Kawanishi bowed slightly, lowering his head, not wanting any change in his expression to be seen by Akaza.
Akaza's expression remained calm. He was curious what this demon intended to do.
Strange… there was something familiar about this demon's fighting spirit. But it also seemed like he was only just sensing it now. Maybe it reminded him of someone he'd met before?
He didn't dwell on it. A weakling like this wasn't worth much thought.
"Akaza-sama, I beg you—please kill Shinobu Kocho."
Behind Kawanishi, Shinobu's gaze dimmed.
So, he was just another irredeemable demon after all. She had actually been fooled. If she'd known his identity earlier, she would've slain him without hesitation.
Akaza's golden eyes narrowed. His voice grew cold. "Was that… an order?"
"Kneel! In my presence, the weak have no right to stand!"
Kawanishi clenched his teeth. "Akaza-sama, I have something important to say—"
Akaza snorted. "I said kneel. Don't make me say it twice. Whatever it is, you can speak once you're on your knees."
That crushing aura pressed against Kawanishi's spirit, but he gritted his teeth and held firm.
"Forgive me, Akaza-sama… I kneel only before that master."
This little one… has some backbone. Akaza's eyes flashed with a brief glimmer of respect—followed quickly by cold fury.
He didn't harm women, but for men, there was no such mercy. And the dignity of an Upper Rank couldn't be insulted.
This demon needed to be disciplined.
Boom!
Without warning, Kawanishi's body exploded into pulp under a single punch from Akaza.
Even with his recently enhanced physique, there was no resistance. His so-called "iron skin" was like tofu in Akaza's hands.
"So much pain… unbearable…"
His mind felt like it had been sliced into pieces. It was the first time Kawanishi had experienced this level of devastation.
Slowly, his flesh and blood began to reform on the ground, first condensing into a head. The rest of his body was still regenerating, though sluggishly—it was impossible to recover quickly after being pulverized like that.
Akaza said coldly, "That was your punishment for disrespecting an Upper Rank."
"Now speak. What is it you wanted to tell me?"
He doesn't hesitate at all… Kawanishi realized he had underestimated how brutal demons could be.
While still struggling to regenerate his body, he forced his half-formed head to speak: "It was an order from that master. He instructed me to tell you personally—Shinobu Kocho must die. The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps cannot be spared."
I hope I guessed right… Shinobu, you are a Hashira, right?
Akaza frowned. "And how did the master know she was here?"
I was right!
The real act begins. Kawanishi kept his nerves taut.
He turned his head toward Shinobu, giving her a look filled with staged fear, then said to Akaza:
"I'm a demon from Mount Blue Haze. Besides me, there was another one named Ma Gui. Ishibashi Town was our hunting ground."
"But Shinobu Kocho came and killed Ma Gui."
"Realizing she was a Hashira, I knew I couldn't defeat her. I tried to find another Upper Rank but failed, so I hid near another town and spread the word."
"Later, someone sent by that master found me. Since I knew the roads around Blue Haze well, they ordered me to guide you here."
"And they emphasized—you must kill Shinobu Kocho. Disobey, and suffer the consequences…"
Behind him, Shinobu quietly listened to the demon's exchange.
When she heard Kawanishi's words, she was stunned.
It was all lies—and not even airtight ones.
He's… deceiving Akaza? Why?
Then it dawned on her.
He's trying to save me?
She didn't know his plan, but she chose to cooperate. She didn't want to lose her ability to fight, either.
With perfect timing, she let out a light chuckle. "So it was you, little demon. You were too far away last time—I let you escape."
"And now because of you, I'm going to be killed. How ironic…"
"Akaza, if Muzan Kibutsuji himself gave the order, are you really going to spare me?"
So that's what this is… Yes, this did sound exactly like something the master would do. His hatred toward the Hashira was absolute.
Akaza frowned deeply. Her and Kawanishi's words were irritating, and he didn't have the patience to pick apart the holes in their story.
He was caught in a conflict between his principle and his orders.
Without the master standing before him, the pressure to obey lessened—but only slightly. Akaza hesitated.
If Muzan hadn't known about Shinobu, then crippling and letting her go would only incur some displeasure—and he could live with that. After all, he still would've taken a Hashira out of combat.
But now that the master knew—and had issued a direct order to kill her—it was different. If Akaza disobeyed, the punishment wouldn't stop at scolding.
Having followed Muzan for over a century, Akaza knew his nature well.
Muzan could tolerate Akaza sparing women. But disobedience?
Unforgivable.
Even as Upper Rank Three, Akaza wouldn't be spared.
Akaza's expression twisted and shifted. More than once, he raised his hand toward Shinobu, only to hesitate and lower it again.
The tension in the forest was suffocating. Kawanishi, watching nervously, finally finished regenerating.
He hesitated, like he wanted to speak but didn't dare.
Akaza noticed. "Speak. What do you want to say now?"
Kawanishi lowered his head. "Since Akaza-sama is unwilling to kill a woman, but the master's orders must be obeyed…"
"…perhaps… perhaps you could hand Shinobu Kocho over to me. She no longer has the strength to resist. Once you're far enough away, I'll deal with her quietly. Out of sight, out of mind."
"Rest assured, I won't eat her. I won't let her suffer. I'll make her death painless."
"If you don't kill her yourself, maybe this inner conflict will ease."
Akaza considered it. It did seem like a way out.
He didn't know why, but the thought of killing women filled him with overwhelming reluctance.
He didn't like other demons doing it either—but at least he could accept it.
He had no choice. With Muzan's order issued, there was no escaping it. If he let her go, he would be the one to die.
And if he died… how would he continue pursuing strength? How would he enjoy battle?
Fine. Let this little demon do it.
Akaza said, "Take her somewhere else, then kill her."
"Remember your words. Don't eat her. Don't let her suffer."
"Otherwise, I'll throw you into the sun myself and watch you burn to ash."
"Killing a Hashira… this might be the pinnacle of your life. Try to surpass it, if you can."
Kawanishi slowly backed away. "Thank you, Akaza-sama, for your guidance."
"I'll take my leave, then."
"I hope… we meet again someday."
With that, Kawanishi flared all four of his wings, spun around, and scooped Shinobu into a princess-carry.
He leapt skyward, soaring between the treetops, disappearing into the distance.
Watching them vanish, Akaza turned away.
"I wonder how things are going in Ishibashi Town."
"It's been a while—they should've handled it by now. Let me check…"
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(End of Chapter)