Opening: Distortion by BABYMETAL
It was a hot day with the burning sun looming over the clear, blue skies. No clouds could be seen for miles on end. This was a good day to go outside and have some fun (for the average person). However, the Demon Slayers are busy at work, traversing through the day while the demons travel at night. It's like a game of chess, one opponent making a move after the other until an opportunity to strike presents itself. The Hellwalker understood this and continued his crusade in the night as well. He would often use the day to take breaks when needed and train, which is what he was doing at the moment.
The Slayer jumped from one tree to the next, honing his wall jumps and aerial maneuverability. He visualized Cacodemons, Dread Knights, and various other demons attacking him while he was in the air. Their weaknesses and their abilities were all ingrained in his soul. He would swing off a tree branch to give himself a boost of momentum. He swung more and more, moving at ridiculous speeds as the trees beside him faded into a blur. He was reflecting on what happened, where it went wrong and how he ended up in this situation.
He had just reverted the Dark Lord back to his physical form and wasted no time in attacking. However, he should've guessed the likes of his Super Shotgun wasn't enough to take down a god. He remembers the words that the Dark Lord said to him in that moment very well: "Our time will come. If you survive⦠I will be waiting for you at the city of Immora." He proceeded to walk through a portal and left the Slayer by himself, soon surrounded by demons. The demons held him back from making any progress in his search for the Dark Lord and he failed. This world he's found himself in is primitive with no technology remotely close to what his Earth had. There's also no guarantee that this Muzan can return him to his dimension. That concern on top of the frustration of slaying hundreds of weak demons and none of them not knowing the whereabouts of their master was the most infuriating part. The longer the Slayer remains in this dimension, the more the Dark Lord will spread his influence and corrupt the universe as he knows it.
The Slayer noticed a tree in front of him and chose it as his next target. He extended his Nichirin Arm Blade and took a deep breath. He attempted to channel his energy just like Urokodaki taught him and slashed through the tree, fueled by his rage. He landed on the floor without any trouble as the tree behind him descended. That was the other thing that was frustrating: no matter how many times he practices the breathing techniques: he still couldn't get it to work. He was doing the breathing, he was doing it exactly as told, yet nothing happened. He was starting to wonder if this breathing business was a waste of his time and if he should stop trying the techniques. What was missing from the equation that's holding him back?
He didn't know, it all came down to spirit but what's wrong with how he is? Is his spirit not suited for breathing techniques in general? Is that possible? This was all so new to him and it was tedious being handicapped like this. However, the only way he'll make any leeway is by pressing on as he has always done. The Dark Lord better be waiting because the Doom Slayer is coming for him.
Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were following a Kasugai Crow that was giving them the directions to a town that has been recently terrorized by a large demon. This drew excitement for Inosuke as he was ecstatic to get back into action and his first prey being large meant more fun for him. Zenitsu and Tanjiro wondered how the boar boy could take such enjoyment out of killing demons. Inosuke doesn't really have some sort of agenda against demons, he just seems to enjoy the thrill of it and proving himself the best.
Tanjiro's thoughts wandered to the Hellwalker as he wondered what got the warrior out of bed every morning. Why does the man have such a hatred for the demons that's unmatched by everyone he's met so far? During the Hashira meeting, his scent was able to pick up everyone's emotions and he could feel the rage each Hashira has for the demons. Despite all that: nothing quite compared to the overwhelming nature of the Hellwalker's anger. What happened? He could guess what happened to everyone else but for the Hellwalker to have an even greater rage than all of that put together: what did he have to lose to get to that point?!
"Oi! Konjiro! Are you there?!" Inosuke called, breaking Tanjiro's train of thought. They had all stopped, Zenitsu worriedly looked towards Tanjiro while Inosuke's irritated expression somehow conveyed through his boar mask. Tanjiro nodded repeatedly, asking what the problem was. Inosuke continued, "You've been staring off into the distance like an idiot, recently. The hell's up with that?!"
Tanjiro replied with, "Oh, uh, sorry. I've just been thinking about the Hellwalker. I wonder what he's doing right now."
"I don't care, I'll kick his ass when I see him."
Zenitsu chimed in, expressing his concern, "Oh, and for a minute, I thought you were stuck on that girl from back at the Mansion." Tanjiro raised his eyebrows, asking:
"Huh? Girl? Which girl? There were nothing but girls at the Butterfly Mansion."
Zenitsu put his hand to his chin as he was trying to remember the name of the girl in question, snapping his fingers when he figured it out and saying, "Kanao, that was the one. I thought you were thinking about her for a minute."
Tanjiro remembered the pretty girl from the mansion and the mere sight of her in his mind made his cheeks blush just slightly. He shook his head repeatedly as he protested, "Why would I be thinking about her?" Zenitsu shifted to a more suggestive expression as he pointed out:
"I don't know, man, I saw the way you were looking at her."
Inosuke turned to Zenitsu and questioned, "Why were you staring? You fucking creep." Zenitsu claimed it was not like that whatsoever. Tanjiro had no idea where Zenitsu was getting at, he didn't even know there were different ways to look at someone. You look at someone one way: with your eyes. He's not sure about the nonsense Zenitsu was rambling on about. Regardless, the town they were heading to was just up ahead.
The group made haste as they entered the small town and noticed a group of people hoarding around the entrance of a restaurant. As the boys walked towards the commotion, they passed by some individuals with disgusted looks on their faces as they muttered, "That guy's still eating, what a pig." Tanjiro and co decided to investigate, finding themselves at the back of the crowd and hearing someone inside constantly say "Tasty!" every couple seconds. The boys forced themselves through the crowd and were greeted to the sight of the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, eating away at a plate of sweet potatoes and grilled bream. There were several plates stacked on top of one another, each empty with no trace of food left on them. Tanjiro's expression lit up knowing they caught up to the Hashira and weren't too late.
Tanjiro approached the Hashira with his friends behind him and called out. Rengoku whipped his body towards the boys while repeating the same set of words. The boys were offput by the Hashira's mannerisms. Meanwhile, the young man was looking Tanjiro up and down, assessing him before a spark reignited his memory as he exclaims, "Ah! I remember you! You're the trouble child from before." Tanjiro felt a whiplash of disappointment as he realized that's how he's going to be identified amongst the Hashira.
Tanjiro said to Rengoku, "If it's not too much trouble, Rengoku, Sir, I'd like to talk to you." Rengoku responded quickly:
"Ofcourse! Take a seat, I'm done eating, anyways." The crowd of individuals dropped their jaws as the Hashira was finally done eating through several full-course meals, it was unsightly to them. As the restaurant workers got to work cleaning up the table for the Hashira, the crowd dissipated. Tanjiro began his discussion with the Hashira. Tanjiro explained to Rengoku everything he told Shinobu about the Hinokami Kagura Dance used by his father before him. Rengoku listened intently, responding to the boy's story with:
"What an interesting tale! Being honest, I have never heard of such a thing before. The most I can tell you in that regard is that my flame breathing and your father's fire breathing are not one and the same. This is simple to find out based on the color of our blades! Due to my spirit, my sword has adopted a red color to accommodate for my flame breathing. A user of lightning breathing would be yellow and a user of water breathing would be blue. What color is your blade?"
Tanjiro showed off his black blade which Rengoku found very intriguing due to how rare of a color it is for swordsmen. The Hashira explained, "That's a peculiar color, there. No one quite understands what that black color is meant to represent. However, considering you said you were able to tap into your father's breathing technique: there is a possibility that black could represent Fire Breathing after all! I suggest really leaning in on that technique to see the results, I'm eager to see it myself."
Tanjiro was discouraged by the results, he was really hoping Rengoku would know information regarding the matter but if he doesn't know: who would? That's when Rengoku raises his voice for the boys to hear, "You three should become my students! Learning from a senior swordsmen will be a beneficial experience for all of you! What do you say?"
Tanjiro and crew gave the man a skeptical look before hesitantly nodding in agreement. Rengoku's voice was filled with even more energy as he announced, "Terrific! Your first test will be to eliminate the demon that'll terrorize this town!" The crew cocked their heads in confusion, he stated that in future tense. They asked for clarification on what he meant. "You heard right, based on my calculations, a large demon that has been wreaking havoc recently will be striking this town next! That's why I'm here to intercept it."
A person nearby overheard the conversation and states, "If the Hellwalker's real like you said he is, why doesn't he just handle it?" Rengoku was quick to give a sassy remark:
"The Hellwalker isn't here, is he?"
"Whatever, who the hell would believe in a stupid legend like that anyways?"
That line struck a nerve with Tanjiro as he got up from his seat and started shouting at the man, "Don't you dare disrespect the Hellwalker! He's a great man and the fiercest warrior I've ever met! I won't sit by and let you badmouth him!" Tanjiro was wide eyed and furious from hearing the insult. This caught everyone's attention in the restaurant. Rengoku raised his eyebrows in shock upon seeing this, he had a flashback to his past. He remembered his younger brother, Senjuro Rengoku, talking about how much of an inspiration the Hellwalker was to him.
Yes, their mother did tell them about the Hellwalker. She used to read it as a bedtime story for them both. However, Rengoku never believed in the legend to begin with. His mother taught him at an early age that it was the responsibility of those in power to protect those weaker than them. She must have gotten that from the stories of the Hellwalker she always read to Rengoku and his younger brother.
The older man who dismissed the legend got up out of his seat in frustration and barked, "Are you trying to start a fight, kid?!" Rengoku got up out of his seat and put his hands out to keep a distance between Tanjiro and the man as he explains:
"I apologize for my student's outburst. He's very passionate about the subject. I ask that you forgive his actions and let us continue on our business." The older man grumbled to himself, looking away as if he had lost interest and stormed off in a foul mood. Rengoku ushered Tanjiro to take a seat. He then asked the boy, "What's your relationship to the Hellwalker? I'm curious."
Tanjiro was surprised to hear this question, looking around without moving his head to formulate his thoughts. "Well, it's just, he's something I've never seen before. Though he hates demons, his act of defending my sister really touched me. Even with all of that roughness he shows, he does have a hidden soft side. I don't really know how to put it, but I guess he's just an inspiration for me. Though I know I'll never be able to do the things he does."
"Don't be so quick to put yourself down, Kamado, my boy. We all have a hidden potential within ourselves we have yet to unlock. A hidden flame that is yet to be lit! Take myself for example: I may be a Hashira but my skills are not at their limit! No no, I can still go much higher. You, too, can go higher and beyond what you know! If you give up seeing someone's ceiling, you'll never get to see how high your own is."
Tanjiro mellowed out and acknowledged the Hashira's words with a simple, "Yes, sir." Rengoku got up out of his seat once more, explaining to the three boys:
"Very good. Now, we'll be staying until nightfall. There, the demon should show up and by then, we'll be ready. Am I understood?" The boys all nodded in acknowledgement, eager to throw themselves into action.
It was in the middle of the night now and Muzan was currently disguised as a child within a research facility. Using his abilities, he was able to change his physique to fit that of a child, even his voice. He was pretending to be one of the workers there so he can have access to the facility's library without stirring up any trouble for himself. He wanted to find the key to conquering the sun by using the research available to him. He was currently in the highest part of the building, surfing through books in the library when he felt the presence of one of his subordinates near him. He calls out, "I don't remember summoning you, Akaza."
Upper Moon Three, Akaza, has the physique of a muscular young man with pale-white skin. He has thick, symmetrical, blue lines covering his entire body, even his face. He has short, bright, pink hair and heavy eyelashes of the same color. His eyes are blue with bright yellow pupils and his attire consists of a short, sleeveless, dark-purple haori and a pair of baggy, white pants. Akaza was remaining outside, hanging onto the window frame to face his master as he answered, "I've been hearing rumors that the Hellwalker of legend is real. Is this true?"
Muzan didn't bat an eye towards his subordinate, responding with, "What of it? Do not waste my time with useless banter, Akaza. Unless you have something useful to add, dismiss yourself." Akaza's face twisted into a sick, twisted smile as he was filled with excitement.
"It all makes sense now. So that's why the Lower Moons are gathering an army. I've been noticing a decrease in demon activity recently and with the rumors of the Hellwalker going around: I figured I'd ask you directly."
Muzan turns towards Akaza, growing weary of the pointless conversation as he states in a cold tone, "Unless you're going to do something about it, Akaza, remove yourself from my sight this instant." Muzan needn't say any more to Akaza as he finished:
"Oh, I will." before leaping from the building and retreating into the darkness of the night.
