The cold, full moon hung high, hidden deep within thick layers of clouds. The shadows of the mountains spilled down like ink, pressing firmly against the entire field.
The cold wind whistled, and the sound of rustling leaves was constant.
A dense darkness enveloped the surroundings. No birds chirped, no insects buzzed, and not a single soul could be seen on the winding path leading upward.
A deathly silence pervaded the area.
"Whew—"
Adjusting his breathing, Kiyokawa Izumi noticed the hand holding his nichirin blade was trembling slightly.
Fear?
Terror?
None of those emotions were present.
If it were him from three months ago, he might have thought his head was filled with water and that he needed to see a psychiatrist.
As a transmigrator, how could he not know whose territory Natagumo Mountain was?
If his head weren't filled with water, would he have run here to seek death?
In just three short months, the change in his mindset was the most obvious thing.
No one forced him; he came here of his own accord.
Not long ago, while on a mission with Kochou Shinobu, he had been faintly looking forward to it.
He even thought it was an opportunity to improve himself in a battle against a Lower Rank.
But it was later proven to be just a false report.
Aside from bringing back Piggy, there was no gain.
Since that day, a bold idea had taken root in his mind.
He wanted to fight a Lower Rank once.
Whether it was Lower Rank One or the new lower rank six.
But reality loved to play with people's hearts; he simply couldn't encounter one.
Whether it was him or the other Hashira, they simply had no chance of encountering a Lower Rank.
While out on missions, they would only occasionally encounter some demons who mastered Blood Demon Arts and were reasonably strong.
Their strength might be above that of ordinary demons, but when they encountered a Hashira-level Swordsman, very few could last more than one strike.
Kiyokawa Izumi really couldn't contain himself anymore.
If other Lower Ranks couldn't be found, could it be that Lower Rank Five couldn't be found either?
When Tanjirou fought Rui, he hadn't even mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, and his swordsmanship was far inferior to his own current level.
With just a palm-sized broken blade and the first use of Hinokami Kagura, he almost severed Rui's neck.
With the strength he already possessed, did Kiyokawa Izumi still need to have so many concerns?
If it were to suppress an Upper Rank, he indeed wouldn't have much room to perform.
But Rui was only a Lower Rank.
If he didn't even dare to face Lower Rank Five, his determination to try would be far too laughable.
The strength of an Upper Rank far surpassed that of a Lower Rank. If he didn't even dare to face Rui and lacked the ability to deal with him, wouldn't he just be a snack when facing Douma in the future?
Even if offered to someone to eat, they wouldn't want to, thinking you reeked of filth.
'It's a bit strange. Even though I intend to face a Lower Rank alone, my body seems to be enveloped in a strange sense of excitement.'
'That mindset of having no retreat, only drawing the sword for a fight to the death, hasn't appeared for a long time.'
'Instead, it's actually excitement? Anticipation?'
'Is it because I'm not facing an Upper Rank that I can't even feel fear?'
As for an excuse, he was prepared.
Before he became a Hashira, a Team Member he happened to meet said that demons might exist here, giving him a very oppressive feeling.
Therefore, he would come to investigate alone.
Upon discovering the existence of the Twelve Kizuki, while attempting to resolve it, he would also send a small creature back to deliver a message.
Whether others believed it or not, he would insist that was the case.
Walking slowly into the mountains along the small path, Kiyokawa Izumi was in no hurry. There was still a long time before the sun rose, so there was nothing to rush.
The trees were so tall they seemed to touch the clouds, their ink-like shadows closing in from all sides. The interlocking branches and leaves made a series of rubbing sounds as the cold wind blew.
The layer of decaying leaves mixed with soil seemed to hide murderous intent, and spider webs were visible almost everywhere here.
Countless peeping eyes seemed to be hidden in the surrounding darkness, and the air was filled with an oppressive aura.
This feeling almost made Kiyokawa Izumi think of the Final Selection.
Even without the advantage of intelligence, he could judge that demons existed in this mountain.
Because this mountain was like it was dead; bird calls and insect chirps were rarely heard.
Blood-red eyes had quietly emerged, and his breathing always maintained its inherent rhythm.
Like an ignorant prey, Kiyokawa Izumi stepped toward the set trap one step at a time.
He seemed full of openings from head to toe, giving the illusion of someone who had strayed into the mountains by mistake.
Many small white spiders were crawling on the muddy ground, and thin lines nearly invisible to the naked eye suddenly appeared behind his defenseless back.
Having not intentionally hidden his presence, he was discovered by the demon the moment he stepped into the mountain.
Like a candle lit in the dark, it was that obvious.
'As Lower Rank Five, are you unwilling to even show your face?'
'Some ordinary demons, even if they have received the blood you shared, are not enough to satisfy my expectations.'
'Perhaps, I should be a bit more enthusiastic!'
The nichirin blade swung out silently, and silver threads as thin as hair were all severed in an instant.
Everything, whether it was the crawling small spiders or the nearly invisible lines, was clearly presented in his eyes.
Kiyokawa Izumi slowly looked into the distance. Following the direction of the lines, he had already found the location of the first demon.
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I posted the wrong chapter and I apologize. I will post two chapters.