Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Flames

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Thanks to Tanjiro's words, Muichiro follows his heart and faces the fish demon that was attacking Kotetsu. "Run. I can't fight with you in the way." The fish demon regrows its hand and attacks the Mist Hashira. But he was faster and beheads the feral monster. However, to his surprise the demon didn't turn to dust and grew its head back. 'Strange. I severed its head, but it's still moving. But that vase on its back.' Muichiro slashes the vase on the demon, and it disintegrates. 'That vase was its power source. As I figured it was created by a Blood Demon Art. That means there's another Upper Rank here.'

Kotetsu tightly clings onto the young Hashira. "Thank you so much! I thought I was going to die! I'm sorry for calling you seaweed hair!"

"Wait a second. You called me seaweed hair before?"

"I was just mad for what you said before!"

Muichiro proceeds to walk away "I wasted too much time here. Right now, the chief is in danger. Feel free to do as you please."

"Please! It's not just the chief! Kanamori is in danger too! So is Haganezuka! He's gone days without sleeping while repairing Tanjiro's sword! I'm begging you! Please help them! If they're delayed, they'll die!"

"I can't. I..."

'You will get yourself back one day, Muichiro.' Muichiro suddenly hears the words of Kagaya. And remembers when he first met him. He then sighs, picks up Kotetsu and starts to run.

"Woah! I know you're in a rush, but can you slow your pace please?!" Kotetsu asks.

"You shouldn't talk like this. You could bite your tongue." Muichiro replies. 'Did I make the right choice? This decision could leave the rest of the village unguarded. No! I can do this! I'm sure my crow noticed the danger and have already flew off to find reinforcements. The Oyataka recognizes my strength and value. I am a member of the demon slayer corps! The Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito!' 

Back with Tanjiro, the severed talon with the head charges another sonic screech and his body caused him to slash the new head. 'Dammit! I cut it! If it grows a new one...' The severed flesh grows a mouth, and both unleash their screeches. But their attack slightly affected Tanjiro. 'I see! It's clear as day!' He starts to smile after realizing the situation. 'Its attacks have grown weaker! Although its true ability allows them to divide, that doesn't mean they'll gain any strength! There were words in their tongues when it first divided- Joy, Anger, Sorrow, and Pleasure. They're the strongest bodies! And the more they split, the more they weaken!' Tanjiro stabs the mouth and notices the Joy demon behind him launching another screech. 'I need to defeat this one at least, then hurry back to Nezuko and Genya! Wait! The mouth I stabbed disappeared!' The Joy demon swoops down and slashes his right shoulder. It keeps striking him in the forearm, left shoulder, thigh, and chest. Tanjiro tries to counterstrike but was slashed in the back.

"So, what do think of my talons? So sharp, and extremely fast! They can crush an indestructible rock! You should start trembling! Rejoice in the loss of blood!"

"After you."

The joy demon's head suddenly split, revealing that Tanjiro was actually trying to separate his head with disconnecting it. he then goes in for another attack, but it heals its head and charges for another sonic attack. Tanjiro however wouldn't give him a chance and separated the top of the head. But it regrew and the demon flew away with Tanjiro giving chase. "Nezuko, Genya! Just stay alive!"

At the swordsmith inn, Nezuko struggles against Karaku. "Get your hands off me you demon!"

"Don't be like that sweetheart! We can give ourselves all the pleasure we want! Just stop resisting!"