"She's different from other demons," Hakuya finally said. "She has the potential to become human again. That's why you can't kill her!"
Both Giyuu and Tanjiro reacted with visible shock. Tanjiro's face lit up with desperate hope—Nezuko was his only surviving family member, and the possibility of her becoming human again meant everything to him.
"Really? You can really turn my sister back into a human?" Tanjiro asked frantically, clutching at this lifeline with both hands.
Hakuya didn't respond immediately. His focus remained on Giyuu, who still held Nezuko. One wrong move, one moment of carelessness, and the Hashira might execute her on the spot.
Giyuu's initial surprise faded quickly, replaced by skepticism. If demons could truly be turned back into humans, wouldn't the Demon Slayer Corps—with centuries of experience fighting demons—have discovered this method already?
Still, something about Hakuya's confident tone gave him pause. "Explain your method," Giyuu demanded.
Internally, Hakuya sighed. This Hashira was as stubborn as they came. The truth was, Hakuya had no idea how to turn a demon back into a human. His entire argument was based on logical deduction from the system's mission.
If the system assigned him the task of restoring Nezuko's humanity, then it must be possible. Otherwise, the mission would contradict itself—and a system this sophisticated wouldn't have such an obvious flaw.
"I'm still researching the exact process," Hakuya said smoothly. "But with me watching over her, she definitely won't harm anyone. If you don't believe me, let's test it right now. Release the girl and see if she attacks her brother. He claims his sister won't hurt people—let's give him a chance to prove it. If she attacks, you can kill her and I'll accept defeat. But if she doesn't attack, you have to let her go."
Hakuya spoke with calculated calm, as if everything were proceeding according to plan.
Giyuu hadn't expected such a bold gamble. Using an innocent person as bait seemed callous, almost cruel.
Sensing the Hashira's hesitation, Hakuya turned to Tanjiro. "Kid, here's your chance to be a hero. If you truly believe your sister won't eat people, then agree to this wager."
Tanjiro startled at being addressed so directly. But his conviction about Nezuko never wavered. He knew his sister—knew her heart, her soul. The demon blood might have changed her body, but not who she was inside.
"Okay! I trust you, and I trust my sister!" Tanjiro declared with fierce determination.
Hakuya nodded and turned back to Giyuu, giving him a pointed look that said, "Your move."
The Water Hashira hesitated, his hand still gripping Nezuko's shoulder.
"With your abilities, you're not worried about saving one kid, are you?" Hakuya pressed. "At worst, you'll just have to knock him aside before she reaches him."
Finally, Giyuu slowly released his grip. Nezuko immediately lunged forward, diving straight toward Tanjiro.
Both Giyuu and Hakuya tensed, their hands hovering near their weapons. Despite their opposing positions, they shared the same fear in that moment—that Nezuko would actually attack her own brother.
Time seemed to slow as everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
Hakuya's muscles tensed, ready to spring into action. If Nezuko attacked Tanjiro, he'd have to break his word and forcibly rescue her from Giyuu's blade. Sure, going back on his promise wasn't ideal, but compared to dying? He'd take being called a liar any day.
"Nezuko, it's me! I'm Tanjiro!" The boy faced his transformed sister without a trace of fear, trying desperately to reach the humanity buried beneath her demonic instincts.
Nezuko stared at her brother for a long moment. Then, suddenly, she whirled around to face Giyuu, baring her fangs in a threatening gesture—protecting Tanjiro.
The Water Hashira's eyes widened in genuine shock. A demon... protecting a human?
In that moment of distraction, Nezuko lunged—not at Tanjiro, but at Giyuu himself.
"Stop, Nezuko!" Tanjiro cried out, horrified.
Hakuya hadn't expected this either. This girl had guts, he'd give her that—even if she was basically committing suicide by attacking a Hashira!
Before things could spiral out of control, Hakuya flashed behind Nezuko and struck the back of her neck with a precise chop, knocking her unconscious.
He caught her falling body, momentarily stunned by how soft and light she felt. This was actually the first time he'd ever held a girl—demon or otherwise. Despite her transformation, Nezuko's body retained its human warmth and softness.
"Giyuu, you lose!" Hakuya declared triumphantly. "Remember our wager!"
The moment those words left his mouth, his vision blurred. His entire body went weak, darkness swallowing his consciousness. He collapsed into the snow, Nezuko falling on top of him.
Giyuu blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Hakuya to suddenly pass out. This strange warrior was becoming more confusing by the minute.
As Hakuya lay unconscious in the snow, his demonic transformation began to fade. The purple markings receded, his crimson skin returned to its normal color, and his hair shifted back to black. Giyuu watched with fascination—he'd assumed Hakuya's appearance was permanent.
"Senpai!" Tanjiro scrambled over to the collapsed pair, panic written across his face.
Giyuu approached as well, looking down at Hakuya's gradually returning human form. When the transformation completed, both he and Tanjiro stared in surprise.
Hakuya was just a young man—probably around Tanjiro's age.
Tanjiro felt a surge of gratitude. If this mysterious person hadn't intervened, his sister would be dead right now.
Giyuu knelt down and carefully examined Hakuya. After a thorough inspection, he found nothing abnormal. The young man's breathing, his scent—everything was unmistakably human.
Still cautious, Giyuu gently lifted Nezuko off Hakuya. Tanjiro immediately tensed, remembering how the Hashira had tried to kill his sister just minutes ago.
"What are you doing? Are you going back on your word?" Tanjiro demanded.
Giyuu glanced at him coolly. "No."
Without further explanation, he set about his task. Using his Nichirin blade, Giyuu cut down a bamboo stalk from a nearby grove and carefully selected a piece of appropriate size. He fashioned it into a muzzle to prevent Nezuko from biting anyone, then gently secured it over her mouth.
Task complete, Giyuu returned to Hakuya's side. He raised his Nichirin blade and made a quick, shallow cut across his index finger. Blood welled up immediately.
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P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)