Chapter 84: Tanjuro Entrusts His Family x Illumi Awakens Ren
Years ago, Yoriichi Tsugikuni once told the Kamado family ancestor, Sumiyoshi: "All those who reach the pinnacle arrive at the same place. Even if times change and everyone's experiences differ, they ultimately reach the same destination."
In the original story, ten days before his death, Tanjuro took Tanjiro and Nezuko up the mountain to hunt a bear. Even with his end near, he was still able to effortlessly slay a massive bear without emitting any killing intent, severing its tree-trunk-thick neck as easily as breathing. At that time, Tanjuro told Tanjiro, "It's a domain."
What domain? "When all stray thoughts are emptied from the mind, a transparent world appears before your eyes." Thus, it was defined as—the Transparent World!
Roy raised an eyebrow, unsurprised that his father had seen through him. Just like how the Demon Slayer Mark could spread—once one person awakened it, others would resonate and awaken it too—when Tanjuro danced while within the Transparent World, his perception and insight would be greatly enhanced. It would have been strange if he hadn't noticed anything amiss.
"That wasn't the Transparent World," Roy said, sitting down cross-legged. He took the hot tea Tanjuro offered and took a sip. "I am different from you, Father. Just as you are different from Grandfather, and Grandfather was different from our ancestors. Each generation of Kamado understands the Hinokami Kagura differently." Just as the sun has countless facets—a warm glow in winter, a scorching blaze in summer—it can parch the earth and cause drought, yet it can also nurture all living things, bringing forth vibrant life.
Tanjuro poured himself a cup of tea, warming his hands around it. He mulled over Roy's words, then looked at him with pleased eyes. "These few months away have indeed broadened your horizons."
"You're right. People are different. One cannot judge another's life based solely on their own experiences."
"Unfortunately, Eiichiro... the time left for you is short." Tanjuro held up three fingers. "Three years at most. You must have felt it just now. This body of mine will reach its limit." The man spoke of it as if it were the most normal thing in the world, smiling without a care. "When that time comes, I entrust this family to you."
"I refuse," the boy answered instantly, without a second thought. He drained the tea his father offered, stood up decisively, and went back inside to sleep. Only one sentence lingered behind, carried by the wind and snow, warmed by the hearth, reaching Tanjuro's ears—"Three years isn't enough for you, Father. But for me, three years is more than enough."
The boy left abruptly, almost harshly. Tanjuro quietly watched Roy brave the snowstorm and close the door. His heart felt both happy and pained, ultimately settling into a long silence.
"Juro, perhaps the child truly has a way..." Kie, having just put Hanako to sleep, peeked out. "Why not trust him this once?"
Tanjuro gave a bitter smile. This had nothing to do with trust. "He's stubborn. Always has been, ever since he was little. Even if you tell him, he'll do things his own way, according to his own ideas." As for stopping him? With his frail body, he couldn't stop him even if he wanted to. Tanjuro suddenly recalled the two divine flames flickering in the boy's eyes earlier, like two rising suns.
Whine... The wind and snow extinguished the last lamp in the Kamado house... but they couldn't extinguish a single lamp in the Zoldyck estate, because they were electric.
Kukuroo Mountain.
While Roy, through deep sleep, remained immersed in the world of Demon Slayer, back in the parallel timeline of the Hunter world...
Ever since Illumi received Silva's notebook from Roy, he had locked himself in his bedroom, staying awake night after night.
He sat at his desk, staring blankly at his reflection in the mirror. The notebook lay open on the desk, turned to the page detailing all the knowledge and training experiences related to Ren. The section on "asking the heart" was circled in red pen. The key explanation read: "To learn Ren, one must first question their own heart, delve deep into their desires, and determine what they truly want most. Then, using that desire as a blueprint, cultivate their Ren. This is the path best suited for oneself."
So, Illumi had been constantly thinking, 'What is my heart?'
'What is the deepest desire within me?'
'And what if... it's not a thing?'
Two days and two nights passed in this state. From initial confusion, a glimmer of light finally appeared in his vacant eyes, solidifying into a determined path. At 3:30 AM, Illumi finally opened a drawer, took out the first-aid kit he always kept ready for missions, opened it, and pulled out a suturing needle. Coating it with Nen, he looked in the mirror, took aim, and plunged it in. Then... one needle wasn't enough. Two. Two weren't enough. Three... After a dozen needles, a handsome face appeared in the mirror.
It had a strong jawline, a high nose bridge, and sword-like eyebrows that curved slightly at the ends—heroic yet gentle. It was... a perfect replica of Roy!
"Nisan..." Illumi stared, mesmerized, at his reflection. After a long moment, he pressed his face closer to the mirror, cupping his chin, comparing the details meticulously. His empty eyes shone with unprecedented brightness.
'No, it's still not perfect.' The boy admired it for a while, then, dissatisfied, swiped his hand across his face. The skin rippled, and in an instant, his original features returned. My foolish, dear little brother pondered carefully for another moment, then picked up the needles again and transformed his face into someone else.
He now sported a sexy beard, V-shaped eyebrows, short hair, a sharp nose, and somewhat melancholic eyes. He pushed up imaginary glasses on his nose and spoke respectfully to his reflection: "Young Master." He looked exactly like Roy's personal butler, Gotoh.
The only difference was... this "Gotoh" seemed rather disgusted with himself. After setting the transformation, he didn't spare it another glance. He pushed the door open, walked out, rounded the corner, traversed the long corridor, climbed through a window, and arrived at Roy's bedside.
He watched silently for a while, then activated Zetsu, suppressing his aura. He climbed onto the bed, lay face-to-face with Roy, and silently drew a Nen needle from his clothes.
Must... want... I want to possess him so badly...
Illumi trembled with excitement, the whites of his eyes rolling up as he plunged the needle down...
His reward was a powerful, heavy kick from Roy!
BANG! Illumi crashed through the door and flew out into the hallway.
"Could you please try to rein in that perverse possessiveness of yours?" The stench was palpable even across two worlds. Roy's eyes blazed like two suns, instantly seeing through Illumi's disguise. He leaped out of bed, chased him down, grabbed him by the collar mid-air, dragged him under the willow tree, and delivered a sound beating. Finally, he planted him headfirst in the ground, tore off his pajamas to use as rope, and hung him from the willow tree!
The sounds of the thrashing woke quite a few people.
In the second-floor master bedroom, Silva, having just lulled Kikyo to sleep, opened his eyes and instantly teleported to the window. It was cold now. Zeno, having just returned from a mission, was on his way to check on the Oldest Master as usual, but he stopped dead in the corridor. In the dimly lit small room, cartoons played 24/7. Maha rocked in his chair, tapping his fingers on the armrest, and smiled.
"Brotherly love... good... very good..."
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