Disclaimer: Demon Slayer is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
---
Michikatsu stayed at the swordsmith village until the moon reached its zenith.
In the yard, only an empty box remained.
Right after Michikatsu left,
"What is that?" Kotetsu carefully poked his head out and looked around the courtyard sleepily before going back to bed.
---
-Location: Tokyo town-
In the city, activity still persisted. Streetlights were emitting a warm light to their surroundings as they shone over the two sides of the road.
The darkness of the night seems to be a myth in this brightly colored town.
"It's around here..."
Michikatsu was walking down the street with the Zeroshiki doll wrapped in his haori on his shoulder.
The joint of the puppet clicking along with his movements, drawing the curious gaze of the crowd.
He ignored the surprised and uncertain looks of the passers-by.
Sniff.
His nose twitched slightly.
He entrusted the Tokito family to the Demon Slayer Corps, but he did not completely abandon them.
Michikatsu firmly believed that since there were people like him in the Corps hundreds of years ago who pursued power and abandoned everything else, there must be such people even now.
So he made a flute and gave it to the brothers.
Said flute contained his blood."
Beep! Beep!
The Ford car honked its horn as its driver was agitated as it ran past the standing Michikatsu on the street, which snapped him out of his daydream.
This place is very close to his last battle.
He remembered that encounter with Gonpachiro.
It took a long time for his arm to heal from the injury caused by the Bright Red Sword.
His fallen arm seemed to have been harvested by others and was being stored somewhere.
As a demon, especially a special one like him, he had the ability to sense the location of his blood.
Michikatsu searched the street for a while.
Until he stopped in front of a dark alley.
His eyes took in the location while his instinct told him there was something wrong with the landscape.
"There's a wall here."
An illusion.
For what he sees is not a dark alley at all, but a beautiful mansion.
Tamayo's Research Lab.
---
"...what?"
The resident of the mansion suddenly turned his head to look in the direction of the gate.
Yushiro was carrying a tray of teapots and snacks as he stared at the enemy at their gate.
His brow furrowed as his eyes became serious.
His hands loosened their hold as the tray fell to the ground and the hot tea spilled all over the floor.
"Tamayo-sama!" Yushiro ran down toward the stairs.
"Damn it!"
His panic cost him as his foot slipped under the wet ground. He fell hard on the stairs.
"Ugh!" Yushiro grunted. He looked anxious, but he didn't have time to get up, so he rolled himself down the stairs.
Bang!
He landed heavily on the last step.
"A demon has broken through my camouflage!" He shook the pain away and bared his teeth. He subconsciously grabbed the handrail of the stairs, trying to stand up.
But...
A huge shadow had already enveloped him.
Yushiro's body suddenly stopped as cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and he stiffly raised his head.
The cold wind blew into the house from the opened front door.
Standing in front of Yushiro...
...was Kokushibo, looking expressionless at Yushiro with a doll carried over his shoulder.
Yushiro's eyes widened and trembled. His grip on the railing became more forceful as his nerves fried.
'It's... Upper Moon One!'
'I have to—'
'Tamayo-sama!'
"Run!"
Yushiro shouted as he saw the wooden door leading to the entrance move.
"Yushiro, what's wrong?" Tamayo's voice rang out from the other side, gentle as ever. "I heard a lot of noise..."
She put down the petri dish she was holding that contained a white solution. Something that she had concocted from Tanjuro's blood.
She stopped in her tracks as her eyes caught the figure of the house's guest.
Yushiro, Tamayo, and Kokushibo looked at each other.
"..."
Awkward.
---
-Location: Butterfly Mansion-
Tanjuro retrieved the shuriken he threw one by one.
The sharp blade of the weapon was tinged purple. The chief refined the metal with the ingredients of wisteria flowers, which gives the weapon a paralyzing effect on demons.
In addition, the entire arm sleeve is made from the same material used to forge the Nichirin blade for durability and flexibility.
"As compensation for cutting off my fabulous hair... and my apple."
"I want you to answer a few questions for me; how about it?"
Tengen ran his fingers through his hair. His jewel ornaments shine, reflecting the moonlight as he watches Tanjuro beside him.
"You're a shinobi, right?"
Tanjuro glances at the man from the corner of his eyes as he continues to load the shuriken back into the slot of his arm sleeve. "I used to be."
Which technically wasn't a lie.
'I see.' Tengen nodded. 'That explained everything.'
He searches Tanjuro's face for any kind of expression. Or perhaps he was seeing the mirror of himself.
The first time they met, Tanjuro looked very weak.
That's probably... because he is the same as Tengen was before the Corps.
The feeling of wanting to break away from family tradition that has been instilled into them since childhood. Feeling like there was no way out because of the sins you committed. And finally falling into routine as you wonder why you still woke up the next morning.
Tengen understood Tanjuro perfectly.
After his encounter with a demon, he thought that this was his chance of redeeming himself. For the first time, he cheered up and lived his life again.
Tengen thought of the time they had met and Tanjuro's presence that was getting better and better every day.
'He must have understood too.'
This must be the sign that Tanjuro is finally free of his past.
Also...
'I've never seen this guy with any other expression than this stern face.'
'Has his cruel training made him numb?'
Such an expression reminded Tengen of his younger brother.
How he regretted not trying hard enough to persuade his brother to break the shackles with him and run away together. So that he wouldn't turn into such a twisted person.
It's a pity that his younger brother has completely adhered to their father's doctrine.
Tengen couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy for Tanjuro.
"??"
Tanjuro paused in reloading his shuriken as he felt the sudden wave of sadness from Tengen and tilted his head in confusion.
Tengen frowned even harder seeing this. So he continues his questioning.
"Which ninja clan are you from?"
He thought that the Uzui family was the last clan in this modern age.
Ninjas and their twisted way of life that destroys a person's identity and ego should have disappeared long ago.
In the past, Tengen had even thought about whether he should personally take action and annihilate his own family.
"Koga-ryu? Or was it Mochizuki?" Tengen guessed, bringing up several famous clans.
Tanjuro finished reloading his shuriken and walked past Tengen.
As he walked, he answered Tengen's question.
"Ashina-ryu." And walked away briskly.
"Huh?"
Tengen stood confusedly as he stared at Tanjuro's back. His brows furrowed as he searched his mind for the name that was uttered.
He blinked his eyes and scratched his head in confusion.
"...There is an Ashina-ryu clan...?"
Tengen was raised in a ninja clan and read the recorded history of the ninja clans/family early in his training.
But he had never heard of this Ashina-ryu.
He was about to ask for detail when a kid brushed past his side.
It was Zenitsu.
His yellow-haired figure walked with his back straight and took up a section of the courtyard to begin his daily training.
Tengen blinked his eyes hard because what he saw didn't make sense.
Zenitsu... was fast asleep!
His eyes were closed with a snot bubble coming out of his nose. His eyelids were puffy and red as if he had just cried himself to sleep.
Tengen watched with fascination as Zenitsu started swinging his wooden sword in front of him.
Steadily, efficiently.
Throughout his workout, Zenitsu never actually opened his eyes.
Even when he was swinging his sword with power, he still looked like he was sleepwalking.
"Weird kid..."
With that, Tengen turned to chase after Tanjuro to have his curiosity sated.
...
The next day.
The Tokito brothers and the Kamado children were training together and sparring with one another.
The improvement of both sides was visible to the naked eye.
In a short period of time, both of Ichiro's brothers were able to easily defeat four or five Hinoe-rank swordsmen at once.
If they continue like this...
It won't be long before they have the strength of a Hashira.
Tanjuro was watching his children under the eaves of the tree in the courtyard with a smile and with a letter in his hand.
He received a reply from Kagaya.
Although he knew Daki was hiding in the entertainment district.
He didn't know exactly where the demons were operating.
An investigation was required.
He opened the letter and read its contents.
"Caw!"
At the same time, Gonpachiro flew down to his side. Attracting attention from the kids as the bird shouted.
"Oyakata-sama has issued an order!"
"Tokito Muichiro! Tokito Yuichiro!"
The two kids whose names were called wiped away the sweat from their foreheads and looked at the crow in confusion.
"According to the Hashira's judgment! The two of you have the strength to pass the final selection exam!"
"Thank you for choosing to join the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"Please go to the second floor of the Butterfly Mansion to receive your uniform!"
"Caw! That is all! Caw!"
"Wait, what!?" Soichiro opened the window of his room on the second floor and looked down at the crow.
"What about me?" He pointed to himself with some frustration and confusion.
"Caw!" Gonpachiro only looked at the man and cawed. The bird didn't say anything more.
Seeing that the crow didn't continue, the patriarch of the Tokito family became even more frustrated.
In hindsight, Soichiro has been neglecting his swordsmanship training lately.
He has been over the moon to see his wife healthy and active again that he spends every waking moment with her.
...and some nights in exercise.
So the busy Hashira haven't seen his strength and skills.
To be promoted as an active slayer like this, it is necessary to obtain the consent of most of the Hashiras.
Tanjuro withdrew his gaze and continued to read the letter in his hand.
His eyes swept over the words when a robust figure blocked the sunlight and cast a shadow over him.
Tanjuro raised his head to see Tengen smiling triumphantly.
"Hmph."
"What's that, a new mission?" His voice is light as he looks down at Tanjuro, full of confidence.
"I, have no mission now."
Tengen crossed as he declared proudly. Blatantly presenting himself to be asked to join on this new mission that Oyakata-sama has issued.
Tanjuro stared for a moment. The letter did mention bringing one or two Hashira as reinforcement in this investigation.
Of course, they have a right to refuse.
But with Tengen and someone else that he had in mind, they had no reason to refuse.
---
Later that day.
Giyu, Tengen, and Tanjuro stood at the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion.
Giyu's face still had red marks from the tight bandages running across his skin.
After resting these past few days, he felt more light in his step and body.
He finally felt like he had passed the final selection exam properly.
Now his feeling of discomfort while standing with the other Hashira has lessened to nonexistent.
By his side, Tengen was visibly fuming in agitation.
"Why do I have to be on a mission with this guy!?"
His mouth twitched and his brows furrowed as he looked at his two companions for this mission.
A tic mark made its way on his forehead as he pointed his index finger at the expressionless Giyu and the stoic Tanjuro. "Can you guys make other facial expressions? It's depressing seeing you guys!"
"Come on! Smile!" He slapped his hands on Giyu's face and tried to turn his frown upside down.
Giyu raised his eyebrow slightly and broke free from Tengen's hold gently.
Then...
Tengen's expression turned from angry to astonished to disgusted.
Giyu's smile...
Well, to call it a smile is an affront to smiling people.
"So ugly! Not fabulous at all! You'd better not laugh in the future!"
Giyu's expression faltered at the scolding he received so directly.
His smile fell, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise behind his stoic face.
Tengen's matter-of-fact tone of voice strikes him in the heart, leaving him shocked and depressed.
Tanjuro simply waved his goodbye to his family beside the two comic reliefs.
...
By the time the group arrived at the Yoshiwara red-light district, it was already evening.
Although the sky has turned dark, the entire town was brightly lit with enormous candles, bonfires, and lanterns.
The night gradually began to show the place's charm and allure.
Pedestrians walked among the streets in a dense mass.
Tanjuro did one last check on the arm sleeve on his left hand while Kusabimaru was covered in white cloth.
All three of them were wearing disguises to blend in with the populace unnoticed.
"An Upper Moon is hiding in this district?"
Tengen let his hair down and removed all makeup from his face, which revealed an extremely handsome face.
"That's fitting." He said to himself.
He had suspected that a shady district like Yoshiwara might hide a demon or two, but so far his investigation proved fruitless.
He was about to send his wife to infiltrate for a thorough investigation when Tanjuro took over.
Tengen was formulating a plan to start searching when he felt a tap on his upper arm.
He turned his head to see Tanjuro staring in a certain direction, focused.
"Uzui-san." Tanjuro said softly.
"Use your Transparent World to see in that direction."