The moment the Demon appeared, Shinichi and Shinjuro reacted almost instantly.
The fastest sword techniques of Forest Breathing and Flame Breathing were unleashed in the blink of an eye.
Their speed was so fast that it was impossible to see how they drew their blades.
Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!
A blazingly fast slash, wreathed in explosive flames, often decapitating Demons before they could even react.
Forest Breathing, Third Form: Thorned Stab!
A lightning-fast thrust imbued with the power of life, yet capable of inflicting the hellish agony of a thousand thorns piercing through a Demon body.
The two attackers seemed to share a telepathic understanding.
The Nichirin Blade wrapped in roaring flames instantly severed the head of the suddenly appearing Snake Demoness, while the dual-colored Nichirin Blade shimmering with emerald light delivered a rapid series of thrusts, slicing the Snake Demoness body into pieces while simultaneously rescuing the boy she had been clutching!
Shinichi swiftly pulled the boy from midair and placed him behind himself.
The Snake Demoness spinning head in midair still bore a look of shock and confusion in its amber eyes—until it thudded to the ground and saw its massive body hacked into segments.
Only then did it realize—it had been decapitated? And that boy it had coveted for twelve years was now shielded behind some brat wielding a green-and-red interlaced sword!
No! Impossible!
How could this happen!?
This wasn't how it was supposed to be!
It hadn't even tasted the boy flesh yet!
It couldn't accept this!
Yet no matter how unwilling the Snake Demoness was, it ultimately turned to ashes, never even uttering a single word from start to finish.
Only after watching the Snake Demoness disintegrate did Shinichi lower his guard.
Remembering the boy, he sheathed his Nichirin Blade and turned to look at him.
Shinjuro also slid his sword back into its scabbard, frowning as he scanned the surroundings.
After confirming there were no other Demon presences, he walked over to Shinichi side.
The rescued boy had heterochromatic eyes, though he still seemed paralyzed by fear—his mismatched pupils wide and unfocused, unresponsive to Shinichi questions.
After several failed attempts to get a reply, Shinichi glanced helplessly at Shinjuro.
"Rengoku-san, maybe you should try talking to him. He's around Kyojuro age—you probably have more experience with this."
Though Shinichi wasn't much older than the boy himself, he lacked experience in communicating with peers.
Shinjuro sighed at the terrified child before stepping forward with gentle reassurances.
Only after his comforting words and confirmation that the terrifying Snake Demoness had been slain did the boy gradually calm down.
It was then that Shinichi noticed a small white snake coiled around the boy's neck.
"What's your name?"
"O-obanai... Iguro..." the boy stammered out his name.
Shinichi and Shinjuro exchanged glances.
"Obanai Iguro? There are people living on this island?"
Shinjuro nodded, his expression grave.
"There is indeed an Iguro clan on Hachijo-jima. However, they're extremely secretive and highly averse to outside contact. I've only heard rumors about them. Since this child is from the Iguro family, we should send him home as soon as possible. However, I'm a bit worried—what if that Demon earlier has already invaded his family...?"
Shinichi looked at Iguro Obanai, who was shrinking behind Shinjuro and felt that things weren't as simple as they seemed. But for now, there didn't seem to be any other choice, so he agreed with Shinjuro suggestion.
The two of them prepared to take Obanai and search for the Iguro family.
Along the way, Obanai remained silent, clutching a corner of Shinjuro cloak. His heterochromatic eyes were filled with desolation, though it was unclear what he was thinking.
Half of his face was wrapped in bandages, making his expression unreadable.
Shinichi could clearly sense Obanai low spirits.
Though he didn't know what had happened, after hesitating for a moment, he took out a dorayaki from the silver mirror hanging at his waist.
Of course, this dorayaki was just an ordinary one—the kind Shinichi had bought at the market.
Having teamed up with other Demon Slayers many times, even if Shinichi didn't fully understand, he knew that not everyone shared his "refined" taste.
So he had prepared plenty of normal-flavored sweets like dorayaki, since the silver mirror space was empty anyway.
When he offered the dorayaki to Obanai, the boy froze, staring at the treat in confusion.
"Here, have some. You look like you haven't eaten properly in days. This'll tide you over for now. I'm Shinichi Moriki, a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps and that blond guy over there is Rengoku Shinjuro, the Flame Hashira! With us around, you don't have to worry about any Demon hurting you."
Shinichi pressed the dorayaki into Obanai hand and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat.
Obanai looked down at the dorayaki, dazed.
It was true—he hadn't eaten properly in days.
In fact, in that dark, airless dungeon, despite the elaborate meals served daily, the overpowering greasy smell had made it impossible for him to eat and with the constant terror of the Snake Demon death threats, how could he have had any appetite?
Still, Shinichi words gave him a rare sense of security and his stomach finally reacted.
Yet he hesitated, unwilling to reveal his bandaged face.
To lighten the mood, Shinichi asked "By the way, is that little white snake around your neck your pet? It's kinda cute."
"N-no... not a pet. A partner. Kaburamaru" Obanai finally spoke up softly.
The snake around his neck had been his only solace in that dark dungeon, a companion he now considered a life-and-death ally.
"Oh! Got it, no offense meant. I've got a great partner too—see that chubby Shiba Inu up ahead? Don't let his pudgy looks fool you, he's actually really strong and obedient." Shinichi grinned, pointing at Maru-ni, who was sniffing out a trail in the distance.
In this relaxed atmosphere, Obanai gradually began to open up and the events that had unfolded on Hachijo Island slowly took shape in Shinichi mind.
Little by little, Shinichi expression grew solemn
."I understand, Obanai. It's alright now. Leave the rest to us. Have something to eat first to calm down, and come find me if you need more" Shinichi comforted Obanai before walking straight to Shinjuro side.
"That Iguro family truly deserves to die!" Shinichi said with a dark expression.
Shinjuro looked somewhat surprised and pressed Shinichi further.
"What? Did something happen?"
------------------------------
Please read my new book : One Piece : Make Marines Great Again
Read 30 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator