Demon Slayer: Muzan, will you dance too?

Kiyokawa Izumi only appeared calm at this moment.

Encountering Upper Moon Three again is truly terrifying.

Neither the three little ones now, nor Shinobu Kocho whose Nichirin Blade has been broken, can offer him much help in the upcoming battle.

He still has to fight Akaza alone!

This time, however, there was no assistance from Tamayo.

In other words, he was bound to settle things with Akaza here.

The current three little ones are struggling to even face the newly promoted Lower Moon.

Even if you have the courage to draw your sword, you can't change the fact that you'll be instantly killed if you face the upper hand.

"The pressure is beyond my imagination."

"Having not improved much compared to last time, can I really defeat Upper Moon Three?"

A question arose in my mind.

Kiyokawa Izumi was not lacking in confidence, nor was he feeling fear at this moment. The objective gap was something he could not ignore, and he was not confident that he could protect everyone—he could certainly dodge Akaza's trump card, but what about the others?

Facing Akaza using his final move, he was unable to block all the attacks and protect the person behind him.

The three little ones couldn't stop them either; if they were grazed, they would die.

As the pressure mounts, my heart races, and I frantically try to find the best solution.

Akaza is all too familiar with his own fighting rhythm.

In their first encounter under normal conditions, the Compass Domain was not yet fully adapted, and it was already able to suppress him based solely on its basic values.

What should be done in this situation?

An unbridled outburst, or a delaying tactic?

"Tolerate!"

The not-so-loud voice clearly appeared in her ear, and Shinobu Kocho, with a serious expression, looked over.

"You all need to leave here first!"

! !

They weren't complete strangers; Shinobu Kocho knew exactly what kind of person he was.

He may act irrationally on ordinary days, but he's always reliable in crucial moments.

At this moment, are they being asked to leave because Kiyokawa Izumi also lacks confidence in winning?

Her hands clenched tightly beneath her sleeves, a sense of powerlessness washing over her—her Nichirin Blade was broken, her unique weapon severely damaged, which greatly impacted her combat effectiveness.

Ordinary Nichirin swords can certainly be used.

But she lacked the strength to control such a weapon.

The concoction was ineffective and too weak; even if it stayed here, it wouldn't be able to effectively assist Kiyokawa Izumi in the fight.

At the time, there was nothing I could do but rush to my sister's side when she was dying.

Is there nothing we can do right now?

We have to come up with a solution!

"We can't just leave like this!"

Tanjiro keenly sensed that Kiyokawa Izumi's emotions were quite unusual at that moment.

Those who never consider a way out experience a moment of calm before they fight desperately.

Even a swordsman as powerful as him doesn't have the confidence to defeat Upper Moon Three?

"Compared to last time, there's not much improvement... Your swordsmanship has been honed to its limit; as a human being, you've reached your peak."

As time goes by, you will become weaker and weaker due to old age, or perhaps you will become a ghost.

Only by becoming a ghost can you continue to grow stronger.

Whether it's a hundred years or two hundred years, you can spend countless hours becoming stronger and have ample time to figure out how to proceed.

It would be such a pity for you, who have stepped into the highest realm, to die here!

Akaza, a martial artist with extremely rich combat experience, could tell at a glance that Kiyokawa Izumi, who had reached her limit, had not improved much in strength.

There was no malice intended; it was purely out of appreciation.

It would be such a shame for a man like him to die here.

If you're willing to become a demon, you can definitely become stronger.

"Three minutes!"

Kiyokawa Izumi ignored its invitation and pondered silently in his heart.

Whether it's the three little ones or Shinobu Kocho, they all have to leave.

If you can't win within three minutes, accept your defeat gracefully.

Just then, his sleeve was suddenly pulled.

Kiyokawa Izumi turned his head to look, his brows furrowing slightly.

The half-demon, Nezuko, takes on the appearance of a young girl. Although her teeth have become somewhat sharp, her delicate face, which is not ferocious, has regular features, making her a beautiful girl in the making.

What is she trying to do?

Communicating with a ghost that can't speak is giving Kiyokawa Izumi a real headache.

Why are you grabbing my sleeve? Is there something you want to say?

Hesitantly, Kiyokawa Izumi's pupils contracted slightly as he saw the girl's hand reaching towards his Nichirin Blade, clearly indicating that he had some guesses.

Could it be that you...?

Tanjiro, who was trying to stop the attack, was slightly taken aback as his skin was easily cut by the sharp Nichirin Blade.

Bright red blood slowly flowed out, and within a visible speed, the blade was already stained.

The flames, the color of blood, burned fiercely, warm and intense.

"Blood Demon Art?"

When did you acquire this knowledge?

"This is truly...a huge help!"

The blade, enveloped in crimson flames, radiated a noticeably higher temperature that traveled to my palm.

This is the Blood Demon Technique that Mizuko possesses: Blood Burst.

Kiyokawa Izumi's Nichirin Blade has been transformed into a Crimson Blade!