38 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Haruto awoke in the Butterfly Mansion.

Shinobu Kocho sat by his bedside, leafing through a medical book, while Genya and Giyu leaned silently against the wall outside.

Noticing he was awake, Shinobu reached over to touch his forehead and sighed in relief.

"The fever's gone."

Genya and Giyu entered the room. The former let out a long breath, but Giyu's expression darkened.

"I've taken them to Mount Sagiri," Giyu began. "Sensei and Makomo are looking after them now. Tanjiro wasn't injured too badly, but Nezuko…"

He trailed off, glancing at Shinobu. "Her condition is… dire."

Haruto fell silent.

Nezuko had been tainted by Muzan Kibutsuji's blood, turning her into a demon. Giyu hadn't dared bring them to the Butterfly Mansion, knowing full well the consequences. The demon slayers who frequented the mansion for treatment would show no mercy to a newly turned demon.

If Nezuko were brought here, she would likely be butchered on the spot, her body reduced to pieces at the mansion's doorstep.

Tanjiro would lose his mind.

Yet, if Nezuko ever harmed a human, Haruto knew he would have no choice but to draw his blade and end her life himself. In such times, he might even be ordered to take responsibility for her actions through seppuku.

There was no time to waste. Nezuko had to be taken to Tamayo—a demon who had spent centuries studying Muzan's blood. Perhaps she could find a way.

After conveying everything necessary, Giyu hesitated as if wanting to stay and say more, but Genya tugged at his sleeve and led him outside.

"Shouldn't you stay by your teacher's side? He's gravely injured," Giyu asked, puzzled.

Genya's expression was so sincere that he left Giyu at a loss for words.

"If you linger too long in there…" Genya muttered, "there'll be at least three people who might try to kill you."

Inside, the room fell into a heavy silence. Shinobu struggled to maintain her composure for a moment before covering her face with her hands.

"Muzan Kibutsuji…" she whispered, tears slipping through her fingers.

Resting her head gently against Haruto's shoulder, she murmured as if in a dream:

"Next time… let Sora call for me. I'll help you. I'll stand with you…"

Haruto reached out, his hand softly stroking her hair.

'Soon,' he whispered. 'Very soon. The main chapter begins now. It will all end soon.'

...

At Mount Sagiri

Tanjiro sat by Nezuko's side, watching her as she slept.

"What's with the bamboo muzzle?" Makomo asked, pointing to the bamboo tube fastened to Nezuko's mouth.

"Giyu gave it to us," Tanjiro replied. "He was worried she might bite someone."

Though Giyu seemed cold and distant, he was kind at heart. He had carved the muzzle to protect Nezuko—and those around her. He even draped his haori over her to keep her warm.

"Sensei was right," Tanjiro thought. "The people of Mount Sagiri have such kind hearts."

He recalled the moment he first arrived at the mountain when the tengu-masked Urokodaki asked him a question.

"If your sister devours a human, what will you do?"

Tanjiro couldn't answer. He only shook his head, despair clouding his eyes.

"Nezuko would never hurt anyone…"

Smack!

The old man's hand came down hard on Tanjiro's face.

"Remember this," Urokodaki said sternly. "If your sister ever harms a human, you must cut off her head immediately—then take your own life."

His gaze bore into Tanjiro. "If you fail, your teacher—Haruto—will be forced to commit seppuku. Giyu will lose his title as the Water Hashira and face disgrace.

"Every single one of us is staking our lives and honor on you and Nezuko. Do you understand what that means?"

Tanjiro's heart trembled. Tears welled in his eyes as he shouted:

"I swear! Nezuko will never harm anyone! Never, ever!"

...

Infinity Castle

Akaza suddenly opened his eyes to see Nakime's emotionless face staring back at him.

The Infinity Castle… After a century, he had been summoned here again.

As the sound of a biwa reverberated through the air, Akaza looked up. Nearby, Daki gazed back at him, her expression tinged with confusion. She, too, seemed uncertain about the reason for her summoning.

Akaza averted his gaze. A meeting of the Upper Moons? Was he about to face him again?

"Nakime," Daki called, her voice an uncanny blend of male and female tones. "Has Lord Muzan arrived?"

Nakime said nothing, and the two demons looked upward. Amid the labyrinth of interwoven structures, a man in modern attire—a sharp suit and polished shoes—stared coldly down at them.

The oppressive crimson hue of his eyes left no doubt about his identity.

"Lord Muzan." They both immediately knelt.

Muzan's silence was unnerving. After a long pause, he turned to Daki first.

"Your strength has grown," he remarked.

Daki flushed with pride. "It's all thanks to you, Lord Muzan! I've devoured many humans recently!"

Muzan stepped closer, kneeling before her. His hand rested gently on her head.

"You've been diligent," he said softly. "So now, I'll grant you a reward."

Daki's breath hitched as Muzan continued:

"The descendant of the Takanashi clan has appeared in Japan…"

Her smile faltered, her complexion paling.

"His resemblance to the one you adored—Kazuma Takanashi—is uncanny." Muzan's lips curved into a cruel smile. "Don't you think so?"

Trembling, Daki bowed her head low.

"How does it feel?" Muzan asked, his voice chillingly smooth. "To know that Kazuma's grandson is within your grasp?"

(T/N: As said before: Kazuma is the grandfather of mc.)

Daki's voice, now masculine, responded hoarsely: "As you wish."

Muzan's smile widened. "Slay every Takanashi. Rid yourself of the ghosts haunting your heart. Isn't that your wish?"

"...Yes," the male voice answered.

With his instructions to Daki and Gyutaro complete, Muzan turned to Akaza.

"And you? What progress have you made?"

Akaza lowered his head further.

"Forgive me, Lord Muzan. There has been none."

"Disappointment no longer surprises me." Muzan's voice was cold.

Akaza's forehead pressed against the floor as he struggled to speak.

"Find the boy with the Hanafuda earrings," Muzan commanded. "Kill him."

His tone sharpened. "Akaza, your loyalty pleases me, but your competence… does not."

Akaza's voice was resolute: "I will not fail. I will sever his head with my own hands."

In the Taisho era of Japan, a simple charcoal-seller named Tanjiro Kamado was thrust into a cruel fate. His family was slaughtered by a demon, his sister cursed to become one.

(T/N: Taisho era (1912-1926))

Few believed in his journey—except his teacher, Haruto Takanashi.

Unbeknownst to most, the centuries-long reign of Muzan Kibutsuji was nearing its end. The darkness would soon be lifted.