As It Should Be

"Thank you for your trouble."

Yoriichi stood up and bowed slightly.

"It's nothing, it's what I should do. However, I do have a favor to ask."

"?" Yoriichi looked at him in confusion.

The man said sheepishly, "I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps. I'd be grateful if you could recommend me."

Yoriichi sized up the person in front of him. He couldn't see any signs of training and couldn't help but confirm, "Are you sure? Becoming a demon slayer is very dangerous. You could be killed by a demon at any moment."

Upon hearing this, the man's face showed a determined expression, and he nodded solemnly, "I'm sure!"

"Alright, but you need to pass the trial to join the Demon Slayer Corps. I'll recommend you to the previous Flame Hashira, but we need to finish the mission first."

The man's face lit up with joy. Full of motivation, he took Yoriichi to find the person who had discovered the demon.

Iimoto lived on the outskirts of Riverview Town. By the time the two arrived, it was already dark.

Iimoto, who lived near the farmland where the demon was discovered, was very uneasy. Seeing Yoriichi in his Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he quickly invited him in.

"Three days ago, I discovered the demon in that farmland ahead. It was dark then, and I saw a very strange figure in the fields over there. I got curious and moved closer. As a result, I saw that figure hunched over a bloody, mangled corpse, gnawing on it. If I hadn't run fast, I would have almost been killed."

As he spoke, Yoriichi looked in the direction Iimoto pointed and vaguely saw a dark figure. Before he could get a good look, the figure rapidly approached.

"Get back!"

Yoriichi was startled and immediately shouted.

He could also see that the black figure flying towards them was Tsugikuni Michikatsu, who was flying backward for some reason.

With a dull thud, Michikatsu crashed heavily onto the ground.

Yoriichi rushed out of the house, shouting without looking back, "You two, run!"

The next moment, another figure charged forward. Yoriichi swiftly drew the long sword at his waist, pushed off the ground, and charged forward fiercely.

Clang—

Yoriichi blocked in front of Tsugikuni Michikatsu. The blade of his Nichirin Blade collided with a sharp claw, emitting a crisp ringing sound.

Immediately after, another claw attacked. Yoriichi exerted force, twisted his wrist, and drew a flourish with his sword, deflecting the claw while blocking the attack. Then, with even greater speed, he suddenly pushed away the claw pressing down on the blade.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu endured the discomfort in his chest and struggled to get up. He had already lost his Nichirin Blade.

Looking at Yoriichi, who was blocking in front of him, Tsugikuni Michikatsu felt both relief at having survived and a sense of unwillingness.

Why was it that the demon he couldn't even contend with was evenly matched in Yoriichi's hands?

Although unwilling, he was not arrogant. Knowing he had no weapon, he was a burden to Yoriichi. The best course of action was to escape the scene as quickly as possible.

But the next moment, what Michikatsu saw proved that Yoriichi would not be dragged down, nor would he merely be evenly matched with a single demon.

The demon's attacks were dense like rain, but Yoriichi handled them with ease, easily blocking all attacks. He even seized the opportunity to exert force on his blade, causing the demon's arms to stiffen after a severe blow. In that brief moment, Yoriichi swung his sword horizontally.

The fiery Sun Breathing brought with it scorching heat. A round sun was outlined by the swung blade, and before the demon's disbelieving eyes, a smooth cut appeared on its neck, its head flying into the air and tracing an arc.

Thump...

With a look of horror, the demon's head, eyes wide open in death, fell to the ground.

Yoriichi flicked his blade, shaking off the bloodstains, and looked back at his elder brother, "How are you?"

Saying this, he sheathed his Nichirin Blade and gestured for Michikatsu to come over, intending to carry him on his back.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu frowned, a look of disgust on his face, and took half a step back, "I don't need your help."

A hint of disappointment crossed Yoriichi's face. Tsugikuni Michikatsu glared at him fiercely, "Don't put on that expression!"

"Careful!!!"

Just as Yoriichi was about to help Michikatsu, he heard the two people who had run off shout.

The next moment, he felt a cold wind slice past. Yoriichi grabbed Michikatsu and quickly stepped to the side. A sharp claw grazed past, cutting off a few strands of black hair.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu looked at the attacking demon with lingering fear.

Wearing a gray kimono, with long black hair tied high, and wearing wooden clogs, it was clearly the demon whose head had just been cut off!

The demon chuckled playfully and looked at its claws, "Oh? You dodged?"

Looking at the demon's slightly disappointed expression, he then looked at the place where a corpse should have been, which was now empty.

Having been saved by Yoriichi twice in a row, Tsugikuni Michikatsu's expression was extremely reluctant, "Thanks."

Yoriichi was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but smile, "It's nothing."

But the demon wouldn't give the two of them time to reminisce. Attacks more ferocious than before rained down.

"You hurt me pretty badly just now~"

Yoriichi said nothing and swung his sword to defend, but to his disbelief, the demon's strength this time was terrifyingly great. Yoriichi was being pushed down.

Seeing this, Tsugikuni Michikatsu clicked his tongue inwardly, Aren't you a genius? How can you not even deal with a mere demon?

In the end, I still have to rely on him.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu turned and ran. Yoriichi caught a glimpse of Michikatsu running away out of the corner of his eye, and he simply let out a sigh of relief, focusing on the attack.

"Your brother ran away, he abandoned you."

The demon attacked, yet still had the energy to mock them.

Yoriichi's expression grew serious.

Why is he so strong?

Even Muzan isn't his match right now!

Muzan is the Demon King!

There can't be a demon stronger than the Demon King, right?

Could he be a Half-Demon?

But as far as he knew, Muzan always disdained Half-Demons; they should be very weak.

"Who are you? Demons can't be this strong!"

"Guess~"

Tsk. Yoriichi stopped wasting words. Unable to understand, he could only use all his strength to block the demon's attacks.

However, even as he barely managed to fend off the attacks, he sustained injuries from time to time. The demon possessed powerful regenerative abilities, and in a prolonged fight, he would surely be the one to die.

The demon before him clearly anticipated this. "How pathetic~"

Yoriichi's expression darkened further.

This can't go on!

Yoriichi took a deep breath, his face grim, veins bulging on the hand gripping his sword.

He swung his long blade.

Sun Breathing, Thirteenth Form!

The crimson Nichirin Blade, carrying a flame-like sun, empowered by both the Transparent World and the Scarlet Traces, Yoriichi's attack exerted immense pressure.

The demon, caught off guard by the sudden surge in power, retreated in a panic, blocking with its hands.

Its arm was gradually sliced open. The demon, whose expression had been mocking moments before, finally grew serious. But in the next instant, a blade violently slashed across its back.

Moon Breathing!

A head filled with shock heavily impacted the ground. Tsugikuni Michikatsu couldn't help but smile as he looked at Yoriichi. "Good coordination."

Yoriichi also let out a sigh of relief and smiled as he went to support his elder brother, who was almost unable to stand.

"Thank you."

"Isn't it only natural for a brother to save his younger sibling?"