I have a reason I cannot lose!

"Little brother, do you know what you're doing?"

Shinobu Kocho's smile looked very gentle, but her voice was so calm it sent chills through him.

"I know. I've always known. But Nezuko has never eaten anyone, and she won't eat anyone in the future. She's been trying so hard..."

"No one can guarantee that."

Tanjiro's gaze was as firm as steel. He raised his broken blade, took a deep breath, and said:

"I know. But I don't want to explain anymore, because all this time, I've always craved other people's approval and enjoyed their help.

"But now, so many people believe in me and Nezuko. Master Urokodaki, Mr. Giyu, Big Brother You... they're all risking their lives to shelter us.

"I'm the only one. I'm the only one who hasn't put his life on the line.

"Ah, I'm so sorry... everyone.

"So I have a reason I cannot lose!"

He gripped his Nichirin Blade tightly in both hands. The trembling broken blade seemed to bear an immense weight before finally steadying.

On Tanjiro's broad forehead, the prominent scar instantly blazed to life, turning into a crimson Demon Slayer Mark.

Standing opposite him, Shinobu Kocho watched his imposing display with an unreadable expression and asked softly, "Are you saying that you and your sister have met Mr. You?"

"Huh? Yes!"

Honest Tanjiro couldn't lie.

"I see..." Shinobu Kocho pondered for several seconds, then slowly slid her Nichirin Blade back into the sheath at her waist.

Huh? We're not fighting anymore?

Tanjiro, who had just been burning with fighting spirit, stared blankly, unsure what to do now.

"If even he trusts you, perhaps there really is some truth to what you're saying, little brother."

Shinobu Kocho gave a faint, breathtakingly beautiful smile.

"Um, to be precise, Mr. Giyu was going to execute Nezuko at first, but Big Brother You protected us. We're very grateful to him!"

Tanjiro spoke, then breathed heavily.

As his body relaxed, his newly elevated temperature began to drop rapidly, and the injuries from his earlier fierce battle seemed to flare up all at once.

Shinobu Kocho blinked her purple eyes.

"Little brother, you'd better focus on regulating your breathing now. Your injuries are very serious."

"Yes! But I have to find Nezuko. She might run into other swordsmen..."

"Don't worry. She hasn't actually gone far. She's been lingering nearby. It looks like she really wants to protect you."

Shinobu Kocho's senses were very keen. She could see a pink figure darting through the bushes.

"Nezuko..."

Tears glimmered in Tanjiro's eyes. Of course, how could Nezuko ever be willing to let him face danger alone?

"Dawn will be here soon. It would be better to have him return to the box."

"Yes! Thank you!"

Tanjiro bowed politely in thanks, then fell headfirst to the ground, sending dust drifting into the air.

Nezuko circled anxiously beside him.

"Oh my, what a poor little thing. Ah, I never thought something like this would happen.

"Could this be your doing... You? You've been gone for over a year. Just what are you trying to do?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and a thoughtful look crossed Shinobu Kocho's delicate face.

Elsewhere, a Kasugai Crow swept across the night sky, shouting, "Oyakata-sama's orders! Bring Tanjiro and Nezuko safely back to headquarters! Oyakata-sama's orders! Bring Tanjiro and Nezuko safely back to headquarters!"

The Water and Wind Hashira, still locked in fierce combat, clashed again!

Dust flew as they separated, both panting lightly.

"You're pretty strong, aren't you?"

The Wind Hashira sneered, his praise grudging.

"Mm."

Giyu Tomioka sheathed his sword, his expression placid, making Shinazugawa's temper flare again.

This guy! I was clearly the one with the upper hand just now!

Yet he's acting like he won. It's infuriating.

The two walked side by side as though nothing had happened.

Half a day later, the sun was high.

Tanjiro woke in a haze. Alarm jolted through him, and he instinctively tried to locate Nezuko.

Fortunately, the box containing Nezuko was right beside him, and he could hear her humming and murmuring inside to let him know she was safe.

"Thank goodness. We're both all right."

Weak all over, Tanjiro let out a breath of relief.

A Kakushi suddenly appeared beside him. It was Goto, whom Lu You knew very well, and he was giving Tanjiro a flat stare.

"Tanjiro Kamado, the boy traveling with a demon. If you're awake, bring your sister and follow me to see Oyakata-sama. They're waiting for you."

Oyakata-sama is waiting for me?

Come to think of it, who is Oyakata-sama...?

Tanjiro tilted his head in confusion, but, ever obedient, he immediately got up. Goto readily shouldered the box and led the way.

The route wasn't particularly long, just somewhat winding. Halfway there, a Kakushi came specifically to carry Tanjiro on his back.

He was an injured patient, after all.

This treatment was far better than in the original story.

Tanjiro himself realized this too, but he also knew the reason. It had to be because of Lu You. Otherwise, there was no telling whether he would even have been brought to headquarters in one piece last night.

"Even if Nezuko doesn't eat people, is it still hard for the Demon Slayer Corps to accept someone traveling with a demon?"

He felt a little hurt.

But that was only natural, he thought next. Most Demon Slayers bore deep blood feuds and harbored a hatred of demons that was difficult to dispel.

Accepting them was a kindness; refusing was their right. He could only try harder himself.

In his letters, Lu You often told him to work hard at becoming a Try-Harder Knight.

Though he didn't know what that meant, since Big Brother You had said it, there had to be some deeper meaning!

Soon, a simple, elegant residence came into view. Several figures were kneeling in the courtyard, each giving off a distinctive presence.

Powerful, and... familiar.

Among them were people Tanjiro knew, such as Giyu Tomioka, the beautiful young woman he had met last night, and the fierce-looking white-haired man.

The Kakushi set down both Tanjiro and Nezuko, then respectfully took their leave.

"Tanjiro Kamado, my child, come here."

The young man seated in the place of honor exuded gentleness. His soft voice unconsciously stirred an urge to obey deep within Tanjiro.

"Ah, yes!"

Tanjiro picked up the box and entered the courtyard, coming before the Hashira, then stood there at a loss.

"Don't be nervous. Sit down."

"Yes!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki quietly watched Tanjiro with his eyes marked by Purple Markings, as though pondering something.

Under the stares of so many Hashira-level swordsmen, sweat couldn't help forming on Tanjiro's forehead. He sat stiffly upright, as if on pins and needles.

"This is the core of the plan Lu You mentioned? I don't see anything special about him."

"But that's a Demon Slayer Mark on this boy's forehead, isn't it? Hahaha, truly remarkable."

The Wind Hashira snorted coldly, while the Flame Hashira was generous with his praise.

"Tanjiro, do you know what makes you special?" Ubuyashiki asked with a smile.

"Is it... because of Nezuko? She can overcome the urge to eat people and won't harm humans."

"There's more to it than that. Your sister is indeed crucial, but you are no less important. Tanjiro, you are the Sun Breathing Successor, inheritor of the legendary first Breathing Style."

At those words, the Hashira looked startled, then visibly grew serious as they scrutinized Tanjiro.

Faced with their eager gazes, Tanjiro grew even more restless.

Big Brother You, save me!

Meanwhile, in Tokyo.

Lu You's eyelid twitched.

Who's calling me? Never mind. Business first.

He was sitting before a sweat-drenched Tamayo, smiling. "Miss Tamayo, your ability to hide really is impressive. It took me some time to find you."

Crystal beads of sweat seeped from Tamayo's forehead. She could sense that the man before her was very strong...

A Hashira from the Demon Slayer Corps?

No, even stronger. Just like those Upper Ranks he had seen before.

"A Hashira from the Demon Slayer Corps. What do you want with me? To kill me...?"

"No, I'd like to invite you somewhere."

"What... place?"

"An alternate space. The Infinity Castle."

Tamayo: ??? What is this guy talking about?