The courtyard buzzed with tension, swords ready, eyes locked on Sahiru's still form.
Sanemi stepped forward, fire in his voice. "I won't go easy on you."
Before anyone could respond, Obanai Iguro silently joined him, Kaburamaru slithering restlessly down his arm.
"I'll fight too," Obanai said flatly. "We should see what this 'phantom' is really capable of."
And then came the shout.
"I'M JOINING TOO!"
Everyone turned just in time to see Inosuke charge in, blades already drawn. Tanjiro jumped forward to stop him.
"Inosuke! Wait, this isn't—"
"Outta my way, Gonpachiro Kamaboko!"
Tanjiro froze mid-step. "It's Tanjiro Kamado!!"
Sahiru exhaled. "Three against one, is it? Fine… I don't mind."
Before Inosuke could even get a grip on his swords, Sahiru moved.
With a single step, he punched Inosuke clean in the chest. The boar-masked boy flew across the courtyard—through the gate—and deep into the forest.
A stunned silence fell.
Obanai and Sanemi wasted no time, dashing in with swift, coordinated strikes. Obanai's sword curved like a serpent; Sanemi's wind tore across the ground in violent bursts.
Sahiru didn't move.
With a mere tilt of his neck, he dodged them both. Cleanly. Effortlessly.
Their blades cut only air.
Whispers spread among the onlookers. Was this the same Sahiru? The one from the legends?
He finally moved.
Sahiru took a single breath, his form quiet and composed.
"Facade Breathing… Second Form: Silver Hound Slash."
In a blur of violet and silver arcs, both Hashira were sent flying backward, crashing hard into the stone tiles.
Knocked out cold.
Everyone stood frozen.
Sahiru adjusted his hat and turned to Kagaya.
"Are we done?"