"We should review today's assignment," Tanjiro said, deliberately steering conversation away from analysis of his protective instincts. "The reports mentioned unusual demon activity patterns."
"Yes, quite intriguing actually." Genuine enthusiasm, but her eyes kept drifting back toward the headquarters building. "The witnesses describe demons that appeared and vanished without attacking anyone. Highly unusual behavior for creatures supposedly driven by bloodlust."
"That doesn't sound like typical demon behavior at all."
"Exactly why it requires our special attention." Excitement of someone discussing a fascinating puzzle. "Some demons may be evolving beyond their base instincts."
Something cold settled in Tanjiro's stomach. "Evolving how?"
"Learning restraint. Developing beyond their hunger." Eyes gleamed with fanatic conviction. "Imagine the possibilities if demons could be taught to control themselves rather than simply destroyed."
"Demons can't be trusted," came a voice from behind them.
Both Hashira turned to find Nezuko approaching with desperate urgency. Face pale but determined. "They always revert to their nature eventually."
"Do they?" Knowing, cruel smile. "Or do we simply never give them the chance to prove otherwise?"
"They're monsters." Desperate conviction, like someone trying to convince herself as much as others. "Killing is their nature. They can't change that."
"How can you be so certain? Your own experience suggests transformation is possible in multiple directions."
"My transformation was different. I never wanted to hurt people."
"Didn't you?" Gentle, therapeutic, devastating. "Never felt the hunger? Never experienced the satisfaction of the hunt? Never tasted the fear of potential prey?"
Nezuko flinched as if physically struck. "That wasn't me. That was the demon."
"Was it? Or was it simply you, expressing natural instincts you'd been taught to suppress?"
"Stop." Tanjiro stepped between them, protective fury reaching dangerous levels. "This conversation is over."
"I'm simply exploring philosophical questions about consciousness and transformation." Perfectly reasonable, academically curious. "Understanding these concepts could help prevent future tragedies."
"My sister isn't a philosophical discussion topic."
"Of course not. But her unique perspective could—"
"No." Finality in his voice made Akira pause. "This topic is closed."
Akira led him toward the mission planning room, manner shifting to professional efficiency while retaining underlying interest. Nezuko had disappeared again, leaving them alone with questions that felt increasingly dangerous.
---
"The mission parameters are straightforward," she explained, spreading maps across the planning table. "Multiple witnesses report demon sightings with no subsequent attacks. The creatures appear, observe, then vanish without violence."
"Observation behavior isn't typical for demons."
"Which suggests either evolution in their capabilities or coordination from an external source." She marked locations with careful precision. "Either possibility requires investigation."
"You think someone is controlling them?"
"I think someone is teaching them." Excitement of discovery. "Traditional demon behavior follows predictable patterns—hunt, feed, flee. These sightings suggest learning, planning, restraint."
"That's terrifying."
"Is it? Or is it hopeful?" Genuine enthusiasm. "What if these demons have learned to control their hunger? What if they've evolved beyond the need for human flesh?"
"Demons don't evolve. They're driven by bloodlust."
"Are they? Or have we simply never encountered demons that learned alternative approaches to survival?"
The question made Tanjiro deeply uncomfortable. "Alternative approaches like what?"
"Cooperation instead of predation. Coexistence instead of conflict." Fanatic conviction that reminded him of religious zealots. "Imagine a world where demons and humans found common ground."
"Common ground with creatures that eat people?"
"Common ground with beings that might not need to eat people if offered alternatives." She spread additional documents across the table. "This technique helps demonstrate the possibilities."
Akira began demonstrating a breathing pattern that made Tanjiro's enhanced senses scream warnings. The rhythm was hypnotic, compelling, designed to influence rather than enhance physical capabilities.
"This pattern helps calm aggressive subjects," she explained, breathing falling into that same cadence Nezuko had described in her evasive comments about dreams. "Watch how it affects the body's natural stress responses."
"Where did you learn this technique?"
"Independent research during my mountain training. I discovered that certain breathing patterns can influence emotional states in both humans and demons." Pride of innovation. "Think of it as psychological warfare, but for peace rather than destruction."
"That doesn't sound like traditional demon slaying."
"Because traditional methods aren't sufficient for modern threats." Fanatic conviction that made his skin crawl. "We need evolution in our approaches, just as our enemies evolve."
"The Corps has established methods for dealing with demons."
"Methods that rely on violence and destruction. What if there were alternatives that achieved the same protective goals without the moral cost of endless killing?"
"Demons aren't moral agents. They're monsters."
"Are they? Or have we simply never encountered demons taught to be something else?"
The conversation was moving into philosophical territory that made every instinct scream warnings. Akira's breathing technique continued in the background, creating an almost hypnotic effect that made concentration difficult.
"I'm not sure the Corps would approve of experimental techniques without proper oversight—"
"The Corps approves of results. And my results speak for themselves." Absolute, unshakeable confidence. "No casualties, no property damage, no traumatized civilians. Just peaceful resolution of dangerous situations."
"But no confirmed demon deaths either."
The observation made her pause. Expression cycling through surprise and calculation. "Death isn't always necessary for protection. Sometimes transformation serves the same purpose with greater moral clarity."
"Transformation into what?"
"Beings capable of choice rather than creatures driven by compulsion."
---
"In our last three assignments, you mentioned 'purifying' the demons we encountered," Tanjiro said carefully, investigative instincts crystallizing into specific questions. "But I never saw any remains or ash afterward."
"Because there were none. True purification doesn't destroy—it transforms."
"Transforms into what?"
"Peaceful spirits returning to the natural cycle. No violence, no suffering, just release from their torment."
"But where do they go? I've tracked demon scents before, and they don't just vanish into nothing."
Akira's smile became strained around the edges. "Perhaps your tracking skills aren't as sharp as you believe. Peace has a way of dulling combat instincts."
"My senses haven't been dulled. If anything, they've become more sensitive since the war ended."
"Then you're sensing something you don't want to aperhapscknowledge." Patient condescension. "Sometimes the truth challenges our preconceptions about what's possible."
"What truth?"
"That there might be alternatives to the endless cycle of violence the Corps perpetuates." Fervor of someone convinced of their own righteousness. "That demons and humans might find ways to coexist if both sides evolved beyond their prejudices."
"Demons eat people. That's not prejudice, it's biological fact."
"Is it? Or is it learned behavior reinforced by centuries of mutual hostility?"
The question hung in the air like poison. Tanjiro found himself genuinely considering the philosophical implications, which terrified him more than any physical threat he'd ever faced.
"You're suggesting demons could learn not to eat people?"
"I'm suggesting they might not need to eat people if offered alternatives that satisfied their true needs."
"Their true needs?"
"Connection. Purpose. Recognition of their humanity beneath the transformation." Eyes gleamed with fanatic conviction. "What if demon hunger isn't for flesh, but for acceptance of what they've become?"
The breathing technique continued its subtle influence in the background, making these increasingly dangerous ideas seem almost reasonable. Tanjiro forced himself to focus, to resist the hypnotic pull of Akira's words and remember what he knew to be true about demon nature.
But doubt was creeping in, and he could feel his certainty beginning to waver under the weight of her philosophical assault.