Like the original story, Tanjiro chased Urokodaki's shadow relentlessly. By the time Urokodaki reached his Kisatsume Mountain home, Tanjiro was exhausted, trailing behind.
Urokodaki invited Horitake inside. After settling Nezuko, he led Tanjiro up the mountain for the second test: descend before dawn, navigating countless traps. Leaving Tanjiro alone, Urokodaki returned.
In the house, Nezuko played quietly, leaving Horitake and Urokodaki by the fire, staring awkwardly. Urokodaki, stung by his earlier defeat, stayed silent. Horitake, unsure what to say, did the same. Thankfully, Tanjiro was a common topic.
Urokodaki broke the silence. "Kisatsume's traps are endless. Think Tanjiro can pass?"
Horitake grinned confidently. "That kid's got rare talent. He'll make it."
Urokodaki studied him. "Why so sure?"
Looking at a drowsy Nezuko, Horitake said, "Tanjiro's driven by his sister waiting here. He won't fail or fall."
Moved, Urokodaki mused, "Yes, human will can work miracles… And you, so young yet so strong. Jigoro's lucky to have you."
"Hah, I'm lucky to have that old man. Without him, I'd be dead long ago," Horitake replied.
"Sounds like you've got stories too," Urokodaki noted.
"Who doesn't, these days?"
They chatted about Horitake and Jigoro's recent life, the fire dimming as time passed. Nezuko slept. Urokodaki glanced at the fading embers. "Dawn's near. Time's up."
Horitake tensed. In the original, Tanjiro barely passed, but now, injured, the descent would be tougher. Still, Horitake trusted the protagonist's grit.
The door slammed open. Tanjiro stumbled in, leaning on the frame, gasping. His clothes were tattered, hair strewn with grass and leaves, blood streaking his shoulder, neck, and face—a testament to his ordeal.
As sunlight hit, Tanjiro collapsed to his knees, spent. Urokodaki smiled faintly. "Well done, Tanjiro."
Relief flooded Tanjiro. Exhaling, he slumped against the frame, passing out.
From the temple demon fight to this dawn, Tanjiro hadn't slept, his mind and body pushed to the limit. He'd earned his rest.
Horitake and Urokodaki carried him to a room to recover. The system chimed: "Ding! Urokodaki agrees to take Tanjiro as a disciple. Negative butterfly effect resolved. Task complete.
Ding! Congratulations, host, for gaining the ability: Spirit Vision!
Note: Spirit Vision allows you to see what others cannot."
Horitake felt no immediate change, just sharper clarity in his sight. He'd test it later. With Tanjiro settled, it was time to go. Standing, he bowed to Urokodaki. "Master Urokodaki, I entrust Tanjiro and Nezuko to you."
"Leave them to me," Urokodaki assured.
Nodding, Horitake stepped outside, heading down Kisatsume Mountain. But as he started, Spirit Vision activated. In the misty haze, he saw two figures: a boy with orange hair and a scarred fox mask, and a petite girl with a blue-flowered fox mask—Sabito and Makomo.
Horitake froze. Demon Slayer's most tragic duo. He bowed. "Please look after Tanjiro and Nezuko."
Makomo hesitated. "You… see us? We're long…"
"I can," Horitake said, tapping his eyes with a grin. "Like Tanjiro's crazy nose, my eyes see what others don't."
Sabito nodded. "Tanjiro's my junior. I'll watch over him."
Bidding Sabito and Makomo farewell, Horitake left Kisatsume Mountain. A day later, he reached the town at Peach Mountain's base—almost home.
Strolling through, he muttered, "A week out. The old man'll grill me endlessly. Can't tell him about the system. How do I dodge his questions?"
Sighing, he bought two bottles of fine sake as an apology, hoping to quiet Jigoro. As he left the shop, shouts erupted outside.
"Deadbeat kid! It's been days—pay up!"
"How much do you owe, huh?"
"No payment this time, we break your legs!"
Amid the yelling, punches and kicks landed, drowned by pitiful pleas. "Stop! You'll kill me! If I die, you'll never get your money!"
That voice… Horitake's brow twitched. No way…
Carrying the sake, he stepped out. On the street, burly men pummeled a cowering boy, who hugged his head, begging. A rare spectacle drew a pointing crowd.