[A/N: Moderately-Majorly OOC tanjiro because I literally can't write him for my life in this chapter.]
The Salty liquid's musk that dripped onto the face of Tanjiro Kamado wasn't enough to mask the overwhelming smell of something foreign. Alien to this winter wonderland. As the smell began to manifest stronger and much more powerful. Time seemed to slow down for Tanjiro as tears from his shrinking sister above him took longer and longer to drop. It wasn't long before everything was equal to a snail for him. But then, all of his senses were overwhelmed with a single thought.
'Danger'
Realizing its sudden halt, time resumed at a screeching pace for Tanjiro as he wrapped his arms around his precious imouto as he rolled just in time to dodge and see a fiery storm erupt as a humanoid figure clashed into their former position. The scent of vaporized snow rushing into the young Kamado's nose and the now overwhelming humidity and gurgling temperature of fires battling the area's frigid and dry state for dominance or equilibrium. The fires eventually dying down as the Human stepped out of the former firestorm.
Staring at him. The man twirled his blade around amusingly and impressively before slamming it in front of it and leaning on it like a town elder would use a walking stick, yet at the same time, he wielded it like a ronin that has been through countless battles and hardships. The man had tempura-colored hair with red tips, an odd uniform, and a Haori with fiery tips, much like his hair.
His face was simply put, unforgettable. Not in a bad way persay. But he had a face that you just couldn't forget after seeing it once. It held child-like innocence, optimism, and confidence like no other. Tanjiro could be told that this man had thought his parents never fought and women got pregnant from kissing and Tanjiro wouldn't have a hard time believing it. That's just how brightly this man's face shined.
Though, at the same time. He also emanated an Aura that demanded respect and authority. His posture as mentioned before personified Discipline, Technique, Style, and power.
The Man's haori was flowing in the freezing wind that rushed into the area as the formerly humid air floated off due to its lower density. A freezing breeze soon ensued, this would cause Tanjiro to shiver normally, but most people could more or less tell that this situation was by all means, not normal.
Though what felt like a good minute of Tanjiro analyzing the arrival of this new man. Was a simple moment for Rengoku Kyojuro to realize why he hadn't hit his mark.
"Hmn! I must ask, why did you protect that demon from my blade? A Person you knew possibly?" The Fiery man asked, pulling his blade upwards in a fluid motion and pointing to Tanjiro's sister.
"Sh-" Tanjiro began, having to gulp down some collected saliva that was in his mouth due to the tension he felt. "She's my sister-" Was as far as he got before another interruption: "GRAAAH!" Nezuko screeched, flailing around the smaller boy's grip as he attempted to keep his younger sister from breaking his grip.
The Fiery man's smile faltered as he watched his poor scene. 'How sad! This poor kid's sister turned into a demon and he's still defending her!' "I admire your bravery, endurance, and self-sacrifice in your attempts to defend your sister but I fear it is too late! She has already transformed and has stopped being a human!" He announced to the Kamados. His brightness and smile back in full force and with a powerful vengeance for the depression that invaded the expression of Rengoku Kyojuro's face.
"No, you're wrong!" Tanjiro defiantly spoke. "She isn't trying to eat me anymore! I can turn her back into a human!" Tanjiro finished.
"It's too bad my boy, it's impossible to turn a demon back into a human after the deed is done, and all demons need to feed on the blood and meat of humans! The most we can do is put her out of her misery and move on from her tragic death, Hmn!" Rengoku stated simply.
Tanjiro whimpered slightly. "No! There must be somehow, some way to turn them back! She isn't attacking me!" Tanjiro stated. Though Rengoku acknowledged this fact before, he believed in his past experiences more than the words of an adolescent boy. Which told him that all demons, All Demons, would lie and pretend if it meant getting their hands on human flesh or to simply save their own hide. Yes, they may preach about not wanting to eat humans for a moment or two but the second the gullible person lowered their guard. They were prepared to throw away their empty promises and comforts all for the simple coppery liquid that all humans were filled with.
Rengoku sighed with disappointment and a hint of proudness from the determined and brave expression that was coated on the face of the Burgundy-haired teenager that sat on the pure white ground in front of him. The air had regained its dry feel as he sprinted towards the boy and his imouto.
Tanjiro naturally dove for the ground with his sister but as he made contact with although soft-looking, defiantly semi-frozen, and hard ground. He lost the presence and scent of his imouto. Being nearly the size of an adult woman, that was damn near impossible.
Quickly piercing upwards and taking a spin of his surroundings, he smells it again, his sister's scent. Turning the way where it originated. He spotted his sister and the Fiery man that wanted to kill her.
His precious imouto under the Fiery man with his foot placed on her back and blade raised prepared to kill the woman, stopped as he heard a yell: "PLEASE DON'T!" Rengoku turned to look at the kid, his smile had already been gone. He knew taking the sister away from a boy who'd likely already lost everything evident from the bloodstains all over him which he was confident did not solely originate from the boy's sister. Was not a moment that he should show a bright smile. The boy had assumed a begging position, digging his forehead into the snow and breaking through its semi-solid surface. "Please... I'm begging you, she's all I have left-"
The somber voice of begging angered Rengoku but not as much as a certain stoic individual in a different universe. "Listen, boy! If you want something, YOU must fight for it! Turn the somber and begging in your face and soul into a raging inferno and take back what you desire! Fight! Defeat me and you'll save your sister!" He pointed his blade at the boy before raising it high, prepared to end the life of the last living daughter of Tajuro Kamado.
Before he can drop his blade of judgment, he heard of deafening roar filled with determination, pain, and most importantly, Fiery Desire. Halting as he turned and saw the boy flinging a stone at him as he started to circle him and his imouto, he slashed at the pebble, slashing straight through.
The boy continued to circle him, throwing pebbles after each time he passed behind a tree. Each being slashed straight in half by the Tempura-haired swordsman.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" The Boy yelled as he flung the last pebble and charged the swordsman, the swordsman presumed that he held what he saw as a sheathed ax behind him.
"I admire your determination and rage but an attack with only those will get you nowhere! Remember this once you wake up!" Rengoku screamed as he raised his sword and slammed the hilt of his blade into the back of the boy's neck.
He scanned the boy as it fell flat onto the white ground, still holding his sister who began to roar at the sight of her fallen brother. He noticed he had no ax.
He quickly scanned the area before hearing an odd *whur-whur-whur* in the air above him, causing him to stare upwards as an ax descended upon him.
*CHRUNK!*
The ax had slammed straight into the bark wood behind him, his demeanor had melted into one of wonder and surprise. Realizing what the boy aimed to do.
'This boy, he wanted to take me down after he went down!'
In his shock, he had weakened his grip on the demon female, allowing her to leap forward, landing her palms on the frozen ground and bending her legs inwards before releasing an explosive double kick onto the Flame Hashira, who was able to block the brunt of the kick with his blade but was still sent a good 5 meters. The Demon then, using its arms, launched itself towards its biological brother.
'No! Even I can't make it in time!' Rengoku Shrieked inside his head
but to his surprise, something much different occurred as the demon met the now mush and soft ground as the frozen exterior had been broken a multitude of times. Kyojuro expected her to immediately feast on her former brother and bring despair. But rather, it had taken a defensive position facing towards himself and growled in a presumed attempt to intimidate him.
His expression and Demeanor became as bright as the sun as he walked over to the brother and sister. Prepared for whatever he had to face to get these siblings back to his estate with permission from Master Kagaya.
Tanjiro's eyes flutter open and his senses, which were used to the frozen and tense environment that they had faced what seemed like a mere moment ago, were overwhelmed by the soft and lush feeling of cloth and silk that graced over his skin gently, the crackles of a furnace and the scent of burnt wood and ashes slowly settling into his ears and nose. He slowly rose from the comfy futon, too disturbed and confused that he had gone from a frozen forest to a comforting futon and room. This likely meant A: he had failed to take down the person who was going to kill his sister and the hunter took him and kill his sister or B: he had succeeded and someone had come across him, and there was also C: He had died and this is the afterlife. Though being the least likely, still something to be considered since he didn't know what hit him, the hilt or blade of the man's katana. Though he didn't feel the distinct stinging and searing pain that usually accommodated a clean cut through flesh.
He scanned the room, spotting his sister resting in a futon beside him and as he looked around more, he spotted the man that was going to kill his imouto. Which meant A was the answer to his question. He slowly stood up and faced the man, who was watching the furnace to ensure the flames kept on blooming. He had turned once Tanjiro landed a step on the traditional Japanese floor tiles.
"Hmn! You have finally woken up!" Kyojure responded with a bright demeanor, the sense of tension had been eradicated by his beaming smile with equally bright teeth. "A-ah! Hello..." Tanjiro answered simply "Where are we?" He asked, observing the room.
"A wisteria house! It's a break area that Demon Slayers use. We're going to the Demon Slayer Corps for my report and for you to get inducted as my Tsuguko Candidate!"
"Wait. Demon Slayer Corps? Tsuguko? Can you please explain everything to me?" Kamado asked.
"Oh right! I suggest you take a seat." The Tempura-haired Hashira pointed at the ground. "This is going to be a long talk, Hmn!"
Tanjiro followed his instructions as he sat down.
"Alright! The Demon Slayer Corps is an official autonomous military branch that deviants from the government with its own command structure, official codex, and among other things. We were also granted a moderate funding fund and recruitment abilities although we are relatively unknown to people who lack primary and secondary education or people in rural areas; such as your own, though most people have been properly educated of the existence of onis, towns such as your own have little to no contact to others so it's relatively easy to guess why you don't know of us. We were granted autonomy and officialized as a government entity after the 1867 Kyoto Accident where a large number of demons created by Muzan Kibutsuji, which I will explain who is later, killed a large number of the Japanese population within that area. We were previously denied officialization by the shogunate due to our higher treatment of women but since the new government lightened more on those regulations, we were barely granted officialization." Kyojuro inhaled before continuing "Mizunoto → Mizunoe → Kanoto → Kanoe → Tsuchinoto → Tsuchinoe → Hinoto → Hinoe → Kinoto → Kinoe → Tsuguko → Hashira is how the Rank System goes, Tsuguko are hand-selected or recruited heirs of Hashiras.
Hashiras are the best swordsmen in the entire Corps. Once you become my Tsuguko, you'll be the second-highest rank in the entire Corps." He continued. "Now onto the final thing we'll speak about, Muzan Kibutsuji, he is the creator of all demons. Likely meaning your sister was turned into a demon by Muzan. There isn't much to know about Muzan so we'll stop here. " Kyojuro stopped, Tanjiro's head was slightly spinning 'Whoa- So much information...' (A/N: There won't be much of a difference on how the Demon Slayer Corps operate other than they lack some issues they had in lore regarding funding and recruitment. I mostly wanted to include this because I want some sick-ass urban fight scenes later in the story, I'm not gonna do some massive ass changes other than what I mentioned. So don't worry.) Tanjiro shook his head before he stared at Kyojuro. "So, what about me being a candidate to become your Tsuguko?"
Tanjiro asked.
"Yes, that! I'll train you to become my Tsuguko so you can also look for a cure for your sister in the meantime. I am also greatly impressed with how you tried to take me down. I really admire your determination and intelligence, Hmn!"
Since it benefited Tanjiro, he simply nodded.
Kyojuro lifted something behind a box behind his chair and gave it to Tanjiro. "By the way, you'll be walking with your sister in that box and a bunch of rocks in a sack as a part of your training."
" I don't believe I heard you correctly, Mister," Tanjiro spoke.
It'd been around a day since they arrived at Kyojuro's estate, they were beginning their training today.
The people had confiscated Nezuko and Sanemi had even stabbed Nezuko but despite Tanjiro's protests after being told of this. Kyojuro said he had it handled and would not allow him to go and 'beat up the people who took Nezuko.' Which Kyojuro knew for sure would result in him facing the pillars and dying near instantly. He had gotten the pillars to accept his new Tsuguko because A: He's seen as a sort of big brother figure and is trusted. B: Nezuko's display of disgust at Sanemi's rare blood.
Anyways. Tanjiro was currently making his way through the Rengoku estate with a training uniform by one of the servants and directed to a training field. When he arrived, he spotted Kyojuro standing idly by waiting for him. He walked over and spoke "Kyojuro-sensei." He bowed respectfully.
"You're here! Good, my boy." Kyojuro spoke. "We'll be doing some physical training to prepare you for swordsmanship training and for you to learn Flame Breathing! But the details of those parts of your Tsuguko training are not important right now." Kyojuro continued. "Now, get in a push-up position!" Tanjiro did so and then felt the heavyweight with the name of 'Kyojuro' Jump onto his back in a squat position, causing him to slam into the ground.
"Now! Give me 100 pushups!" Kyojuro
'NO FUCKING WA-'
Tanjiro stood in a defensive position, surrounded by raging flames as he struggled for breath. The Fires absorbing all the breathable air for their own growth. The layer of ash making breathing even more difficult. The scent of ash eliminated the presence of Kjojuro which was currently hiding behind the flames and waiting for the perfect time to strike him.
The very weak scent of sweat invaded his nose with the ashes. 'To my right.' Tanjiro spun right, producing a large heavy swing just as Kyojuro had launched through the firestorm and ran towards him.
Going low, Kyojuro dodged Tanjiro's blade by several centimeters as he charged at Tanjiro, raising the hilt of his blade and slamming the butt of it into the gut of Tanjiro, causing Tanjiro to cough saliva as he viciously coughed, trying to regain the air he had lost.
At that time, several servants proceeded to put the fire out using several large fire blankets and water. Kyojuro stood over the wheezing figure of Tanjiro
"Wheeze~ Are we- Wheeze~ finally done with this exercise?" Tanjiro asked in a tired tone.
"Actually, you've gotten to the state where you're able to breathe through the ashes as you have noticed, Hmn? So I believe we aren't that far from our goal." Kyojuro answered with his trademark smile.
"You've already told me, Kyojuro-sensei." He took a big mouth full of air and finally relaxed.
"I know I did Tanjiro!" He patted Tanjiro's back a bit hard. "I was just reminding you, Hmn!" "And to answer your question, we are done for this exercise, for now, we're on to walking on the hot-bed of coals barefoot! You must be able to stand on them for atleast an hour while utilizing Total Concentration!"
'Out of the fire, into the frying pan...' Tanjiro thought as his face paled into submission.
6 Month Time skip (yes.)
*Whiff-whiff* The scent of salty sweat entering his nose by the far corners of his nose indicated that it was coming from behind him.
Swinging in a 360-degree arc, he immediately spun on his heel to face where he had just slashed, seeing Kyojuro slightly back-tracking to avoid his slash.
Tanjiro was no fool. Although he was getting more and more powerful, swings more calculated and his technique more refined. His reflexes, strength, agility, and overall raw power were no match for his Sensei. He jumped back and launched his elbow back, getting in a defensive position where he was prepared to launch an explosive thrust forwards if Kyojuro dared come within his range.
Kyojuro, realizing this, backed right back into the flame storm, concealing his scent and himself from Tanjiro's senses.
Tanjiro wasn't allowed to enter the flames so he just got back into a defensive stance in the center of the circle. Keeping his nose sharp, ready to pick up any drop of proof of human activity.
'Behind.' Tanjiro's thoughts and senses flickered, a wave of hesitation freezing up his muscles. He swiftly snapped out of it but it was too late to avoid the strike completely, he had to face it head-on if he didn't want to get cut.
He spins the hilt of the sword in his hands, pointing it vertically upwards. Twisting his hips and then producing a semi-diagonal arc backward, meeting the middle of Kyojuro's blade just as it approached his side. The force in the blade forcing him to launch himself away from Kyojuro's blade, steadily missing him.
He took a massive breath and his senses froze. Time slowly dulling over.
'Where had I experienced this before?' Tanjiro Thought idly, a fierce sense of deja vu overtaking what fluid parts of his mind left.
He finished taking his slowed down breath and felt it wave over his body: The Opening Thread.
His breathing becoming more explosive, combustive, and energetic, he exploded forward as flames engulfed his blade.
"UNKNOWNING FIRE!" Tanjiro screamed, bolting forward as flames engulfed the area he previously stood on. As he approached Kyojuro, he brought his blade in a massive upwards arc.
Kyojuro was still in a crouching-like posture, as he saw Tanjiro bolt towards him, he quickly pulled his head back, but that didn't stop him from getting a scorching hot cut on his cheek. His (Tanjiro's) flames were much more potent and innately powerful than his own. Which said a lot, most can only dream of matching the innate potential and spiritual energy of the Hashiras. But it wasn't surprising to Kyojuro that his flames were more powerful, it's why he chose him for God's sake. But what impressed him was how much damn powerful they were.
In his readings of his clan's old books. No one had ever achieved Blue Flames before. They knew that blue flames were the product of temperatures so scorchingly high that some chemical smuck breaks down and gives the flames a new color. He never thought a swordsman could achieve it.
Shifting his footwork, instead of being sharp and more predictable, he started more wide movements and erratic/unpredictable movements. Pouncing over onto Kyojuro while he was still surprised by the sudden display of blue flames. Stepping over, "RISING SCORCHING SUN - HORIZON!" He announced as he slashed horizontally in an arc.
Kyojuro snapping out of his phase, snapped his head back, the tip of his nose being cut slightly.
He immediately tensed up as Tanjiro pulled his blade over his head.
"Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation." He muttered with a smiled, his sword leaving his sheathe. Twisting his hips, he slashed in a wide 360-degree arc, creating a shield of flames between him and Tanjiro.
Tanjiro had jumped back to dodge the blade before positioning his blade against his left side. Taking a sharp inhale.
"First Form: Unknowning Fire!" Kyojuro announced before Tanjiro was able to finish his breathing pattern. Kyojuro launched towards him, Tanjiro's reflexes were not sharp enough to block the blunt side of Kyojuro's katana slamming into the back of his neck.
Darkness consumed Tanjiro as he fell unconscious.
A/N: Honestly, Writing training shit is boring as fuck, as you can see below, I do a large time skip until the ending of his training and to the final selection because damn is it hard to get creative for these things. I'll write a side-story for Tanjiro's training to justify his growth and things regarding his blue flames. I'll address it at the end of the chapter.
[Switching POV: First Person Tanjiro.]
I walked along the path as the wisteria that hanged the lowest traced my right cheek, I had made of a habit of constantly smiling lightly. Being with Kyojuro's sun bright, toothy, and pure smile eventually made my face morph into something somewhat similar. "A comforting smile" is what most called it.
It'd been around 3 years since I had begun my training. I've learned some things, got ridden civilian habits, went through harsh training, and literally got taught how to erupt flames from my weapon like it's nothing.
I currently wore a custom haori that is similarly themed to Kyojuro's but the flames theme is blue. My Uniform is tinted blue with the standard baggy pants and shirt. Belt tightly wrapped around my waist with my Katana tucked through the belt, the edge facing downwards.
The Katana itself had a black sheathe with a red tip-piece, the hilt resembled Kyojuro's own but the color theme being switched to a light blue and white. The nichirin blade itself had a similar color scheme aswell, a vibrant blue brightly painted the sharp edge of the blade. The bright and vibrant blue slowly dissolved into a pastel light one and then into a near completely white color at the dull side of the blade.
I made sure I had everything on me, several small vials of wisteria poison provided by Shinobu dearest? Check. Katana? Did I just say it was tucked into my belt? How the hell would I miss my most important weapon. Also the addition of a small Henry Single-barreled break-action shotgun with a shortened barrel and a smaller stock. Only Tsugukos and Hashiras (If they choose so) get to have one. Most rifle specialists/marksmen that come from recruitment get the standard-issue Japanese rifle with modified dust shot rounds but are forced to get basic sword training and possibly adopt a breath style.
I digress, the point I was going to get to was that I stand out in a crowd of people who simply wore a trainee uniform they were all issued in basic training. Much different from mine. Though the most I got gossip-wise was just a few simple mockings that said I was a rich kid or something. Some of the more prideful ones said that I was a pampered child that would die the second we begin the test and they couldn't wait to watch.
It took me all that I had to not walk over and aggressively pound my head into their own. But Kyojuro-sensei had already prepared me for the basic trainee's discrimination.
Tsugukos and Hashira's identities and information were hidden from the public, as this could endanger their families. And trainees are only taught what the Hashiras were, what they looked like, and their first names. The Tsugukos of which are left unmentioned other than them being labeled as "The Heirs of The Hashiras."
Basically, he was showing up to a military camp with a very expensive suit and a big sign saying "KICK ME" in bold.
But he wasn't alone subjugated to the taunts of the basic trainees.
He already knew his fellow Tsuguko, Shinobu's personal trainee, Kanao Tsuyuri was here with him. He made friends with her before and got her to begin making her own decisions and stop relying on a coin flip to decide for her. (although he relied on the luck of said coin flip to do so.)
But there were more... odd members.
He had just realized there was a distinct yelling from the corner of the dispersed crowd. Turning his attention, he spotted three Drill Instructors from the Basic Training batch holding down a man with a boar head mask, who of which was flailing around attempting to get out of the grasp of the Instructors as the Instructors themselves were speaking to the man. Or rather yelling over his loud voice.
"TRAINEE INOSUKE, I FUCKING SWEAR, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE WE BAR YOU FROM BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FINAL SELECTION OR EVEN TRYING TO JOIN THE DEMON SLAYER CORPS AS A WHOLE." After a bit, they were able to calm him down by persuading him that if he waited patiently, he would be allowed to depart early up the mountain. Which they then released him promptly up the mountain after about 3 minutes.
There was also a yellow-haired teenager that stood slightly shivering with an expression that was a mix of fear and determination.
And the aforementioned Kanao simply watching it with a moderately empty expression but slightly morphed into an odd expression when her eyes met Tanjiro's own. But it contained emotion, that was a start.
There was also another girl, with a fox mask that was strapped under her right ear and faced diagonally upwards from the left side of her head. She wore an empty expression and blank eyes. But they were different from Kanao, though, they resembled the description of the Water Hashira, Giyuu Tomioka.
Removing my attention from the moderate-sized crowd of people and those special attendees mentioned, I slowly made my way to the front. Once I got there, I faced two instructors that blocked them from entering the mountain and two children. One that had white hair and black eyes and another that had black hair and white eyes.
One of the instructors takes a view over the crowd before moving in front of the two children.
*Cough Cough* "- Ahemn! Attention!"
All the basic trainees immediately tensed up as they faced the instructor with their hands behind their back and in a different posture. I did so too but Kanao and the fox mask woman didn't.
"Alright, those of you from basic training, congratulations. You've made it to the Final Selection after completing your basic training. You've already been briefed on the dangers of hunting demons constantly. But this is your final reminder. During this Final Selection, you can and some of you will. Die." The Instructor announced, before taking a sharp breath and continuing. "If you wish to leave, you allowed to do so, but you are expected to relent all of your given equipment and all benefits of being a Demon slayer will be removed from your family and yourself." He finished as he moved aside for the two children.
The Atmosphere had definitely gotten more tense and heavy, I took a glance behind me, looking at the yellow-haired teenager who had adopted a much more serious face. Now that I had gotten a better look, I saw that his face had two dirt scuffs on his cheekbones.
Turning back to face the two children, they had begun to speak.
"Greetings, Everyone." The child spoke in a surprisingly rough and monotone voice.
"Thank you all for your courage and bravery in your want to join the Demon Slayer Corps." She paused, inhaling before continuing. "As you have seen, there is wisteria littered across the base of the mountain, a plant that is poisonous to demons. This is because, up the mountain, many demons were captured by current members of the Demon Slayer Corps and deposited here. Due to wisteria, the demons are incapable of leaving." The black-haired girl stopped and stepped back as the white-haired one took her place.
"You will be journeying up the mountain and down it over the course of 7 days while slaying demons that come through your path or attempting to survive by avoiding them. If you are capable of doing so. You will be allowed to join the Demon Slayer Corps as the rank of Mizunoto." The white-haired girl finished, to me, she had a feminine and much lighter voice compared to the other girl, though, equally as monotone.
""You may now begin the Final Selection by entering the mountain, we wish you good luck."" They both said monotonously.
Walking past them, We all dispersed into the forest, most prepared to survive; some prepared for everything.
.
.
.
[Switch to Third Person POV]
Tanjiro Kamado moved through the forest, solely illuminated by the shiny full moon. His breathing patterns sharp and solid.
He had honed his senses endlessly under Kyojuro, his sense of smell was still his strongest sense. But he believed that all of his other senses have reached a state somewhat above half that of his original sense of smell. His smell had gotten so unbelievably strong that he was able to smell through even his own blue and white fire burning through kilograms of wood at once. He trained so much so that if he had gone blind, he would be able to use his sense of smell to cover over his lack of sight.
Back to the forest, his sense of smell was of course, impeccable, the scent that demons emanate is so disgustingly powerful and negative that he can smell it a mile away (not really, of course.).
Well, now it was time to hunt.
[END]
A snippet of the Next chapter: Beginning of a Long Journey.
Taking a long and sharp breath through his nose, the strong scent of a dark miasma crept past his nostrils. Making the little hair on his forearm that he had, stand up.
A/N: If you want to know shit regarding my actual writing, skip to the end of the A/N, I have a rant.
I have now made a personal goal to genderbend every single character that has a slightly major presence or role during the entire manga. Muzan is the gender-bent one for this fic and will be the romantic interest. Yes, you fucking read that right. (Giyuu won't be gender-bent for this round of writing degeneracy.)
Now, onto the most important question: Why?
Oh, of that, I have a special tale to tell you.
Let's skip back to the morning of 4/19, where I sat on my bed in a state of limbo, the shackles of horniness on my ankles, and the purity of being unable to pop a bone. As any sane member of the male community would do, I pulled out my phone, searched up "Demon Slayer fanfic", went to filters, and shamelessly put "Mature" rating and "100K+", I wanted a long haul. Scrolling diligently like I was trying to pick up my son's Christmas gift.
I found a story written by the literal incarnation of good writing skills, understanding of character depth and personality, and degeneracy all packaged nicely into a form of flesh and bones. The harbinger of all things considered a sin, 1angel2heart. You may know where for Ruination Book 1 - 2: Tanijrou's Destiny and literally nothing else on Fanfiction net demon slayer archive. But somehow, just somehow, I sadly waltzed upon that abomination. Clicking the title I immediately read the first chapter, then the second, then the third, and soon. I had read more than half of the fucking story.
The feeling brewing inside of me at that moment was not lust or horniness. It was fucking awe at how a person, nay, a deity. Possibly existed that could make a story that is mainly about Tanjiro getting anally raped by "Muzan Demon Daddy" and still be able to have a story more captivating than anything I hope to ever write in my short life as a fanfiction writer.
Like fucking seriously, I should be the one writing shit about that plot and 1angel2heart should be the one that is writing the actually interesting plot idea of Kyojuro meeting Tanjiro instead of Giyuu meeting Tanjiro.
I digress. Being extremely pissed off, I proceeded to look for an outlet, any outlet, to furiously shit rage all over to empty the emotions contained deep within the true state of my fucking soul.
And I decided to get back on the universe by gender-bending Muzan and eliminating the possibly good plot of Tanjiro being Kyojuro's Tsuguko. Fuck you universe.
TL: DR - Muzan is genderbent and is the romantic interest for this story (Tanjiro's). Good fucking luck with your journies back to heaven.
Other than that. Tanjiro's Blue flames can be explained due to his innate energy. He can replicate the flames of the sun, which put shortly, the heat of the sun great enough to produce blue flames. This is why when the innate potential is used to fuel Flame breathing, he gets the explosive product of extremely hot blue-white flames.
Though, even though he's much more powerful than in canon when he came out of Urokodaki's training. (I believe that he has a greater affinity to flames for obvious reasons.) He'll have a much more troublesome time mastering sun breathing and probably won't until he's in a life or death scenario. Which I don't plan to put him in one which he will force him to awaken it because, well. There is a line concerning OP MCs, I won't be crossing it anytime soon.
Other than that, The original canon timeline will be greatly elongated to serve my masochist wants of being shackled to writing a single series until I eventually stop writing it for fun and simply due to my obligingness to write it. There'll be (un)epic action scenes that reek of inexperience! Shallow characters! Dumbassry! Etc.
Well, other than that, I have nothing else to say to my fellow degenerate family, this is the king of procrastination, mediocre writing skills, bad grammar, and shallow characters. Departing.