The Disarming Charm, Expelliarmus, is a spell designed to forcibly strip an opponent of their weapon. Regardless of what you are holding, as long as you perceive it as a weapon, the magic will rip it from your grasp. It is the most common spell used in wizarding duels because once a wizard loses their wand, they are effectively rendered powerless—wizards capable of wandless magic are a rare elite.
Its primary weakness is that it is a projectile-style spell rather than an area-of-effect one; much like the Killing Curse, it can be avoided if the target is fast enough. However, for Goku, this wasn't a drawback. He could simply close the distance and release the magic point-blank.
"Accio!"
Having disarmed her, Goku didn't continue his attack. He knew the Insect Hashira wasn't an enemy, just someone acting on a misunderstanding. Stepping back, he used the Summoning Charm to pull her Nichirin Sword to himself, ensuring she couldn't harm Nezuko.
Expelliarmus paired with Accio—the classic wizarding combo: knock the weapon away, then take it for yourself.
"Ah... this..."
Shinobu Kocho spun around only to see her Nichirin Sword landing firmly in Goku's hand. She froze. Even if her physical strength was the lowest among the Hashira, it was impossible for her to simply "lose her grip" on her blade. This boy was far more formidable than she had imagined.
Regaining her composure, she did not move to attack again. She was smart enough to know that if she couldn't win with a sword, she certainly wouldn't win without one. Unless, of course, she used poison. But this boy wasn't a demon; he had helped the Corps take down Lower Rank Five. Using poison was out of the question.
Besides, given how much time had passed, she assumed Giyu Tomioka would have already finished off the demon girl. There was no need to keep fighting.
However, when she turned to look, the "smile" on her face nearly cracked from sheer irritation.
"Tomioka-san, what exactly are you doing?"
Giyu hadn't killed the demon at all. Instead, he was standing silently beside her, listening to whatever the scarred boy was rambling about. Giyu turned his head to look at her, his expression blank. He didn't offer a single word of explanation, as if he found explaining himself beneath him—which only made Shinobu angrier.
"Tomioka-san, it's because of that attitude of yours that everyone dislikes you!"
Giyu Tomioka was always like this: expressionless, cold, and distant. He never attended the Hashira gatherings and kept everyone at arm's length. You could say ten sentences to him and he might not respond once; and if he did, the response was usually enough to make you die of frustration. Talking to him always felt like being looked down upon.
"I... am not disliked by everyone."
The air fell silent for ten seconds. Giyu had finally spoken.
Aside from Goku, who didn't understand the social dynamics, everyone present stared in disbelief. Shinobu's anger evaporated, replaced by a need to stifle a laugh.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. It seems you haven't even realized that you're disliked. I've said something unnecessary, how embarrassing for me!"
Giyu froze. Did everyone really hate him? But he was just insecure; he felt he lacked the qualifications to be the Water Hashira and was far inferior to the others. Why would they hate him?
*...No, the Insect Hashira must be joking.*
"Tomioka-san, why didn't you kill that demon? Didn't you say yourself that humans and demons can never get along?" Shinobu questioned, her trademark smile back in place. She didn't used to smile, but after her sister's death, she took up the mantle of living happily for her. Even when furious, the mask stayed on.
"That... probably starts about two years ago..."
Giyu tilted his head and thought for five seconds, preparing to recount the story of his first encounter with Tanjiro. He barely got a word out before Shinobu cut him off.
"Tomioka-san, if you start from back then, we'll be here until we have headaches. I only have one question: do you intend to protect that demon?" Shinobu's eyebrow twitched. "If the answer is yes, you are currently in violation of the Corps' code."
She tried to use the rules to remind him of his duty as a Hashira, but the only result was another ten seconds of agonizing silence. The atmosphere became incredibly awkward, as if a murder of crows was cawing over their heads.
"Message! Message! A command from headquarters!" Two crows suddenly descended—the Kasugai Crows of the messengers. "Take Tanjiro and the demon Nezuko into custody! Bring them back to headquarters alive! Tanjiro, checkered haori, scar on forehead! Nezuko, pink eyes, bamboo in mouth! Bring them back! Bring them back!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the command, especially Mita and his group. They hadn't known whose side to take—code dictated they help Shinobu, but Goku had just saved their lives and the siblings had fought bravely alongside them. Now, with orders from headquarters, there was no need for blood. They would let the leadership decide.
"Thank you, Goku-san!" Tanjiro bowed deeply, his voice thick with gratitude. If Goku hadn't stepped in, Nezuko would be dead.
"Goku, are you still coming with us to headquarters?" Mita asked as he walked over. He had originally seen Goku as a raw talent with "natural divine strength," but now he realized the boy was already Hashira-level. He wasn't sure if Goku still cared to join them.
"I'm going!" Goku replied without hesitation.
He had seen Shinobu's skill, and he knew there were even stronger Hashira at the base. He wanted to see them. Plus, he wanted to study the Breathing Styles of this world to see if he could integrate them with his ki. If he could create even more powerful techniques, he might actually beat Grandpa "Jackie Chun" at the next World Martial Arts Tournament.
...
Meanwhile, in the bustling city of Asakusa, Tokyo.
Dressed in the form of a beautiful geisha, Muzan Kibutsuji was currently gathering information on the Blue Spider Lily. Suddenly, his body stiffened. His face contorted into a mixture of fury and genuine alarm.
'Rui was killed? What was that... since when has the Demon Slayer Corps possessed a technique like that for hunting demons?'
As the progenitor of all demons, Muzan could read the memories and even share the vision of his subjects in real-time if he chose. If any demon betrayed him or spoke his name, he could kill them instantly through the cells in their blood.
The moment Lower Rank Five was killed, Muzan felt the connection snap. He had glimpsed a fragment of Rui's final moments.
***
Read 20 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666