Chapter 66 "When will you wake up?"...

In a sense, 000's method was actually a form of shamelessness, which allowed the girl to remain completely uninvolved.

However, it seems there is no other suitable way besides doing this, because even if Azhi is awake, she cannot handle the situation well, and it may even further escalate the conflict.

After all, everyone involved in this battle is holding back their energy and pent-up anger, and a casual remark could easily add fuel to the fire and become the fuse for an explosion.

Ah Zhi was completely unaware of these surging, turbulent undercurrents that were about to overflow.

"…………"

Giyu Tomioka was the only person besides Yoriichi Tsugikuni who had fought against Kokushibo, so he was well aware of the gap between them. However, this was not a reason for him to hesitate.

No one dared to make a move, because Aori was too close to Kokushibo, and any attack could harm her.

Anxiety gradually spread, and blood vessels began to appear in Giyu Tomioka's eyes. Visible veins appeared on his forehead and neck, and his deep blue eyes were filled with gloom.

—What exactly happened here before they arrived?

Why did Azhi fall into a deep sleep?

Giyu Tomioka finally realized that, as if from a certain moment, the gears of fate had begun to turn in an unknown direction in a way that ordinary people could not shake.

Ah Zhi became one of the unfathomable aspects of the situation.

Kokushibo slowly raised his eyes and looked at the crowd that had rushed over. His gaze lingered on Tokito Ichiro and Tokito Muichiro for a moment. With the powerful perception of demons, he naturally knew about their bloodline connection at once.

The family that he and Yoriichi Tsugikuni abandoned has been passed down through generations in the long river of history, and as if cursed, this generation is once again a pair of twins.

However, they now all looked at him as if he were an enemy, their every move exuding coercion and the posture of protectors.

The flames on Kokushibo's chest burned even brighter, and he gritted his teeth and withdrew his gaze.

He certainly didn't want Ori to be taken back to the Demon Slayer Corps, because he himself could take the girl to see a doctor, and Yoriichi and the others probably shared his thoughts.

They will not allow Azhi to be taken away by the ghost.

In terms of pure strength, these swordsmen who rushed back can only be described as inexperienced. Although they are very talented, the gap in experience needs to be made up for with time.

However, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's existence was already a great threat, and now these swordsmen, though young, are still able to attract some attention.

It doesn't seem like dawn is far away.

The situation was undoubtedly very unfavorable to him.

Moreover, he didn't know what was wrong with Azhi. She was so energetic just a moment ago, but then she suddenly fainted without any warning.

Humans are very fragile and insignificant; a minor illness or a sudden, unexpected event can take their lives.

Having lived for so many years, Kokushibo had seen strong, healthy farmers suddenly collapse and stop breathing while walking in the fields, and he had also seen people who were chatting and laughing with others suddenly fall ill and vomit blood...

He was hesitant to gamble on Kokushibo.

No matter how much he tried to mask his anger, he couldn't deny the deep fear that surged from the bottom of his heart when he saw A-Zhi fall down.

These accumulated issues were forcing him to take a step back, as if this was the only best outcome at present.

Kokushibo's lips trembled slightly.

He lowered his eyes, his six eyes staring unabashedly at Azhi, eyes that seemed to want to devour the girl completely, terrifying enough to plunge anyone who met his gaze into an eternal nightmare.

Fortunately, the oblivious Azhi did not see it.

As if subconsciously sensing the danger, her eyelashes trembled instinctively, and she frowned in distress, making her look even more pitiful.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni's pupils contracted slightly, and he clenched his knuckles almost imperceptibly, showing a cautious attitude towards Kokushibo for the first time, as if he were about to launch a full-scale attack.

He also dared not gamble that "Aori is alright," so in desperation he called out the name that Kokushibo had forbidden him to use, but this did not alleviate the situation at all.

However, he was prepared to continue fighting his brother, and this time he would force him to retreat to an even greater distance...

In the chilling, suffocating atmosphere, danger is imminent.

However, the next second, a very dramatic scene unfolded before everyone's eyes—Upper Moon left.

He sheathed his sword and forcibly controlled his steps as he retreated, never once looking away from his chilling gaze.

Until the tall figure gradually disappeared into the darkness.

"…………"

Even after he could no longer smell the Upper Moon's scent in his nostrils, Tanjiro Kamado still had his mouth agape in lingering fear until his lungs, unable to bear it any longer, sent out a strong signal, and he realized that he had forgotten to breathe.

Everyone present knew that although Kokushibo had left, it was not because he was weak and had fled in defeat, nor did it mean that he had given up.

The Upper Moon's eyes never showed a moment of wavering towards Ori. He would come back again, so his departure did not actually take away the gloom that weighed on everyone's hearts.

Among them, Yoriichi Tsugikuni is probably the least affected.

The water droplets on his body had long since dried, and the muscles in his arms twitched slightly. He walked over with A-Zhi in his arms, his bare upper body exposed, and the girl's forehead pressed against his chest.

The clothes were already thin, but after being soaked with water, they clung even more to the skin, outlining the curves of the girl's body. The slightly protruding parts and the cinched waist were clearly defined.

The ambiguity hidden beneath the dangerous storm gradually surfaced, and even the most oblivious person could sense the unusual atmosphere.

"Lord Yoriichi, my apologies."

Giyu Tomioka approached Yoriichi Tsugikuni. His tone seemed calm, but the meaning behind his words was sharp: "Ori isn't the one you're looking for, and..."

"She doesn't really want to see you either!"

Giyu Tomioka calmly addressed the matter at hand, and as soon as he finished speaking, he extended his hand, making no attempt to avoid the red-haired swordsman's gaze.

The moment these words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent.

Tanjiro Kamado's pupils dilated in shock. He stood frozen to the side, holding Nezuko's hand, and in his daze, he could even hear the sound of his own heartbeat.

Yuichiro Tokito and Muichiro Tokito also silently watched Giyu Tomioka. Muichiro Tokito was a little confused. He leaned close to his brother's ear and asked uncertainly, "Was he doing it on purpose?"

Tokito Ichiro: "…………"

Then everyone saw that the red-haired swordsman had frozen into a statue.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni: "…………"

He stared straight at the black-haired swordsman in front of him, his dark red eyes appearing almost transparent in the rising morning light, making it impossible to discern his emotions at that moment.

Yoriichi suddenly remembered that he was the one who had been refused a meeting by Ori, and he lowered his head dejectedly.

Giyu Tomioka reached his hand under Aori's legs and easily pulled the girl into his arms without being hindered by Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

She had been on the shore for a while, her body was warm, and she wasn't much taller than Yoshiyuki Tomioka. However, at the moment their bodies touched, it felt as if she had burned him, accompanied by a stinging sensation.

Giyu Tomioka felt somewhat pained. He never expected to put Ori in danger again, although such a sudden attack was something no one could avoid.

Suddenly, a cold wind blew from the valley, chilling one to the bone.

A cold wave is coming.

********

Recent progress has been remarkably smooth.

Following Upper Moon Six, Upper Moon Four and Five were also successively eliminated in the Swordsmith Village, while Upper Moon One, who acted strangely, seemed to be on a different side from Muzan Kibutsuji.

With so many Upper Moon demons missing, this is a rare and favorable situation for the Demon Slayer Corps from any perspective.

Furthermore, following Yoriichi's return, all the newly assigned tasks are proceeding smoothly, bringing them closer and closer to their goal...

Aside from being brought back, A-Zhi has remained unconscious and cannot be woken up.

Sabito roughly learned about the situation from Giyu Tomioka.

In fact, Giyu Tomioka didn't explain the whole story clearly either, because the whole thing really just happened suddenly and ended just as suddenly.

Fresh flowers, blooming beautifully, were placed on the bedside table. They had been brought by the previous visitor. After closing the door, Sabito slowly sat down in the chair.

The girl lay on the pure white bed, her fair skin resembling flawless jade.

She was well taken care of; her soft lips were still moist, not dry or cracked, and she was breathing regularly. Her brows and eyes were relaxed, and she looked like she was sleeping peacefully.

However, this did not put the rabbit at ease.

More than one examination has been conducted, but the results have all shown that there is nothing wrong with the girl's body. However, it is this kind of inexplicable drowsiness that is most frightening.

Ah Zhi now is like a wisp of mist on the horizon at dawn, who knows when she might suddenly disappear.

Sabito was terrified that when he returned from a mission somewhere, he would hear that the girl had stopped breathing in her sleep, which made him feel very insecure.

Azhi is cuter when she tilts her head back and blinks her big eyes, even though she is usually clueless and can be quite frustrating for some reason.

But at this moment, Sabito longed to relive that scene again.

When will you wake up?

The flesh-haired swordsman suddenly grasped the girl's hand, which was outside the blanket, lowered his forehead, and slowly pressed it against hers. His murmured voice was somewhat indistinct in the dim room.

He remained in that position for a long time, looking very tired: "...Wake up soon."

Sabito slowly exhaled the heavy air from his chest. He stood up, left behind these words, and then returned to his usual calm and composed demeanor.

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Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2023-07-08 23:38:23 and 2023-07-11 14:56:39!

Thank you to the little angel who launched the rocket: 1 like from an old friend;

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Huamanliangyi (18 bottles); Wenjiuqingshiyin (10 bottles); Xiaoqing (1 bottle);

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!