At this moment, Kiyokawa Izumi actually didn't have the ability to pursue.
Sometimes things are just that miraculous; when holding on by a single breath, one feels they can still persist and perform incredible feats.
But once that breath is let out, unbearable pain appears, breathing becomes extremely difficult, and Kiyokawa Izumi even has to use his nichirin blade to stay standing.
'About five or six ribs on the left side are broken. With slight displacement, they haven't pierced the lungs. The spleen, located in the lower left chest, probably hasn't ruptured either.
The reason for coughing up blood is likely related to the previous explosive breathing and changing Breathing Technique directly without adjustment.
On the right side, at most one or two ribs are broken; by comparison, it's not particularly serious.
It shouldn't lead to the appearance of Flail Chest symptoms.'
In a daze, Kiyokawa Izumi was also judging his own injuries.
The ribs on both sides of his body were not all broken. If all twelve pairs of ribs were broken, no matter how strong his will was, it would be difficult for him to move at this moment.
He might die instantly, or within the next few minutes.
The worst-case scenario didn't happen. What Kiyokawa Izumi was most worried about wasn't actually that so many ribs on the left side were broken.
What he feared most was a sudden heavy blow to the chest, causing multiple segments of adjacent ribs on both sides to fracture and become severely displaced.
This would cause his chest wall to collapse, losing the support of the bones and leading to Paradoxical Breathing symptoms.
When a normal person inhales, the chest expands, and when they exhale, it contracts—Paradoxical Breathing is the opposite.
This is the most fatal characteristic of what is known as Flail Chest.
In the current era, once such symptoms appear, it is likely extremely difficult to treat.
Even if Kiyokawa Izumi could miraculously pull through, it would leave very serious sequelae. Let alone fighting, even a bit of strenuous exercise might cause constant coughing and shortness of breath.
With current medical conditions, even if Kochou Shinobu has very superb medical skills, what can be done is extremely limited.
Fortunately, the chest wall structure didn't completely fall apart, so the worst and most troublesome situation didn't occur.
In his daze, still maintaining his last bit of rationality, he sat halfway down against a large tree.
Lying flat was absolutely forbidden; it would compress the chest cavity and make breathing even more difficult.
While standing or half-sitting, the organs wouldn't push upwards due to the loss of gravity, the airway wouldn't narrow, and the injured area could be kept suspended.
Having been injured many times, Kiyokawa Izumi knew some emergency rescue measures. Even if his head wasn't very clear, he wouldn't make a mistake at this time, let alone fall headfirst and compress his chest cavity again.
"Immediately request reinforcements from Headquarters. No matter what, at least two Hashira must be sent to reinforce.
Also, ribs on both sides are broken, the specific situation is unknown. Before a professional doctor arrives, do not move my body."
With a very pale face, after finishing weakly, Kiyokawa Izumi could no longer hold on and fainted directly.
He didn't even have time to confirm if the Team Members heard clearly.
Requesting the Headquarters to send two Hashira-level Swordsmen to help also made sense—a single Plain Hashira might not necessarily win without knowing Gyokko's detailed abilities.
Furthermore, who knows if other Upper Ranks will attack the next night? If it's the top three, casualties will definitely occur.
He had too many things he didn't have time to explain.
For example, Gyokko's abilities—the Team Members who were just bystanders might only know a general idea, which is definitely not as clear as Kiyokawa Izumi, who had fought him personally.
To be safe, it's better to avoid the brunt for now and transfer as soon as possible.
If Boss Muzan took a whim and really sent out upper rank one, even four Hashira would be useless!
I don't know how the Scum Boss will respond, or if he cares about Gyokko's defeat.
With too many worries and many things left unsaid, Kiyokawa Izumi, who could no longer hold on, couldn't even maintain Total Concentration Breathing: Constant in his unconscious state and could only breathe by instinct.
Little did he know, the four Team Members present hadn't come to their senses yet—Kiyokawa Izumi felt it was a great pity that he failed to kill Gyokko. If his injuries hadn't been so serious, he really had hope of achieving a solo kill against an Upper Rank.
But others didn't think so.
While feeling incredibly shocked, they were also somewhat excited.
For so many years, the Upper Ranks had not changed.
They originally thought they would die here, but this newly promoted Hashira broke the despair by force, almost single-handedly forcing the Upper Rank back.
He might be the only Hashira in a hundred years to face an Upper Rank and escape unscathed.
He didn't lose, because it was Gyokko who ran away.
Greatly encouraged, the Team Members subconsciously gripped their nichirin blades and guarded closely by the unconscious Kiyokawa Izumi.
"The one defeated was really Upper Rank Five, right?"
One Team Member still couldn't believe it and couldn't help but speak up to confirm.
"It's an Upper Rank, it really is!"
"If our strength could be a bit stronger and help the Hashira more, maybe we really could kill an Upper Rank..."
"Wait, why is Lord Kiyokawa Izumi's breathing getting weaker and weaker? What should we do?"
"When will the Hidden Members arrive? Is there a professional doctor in the village?"
"I'll go ask!"
"Hurry! Send a Kasugai Crow to urge the Hidden, and don't forget to report to Headquarters!"