What Ryuya had said was something Shinobu Kocho would eventually realize on her own in the future. But at this stage, she had not yet reached that understanding and was still deep in thought.
Her Nichirin Blade was unique—slender, with a hooked tip.
It could not decapitate demons, matching her insufficient wrist strength, but it could kill through poison.
"Ryuya, you scoundrel… what you said actually makes sense."
Shinobu felt as if she had been lost at sea and suddenly found a compass. The relief of gaining direction was indescribable.
"With a specialized Nichirin Blade as the core, your Breathing style must complement its function. Precision thrusts. Swift footwork. Direct poison delivery."
"So that's why you had me watch my sister's Flower Breathing? Because it's light and agile?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
For a brief second, she looked at Ryuya as though seeing him in a new light.
He's… kind of impressive.
Just a little.
She immediately folded her arms.
"Hmph. I understand now. You can leave. Don't disturb my research."
Ryuya raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
—
Elsewhere, in a bustling and decadent city glowing with neon light, a wounded young man collapsed into the shadows of an alley.
Iguro Obanai.
Blood soaked his clothing. His breathing was uneven. His vision blurred.
Kaburamaru, the white serpent coiled around his neck, slithered down and wrapped itself around his arm, flicking its tongue anxiously.
So cold.
So tired.
So close to death.
Iguro's eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment.
"Kaburamaru… are you telling me to become a demon?"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
The serpent blinked slowly.
They understood each other without words.
The Demon Slayer Corps had been relentlessly pursuing him—because of Kaburamaru.
Only by fleeing to this city had they finally shaken their pursuers.
But the escape had cost him dearly.
If he remained human, death was inevitable.
If he became a demon… he would live.
He tilted his head back, staring at the crescent moon.
Ryuya's words echoed faintly in his memory.
Once, Ryuya had offered him survival at the cost of his humanity.
He had refused.
Yet Ryuya had still turned Kaburamaru into a demon.
Unable to abandon his companion, Iguro had chosen exile instead.
And reality had shattered his idealism.
Now he was hunted, wounded, and cornered.
Only by becoming the very thing he despised could he survive.
Do people always become what they hate most?
A bitter laugh escaped his lips.
If he died here, Kaburamaru would be alone.
If he lived as a demon, he would betray everything he once stood for.
Which was worse?
As his thoughts spiraled into chaos, a calm female voice interrupted.
"Excuse me. Do you require assistance?"
Iguro's eyes shifted weakly.
"And if I'm not mistaken… you're from the Demon Slayer Corps. This snake—your companion—is a demon, correct?"
A woman with long dark hair knelt before him.
Tamayo.
Her expression was gentle, but her gaze was sharp with intelligence.
Iguro's hand instinctively tightened around Kaburamaru.
Even in his weakened state, caution remained.
Tamayo studied his injuries quietly.
"You are losing too much blood. At this rate, you will not survive the night."
Kaburamaru hissed faintly.
Tamayo continued calmly, "I have no intention of harming you. Nor your companion."
Iguro narrowed his eyes.
"You're… a demon."
"Yes. A demon who seeks to break free from Kibutsuji Muzan."
Her words were steady.
"There may be another path. One that does not require you to become a man-eating demon."
Iguro's fading consciousness wavered.
Another path?
His grip loosened slightly.
For the first time since collapsing into the alley, hope flickered.
Not survival through corruption.
But survival through resistance.
Kaburamaru's coils tightened gently around his arm.
And Iguro faced his choice once more.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
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1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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