Flame Hashira

Kyoto.

A highly modernized city, and also a major industrial center.

As night falls, the streetlights illuminate one by one, casting a soft yet cold glow on the pale pavement.

Because of the butterfly effect, the plot of "Mugen Train" was brought forward.

The Demon Slayer Corps headquarters quickly received the message, and Tanjiro and his two companions responded swiftly to the mission.

After rigorous training, Tanjiro's originally thin body underwent a significant transformation, with his muscles becoming more toned and powerful.

Given enough time, they might all develop the physique to be the "strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps".

Recalling what Guy had said during training, Tanjiro's heart was filled with determination.

"You are the most talented one among them."

"No matter how hard the training is, it cannot be separated from real combat."

True strength is honed through battle.

Kakashi and Guy did not stay with the three of them the whole time.

Because the major plan to strengthen the Demon Slayer Corps using the Eight Gates Formation needs to be advanced, they also have their own missions to complete.

After arriving at the Train, the three boarded the train.

"Passengers missing?"

"This must be the work of a devil."

Inosuke clenched his fist, carefully examining each of the surrounding carriages. "It's certain."

"Tasty!"

Suddenly, a hearty and powerful voice rang in his ears, and Zenitsu's heart tightened.

"There's trouble ahead."

He said solemnly that after undergoing training in the Eight Gates Formation, the three of them had greatly increased their confidence.

Moreover, they discovered that during training, the Eight Gates and breathing techniques could be highly integrated and complement each other, resulting in a qualitative improvement in overall combat effectiveness.

"Is it a human or a ghost?" Inosuke couldn't contain himself any longer. "Explain yourself!"

It must be a person.

Tanjiro said softly, his nose twitching slightly, "There's a human scent."

"A person?" Inosuke, somewhat unconvinced. "Does your nose sometimes malfunction?"

"No." Tanjiro's expression was firm. "This aura is very pure... and... it has a fiery and resolute quality."

"Flames?" Zenitsu hugged his shoulders. "Is it will-o'-the-wisp?"

"No," Tanjiro said softly, "He's a person. And... a very powerful person."

The three exchanged a glance. As the Train moved forward, a sense of oppression spread from near to far, causing the lights in each carriage to flicker slightly, as if a crimson dragon were passing through them.

"It seems... there's someone... right in front of us." Inosuke gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly. "Should we... have a fight?"

"Inosuke, calm down." Tanjiro's tone was unusually calm. "We're partners... we shouldn't be reckless."

The Train turned gently, the lights flickering on and off. As the three slowly made their way to the front carriage, a large figure appeared in the lamplight.

Her crimson haori swayed gently with the train's jolts, her long, fiery hair danced in the night wind, and her golden-red eyes gazed at the three with unwavering determination, like flames burning within them.

"So... you're the new recruits of the Demon Slayer Corps?"

The speaker's voice was booming and penetrating, "Indeed, there are marks left by the war on your body."

"Brother Purgatory?" Tanjiro said softly, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Inosuke gripped his Nichirin Blade. "Pillar?"

Zenitsu hid behind Inosuke, "Flame... Flame Pillar Lord?"

Hello.

Kyojuro Rengoku put down his bento box and slowly rose from his seat, his large haori swaying gently with his movement.

"Lord Flame Pillar's voice is so loud."

Zenitsu couldn't help but think to himself, "What do you mean?"

Kyojuro, just like in the original story, discusses Hinokami Kagura, with Tanjiro.

After receiving a negative reply from Kyojuro, Tanjiro lowered his head in disappointment.

Moreover, for some reason, Kyojuro seemed to take the matter of adopting a son very seriously.

"By the way, about the train disappearance case," Tanjiro composed himself, "Does the Flame Hashira have any leads?"

"Yes," Kyojuro said calmly, "More than 40 people have mysteriously disappeared in a short period of time. I sent members of the Demon Slayer Corps to investigate... but none of them have returned."

At this point, Kyojuro's eyes darkened. "So, I came in person."

In fact, Kyojuro had just killed a demon at the repair shop before boarding the Train, so it seems this Train really does have a big problem.

As the group was speaking, a pale-faced train attendant slowly pushed open the carriage door. "Tickets... check tickets."

The ticket inspector began checking tickets, and after everyone's tickets had been checked, Tanjiro and Kyojuro sensed the presence of a demon.

A flash of light appeared, and a hideous ghost, resembling the Kinkaku King, appeared before the crowd.

The next moment, it charged towards the crowd!

"There really is something fishy going on."

Kyojuro's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "Flame Breathing - First Form - Unknowing Fire!"

"Pfft-"

A flash of sword light, like a flame, streaked past, and the ghost was beheaded on the spot before it could even scream.

Seeing the Flame Pillar sever the head of King Kinkaku with a single strike, Tanjiro and the others exclaimed in admiration.

"But... this is only one of them."

Kyojuro said softly, "We... we should go after them."

As he turned, his fiery haori swayed slightly, and an invisible fighting spirit made everyone in the carriage tense.

"Keep up."

"Yes." Tanjiro and the other two answered in unison, gripping their Nichirin Blade and following closely behind the Flame Pillar.

The lights inside the Train flickered on and off with the swaying of the train. Kyojuro strode forward, with Tanjiro and the other two following closely behind.

Suddenly, a ghost pounced out of the shadows, its blood-red maw wide open, its sharp claws aimed straight for the vital points of the group.

Just as Kyojuro was about to draw his sword, a figure rushed out before him.

"Eight Gates Formation - Open!"

Inosuke roared, his meridians erupted like fire, and a wild and domineering aura surged from his body.

"What is this?" Kyojuro was taken aback, then a look of understanding flashed in his eyes. "Is this a new battle technique taught by the Void Hashira and the Ember Hashira?"

Inside the Train, Inosuke's movements suddenly quickened, almost turning into a blurry shadow, "Beast Breathing - Spatial Piercing Slash."

As the sharp twin blades danced at high speed, a destructive gust of air burst forth from the blades, easily slicing the ghost's body to pieces with a "whoosh."

The ghost didn't even have time to scream before it vanished into thin air.

"Well done!"

Kyojuro praised loudly.

"Take one down," Inosuke whispered. "How many are left?"

"Quite a few." Kyojuro gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly. "On the Train ...every single carriage is filled with demons."

"Let's go all out and wipe them out completely."

The flame-like haori swayed slightly as Kyojuro turned around, and an invisible fighting spirit made everyone in the carriage tense.

"Keep up."

"Yes." Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke answered in unison, gripping their Nichirin Blade and once again following the Flame Pillar deeper into the Train.

The Train pierced through the night like a crimson dragon soaring through the sky.