CHAPTER 11 - Hashira: Part 1
"Now what's this? Someone's bloodthirsty tonight." Zoro said. He was willing to entertain no hostile encounters. He was pissed off with the others getting lost.
"Let… me go!"
"Mmmmmmgh!"
"You started this fight. I hope you are prepared." Zoro grabbed seemingly two young kids with both his arms. One of them was a boy with a scar on his forehead, whilst the other was a girl with a bamboo gag on her mouth. The boy broke free from Zoro's hold, getting hold of his own blade.
"Breath of Water - Second Form - Water Wheel!" Zoro let go of the girl, dodging the attack. He drew his Shusui out of precaution.
"I've seen that technique." Zoro mentioned.
He observed that the kid was furious. It almost seemed as if he was mad, his eyes were red. To make it more complicated, the kid was bashed up.
"You lost a fight or something, kid?" Zoro asked.
The kid became furious and rushed in. Before he could've summoned another Breath Technique, Zoro had blocked his sword. He knocked off the kid's blade leaving him defenseless. The girl rushed in to attack. Zoro used his Observation Haki to dodge her beastly moves. The girl resembled that of a Demon. Zoro observed her in surprise.
"Who are you brats?" Zoro asked.
"Zoro!" Shinobu showed up.
"Be careful! These brats are going insane." Zoro warned as he held the kids. Shinobu adjusted her vision in the dark and observed the situation.
"Tanjiro! Nezuko!" she shouted.
The kid dropped his sword, ending his resistance against the Pirate Hunter. The girl stopped on her tracks, observing Shinobu.
"Lady Shinobu." muttered the boy, coming back to his senses. Zoro released him.
"What happened? How did you get lost?" Zoro asked.
"Don't you dare!" Shinobu retorted, "Anyway, how did you find these kids?"
"They attacked me out of nowhere. This kid with the sword was especially adamant."
"Tanjiro?" Shinobu surprised, looked at the kid.
"It seems he had been bashed up pretty bad before he showed up." Zoro mentioned, "Kids going mad, it seemed. And what about that girl? What's with those fangs of hers?"
Shinobu rushed ahead to check on Tanjiro's situation. His sister Nezuko crawled forward and observed Shinobu with an innocent face.
"How have you been, Nezuko? What happened out here?" Shinobu smiled.
"Mmff…mmm…" Nezuko tried to convey.
"Is she dumb?" Zoro was blunt.
"No." Shinobu returned a sharp look, "She's a Demon."
Zoro had a feeling that the kid girl gave the vibes of a Demon. He observed Shinobu as she went along well with the Nezuko kid. He kept his blades at bay.
"That's weird. She doesn't sense much like the usual Demon." Zoro mentioned, employing his Observation Haki.
"You are right." Shinobu replied, "She's quite different, and she hasn't killed a human."
"You've told me that Demons were once humans." Zoro looked upon Nezuko, "I'm surprised with this kid."
"Mmmmgh." Nezuko replied.
"I believe the same." Shinobu replied, getting up, "We need to get them back to my mansion. Tanjiro is in bad shape. Something must've happened while I was gone."
"Wait, what about Tomioka and your sister? Not to mention that old geezer." Zoro asked.
"They are on their way back to the headquarters. You shan't worry. Tomioka will be hiding my sister and Master Kuwajima with him until the next meeting."
"Are you sure about them? I mean, they could be mistaken for Demons or something like that."
Shinobu assured. She turned around.
"Let's go. Don't get lost this time."
"Hey!" Zoro couldn't digest.
They rushed through the dark forest. Zoro carried young Nezuko on his back, the night perpetuating with the unexplained situations yonder.
Everyone was surprised to find the group that had arrived upon the Butterfly Mansion.
"Whoo… it's a nice place." Zoro remarked.
"Please have some rest, Zoro. You must be tired from the journey." Shinobu urged.
"I'll be fine. Besides, I'll need to find Tora-o's whereabouts."
"Tanjiro! Nezuko! Lady Kocho!" shouted Aoi, a Demon Slayer, working under Shinobu. Three girls with white nurse dresses were surprised as her.
"Good evening, Aoi, Sumi, Kiyo, Naho. I believe you've been worried." Shinobu said with a smile.
"We were worried, Lady Kocho. But we were more worried after Tanjiro had dashed out of here along with his sister." Aoi mentioned.
"What happened?" Shinobu asked.
"Tanjiro was injured with Zenistu and Inosuke in that recent fight with two Demon Moons." Aoi mentioned.
She felt sad for Tanjiro and the emotion was found on her face, "He was disheartened to realise the death of Pillar Rengoku, who had died in that battle."
"What?" Shinobu was shocked, "Rengoku? How did that happen?"
Aoi was surprised, "I believed you had received the report. It happened two days back."
Shinobu was in disbelief.
"Take it easy, alright? I'll leave you guys to your conversation." Zoro mentioned, thinking to leave the corridor.
"No, wait." Shinobu stopped him.
"Who's he?" Naho asked.
"He looks like a swordsman." Sumi said.
"Lady Shinobu!" another girl showed up from outside.
"Kanao!" Shinobu was surprised.
"Now who's this kid?" Zoro wondered.
"Kanao went to find Tanjiro and Nezuko. We had our hands full with Inosuke and Zenitsu. We locked the door to the infirmary. They were going crazy over Tanjiro's absence." Aoi mentioned.
"Alright, let's go in. We will talk inside." Shinobu composed herself, "Please tend to Tanjiro's wounds."
She gave Tanjiro over to Kanao. Zoro let Nezuko get down from his back.
"Mmmmmm... mmmm..." Nezuko looked at Zoro.
"No more piggybacking, and no need to thank me." Zoro replied.
"What about him, Lady Kocho, who's he?" Aoi asked.
"He's our guest." Shinobu replied, "I want you to treat him with the utmost respect whilst he's here."
The girls were surprised. They weren't expecting the Lady of the house to get worked up over a man. He must've been someone special, they believed.
Zoro decided not to change over his attire, as he believed his sojourn to be temporary.
"What? You met Sister Kanae?" Kanao was shocked and concerned, "Please don't prank us on this. It's not funny."
"We did." Shinobu said again, "She's with Giyu Tomioka. But I don't want you to speak of this to anyone."
Kanao didn't reply. The rest of the girls peeped through the door.
"Hey, what are you doing there? Come in." Zoro bellowed.
The door slid open revealing their situation.
"You've overheard us?" Shinobu asked.
"We did. We apologise." Aoi bowed on their behalf, "We will keep this a secret."
"Come in. I know to trust you girls. I want you all to meet, Roronoa Zoro. He has saved my life on my journey to the Ryukyu Islands." Shinobu introduced.
"I barely did anything." Zoro said, stating the facts, "I think Tora-o deserves the compliment."
"That too." Shinobu nodded, looking at Aoi, "So how are the kids?"
"Nezuko is fine, but Tanjiro is showing a fever." Aoi replied, "Zenitsu and Inosuke have gone to sleep. I've unlocked the infirmary."
"Looks like things are calming down for now."
"Also, Lady Shinobu." Aoi added.
"Yes?"
"Pillars Uzui and Kanroji had shown up in the morning to look upon the situation over the boys. Lady Mitsuri mentioned helping the estate out whilst you were away. They stayed around for a while."
"That was nice of them." Shinobu nodded, "I'll visit them later."
"Actually they came to deliver a message as well." Aoi added, "It's about a Pillar meeting tonight. At nine o' clock."
"An hour left." Shinobu said, "Has Tomioka passed through the estate before we had arrived?"
Aoi shook her head.
"Very well. Looks like we won't be getting any rest." Shinobu got up.
"Are you sure?" Kanao was hesitant about her going out again.
"I'll be back before long." Shinobu replied, "Take care of the kids for me."
"Alright, I'll see you later then." Zoro mentioned.
Shinobu grabbed him up to his feet.
"You will be coming along for the meeting." she said.
The girls were surprised.
"Are you sure? I think Tomioka mentioned these meetings are not to be messed around." Zoro said with uncertainty, "Besides, I don't want any trouble."
"It'll be fine. Your report of clashing against Upper Demon Moon No. 1 and the incident back on the island will be wanted in the meeting from your end."
"What?" Kanao was usually a silent girl, but she couldn't keep herself anymore.
"Alright, if you insist." Zoro said.
Shinobu and Zoro left the estate leaving the girls suspended in shock.
"Can you believe it? What happened in the journey?" Aoi asked.
Both of them met Tomioka with surprise on their way to the headquarters.
"Where're they?" Shinobu asked eagerly.
"Your sister and Master Kuwajima are in my residence for now. They mentioned they'll behave until I return back." Tomioka mentioned, "I got news of Kyojuro Rengoku's death. It was a big shock."
"I know. I heard an Upper Demon Moon was involved." Shinobu said.
"So why's he with us?" Tomioka asked looking at Zoro.
"She insisted that I join you guys at the meeting." Zoro said.
"I know this is not the right thing to do. The others will be furious over our delayed report as well as bringing Zoro along with us." Shinobu said.
"No, it's better this way." Tomioka said contrary to what Shinobu had expected, "No common Demon Slayer could've handled Kokushibo single-handed. Master Ubuyashiki would like to hear Zoro out."
"I agree." Shinobu nodded.
"I'm getting into trouble, aren't I?" Zoro asked.
"Don't worry. We'll handle the opposition on your behalf. You will have our support." Shinobu said.
Tomioka nodded, "We will help you extend the search to find Law as well as find answers to your situation."
"Very well." Zoro nodded, as the three of them marched through the road.
"What's the meaning of this?" Sanemi Shinazugawa was indeed not pleased to find someone else besides a Demon Slayer.
"What's that guy's problem?" Zoro asked, "Did he get no sleep or something? His eyes are red and all. Are you alright?"
"That's it." Pillar Shinazugawa drew out his blade.
"What's going on? Why did you bring an outsider to the meeting?" Pillar Uzui asked.
"Oh no, can we stop the fight?" Pillar Kanroji pleaded. She looked upon Zoro and blushed, "What a fearless man, picking a fight."
"Can we just stop Shinazugawa? We can explain." Tomioka mentioned, getting a headache.
"Your record is going worse, Tomioka. First, you sympathise that kid with the Demon sister, and now you bring an outsider into the sacred meeting." mentioned Pillar Iguro.
"Ugh… I knew this was going to happen." Tomioka was losing his temper.
"Calm down, Tomioka. I don't believe Zoro would pick a fight with Shinazugawa. Come on, look at them." Shinobu mentioned.
Zoro had already drawn his Shusui and Kitetsu.
"I've had just enough of this guy and his bad attitude." he mentioned.
"Stop this!" Shinobu shouted. Everyone's attention went to her.
"Oh no, Shinobu looks pretty angry. She's so cool." Pillar Mitsuri Kanroji kept the thoughts to herself.
"He started it." Zoro blamed, "Look, I'll be out of here if my being here should cause problems."
"Calm down, Zoro." Tomioka said trying to calm himself down.
"So what's special about him? I want to know since you are defending him." asked Pillar Uzui.
Everyone waited for an answer and so did Shinazugawa.
"That man has fought two Demon Moons, including the Upper Demon Moon No. 1 - Kokushibo, and has lived to tell the tale." Shinobu revealed.
Everyone had surprised faces, except the ones who had already known of Zoro's feat.
"No one has heard of any reports regarding the Demon Moon No. 1 for centuries. His existence has been a mystery." mentioned Pillar Himejima.
"What are his strengths and abilities?" Uzui demanded Zoro.
"He's strong. And skilled, more than the average swordsman. His potential is comparable to some of the dangerous people I've known." Zoro mentioned, "If you are asking in terms of Demons, he's in a different league. That Lower Demon Moon No. 3 was nothing as compared to this guy."
Everyone listened in silence.
"What happened to the Lower Demon Moon? I heard of your encounter in the Ryukyu Islands?" Pillar Obanai Iguro asked.
"It's dead. Kokushibo killed it with a single attack, though that was unintended." Tomioka replied, "So, Shinazugawa. If you'd insist on making this fight happen, I would welcome it."
"Tomioka!" Shinobu was surprised.
"He should know that the world is big, and there are a lot of people who outrank us in ways more than one." Tomioka declared, "I never expected much out of the previous journey, but I'm glad of the turnout. That man, Roronoa Zoro, and his ally Trafalgar D. Water Law, are true contenders against the best of demons, and maybe the only ones capable of handling any Upper Demon Moons or Muzan Kibutsuji, all on their own."
Shinazugawa looked back and observed the Pirate Hunter.
"Very interesting." he mentioned.
"Is this true, Shinobu?" Mitsuri asked, blushing red.
"It is. I saw his fight against the Upper Demon Moon. The fight didn't last long since Kokushibo retreated after the death of the Lower Demon Moon."
"I find it hard to fathom despite Kocho and Tomioka's testimony." Uzui mentioned looking upon Zoro, "If you are indeed capable, I want to see it for myself. Prove it to us with max flamboyance."
"Indeed." Shinazugawa grinned.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Shinobu was against the fight.
"Let them be, Shinobu. I believe Shinazugawa is underestimating him, just like he did against Tanjiro." Tomioka said, "It's time to break off these old chains. We need to be better than now to defeat Kibutsuji in our condition."
Shinobu had to agree. The encounter with Kokushibo was enough to declare the hard truth.
Zoro withdrew his Kitetsu, whilst keeping his Shusui. A single-sword fight. He removed his bandana from his coat, tying it around his head.
"Bring it on." he declared.
TO BE CONTINUED...
P. S. - A poster for the story is underway. It should mostly be released by the next chapter. Check out for ramblehook at DeviantArt for updates (links cannot be uploaded here so you'll need to search it the old fashioned way :-P ).