The group's conversation was unknown to Takeru. Currently, he and Yukino had reached the locomotive. Through Observation Haki, Takeru knew the train's coal compartment contained Enmu's true neck.
With a single punch, Takeru shattered the fleshy tumors, revealing the train's original structure and a conscious man inside.
"Who are you?! Get out!" Though frightened, the man, clinging to his illusory pleasant dream, mustered courage to shout.
"How pitiful." Takeru sighed. A Shadow Person emerged from his shadow, appearing behind the man, tapping a pressure point to render him unconscious. The clone then carried him away.
As the man was removed, more fleshy tumor arms sprouted, attacking Takeru and Yukino.
Takeru threw two casual punches, sending all the tumor arms flying.
Despite the gory mess, the tumors kept regenerating. Yukino unleashed another Chain Fireballs, suppressing their growth.
"Argh!" Continuous attacks elicited agonized screams from Enmu.
Unconcerned, Takeru focused on the ground beneath him. Applying force, he broke through steel plating, exposing a massive bone intertwined with flesh and blood… Enmu's neck.
Severing this neck with a Nichirin Blade would kill him. Though Takeru lacked one, he sensed Armament Haki held potent demon-slaying properties.
"Game over, Lower Moon One." Takeru declared calmly.
He punched downward. At the critical moment, Enmu's neck sprouted dense tumors, barely blocking the lethal strike. Takeru's blow only cracked the bone.
Instantly sensing danger, Enmu rapidly healed and covered his neck with thick tumors, launching a counterattack.
"Such tenacious will to live." Takeru mocked.
"Yukino, fall back." Takeru commanded.
"Okay." Without question, Yukino retreated to a safe distance.
Once she was clear, Takeru clenched his fist. It turned jet-black, cloaked in a thick layer of Nen unseen by Yukino.
Takeru focused immense power into his fist. Even from afar, Yukino felt a shiver of awe.
Enmu also sensed imminent danger, layering tumors over his neck while launching desperate attacks.
Takeru ignored the incoming strikes, his fist descending with unstoppable force.
Boom!
Without resistance, Takeru's fist pierced through the tumor layers, reaching the bone and shattering it completely, severing the flesh and blood connection.
"Argh!!" A soul-piercing scream erupted. Enmu launched a final, futile attack, easily neutralized by Shadow Persons.
With Enmu's neck severed, the train violently shuddered, threatening to derail.
Takeru swiftly used psychokinesis to stabilize it on the tracks. Though the locomotive was damaged, the carriages continued forward.
This suited Takeru's plan. Defeating Enmu early meant the train hadn't yet reached Akaza's location. He estimated another half-hour of travel.
Meanwhile, Rengoku had just awoken.
Although his neck was broken, Enmu wasn't instantly dead. His core hid in the shadows, staring in terror at Takeru.
'My body is disintegrating... I can't regenerate... Am I losing? Dying? Impossible! I haven't even used my full power! What was that attack? I wasn't hit by a Nichirin Blade! And I haven't eaten a single person! All that effort and time... for this? It's all his fault! Damn it! Damn it!!'
As his core dissolved, Enmu glared hatefully at Takeru.
Takeru, sensing the core through Observation Haki, knew it would perish soon. However, he disliked its lingering gaze.
"Game over, for real this time. Try being a good person in your next life… if you get one." Standing before the core, Takeru crushed it under his Haki-clad foot.
"I'm dying... This truly is a nightmare..." Enmu's final thought faded as darkness consumed him.
After eliminating Enmu, Takeru and Yukino returned to the carriages.
"Captain Takeru! Did you defeat the enemy?!" Sylphin asked excitedly.
"Of course." Takeru smiled.
"Young man, did you slay the demon? Thank you so much! As a Hashira, I feel utterly inadequate!" Rengoku soon approached, expressing gratitude.
"No need for thanks. Eliminating the demon was our objective." Takeru replied lightly.
"I see. I am Rengoku Kyojuro. You don't seem to be Demon Slayers. May I know your names?" Rengoku inquired curiously.
"I am Nara Takeru. These are my companions: Yukinoshita Yukino and Tachibana Sylphynford." Takeru introduced.
"Once again, thank you. Would you consider joining the Demon Slayer Corps? I could recommend you to Oyakata-sama." Rengoku extended an invitation.
"Apologies, but we can only stay in this world briefly." Takeru declined politely.
"Is that so? What a shame." Rengoku sighed.
"Um... may I ask what ability you used? Why couldn't we see the attacks? How did those tentacles explode?" Tanjiro asked hesitantly.
"That's my special ability." Takeru smiled enigmatically.
He then noticed the small figure of Nezuko, who looked utterly adorable with her bamboo muzzle.
"That's my sister! She's a demon, but she's never eaten anyone!" Seeing Takeru's gaze, Tanjiro quickly shielded Nezuko nervously.
Facing the mysterious Takeru, Tanjiro had no confidence in victory and wished to avoid conflict.
"Young Takeru, what Tanjiro says is true. Please do not harm her." Rengoku added seriously.
"Don't worry. I sensed her presence the first time we met. Had I intended harm, she would have perished already." Takeru reassured them.
"I see... Thank you for your understanding." Tanjiro expressed heartfelt gratitude.