Chapter 28 – A Journey Together
The next morning.
The sun rose again, casting its golden light over a world that had been wrapped in snow and roaring wind the night before. The morning air was crisp, and the sky glowed a clear blue beneath the crown of sunlight.
Warm rays streamed through the window, gently brushing over her skin. Slowly, Shinobu Kocho opened her sleepy eyes.
"Mm… I fell asleep, huh…"
With a sluggish motion, she sat up. The blanket around her shoulders slipped to the floor with a soft rustle.
Her violet-blue eyes were still clouded with drowsiness, but also filled with a calmness—something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Not since… her sister passed away.
Shinobu rubbed her eyes and lightly slapped her cheeks to wake herself up. Once her senses settled, she rose to her feet.
In the corner of the room, Kanao Tsuyuri was still fast asleep, her small frame curled up quietly against the wall. Hikaru, however, was no longer inside.
A soft thud echoed outside.
A gleam of cold light pierced the morning air, followed by a gentle swirl of mist rising like breath from the snow.
Outside the wooden house, a lone figure stood in the morning frost.
Hikaru.
Dressed in a black haori fluttering in the wind, he practiced his sword swings beneath the morning sun.
His stance was firm. His strikes varied—sometimes fluid, sometimes sharp, shifting with unpredictable rhythm. It was all part of his personal sword form—Hikaru-Style, a technique he had refined himself.
Even though he possessed a system that could grant him strength instantly, Hikaru never once relied solely on shortcuts.
From the beginning, he had trained—endlessly, diligently.
That was how he'd come this far.
When Shinobu opened the door and stepped outside, the sight that greeted her brought a soft smile to her lips.
"You're always so diligent, aren't you…"
Her voice was quiet, but fond.
Hearing her, Hikaru paused, finishing one last swing before sliding his blade back into its sheath.
In the sunlight, his transparent Nichirin Blade shimmered like pure glass.
Empty. Silent. Clear.
He turned toward her, dark eyes meeting hers.
"If I weren't, how could I possibly grow stronger?"
With a gentle smile, he walked over.
"Good morning, Shinobu-san."
"Good morning," she replied with a small nod.
Her gaze drifted to the sky. A lone crow circled above, flying in deliberate loops.
"Looks like they've arrived…"
They?
Hikaru turned his attention toward the horizon. Not far away, several dark figures emerged over the snowy path, approaching swiftly.
There was no mistaking them—they were members of the Kakushi, the logistical staff from the Butterfly Mansion.
"Insect Hashira-sama!"
"Hikaru-sama!"
As soon as they arrived, the Kakushi bowed respectfully—first to Shinobu as their superior, and then to Hikaru as a fellow Hashira.
In the Demon Slayer Corps, a structure defined by order and duty, such discipline was second nature.
Their arrival was quickly announced to Mrs. Kamado, who had already awakened with the sunrise. Meanwhile, Tanjiro—who had left earlier to say goodbye to the villagers—returned just in time.
From a distance, he saw the gathered crowd.
Inside the house, the Kamado family had finished preparing.
"Tanjiro, once you're there, don't forget to write to us often, okay?" his mother said, her voice heavy with reluctance.
"Don't worry, Mom!" Tanjiro said, patting his not-so-broad chest. "I promise! One day… we'll come back to this house!"
"Nii-chan, be careful!" Nezuko and the younger siblings called out.
"Of course! And all of you—listen to Mom and Nezuko, alright?"
Farewells.
They didn't always need tears.
Sometimes… all it took was conviction—and a steady heart.
"Kanao will accompany you," Shinobu said to the Kakushi.
"Understood," Kanao replied with a small nod. Her smile was calm, but hollow—like a doll carved from porcelain.
Tanjiro glanced at her. His nose twitched.
There was something strange in her scent.
Something… artificial.
Almost like a puppet.
But he said nothing.
Led by Kanao, the Kakushi began their departure with the Kamado family in tow. They walked through the white haze of snow, their silhouettes slowly disappearing into the misty morning light.
Tanjiro watched them go.
Then, with a deep breath, he slapped his cheeks and straightened his back.
"Alright… time for me to go, too!"
He turned to Hikaru. His crimson eyes glowed beneath the rising sun, his fiery red hair flowing in the breeze.
"This is a Wisteria extract I made," Hikaru said, handing him a small vial. "Use it at night if you're attacked. It'll repel demons temporarily."
If he was going to help… he wouldn't do it halfheartedly.
The road to Mount Sagiri was long. There were no guarantees Tanjiro would be safe.
Preparedness—that was the most basic duty of any warrior.
Tanjiro looked surprised, but quickly accepted the bottle and tucked it away with care.
"Thank you, Hikaru-san! Shinobu-san! And also… Tomioka-san, even though he left yesterday!"
He bowed deeply, then dashed off—charging into the sunrise, with conviction lighting his path eastward.
Shinobu watched his retreating figure.
"That boy's full of energy… You two really believe in him, don't you?"
"Because he's the heir to Sun Breathing—the first Breathing Style ever created," Hikaru answered softly.
"But more than that, his determination… is stronger than most."
His gaze darkened slightly, recalling the moment Giyu was shaken by Tanjiro's conviction.
This wasn't the beginning of a tragedy.
If anything, it was the start of something powerful—because Tanjiro had people he wanted to protect.
And with that came purpose. And strength.
"Well then…"
The sunlight danced across his hair as Hikaru stretched his arms. He turned toward Shinobu.
"So… where to next?"
He was weighing his next move.
"I was thinking of heading to Edo—well, Tokyo now," Shinobu said, tilting her head. Her eyes met his. "What about you?"
"I don't really have a destination."
His fingers brushed the guard of his sword, almost absentmindedly.
"I'll just keep walking… sharpening my blade, refining my Breathing, and slaying any demons I cross."
"And… I want to see this world for myself."
His words were calm.
Because that was what he had always done.
Walk forward—
Until he found a purpose that truly belonged to him.
"In that case… let's go together," Shinobu said quietly.
Her voice was soft—but there was something layered in her gaze. Something unspoken.
Hikaru was silent for a moment.
He looked at her—this petite girl who barely reached his chest in height.
And for some reason, something stirred inside him.
Then he nodded, just slightly.
"Tokyo, huh?"
"…Might be nice to look around a bit."
With a small smile, Hikaru replied.
Sunlight glinted across the white snow, turning the world into a sparkling sea of crystal.
The two of them began to walk, descending the mountain slope—
Taking a different path from Tanjiro.
Above them, a black crow soared across the clear blue sky—cutting through the morning like a streak of dark lightning.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
📚 Want to read more chapters or get early access?
Join my Patreon here:
🔗 patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ Enjoy 25+ chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ Get 1-2 new chapters every day exclusively on Patreon
Join now and dive deeper into the story—weeks ahead of public release!
Thank you for your amazing support 💖
— — —