Tanjuro Kamado

It had been some time since Suzuki Mufeng left the Rengoku Family. When he and Kanae Kocho set off, everyone came to see them off. He hadn't even expected Shinjuro Rengoku to show up, though his attitude remained the same; he grumbled a few insults while clutching his sake pot, then tossed over a small booklet containing his experiences with Flame Breathing.

He was a middle-aged man with a sharp tongue but a soft heart. After the exchange of a "man-to-man" brawl with Suzuki Mufeng, things had improved significantly compared to before.

At the very least, Shinjuro Rengoku would now take the initiative to offer pointers when he saw Kyojuro Rengoku practicing Flame Breathing, and he would silently help mop the floor or serve tea when he saw Senjuro Rengoku cleaning the house and doing chores, proving that he still cared deeply for the Rengoku brothers.

After learning the location of the mountain where the Kamado Family lived in seclusion from a Kasugai Crow, Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae Kocho hurried toward it without a moment's rest.

"Mr. Mufeng, tell me the truth: are you and the Master related? He agreed the moment the Kasugai Crow notified him."

"Not at all. Perhaps the Master saw something. Don't forget, the Master possesses the ability of foresight, so just rest easy and follow me."

However, Kanae Kocho's intuition told her that Suzuki Mufeng definitely knew something. Being kept in the dark like this made the young woman feel a bit sulky.

The next moment, Kanae Kocho suddenly accelerated. In the blink of an eye, Suzuki Mufeng could only see her back.

Sulking, are we? This is a perfect chance to see how big the gap is between my speed and that of a Hashira.

Suzuki Mufeng took a deep breath, Total Concentration - Thunder Breathing, and his speed surged, instantly overtaking Kanae Kocho. But she quickly caught up, and the two raced side-by-side, neither willing to yield.

At this speed, they were only a few dozen minutes away from the town at the foot of the mountain where the Kamado Family resided.

In that town, Tanjuro Kamado was carrying a basket of charcoal on his back, accompanied by his child, Tanjiro Kamado, to sell their wares.

"Tanjuro, thank you. Here is the money for the charcoal. Keep the change; buy the boy some candy."

"Thank you, Taro, for looking after my business."

"Oh, don't mention it. You've helped us with so much. Grandma Hiraya has trouble walking, and you're always there to help fetch water. And when that child of Heiro's had a fever, weren't you the one who carried him to the clinic in the next town without stopping all night?"

"Everyone keeps your kindness in their hearts. You need to take care of yourself, too; you're looking thinner by the day. Tanjiro, grow up fast so you can help your father."

Facing the man's words, nine-year-old Tanjiro Kamado straightened his back and patted his chest.

"Uncle Taro, starting tomorrow, I'll be the one going down the mountain to sell charcoal instead of Father."

"That's wonderful. Well, Tanjuro, I won't keep you any longer. Go on and sell your charcoal."

The two bid farewell to Taro and continued their work. Just as Taro had said, the Kamado Family was well-regarded in the town. Before long, all the charcoal they had prepared was sold out, though the time had already slipped into evening.

"It's time to go home, Tanjiro. Are you sure you're okay going back alone? Father has some things to take care of here."

As Tanjuro Kamado prepared to return to the mountain, he gazed into the distance, as if he had discovered something.

"It's fine, Father. I can make it back on my own. Please, go do what you need to do."

The gentle Tanjiro knew his father's health was poor, and he had always wanted to grow up to shoulder the burden for him. This was his chance to prove himself.

Watching his child walk up the mountain path with a torch, Tanjuro Kamado gripped his axe and slowly walked toward the other side of the mountain, muttering to himself.

"I will never let you harm my family."

On the other side of the mountain, a demon covered in spikes was slowly advancing. Its target was the town on the other side of the ridge.

"Those guys have claimed so much territory, and other places are guarded by Demon Slayers. I have no choice but to pick this remote little town to satisfy my hunger."

"The demon shall retreat here; this path is closed."

The haggard Tanjuro Kamado emerged from the distance, his thin frame looking as if a gust of wind could knock him over. Seeing a human who looked like a candle flame about to be extinguished dare to speak so boldly, the demon couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"This path is closed? You want to stop me alone, human? With that bag-of-bones look? For the sake of the performance you're putting on for me, I promise to let you experience the feeling of a thousand needles piercing your flesh!"

The demon puffed up like a pufferfish, and the spikes on its body protruded one by one.

The next moment, like a rain of needles, the spikes erupted from its entire body, falling from the sky in a dense, flower-like spray.

"Feel honored. Since I learned this Blood Demon Art, you are the first to experience it."

As the words left its mouth, its vision suddenly split in two. It had been cleaved from head to toe as if it were firewood!

"The demon shall rest in peace here."

"Haha, it's lucky you aren't a Demon Slayer, or I would have truly died. How could such a weapon kill me!"

As it spoke, it used both hands to force its separated body back together. The severed edges began to heal, but before long, it watched in horror as the man before it swung his axe again, cleaving it at the waist.

"Who, who exactly are you!"

Tanjuro Kamado did not speak; he simply raised his axe again. At this moment, memories that did not belong to him surged into his mind—a man like a god raising a Nichirin Sword—and he felt a terror from the depths of his soul.

"Thunder Breathing, First Form - Thunderclap and Flash!"

Boom--

After the thunderclap, the demon's head was severed, and its body began to turn to ash, dissipating into the sky.

"Mr. Tanjuro Kamado, are you alright? Your health is poor; why not wear more in this cold weather? Here, put this on."

Under Tanjuro Kamado's puzzled gaze, Suzuki Mufeng took off his haori and draped it over him. He was the one who possessed the Hinokami Kagura and the Transparent World; he absolutely could not be allowed to come to harm.

"This gentleman's health does indeed look very poor. Let me examine you first."

Kanae Kocho arrived shortly after. Seeing Tanjuro Kamado's condition, her healer's heart immediately prompted her to check on him.

Tanjuro Kamado was left bewildered by the sudden appearance of the two. "Who exactly are you two?"

"I have come for these earrings. I believe you understand."

Hearing Suzuki Mufeng's reply, Tanjuro Kamado understood everything at once.

"The two of you should come back to the mountain with me first; we can talk more slowly at my home."

The two naturally accepted the invitation. While they were heading up the mountain, the memories of the dead demon returned to the mind of Muzan Kibutsuji, who was disguised as a man in a suit.

"Sun Breathing! Yoriichi Tsugikuni, I clearly slaughtered everyone connected to Sun Breathing back then! Why has your Breathing Style been passed down regardless! Akaza!"

Upper Rank Three, Akaza, immediately appeared and knelt on one knee.

"I want you to go and kill that man's entire family on the mountain right now. Bring their heads to me. Do you understand?"

"Your subordinate will depart at once."