"Speech"
'Thoughts.'
"Flasback speech"
Character information:
Name: Yuichiro Tokito
Demonic name: Shura
Age: 19 (physically)
Affiliations: Demon Slayer Corps (formely)
The Twelve Demon Moons.
Titles: Moon Pillar (formely)
Upper Moon Zero.
Combat style: Moon Breathing.
Blood Demon Arts: World's Eye, Kaguya Mark.
Relatives: Muichiro Tokito (younger brother), Kanae Kocho (fiancee), Shinobu Kocho (sister in law) Kokushibo (ancestor and mentor.)
In this story, Yuichiro is older than Muichiro.
P.S: Sorry for any grammar mistakes in advance. I'm a fast writer, but I promise to fix it in time.
All characters in this work are canon and owned by Koyoharu Gotouge, with an exceptions of few ocs.
This chapter may contain spoilers for The Infinity Train arc and the rest of the manga. Reading the manga is advised.
"P-Please, not my love!" A woman cried as she hugged a bleeding man, her body shaking with every sob.
The man coughed blood, his right hand clutching a stab wound in his torso. "Dear god... help us.."
A young man took a step forward, holding a tanto knife drenched in blood, making the shaking woman to lean back. She felt his scarlet eyes burning her soul. The light of the house's fireplace illuminated him. He wore a dark blue samurai armor with numerous metal plates, forming protective guards along his chest, waist, shoulders and thighs. Behind the armor was a simple high collared, long sleeved black shirt. He wore black gloves and had a black obi tightened around his waist. The obi held a dark blue sheathed nodachi and a greatsword on his back. His long black hair had red ends and it made the mark of the Upper Moon on his forehead more noticeable. He also had flame like pattern mark on the right side of his lower cheek . He narrowed his eyes at the man. "God spares no salvation to those who would beg for it. Nor is he merciful to those who would beseech his benevolence. These petty requests are no invocation to god. They are your death."
The women hugged her lover tightly. "What do you know about god? You monster!" The woman screeched.
A vein protruded in the young man's forehead. "If gods existed, then the likes of you wouldn't have existed."
"You're ruffling her too much, Shura." A cold voice said as Shura turned to find Akaza, staring at him intently.
"Well, I thought- wait..." Shura raised an eyebrow. "Where is her brother?"
Akaza burped.
Shura rolled his eyes. "Well, woman, your-"
He was cut off with the woman loud cry as more tears ran down her cheeks. "What have you done to my brother, you monster!?" She sobbed.
For a moment, Shura felt a weird sense of deja vu. "Shut up." Shura ordered, glaring down at her. The woman froze, biting her lips to stop the sobs.
Shura knelt in front of her. "I'm not going to hurt you, or your lover."
He pushed his index finger against her forehead. The woman froze. Her skin started palling, her eyes turned red with golden pupils and her nails became longer and sharper.
Shura stood up, his lips pursed. Humans are weak, not physically, nor mentally, but towards their own desires. This bitch dared to call him a monster, forgetting the crime she committed. Humans must always focus on each others sins in order to convince themselves that they're decent.
"My love..." The woman whispered. She smirked, her body twitching. "My love! My love! My love!" She repeated loudly, grinning down at her lover, her sharp long canines glistening as her mouth watered.
Her lover's eyes went wide as her arms tightened around him. "W-Wait, what are you-" He was cut off when the woman bit his neck, his blood bursting, soaking the floor underneath them.
"How boring..." Shura muttered with narrowed eyes. Another failed experiment. "As I promised, we didn't hurt your lover..." Shura said as he walked past her. "You hurt him." Akaza followed suit, ignoring the sounds of broken bones and ripped flesh.
In the corner of the room was a closet. He raised an eyebrow as he heard some knocks on it. When he opened it, he saw two boys, around the age of six. The boys gasped ad held each other. One of them had a bandage around his right eye and the other had a burn mark on his right cheek. "Please don't take my eye!" The one eyed boy gasped, tightening his hold on his brother. Shura raised an eyebrow. Judging from their muscles and wounds, those boys didn't hide because of him, they were trapped inside this closet for monthes. The boys were trembling, with the younger one's eyes tearing.
Akaza grinned, standing behind Shura. "I still have an appetite." The moment he stepped forward, his hands fell on the ground, with blood spurting from his arms.
"I don't remember giving you an order, Akaza." Shura seethed, glaring at the latter over his shoulder.
Akaza gritted his teeth, regenerating his hands. "I only take orders from one person!" He roared as he swung his fist, aiming for Shura's head. Shura blocked his fist swing with his elbow before thrusting his knife in Akaza's neck.
"Breath of the Moon - First Form: Dark Moon Evening Palace..." Shura whispered as he slashed his nodachi at Akaza, numerous chaotic crescent shaped blades originate from the slash, slicing Akaza's arms and legs. Akaza's eyes went wide as his body fell back, hitting the tatami floor. I-I didn't even see him!
Shura shoved the knive in Akaza's mouth with his right hand, holding the nodachi with his left. He leaned down and glowered at his fellow Upper Moon. "Akaza, you couldn't defeat me back when I was human. What makes you think you can lay a finger on me now?"
The kids screamed and bolted from the closet, running towards the door. They froze when the saw their mother's lover's insides gouged out, spreading across the floor. Their mother raised her head and grinned, blood covering her mouth and clothes. She growled and leaped at them. The boys held each other and closed their eyes, crying out. Shura slashed his sword at her, beheading her with a crescent shaped shockwave, her head rolling to their feet.
Shura stood up and walked to her head, tears running down her cheeks as her body and head started crumbling. He stepped on her head, making the kids gasp.
"Lesson one, never trust anyone, least of all, family." Shura said. "Now scram, you worthless brats."
The kids screamed before stumbling out of the minka. Shura raised an eyebrow at one single detail...
They were holding each others hands. They never let go of each other, even in the moment of fear.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Akaza hissed as he stood up, his body fully regenrated.
This presence... there's a pillar nearby. Shura thought, sheathing his nodachi and retracting the knife inside his palm. "You see, Akaza, it seems that you don't understand the concept of superiority. The fact that you think that you're my equal is arrogance itself." He walked out of the minka, standing in front of it, the full night moon illuminating his pale skin. "Report our search of the blue spider lily to our lord. I'll go and investigate this presence. Do you understand me, Akaza?"
Akaza kicked the devoured man's head and growled. "I understand."
"I will kill you for sure... Upper Moon Zero." Akaza vowed, unleashing his killer intent.
"Good luck with that." Shura replied coldly before vanishing.
"I'm ABANDONING MY HUMANITY, SHINOBU!"
The Insect Pillar of the Demon Slayers Corps, Shinobu Kochou, slammed her palms on her lab's table, raising her head. Cold sweat ran down her face as her body couldn't stop shaking.
It's just a dream. He's not here. She assured herself as she stood up and took a deep breath, internally reminding herself to focus her breathing. She looked at moon, as it bathed her room in a caressing light. It felt like the moon was comforting her, promising her its protection.
But it couldn't.
Her sister's memory never left her. Whether she's taking care of someone, killing a demon, teasing Tomioka, she always remembered her sister. Her sister pitied the demons, whether they're monsters or humans. Yes, she realized long ago that even humans can be worse than demons.
She believes, just like her sister believed, that everyone have the right to be happy. The difference is that her sister included demons while she excluded them. Because, seriously, what good is happiness if it's earned through someone's sadness?
It's not that she didn't accept demons, it's just that there ways of gaining happiness meant that many innocents will suffer. She learned that even humans can be demons, but the true monster was someone that use, trample, and manipulate others for his own gain.
Just like Yuichiro Tokito, her sister's fiancee and her sister's killer.
She sighed, she just woke up because of him, she doesn't want to waste more time on his wicked memory. She pulled her desk drawer and grinned. It was time for her daily dose. After a long time of experiments, she finally created a poison deadly for demons and safe for humans.
As she took a drop of it, she inwardly relished as she imagined Yuichiro's insides melting.
And deep down she knew that it wont be long.
Laying in an open field beside an overturned train, Tanjiro Kamado's eyes went wide his nose caught a whiff a a familiar scent, his eyes went wide. A-A demon! This presence is... the ground trembled as a silhouette landed, a dust cloud covering it.
When the cloud cleared, Shura stood there, his long hair flowing with the wind. He crossed his arms as he scanned the area. The train, the boy with hanafuda earrings, a boy with a boar's head, and a familiar looking young man who looked reminded him a lot of someone.
Shura tilted his head to the side. "Shinjuro-senpai?"
The young man raised an eyebrow. "My name is Kyoujuro Rengoku. I'm his son and successor." He informed.
Shura hummed. "I can see that you're a pillar." He saw Rengoku's muscles and his joints. His fighting spirit was like a wildifre that threatened to burn any who get close to it. "There is no need to waste our time, Rengoku. You're quite talented, unlike your father. How about you become a demon?" He offered.
"No." Rengoku deadpanned. "And I can't appreciate you bad mouthing my father." Rengoku said as he unsheathed his sword. "Also I think I hate you already."
Shura grunted. "Talk about first impressions." Blood Demon Arts: World's Eye...
"Breath of The Flames - First Style: Unknowing Flame!" Rengoku dashed at Shura, flames swirling around his sword. He slashed at Shura, his flames illuminating them. Tanjiro squinted his eyes. I-I can't see!
When the flames dispelled, Tanjiro's eyes went wide. Rengoku's sword was blocked with a tanto knife. While Rengoku was trying to push the blade, Shura stood relaxed, his eyes glowing. "You're strong, but..." He pushed Rengoku back with ease. "You're still beneath me!" He exclaimed as he thrusted his knife. Rengoku gritted his teeth. He pushed me back with a knife! So this is an Upper Moon...
Rengoku swung his blade to the right, parrying the the thrust before raising his sword. Shura unleashed a flurry of thursts, clashing with Rengoku's slashes. "Such ferocity your swordplay has." Shura stated. Rengoku growled. I'm being pushed back! Shura slashed at Rengoku, the latter leaped back, evading the slash.
"I wonder... if I let you live, will you be able to evolve?" Shura asked a panting Rengoku.
Tanjiro pushed himself up and sat. He winced as he still felt pain from the train's captain stab. "I have to help Rengoku-san!"
"Don't move! Your wound will reopen!" Rengoku ordered, looking at Tanjiro over his shoulder. "Standby, soldier!"
Tanjiro froze, the pain in his abdomen growing. He clutched his abdomen and growled. B-But I have to help!
Standing by his side, Inosuke started sweating. That demon... he has two swords and yet, he's fighting a pillar with a tanto knife!
"Don't worry, Rengoku, even if you lose, there's nothing to be sad over. Afterall..." Shura licked his knife. "You're blessed with fighting the strongest upper moon." Suddenly cuts appeared all over Rengoku's body, blood spurted from them. The Flame Pillar fell on his knees, a droplet of blood rolling down from a cut on his cheek. I didn't even see these attacks coming. He's strong, but still... He raised his sword, it's dark red blade glowing from the moon light.
Even though he's been cut in 23 places, he's still not relenting. Shura thought as he swung his knife down, letting droplets of blood fall.
"People work to attain a peace of mind, they strive to attain a peace of mind, they fight to attain a peace of mind. And yet, humans never live enough to see peace, or they live enough to see their peace disturbed." Shura stated. "That fighting spirit of yours is an evidence that despite many setbacks, you still strived for something." He stepped forward. "I'll ask one last time... how about you become a demon?"
"No." Rengoku replied flatly. "There's beauty to being a human. We may grew old and die, we may lie, steal, kill, but in the end, we... " He tightened his hands grip on the grip of his sword. He looked up, eyes flaring. "We still can love and fight for those we cherish while you fight to quench your own thurst. After thinking back, I don't hate you. I pity you..."
"Yuichiro-dono."
It hit him when he rose up, a memory from the past. He remembers that he and Senjuro were training in the estate's garden. The doors opened and their father came in, wearing the demon slayers uniform and bandaged around his head. The moment they heard his voice they turned their heads and teared up, running to their father's embrace. Kyojuro remembers that at that time, he cried every time his father came back home safe. Their father had to sing for them to calm down. When they sniffed and wiped their tears, their father gestured and called for someone.
"Boys, this is Yuichiro Tokito, the moon pillar. He doesn't seem like it, but he's actually strong." Their father said, smiling.
Yuichiro wore the demon slayers men's uniform with a dark purple haori, sheathed, dark blue nodachi hanging over his back with a strap. He was notecably taller than them. His hair was tied with mint blue ends. He stared at them with half lidded, misty eyes. "It's nice to meet you."
It didn't take them long to know that he saved their father from a demon, most of all, an upper moon. He was unscathed, clean and unnerved. At that moment, Kyojuro thought that this is how a master swordsman must be.
But when he looked at his current self, his nostrils flared. Why? Why would a strong, honorable swordsman choose to fall this low?
"You used to be one of the strongest demon slayers, and now, you're nothing more than a slave to bloodshed." Kyojuro spat.
Yuichiro? Does Rengoku-san know him? And he was a demon slayer! But why is his scent familiar? Tanjiro though, feeling his heart drop.
That explains this pressure I feel from him... This guy's strength isn't something to be earned by simply becoming a demon. Inosuke thought before swallowing.
Shura raised an eyebrow. "Bloodshed? You seem to be misunderstanding something, Kyojuro." He pointed his knife at the fire pillar, his brows furrowed. "If I wanted you dead, I would've used a smaller, sharp insturment." He shrugged his shoulders. "But sadly I don't have one smaller than that."
Kyojuro narrowed his eyes. "Then what is it? What-"
"Do I desire?" Shura interjected, raising his eyebrow.
Rengoku froze. He... did he just intercept my thoughts? No... it's something else. He thought, clutching the grip of his sword.
"You already talk to much, but let me indulge you." Shura said, his scarlet orbs looking straight at Rengoku's. "Do you really think that extirminating demons will save everyone's happiness?"
For the first time in his life, Kyojuro's body froze from speechlness. The question repeated himself inside his head as his mother's death flashed before him.
I see, so this will of yours... is fragile. Shura thought. He gritted his teeth his eyes flaring. "All men are not created equal! Some are born smarter, or more beautiful, or with parents of greater status. Some, by contrast, are born of weak body or mind, or with few, if any, talents. All men are different! Yes, the very existence of man is discriminatory. That's why there is war, violence and unrest."
Tanjiro started sweating, his mouth agape. We're not equal...
Shura stepped forward, unleashing his bloodlust. "Don't act like you understand what made humans turn to demons. Poverty, injustice, betrayel... how can you fear and kill something that you don't understand? This world is hell! There is a demon inside all humans. Even if demons cease to exist, humanity's demons will not." He stated, glowering down at Rengoku. "This is why you fight, Demon Slayers, hatred. It's hatred that fuels you, hatred born out of you desire to protect who you love." He looked up at the sky, letting the moonlight bathe him. "This is why, in order to create a new world, I had to abandon my humanity. Humans will continue to fight and cause suffering and injustice, regardless of whether demons exist or not."
Everyone was silent, Inosuke's body trempled as he felt Shura's quick glance at him, before it landed at Tanjiro, who gritted his teeth and glared back at Shura.
"Do you have something to say, boy?" Shura asked with knitted brows.
"A new world, you say?" Tanjiro seethed as he slowly stood up, blood leaking from his wound. "What is justice to humans you kill? What is justice to those whose happiness was stolen from by you? There's no justice in a world where you do all these horrible things and except to be excused from it." He held his sword up, his blood boiling.
Shura narrowed his eyes at Tanjiro before his eyes moved to look at Kyojuro, who also looked at him with the same vigor. Shura sighed, crossing his arms. Like you'll understand, imbeciles.
"Well, thanks to your boring retort, my interest in this fight has waned." He looked down with half-lidded eyes. "Maybe I'm ought to end this quickly." He declared before looking up at Kyojuro.
"Well said, Kamado, my boy." Kyojuro said, smiling over at Tanjiro, who furrowed his brows. "Stand down for your wounds. I think I finally understand how Oyakata-sama thought of you."
Tanjiro, looked down, his hands clutching his sword as he gritted his teeth. I'm sorry, Rengoku-san! I wanted to help you and yet I...
"As for you, this is where it all ends!" He growled at Shura before charging at him with an incredible speed. "Breath of Flames: First Style: Unknowing Fire!" Flames twirled around his sword.
"You dare to resist me? Then you dare to die!" Shura exclaimed, thrusting his knife, colliding with Kyojuro's slash, causing dust cloud to cover their battlefield.
Inosuke groaned. "I can't see shit!"
Tanjiro swallowed his body shaking. Rengoku-san will be okay! He's a pillar! He's a kind, honorable swordsman. Rengoku-san, Rengoku-san, Rengoku-san!
When the cloud cleared, Inosuke's body froze while Tanjiro's eyes went wide and he fell on his knees, greeting his mouth agape. "Rengoku-saaaan!" He shouted.
Shura's knife went through Rengoku's chest, blood soaking his uniform and blood covering the right side of his face. Blood ran down his chin as his hands were motionless at his sides, and yet he still clutched his sword with his right hand.
Ah, I see... so this is my limit. Kyojuro thought.
"Kyojuro, remember, you were blessed with strength to protect the weak." His mother's words rang in his ears.
"But even so... I will never give up!" He raised his right hand and slashed vertically, targeting Shura's neck. The latter simply blocked his slash with his left gauntlet.
"My knife is one inch away from your heart. Why... won't you step back?" Shura asked with a blank expression.
Kyojuro grinned. "Because if I take one step back, all the promises I made will become empty, besides, if I take a step back, then those behind me will never step forward! Because in order to surpass fear, you'll need to be the first one to swing at it." He stated.
Shura pursed his lips. What a strong will... it seems that I was mistaken...
He pulled out the knife from Kyojuro's chest. "One more time, tell me what's your name and why do you fight."
Kyojuro leaped back, blood dripping down his torso. "I'm the flame pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kyojuro Rengoku! And I will fight to protect those who can't! I will not let anyone die!" He exclaimed, grinning.
Shura hummed. "I will remember it, It has been so long since I met someone so strong. As a swordsman courtsey..." He unsheathed his nodachi. Its blade was dark purple, glowing due to the moon's light. "I will send you to the other side with the world's strongest blade." He proclaimed.
A colored blade! So this guy really was a demon slayer! Tanjiro and Inosuke thought in unison.
This will be the last attack... If I miss, I die. Rengoku thought, grabbing his sword with both his hands and raising at over his shoulder. In this one moment, I'm going to thoroughly hollow out most of the area! He inhaled, veins protruding around his face. "Total concentration breathing - Breath of Flames: Ninth Style..."
"Rengoku!" He exclaimed as he bolted towards Shura, leaving a trail of raging flames.
Shura inhaled. "Breath of The Moon - First Form: Dark Moon Evening Palace." Both swordsmen slashed, the moment their swords clashed, a blast of flames and chaotic crescent covered their spot, blinding Tanjiro and Inosuke.
The young demon slayer squinted their eyes, a dust cloud covered their sight. Rengoku-san...
When the dust cloud cleared, Shura and Kyojuro stood a few steps away from each other, on opposite sides, their backs against each other. Kyojuro was kneeling, holding his sword while Shura stood with his sword held with on hand. Suddenly, Kyojuro's sword cracked and broke and blood bursted from a gash on his torso, making Tanjiro gasp. I lost... I never had a chance... Shura turned around, holding his sword with both his hands before charging at Kyojuro. So this is the power of the strongest upper moon...
He stood up groggily, before throwing his arms to the side and pushing his chest.
Shura's eyes went wide. "What are you..."
Kyojuro grinned. "A scar on the back is a swordsman shame!" He exclaimed.
Shura grinned back. "Well said!" He agreed before slashing vertically at Kyojuro's chest, creating another, bigger bloody gash on his torso. Shura pursed his lips as he looked at Kyojuro's body falling on its back. Don't live so hastily, Kyojuro Rengoku.
"Rengoku-san!" Tanjiro shouted, as he held his sword and dashed at Shura. He jumped at the Upper Moon and slashed his sword diagnolly. Shura blocked his slash with his sword without even turning around, his eyes glued to the fallen Rengoku.
H-He stopped my attack without even looking! Tanjiro thought with wide eyes. In a spur of a moment, Shura turned and punched Tanjiro in his belly, causing the young demon slayer to cough blood. Tanjiro fell on the ground, feeling his belly twist. His vision grew blurry due to being striked in the place of his injury. Rengoku-san... I wanted to be... useful...
Shura glowerd down at Tanjiro. "I could kill you right her and now." He sheathed his nodachi. "But for the sake of what that swordsman fought for, I will not." He turned around and walked in the direction of the forest.
"H-Hi!" Inosuke called out.
Shura didn't stop. "I don't respond to those with a weak will." He taunted, making Inosuke freeze.
"The one whose weak is you! You coward!" Tanjiro shouted.
Despite noticing the closing sunrise, Shura stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at the crawling Tanjiro. Trails of blood ran down his chin as he glared at the upper moon. "Don't run away! The demon slayers will continue to fight you in the darkness of the night! Compared to you, Rengoku-san is amazing! He's stronger and he didn't let anybody die! He fought to the end! He protected to the end! Rengoku-san is the winner!"
"Shut up, you good for nothing brat!" Shura suddenly roared, veins popping in his forehead, making Tanjiro freeze. "Kyojuro was strong. He fought like a swordsman and lost like one, knowing fully well that he will lose." He informed, crossing his arms. "You're not honoring him, your disgracing him! Those who walk the path of the sword embrace defeat like any victory." He mused. "Remember, Tanjiro Kamado, weaklings can't choose anything, not even how they die."
"Then I will choose!" Tanjiro exclaimed. "I will fight demons and protect the weak! I will fight for Rengoku-san!" He crawled, trying to reach his sword.
"If you fight now, you'll die. Then all what Rengoku fought for will be for naught." Shura grunted. "Besides, your wound has opened."
Tanjiro was panting as he tried to push himself up, tears started to roll down his cheeks. I-I failed Rengoku-san!
"It's still too early for you to die. My name is Shura! And I'm that person's strongest Upper Moon. Discover your true self, the true world, and become stronger! However long it may take, I shall await you at the top. Surpass the sword! Surpass me! Tanjiro Kamado!" He challanged before he vanished into the woods, leaving no trail behind him.
When the sun rose, Tanjiro's head fell. His eyes groggily stared the unconscious Rengoku. His body was numb and he couldn't feel the wound on his abdomen. Even though there is always amazing people that are fighting in front of me, I couldn't do anything to help them. I'm useless... can I really become like him?
Rengoku slowly opened his right eye, his bloody lips formed a smile as he moved them to say something.
You... did well...Kamado, my boy.
Tears blurred his vision before he closed his eyes, letting darkness consume him, hearing familiar voices calling his name.
Inside a cave far from the train, Shura sat down a maple tree with pink leafs, mediating. His choice of this specific tree was simple... it didn't need that much of the sunlight, and because of a one annoying ghost.
"Tokito-kun! Are you listening, Tokito-kun?" A feminine voice chirped.
Focus, just focus. She'll leave... He thought as he inhaled and squeezed his eyes shut.
"I'm really proud of you, Tokito-kun! You let Rengoku-san's son live! I always knew that you had a soft spot for strong fighters." She praised.
Shura's eyes snapped open, veins popping in his forehead. "Taking it easy? Foolish woman, what good is he to me if he's dead? I only search for those who are strong enough to entertain me." He said coldly.
He was greeted with the sight of Kanae Kocho, wearing the usual demon slayers attire with her butterfly patterned haori. The only thing that was noticeable was the bloody stabbing wood on her torso with blood dropping from it.
She pouted. "You're being unpleasant, you know." She smiled. "But that tsun attitude was one of the reasons I fell for you."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." He shrugged off with a sigh. "Now leave. The dead aren't supposed to be seen by the living."
Kanae grinned. "No need to be so hard. I love it when you smile, Tokito-kun." She held her cheek with her right palm. "Besides, ghosts are only seen when they're wanted to be seen, Tokito-kun~" She sang.
Shura growled. "Why would I want to see you?"
Kanae's smile fell. Shura blinked, only to find her gone. He sighed again. Good god she was- Suddenly, he felt a apir of arms circling him from the back. His eyes went wide as she buried her head in his neck. "You... don't have to feel guilty, you know. No matter what happens, I'll still love you, Tokito-kun." She breathed, making him shiver.
He pushed her arms away and stood up, growling. Guilt? What good is guilt now? She's wrong. This woman's memory is doing nothing but try to hold him back. His love for her had to be sacrificed. Yes, in order to make a world where everyone can be happy, he had to be the one to lay down his happiness. In a better world, she would've been alive. In a better world, Muichiro would've welcomed him home with the same loving smile. He would call him elder brother and tell him about his training progress and he'd ruffle his hair and tell him that he's proud. Kanae would kiss him, making him flush and it would result in Shinobu pushing him away and calling him a pervert.
Ahh... simplier times.
He made his way to his house. He has nothing to say to the dead. Not a word of apology or love. He wasn't held back by her memory and he didn't want to see her. Her ghost only teased him, reminding him of the lonelieness he chose. The price that he's paying for his ambition.
Yes, that's why he let the demon slayers live. He wanted a challenge, a will that can stand in his way, a proof that he was always destined to save this world. He wanted to see how far humanity would go, and he already seen enough.
"What are you going to do?" She asked him softly, her brows furrowed.
He stopped midway, turning to glare at her. Her mouth was agape at what she was seeing. On his forehead, a scarlet eye with the Upper Moon mark. His eyes glowed as he stared at her. "Humanity and demons cannot build a new world. I will build the new world. Where light will shine without casting a shadow of darkness. Where justice is mandatory, and not optional. Where people can love without suffering hatred to protect what they love. In this world, no one is equal. Freedom is a lie, and war is a crime paid by the losers. In my world the concept of winners and losers will disappear, and all will become one."
His hair started flowing as he unleashed his dark bloodlust aura, veins popping around his face. "It will be a one-sided annihlation. I will not let a single demon slayer or demon live." He declared.
Kanae pursed her lips, more blood leaking from her wound. She stood up and glared back at Shura, veins protruding in her forehead as she gretted her teeth. "The Demon Slayers Corps will stop you. You're the one who will be annhhilated, Yuichiro." She growled, pointing her left forefinger at him, her engagment ring shining.
It was at this moment that he remembered why he fell in love with Kanae Kocho...
She was as pretty as any flower, but she had thorns sharper than any blade.
Taisho Secrets: Shura in japanese is used to describe a person who fell into a situation in which they have to fight an endless war against something, in a relentless and inhumane manner.