Chapter 7 — Conflict
"But... I'm very sorry. I arrived too late and wasn't able to help."
Ken still felt deeply guilty for failing to save Tanjiro's family. After all, Tanjiro had once saved his life, preventing him from starving to death.
You could say he still owed Tanjiro a life!
"It's okay. This isn't your fault! I'm already grateful that you rushed over!" Tanjiro bowed in thanks.
Giyu Tomioka listened quietly from the side. By the end, the last doubt in his heart had finally disappeared.
"I see."
The reason Ken appeared here must have been because he was worried Tanjiro might encounter a demon, so he ran all the way up the mountain from below.
But with such a long mountain path, by the time Ken arrived, the battle had already ended—and he himself had collapsed from exhaustion.
Aside from that unknown, powerful swordsman, Giyu felt he had already figured out the entire sequence of events.
"By the way, Tanjiro, can you describe what Kibutsuji Muzan looked like?"
When mentioning the name "Kibutsuji Muzan," Giyu deliberately emphasized it.
In truth, he wasn't certain whether the demon who attacked Tanjiro's family was truly the Progenitor Demon, the Demon King—Kibutsuji Muzan.
Although demons did not think like humans, the fact that the Progenitor Demon himself would suddenly attack an ordinary family living in the mountains inevitably raised suspicion about his true intentions.
"No problem."
Tanjiro then described the clothing and appearance of Kibutsuji Muzan as he had seen him.
Giyu said nothing, merely committing the information to memory. He planned to have his Kasugai Crow deliver all the details back to the Ubuyashiki residence and report to the Master.
After all, he himself did not know what Kibutsuji Muzan looked like—or rather, the entire Demon Slayer Corps did not know.
But he believed their Master would be able to recognize Kibutsuji Muzan.
What they did not know, however, was that Kibutsuji Muzan possessed the ability of perfect mimicry.
It was a terrifying power that allowed him to freely alter his appearance, gender, scent… anything visible to the naked eye could be completely changed.
Worthy of being called a lifeform infinitely close to perfection! The last one who called himself the "Ultimate Lifeform" could also transform at will—though he was still up in the sky and hadn't come down yet…
"I already understand the general course of events. Let me explain the Demon Slayer Corps and demons to you. Once you hear this, you'll understand."
"The Demon Slayer Corps is an organization of swordsmen dedicated to exterminating demons. Our ultimate goal is to slay the Progenitor Demon: Kibutsuji Muzan."
"Demons are powerful monsters that feed on humans. They were once human themselves, but after Kibutsuji Muzan's blood entered their bodies and assimilated them, they became demons that devour people."
"Once a person becomes a demon, they lose all the emotions and rationality that define humanity. They are no longer human—they are monsters that feed on humans."
"Unfortunately, your sister has very likely been contaminated by Kibutsuji Muzan's blood. If she turns into a demon... I will personally behead her."
When he said this, there was not the slightest trace of pity in Giyu's eyes.
Tanjiro's family had indeed suffered a tragic fate—but over the years, Giyu had witnessed far too many tragedies caused by demons.
To ensure that no demon ever had the chance to harm anyone again, he would slay every demon he encountered—including Tanjiro's sister.
"N-No! She won't! Nezuko wasn't contaminated with demon blood—she won't turn into a demon!" Tanjiro trembled violently, panic filling his voice.
"Whether she turns into a demon or not isn't for you to decide. Just watch," Giyu said coldly.
At times like this, Giyu would rather play the villain than allow Tanjiro to cling to false hope—because there was no room for hope.
Every tragic reality he had witnessed told him the same thing: demons were monsters. Human-eating monsters. They could never again be regarded as human.
"No! No! No! Nezuko is kind! She would never hurt anyone, she—"
Before Tanjiro could finish explaining, the tightly bound Nezuko suddenly reacted.
Her eyes snapped open. Her pupils turned into pale pink rings within rings. Opening her mouth, she lunged to bite Giyu's leg—only to be swiftly blocked by the sheath of his sword.
Nezuko clamped down on the scabbard, her four fangs prominently visible as she emitted a beast-like growl.
"Do you see that? And you still think she's your sister?" Giyu demanded coldly.
"No! No! No! Nezuko isn't a demon! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" Tanjiro clutched his head and screamed in anguish.
Seeing Tanjiro on the verge of collapse, Giyu shook his head and drew his blade.
"If she's already become a demon, then let me end her—"
As he spoke, Giyu swung his sword straight toward Nezuko's neck.
But someone was even faster.
"Nezuko!!!"
Clang!
The sharp sound of metal colliding rang through the house.
Giyu looked at Tanjiro, who had thrown himself over Nezuko to shield her, and at Ken, who had drawn his blade to block the strike. A surge of anger rose in his chest.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Giyu's voice had never been so cold, his face like ice.
"Hey, hey, Giyu—give the siblings a little time. No need to rush into it," Ken said with a smile, though inwardly he was cursing.
Damn it, why isn't the Water Hashira holding back? What the hell—he's so strong! My hands are going numb!
"What do you mean?" Giyu pointed his blade at Ken.
"I think Nezuko is special. After all, she's the only one here who was contaminated by Kibutsuji Muzan's blood and survived."
Giyu frowned. "I don't agree with your reasoning. Move aside immediately!"
"Tanjiro! Hurry and bring Nezuko back to her senses—no matter what it takes! Otherwise, I won't be able to protect you!"
With a kick, Ken sent the tumbling pair of Tanjiro and Nezuko rolling into the kitchen, then raised his sword to block Giyu's path.
With just a glance at Ken's grip and stance, Giyu could tell he had only learned the Breathing Technique and not the corresponding swordsmanship.
"An amateur."
A swift and powerful vertical slash came down from above. Ken barely managed to raise his blade horizontally with both hands to block.
His palms went numb; his grip nearly gave out.
Before he could even react, a dark blur struck straight at his wide-open chest.
Bang!!!
A tremendous force slammed into him, and Ken was sent flying by Giyu's kick.
Just as Giyu stepped toward the kitchen, Ken staggered back to his feet.
"I said… give them some time…"
Giyu ignored him—but the moment he stepped into the kitchen, his foot suddenly froze in place.
"Encompassing all creation…"
A low murmur echoed through the room, accompanied by a sharply rising temperature.
A flicker of flame ignited behind Giyu.
At the same time—
A deadly sense of danger surfaced in Giyu's heart…