Trial of Swordsman, Demon and Hunter
Hello everyone and here we are once again at a new chapter of Breath of the Rifleman! No guest review question to answer this week, so let's dive right in!
Morning: Unknown Mansion Gardens
"Well this is a letdown," said one of the Hashiras, a tall individual with massive arms, silver hair tied in a ponytail, a head band with a row of diamonds, and red markings on his left eye that resembled a star. "I was told these were the demon slayers with a demon in tow. I was hoping for something more flamboyant than these drab-looking dudes."
"I wasn't aware this was a trial of fashion," remarked Subaru as he forcefully sat up, knocking the Kakushi who'd been holding him and Tanjiro off-balance, "tell me, are we on trial for a dress-code violation?"
"Will you be quiet," said the Kakushi impatiently as he tried to push Subaru's head back down, "do not speak to the Hashiras until you are spoken too."
"Well at least give us an answer to where we are and what this is all about first," griped Subaru.
"This is the Demon Slayer's headquarters," explained Shinobu as she stepped forward to speak, "As for what you're being put on trial for, I shall allow you both to explain that fir-."
"There is no need for a trial!" exclaimed the blond and red-headed Hashira, "It is a clear violation of the code to protect a demon, so we're within our rights to deal with them on our own! Let's not delay and proceed with beheading these two and the demon!"
"Then allow me to decapitate them all flamboyantly," Said the Silver-haired Slayer, striking a slight pose, "It'll be the most flamboyant blood spray you've ever seen. I'm talking maximum flamboyance."
"Yeah I blew up a demon in his own swamp with a grenade," remarked Subaru under his breath, "I highly doubt you can top a blood spray like that."
"I truly pity the both of you," said one of the other Hashiras who wore a green cape around his shoulders and had some prayer beads wrapped around his hands. He also appeared to be blind with short, dark hair and a scar running horizontally across his forehead. "It would have been better if neither of you were born at all." 'And we have singled out the ray of sunshine in this group,' thought Subaru sarcastically until he noticed Tanjiro finally appeared to be regaining his sense of awareness.
"Oh, where's Nezuko," groaned Tanjiro as he started moving his head back and forth in an attempt to spot them, unable to stand up currently due to his injuries and arms being bound, "Zenitsu, Inosuke, Murata!"
"Tanjiro my old rifle got broken, remember," said the confused Matagi.
"No, one of the surviving slayers on the mountain, his name was Murata," said Tanjiro as he continued to look around frantically.
"He is safe," assured Shinobu, "along with a number of other slayers who were found in varying degrees of injury, and lack of uniforms, on the west side of the mountain. A rather irritable girl named Ozaki insisted that I find you, the gun wielding slayer, so she wouldn't have to carry around your rifle and cloak anymore."
"Who cares about any of that," said a voice from one of the trees. Subaru and Tanjiro both looked up to see another Hashira with black and white-lined robes, a yellow eye and blue eye, shoulder-length dark hair, a bandaged mouth and a white snake sitting comfortably around his shoulders. "The real question is what we're going to do with Tomioka? It's giving me something of a headache seeing him there without any restraints whatsoever. Based on what Kocho's told us, he's just as guilty of breaking the Corp's rules, so how will we deal with him? What sort of lesson should we beat into him?"
The apparent Snake Hashira pointed at the accused, "Don't you have anything to say for yourself, Tomioka?" His only answer was silence from the Water Hashira as Subaru glanced at Tanjiro, noting his apologetic expression. 'I imagine he's blaming himself for getting Tomioka in this mess right about now. Truth is we were probably gonna have to face this sooner or later, but this was way too soon.'
"I don't see the harm in leaving him as is," said Shinobu in her sweet yet odd tone, "he came along without resisting up to this point after all. We can figure out his penalty later. What I'm more interested in is hearing these boy's stories. Why do a pair of demon slayers have a demon in tow? Might I hear the explanation from the two of you as I'm certain by now you know what you've done is against Corp rules?"
"We got that part about the first half dozen times you mentioned it," said Subaru.
"And you've had quite a bit to say about this situation, Subaru Genjirou," said Shinobu, "but I have yet to hear from Tanjiro Kamado there. Tell me, why are you traveling with a demon even though you're a demon slayer?"
"Why are we even asking?" Questioned the Silver-haired Hashira as he reached for the two large swords on his back.
"Ignore him, take your time in answering if you need to," said Shinobu encouragingly.
"Well you see she's my younger sis-gah," Tanjiro winced and started working his jaw as if it was in pain. Shinobu seemed to have anticipated this and walked forward while uncorking a gourd.
"Here, this water will help," she said as she kneeled down and offered it to him, "drink slowly as you appear to have injured your jaw. You should feel a bit better once the painkiller in this water takes effect." Tanjiro nodded in understanding as he grabbed the gourd with his teeth and did his best to down its contents. After a few moments, she removed the gourd from Tanjiro's mouth and took in his and Subaru's conditions. "You mustn't push yourselves now, your wounds are nowhere near healed."
"It wasn't our brilliant idea to be brought her despite our injuries in the first place," commented Subaru. Shinobu ignored him as she asked her question again.
"Now then, please continue Tanjiro Kamado," said Shinobu.
"That demon is my younger sister, Nezuko," explained Tanjiro a bit more slowly this time, "my family was attacked by a demon while I was in town and when I got back, everyone but her was dead. But even though she's a demon, she hasn't devoured anyone. Not now or ever will she harm a human, no matter what!"
"Spare us the absurd ravings," said the Snake Hashira from the tree, "it's obvious you'd defend her if she's family. Because of that I can't trust a single word you're saying."
"Then how about my word, dickhead," said Subaru, getting a rather startled reaction from the Kakushi who tried to close his mouth, only to get headbutted again for his troubles, "My father Saburo Genjirou, better known as the Black Powder Beast of the Demon Slayer Corps before he retired, believes just as strongly as Tanjiro that Nezuko won't devour anyone."
"He speaks the truth," said Shinobu, "I didn't see it before because of the eye patch and the scar, but he really is a much younger looking Saburo Genjirou. I also took the liberty of examining his hunting knife and it is indeed coated in wisteria."
"But even so, should we not at least free the poor child that is possessed by a demon," said the Blind Hashira, who Subaru was very quickly thinking of renaming the crying Hashira given that said Slayer was in tears yet again.
"Please listen to me," said Tanjiro, "Subaru and I became demon slayers so that Nezuko could be cured! She's been a demon for two years and in all that time hasn't devoured a single human!"
"This story's spinning in probably the most drab way possible, idiot," said the Silver-haired Hashira, "the fact that she hasn't. You can't just give us lip service, you must prove it to us with max flamboyance."
"First off, do you have any other words in your vocabulary besides 'flamboyant'," said Subaru, "second off, if you want proof then bring Nezuko here right now and we'll give you all the proof you need, flamboyant or otherwise."
"I do have my doubts after hearing all of this, you know," said one of the Hashiras who hadn't spoken out loud since the whole event had started. She was a relatively attractive girl with a freckled face, long and for some reason pink and green hair that she wore in two long braids over her shoulders, and a noticeable bust due to the fact that she left her uniform front a bit open. "I just can't imagine the master being in the dark about this whole situation."
"Okay what's your name if I might ask?" Said Subaru, genuinely curious as to the identity of anyone who'd speak up for them at this point.
"Oh, I'm Mitsuri Kanroji," said the girl a little sheepishly, "most other people know me as the love Hashira or love Pillar."
"Well what's it feel like to be one of the three smartest people here?" Asked Subaru
"You, you really think I'm smart," said Mitsuri bashfully, "No one's ever called me smart before!" Needless to say, a number of the other Hashiras glared at him for the remark.
"Well you're one of the few who are actually thinking in this case," Subaru pointed out, "the head of the Corps should already be informed of our situation not only from my father but also from the former water pillar, Tanjiro's sensei Sakonji Urokodaki. The real mystery here is how almost none of you knew or even thought to question the matter in detail."
"I'm just not sure if we should be dealing with the two of you without the master's permission," offered Mitsuri, "shouldn't we at least wait for him to arrive?"
"Sounds like a reasonable idea to-," Subaru started to say before Tanjiro spoke up suddenly.
"My sister!" Exclaimed Tanjiro, "My sister will fight by our side! She can fight demons and protect humans as a demon slayer!" 'Dammit Tanjiro,' thought Subaru with a scowl, 'you couldn't have waited just a little longer to make a suggestion like that?' But Tanjiro's outburst would be the least of their concerns as a new arrival stepped into the garden.
"Well it looks like you all have some fun brewing here," said the, what Subaru assumed, newly arrived Hashira. He was dressed more simply with a white Hakama over his demon slayer uniform and his short hair was white. His uniform was also a bit open, revealing a myriad of scars over his body and face. But what made Subaru more nervous of this Hashira than the others was the manic look in his purplish grey eyes and the fact that he somehow had Nezuko's box in his left hand.
"Are these the moron demon slayers who travel with a demon? Just what in the world are you trying to pull here?"
"Wait, Master Shinazugawa," said a female Kakushi who came running into view behind the Hashira, "Please, would you mind giving me that box back?"
"I too would prefer you not act out of line, Shinazugawa" said Shinobu as she stood up with an actual frown on her face.
"What was it you said about this demon, kid," asked Shinazugawa with an evil grin on his face, "that she can protect humans as a demon slayer? You know what we call that?" The Hashira reached down for his sword, "a total delusion!"
"You draw that sword and you'll regret it!" Yelled Subaru as he shot to his feet, his anger forcing down the pain of his wounds and broken rib.
"You know I take it back," said Shinazugawa, "that statement right there, is a total delusion!" The Hashira then drew his sword in the blink of an eye and stabbed it through Nezuko's box, the girl's blood visible on his blade as it protruded out the other side.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Exclaimed Tanjiro as he too shot up and raced forward with Subaru just behind him. The grinning Hashira only smiled wider as he pulled his bloodied weapon out of the box and flipped it around to a regular grip as he prepared to slash at Tanjiro. But then there came a sound only one person anticipated, a gunshot. A bullet went whizzing by Tanjiro's head and tore into the sword hand of the surprised Hashira, causing him to drop his weapon.
Despite all of his wounds, the swordsman had apparently never felt the sting of a bullet before and his hesitation was all Tanjiro needed to ram his head into his with as much force as he could muster. It was enough to make the Hashira drop the box as he fell over onto the ground, dazed from Tanjiro's legendarily hard skull. And Subaru wouldn't give him the chance to regain his senses as he slammed his knee onto the Hashira's chest to hold him down and shoved his Derringer into the slayer's mouth, having managed to slip out of the bonds that were holding him earlier. "You even twitch in a way I don't like and you'll go down as the first Hashira in history to be killed by a couple of Mizunoto," said Subaru dangerously as he gripped Shinazugawa's neck with his other hand, "and if this little trial goes bad then I'll kill you anyway for hurting my Nezuko."
"Uh Subaru," said a surprised Tanjiro who was on the ground again, still not having escaped his own bonds like his friend had, "did you say 'my Nezuko' just now?"
"Oh shit that slipped out," Subaru said under his breath, "look we'll talk about it later, okay. Kind of in the middle of threatening someone here." A sudden laugh escaped from one of the Hashiras at that statement.
"Pardon me," said Mitsuri as she covered her face in embarrassment. It gave Tanjiro and Subaru the idea that the guy they just brought down, wasn't a favorite among the Hashiras.
"Right, I understand," said Tanjiro as he moved over and crouched in front of Nezuko's box protectively, "since you're not going anywhere right now, listen. If you can't tell the difference between good and bad demons, you should quit being a Hashira!"
"Why you little," Shinuzagawa tried to say with great difficulty due to the twin gun barrel in his mouth, "I'll end both of you." Subaru would've retorted to that if not for the sound of two female voices.
"The Master…has arrived," said a very familiar pair of white-haired twins who were standing at the main house of the garden. If one of them was the same twin from Final Selection, Subaru had no idea and soon it wasn't the most important thought on his mind as a man with long dark hair and a long white hakama, decorated with purple and red flames at the bottom, over his black robes stepped out of the shadows. But the most striking feature about the man was the light purple, veiny skin on his forehead which reached down to his eyes. It quickly occurred to the Matagi that the man was blind.
"It's so good of you all to come here today, my beloved children," said the Man in a calm tone as the twins each took one of his hands and led him forward to the edge of the porch. He took a moment too 'look' up at the sky before turning his attention back to everyone present. "Good morning everyone, it seems the weather is amazingly good today, I wonder if the sky is blue. It pleases me to see that we've made it to our semiannual Hashira Meeting with no personnel changes."
The man had a calming presence about him, which is why Subaru decided then to remove his Derringer from his captive's mouth and slide it back into his bracer. Shinazugawa wasted no time in throwing him off before forcing both his and Tanjiro's heads to the ground while he too bowed before the apparent master of the mansion. 'Damn he's quick when he wants to be,' noted Subaru as he managed to look up and see that the other Hashiras were also kneeling with their heads lowered in respect. "I am pleased to see you in good health as well, Master," said Shinazugawa in a surprisingly formal tone, "I fervently pray for your continued good fortune."
"Kiss ass," Subara muttered under his breath. Admittedly it was more out of spite for the one who had stabbed Nezuko, but the Matagi just couldn't wrap his head around how a person could go from being a downright sadistic prick to a well-mannered warrior in the blink of an eye.
"Thank you Sanemi," replied the Master with a small smile.
"If I may master," said Sanemi, "before we start the meeting, could you possibly enlighten us about these slayers, Tanjiro Kamado and Subaru Genjirou, who are accompanied by a demon?"
"Of course, my apologies for startling all of you," Said the Master, "About Tanjiro, Subaru and Nezuko, I've sanctioned their situation. And I'd also like all of you to accept it." Even though he couldn't clearly see it, Subaru was certain every Hashira had at least a degree of surprise on their faces.
"Even if it's what you desire master," said the Blind Hashira, "I cannot agree to it."
"I am flamboyantly opposed to this request as well," said the Silver-haired Hashira as he pointed his thumb at himself, "demon slayers traveling with a demon is unacceptable!"
"I shall honor whatever request you have Master," said Mitsuri happily.
"I'm fine either way," said a Hashira with long dark hair that went past his shoulders with blue streaks in it. He had something of a permanent bored look on his face. "Since I'm going to forget either way."
"I won't trust either of them," said the Snake Hashira, "I won't trust them at all. I loathe demons!"
"Though I respect you with all of my heart Master," said the Blond Hashira, "I find the suggested notion to be inconceivable. Thus I oppose it with everything I've got!"
"The mission of the Demon Slayer Corps is to annihilate demons," said Sanemi in a more imposing tone, "I request that you penalize not only Kamado and Genjirou but also Tomioka." Neither Shinobu nor Giyu spoke up, but their silence must have said enough as the Master turned his head slightly to the twin on his right.
"The letters," requested the Master politely. The twin complied and pulled a pair of letters from her kimono.
"These letters are from a former slayer and a former Hashira, Saburo Genjirou and Sakonji Urokodaki." Subaru didn't miss some of the looks being sent his way upon the announcing of his family name. "I shall read an abridged version of Urokodaki's as both letters convey the same overall message, and the language is less colorful." Subaru was certain he heard another snort from Mitsuri upon hearing that information.
"'Please allow Tanjiro and Subaru to be accompanied by Nezuko, a demon,'" read the white-haired twin, "'because of her resilient mental strength, Nezuko has not lost her human emotions. Even in a starved state she never devoured humans, and this has continued to hold true even after two years. Although the situation seems farfetched it is an indisputable fact. And in the event that Nezuko does assault a human, Tanjiro Kamado, Subaru Genjirou, along with Sakonji Urokodaki, Saburo Genjirou and Giyu Tomioka will atone by committing seppuku.'"
'Father, Sakonji and even Giyu promised that,' thought Subaru as he felt a few tears welling up in his eyes, 'I knew we were taking a risk by bringing Nezuko along with us, but they really had this much faith in her?' Subaru was broken from his musings by the words of Sanemi.
"So what if they commit Seppuku?" Questioned Sanemi dismissively.
"Hey," said Subaru as he forcibly raised his head slightly, "those are your comrades and my Father's life your talking about there, don't dismiss them like they're nothing!"
"If they all want to die so badly then they can rot for all I care," Sanemi shot back, "there's still no guarantee about the demon!"
"Shinazugawa is right," said the Blond slayer, "there is no coming back from killing and devouring humans! Seppuku will not bring back those that were killed!"
"You both have a point," admitted the Master, "we cannot guarantee that she won't attack humans. That said, we also cannot prove definitively that she will attack humans." This seemed to catch Sanemi off-guard as Subaru felt himself smirk a bit. "As stated, the fact that Nezuko has refrained from devouring humans for over two years and that there are four people willing to risk their lives for her is a notion that can only be rejected with an even more convincing argument. Do all of you have the will to present such an argument?"
The Master was met with a frustrated silence from the gathered Hashira, prompting him to continue. "There is also something I'd like to relay to you all, my children. Tanjiro and Subaru have both encountered Muzan Kibutsuji." A number of audible gasps were heard from the Hashira at this revelation.
"But how's that possible?" Questioned the Silver-haired Slayer, "no Hashira has ever crossed paths with him and yet," he moved to the side so quickly he knocked Mitsuri onto the ground, "these two have? Tell us, what did he look like and what were his powers? Where did this even take place?"
"Did either of you battle him?" Questioned the Bored Slayer.
"What was Kibutsuji up too?" Asked Sanemi as he started unceremoniously shaking the two slayers by their heads, "did you find his stronghold?"
"My foot's gonna find it's way up your ass if you don't cut it out," said Subaru through gritted teeth as he grabbed a hold of the Hashira's hand to make him cease his irritating shaking movement. The other Hashira were about to start arguing on whose question should be answered first until the Master put a finger to his lips. Without even getting a verbal command, the Hashira all immediately quieted down and resumed their previous positions.
"Kibutsuji has already sent pursuers after the two of them," explained the Master, "it may be as simple as silencing a pair of witnesses, but now that Kibutsuji has given himself away for the first time, I don't want to let this opportunity go. I also believe something is happening to Nezuko that not even Kibutsuji anticipated. Can you better understand my reasoning now?"
"No, I still do not understand Master," said Sanemi, getting a major eyeroll from Subaru, "if it were human I'd be okay letting it live, but not a demon? Not after all we Demon Slayers have gone through in battle, not after so many have lost their lives! It's unacceptable!"
"Your inability to be consistent is unacceptable," said Subaru, finally having enough of being held down. In a quick but painful use of his total concentration breathing, he managed to force himself up and out of the Hashira's grasp before pointing an accusing finger at him. "Don't sit there and act like you suddenly give a damn about other people's lives after your complete disregard for you own comrades being willing to commit Seppuku! If proof is what you all need to put this irritating farce to rest then I'll give you all the fucking proof you'll ever need!"
The Matagi quickly grabbed Nezuko's box and slung it over his shoulder before slowly walking into the shadows of the house. He could practically feel the eyes of nearly every Hashira boring into him as he went, waiting for him or Nezuko to do something stupid so they could carve them up. They were going to be disappointed. Subaru calmly set the box down in the shadows with the door facing him before whispering quickly to the one inside. "Alright Nezuko, I know it's daytime right now but you're in the shadows. So come out slowly and carefully and show these pricks you mean no harm please."
At the sound of his words, the door to the box clicked and slowly swung open. Subaru himself wasn't all that worried about the little demon's behavior, until he noticed some blood stains on his uniform. Fresh blood stains. 'Ah geez, that guy's bloody hand must've been dripping on me while I was being held down,' thought the hunter before seeing that something was off inside of Nezuko's box. She appeared to be drooling slightly.
"Hey what's wro-," Subaru started to ask before the demon girl suddenly leapt out of the box. The next thing the Matagi felt was searing pain.
And there we have yet another cliffhanger. Seems our heroes can't catch a break between demons and untrusting coworkers. But the big question is what's going on with Nezuko? That and more shall be answered in the next chapter. Until then, feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as the Master announces his decision. 'Til then.