Outside, Uzui Tengen and Kochou Shinobu were locked in intense combat with the four Upper Rank clones.
The sounds of explosions, thunder, and whistling winds were incessant.
A shadow-like figure was using this extreme chaos as cover, moving stealthily.
Lower Moon Two, Rokuro, lurked in a corner outside the isolation zone, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes, which were engraved with "Lower Two."
Now is the time!
The fiercer the fight outside, the better.
His Blood Demon Art, Mental Manipulation, spread silently.
Like invisible spider silk, it gently prodded and interfered with the perceptions of the two Kakushi Squad Members guarding the perimeter of the isolation zone.
The guards' eyes instantly became somewhat dazed and confused.
They seemed to have suddenly forgotten why they were staring intently in that direction, even having the thought, "Did something just pass by? Was it an illusion?"
Taking advantage of this brief interval, Rokuro slipped into the isolation zone like a loach.
The few Kakushi Squad Members and one swordsman guarding inside were even more vigilant, but Rokuro's infiltration was too eerie.
He seemed to merge with the shadows, launching sudden attacks from visual blind spots on walls or ceilings.
A mental shock instantly disrupted the opponent's mind, followed by swift and silent physical attacks precisely striking the side of the neck or vital points.
In just a few breaths, all the internal guards silently collapsed to the ground, falling into a coma or a temporary state of paralysis.
A hint of triumph flashed in Rokuro's eyes.
He quickly found Himura Senichi, who was firmly bound in the center of the room by special metal shackles and a restraint device.
Looking at this "specimen" before him, emanating unstable demon energy yet subtly showing strange resistance, Rokuro seemed to see Muzan's generous reward.
Just as he was about to step forward to forcibly take his target—
A sharp shout came from the corridor entrance.
A team of ordinary Demon Slayer Corps members, who had heard slight abnormal movements inside and rushed to investigate, happened to stumble upon this scene!
They saw their fallen comrades and Rokuro, who was clearly an intruder.
Despite the fear in their hearts from the eerie aura emanating from the opponent, duty and courage made them immediately draw their nichirin blades.
They formed a line, blocking the way!
"Get lost, nobodies!"
Rokuro's face darkened, and impatience and disdain flashed in his eyes.
He hated such unplanned troubles the most.
Without any unnecessary words, Rokuro moved, forming a strange hand seal with both hands.
"Blood Demon Art: Mental Shockwave!"
An invisible mental shockwave instantly spread out like a tide.
The Demon Slayer Corps members felt as if their brains had been violently struck by a heavy hammer.
Their vision went black, their ears rang incessantly, their movements instantly stiffened and contorted, and they even choked on their breath!
Seizing this opportunity, Rokuro moved like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, his figure weaving eerily.
Hand chops, elbow strikes, kicks... his physical techniques were ruthless and precise, specifically targeting human vital points!
Accompanied by teeth-grinding sounds of bone fracturing and muffled groans, the Demon Slayer Corps members were almost instantly knocked down with virtually no resistance.
Blood quickly spread from beneath them, and the strong smell of blood immediately filled the confined isolation zone.
Damn it... the commotion is getting too big... I must leave as soon as possible!
Rokuro cursed inwardly, turning to grab Himura Senichi.
The Sound Hashira's appearance had already exceeded his expectations; if the Demon Slayer Corps had other Expert (experts) lurking, the consequences would be unimaginable!
And just then, the door to the isolation zone was pushed open again.
It was Himura Ruri.
The huge commotion and the faint smell of blood alarmed her, who was resting in a nearby ward.
A strong sense of unease surged in the girl's heart; she struggled out of bed and staggered over, following the sounds and that nauseating smell.
The moment she pushed open the door, she happened to see the fallen Demon Slayer Corps members on the ground, blood splattered on the walls, the ferocious-looking intruder... and her father, bound and seemingly in a restless agitation.
Extreme fear instantly gripped the girl's heart.
Her face instantly turned ashen white, her lips trembled, but she couldn't make any sound.
Rokuro immediately noticed her presence and sharply turned his head.
The moment he saw Himura Ruri, his killing intent surged!
He didn't hesitate, abandoning Himura Senichi, and with a flicker of his figure, he lunged at the stunned Ruri.
Rokuro's fingertips condensed with deadly mental energy, intending to instantly obliterate her!
Not far from the Butterfly Mansion, Cheng Mo, who had just arrived and perfectly concealed his aura, his eyes slightly cold.
Tiny arcs of lightning around him were about to light up—
He was preparing to make his move.
However, in that very instant!
The faint golden glow of the Eye of Truth rapidly swirled in his eyes.
It allowed him to capture the abnormal violent surge of energy within the bound Himura Senichi!
"Roar Aooo Aooo—"
A non-human roar, filled with endless pain, frenzy, yet mixed with a trace of indestructible firm will, suddenly erupted from Himura Senichi's throat!
Just as Rokuro turned towards Himura Ruri, his killing intent fixed on her.
Feeling his daughter facing extreme danger, the special anti-demon bloodline and strong paternal instinct within Himura Senichi resonated violently as never before!
The frenzy of demon blood and the will to protect formed an eerie unity.
Crack! Bang!
The sturdy physical shackles were actually broken by him.
Sparks flew from the restraint device's wiring, and the injected sedatives also seemed to be rapidly metabolized under that boiling power.
Clang!
Although his consciousness was still somewhat unclear, even filled with hunger and confusion, and his body was exceptionally stiff due to demonification and prolonged sealing... the obsession to protect his daughter overwhelmed everything!
Himura Senichi's crimson eyes locked onto Rokuro, the source of the threat, and he suddenly lunged at a fainted Demon Slayer Corps member on the ground, grabbing that nichirin blade!
The next moment, the sword techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, etched into his soul and marrow, erupted like an instinct.
Although his movements were slightly sluggish and stiff due to his physical condition, the techniques were exquisitely brilliant and incomparably sharp!
Simple slashes, cuts, thrusts, and parries all carried a miraculous charm that turned decay into wonder.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The speed was astonishing, and the angles were extremely tricky!
Rokuro had absolutely not expected this heavily sealed "specimen" to suddenly erupt and attack.
Caught off guard, he was forced into a frantic retreat by this sudden, ancient swordsmanship, completely different from the Breathing Technique system!
He specialized in mental attacks and stealth; close-quarters combat was not his strong suit to begin with.
For a moment, Rokuro was in dire straits, and several sword marks instantly appeared on his body!
What's going on?!
How could this specimen?!
Rokuro was greatly alarmed, completely unprepared for such a change.
"Father!"
Himura Ruri's voice trembled.
She watched her father, like a beast, fighting the demon in front of her, and tears streamed down her face.