"Tanjiro vs. Yahaba"
After killing Susamaru, Aoki casually kicked the kunai away and looked towards Tanjiro, who was locked in a fierce battle with Yahaba. While Aoki could easily kill Yahaba as he had Susamaru, he wanted Tanjiro to gain experience. This would be far more beneficial than direct training.
Tanjiro, unfamiliar with Yahaba's abilities, was dodging numerous red arrows flying in all directions, repeatedly colliding with the walls and ground.
Tanjiro's thoughts: "This hurts! No, it hurts a lot*" He was being flung around without even attacking.
As Tanjiro was sent flying upwards, five meters above the ground, he began to fall.
Tanjiro's thoughts: "I need to use a technique to cushion the impact."
"Water Breathing, Eighth Style: Waterfall Basin!"
He raised his Nichirin Sword, slashing downwards just before impact. A pillar of water erupted, cushioning his fall.
Tanjiro landed without injury, sweat dripping from his face, panting heavily.
Tanjiro's thoughts: "Senior Aoki finished his fight but didn't help. He wants me to handle this alone. I won't disappoint him!"
Yahaba, seeing Susamaru's defeat and Aoki observing him from a tree without intervening, felt pressure.
Yahaba's thoughts: "Damn it! That guy's strong, yet he's letting this kid fight me. Does he look down on me?"
Tanjiro, clutching his Nichirin Sword, was injured from the impacts. His vision blurred.
Tanjiro's thoughts: "I can't lose. I can't disappoint Senior Aoki. My attacks must hit the openings precisely; otherwise, they're useless. Even a slight deviation will reduce their effectiveness, as his arrows can redirect my attacks."
Tanjiro noticed the eyes in Yahaba's palms. Yahaba's closed eyes were likely due to the eyes in his palms, which seemed to control the arrows.
Tanjiro's thoughts: "And… I have to say, eyes in your palms are gross."
As Yahaba's eyes snapped shut, countless red arrows erupted from his body, attacking Tanjiro.
Tanjiro dodged the first wave, but the arrows persisted, pursuing him relentlessly.
Tanjiro's thoughts: "These arrows are fast and don't disappear until they hit. And they can't be cut; the blade gets pulled along."
Unable to dodge, Tanjiro slashed at the arrows, preventing them from hitting him. However, the arrows bent but didn't break, pulling his sword and him towards the wall, sending him crashing into it.
"What do I do?" he cried, his sword falling. An arrow flew towards him, but he dodged it by ducking, losing his haori in the process.
He landed, an arrow wrapping around his arm.
He climbed a tree, spinning along the arrow's trajectory until it released him. He retrieved his sword.
"Spinning along the arrow's path releases it. Such a pathetic monkey," Yahaba commented, annoyed.
"I can't keep dodging. I need to counterattack. No direct contact. I need to indirectly redirect the arrows."
Tanjiro moved swiftly towards Yahaba.
"Use the techniques skillfully."
He raised his sword, using Water Breathing, Sixth Style: Whirlpool, to entrap the arrows, then quickly closed the distance using Water Breathing, Third Style: Flowing Dance.
His sword felt impossibly heavy, enough to crack the ground beneath his feet.
As his powerful strike was about to land, a black blade flashed, severing Yahaba's head before Tanjiro's attack connected.
Tanjiro was astonished. Aoki stood beside him, his sword glowing red. Aoki had preempted Tanjiro.
Tanjiro, though not upset, wanted an explanation.
"Senior Aoki?" Tanjiro asked, sheathing his sword.
Aoki smiled. "Tanjiro, I know what you want to ask, but you don't need to know yet. I'll tell you if necessary."
Tanjiro sensed a complex emotion in Aoki, unable to decipher his thoughts. But Tanjiro, innocent and trusting, accepted Aoki's explanation.
"I understand, Senior Aoki."
Tanjiro looked towards Nezuko and the others. Their location was compromised. They needed to leave immediately to avoid stronger demons.
"Senior brother, let me explain Tamayo-san's plan and intentions," Tanjiro said, heading towards the room.
Aoki nodded and followed. He didn't care about Tamayo's plans, as long as they weren't harmful. But if she intended to endanger them, he would kill her and Yushiro without hesitation.
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