"Is she really a demon?"
Mita and the other slayers' expressions shifted instantly at the Insect Hashira's words. They knew all too well what it meant when someone turned into a demon.
Goku turned his head to look at the scarred boy and the girl in his arms.
"Is she a demon?"
"Yes, she is... but she's also my sister! She's never killed anyone, she's never eaten anyone! She's helped me fight demons and protect people! So... please..."
Seeing the shift in Mita's eyes, Tanjiro realized that no matter how much he explained, it might be futile. Aside from his two friends who already knew Nezuko's secret, no one would stand on their side. He didn't blame the Hashira or the slayers; he knew their suspicion was justified. But he wasn't lying.
His ultimate goal in joining the Corps was to find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human. Two and a half years ago, he was just a simple charcoal burner. One day, while he was away, Muzan Kibutsuji slaughtered his family and turned Nezuko into a demon.
But Nezuko was different. Though she lost her speech and memories, she still protected her brother. Under the guidance of Giyu Tomioka, Tanjiro had trained under the former Water Hashira, Urokodaki. During those years, Nezuko slept, her body mutating so she didn't need blood or human flesh to survive—she recovered through sleep instead.
"He isn't lying. His sister is a good demon. You can't kill her."
Goku had used Legilimency to read the boy's thoughts, witnessing the tragic memories flash through his mind.
Hearing Goku speak up for him, a spark of hope ignited in Tanjiro's eyes. He knew he couldn't stop a Hashira on his own, but if this boy—who had just erased a Lower Moon—believed him, Nezuko might have a chance to live.
"Goku, there's no such thing as a 'good' demon. Every demon must be slain. Don't let yourself be tricked!" Mita warned solemnly. He had seen too many people claim their loved ones were "different," only for those same people to be devoured later.
"No, he's telling the truth. Besides, I don't sense any evil in her ki," Goku said firmly, standing as a shield between the Hashira and the siblings. The demons he'd fought so far had a foul, twisted aura. This girl's ki was remarkably pure.
"Bee Sting Dance: True Flutter!"
Seeing that Mita couldn't convince the boy, Shinobu didn't waste any more words. She pivoted, attempting to circle around Goku to strike the girl. She wanted to end the threat quickly to prevent the demon from potentially harming the boys.
However, before her blade could reach its target, Goku's figure blocked her path again. He flicked a finger with surgical precision against the tip of her sword.
A staggering force traveled up the blade. Shinobu's grip faltered; her Nichirin Sword nearly flew out of her hand.
'Such speed! And such incredible strength!'
Shinobu landed and retreated, her face masking her shock. She now fully believed this boy had killed a Lower Rank Five.
"Your speed is great," Goku noted, his eyes lighting up. "But your strikes are a bit light on power."
The Insect Hashira's skill had piqued his interest. He felt a sudden urge to spar properly—the fight with Rui had ended too quickly, and he felt a bit guilty for using a Kamehameha right away.
Shinobu raised an eyebrow and shifted her stance, attacking from a new angle. Yet, no matter which way she moved, Goku intercepted her with ease. After several exchanges, her hands were beginning to feel numb. She was the physically weakest among the Hashira, relying on poison rather than decapitation. But she couldn't use poison on a human boy.
'Where did this little monster come from?'
Just then, a blur of motion arrived from the distance. Another Hashira had reached the summit.
"Tomioka-san! Kill that demon!" Shinobu called out, launching a flurry of strikes to pin Goku down, hoping the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, would finish the job.
Giyu, momentarily confused by the chaotic scene, instinctively drew his sword to strike the girl.
"Tomioka-san! It's us!" Tanjiro screamed.
Giyu's eyes locked onto the scarred boy and the girl. Memories from three years ago flooded back, and he froze, lowering his blade instantly.
"Afterimage Technique!"
With the Hashira arriving, Goku decided to get serious. In a flash, he created eight distinct afterimages, surrounding Shinobu in a circle.
"What is this? Illusions?" Shinobu hesitated, surrounded by eight identical Gokus making funny faces at her. Even with her vast combat experience, she had never seen a technique like this. She knew there was only one real body, but the images looked incredibly lifelike.
"Centipede Dance: Hundred-Legged Zigzag!"
Shinobu lunged. She concentrated her breathing to the absolute limit, using her most erratic and high-speed movement pattern. Since she couldn't tell which one was real, she decided to strike through all of them at once. Her feet shattered the ground as she tore through the circle of images.
'They're all fakes!'
As the afterimages vanished, Shinobu realized she'd been baited.
"Expelliarmus!"
Goku's voice rang out from directly behind her. She tried to spin and strike, but her Nichirin Sword suddenly felt as if it had a mind of its own. It was ripped violently from her grasp, flying through the air as Goku used a Disarming Charm.
***
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