Stranger from Another Land
A few days later.
The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, a mansion guarded by generations of demons, was now brightly lit. Inside and outside the building, swordsmen wearing Demon Slayer Corps haoris stood guard, encircling the entire headquarters like walls.
At this moment, a group of people walked through the long corridors of the houses, advancing step by step.
The leader was Giyu Tomioka.
His expression remained calm and composed, like a block of ice that would never melt, as he held his Nichirin Blade, his haori swaying gently in the night breeze.
Following behind him was a group of people including Kakashi, Guy, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Inosuke, who had been quietly Shinobu Kocho at the back.
"We've arrived." Giyu's tone was concise, but it lacked some of his usual coldness. "Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters."
"This... is headquarters?" Zenitsu hugged Tanjiro tightly. "I... I'm too scared to even speak loudly."
Giyu said softly, "The Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps are all inside."
Zenitsu and quickly hid behind Tanjiro, saying, "I... I'm sorry."
At this moment, a group of people dressed in different haori, with sharp and composed expressions, appeared inside the house, on the roof, or beside the house.
The Demon Slayer Corps' most powerful fighting force—the Pillars—are all present.
The crows had already delivered the message to everyone.
Among them was Sanemi Shinazugawa, arms crossed, sneering, "Stranger? Demon? Giyu, haven't you broken the team rules?"
"If it's a ghost, it deserves to die."
Kyojuro Rengoku said passionately, "As a Pillar, how could you secretly protect a demon... Shouldn't you be punished according to the team rules?"
Muichiro Tokito, clutching his Nichirin Blade, stared blankly. "It's so noisy... Can you be quiet for a bit?"
After saying that, he seemed a little confused, "Didn't we just talk about ghosts?"
Completely out of the loop.
Mitsuri Kanroji clenched her fists nervously. "Are... demons... different?"
Her tone was gentle, yet tinged with hesitation, "Is it... possible to trust me?"
Towards the end, her ears turned slightly red. "But... isn't saying this a bit... against the rules?"
Obanai Iguro said coldly, "Kanroji, stop talking such naive nonsense."
He surveyed the room with an unusual, sharp gaze. "A ghost is a ghost... there should be no exceptions."
Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together, shedding deep tears. "The world is full of suffering... even ghosts are lost links in it... but... law and order must not be destroyed."
The lights inside flickered gently in the night breeze, casting different shadows on each tense and solemn face.
"This has always been the case with Giyu."
Youzhu said coldly, "Always likes to speak up for others."
"And this time... he actually spoke up for a ghost."
Shinobu Kocho, who had been quietly following at the end, uttered these words in a soft voice, making the atmosphere in the room even more tense.
Giyu remained silent, merely nodding slightly.
At this moment, Tanjiro begins to explain everything that he and his sister have experienced.
However, the pillars exchanged cold glances, not believing it.
A ghost is a ghost, no matter what.
The flames inside flickered gently in the night breeze, their Kakkō illuminating every tense and solemn face, making the atmosphere even more somber.
"Our lord has arrived!!"
A maidservant announced in a clear, melodious voice.
A moment later, a figure slowly entered from outside, accompanied by two maids who whispered in his ear.
The figure was covered in wounds as if it had been burned, with deep marks left on its pale skin.
"My lord."
All the pillars knelt on one knee, bowed in respect, and spoke with reverence and respect.
Kakashi and Guy looked at the weak yet still calm and composed man, a hint of doubt in their eyes.
Seeing everyone around him kneeling down, Kai was momentarily at a loss—kneeling was absolutely out of the question, because at this moment, the only person he was loyal to was Uchiha Yoru.
He hesitated for a moment before turning his gaze to Kakashi beside him.
Kakashi, however, remained calm and composed, standing upright as always, without uttering a single word.
When Kagaya Ubuyashiki heard the maid softly report Kakashi and Guy's actions, a gentle and comforting smile spread across his pale, soft face. "Welcome, guests who have traveled from afar."
His tone was gentle, soothing like a spring breeze, "I'm sorry to have you visit the Demon Slayer Corps at such a tense time."
Please make yourself at home... no need to stand on ceremony.
Tanjiro gazed at his master, a question lingering in his mind, "Is this... the Demon Slayer Corps' master? It seems... he's seriously ill."
The next second, with a "bang," a large hand pressed down on Tanjiro's head, while another hand steadily picked up the box behind him.
May you always be healthy and well.
Shinazugawa's tone had lost its previous sharpness. "However, my lord, if I may be so bold..."
"Hopefully, we can conduct a thorough investigation of this Demon Slayer Corps member and this demon next."
"I'm sorry to have startled you," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently, "But... Tanjiro and Nezuko are people I approve of."
Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment, and the pillars were all stunned.
"Another pointless excuse?" Kakashi, who had been lost in thought with his arms crossed, said softly. "It seems... sometimes words alone cannot express the truth."
Kai scratched his head, "Is something wrong somewhere?"
"My lord, I don't understand."
Shinazugawa's tone was agitated. "Our Demon Slayer Corps has always fought demons with the belief that we must die... So many comrades have sacrificed themselves for this... And you say... you can trust a demon?"
He took a deep breath, released Tanjiro, picked up the box, and shouted, "I'm sorry, but I don't agree with your point of view."
Having said that, he drew his Nichirin Blade with a "whoosh" and cleanly slashed his own arm, blood gushing out and dripping into the box.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?" Kakashi and the others from Kanroji Temple exclaimed in surprise at the same time.
Kai asked doubtfully, "Isn't this person a little... unreasonable?"
"My lord, I will let the facts speak for themselves."
Shinazugawa's tone was cold, "Demons... cannot suppress their thirst for blood."
As she finished speaking, the smell of blood filled the room. Nezuko, who was fast asleep, slowly stirred. She opened her eyes, but did not leave the wooden box.
"Stop!!" Tanjiro cried out in panic, "Please... believe... believe in my sister."
Giyu pressed down on Tanjiro's trembling shoulder. "Calm down... This is the most direct... proof of whether your claim is true."
Tension and a bloody atmosphere filled the room. Snake Pillar spoke up at the opportune moment, "Take it to the shadows... Ghosts won't come out if they're bathed in sunlight."
"My lord, I have been rude."
Shinazugawa picked up the box and stepped into the shadows of the room, letting the smell of blood permeate the air. "Let us witness the truth."
"Are ghosts... purely evil... completely devoid of humanity?"
"Let's eat, I know you're hungry."
Shinazugawa gripped his Nichirin Blade and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Stop!!"
Despair welled up in Tanjiro's eyes. "Please... believe... believe in my sister."
He forcefully broke free from Giyu's grasp and charged towards the Shinazugawa.
Just as the Serpent Pillar was about to make his move, "whoosh"—a figure flew out like an arrow released from a bow.
Yes... Kai.
With a clean and swift side kick, he sent the snake pillar flying with a loud "bang!" It crashed through several house walls and landed with a "thud" in the courtyard.
The room fell silent.
"Testing is fine, but we must not humiliate our trusted teammates!"
"Tanjiro."
Kakashi, who had remained silent until now, slowly said, "Trust your sister."
His tone carried a rare touch of solemnity. "Trust your family, trust everything you've always held onto."
"Because... some things are hard to explain... but bonds can."
The fire inside flickered gently, illuminating every tense and bewildered face.