Tanjirou!
Wait for me!
At the base of Mt. Natagumo, about two kilometres away, three teenagers were sprinting across a vast athletic field.
The moonlight was dim, obscuring their faces.
Yet, a faint wisp of white mist could be seen escaping and dissipating from the corners of their mouths.
Azuma Zenitsu reached out his hand, trying to grab Tanjirou, who was dozens of meters ahead. He shouted:
This place is too terrifying!
Dangerous sounds are all around, especially ahead… Tanjirou! Do we have to go? I don't want to die!
I haven't even gotten married yet! What will Nezuko do if I die here?!
Let's just stop here, okay?!
He liked Nezuko.
He had taken a liking to her at first sight while recuperating a few days prior.
Even though Zenitsu knew Nezuko was a demon, he couldn't resist this affection.
Therefore, he hated dangerous missions.
Precisely, Mt. Natagumo was extremely dangerous.
Hearing this, Inosuke Hashibira, who was behind Azuma Zenitsu, couldn't help but snort.
He wore a wild boar mask, his upper body almost completely bare, revealing muscles as defined as rock.
Twin swords hung at his waist; though worn beyond recognition, pitted like teeth, their marks still hinted that their owner was a lunatic who loved to fight.
He had met Tanjirou and Azuma Zenitsu a week ago.
Having lived in the mountains since childhood, he had gotten lost and stumbled into a demon's territory. When he was trapped, the two appeared and defeated that demon.
Afterwards, he tried to slay Nezuko, but was knocked unconscious by Tanjirou's sword. A few of them then became friends and undertook missions together.
Now, having come at the Kasugai Crow's behest, Inosuke Hashibira still, for some reason, disliked Azuma Zenitsu's demeanour.
Was he trying to out-shout him, the king of the mountains?
He took a deep breath and roared in a voice even louder than Azuma Zenitsu's: "Shut up!"
If you didn't want to come, why didn't you just quit earlier?!
Now you're talking about stopping? Are you looking down on me?!
I'm not afraid of those evil demons!
I was just looking for someone to fight me!
Inosuke Hashibira's fighting spirit was soaring.
His roar even startled animals a kilometre away, sending wild rabbits scattering.
The substantial sound waves entered Azuma Zenitsu's ears, and the tone, full of disdain, made him burst into tears:
What?!
You wild boar, who's talking to you?!
Danger, danger, do you understand?!
You're not afraid to die, but I am! Just thinking that my death would break Nezuko's heart makes me too sad to eat!
Besides, what if I die and Nezuko marries someone else?!
Tanjirou, you have to save me!
Can you bear to see Nezuko without a husband in the future?!
At this point.
Tanjirou rubbed his temples, his head aching immensely.
He ran and pondered simultaneously.
Yet, he couldn't think of any words to comfort Zenitsu.
Zenitsu was always like this.
Normally, he might try to persuade him, but now, the mission was paramount.
He ignored the two of them.
Soon after, the three of them arrived at the foot of Mt. Natagumo.
The temperature dropped sharply.
Even though Tanjirou was wearing the Demon Slayer Corps' special cold-resistant uniform, he couldn't help but shiver.
He wrapped his haori tightly around him.
Thump.
Stepping onto the solid ground, gazing at the night, Tanjirou twitched his nose twice.
A foul odour originating from a demon rushed straight to his brain, making him furrow his brows.
At the same time.
There was also the smell of many humans mixed with blood…
—Injured?
Tanjirou thought so.
Instinctively, he took a step forward.
The next second.
In the cool breeze, another scent arrived… This scent was different from humans and evil demons; it felt somewhat familiar.
But he couldn't recall exactly why it felt familiar…
His steps hesitated.
Seeing this, Azuma Zenitsu thought Tanjirou was also hesitant, and he quickly said:
Hey, hey, Tanjirou, you're scared too, right?
I told you, no one can encounter a demon and not be scared! Since even you're scared, why don't we hurry back?!
It's too dangerous! There are demon wails all around!
Especially the mountaintop, it feels scarier to me than a cliff! Even if you have mastered Sun Breathing, you probably aren't its match!
Perhaps only the one from the legends can solve this!
…
Tanjirou was speechless. Hearing Azuma Zenitsu mention Tsugikuni Yoriichi, his thoughts instantly drifted.
It had been a year. A year had passed since Tsugikuni Yoriichi's disappearance.
For a year, the entire Demon Slayer Corps had been searching for him.
Even Yashiki Kagaya, using official power, couldn't find a trace of him, as if his appearance that night was just an illusion.
But Tanjirou knew that those things were real.
Because Sun Breathing would not deceive him, the power he wielded would not deceive him.
Now… hearing it from Zenitsu, Tanjirou finally understood where the scent he smelled originated from.
It's just…
Neither human nor demon?
Just as he was wondering.
Another series of thunder-like movements came from deep within the forest.
Birds scattered in all directions.
This instantly brought him back to his senses, and he hastily said:
Now is not the time to discuss these things. Whether it's an opponent or not, we must hurry into the mountain to support those swordsmen!
This is our duty as Demon Slayers!
They are fighting for their lives against demons; how can we stay idle at the foot of the mountain?
Let's go in quickly!
What?!
Zenitsu was unwilling again. He squatted down in a huff, vowing to defend his life to the death.
Seeing this, Tanjirou couldn't force him, so he could only take Inosuke Hashibira and run towards the forest.
After the two left.
He muttered to himself: "Damn it… damn it…"
They must all hate me…
But what can I do? I'm scared to death, my legs are even weak…
If they had encouraged me, maybe I would have mustered the courage to go and help them…
But they both just left on their own, running into that terrifying mountain.
I was left behind…
Damn it… If it were Nezuko, she would never abandon me, she would grab my hand and tell me…
Wait!
Azuma Zenitsu's head, hidden between his knees, suddenly shot up. He was greatly alarmed, remembering Nezuko, whom Tanjirou was carrying…
Immediately, he sprang to his feet as if he had taken drugs.
His breathing became rapid, and his gaze swept across the forest.
His muscles bulged as he ran with all his might.
A cloud of dust rose behind him.
His roaring voice echoed in all directions:
Tanjirou, you big idiot!
How could you take my beloved Nezuko to such a dangerous place!
Nezuko, I'm coming!
Wait for me!