"Aoki vs. Lower Rank Five"
After decapitating Rui, Tanjiro collapsed from the intense backlash of using Hinokami Kagura instead of Water Breathing. Nezuko, released from Rui's webs, fell to the ground, unconscious.
A figure emerged from the bushes—Aoki. Tanjiro weakly looked up.
"Senior Aoki."
Aoki helped Tanjiro to his feet. "You're quite the mess."
Tanjiro tried to smile, but lacked the strength. A ringing in his ears forced a low moan. Aoki seated him against a tree.
Remembering his victory, Tanjiro said excitedly, "Senior Aoki, I won! I killed an Upper Moon!"
Aoki didn't look at him, slowly drawing his Nichirin Sword. "Don't be ridiculous. You really think you killed him? If you could kill an Upper Moon, what am I doing as the Devour Hashira? It's embarrassing."
Tanjiro noticed Rui's scent hadn't dissipated, nor was there the usual scent of ash from a deceased demon. A headless body was rising nearby.
"You annoying ants," a pale head descended—Rui, Lower Rank Five.
Tanjiro was shocked. "Why? Why is he alive? I clearly cut off his head! Why didn't he die?"
Aoki quickly answered. "Strange, isn't it? He's alive despite being decapitated. His neck was severed, but not by your sword. He cut his own neck with threads before your attack."
Tanjiro was startled. Aoki's presence had saved him.
"Don't blame yourself. He's an Upper Moon, Muzan Kibutsuji's direct subordinate. If a weakling like you could kill him, Muzan wouldn't last long," Aoki chuckled, pointing his sword at Rui.
"Ding!"
Rui:
Identity: Lower Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki
Personality: Cold, yearns for familial bonds
Skills possessed: Blood Demon Art
Combat Power: 2162 points
Overall Rating: A-level
Rui's data appeared in Aoki's mind. A smirk touched his lips. 2162 points—over two hundred more than his current power—but this opponent posed little threat.
"You injured my junior brother and his sister. Ready to pay the price?" Aoki challenged, a hint of provocation in his tone.
Veins bulged on Rui's forehead. Nearly killed by Tanjiro, he felt his dignity as an Upper Moon insulted. Aoki's open defiance fueled his rage.
"Damn ants! Become fragments!"
He unleashed a barrage of threads, but Aoki effortlessly sliced them apart.
Rui's eyes narrowed, suppressing his anger. Upper Moons possessed superior emotional control. Aoki's ease in cutting his threads clearly showed his strength.
He didn't know if Aoki was stronger, but he knew he couldn't fight Aoki as he had Tanjiro. He needed a different approach.
Aoki activated his Sharingan and charged, closing the distance rapidly. A drawn-out fight with an immortal demon was foolish.
"Breath of Devouring, Third Style: Demon's Radiance!"
Multiple black sword waves sliced through the incoming threads. In moments, Aoki closed the distance, ready to kill Rui without resorting to his trump cards.
"Get away!"
Rui panicked as Aoki closed in. He drenched his hands in blood, transforming his white threads into crimson, strengthening them significantly.
The crimson threads slowed Aoki, giving Rui a chance to retreat.
"Enough, human! Vanish forever!"
Aoki's presence signaled reinforcements. If others arrived, Rui's escape would be impossible. He decided to eliminate Aoki and Tanjiro before that happened.
"Blood Demon Art: Cutting Thread Rotation!"
Crimson threads coalesced into a destructive crimson wheel, hurtling towards Aoki.
Aoki's eyes narrowed. Susanoo materialized instantly, evolving into its second form.
But that wasn't enough. The second form couldn't withstand the attack. In the next instant, the Susanoo's body developed intricate veins and flesh, its eyes glowing gold, taking on a more human-like form, radiating purple light.
"Susanoo, Third Form!"
With his third-form Susanoo, Aoki received the full force of the attack. When the wheel's energy dissipated, the Susanoo remained completely undamaged, not even a scratch.
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