Shirou Emiya — Doesn't Want to Work Overtime!

A Breathing Style of my own…?

Shirou felt something in his mind suddenly open up.

Why have I been so fixated on using someone else's fighting style? I already know the basics of Breathing—so why not create a technique that suits me, that's truly mine?

He realized his struggle was because he'd been working alone for this entire month, stuck in his own head with no one to guide him. Without someone who already mastered a Breathing Style, it was all too easy to fall into these traps.

Thinking this, Shirou looked at Rengoku Kyōjurō with genuine gratitude.

"Hahaha! No need to look at me like that. It was nothing at all! If you really want to thank me, just become my successor!"

Absolutely not!

Shirou's face made it perfectly clear he wasn't interested, and Rengoku could see at a glance his proposal had been shot down.

But this time, he didn't seem even a little disappointed.

"Then after tonight, go to Fujikasane Mountain and take the trial. Become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps!"

This time, Rengoku turned fully to face him, both hands landing firmly on Shirou's shoulders, his eyes locking on with burning seriousness. It was as if he wanted Shirou to understand just how important this was.

"I'll do it!" Shirou answered, seeing the sincerity in Rengoku's eyes.

Shin!

A sound effect rang out from the distance. Rengoku's expression immediately sharpened.

"A demon!"

He'd sensed its presence nearby.

As a Hashira, Rengoku was acutely sensitive to murderous intent. Even asleep, his body would react the moment danger appeared.

"Shirou! You must—no, go help evacuate the civilians! Leave this one to me!"

Before the words were even out, Rengoku disappeared like a gust of wind, feet barely skimming the tiles as he vanished into the night.

In Rengoku's eyes, Shirou wasn't part of the Corps, or a cultivator's apprentice—he was just like any other resident, someone to protect.

Originally, Rengoku had wanted Shirou to leave with the others, but one look at Shirou's unyielding expression made him change his mind. He knew, even if ordered to evacuate, Shirou would never just run. He'd rather face the demon himself.

This, too, was a sign of Rengoku's care. He couldn't gauge the demon's strength or what strange blood demon art it might wield, and for him, saving lives always came before killing demons. If everyone he tried to protect died, what would be the point of fighting at all?

Hearing Rengoku's words, Shirou instantly understood—the demon that had devoured hundreds of people was here.

He clenched his fists, forcing down the urge to run toward the fight.

Right now, what matters most is protecting the living—not avenging the dead. What's done is done, but the future is still in my hands. I have to do everything I can for those who are still alive.

Meanwhile, Rengoku, following the demonic aura, arrived at a street illuminated only by moonlight.

In the center stood a girl with long black hair, tinged green, unmoving.

"Whose kid is that? Standing there in the street, like an idiot… is she really just stupid?"

A group of young men circled her, sneering with open contempt.

"Hey, we're talking to you, idiot! Didn't you hear us—or are you deaf?"

One of them picked his nose, grinning as he grabbed her head, twisting it back and forth.

"Wait—no—my hand, what's happening to my hand?"

He watched in horror as his left hand seemed to sink into her, like it was being swallowed by quicksand.

The other men stared in disbelief, then scrambled away in terror.

"Help! Help me! Don't leave me!"

He shouted after them, but not a single one came back. He felt his own shadow stretching and warping, the moonlight above him fading to black.

"Ah—!"

A jet-black, snake-like creature reared up behind him, mouth yawning wide. It swallowed him whole in a single, snakelike gulp.

Rengoku arrived just in time to witness the girl feeding.

"[Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire]!"

His blade struck with blinding speed, a slash that should have been impossible to dodge, cleaving straight for the demon's neck.

Yet instead of relief, Rengoku's eyes narrowed in shock—his blade had stopped, halfway through her neck, the force suddenly drained away as if the steel were trapped in wet concrete.

On the other side, the severed neck instantly healed, good as new.

No matter how Rengoku pulled or twisted, he couldn't budge his nichirin blade from Kaori's throat. It was as if it had sunk into solid stone.

Only now did Asakusa Kaori seem to come to her senses, turning to look at Rengoku by her side.

Behind her, the black serpent also turned, fixing Rengoku with an icy, predatory stare as he struggled to free his sword.

"Hah!"

Knowing he couldn't afford to stall, Rengoku gripped the hilt, leapt high, and delivered a powerful kick to Kaori's abdomen.

A shockwave erupted from his foot, rippling the air—but to his astonishment, there was no resistance. It was like striking a stone slab wrapped in sponge, his strength simply absorbed, vanishing without a trace.

The black serpent lashed through the air, fangs snapping at Rengoku's head.

With no other option, Rengoku abandoned his nichirin blade and retreated at top speed, vaulting back a dozen meters.

Kaori's attacks were wild, clumsy—nothing like the coordinated, deadly moves of a seasoned demon. To anyone with real training, she posed little threat; her movements and reactions were painfully slow.

She hardly seemed like a demon who'd devoured hundreds of people—she had no sense for combat at all.

As the black serpent lunged again, Rengoku had already withdrawn out of range.

What a bizarre blood demon art…!

For the first time, Rengoku felt genuine doubt—he might not be able to destroy this demon. All he could do was stall, holding on until dawn.

But with just his nichirin blade, there might be no way to cut off her head.

At that moment, Kaori did something that left even Rengoku speechless.

She reached up, grasped the nichirin blade lodged in her own neck, pulled it free, stared at it for a moment—and then, turning the blade toward herself, sank her teeth into the tip.