Chapter 86: Goodbye, Enmu!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Inside the Infinity Train, Zero and Rengoku Kyojurou's figures darted back and forth through the last seven carriages.

Because Zero had activated his Crimson Blade, temporarily suppressing Enmu's regeneration for a short time, the two of them could basically say this battle was relatively easy.

Therefore, the two changed their battle plan — Zenitsu and Nezuko only needed to protect the passengers' safety.

While Zero and Rengoku Kyojurou, inside the eight carriages, cut down those tentacles, buying time for Tanjiro and Inosuke was all they needed to do.

The scene shifted, cutting to Tanjiro and Inosuke's side.

The two were taking turns attacking the arms Enmu had created.

But the sheer number made it impossible to finish things off for the moment.

"Dammit! These arms are really a pain!"

Beast Breathing, Second Fang: Slash-Draw!!

Inosuke dropped from midair, the two blades in his hands crossed, slashing downward.

Boom!

The metal plating on the floor of the engine car instantly shattered into fragments, exposing the demon's cervical vertebrae.

"The demon's neck!" Seeing the demon exposed, Tanjiro immediately launched an attack.

Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!

Crash!

The fierce strike hit the demon's cervical vertebrae, and several pillars of water also erupted skyward around it.

However, the situation suddenly changed.

Tanjiro's attack did not, as he'd imagined, sever the demon's neck.

Instead, a huge mass of arms shielded the cervical vertebrae tightly.

"It got blocked!!"

Suddenly, more flesh-walls and arms surged out around them, counterattacking Tanjiro and Inosuke.

Tanjiro saw things were taking a bad turn, rushed forward, grabbed the conductor, and leapt with him and Inosuke to a safe spot.

"At this rate there's no way to cut off the demon's neck!"

Then he shouted at Inosuke: "Inosuke, the two of us will coordinate our breathing and attack in succession! One attacks from the front, the other immediately severs the bone!"

"I see! That's a great idea, I have to praise you!"

"Thank you!!"

The two readied themselves to attack again.

But just as Tanjiro took one step forward, a giant tentacle suddenly erupted skyward right in front of him, covered in Dream-eyes inscribed with the character "dream."

Blood Demon Art: Compulsion — Sleep-Inducing Eyes!

The moment one's gaze met those Dream-eyes, one would fall into the dream Enmu had crafted, unable to wake unless one committed suicide within the dream.

"It's a Blood Demon Art! If it hits, you'll fall asleep!"

Tanjiro's eyes met those Dream-eyes, and he realized things were bad. Before slipping into the dream, he shouted: "Inosuke, you have to cut off your own neck inside the dream — that's the only way to wake up…"

Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, Tanjiro had already fallen into the dream.

Inside the dream, he picked up his Nichirin Blade and slashed his own neck, snapping awake from the dream in an instant!

But things were far simpler than Tanjiro had imagined!

Inside the dream, the Tanjiro who had just woken from self-slitting met the Dream-eyes' gaze once more, and fell back into the dream.

"Idiot, after waking up you should close your eyes right away, otherwise you'll just keep getting hit!"

He self-slashed and woke inside the dream again, only to meet the Dream-eyes' gaze once more…

Repeating like this, Tanjiro could no longer tell reality from dream.

In reality, Tanjiro squeezed his eyes shut, thinking he was still inside the dream, and held his Nichirin Blade against his neck, ready to self-slash.

Squelch!

Inosuke rushed over in time, cut down the surrounding tentacles, and seized Tanjiro's arm tightly, stopping him from doing something stupid.

"This isn't a dream, it's reality!! Don't be fooled by such a stupid trap! Don't throw your life away!"

"Inosuke?!"

"Yahahaha! This great lord is wearing Master Mountain's boar head — they can't see my eyes at all!"

Then Inosuke swung his twin blades and smashed every Dream-eye around them!

Only then did Tanjiro remember — Inosuke was wearing the boar head, so there was no way to tell where he was looking, which was why he hadn't been hit!

"Good! Now this great lord will cut off the demon's neck! Yiyahahahaha!"

Not far away, the conductor Tanjiro had saved held an awl in his hand, killing intent flashing in his eyes!

"Don't ruin my beautiful dream!" He aimed at Inosuke and lunged viciously, stabbing straight for the vital point!

"Inosuke!!!" Tanjiro shouted, yanking Inosuke aside and taking the hit for him!

Pshhh!

The awl sank entirely into Tanjiro's abdomen, blood gushing out!

The conductor tried to pull the awl out to strike him again, but Tanjiro knocked him out cold with a single knife-hand strike!

"Tanjiro!!"

"I'm fine! We have to cut off the demon's neck now!"

Beast Breathing, Fourth Fang: Random Fangs!

Inosuke understood the importance of the moment and swung his twin blades in a continuous barrage of slashes at the floor of the engine car.

The demon's cervical vertebrae, protected inside the flesh-wall, were exposed to the air once more.

"Father, please bless this strike to sever the demon's neck!"

Following right behind, Tanjiro transforms Water Breathing into Hinokami Kagura, unleashing a slash at the cervical vertebra!

Hinokami Kagura: Azure Sky!

A circular slash wreathed in flames came down from above, severing the cervical vertebra in an instant!

The locomotive separated from the eight carriages behind it.

"GYAAAAAH!!!!"

With its neck severed, Enmu let out another piercing shriek.

As if preparing a last-ditch struggle, countless tentacles erupted inside the eight carriages, attacking the passengers, ready to devour them!

Little did it expect that Zero and Rengoku Kyojuro were a step faster—in the blink of an eye, every tentacle was cut down!

Because Enmu had fused with the Infinity Train, losing its head meant the train had lost control and could derail at any moment!

"The train's going to tip, Inosuke…"

At the locomotive, Tanjiro's abdomen had been pierced by the awl, and combined with the violent shaking, his injuries worsened!

Just as he was about to be thrown out, he drove his Nichirin Blade into the floor of the driver's cabin.

In the end, because the wound wasn't treated in time, a blood vessel burst, and he failed to hold onto the Nichirin Blade, getting flung out of the train's driver's cabin!

"Damn it! Kyojuro, buy me three seconds!"

"Mm-hm, understood!"

In the next instant, Zero kicked through the train's glass window and leapt out!

Rengoku Kyojuro, meanwhile, continuously used combat techniques to maintain the carriages' balance, minimizing the damage taken!

【Battle Mecha, Activated】

Boom!

A colossal mecha descended from the sky.

Zero swiftly entered the mecha's cockpit, piloted it to leap onto the front two carriages, and pressed down hard on the train that was about to lose control and derail, dragging it backward!

Although this prevented the train from derailing, the impact was so violent that it actually dragged the mecha, sliding it along the tracks.

The friction from the slide even sent red sparks flying from beneath the mecha's feet!

Sizzle!

Crack!

【Warning! Warning! Mecha legs damaged!】

【Warning! Warning! Mecha arms damaged!】

Inside the mecha's cockpit, the screen flashed red alerts, indicating that the mecha's legs and arms had sustained damage to varying degrees.

"Dammit… stop… STOP ALREADY!!!"

Zero gripped the mecha's control sticks with all his might, refusing to let go.

He knew that the moment he released the control sticks, the train would slip from the mecha's grasp and derail.

As Zero gritted his teeth and fought to keep the mecha going, the train's speed was gradually slowing!

A few seconds later, the train finally stopped sliding, and all the passengers were safe and sound.

Relieved, as he left the cockpit he inserted some 【Energy Crystals】 and activated the mecha's 【Auto-Repair Program】.

【Repair Program Initiated】

【Estimated Time: 3 hours】

At this moment, the sky had not yet fully brightened.

Fortunately, everyone was safe and sound, so there was nothing to worry about for now.

"Zero, are you alright?"

Rengoku Kyojuro came to Zero's side and asked.

"I'm fine."

Zero waved his hand, indicating there was no problem.

Rengoku Kyojuro glanced again at the mecha squatting beside the train, his eyes seemingly brimming with excitement.

Tell me, what man could resist the charm of a mecha?

"Zero, I didn't expect your chunk of steel to be this incredible—thank goodness you were here! Hahahaha!"

"It was nothing. Let's go check on everyone, shall we?"

"Mm-hm!"

Elsewhere, the flung-out Tanjiro lay on the ground, regulating his breathing to ease the pain.

"Are you okay, Santaro?! Hang in there!" Inosuke leapt down from atop the train and came to Tanjiro's side to check his injuries.

"Inosuke… you're okay… that's great…"

"Of course I'm fine—thank goodness the demon's flesh became a cushion, nice and bouncy! How's your stomach…"

"I can't move for now… you go save the others first… the conductor…"

"Hmph! That guy's got his foot pinned—I think it'd be best if he just died!" Just thinking about Tanjiro being stabbed by that conductor made Inosuke extremely irritated.

"He's already been punished enough… please save him… I'm begging you…" Though very unhappy, Inosuke still did as Tanjiro asked.

"……Tch! Fine, I'll go! Who else but your big boss would do it! This is my little brother begging me! Once I pull him out, I'm gonna pluck every single hair off his body from head to toe!"

Though very unhappy, Inosuke still did as Tanjiro asked.

Not long after Inosuke left, a lump of flesh crawled out from under the train.

All that remained on it was a single eyeball bearing the character 【Lower One】 and one arm.

Moreover, it was turning to ash, slowly fading away.

Enmu's heart refused to accept it, his gaze fixed tightly on Tanjiro ahead.

In his view, his plan could be called foolproof; it was just that brat Tanjiro who led the charge to ruin things, causing his failure!

Two hundred passengers, not a single one eaten, and not a single Demon Slayer killed!

"My body can no longer regenerate... Why? Why! This plan was so perfect, yet in the end it failed..."

"I can't accept it... I haven't even used my full strength... The chance to merge with the train and devour countless humans at once has all gone to waste..."

"And those two Hashira... especially the white-haired Hashira wielding the scythe, why is he so strong... Is this the power of a Hashira?"

"Am I going to die... Am I going to lose... I want to start over, I really want to start over... This must be a nightmare..."

Regardless of the outcome, the resentful Enmu ultimately turned to ash and vanished.

"Tanjiro, hold on, I'll bandage you first!" Zero held a medical kit, took out some medicine and gauze, and performed some emergency treatment measures on Tanjiro.

"Kamado boy, you have already mastered Total Concentration: Constant! Admiration, admiration!"

"Brother Zero, Mr. Rengoku..."

Rengoku Kyojuro looked at Tanjiro's outstanding performance and felt very satisfied in his heart.

And he taught Tanjiro how to use Total Concentration: Constant to stop his own bleeding.

"Alright Tanjiro, I have done some first aid for your wounds; next, returning to the Demon Slayer Corps just requires good rest, and your injuries will recover."

"Yes... Thank you, Brother Zero, thank you, Mr. Rengoku, I will definitely work hard..."

Boom!

A figure descended from the sky, landing behind them with a loud crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Tanjiro, lying on the ground, tilted his head up slightly; after the dust cleared and he saw the true face of that figure, his pupils contracted.

"Upper Moon... Three?! Why would you appear here..." Tanjiro's heart was full of confusion and shock!

Everyone present except Zero felt the terrifying aura and oppressive pressure emanating from Upper Moon Three.

"Akaza?!" Zero didn't expect the visitor to be an old acquaintance of his!

"Long time no see, Zero! Finally met you again, turn into a demon and fight alongside me, hahaha!"

"Yes, Akaza, long time no see~ That Bai Chi grandson of Muzan, how is he doing now?"

Akaza saw Zero, and his eyes were full of battle intent.

His entire body began to feel blood boiling, as if it were about to burst out of his body!

As for the words he said afterwards, he didn't hear them at all!

But when he noticed the other person beside Zero, his battle intent became even more intense!

He saw the battle qi on that person, tempered by long experience; although it couldn't compare to the crimson battle qi on Zero, it was infinitely close to the supreme realm.

"Another strong one... Hehe... Hahahaha!"

But soon, Akaza's eyes turned sharp and hateful again.

Seeing the weakling protected behind the two strong ones, he only felt a wave of nausea!

The killing intent arose from all sides!

He lunged forward suddenly, falling from mid-air, and punched a fist towards Tanjiro.

"Get lost!!"

Bang!

Zero exerted force in his legs, kicked out, and collided with Akaza's fist!

Flame Breathing: Second Form: Rising Sun!

Following closely was an upward slash from Rengoku Kyojuro, cutting a gash in Akaza's chest and forcing him to retreat.

Under the attacks of both, Akaza quickly jumped backward.

Gently stroking the wounds on his body and his broken left arm, he praised: "Truly excellent coordination, Zero, your strength is getting stronger and stronger; you really are most suited to becoming a demon, hahaha!"

In an instant, the wounds automatically healed, completing regeneration.

Immediately, his gaze turned to the other person, and he asked: "Your sword is very good; you are a Hashira too, right? What is your name?"

"I am the Eleventh Pillar, the Flame Hashira - Rengoku Kyojuro!"

"Kyojuro, do you want to become a demon too and fight alongside me? I can tell, you are very strong!!"

"I refuse! Also, I hate you very much!"

Zero, standing aside, was truly speechless; he really couldn't understand why Akaza was always like a salesman, pestering people relentlessly to become demons...

Too lazy to waste more words with him, he took out his Nichirin Scythe, preparing to strike first and kill Akaza!

But before he could act, Rengoku Kyojuro stopped Zero a step ahead, saying: "Zero, let me fight him first; I want to know, where exactly lies the gap between me and an Upper Moon demon?!"

Seeing this, Zero only thought for a moment and agreed, stepping back slightly to yield the position to Rengoku Kyojuro.

This is for the best; sometimes, practical combat experience is often more useful than what is seen!

Seeing Rengoku Kyojuro challenge him, Akaza exclaimed excitedly: "Hahaha! Truly interesting; in that case, then..."

Technique Expansion: Destruction Death: Compass Needle!

Beneath Akaza's feet, a twelve-pointed snowflake-shaped technique expanded, marked from 【One】 to 【Twelve】.

His right hand formed a palm aimed at Rengoku Kyojuro, while his left hand formed a fist tucked at his waist.

"If you are unwilling to become a demon, then I will kill you!"