FULL STORY SUMMARY

Rated M for mature/Rated E for explicit. Reader discretion advised.

To free the Earth from Kibutsuji Muzan and Mujōna's tyranny and demon reign, a new organization prepares and trains for battle.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

💌Hello, everyone!💌

In this part, I said that I would focus on building and introducing my original characters. I've finished creating the rest of the Pairons and The Twelve Kishoku (The Twelve Eclipses).

✨Honestly, I'm sure that this will be the best part out of all of them.✨

Our adorable Purebloods, Mugoi and Mujihi, will finally have their own voices and actions! I'm so excited for them!

I've finally decided what I want to do for the Douma and Inosuke situation. It'll take some chapters to get to it (don't take my word for it), but it'll be worth the wait.🐺

I've decided what I want to do for the Gyomei and Kaigaku situation. Thanks to cartoonaddict's wonderful suggestion, I can properly implement it in the story.💖

💕What I plan to do is omit the part where The Twelve Kitaiyō met The Twelve Kizuki (They met in The Sun Rises, Lightning Strikes.)

💗I know that'll get rid of Sanemi and Daki's first encounter, but perhaps I could just make a scene where he's on his own so they could meet. I think it'd be better if The Twelve Kitaiyō came across their superiors on their own.✨

As always, thanks for the amazing suggestions and comments! Please feel free to comment your thoughts. Writing this is a team effort 💕

️読んでくれてありがとう ️

MEDIA DICTIONARY

* Thoughts

* "Dialogue."

* 'Telepathic dialogue.'

* "'Hearing someone's thoughts.'"

* "Past conversation."

* {Sound}

* [Movement]

OMOIKITTA

Because of her injury, Omoikitta was unable to do her Second Stage training. For six months, she was confined in her room and the only person there to keep her company was Tsuyo. She and the blonde-haired guard talked nearly every day, so their relationship grew and strengthened over time.

Omoikitta's injured leg was propped up as Tsuyo and Lin on either side of her. Because of her injury, Omoikitta was unable to do her Second Stage training.

Aggravated, the doctor frowned and heaved a displeasured sigh, holding a pair of surgical scissors. "Omoikitta, before I remove your cast, I need you to promise me that you won't be reckless and injure it again!" she spat.

"Yes, Doctor Lin. I'll be super careful and—"

"If you injure this leg once again, not only will you be insulting my work, but you'll never be able to walk correctly for the rest of your life!" she roared.

Tsuyo and Omoikitta were shaken and taken aback by Lin's intense rage. The doctor angrily crossed her arms and adjusted her glasses.

"…I promise," Omoikitta said, her jade green eyes filled with honestly. "I'll be careful."

"Yeah, she'll be really careful from now on, Doctor Lin!" Tsuyo exclaimed, beaming. "I'll make sure of it!"

Lin's face reluctantly softened, and she removed the cast. The cool air pleasantly hit the tan flesh of Omoikitta's leg, sending chills down her spine.

Freedom.

Cool, crisp, unequivocal freedom.

Omoikitta jumped up and did a few cartwheels. "Yes! Oh, thank you, Doctor Lin! You're an angel!"

Lin and Tsuyo laughed as Omoikitta joyously performed a series of tricks.

After Lin had left to treat her other patients, Tsuyo's joyful demeanor shifted into an uneasy, concerned one. "…Hey, can I ask you something?"

As she folded some of her training outfits, Omoikitta said, "Sure."

"How— How did your leg break in the first place?" he asked. "I've always wondered what happened because you came here with a broken leg."

Visions and memories of Mujōna and the mysterious, silent white-haired demon flashed in her mind. Seething, Omoikitta's heart pounded in her chest as she angrily clenched her fists.

I'll… I'll—

…I'll kill you both!

"Uh, Omoikitta? Are you there?" Tsuyo's voice drew her out of the dark corners of her mind. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Tsuyo. I'm… fine. I broke my leg when I fell off a cliff, but thankfully, the way down wasn't too bad."

Baffled, Tsuyo stared at her for a while, then broke into a wide grin. "Well, okay! I'm glad that the way down wasn't that bad as well!"

Just as she opened her mouth to respond, a man barged through the door and roared, "Omoikitta Akagi!"

Startled, Omoikitta fell to the floor and Tsuyo looked as if he was on the verge of death. They turned to see a short elderly man shooting daggers at them, scowling.

Oh my God.

No way.

There's no fucking way—

"Omoikitta, because of your continued recklessness, you missed your Second Stage training!" Dūlen roared, wagging his cane. "To get you where you need to be, I took it upon myself to be your instructor!"

"What? But you were my First Stage instructor!" she cried.

Dūlen smirked and said, "All the other instructors have moved on and won't focus on you as much as I do! Now, let's get going!" The elderly man grabbed Omoikitta by her ear and practically dragged her to the door.

"No! Oh my God, please no! I don't want you as my instructor!" Omoikitta wailed as she dug her nails into the floor.

"Because you have yet to be properly tamed! But I'll tame you, Omoikitta. I'll tame you if it's the last thing I do!"

Dumbfounded, Tsuyo gawked at the spectacle from afar.

"Tsuyo! Help me!"

Just as Tsuyo moved to intervene, Dūlen said, "If you take one more step, I'll let it be known that your infatuation has caused you to disregard your post!"

The blonde-haired guard immediately sat down. "I'm good, thanks."

Furious, Omoikitta yelled, "Infatuation? Are you nuts, you old—"

Before she could finish, Dūlen hit her leg with his cane.

"Ack! Stop! I just healed there!" she howled.

"I shall teach you the ways of true, honorable samurai and shinobi!" Dūlen said, grinning triumphantly. "Omoikitta, you will remember the next six months for the rest of your life!"

ZENITSU

For the past six months, Zenitsu and Nezuko had been training fervently together in the training simulations of the demon realm. The two demons' strength had increased exponentially, and so did their relationship.

Zenitsu and Nezuko had just obliterated an entire league of Kakushi targets.

Breathing heavily, she said, "So, do you think we're ready to practice in the human realm now?"

Zenitsu's eyes shifted as he came up with the perfect excuse. Nezuko had been pleading for them to practice on actual victims for a while, but he would always convince her that they weren't ready just yet.

"…N-no, not yet, Nezuko."

Pouting, she asked, "How come?"

"Uh… Because my aim isn't good, heh!"

Aim? Oh, why did I say that?

"Your… aim? Zenitsu, you aren't an archer of any sort," she giggled. "What's really holding you back?"

Zenitsu turned away and covered his face, which looked as if it was about to burst.

I'm blowing my fucking cover like an idiot! Shit, shit, shit!

Come on, think, Zenitsu!

Think!

Veins throbbed all over the yellow-haired demon's body as he pushed his brain to its limits to create to an actual excuse.

After a few moments, Zenitsu said, "…I want to keep practicing here because the demon realm helps me focus and I still haven't gotten the hang on my kekkijutsu, heh. I want to master all of my techniques before we kill any humans."

Nezuko stared at him with wide eyes for a while, then said, "…Okay, Zenitsu. Sure."

Relieved, he said, "Are you sure that's okay, Nezuko?"

"Yeah. It's not a big deal. Now that I think of it, you're probably right. I still haven't unlocked the rest of my powers." Then she leaned in and said, "We should focus on unlocking our full demon forms!"

Upon hearing that, Zenitsu's eyes looked as if they were about to fall out of his skull. "Our what?"

"Our full demon forms!" she said cheerfully. "Like Shinobu!"

Oh my God.

She's so far gone! Oh, Nezuko, why?

"…O-okay, Nezuko," he stammered. "B-but it may take a while since Lady Mujōna isn't here to give us more of her blood."

A sorrowful expression crossed Nezuko's face as she said, "…Oh, yeah. Right." Then she squeezed his hand and said, "I miss Her."

Perspiration formed on his forehead as he said, "M-me too, h-heh!"

After they finished drinking a few glasses of blood, they went to find some of the other members of The Twelve Kitaiyō.

They found Muichiro, Obanai, Mitsuri, and Inosuke playing mahjong in a tatami room. While the others were taking the game quite serious, Inosuke indulged in chewing the tiles.

"Stop biting this shit, you mutt," Obanai spat. "Leave if you're not going to play correctly."

"I would play if you taught me how to!" Inosuke angrily hissed. Then he slammed his fists on the table, which destroyed the game.

"Inosuke, why did you do that?" Mitsuri cried.

Muichiro heaved an exasperated, disappointed sigh. Just as Obanai reached for his blade, Zenitsu and Nezuko entered the chamber.

"H-hey, you guys!" Zenitsu sheepishly laughed. "What's going on?"

Obanai stood up and growled, "Watashi shi hako no inu o shitani oku tsu mo ri desu."

✧TRANSLATION: Obanai stood up and growled, "I'm about to put this mutt down."

Inosuke took off his boar mask and stood in a battle stance. The beast demon's hair was matted, and dirt was all over his face. "Try me!" he roared.

"There will be no fighting!" Nezuko abruptly yelled, which caused everyone to pause and look at her. "Thank you," she giggled softly.

"Whatever," Obanai sighed as he pulled Mitsuri in his arms, who snuggled against him.

Inosuke turned his head to look at Zenitsu and practically cracked his neck. Then he charged at him and gasped, "Zenitsu, you look… different."

Zenitsu fully revealed his arm with pride, which was covered in muscles and veins. "Yep!"

"We've been training nonstop for a while, and it's been paying off!" Nezuko laughed.

Inosuke swiftly ripped off Zenitsu's uniform and gasped at the sight. Instead of being pudgy, Zenitsu's physique was quite muscular.

"My clothes! Inosuke!" Zenitsu screeched.

"Zenitsu, you're not tubby anymore," Inosuke whispered, his eyes wide. "…I don't know what to call you now."

"How about my name?"

Inosuke pretended to contemplate for a few moments, then smirked mischievously. "Nope. I'll call you… Stupid! Yeah, Stupid! Hey, Stupid!"

As Zenitsu and Inosuke bickered, a powerful presence approached and entered the chamber.

There, standing in the doorway, was Upper Moon Three; Kaigaku.

"My name isn't Tubby or Stupid!" Zenitsu shrieked. "It's Zenitsu!"

Inosuke pointed at the doorway and said, "Uh, Stupid? Look behind you!"

"Why, Inosuke? So you can ruin my hao— Oh my God!" Zenitsu eyes bulged out of their sockets and he fell to the floor. "...K-Kaigaku, what are y-you doing here, h-heh?"

Oh my God, its him!

Shit, shit, shit!

Zenitsu scrambled to get up and collect the scraps of his training uniform. He pitifully hid himself behind his haori.

Kaigaku gave a smug smile and sneered, "So, you have actual muscles now? It's about time."

The other demons silently watched the spectacle and didn't move a muscle because they knew who was their superior.

Except Nezuko.

Nezuko stood in front of Zenitsu and said, "Leave him alone, Kaigaku!"

A broad grin spread across Kaigaku's face as he leaned against the doorway. "Or what?"

"Or I'll have no choice but to hurt you!" Nezuko's claws and fangs extended, and vine-like demon crests gradually began to appear all over her body.

Kaigaku chuckled at the sight and said, "Really, Zenitsu? You're going to let your woman protect you? I expected more from you."

Oh no, he's right! Nezuko defending me only makes me look like more of a wimp!

Shit, shit, shit!

Zenitsu tossed the remains of his uniform and gently moved in front of Nezuko. "You don't have to defend me, Nezuko. I'll handle this!"

Oh, shit, I hope I can handle this!

"W-why do you treat me like this, Kaigaku?" he shouted. "I did nothing to you!"

"If you seriously believe that, then you've lost your mind," Kaigaku said ominously. Then he emitted an incredibly powerful aura of bloodlust that made everyone's hair stand on end. "I told you that this wasn't over, didn't I?"

Zenitsu gulped and felt every bone in his body telling him to run, but stayed put. The yellow-haired demon took shaky breaths as he stood in front of Nezuko.

There is no way I could beat Kaigaku. I'd be a fool to fight him!

Even of all of us attacked him at once, he's powerful enough to kill us all!

I just have to protect Nezuko. That's all I need to worry about.

Kaigaku and Zenitsu locked eyes for what felt like an eternity until Kaigaku said, "Are you challenging me, little bro?"

Silence.

"Because the look in your eyes is telling me that you're willing to risk it all."

Silence.

"Either you fight me, or I'll take your woman's offer," he said. Then Kaigaku withdrew his blade, which began to emit streaks of lightening. "With this blade… I'll split her in two."

Upon hearing that, Zenitsu's eyes darkened and his hands began to shake.

But it wasn't out of fear.

But out of anger.

A pure, sheer rage swept over Zenitsu's entire being. His demon cells were stimulated and throbbed within him, beckoning him to succumb to his fury.

Nezuko…

He just threatened Nezuko.

Zenitsu put his head down as an inexplicable wind swirled around him, his haori flowing in the breeze. An aura of bloodlust that was just as, if not more, powerful than Kaigaku's emanated from him.

Obanai, Mitsuri, Inosuke, and Nezuko watched the spectacle in horror and disbelief.

"No fucking way," Obanai said.

"That's his— He's unlocking his full demon form!" Mitsuri gasped.

Awestruck, Nezuko never took her eyes off him. "…Zenitsu," she whispered.

Streaks of lightening-like demon crests spread all over Zenitsu's body and glowed. The stripe markings on his cheeks were replaced by two glowing, jagged lightning strikes.

An astonished look crossed Kaigaku's face, but only for a moment. Then he smirked and said, "…A challenge. I actually won't feel bad about fighting you now."

Zenitsu lifted his head and stared at Kaigaku with eyes that were completely white and glowing. The wind swirling around him intensified and threatened to engulf everyone but Nezuko.

"Zenitsu, I hope you know that when we fight, it'll be a lot different than when you fought Tanjirou," he said. "Unlike Tanjirou, I've actually unlocked my full strength and received a lot of That Man's blood. You know what that means, right?"

Instead of responding, Zenitsu clenched his fists. He knew that Kaigaku was telling the truth and that there was no way he could defeat him in his current state, full demon or not. The bloodlust Kaigaku emitted before was only a fraction of his true capacity.

I'd be a fool to challenge him. I know that I'd lose and probably die, so why am I not running away?

Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nezuko.

…Because of her. I have to protect her.

I can't let Kaigaku threaten her. What kind of man lets another man speak to his woman like that?

A coward, that's who.

And I'm not a fucking coward.

Zenitsu withdrew his blade and slowly approached Kaigaku.

Kaigaku's black scleras gleamed with a violent, malicious intent. "You've grown up a lot, little brother. I'm almost… proud. Almost."

"You aren't my brother, Kaigaku," Zenitsu said in a voice that wasn't his.

You used to be, but not anymore.

Zenitsu's words seemed to catch Kaigaku off guard, but only for a moment. As he nonchalantly held his blade, he said, "I'll do what Tanjirou couldn't."

Kaigaku and Zenitsu prepared to battle and stalked closer to each other.

Visons and images of the good times he, Kaigaku, and Jigoro shared flooded his mind. The memories were within arm's reach, yet ever so far away.

I don't want to fight him at all.

Even though he's a traitor and practically against everything I've ever fought for, I don't want to hurt him.

Kaigaku would gleefully take my life with a smile on his face, while I would hesitate. But I'm not fighting him for myself, but for Nezuko.

…I can't do this on my own. Gramps, I do need you.

Zenitsu closed his eyes as he and Kaigaku raised their swords to attack.

Just as they moved to deliver devasting blows to each other, a barrier prevented them from doing so.

Perplexed, Kaigaku scowled and backed away. "What the hell?"

Zenitsu opened his eyes and stared at the barely visible barrier before him.

…A barrier? But who casted it?

Suddenly, two identical, white-haired female demons appeared, smiling faintly.

They wore matching black kimonos with gold flower embroidery and their lips were painted red. They had rose-colored eyes that were wide and coated with mascara. Their hair was a pure, striking white and styled into a blunt bob.

The only way to tell the twins apart was by looking at the ribbon in their hair. While one wore a black ribbon, the other wore a red ribbon.

The two white-haired demons turned to Kaigaku and said, "Zenitsu Agatsuma is the property of Lady Mujōna, so no harm will come to him."

"Property?" Zenitsu screeched. "That's like saying I'm no different than the clothes I'm wearing right now!"

Seething, Kaigaku's grip on his blade tightened as he gritted his fangs. Then he conceded and heaved an annoyed, exasperated sigh.

"…Alright." Kaigaku sulked as he took a few steps back and vanished in thin air.

The two white-haired demons bowed to the others, then vanished as well.

Baffled, Muichiro said, "…What just happened?"

Zentisu's eyes reverted back to their usual demonic state, and his demon crests disappeared.

"Zenitsu!" Nezuko cried as she tackled and smothered him in her embrace. "I'm glad that you unlocked your full demon form, but I was so worried about you! Please don't ever do such a thing again!"

"But I had to protect you, Nezuko," he said.

"I know, and I appreciate you for doing that. I was just so— You're so brave for protecting me, Zenitsu, but you can't go against Kaigaku like that ever again."

Nezuko embraced him even tighter and rested her head against his chest. Zenitsu softly kissed her forehead, his heart pounding in his ears.

As the other demons rambled about what just took place, Zenitsu stared at his trembling hand.

Yet, this tremble wasn't out of fear, but of hunger.

Zenitsu's claws lengthened and his hand tingled with the desire to spill the blood of innocents. His hand seemed to move on its own and emanate a bloodthirsty aura that only he could feel.

…Bloodlust. Unlocking my full demon form awakened the bloodlust from my demon cells!

It's good that my human conscious is still intact, but the price I have to pay seems to be at the cost of… my body.

This is bad.

This is really bad.

GIYU

For the past six months, Giyu had isolated himself from the others and primarily spent time in the human realm. The only time he would return to the demon realm was when he needed to feed.

Giyu found solace in seclusion and was content as possible under the circumstances. The other members of The Twelve Kitaiyō would constantly try to reach out to him, but Giyu wouldn't budge.

To improve his dimensional traveling skills, Giyu would practice teleporting to different parts of the Earth. The black-haired demon would appear in various areas in the east, west, north, and south, and roam the Earth in solitude.

Giyu refused to take the life of another and his Kill Count had stayed the same: Zero.

The ruthless, nagging desire to sate his bloodlust overwhelmed him at times, but he would overcome it by reminiscing of how things were before.

FLASHBACK:

TIMESKIP: SIX MONTHS AGO

At twilight, Giyu sat upon the cliffs of a mountainous region in the east. The occasional whiff of humans would pass by, but it didn't bother or incline him to succumb to his demonic urges.

The thousand acres of evergreens below filled the valleys with snowy, lush green shades, and fragile snowflakes would dance in the breeze.

When Giyu realized that the Demon Kasugai Crows didn't follow him any longer, it put him at ease. To be able to think freely and not have your thoughts listened to was a privilege he took for granted.

One of my techniques gives me the ability to distinguish souls/auras. I recognized the Upper Moons with ease from afar, yet I couldn't recognize Mujōna and she was right in front of me.

She wasn't concealing her presence in the slightest, but it was... entirely different. It was almost as if she was another person.

She has gotten… stronger.

Could it be that she can mask her identity and take on the presence of others?

That is a dangerous ability if its perfected. An ability like that paired with shapeshifting would be detrimental.

Mujōna could easily take the form of another person and no one would suspect anything. She could easily—

Suddenly, he sensed the presence of two other demons.

Giyu turned and saw two identical, white-haired female demons staring at him from afar, smiling faintly.

Those are the same twins that brought me to Mujōna. No wonder the crows aren't following me; they are.

Giyu kept a stoic, blank expression and refused to move a muscle. He held the two demons' daunting, unsettling stare for what felt like an eternity until they faded away.

…They've left and returned to the demon realm.

Finally.

It's clear that they weren't reading my thoughts since they were so far away, and they obviously aren't powerful enough to even do such a thing. The only reason why they could be watching me is because of Mujōna.

Something deep down told Giyu that this wouldn't be the last he'd see of the two mysterious demons. He clutched and held his blade closer to him and gazed off into the distance.

I have to stay alert... at all times.

TIMESKIP: OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO

A noblewoman laid upon a futon as servants came to her every beck and call.

Then a nobleman barged in the chamber, scowling. He looked at the servants and yelled, "Leave us at once!"

The servants scurried out of the chamber with haste.

Now alone, the nobleman approached his wife. "Woman, when will you give me an adequate heir?"

Frowning, the noblewoman sat up and said, "Why are you angry, husband? We shall try for another one."

"We don't have time for another one!" he roared. "We need a suitable heir to claim the throne immediately!"

"Then we shall try for another son," she sighed. "We have more than enough time."

The nobleman paced around the room, muttering to himself. "Damn it all! After so many years of trying to conceive, The Gods finally gave us an heir, but he was a stillborn! Curses! Damn the Heavens!"

"Husband, I swear to give you an heir strong enough to claim the throne."

"How can you promise such a thing, woman? With our luck, we might receive a daughter!"

Just as the noblewoman opened her mouth to say something, someone knocked upon the door.

"What is it?" the nobleman roared.

"Your Majesty, I have important news! May I please enter?" a servant asked.

"You may enter!"

The servant entered the chamber and kneeled before them. A lump covered with a blanket was in her arms and soft whimpers were heard.

"The prince… he is alive," she said, crying tears of joy.

The noblewoman took the lump in her arms and uncovered it, revealing an infant. The infant's face was terribly red as he let out a piercing wail.

The noblewoman grimaced and held the child further away from her.

"He's alive? But he was a stillborn!" the nobleman roared.

"Are you not pleased, Your Majesties?" the servant asked.

"No, we're not pleased!" he hissed. "This child is an omen! He is destined to be weak for the rest of his life because he could barely survive birth. I need a suitable heir to claim the throne!"

The infant bawled and fussed hysterically, his deafening wails hurting everyone's ears.

"Servant, leave us!" she spat.

As the servant left, she took one last glance at the crying newborn.

"Husband, what should we do with him?"

"I'd say that we'd get rid of him, but I don't want anyone getting wind that we've produced a weakling," he said. "Let's just keep him and hope that the omen isn't true for his sake." Then he began to leave the chamber.

"Husband, where are you going?" she asked.

The nobleman's face darkened as he said, "I can't even look at you and that runt right now. Not only is he an embarrassment to our family's honor, but so are you for birthing him!" Then he left and slammed the door.

Now alone, the woman stared at the wailing infant and grew infuriated by his constant whining. "What are you crying about?" she hissed.

The infant paused and stared at her with wide eyes for a moment, then started crying again. He balled his fists and squirmed in her arms.

"Oh, you're… hungry." With an exasperated sigh, the noblewoman held the child to her breasts.

The infant bawled incessantly as his tiny hands searched for her nipples.

Aggravated, the noblewoman forced her nipple into his mouth. As the infant suckled her breasts, he whimpered, and tears streamed out of his eyes.

The noblewoman frowned at how small and fragile the child was. The infant was an angry red and clearly unwell, but had enough energy to cry.

"Because of you, my husband is angry with me!" she yelled. "How are you even alive?"

The infant weakly fed and sobbed when her nipple slipped out of his mouth. Because he was so weak, he couldn't retrieve it himself.

The noblewoman angrily held her him to her breast, practically smothering him. The sounds of the infant's quiet suckling and his incessant whining filled the chamber.

Moments later, her nipple slipped out of his mouth again. The infant let out a piercing wail that resounded within her ears.

"Stop crying," she growled.

The infant continued to bawl.

"Stop crying."

The infant continued wailing hysterically.

"Stop— Fine!" she shouted as she smashed his face against his breasts again. The noblewoman watched as he ravenously fed and wept at the same time.

Then she reluctantly held him appropriately and said, "You… you want to live, don't you?"

The infant paused and met her eyes with his dark brown ones. Then he let out a loud, pitiful sob and continued feeding.

This child hasn't stopped crying yet!

"You're such a miserable little thing, aren't you?" she cooed, her eyes filled with hatred and repulsion. "You've cried so much; I haven't even decided what to name you."

Then it hit her.

"…Muzan," she whispered. "Your name is… Muzan. A miserable name for a miserable child, yes?"

After a while, a wave of fatigue washed over the fragile newborn and he fell asleep. Then the noblewoman called for a servant.

The same servant from before entered and took the child into her arms, smiling. "My Lady, may I ask what the prince's name is?"

"His name is Muzan," she sighed. "Now, get out and leave me be."

Now alone, the noblewoman heaved a sorrowful, aggravated sigh.

Why did The Gods forsake us and give us such a weak heir? A babe that's a stillborn is an omen itself, but for it to survive?

That is a curse.

To make up for our misfortune, I must produce a suitable heir. I've failed on this one, but I won't fail on the next.