Goku arrived just in time to save Tanjiro and Nezuko from near death. After his arrival, the two brothers hid, and Goku remained alone against Rui. "So... You said you defeated Mukago, didn't you?" asked Rui. "That's exactly what I said, Rui" replied Goku. "So, because Mukago was stronger than me, now you think that you can beat me as well, is that right?" asked Rui again. "That's precisely right" answered Goku. "Fine. Then I'll enjoy even more breaking you into a milliong pieces" said Rui, injecting his spiderwebs with blood. "Blood Demon Art: Cutting Thread Cage" said the Lower Moon, caging Goku inside his red spiderwebs. "I already neutralized this attack once, how can you think it'll work this time?" said Goku, teasing Rui. "Flame Breathing: Second Form -- Rising Scorching Sun!" he exclaimed, and the spiderwebs got cut off. (It didn't work... This guy really is strong... And why does he smell like sun..?) thought Rui, starting to suspect something. "First Form -- Unknowing Fire!" exclaimed Goku again, dashing forth into Rui's direction. "You won't cut my head off!" exclaimed Rui, generating other spiderwebs and throwing them at Goku. (Shit... I have to interrupt the attack, if I want to dodge...) thought Goku. (Or maybe... I can tank the attack and counter with an attack three times stronger!) he realized. And so, Goku didn't interrupt the Breathing, slashed through the spiderwebs, though some of them cut his legs and arms. But now, Goku stood in front of Rui, ready to cut his head. (No... He managed to close the distance...) realized Rui. But suddenly, when Goku least expected it, he got trapped inside a web cocoon. The boy found himself closed and with no escape points. Rui's sister, who had been watching all the time, showed up. "Did I tell you to intervene?" said Rui, who seemed to everything but grateful. "But you... you were about to be defeated, Rui..." she said. "Shut up! I wasn't!" yelled Rui. Meanwhile, inside the cocoon, Goku tried to cut the webs. (I can't cut through... What will this cocoon do to me...?) he wondered. "Free him" said Rui, from outside. "I want to kill him by myself" he said. "Are you sure, Rui?" asked the sister. "I am" said Rui.
Suddenly, the cocoon exploded. Goku jumped high, his blade wrapped in flames. "No need to free me! I freed myself alone!" he said, his silhouette enlightened by the moonlight. "Flame Breathing: Fifth Form -- Fire Tiger!" roared the boy. Goku, still in the air, threw at Rui, behind him, appeared a tiger-like flame. Rui's sister ran away in fear, and Rui got overwhelmed by the fire tiger. (What... What's happening...?) wondered Rui. In a blink of an eye, Goku reappeared in front of him. "Second Form -- Rising Scorching Sun!" screamed Goku. His blade collided with Rui's neck, and after an incredible effort, Rui's head shot up. (I... I did it... I beheaded him...) thought Goku. Then, due to the incredible effort -- both of the Flame Breathing and physical force to behead Rui -- Goku fell on his knees. From a tree nearby, but safe, Tanjiro kept watching the fight, still holding Nezuko in his arms. (Goku-san really won...) he thought. (He's really incredible...). Slowly, Goku got on his feet, panting heavily and clutching his chest. "Tanjiro-kun, where are you?" he asked loudly. "Here, Goku-san!" answered Tanjiro, showing up. "Let's go, we have to save the other two demon slayers to save!" exclaimed Goku. But suddenly, some spiderwebs appeared and tried to hit Goku. "Goku-san!" screamed Tanjiro. Without hesitating, Tanjiro dropped Nezuko and ran to Goku. "Tanjiro-kun, what are you doing!?!?" asked Goku. But before he could finish the phrase, Tanjiro was already in front of him. The spiderwebs hit Tanjiro, slicing through his body. In that moment, Goku heard a strange sound, like a bone that breaks. Tanjiro spat blood and crumbled to the floor. Here, Goku realized: Tanjiro's left arm broke. "G-Goku-san..." whispered Tanjiro. "My... My arm, is broken... The demon's still alive..." he said. "But... How?" wondered Goku. Suddenly, Rui's body raised on his feet, and Rui's head appeared from a tree, held in mid-air by a row. "You really thought you had killed me? I managed to slice my own head with a spiderweb before you could do it with you sword" he explained. (Goddamn... He's still alive... And Tanjiro is practically unable to move... I have to fight...) realized Goku. Then, the boy turned, and saw Nezuko. She had a worried expression on her face. "Mh?" she made her usual sound. "Your brother is fine, don't worry..." said Goku. Meanwhile, Rui's head returned back attached to his body. "So, shall we begin with Round two?" he asked. "I'm ready...!" said Goku. However, suddenly, another guy arrived. But this time, it was on Goku's side.
Instinctively, Goku took Tanjiro, barely conscious, and brought him away. "Who's this guy...?" muttered Goku. This guy had long black hair, a mispatched haori. "You've fought well, slayers. It's a good thing you're not dead" said the guy. "Who... Who are you?" asked Goku. "Giyuu Tomioka, the Water Hashira" answered the guy, already looking at Rui. "I... I know this guy..." whispered Tanjiro. "I met him two years ago, when my sister became a demon..." he said. Then, Tanjiro definitely fainted. "Another slayer? No problem... I'm gonna kill you first..." said Rui. But like it ain't nothing, Giyuu drew his sword and said this: "Water Breathing: Eleventh Form -- Dead Calm". In a blink of an eye, Rui's Blood Demon Art was neutralized, and before the demon could even notice, Giyuu beheadead him. (This guy is a tough one...) he thought. As Rui's head dissipated into nothingness, Goku stared at Tanjiro's fainted body. "H-Hey, Tomioka-san!" exclaimed Goku. "Can you do something for him?" he asked. Giyuu slowly turned to face Goku, and recognized Tanjiro and Nezuko. "I... already met them. And unfortunately, I can't do nothing to heal him" said Giyuu. "He has a broken arm... Help him, please!" said Goku. "Maybe... The girl who came with me can heal him..." hypothesized Giyuu. "Even though, I think both him and his sister are under arrest. A demon slayer can't carry a demon with them" he then said. "But she's his younger sister, he has to!" said Goku, in Tanjiro's defence. "Don't worry. I will do everything in my power to avoid Tanjiro gets killed.." said Tomioka.
Suddenly, from afar, Goku heard some noises. A girl attacked Giyuu, but he quickly defended himself with his sword. "What are you doing, Kocho?" he asked. "Tomioka-san, are you trying to defend that boy? He's a criminal, you know that?" said the girl, in a teasing tone. In that moment, when Goku saw the girl, a strange feeling engulfed him. His body temperature grew hotter, his cheeks blushed, his eyes began to shine. (What is this felling... Do I have fever...?) He wondered. (N-no, I think I understand...) he then thought. Then, finally, Goku understood: (I just fell in love with this girl) he thought. The girl had a white haori, with motives that recalls a butterfly, black hair with purple shades at the end. (She's... beautiful...) thought Goku. "Let's bring them at the headquarters. There, his fate will be decided" said Giyuu. "That's fine. We'll see what the householder will decide" said the girl. Suddenly, she noticed Goku. "And who might you be?" she asked. "I'm..." began Goku, blushing. "I'm Goku Urokodaki. Ni... Nice to meet you..." he then said. "Oh, I see. I'm Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira" said Shinobu, introducing herself. "Are you related to Sakonji-san?" asked Giyuu. "N-no. He trained me to become a demon slayer, but we're not related. We just have the same surname" said Goku. "Kocho, I think we should bring him to the headquarters too" said Giyuu, pointing Goku. "He fought alone against Lower Moon Five, and he's just a Mizunoe. I think he'll be useful if we take him under our wing" he explained. "Fine by me. He's really interesting, you know?" said Shinobu. (She finds me interesting...?) thought Goku, blushing. "Uh? Why are you blushing?" asked Giyuu. "Uh? Well, nothing..." said Goku, trying to sound casual. "Mpfh, fine... We'll bring you to the headquarters" said Giyuu. "Sorry about that..." he then said, hitting Goku with the grip on his katana, knocking Goku unconscious. In that moment, Goku slowly closed his eyes, and eventually passed out.
Chapter 9 - End.