CH. 20: True Immortal?
As the sword plunged deep into the trunk of the tree, a branch suddenly grew out from the side and attacked his face.
But Kenshi didn't flinch, he just grabbed the branch with one of his hands and pulled it out with force, which resulted in another resounding shriek of the demon.
He was perplexed that he felt no guilt or remorse, emotions he should have felt after taking a life for the first time. Perhaps it was because Hanako had already transformed into a demon? But that wasn't it.
He was confused about how calm he was while a demon attacked him. After all, this wasn't training where he knew he wouldn't be killed.
Seeing the anguished cries cease, he stopped contemplating and focused on the task at hand.
"Why can't people just be content?! You had already killed my clone and could have left, but why must you dig to the roots to find me?!You'll definitely die you know... you'll die quickly doing this!!!"
The demon's furious roars transmitted out again, but this time, the voice shockingly came from within the sakura tree itself.
"I knew you weren't dead yet!" Kenshi coldly laughed as he twisted the sword hilt, but a massive branch suddenly shot out from the ground and sent him flying.
He steadily landed behind. Kanao also came over, ready for battle.
Earlier, he had felt very strange about the demon's death. How could a demon with such intelligence just suddenly appear and die so easily.
As for how he could locate the main body.. the Demon's powers were related to wood but it can only use Sakura tree.
And with the largest sakura tree in front of him, how could he not realise what the demon was trying to do.
Kenshi exhaled. "You really know how to hide! But it's a pity that you have to meet your end today."
"Do you think you've won? Do you think you're assured of victory? Don't joke! That pity from before was just my mercy! I gave you a leeway but you refused to take it." Godhikaru bellowed. "Now all of you can die! Blood Demon Art - Wood Release - True Thousand Vines!"
Countless giant vines suddenly sprouted from the ground, resembling like tentacles now.
Kenshi and Kanao instantly began moving, but giant vines kept slamming down no matter where they went.
Thus the two opted to attack while running, simultaneously approaching the central sakura tree. Only by severing the main body's neck would make everything here dissipate silently.
But of course, the demon wouldn't let them have their way. A five meter thick giant vine suddenly smashed down to separate them.
Yet kenshi and Kanao persisted advancing left and right.
Seeing them get closer and closer, Godhikaru finally stopped hiding his abilities.
He doesn't know why two demon slayers would come here when it was supposed to be only one, but he was more shocked seeing how powerful they are.
The girl was already a handful, but the boy seems to be able to dodge every surprise he sent his way with ease, as though he can see the future.
More massive vines burst out from the ground, firmly protecting the main body sakura tree from within.
But it still didn't halt kenshi's and kanao's advance.
In the gaps between the vines continuously smashing the ground, the two moved as swift as butterflies.
Even when blown far away at times, they would quickly race back.
"You're all going to DIE!"
The sakura flowers on the main body tree suddenly sprayed out yellow coloured pollen, enveloping the tree's surroundings.
This bizarre scene coupled with his sense's warning made kenshi instantly stop. Kanao also halted, but she accidentally inhaled some due to her delayed dodging, immediately coughing intensely.
"Kanao! Fall back! Leave the rest to me!" He shouted.
Coughing, Kanao nodded and retreated to the outskirts without any stubbornness.
But kenshi noticed Kanao's speed was a bit slower than before.
Looks like she had already been affected by the unknown pollen.
"This is the true essence of my Cherry Blossom Release! With no way to use Breathing techniques, you bugs are just fragile worms! hahhahha!!" The demon shouted loudly.
Noticing all the pollen dust around him, Kenshi suddenly started swinging his blade with all of his remaining strength while also holding his breath. As he swung it, his blade slowly extended and elongated to five-odd meters before he fiercely slashed it towards the sakura tree enveloped by the lethal pollen and branches!
This time, kenshi concentrated and used his senses to clear all the obstructions in the way and to make sword land onto the slashing point.
With a single slash, the massive sakura tree was instantly bisected into two halves!
A figure also promptly leapt out from within the sakura tree.
It was none other than Godhikaru's main body!
"Ahhh damn it!" The demon bellowed angrily after jumping out.
He had finally thought of a killer move to deal with breathing techniques, yet it was broken just like that!
The demon started running as he knew with the tree being cut in two, he had no strength to kill the two demon slayers on his own.
But what he didn't expect was, the demon slayer girl was already waiting for him outside all the pollen dust. She immediately started chasing after him.
Inside, Kenshi clutched his chest and collapsed, the last attack draining his remaining strength. He felt a burning sensation in his empty lungs as he crawled out, desperate for air.
However, without him doing anything at all, the dust was cleared by the night wind that just brushed past him.
"Huff hufff hufff"
Not being able to hold back he breathed, even though he knew there was still some pollen substance in the air. However it was so little he understood that it might not affect him much. And it's not like he had a choice as he might've died if he held any longer.
After breathing and using the recovery breathing that Shinobu taught him, he was able to stand up.
Without any delay he chased after the demon. Looking at the ruckus and the damage the Demon caused while running away, he was able to identify the way to follow him.
As he started jumping on the houses, he saw a few hundred meters away from him, where the demon and Kanao was battling.
With a few steps, he arrived near the battle field as he stood on one of the nearby houses. However, Rather than dashing right in, he waited a few seconds as his eyes keenly analysed the battle.
He could see that Kanao was being pushed back by the demon. He can easily tell the demon was actually stronger than at least a lower moon 5.
"Insect Breathing - Style Modification: Bee Sting Waltz!"
Just when the demon came close to defeating Kanao, kenshi immediately leaped forward, he was so fast that his speed would shock Shinobu if she saw him right now.
In an instant, he appeared in the area just behind the demon as he slashed out using all of his strength.
Godhikaru suddenly felt shivers on his neck, but without even understanding what was happening, he felt the world spin as his head fell down from his neck. However, it didn't fall on the ground but tumbled into his outstretching arms.
The slash was so heavy that a huge gust of wind hit the ground rising all the dust into the air. However, kenshi who couldn't control his speed also hit the ground with the same amount of force as the wind.
To reduce the impact, he landed on the ground with his two legs, trying to spread the force across his body. But he still felt a torturous pain in his left leg as though a truck had run over his leg.
He fell on the ground breathless feeling the exhaustion seeping in. However, he suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine as a voice suddenly sounded in his ears.
"You....short.....sighted..... fools!"
The demon that was standing behind him, the demon he just beheaded actually spoke.
With difficulty, he turned his body around only to see a horrifying scene before his eyes.
From the demon's neck, a worm-like appendage came as it reattached itself to the demon's head.
"Ahhhhhh-Do you know how vast this world is?! Do you know how weak the human race is compared to the demons!!"
The demon still having life in his head looked at him and said with trembling and shaking voice.