"Tanjiro."
A muffled voice, was it calling him?
"Tanjiro?"
Is it calling me? Is my name Tanjiro... But who is that man?
"Tanjiro Kamado!"
The boy suddenly awoke from his sleep and saw the man standing beside him.
"Mr. Suzuki?"
"Are you awake? Good. Get dressed quickly, I have to take you for an audience."
"Where's Nezuko? Where is Nezuko?"
Suzuki Makoto picked up the box and placed it in front of Tanjiro. The boy quickly opened it and hugged his sister inside. Nezuko Kamado returned her brother's embrace to comfort him.
"Thank you, Mr. Suzuki."
"You're welcome, but we don't have much time. Hurry up and get dressed."
"Yes—but Mr. Suzuki, where are we right now? And who are we having an audience with?""
Tanjiro let go of his sister and started getting dressed.
"We are currently at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. The person you will have an audience with is the supreme leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, as well as all the Hashira."
Suzuki Makoto briefly explained the current situation to him.
"It's time for the regular Hashira Meeting, and you've unfortunately run into this event. Therefore, the current situation is that a decision must be made regarding Nezuko's fate, and all the Hashira need to be present to witness it."
Tanjiro Kamado's heart sank. He finally realized that the crisis for him and his sister was not over.
"Don't worry. I told you I would protect you and your sister."
"Thank you, Mr. Suzuki!"
"Alright, no more thanks. Let's go, your injuries haven't healed yet. I'll carry Nezuko."
His sister obediently climbed into the box, which was carried by Suzuki Makoto. Tanjiro Kamado suppressed the pain in his body and followed behind the man.
The two walked through the courtyard. In front of the main house not far away, several people were already standing.
"Is this the boy—a member of the Demon Slayer Corps who protects his sister who has become a demon?"
The first to speak was Sanemi Shinazugawa. He stared at the wooden box in Suzuki Makoto's hands, his grip on his sword hilt tightening with a creak.
"Suzuki Makoto, why are you protecting them too?"
"Because Nezuko Kamado has truly never eaten a single person. Although her aura is that of a demon, she is not a man-eating demon. She doesn't even have the scent of blood on her."
"Are you trying to say she still retains her memories and affection, that she still remembers her family—Impossible! That's absolutely impossible!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's state was clearly off. He gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.
"All demons, once they become demons, remember nothing! Not affection, not family, not even the most important things from their past can overcome their craving for human flesh! I refuse to believe such a thing—I will absolutely not acknowledge it!"
His voice was hysterical, but beneath the almost tangible rage hid an equally thick and insoluble sorrow.
If a demon could do that, then why, why did his mother...
Even the other Hashira were a little surprised by Sanemi Shinazugawa's attitude. Although everyone held the stance of eradicating all demons, the Wind Hashira's hatred for this particular demon seemed unusually intense.
However, everyone's thoughts were the same.
"I agree with Shinazugawa. Since it's a demon, it must be killed. Anyone who violates the Corps' rules must also be punished."
The Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, looked at Suzuki Makoto.
"—Even if they are a Hashira."
"Ah, Mr. Suzuki! Long time no see. I've been practicing that move for a long time. Can we have another match!"
The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, had been staring at the sky the whole time. Only now did he bring his gaze back, happily waving at Suzuki Makoto in greeting.
"Of course. After today's meeting is over, if I'm still in the Demon Slayer Corps, you're welcome anytime."
Suzuki Makoto responded to the boy's invitation with a smile.
"Tokito! We're here to judge Suzuki Makoto and the others. Don't say irrelevant things at a time like this. It's not flamboyant at all."
The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, reminded him.
"Huh? But aren't we unable to beat Mr. Suzuki? How are we supposed to judge him?"
The boy asked in confusion, having already forgotten what he'd heard earlier about judging Tanjiro Kamado.
"Pfft—"
All eyes focused on her. The Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, tried her best but couldn't hold it in. She could only cover her face with her hands and apologize to everyone.
"S-sorry."
"However, matters concerning demons will not be compromised, regardless of one's strength! I respect that child's will to protect his sister, and I also respect Mr. Suzuki's will to protect them, but this is undoubtedly an act that violates the Corps' rules and must be judged!"
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, spoke up, partly to bail out his Tsuguko.
"If that's the case, then I probably can't continue in this position either."
The Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, suddenly spoke up, drawing several gazes mixed with surprise and dissatisfaction.
"Tomioka, what do you mean by that!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa whipped his head around to stare at Giyu Tomioka.
"Back then, I was the first to arrive near the Kamado household, and I was the first to meet the siblings. Tanjiro Kamado threw an axe at me to protect his sister, and Nezuko Kamado stood in my way to protect her brother—Therefore, I recommended them to Master Urokodaki and vouched for them, having Master Urokodaki teach Tanjiro Kamado the Water Breathing style."
Giyu Tomioka calmly recounted all these events and then walked over to Suzuki Makoto's side.
"Giyu, is what you're saying true? You can't say such things as a joke, or just to spite Shinazugawa and the others."
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, asked with great seriousness.
"Of course—also, why would I be spiting them?"
Giyu Tomioka said, perplexed.
He wasn't on bad terms with Shinazugawa and the others, so why would he be spiteful?
The scene instantly fell silent.
The Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, sighed softly.
"This is exactly why everyone dislikes you, Tomioka-san."
The Water Hashira's expression stiffened for a moment.
"I am not disliked by everyone."
But it was obvious that the gritting teeth of Sanemi Shinazugawa and the hostile glare of Obanai Iguro completely proved Shinobu Kocho's words, not Giyu Tomioka's.
Sanemi Shinazugawa took a deep breath, turned his head, and waited for the Master to appear.
Clearly, this wasn't him giving up, but rather preparing for a bigger outburst.
Tanjiro Kamado looked at the grim killing intent opposite him, his unease reaching its peak.
"Mr. Suzuki, will Nezuko really be okay?"
"Don't worry, Tanjiro. I'll tell you a little secret."
Suzuki leaned down and whispered in the boy's ear.
"Even carrying the two of you, I can run faster than all of them."
______
🔥 The latest chapters are being posted! 🔥
✅ Read up to 40 chapters in advance (all stories)!
✅ Access exclusive posts and updates first!
Let's achieve our community goals:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 extra chapter for everybody
🚀 80 MEMBERS = +5 additional chapters on ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan