Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Rengoku stood in front of the wrecked train, their eyes sweeping over the unharmed passengers.For once in their lives, they had managed to survive without someone losing a limb or getting eaten.

"Thank you, dear gods, for watching over us!"Tanjiro said, bowing deeply.

Zenitsu, holding onto Tanjiro’s sleeve, nodded rapidly."Yes, yes! I swear, if I live through this mission, I’ll never complain about Raja’s training again!"

Inosuke, meanwhile, was dramatically flexing."HA! The great Inosuke needed no divine intervention! I AM THE GOD HERE!"

Raja, still lurking in the shadows,snorted.

"Oh sure, now they thank the gods. Meanwhile, I literally carried the train’s passengers to safety, and do I get a ’thank you’? Noooo."

But their moment of gratitude wasrudely interrupted.

BOOM!

The groundtrembledastwo demonic figureslanded in front of them, creating deep craters from the sheer force of their entrance.

Two figures stepped forward—onesmug and icy, the othera battle-crazed maniac.

Upper Rank 2: Doma.

Upper Rank 3: Akaza.

The Demon Slayers’ expressionsfroze.

Zenitsu promptlypassed out.

Inosukehissed like a cornered raccoon.

Tanjirogripped his sword tighter.

Even Rengoku’s usuallycheerful expression darkened.

"Two Upper Moons at once?!"

Domasmirkedand waved."Hello, hello! Sorry to break up your little prayer session, but unfortunately... none of you are leaving alive~"

Akazacracked his knuckles, eyes glowing with excitement."Finally, a worthy battle."

Rengoku instantlystepped forward.

"Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu—take the passengers and run. You are not ready for this level of battle."

Tanjiro opened his mouth to argue, but Rengoku’sfirm, unwavering gazesilenced him.

"You want to fight Upper Moons? Become Hashira first."

Tanjiro clenched his fists."Damn it!"

Domalaughed."Oh? You think they’ll get the chance to grow stronger? No, no, no... because I’ll be killing all of you today~"

"Oh really, who decided that?"

Adeep, powerful voiceechoed through the air.

Doma and Akazaimmediately tensed.

Agiganticfigurestepped out of the shadows.

Towering.Muscles rippling like a god of war.

Yujiro Hanma.

Doma felt acold shiver run down his spine.

Akaza’sbattle instinct flared to maximum.

The Demon Slayers?

Tanjiro:😨"Who... the hell...?"

Inosuke:😱"IS THIS A DEMON?! I MUST CHALLENGE HIM!"

Zenitsu:(still unconscious, but probably screaming in his head).

Rengoku’seyes widened.

"Are you... Yujiro Hanma? The one who saved Kocho-san?"

Yujirogrinned.

"Yes, the butterfly lady. It’s been years since that incident... and what do we have here? A demon banquet?"

Yujiro turned his piercing gaze to Doma.

"Oye, kid. Did you forget our bet?"

Domaflinched.

"No eating humans until you defeat me. Did you break it?"

Domagritted his teeth."Shut up, you monster! I haven’t eaten any humans... YET. But today, I will feast on your body!"

Yujirocracked his neck.

"Oh yeah? Let’s see about that."

He turned to Rengoku.

"Little Lord is right—demons are cunning. They created this entire incident to lure a Hashira out and eliminate them."

Rengokunodded."You are sharp, Hanma-san. They specifically came for me."He was impressed by the little lord’s cunning and intelligence in predicting that two Upper Rank demons would come and sending backup.

Yujiro: "Oye! Hashira what breathing technique do you use?"

Rengoku "I use Flame Breathing. Why do you ask, Hanma-san?"

Yujirogrinned.

"Upper Rank 2 is an ice user. You take him. I’ll deal with the muscle-headed fool who has lost the true meaning of being a warrior."

Akazagrinned wildly."A strong warrior like you should become a demon! Let’s fight, and when I win, you’ll join us!"

Yujirolaughed in his face.

"You think a pathetic demon can defeat me? Today, you will learn the meaning ofinvincibility.If you run before the battle ends, then you’re acoward. And you still won’t eat any humans until you defeat me."

Akaza’seyes burned.

"COWARD?! HA! I’LL SHOW YOU A TRUE FIGHT!"

Domasighed dramatically.

"Why do I have to fight the serious one? I’d much rather battle a cute, little Demon Slayer instead."

Rengokugrinned, unsheathing his blade.

"FLAME BREATHING, FIRST FORM: SUN FIRE!"

Ablazing arcof flamesripped through the ground, making Domaleap backward.

"Oh ho~! So aggressive already? I like it."

Domatwirled his fans, summoning ice shards.

"Let’s see if your flames can handle my ice~"

Akazacharged, and delivered a powerful fist.

"Don’t DIE Fast, HUMAN!"

Yujirostood completely still.

BAM!

Akaza’s fistcollided with Yujiro’s abs... and did absolutely nothing.

Silence.

Akazafroze.

Yujirosmirked.

"That’s it?"

Then,he grabbed Akaza’s wristandflung him across the battlefieldlike a ragdoll.

Akazacrashed through six trees.

Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsuwatched in stunned silence.

Zenitsu:"HE JUST YEETED AN UPPER MOON LIKE A PIECE OF TRASH!"

Inosuke:"I HAVE A NEW HERO!"

Tanjiro: "I think we should listen to Rengoku-san and run."

Meanwhile,Akaza stood up, shaking with excitement.

"FINALLY, A REAL BATTLE!"

Yujirocracked his knuckles.

"I hope you’re ready, demon. Because I’m about to end your entire career."

Meanwhile,Rengoku’s flames roared, and Doma’ssmile falteredfor the first time.

Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu?

Theysprinted away with the passengers at speeds even demons would respect.

Thereal fight... had begun.

TO BE CONTINUED...🔥💀

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com