Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 15 Wisteria Blossoms at Home

"Wow, that's strong... What level of player is he...?"

Of the three who were unable to participate in the battle, the female team member looked at Asuka's calm and composed expression with disbelief.

The birds still appeared calm and undisturbed.

But actually, his lungs were already on the verge of bursting.

The countless blood arrows released by Red Swamp's Blood Demon Art pierced through his body, tearing at his injured lungs with every breath, let alone such a high-intensity, fully concentrated breathing technique.

The emerald green kendo uniform had long been stained red. An ordinary person would probably have collapsed and died on the spot from such an injury.

But Asuka's vitality has always been tenacious. In addition, he forced himself to abandon distracting thoughts and focus all his attention on the rhythm of his breathing. He used air pressure to stop the ruptured blood vessels in his body, miraculously slowing down the rate of blood loss.

However, this was ultimately just a temporary pain relief measure and could not change the fact that his complexion was becoming increasingly unpleasant.

"Hey! Are you... alright!" Short-haired team member Rintaro was the first to react, and he rushed to Asuka's side, looking at the crimson blood that was slowly flowing down his sleeve and onto the Nichirin Blade with concern, his brows furrowed.

"You can't go on like this! You need to get treatment right away!"

"..."

The bird didn't answer, but simply rolled its Adam's apple and swallowed the churning, metallic taste.

He readjusted his breathing rhythm, bracing his slightly aching right leg, and prepared to leave.

He still has to go to Fujishiyama and participate in the final selection that the teacher mentioned.

"Wait!" The young man using Water Breathing stepped forward, blocking Asuka's path. "Your injuries are too severe! Where are you going? You can't move around anymore!"

The bird looked up at the other person, its gaze still cold and distant.

"Make way." He tried to squeeze past the young man in what he thought was a gentle voice.

"Are you going to Fujikasane Mountain?" The female team member looked at Asuka in his kendo uniform, then glanced in the direction he was heading, and asked softly, "No, going to Fujikasane Mountain in your condition is tantamount to suicide!"

Forgetting his previous embarrassment, Rintaro hurriedly added:

"Yes! You...you are indeed very strong, I admit! But you went to the selection with serious injuries, you couldn't possibly last three days!"

"I never expected you to be a trainee who hasn't even gone through the selection process... I thought you were at least a captain of your rank..."

At this moment, the young man in the lead spoke up kindly, "I am Shinsuke, and as you can see, I am a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. This is Akemi, and that guy is Rintaro!"

"Boy who uses the Breath of Wind, you're strong! That guy, Red Swamp... he's a powerful demon who's eaten at least fifty people! And he's cunning, fast, and his Blood Demon Art is extremely troublesome. We've been chasing him for a long time without success..."

Is it just a giant demon, and not one of the Twelve Demon Moons?

A hint of surprise flashed in Feibiao's eyes, and his assessment of the danger of the so-called Ghost Month rose another level.

However, whether it's a great demon or one of the Twelve Demon Moons... they are merely stumbling blocks on the path to power.

His goal never changed—revenge...

"Therefore, your survival is very important to the Demon Slayer Corps and to our Master!"

Shinsuke's tone was sincere and serious: "This power shouldn't be wasted, it shouldn't die wounded in the selection! My lord needs a swordsman as strong as you!"

"Lord?" Asuka was unfamiliar with this title; it sounded like the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.

He remained silent, but his heart was no longer so resistant.

This guy is a member of the Demon Slayer Corps... which means he's with Arashizaki-sensei. Can he be trusted...?

And what he said makes some sense; forcing your way through might really lead to death...

Seeing Asuka's silence and the barely concealed dizziness and trembling in her body, Shinsuke knew that his persuasion had been effective.

"There's a sanatorium not far ahead that can offer us help. Let me take you there!"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Asuka's arm, but Asuka instinctively shook off his hand.

Cough cough--

He finally couldn't hold back any longer and coughed up a mouthful of dark red blood with the bird's violent movements, which made his vision go black and he almost couldn't stand up.

The three team members' expressions changed drastically.

"Quick! Help him up!"

"...No need!"

Asuka propped herself up, forcefully refusing Akemi and Rintaro's help, and straightened up again with Asagi as a support.

"...Lead the way."

The so-called sanatorium is a quiet courtyard hidden away from the main road and close to the mountains and forests.

The courtyard wall was covered with blooming wisteria flowers, which emitted a strong fragrance that evil spirits hated, permeating the air and carrying a strange, soothing power.

The courtyard is small, with only two Japanese-style rooms and a simple pharmacy.

A kind-faced middle-aged woman, whom the team members called Aunt Matsumoto, was in charge here.

The walls here are painted with wisteria patterns, representing that this family once received help from the Demon Slayer Corps. In return, they would provide assistance to the Demon Slayer Corps members free of charge.

When Aunt Matsumoto saw the three team members arrive with Asuka, who was covered in blood and limping, she was startled and quickly ushered them into a clean Japanese-style room.

"Oh dear, this child is badly injured!"

Matsumoto-san, with her extensive experience, immediately recognized the severity of Asuka's injuries.

His expression grew even more grave when he saw the unnatural rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, his suppressed cough, and his kendo uniform soaked in blood.

"Quick, take off his clothes, be careful not to touch the wound."

"Young man, go fetch a basin of clean, warm water! Akemi, go to the pharmacy and get my sewing kit and wound medicine! Shinsuke, please hold his shoulder down; it will hurt a lot when we clean the wound, so please try to keep him from moving around too much."

Shinsuke nodded, carefully approaching the bird, trying to soften his tone:

"Young man, bear with it. Aunt Matsumoto is skilled at treating external injuries, it will heal quickly! You have to cooperate, otherwise the wound will get infected and cause trouble."

Before Shinsuke could make a move, Asuka frowned and unbuttoned his clothes, revealing his strong upper body covered with old and new scars. Blood gushed from his wounds, making Matsumoto's brow twitch.

The gruesome blood hole in his chest was shocking, with the skin and flesh turned outwards at the edges, and the damaged lung tissue inside could be seen rising and falling slightly with each breath; the penetrating wound on the outside of his right thigh was deep enough to expose the bone, and although the blood flow was barely suppressed by his breathing techniques, it was still slowly seeping out; there were also several bloodstains of varying depths on his shoulders and back, which were truly appalling.

"...No need to press anything, just do it yourself."

"This child..."

Although she didn't know Asuka's story, Aunt Matsumoto could see his resistance and could only sigh and shake her head at Shinsuke.

She placed clean, warm water, a cloth, needle and thread, a plaster with a cool, medicinal scent, and some oral pills on the small table in front of Fei Niao, and earnestly instructed her:

"Child, it will hurt a bit now, but your internal wounds need to be treated and stitched up, otherwise it will get worse, do you understand?"

"Thanks...."

Aunt Matsumoto paused for a moment, then gestured for the team members to leave. The three of them quietly left the room and gently closed the door.

Only Aunt Matsumoto and Asuka remained in the Japanese-style room, from which came occasional painful groans and gasps of breath.

Several hours later, Aunt Matsumoto finally opened the door, her face covered in sweat, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"What a strong child... It's alright now..."

"Akemi, go cook some hot soup and rice. Everyone's tired..."