip. Blue light pulsed along its length—runes carved into the wood, glowing faint but steady. The axe head itself was beautiful and brutal—clean silver metal that seemed to drink in moonlight, edges sharp enough to split atoms. Frost patterns crawled across the surface, intricate as snowflakes, and cold radiated from the weapon like physical pressure.
Akira hefted it experimentally. The weight distribution was flawless—substantial enough to feel powerful but balanced so naturally it might as well be part of his arm. He could feel something deeper too, something in the weapon itself. Not alive, exactly, but... aware. Patient. Waiting.
"Holy shit," he whispered.
He ran his thumb along one of the runes. Ice formed on his skin instantly—not burning, not painful. It felt right. Like the axe recognized him.
Akira turned toward the forest, eyeing a massive oak about two hundred feet away. He pulled back, feeling the weapon's weight shift naturally, and threw.
WHOOM.
The Leviathan Axe cut through air like a frozen comet. The sound it made was gorgeous—deep, resonant, humming with barely contained power. It spun end over end, trailing crystalline mist that hung in its wake like ghostly afterimages.
THUNK.
The impact when it hit the oak was devastating. The axe buried itself deep, and ice exploded outward from the point of contact—frost spreading across the bark in crystalline webs, crackling as it expanded. Half the trunk was encased in seconds, and the tree groaned under the sudden weight.
Akira stared. Then he extended his hand, palm open.
"Come back."
The axe obeyed.
WHOOM.
It tore free from the frozen tree with a crack like breaking bones and flew back. The return was even more impressive than the throw—the weapon moved with purpose, adjusting its trajectory mid-flight, accounting for his exact position without conscious direction. Wind whipped past it, carrying ice crystals that stung his face.
SMACK.
The handle slapped into his palm with satisfying force. Perfect catch. Perfect weapon.
Akira examined the tree from a distance. The ice hadn't melted. It was still spreading, claiming more bark inch by inch, frost creeping upward like living crystal.
Deep freeze. Not surface level—actual cellular freezing that keeps expanding. His mind raced through implications. Demons regenerate from almost anything. Fire, dismemberment, even decapitation if they're strong enough. But regeneration requires cellular function. Freezing prevents that. And this isn't normal ice—this is...
He didn't have a word for what it was. The system had said "frost elemental power," which told him exactly nothing about the mechanics. But the results spoke for themselves.
"Demons are going to hate you," he told the axe fondly.
He tested the recall several more times—different angles, different distances. Each time it returned perfectly, adjusting flight path with eerie precision. He threw it at a cluster of trees. Mid-flight, he called it back. The axe changed direction instantly, curving through air like it weighed nothing.
On the fifth throw, he deliberately aimed off-target, sending the axe toward empty space between trees. Halfway there, he recalled it. The weapon spun in a tight arc, reversing direction, and came screaming back to his hand.
"Incredible," he murmured.
The Divine Sword was amazing—supernaturally sharp, capable of cutting through demon flesh like paper, preventing regeneration. But it was a sword. Close range. Required precision and technique.
The Leviathan Axe? Ranged attacks. Area denial. The recall mechanic meant he could throw it, engage in close combat with something else if needed, then summon it back for a surprise strike. The tactical applications were endless.
"Sorry, old friend." He patted the Divine Sword still sheathed at his hip. "You're getting benched for a bit. Nothing personal"
Footsteps behind him. Akira turned to find Tamayo stepping out of the inn, followed by Tanjiro, Nezuko, and a sulking Yushiro.
"That weapon..." Tamayo's eyes fixed on the Leviathan Axe with scientific curiosity. "I've never seen anything like it."
"You wouldn't have. It's not from around here." Akira stored the axe back in his inventory with a thought, the weapon vanishing like it never existed. "Everyone ready?"
Tanjiro nodded, adjusting the strap of his sword. Nezuko stood close to her brother, her human body still adjusting to extended travel without demon stamina. Yushiro just glowered.
Akira raised his hand in that specific gesture again. The three shadow soldiers materialized behind him—same eerie silence, same perfect stillness.
This time, Tanjiro was ready for it. His hand still twitched toward his sword, but he caught the motion. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
"You will." Akira addressed the shadow soldiers directly. "Keep them safe. Scout ahead. Eliminate demon threats. Stay hidden otherwise. Clear?"
The three bowed in unison, then vanished back into darkness. Not running—not walking—just dissolving into shadow like they'd never been solid.
"Alright then." Akira started walking. "Let's move."
The groups separated at the crossroads—Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Yushiro heading northeast into mountain passes while Akira and Tamayo turned south toward the main road.
As the distance grew between them, Akira found his thoughts drifting to the inevitable fights ahead.
Upper Moon Three is probably next. Akaza—loves fighting strong opponents. Or maybe Upper Moon Two. Douma. That one's unhinged enough to think killing me would be entertaining.
A smile tugged at his lips.
Good. I could use the challenge. And the quest rewards.
He glanced at Tamayo walking beside him. She moved with quiet grace, her demon nature granting stamina that let her match his pace easily. Four hundred years of experience, knowledge about Muzan that no one else possessed, and a calm presence that was honestly refreshing after weeks of traveling alone.
Could be worse. Could've gotten stuck with Zenitsu's screaming ass. Instead I get an intelligent, composed doctor who actually knows how to hold a conversation.
His smile widened slightly.
Plus she's beautiful. Not that it matters for the mission, but it doesn't hurt either.
. . .
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