(Extra chapter)
It makes sense when you think about it.
How could the Twelve Kizuki be encountered so easily?
Before coming, Kiyokawa Izumi had already judged that the possibility of it being an Upper Rank was not high; one could even say it was infinitesimal.
There was a certain possibility of it being a Lower Rank, with the suspected target being Lower Moon Four.
He wasn't too worried about that.
Although Kiyokawa Izumi himself was a bit mediocre, under extreme burst, he had the strength of a weak Hashira.
Not to mention the Shinobu beside him; her poison could even affect Upper Ranks, let alone deal with a Lower Rank—he didn't even need to land a killing blow, as Kiyokawa Izumi still had the ability to finish them off.
To say they had no confidence at all against a Lower Rank with this lineup would be hypocritical to the extreme.
Of course, he didn't lower his guard.
He had activated his Sharingan long ago, staying alert for possible traps and ambushes.
With his vigilance at its peak, he was suddenly left speechless as soon as he stepped into the ruined temple.
The intelligence was wrong!
It wasn't one of the Twelve Kizuki at all!
The demon appearing before them had greenish skin, with even moss growing on its arms.
Seeing two Demon Slayers appear at the same time, it didn't have any intention of running; instead, it stared at them with greedy eyes—from this reaction, it was clear it had killed Demon Slayers before.
Probably more than one or two.
"Stranger demon sir, I wonder if you would be willing to get along with us?"
There was no light in Kochou Shinobu's purple eyes, yet a smile hung on her face, and her tone was gentle.
"How can one get along with food?"
The demon felt that the two people in front of it were weak and easy to bully, as if it could have another hearty meal.
"Are you really unwilling to get along? Can you tell me how many people you have eaten?"
"Thirty-five, and with you two, that makes thirty-seven!"
The demon gave a hideous grin, and its not-so-large body pounced instantly.
"Are you dancing?"
A voice suddenly came from beside its ear; the unknown demon instantly turned its head, its emerald-green pupils shrinking violently as more than ten hard vines suddenly pierced through the dust-covered stone slabs.
The sound of a sword being sheathed had already rung out; in less than a breath's time, the ugly head suddenly fell.
It hadn't even reacted, not even seeing Kiyokawa Izumi's movement of swinging the blade.
It had just used its Blood Demon Art when it was ruthlessly slain by the person in front of it.
"You made me get excited for nothing, coming all this way without even getting a good rest. How are you going to compensate me?"
"Mr. Kiyokawa Izumi, why are you in such a hurry? Perhaps it was willing to get along with us!"
"You..."
Kiyokawa Izumi really wanted to say, "Be normal, I'm scared."
But the words reached his lips and he couldn't say them.
Her gaze at this moment was indifferently terrifying.
She seemed to be very angry.
But she was suppressing such emotions.
She didn't explode, and even put on a fake smile.
At such a young age, isn't she afraid of making herself sick by bottling it up?
"What a shame. If it were willing to accept punishment for eating people, maybe we could have gotten along."
Help!
Can I go on a mission with Giyuu next time?
Don't be like this, I'm scared!
"Why must you always suppress your anger?"
Kiyokawa Izumi said softly as he passed by her.
Her pupils shook slightly, and her breathing lost control for a split second, but she quickly recovered.
"Thwack!"
A crisp sound rang out; Kiyokawa Izumi gathered strength in his thumb, pressed his knuckle back, and flicked it against her fair forehead.
"Work's done, work's done! Let's find a place to soak in a hot spring."
A slight pain appeared; Kochou Shinobu instinctively looked at the already distant Kiyokawa Izumi. This guy really makes it hard for people to like him.
"South-southeast! A Team Member needs help! Go quickly!"
The Kasugai Crow, which had suddenly landed on his shoulder, shouted.
"?"
Kiyokawa Izumi was a bit speechless. He was just about to go take a bath—maybe he should just let Kochou Shinobu handle it alone?
It probably wasn't a very strong demon.
If a Team Member needs help, it means they weren't killed instantly.
Given the strength of an ordinary Team Member, a slightly stronger demon could kill them in an instant.
"The nichirin blade was stolen! Needs help! Go quickly!"
Seeing Kiyokawa Izumi's reluctant expression, the Kasugai Crow pecked at his shoulder while adding.
"Huh? What was that?"
The nichirin blade was stolen, yet they hadn't been killed, so they needed support—wait, the opponent probably isn't a demon, right?
He didn't think an ordinary Team Member would have the strength to fight a demon barehanded.
So, could it be that by some Opportunity they encountered that person?
Kiyokawa Izumi didn't have many thoughts about that person—Beast Breathing could probably be considered a derivative of Wind Breathing—heaven knows how that person figured it out.
"A Team Member needs help. Does Mother Shinobu want to come along?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the mindless remark made the atmosphere turn eerily quiet.
On the young girl's forehead, which was a bit red from the flick, veins seemed to bulge.
Both of their Kasugai Crows looked over at the same time—Shinobu's crow had a very unfriendly gaze.
"..."
Realizing it too late, Kiyokawa Izumi could only give a polite but not awkward smile, not knowing how to explain.
He couldn't exactly say it was related to some bad habits from his previous life.
__________
Additional chapter at 800 power stones