Argentum: Yay! Here is the special chapter we talked about a little bit ago!
Judan: Yep! Time to get into third person perspective.
Grel'Slyfer: Finally more combat!
Tanjiro: You really like combat don't you?
Grel'Slyfer: If I was in Forty K I would say blood for the blood God!
Argentum: Of my god.
Grel'Slyfer: Exactly!
Judan: Well ignoring that, we haven't got much to discuss here.
Nezuko(Takes off bamboo muzzle: what about how we made one final change to the story summary?
Tanjiro: I forget how that's just a prop…
Argentum: Same… but sure good job remembering!
Nezuko: Thanks!
Argentum: But yeah after giving it some thought I changed this to a Konosuba/demon slayer crossover. You'll see why as we go along.
Shadow: Also we got a review but that is easy enough answered by saying you will see good Boi inosuke soon.
Argentum: Wished we could've introduced him sooner. But I couldn't think of a logical way to do so without derailing anything. Now then how about we let Nezuko start us off?
Judan: Sounds good to me! So how about it?
Nezuko: Alright! The Dark Guard productions own nothing besides our Oc's and reality building concepts. Everything else belongs to their respective owners. Now without further ado…
Everyone: Here's the story!
Hello= Regular talk
Hello= Thoughts
[Hello]= Radio
(Hello)= Telepathy/Mind reading
Chapter Twenty Five: Special third person chapter! Chapter 1! The final selection of misfits!
Twas time for the next part of all of our heroes journeys. "Alright! Time to go kick some but!" Walking alongside her blonde companion, was Eris who was especially looking forward to the nights events. They had just arrived at the final selection and were waiting for things to start.
"Are you kidding?! I'm going to die!" Glaring at Zenitsu, the poor boy withered a bit. "I mean… yay! We're going to win." That changed Eris' glare to a smile as she pat his head lovingly.
"That's my little brother." He gave her a deadpanned look at that. "Now then!" She completely ignored his look while she peered at the other contestants. "According to Michael's letter, Kanao, Tanjiro, and Cassandra should be here. Guess they're running a little late. Oh well they still got like two hours to get here."
"ERIS!" Turning towards the yell Eris smiled brightly before hugging the one who called out to her. "I am ecstatic to see you! It feels as if it has been forever!" As the former goddess hugged her elven best friend, two others walked up behind her. Letting go of her friend Eris looked at them. "Hmm, I recognize Kanao Chan. I take it you are Tanjiro Kun?" Tanjiro now wearing a white fox mask on the side of his head same as Cassandra, nodded before bowing in greeting.
"I am! It's good to meet you Eris San. Cassandra San and Michael San have told me a lot of things about you." Nodding Eris grabbed the back of Zenitsu's jinbei before introducing him.
"Good to meet you to~. Now this cowardly little blonde is Agatsuma Zenitsu, whom I've decided to take under my wing to make sure he fulfills his full potential." Zenitsu didn't seem to like being introduced like that, but was promptly ignored as Eris turned back to her friend. "So has Michael Kun told you anything about how the exam is supposed to be?" Much to her disappointment Cassandra shook her head. "Dang… I was hoping that since he stayed with you longer you could've broken him down."
Cassandra shrugged at that. "Well he did mention something about slaying weak demons, but that's about it. We were honestly more focused on training, especially with how we'll be needed to protect Nezuko." Eris frowned at that before sighing.
"No offense to the girl, but I am not a fan of demons in general. Though I do sympathize with how she was forcibly turned." With that conversation devolved into more mundane topics. After two hours a gong was struck and everyone turned towards the sound. Two children were there, a white haired girl, and a black haired boy. The girl was the first to speak up.
"We welcome you to this season's final selection exam. Before we begin we will first tell you the rules of the exam." Picking up where his sister left off the boy spoke up.
"Thanks to someone killing more than eighty percent of the demons in the last final selection. Some rules have changed. The biggest changes are as follows…" He took a breath before continuing. "There are currently only two hundred and twenty one demons on the mountain. That was all we managed to capture." His sister picked up where he left off.
"As such while we would usually have you survive a week on the mountain. We will instead be monitoring you through Kusugai Crows. They will keep track of how many demons you've slain. Those who kill fifteen demons within two days will be the ones who pass. Of course this does mean that there is a chance that none of you pass with the amount of examinees this year." That got everyone to whisper quietly though Cassandra quickly remembered something.
And she wasn't exactly happy with what she remembered. "Wait a minute… Michael said to Sabito that he killed eighty percent of the demons on the mountain." The group of five all looked at each other understanding coming to their eyes.
That's when all but Kanao yelled out as one. """"IT'S HIS FAULT!"""" Back on a certain mountain Michael felt a chill go down his spine. Back at the exams the two children clapped their hands to rein everyone back in.
Speaking up the white haired girl gave their apologies. "Yes we understand how this is inconvenient, and we give you our heartfelt apologies for that. However those of you who survive can try again in six months. However since this is not the first time this has happened we will be sticking to these rules. Now then you have five minutes before the start."
The black haired boy finished off their explanation. "You will know the five minutes are up when the gong is sounded once more." With that both bowed before walking off. Turning to one another Tanjiro spoke up a bit worried.
"Well I would like to blame Michael San for this, and it is probably his fault. That still leaves us to kill fifteen demons so we can pass. And the time limit will be tricky. I'm sure me and Kanao can track them down with my nose and her sight. But I'm a worried for you three."
Zenitsu shook his head. "Well I also have excellent hearing and can track them down that way." After a moment of thinking Eris came up with a plan.
"I have an idea!" They all turned to her. "I'm sure that out of our group Kanao Chan is the strongest. No offense to any of you, but she kind of kicked our behinds when we trained together." Everyone nodded at that while Kanao blushed a bit. "So my idea is that we spilt up based on breathing styles. Cassandra and Tanjiro in one group, me, Zenitsu, and Kanao in another. That way we can all track down the demons and get the fifteen we need. I mean as long as we kill fifteen each there shouldn't be any complaints right?" That got them to think for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Although Tanjiro and Kanao looked a bit upset at something. Before anyone could question them the gong was hit. Seeing how there was no more time for discussion they ran into the forest. It was going to be a hectic two days.
I am the test making Line Break! All shall fear the rules I create!
Ten minutes in and Tanjiro and Cassandra had killed two demons each. Sighing Casandra scanned their surroundings. "This mountain is so big! Normally I'd say to go east to where the sun rises, unfortunately in a test such as this. We need all the shadows we can get."
Tanjiro nodded in agreement. "There won't be much time to rest that's for sure." He then sniffed the air before covering his nose. "Kami! What is this smell?! It's so putrid!" Cassandra was about to start fretting over her younger friend, when the sound of chomping was heard. Looking over through the trees they saw an enormous and grotesque looking demon. A fellow participant in his large hand struggling to escape. A leg of a now dead examinee hanging out from it's maw.
Tanjiro saw red and rushed over ignoring Cassandra's call of worry. "Wait!" Jumping up he did a front flip in midair.
"Ni no Kata Mizu Guruma!" With a single move he cut through the demon's arm forcing it to let go of the squirming would be demon slayer. "Hey! If you want to eat anyone else than you'll have to go through me first!" The demon chuckled before speaking up.
"Oh? Go through you eh? Should be easy enough, you're not like that one Gaki from last year who killed almost all of us." As Cassandra ran up to Tanjiro, the masks the two were wearing caught the demon's eye. "OH! I recognize those masks! Your teacher was Sakonji right?" Confused Tanjiro nodded before the demon asked them a question. "Tell me… what is the current era? I've been stuck here for so long I no longer remember."
Blinking Tanjiro answered with some confusion. "It is currently the Taisho period." After a moment the demon went ballistic.
"WHAT?! I've been stuck here for so long that an entire Era has passed already?! DAMN YOU SAKONJI!" As the demon was throwing a temper tantrum the kid Tanjiro saved left in fear. "This is why I kill all of the kids who come here to take the test!" That got both of them to freeze before Cassandra hesitantly asked the demon a question.
"What do you mean by that?"
The demon chuckled before gaining a psychotic look in his eye. "Ever since I've become trapped on this blasted mountain, I've killed and eaten all of his students! I can easily recognize them from the cute fox masks he makes for each of them." As the demon continued to boast the anger the two felt only grew. "Ah I remember two in particular. The strongest was some peach haired brat with a scar on his cheek. He was powerful, but his skill was greater than his strength. When his sword broke on my neck I crushed his head!"
Tanjiro could only whisper a name in shock. "Sabito…" The demon wasn't done however.
"The next strongest was some black haired girl! She was graceful but when I told her what I had done she went ballistic! Her form became sloppy and I tore her limbs off with ease! HAHAHA!" Cassandra could only imagine the pain Makomo went through when that happened. The cute soft spoken girl did not deserve such a fate. Hearing all of this Tanjiro charged forward in anger.
"AHH!" Cassandra noticing this yelled at him.
"Tanjiro don't!" It was too late for even after cutting through a mass of regenerating limbs, Tanjiro was punched in the side and sent crashing into a tree. Gritting her teeth the elven princess turned towards the demon. "Damn you!" Rushing forward Cassandra tried to buy Tanjiro time to recover. Thankfully she had a clearer head, and was able to slash through any attack the arm demon sent at her. She was however forced to protect Tanjiro, and wasn't able to strike back because of it. Tanjiro! I know how you feel, however you should have kept your calm!
Hearing something from underground, Cassandra jumped back as a mass of arms attacked her form below. She made sure to jump low though so quickly landed on her feet. Unfortunately this was but a distraction and a mass of arms were sent at Tanjiro.
"TANJIRO!" Right when she thought her friend was a goner a pink slash cut up all the arms. Appearing with an actual look of anger was Kanao.
"Do not touch him!" Cassandra blinked at the tone the flower breath user was using. After a moment she couldn't help but smile softly at her. Behind her Tanjiro got up with a groan.
"Kanao Chan?" Turning to him she smiled while nodding. Returning the smile Tanjiro then looked back at the demon, blood coming from a large gash on his forehead where a scar used to be. "Leave this one to me please. I need to do this." Though worried Kanao nodded and took a step back. Seeing the look in his eyes Cassandra also stood back. "Here I come demon!"
Charging forward Tanjiro cut through all the arms in his way. Even jumping high up and dodging some from below ground. That's when he did something the girls never expected to see. As the demon attack Tanjiro mid-air, the would be demon slayer head butted the arm away.
"Wha?" At Cassandra's confusion Kanao simply shrugged as Tanjiro ran up the demon's arm.
Cutting through all the arms sprouting from it, he got close enough and jumped. "Ichi no Kata Minamo Giri!" With a single slice Tanjiro cut through the demons neck. Severing its head from its body, landing smoothly the girls cheered a bit as he looked at the demon sadly. I can smell a scent of sorrow from him. Walking up to a severed arms he held its hand much to the confusion of the others. The hand closed its fist around his as the demon cried for the last bit of time it had left before it turned to dust. "Kami… please don't allow this man to become a demon in his next life."
Seeing what he was doing, Cassandra smiled softly as Kanao looked at him in a new light. As he turned to the other's Cassandra walked up to him and hugged the young man.
"You did good Tanjiro, now the others can finally rest in peace." Accepting the hug Tanjiro nodded as Kanao felt something she never had felt before.
What is this feeling? I don't think I like it very much. Feeling something at their hug she spoke up. "We should move on, there are more demons to slay." As Cassandra let Tanjiro go they both nodded. The three participants than ran off to look for more demons.
I am the test making Line Break! All shall fear the rules I create!
With the other two Zenitsu was currently complaining to Eris. "Why did you allow Kanao Chan to go like that!? She was the strongest of the three of us! Now we'll die painfully in this forest!" Eris shook her head and hit the top of his. "OW! Why do you and gramps always do that?!"
Eris answered uncaringly. "Because it's the easiest way to get you to listen."
"WHAT?!" Ignoring his outburst Eris continued.
"AS for why I sent her off that's easy, whether she knows it or not. The flower girl likes Tanjiro quite a bit; I could tell that she was worried about him. So I simply told her she could switch groups if she wanted. As you can see that's exactly what she did. Also die? Seriously Zenitsu! We've already killed eight demons! More than half the number we need and the sun hasn't even risen! Have some confidence my little brother~!"
He gave her a deadpanned look at that. "Okay first of all I'm not your brother. Secondly why do you keep calling me that? You aren't that much older than me!" Eris couldn't help but snort at that. "What's so funny?!"
Eris patted his head before answering. "Oh Zenitsu… Remember when I said I was a goddess?" He nodded his head. "Well that wasn't just me talking about my good looks. I am or more accurately was a goddess. I'm actually a few thousand years old." That got the blonde thunder breath user to freeze in his steps. "Yes bask me in glory later, we still have a job to do." As she kept walking eventually Zenitsu snapped out of his shock and yelled at her.
"WAIT! Don't leave me behind!" That's when he heard something and rushed forward to push Eris out of the way. He almost didn't make it, but he managed to get the both of them out of the way of a tree. "What was that?!" Eris didn't say anything, instead she simply stood up and got into a stance. Looking in the direction of the tree they saw a very buff looking demon. "What the hell?! What kind of demon is that?!"
Eris didn't answer instead rushing forward. "Ichi no kata Hekireki Issen." Her voice was calm, though Zenitsu could hear the anger in her heart. In an instant the demon's head was separated from its body in a flash of lightning. "Die scum." This side of Eris freaked Zenitsu out a bit, though he could understand her being angry.
After a moment he cleared his throat. "So… nine demons for you and eight for me eh? Guess we should go and hunt down more huh?" Turning to him with a smile she flexed her arm.
"You got the right thinking there my little brother! Now onwards to victory~!" Zenitsu decided to not even question Eris. She is or was a goddess, so he was sure she had her reasons for hating demons. Even still her actions scared him, against the other demons she hadn't lost it like that. Sure she was rather violent, but not to that extent.
Then again that demon did almost crush us; the others weren't nearly as sneaky. Or as strong for that matter. Deciding to drop the subject he simply followed. Pointing out demons as they went. By the time the sun was beginning to rise they had both killed fourteen demons each. Zenitsu fell onto his back in relief at this while Eris laid up against a tree.
"This test is a whole lot easier than I thought it'd be. All the demons are chumps!" Zenitsu could only shake his head as Eris continued. "I do wonder how the others are doing, but I'm sure they're fine. They did get more training with Kanao and Michael. Speaking of which I'm sure Kanao Chan won't allow them to be harmed."
Zenitsu nodded at that. "She does seem very dependable. Though did you notice?" She looked at him as he continued. "Not only did she look more expressive, but I could also hear more emotions from her. I can't help but be both happy that she was helped. Yet also annoyed at how it seems to mostly have been Tanjiro. Can't help but be jealous that such a cute girl likes him."
Eris rolled her eyes at that. "I'm sure you'll find someone yourself someday. Just treat us women with more respect and get over your fears. Trust me there will be tons of girls coming after you if you do." Zenitsu blinked at that.
"Do you really think so?" She nodded as he looked up at the sky. "I wonder about that… I mean who would ever fall in love with a loser like me. My last fiancée only used me and ran away while dumping a huge debt on me." It was Eris' turn to frown now.
"Zenitsu… no matter what anyone else says or does to you. I promise that you're not a loser. A bit over the top and eccentric yes, but never a loser." The boy was about to retort when Eris continued cutting him off. "Do not argue with me! I know you've had it tough, but you've never lost your trust in people despite what they've done to you. You're a good kid, you just need some guidance in your life is all."
Looking at her than back to the sky he sighed. "Maybe... I just want to make you and gramps proud of me for now though. Both of you have helped me more than you know." Eris smiled softly at the blonde before patting his head.
"Don't worry! As long as you keep trying we will always be proud of you." Zenitsu smiled at that before falling asleep. "Heh! Such a cute kid when he isn't screaming or flirting with someone." Closing her eyes Eris also decided to get some sleep. Waiting to finish the test up during the next night.
I am the test making Line Break! All shall fear the rules I create!
With our other group of misfits, they were using the shade of the mountain to find more demons to slay. Each one of them had ten demons under their belts now. They were looking for another five each to add to their head counts. Yawning Cassandra turned to the two trackers of the group.
"Smell or see anything yet children?" The two teens shook their head as she sighed. "I suppose I should have been expected that they would be in hiding even during the day."
Nodding in agreement Tanjiro spoke up after a yawn. "Wish we could take a break like everyone else though. However if we wish to kill the demons we need best to go at it when everyone else is resting." The other two could only agree with his assessment. Stopping for a moment he took a sniff. "I think I smelt something!" Pointing to the northwest he continued. "I smell a group of demons coming from that way!" Excited the other two followed his lead as they ran towards the smell.
Arriving at a rather shaded area in the forest they hid behind some trees as they counted ten demons. All of them were asleep causing Cassandra to smirk. "Well what do we have here? With this group we'll only need five more in total to pass." The others nodded but that's when something unexpected happened. Some person with a boar mask on their head came running into the clearing.
"HAHAHA! Innosuke Sama is here to kill all of you!" Their looks were priceless as they watched a half-naked man start killing all the demons. Knowing that they'd lose out on this chance they charged forward and helped kill the remaining demons. Much to the man's anger. "HEY! Those were mine!"
Trying to placate him Tanjiro spoke up. "Hold up there! We just wanted to try and help!" The one known as Innosuke "Sama" didn't seem to convinced.
"Oh yeah?! Well this was my chance to get up to twenty five kills! You ruined that!" Tanjiro blinked before asking him something.
"Wait twenty five kills?" Innosuke nodded arrogantly. "But you were only supposed to kill fifteen! You've passed the test and can leave the mountain now!" There was a brief pause, the boar man seemingly contemplating what he was just told.
"HEY! That big black bird told me the same thing! So I really can just leave and go cut up stronger demons?!" Tanjiro nodded carefully. "YAHOO! Innosuke Sama is the best! Later losers!" He then ran from the area. After a moment Cassandra spoke up.
"Okay I think we should rest now." She didn't get any arguments there. As they sat down Kanao walked up to Tanjiro before ripping off some of her kimono sleeve.
"Here." She then wrapped Tanjiro's head wound. "I know we let this fester for a bit but it would be bad if you laid down and got dirt in it."
Tanjiro gave her a bright smile after she was done. "Thank you Kanao Chan! I'm glad to have you watching over me." She blushed lightly before simply nodding. Cassandra was inwardly squealing but decided not to interrupt the moment.
With all of that said and done they took a nap until the sun set once more. Thankfully they didn't run into any more trouble and killed the last nine demons they needed to pass. When Tanjiro killed his last demon they heard a caw and looked up. It was a Kusugai crow and Cassandra happened to recognize it.
"Oniki is that you?" As she landed on the princess' shoulder Oniki nodded.
"Yep! Caw! You've now passed the test! Please leave for the wisteria mountain gate!" Nodding they began leaving asking if Zenitsu and Eris had passed. Oniki nodded before answering. "They passed over two hours ago! The first ones to arrive. The third was some guy wearing a boars head Caw! None of us like him however! He tried to eat one of us! CAW! The nerve!" The group of three couldn't help but grimace as they made their way to the wisteria flower grove. Once there they were quickly greeted by Eris and Zenitsu.
"What took you so long slowpokes?! We were starting to get worried that you wouldn't make it!" Chuckling at her attitude they quickly convened and told each other about their time on the mountain. Sitting down they decided to simply wait for when the test was finally over. Eventually falling asleep, but not before Eris and Cassandra moved Tanjiro and Kanao so they were leaning on each other.
While they high fived Zenitsu could only look at them dryly. These two are way too similar. Eventually the gong was rung and they quickly woke up. Though Tanjiro and Kanao took one look at each and started apologizing to one another. At the scene Zenitsu looked exasperated while Eris and Cassandra giggled like high-school girls. Eventually they sorted everything out and followed instructions to line up.
There was only one other person there. Zenitsu couldn't help but be a bit wary of the extremely angry looking scarred teen. As everyone settled down the white haired girl spoke up.
"Two days have now passed, you six and one other who has now run off. Are the only ones to have passed, we as such congratulate you." Tanjiro, Cassandra, and Kanao couldn't help but glance at each other. Knowing exactly who it was that had run off. "We now present to you your own Kusugai crows." Clapping their hands a bunch of crows flew over and perched on their shoulders.
Though in Zenitsu's case… "Hey… Isn't this a sparrow?" Yep for some odd reason he was given a sparrow. The black haired boy ignored him in order to continue. Explaining the various ranks in the corps. That's when the scarred teen did something that got their group angry.
"Who cares about all this nonsense?!" Walking up to the boy he grabbed his hair. "All I care about is getting my wisteria marking and getting the color changing sword! Do you understand me?!" Tanjiro quickly walked up to them and grabbed his arm.
"Let him go." As Zenitsu started freaking out the others prepared to jump in if needed.
"Huh?! Who the hell are you?! Let go of me!" Tanjiro didn't budge.
"I said let go of him before you force my hand." The teen scoffed, seeing how he wasn't budging Tanjiro increased his grip strength and there was a small crack.
"ARGH! You bastard!" Letting go of the kid the scarred teen held his now sprained arm. Walking up next to Tanjiro Kanao spoke up.
"I suggest you stop, these are Oyakata Sama's children. And I do not believe he'd be happy to hear you harmed them." That got the teen to freeze as the white haired girl clapped her hands.
As everyone turned to her she continued. "That's enough now, no one was harmed and we have things to do." Everyone but the scarred kid agreed, he was actually hurt after all. "Excellent." Walking over to a clothed table she and her brother took it off revealing a number of unrefined ores. "Now to make you nichirin blades you will have to pick out your own ore. Choose wisely." Walking up to it, each one of the group had their own way of picking an ore. Tanjiro used his sense of smell, Kanao had her eyesight, Zenitsu tapped each one to listen to the sound they produced, Eris used her thieving skills to find the one she wanted, and Cassandra simply let fate decide for her.
She did so by picking the one she simply felt was right. That's when they got out the letters they were given so long ago and handed them to the children. No words needed to be said as everyone else got things into order. Seeing how everyone was now done, both with their ores and wisteria markings the black haired bow nodded.
"That is it for now, your weapons will be sent out in fifteen days. Until then please take care." Seeing how they were finally dismissed Cassandra and Eris hugged.
Eris in particular was rather clingy. "I don't want you to go again!" Cassandra simply nodded and patted the shorted woman's back.
"There there… we will meet again soon enough. Only we will have Michael with us as well~." That got Eris to smile and let go.
"YEAH! I can't wait for that!" With that everyone said their goodbyes. Returning to their places of rest so that they can prepare for the trials ahead. And truthfully… they'll need it for the times to come.
I am the test making Line Break! All shall fear the rules I create!
Judan: Well that's that!
Argentum: We hope you enjoyed our first special chapter. Expect more of them as we go along.
Innosuke: YES! I Innosuke Sama am the greatest!
Cassandra: Ara Ara~. So rambunctious.
Judan: Wait did you just say-
Cassandra: Yep… guess the culture is rubbing off on me.
Argentum: Hehe.
Judan: Oh my god.
Cassandra: Don't you mean oh my Kami?
Judan: NO!
Argentum: Heh well enough with that. Lord Innosuke mind ending this?
Innosuke: Of course! Only the best shall do it! This is the end of the production! Now time to go my minions!
Grel'Slyfer: Good enough.
Everyone/Innosuke: Goodbye!/GOODBYE!