16 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Haruto focused entirely on dealing with the Nure-onna.

With a snake-like tail now growing from her body, her speed had increased noticeably. Compared to their first encounter in the claustrophobic room, this Nure-Onna was far more dangerous.

This is more like it. Must've been that hot spring feast.

Thwack! Her long, serpentine tail lashed out. Haruto raised his blade to block, but the sheer force sent him sprawling to the ground, sword and all.

He scrambled to his feet, narrowly rolling out of the way before a swarm of her hair-like tendrils could pierce his body.

"Haruto?!" Tomioka Giyu's voice rang out, concern evident even as he fought off his own monstrous foe. Eight writhing tentacles relentlessly dismantled his Water Breathing techniques.

"Focus on your fight!" Haruto barked. He deftly dodged another whip of Nure-Onna's tail, planting his foot firmly on a nearby rock and launching himself into the air like a hawk diving for prey.

Her assault of whip-like hair missed and tightened behind him, creating an improvised path forward. Haruto's foot found purchase on the taut strands, and he sprinted directly toward the demon.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The sharp black strands clashed against his blade as he closed the distance. Finally, Haruto was upon her again.

Sensing the danger, Nure-Onna twisted her body violently, fully transforming into a massive serpent.

Shing! Flames trailed his blade as he severed one of her arms. The sharp tang of blood filled the air.

"Raaagh!" Across the battlefield, the Gyuki demon roared, abandoning its fight with Giyu. Its bulbous tentacles flailed as it charged toward Haruto, leaving the swordsman it had been fighting behind.

"What now?!" Haruto gritted his teeth as he leapt back to evade the suction-covered appendages.

But the Gyuki didn't attack him. Instead, it snatched up Nure-Onna's severed arm from the seawater and stuffed it into its maw, chewing noisily.

The grotesque crunching sounds reminded Haruto of his own close call the last time he'd faced this abomination.

The brief respite allowed the two swordsmen to regroup, standing shoulder to shoulder as they exchanged wary glances. Neither had any idea what had just happened.

"Hey! I've had enough!" Nure-Onna suddenly shrieked. Watching the Gyuki devour her limb like a ravenous beast, her rage boiled over. Her waterfall of black hair shifted, turning on the Gyuki in a volley of needle-sharp strands.

Squelch! Squelch! The Gyuki's body was riddled with holes, blue blood staining the sea an even deeper shade of azure.

"Enough!" it bellowed, using its tentacles to rip the hair from its flesh. Enraged, it swung a massive tentacle at Nure-Onna, aiming to impale her as it had countless prey.

Its huge bull-like eyes, however, spun with wild confusion, caught between hunger and fury.

They're not going to fight each other? Haruto felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly nudged Giyu with his shoulder. His companion nodded, understanding immediately.

Blue water ripples and fiery red flames danced along their blades. Without hesitation, the swordsmen charged.

"Let's take care of these pests first!" Nure-Onna snarled. From the stump of her severed arm, another one rapidly grew back. She saw the white-haired boy coming at her, flames flickering wildly along his blade.

Knowing full well a demon's weakness was the head, she recoiled her hair to shield her neck.

"Go for the weak spot!" Haruto shouted as he adjusted mid-charge. His blade pivoted, striking toward her abdomen instead.

Her black hair writhed again, surging to cover her torso in response.

So adaptable, Haruto thought with a wry grin. He spun the hilt of his blade in his palm.

"Not that it matters—guess I can be just as unpredictable."

Using the raw strength of his body, Haruto twisted mid-air, abruptly altering his trajectory. Before Nure-Onna could react, he was face-to-face with her, a mocking smile on his lips.

"Flame Breathing: Third Form—Blazing Universe!"

With one powerful slash, his blade arced downward, igniting in flames. Nure-Onna's eyes widened in shock and fury as her head flew from her shoulders, landing with a thud on the jagged rocks before rolling into the sea.

Haruto didn't let his guard down. Landing lightly on the ground, he immediately leapt back as a tentacle smashed into the spot where he had been standing moments before.

Giyu moved in, his Nichirin Blade slicing through the air, creating waves of ripples.

Haruto, using his momentum, launched upward. His blade sang in response.

"Water Breathing: First Form—Water Surface Slash!"
"Flame Breathing: First Form—Unknowing Fire!"

Their blades crossed paths mid-assault, water and fire merging in a dazzling display of power. In the final moment before the Gyuki's head flew from its shoulders, one venomous tentacle struck Haruto's chest, sending him hurtling toward the soft sands.

Crack! The sound of his rib breaking was unmistakable.

"Pfft!" Haruto coughed, feeling the crushing force as he landed. But it was over. The Gyuki's massive form burned, its severed head consumed by flames.

A faint voice called out over the roaring tide.

"Takunaga-san!"

The poison coursing through his veins made his vision blur. Haruto forced his head up, spotting a boy with neatly parted hair sliding to his knees beside him.

Murata? he thought, just as darkness consumed him.