Humans and demons

"Understood." Giyu, Shinobu, and Chiba Yo answered, then left the estate and set off for Mount Natagumo.

The other Hashira also began training to turn their Nichirin Blades into Bright Red Nichirin Blades.

None of the three spoke much along the way. Chiba Yo had thought his relationship with Giyu had made considerable progress, but now he realized he still found it difficult to talk to him. He only exchanged a few words with Shinobu Kocho.

Chiba Yo also discovered that Shinobu Kocho was quite outgoing. Even with someone as aloof as Giyu, she kept trying to strike up a conversation, just as she was doing now.

"It would be wonderful if humans and demons could live together in harmony. What do you think, Mr. Tomioka?" Shinobu Kocho asked Giyu.

This was what her late older sister had always wished for. After her sister died, Shinobu Kocho had begun to model herself after her.

But it was all a facade. Despite what she said, her hatred of demons was no less intense than Sanemi's or Obanai's.

Giyu remained expressionless and replied calmly, "It won't work. Not as long as demons still eat people."

"What do you think, Yo-chan?" After Giyu rejected the idea without hesitation, Shinobu Kocho turned the question to Chiba Yo.

"I agree with Mr. Tomioka. As long as demons still eat people, humans and demons can't live together in harmony. They may have been human once, but the moment they became demons and ate someone, they committed an unforgivable sin. Only killing them can bring peace to the souls of those who died at their hands," Chiba Yo answered.

"Ah, that's a shame. But do you mean demons who haven't eaten anyone can still be forgiven, Yo-chan?" Shinobu Kocho asked after hearing his answer.

The question stumped Chiba Yo for a moment. He had never considered the possibility of demons who didn't eat people. Every demon he had encountered so far had eaten humans, even setting aside the vicious ones who not only ate people but delighted in torturing them to death.

Even newly turned demons ate people. After all, they were extremely weak when they first transformed and desperately needed human flesh to recover. They wouldn't spare even their own blood relatives, who were even more tempting to them.

After thinking for a while, Chiba Yo gave Shinobu Kocho his answer.

"If there really is a demon who doesn't eat people, I think we could let them live under supervision and try to find a way to turn them back into a human.

If we can't find one, then, provided they never eat anyone, I think we should kill them when they reach the age at which they would have died naturally as a human," Chiba Yo said.

In the past, Chiba Yo might not have given it so much thought. He would simply have killed them.

But after meeting Tanjiro and going through his first mission, his views had changed. Even if someone became a demon, they were still deeply loved by others. The ones who suffered most when something like this happened were those who loved them.

If they had eaten someone, there was nothing more to discuss. But if they hadn't, Chiba Yo felt there could still be an option other than killing them.

After hearing Chiba Yo's words, both Giyu and Shinobu Kocho seemed lost in thought.

Chiba Yo continued to explain, "Eternal life goes against the very laws of this world. It shouldn't exist.

And if a demon doesn't eat people, that probably means they still retain a human mind. In that case, eternal life would already be a curse to them. As their friends and family pass away one after another, how long could what remains of their humanity last?"

After listening to Chiba Yo, Shinobu Kocho and Giyu felt a newfound respect for him. Neither had considered these deeper implications.

"I never imagined you'd think so deeply about it, Yo-chan. It sounds like your suggestion really would be the best approach. What do you think, Mr. Tomioka?" Shinobu Kocho said with a smile, expressing her agreement with Chiba Yo while asking Giyu as well.

"Yes." Giyu gave no further response.

After that, they said nothing more.

Soon, the three arrived at Mount Natagumo. Shrouded in darkness, the entire mountain looked sinister and eerie, and faint screams could be heard from within.

"Why don't we split up?" Chiba Yo suggested to Giyu and Shinobu Kocho.

With such a large mountain to cover, staying together would certainly slow their progress.

Giyu and Shinobu Kocho nodded, and the three entered the mountain separately.

Chiba Yo hurried toward the center of the mountain through the dark forest.

Suddenly, a thunderclap rang out. Chiba Yo looked up in the direction it had come from.

A yellow-haired figure blotted out the moon in the sky, his right hand gripping the hilt of his Nichirin Blade. It was unclear whether he was sheathing it or preparing to draw. Beside him, a demon's severed head also flew high into the air, before both began to fall.

"Zenitsu?" Chiba Yo thought the figure looked like Zenitsu. Worried, he changed direction and ran toward him.

On the roof of a house suspended in midair, the poisoned Zenitsu lay on his back, staring at the sky. At that moment, the moon looked unusually clear to him.

Thoughts gradually surfaced in his mind, one after another.

I think I had a dream... It was a happy dream...

I was so strong... Stronger than anyone...

I could help the weak and anyone in trouble...

Zenitsu recalled the scenes from his dream. Jigoro Kuwajima's figure appeared in his mind, along with memories of the lessons his grandpa had taught him.

No matter what... The things Grandpa taught me, and all the time he spent on me... None of it was wasted...

"Zenitsu!"

As Zenitsu's mind wandered, a figure dressed in white landed on the roof and called out to him.

Who is it... That voice sounds so familiar...

His wandering thoughts interrupted, Zenitsu found the voice beside him terribly familiar. But his body could no longer move. He couldn't even turn his head.

"Zenitsu! Hang in there! I'll take you to a doctor!" Chiba Yo shouted, hoping to keep him conscious as he carefully lifted Zenitsu into his arms.

Zenitsu was the first close friend Chiba Yo had made after joining the Demon Slayer Corps, and he meant a great deal to him.

Then Zenitsu saw who had come.

It's Yo... Am I dreaming now, too... It couldn't be such a coincidence... I guess... I can't go on...

Zenitsu's consciousness gradually faded, and his eyes closed.

"Don't give up, Zenitsu!"

"Don't give up!"

Two voices rang out beside Zenitsu's ears at the same time. His eyes opened again, tears spilling from them.

Grandpa...

As he was jostled along, Zenitsu remembered Grandpa Kuwajima's teachings. Slowly, he began using his Breathing Style to slow the spread of the poison.

Seeing this, Chiba Yo felt a little more relieved as he carried Zenitsu.

His Breathing Style should help him hold on a little longer. Now it all depends on whether Shinobu can save him.

Chiba Yo ran in the direction Shinobu Kocho had taken. He regretted suggesting they split up, but fortunately, they hadn't been apart for long. He soon found Shinobu Kocho, who was still making her way through the forest.

"Shinobu, sorry for the trouble, but please help me save him!"

Chiba Yo rushed up beside Shinobu Kocho and pleaded with her.