I don't want to be an elf!

"Yeah, how could that be?" he muttered to himself. "I probably got hit on the head during the sparring session. How could I be so out of my mind as to suspect Kotori?"

In the sparring match just now, the nine pillars, even working together, only managed to delay the Flame Demon for less than ten minutes.

It can be said that they were completely crushed.

However, under the onslaught of the Nine Pillars, the Flame Demon was no longer as composed as he had been in a one-on-one fight.

Faced with attacks from all directions, she had no choice but to launch more aggressive offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Thus, the body hidden beneath the black robe was naturally exposed.

Although he still couldn't see the face, only the deliberately altered voice and body shape, Rengoku Kyojuro's intuition told him that he might really know the Flame Demon.

Combined with the testimonies about the appearance of the Flame Demon obtained from the survivors of the Mugen Train, even someone as thick-skinned as Rengoku Kyojuro couldn't help but make connections and guesses.

Although he himself felt that the guess was too outrageous, so outrageous that he didn't tell anyone, but kept it to himself.

Perhaps his sister is the leader of Ratatoskr, the Balrog who easily defeated nine Pillar-level members, including himself, the Flame Pillar.

However, seeing Kotori Itsuka, who had just woken up from a deep sleep and was yawning constantly, he quickly dismissed this guess.

After all, how could it be possible?

Rengoku Kyojuro couldn't help but shake his head.

Kotori Itsuka is a living, breathing person. After being adopted, she has lived in the Rengoku family and there is absolutely no possibility that she could become a demon.

Kyojuro Rengoku is what a human looks like after turning into a demon.

My little sister, so young, helpless, and pitiful, how could she possibly be a ghost?

Moreover, even if Kotori Itsuka were a demon, how could she possibly beat her own brother into this state?

While imagining how Kotori Itsuka sweetly calls him "Onii-chan" in her daily life, and recalling how the Enma mercilessly beat him into a pig's head, Kyojuro Rengoku decisively stopped thinking about that possibility.

Soon, he shifted his gaze away from Kotori Itsuka, leaned against the wall, and stopped looking at the bedroom.

Noticing that the gaze had shifted away, Kotori Itsuka, who was packing her meager belongings, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luckily I'm quick-witted," she thought thankfully. "And thankfully, Kyojuro is a bit thick-skinned."

Her sleepy look was obviously an act.

Having just beaten up the Demon Slayer Corps, how could he possibly fall asleep in just over ten minutes?

It's just acting.

She may not excel in other areas, but her acting skills are her only strength.

After leaving the Demon Slayer Corps' mansion, she originally intended to return to Tamayo's mansion with the others to discuss their next move.

However, she also noticed the suspicion in Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes during the sparring session, so to be on the safe side, she returned to the mansion.

Sure enough, Kyojuro Rengoku arrived.

If she hadn't considered this possibility beforehand and had gone to the Tama family with others, and had arrived here to find that Kotori Itsuka wasn't sleeping here in the middle of the night, even Kyojuro Rengoku would probably have started to truly suspect her.

After all, his personality is just a bit straightforward and simple, not stupid.

About twenty minutes later, after slowly packing up her clothes and other belongings, Kotori Itsuka walked out of the bedroom.

"If we go to the station at this time, will we be able to catch the night bus?" Kotori Itsuka asked. "Or should we leave tomorrow?"

"It's okay, the distance between Asakusa and Tokyo isn't that far."

Kyojuro Rengoku took her luggage as a matter of course and carried it on his back.

"If we miss the last bus, I'll carry you all the way back."

----------

----------

Author's Note: There's one more chapter coming up later, I can't stay up any longer and I'm going to sleep now.

Chapter Thirty-One: Two Upper Moons

Late at night, on the outskirts of Asakusa.

Under the moonlight, Kyojuro Rengoku was carrying his younger sister on his back, running wildly towards Tokyo.

Because it was too late, they ultimately missed the last bus and had no choice but to walk.

However, this is not a big deal.

For members of the Demon Slayer Corps, especially the Pillar-level members, traveling is something they are very familiar with.

With the aid of breathing techniques and astonishing stamina, Kyojuro Rengoku could run all night without feeling tired.

"Kotori, did you come to Asakusa again because of that pen pal named Yushiro?"

On the way, Rengoku Kyojuro found topics to talk about while hurrying along.

“Hmm, I remember telling my brother before that Yushiro is the young master of a family of doctors, right?” Kotori Itsuka brought out the excuse she had made up earlier. “I became very interested in herbs recently, and Yushiro was happy to teach me some knowledge, so I often come to Asakusa.”

"Congratulations on finally finding something you love," Kyojuro Rengoku said with a smile. "So, Kotori wants to become a doctor in the future?"

"Yes!" Kotori Itsuka nodded. "Although I'm not good at fighting, and I don't have the talent to practice breathing techniques or swordsmanship, if I can become a doctor, I can join the Demon Slayer Corps in the future and become my brother's helper!"

"Kotori is indeed a good child."

"hey-hey."

The two chatted idly and soon left Asakusa.

Following a shorter path into the forest, Kyojuro Rengoku moved with the speed of the wind, not slowing down at all on the rugged mountain road.

However, he had only been in the forest for a short time when he suddenly stopped.

"Shhh."

Stopping his chatter with his sister, Rengoku Kyojuro put Kotori Itsuka down and raised his index finger in a shushing gesture.

Seemingly sensing that something dangerous was approaching, his expression became alert, and he placed his hand on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, ready to draw it at any moment.

In the forest, all was quiet.

At this moment, Kyojuro Rengoku realized that something was wrong.

Yes, it's too quiet.

There were no birdsong, not even the chirping of insects.

That is precisely why it seems all the more unusual.

"I never expected to encounter the Demon Slayer Corps in a place like this."

Just then, a male voice rang out from the thick tree trunk.

As the words fell, a figure jumped down from the tree trunk and stood in front of Rengoku Kyojuro and Itsuka Kotori.

Under the moonlight, the true form of the figure was revealed.

It was a male ghost.

The man was dressed in a cloth garment that barely covered his body, but his exposed muscles displayed exaggerated strength and explosive power, and the regular black lines on his skin added to his intimidating presence.

Upon seeing the figure appearing not far away, Rengoku Kyojuro no longer hesitated and slowly drew his Nichirin Blade, which was engraved with the words "Demon Slayer".

Because he saw three words etched in the man's eyes.

Upper moon, third.

The strongest fighter among the demons, and also one of the strongest Upper Moon demons.

Sensing the powerful aura and chilling ghostly energy emanating from the other person, Rengoku Kyojuro waved his hand slightly, signaling Itsuka Kotori not to get too close, but also not to stay too far away.

Akaza, the Upper Moon Three, suddenly appeared and sized up the brother and sister before him.

But he only glanced at Kotori Itsuka before losing interest.

Akaza smiled with interest as he watched Rengoku Kyojuro shielding his younger sister behind him.

"You, are you Pillar?"

Just as Rengoku Kyojuro recognized the other party's identity, Akaza narrowed his eyes and also recognized the other party's identity: "This kind of refined fighting spirit is truly rare. It is almost close to the highest realm of martial arts. Among the Demon Slayer Corps, only the Pillars can reach this level."

"My name is Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps."

"If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move either." Facing the Upper Moon, Rengoku Kyojuro dared not make any rash moves and answered the other's questions.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart had already sunk to rock bottom.

When did it become so easy to see a cocked arm?

Just a few days ago, Upper Moon Six was killed, and just now the leader of Ratatosk revealed the whereabouts of Upper Moon Two. Now he has encountered Upper Moon Three.

The Upper Moon demons, which are rarely seen for decades, have been appearing frequently lately.

Just as my lord said, is it true?

The final battle between humans and ghosts is coming soon?

Kyojuro Rengoku took a deep breath, circulating his breathing technique to every muscle.

Seeing Rengoku Kyojuro's aura growing stronger, Akaza did not panic; instead, his smile grew even wider.

"You are stronger than any pillar I have ever seen before."

Unlike Kyojuro Rengoku's solemn attitude, Akaza's attitude was quite casual, and he even extended an invitation to his opponent: "It would be a waste for someone as talented as you to die. Why don't you consider becoming a demon, Kyojuro?"

"Forgive me for refusing."

"Is that really the case?"

Akaza wasn't angry. He glanced at Kotori Itsuka, who was trembling behind him, and asked, "Who is the woman behind you?"

“My sister.” Rengoku Kyojuro’s eyes narrowed. “As long as I’m alive, you can’t get close to her.”

"Hehe, don't worry, I don't kill or eat women," Akaza said calmly. "But the others, that's another story."

As soon as he finished speaking, Rengoku Kyojuro's pupils suddenly contracted.

Without hesitation, he swung his sword with all his might behind him, cleanly severing the tentacle that was about to grab Kotori Itsuka.

"Shh!"