"Big brother, what kind of person do you think Makomo's master is?"
Tanjiro smiled thoughtfully.
"Makomo's master must be someone very kind and very capable. Their swordsmanship must be incredible. Maybe they're a true samurai, and Makomo is their apprentice."
He couldn't help imagining the image of a warrior wielding a katana—strong, righteous, and cool.
If his family hadn't been charcoal sellers for generations, perhaps his second dream would have been to become a samurai who protected his home and country.
Nezuko nodded eagerly.
She also thought Makomo was amazing.
If only she could wield a sword like that and protect others.
Unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough. Even chopping wood with an axe exhausted her. All she could really help with was sewing.
"Tanjiro, tomorrow night we should pray to the Fire God and prepare for the Kagura Dance."
Kie's gentle voice interrupted their thoughts.
The Kagura Dance had been passed down through the Kamado family for generations. It was offered to the Fire God as a prayer for peace and protection.
Originally, it had been performed by Kamado Tanjuro.
After his passing, the responsibility fell to Tanjiro.
"Yes, Mother!"
Tanjiro answered firmly.
Though it would be his first time performing the dance himself, he had watched his father countless times. Every movement was etched into his memory.
"Big brother, I've already finished making the costume for the Kagura Dance."
Nezuko smiled shyly, hiding her hands behind her back so Tanjiro wouldn't notice the small needle pricks on her fingers.
"Nezuko… you've worked hard."
Tanjiro's eyes grew moist.
He knew she had been staying up late every night sewing the costume.
His father's outfit was too large for him to wear.
So Nezuko made a new one from scratch.
"As long as I can help you and our family, I'm not tired at all."
Her gentle smile was enough to make his chest tighten.
Tanjiro clenched his fists inwardly.
No matter what—
He would protect her.
On the Road Near the Butterfly Mansion
The snow from the previous night still covered the ground.
The cold wind cut sharply through the air.
Kanroji Mitsuri unconsciously edged closer to Shinobu Kocho.
It was really, really cold.
"Shinobu… are we almost back to the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Mitsuri hugged herself tightly, trying to keep the cold from slipping through her clothes.
"Almost."
Shinobu answered absentmindedly.
Her attention was fixed on a figure ahead.
A young man wearing a haori split into two distinct patterns—one red, one green—sat quietly on a large rock, staring down at ants crawling across the frozen ground.
"Tomioka-san?"
Shinobu watched for a moment.
Yes.
That blank, distant expression.
It was definitely Tomioka Giyu.
At that moment, several members of the Demon Slayer Corps passed by.
"Hey… isn't that the Water Hashira?"
One of them whispered.
"Yeah. That quiet, unsociable Water Hashira."
"What's he doing out here in the freezing cold? Watching ants? Isn't he supposed to be slaying demons?"
"You don't know about his past?"
"What past?"
"The former Water Hashira, Urokodaki Sakonji, died during a mission because he saved him."
"What? Is that true?"
"Of course. Otherwise, how could a Hashira die so easily? Even if he couldn't win, escaping should've been possible."
"So he let his teacher die to save him… no wonder he looks like that."
"It's not just that. I heard his senior brother went missing during a mission too. Still no news."
"Missing? After all this time… that probably means…"
"Yeah. That's why the Water Hashira turned out like this."
Their tone wasn't openly malicious.
But it was cruel.
Shinobu's expression darkened.
She stepped forward sharply.
"Talking about someone right in front of them? Do you think he's deaf?"
Her voice was cold.
The group flinched.
"Who's she?"
"Flower Hashira's younger sister. I heard she's fierce. Not like her gentle older sister."
"Let's go!"
They quickly hurried away.
"Next time I hear you badmouthing him, you'll regret it!"
Shinobu's chest rose and fell with anger.
"Mitsuri, did you hear that? Gossiping like that behind his back. It's disgusting."
Mitsuri gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't be angry, Shinobu."
Shinobu turned back toward Giyu.
He hadn't reacted at all.
Still staring at the ants.
As if nothing mattered.
"You blockhead, are you mute or just slow? Say something when people talk about you! I'm talking to you, Tomioka-san!"
She poked his forehead with her finger.
No reaction.
He didn't even blink.
He simply breathed quietly.
"Are ants more interesting than me? You won't even look at me?"
Shinobu pouted, crossing her arms.
Giyu finally shifted his gaze slightly.
But only slightly.
His voice, when it came, was calm and distant.
"They're carrying food."
Shinobu blinked.
"What?"
"The ants. They're carrying food before the snow gets heavier."
He paused.
"Even they're preparing."
The wind blew softly between them.
For the first time, Shinobu realized—
He wasn't ignoring the world.
He was just carrying too much of it.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
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1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
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5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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