Disclaimer: I don't own Kimetsu no Yaiba nor any references used in the story. Everything belongs to their respective owners except Mordred... I own that guy.
Asakusa.
One word, big meaning.
If you're a foreigner in some foreign big-shot land far away from Japan with no idea how far the country you've went to had become? Or are you a poor country bumpkin who has literally no clue or knowledge on how far your country had become?
A simple answer: a rude awakening and a big surprise.
This is what Tanjiro, the current Demon King of the Rising Sun, had experienced when first arrived at Asakusa. But this time, ten times more different, more awe-inspiring, and jaw-dropping than before.
When he first came to a conclusion that this world's version of Japan is no different than what he knew of from back where he came and with knowledge of three years into the future, he severely underestimated the scale and grandeur it presented him.
And it severely perturbed him that the Asakusa he knew before, pales in comparison to the Asakusa he was seeing right now. How the hell this world has a bigger and more amazing than what he knew of?
This was the question that pushed the former Demon Slayer into learning this Japan's history as he borrowed (read: stole temporarily) some books and newspapers in the already large Asakusa's district library which stored literature and papers that the former Demon King now Demonic Subconscious Companion (DSC), Kibutsuji Muzan, was unnervingly surprised that the books were more than what he remembered them to be.
As he read the books and local newspapers, the more the two were genuinely surprised and shocked on what they discovered.
And this is a somewhat a simplified and summarized version of the historical events that occurred in this world and their difference:
August 1884 - April 1885: Japan allies with France during the Sino-French War.
Japanese involvement resulted in a strategic victory for the French over Qing forces in land and naval fronts of the war but Ferry's government collapsed due to public opinion against the war. With Japan having gained Taiwan and Penghu as a reward for their efforts.
As agreed, France and Japan formed the Franco-Japanese alliance after the war.
July 25 1893 - April 17 1894: First Sino-Japanese War.
The Qing Dynasty, due to the humiliation they've received from the Sino-French War, attempts to regain its territories lost to Japan.
Having consolidated their territorial gains in the past decade, with resources found in said territories, Japan has the economic and its successful Meiji Restoration over the Qing, who had demonstrated the failure of it's attempts to modernize it's military and fend off threats to its sovereignty.
It resulted, for the first time, regional dominance in East Asia shifted from China to Japan; the latter of which received a major boost as they've reached the status as a Major Power. China cedes the Liaodong Peninsula and also releases Korea to the growing Empire's sphere of influence.
February 1898: USS Maine is what was alleged to be caused by a Spanish mine, the United States gears for war.
Japanese thorough investigation over this incident had found no clue nor evidence to state it was a Spanish mine. Further investigations will be needed for future years to come for what had truly happened.
Seeing the United States gearing for war, Japan did the same. Mobilizing her Navy and Army forces for the war they will soon join.
April 21 - August 13 1898: The Spanish War.
Sensing a perfect opportunity, Japan attacks the Spanish Empire's Asian colonies of the Philippines and Guam. Catching the Spanish off-guard.
Spanish naval forces in both colonies were struck by a Night Attack conducted by two separate Japanese fleets which decimated both forces who were still anchored near the ports. And several invasion fleet, stationed in Taiwan, landed separately on Batan Island, Camiguin Island, and at Vigan, Aparri, and Gonzaga in northern Luzon.
An unnamed Admiral transported Emilio Aguinaldo from his exile in Hong Kong to the Philippines in rallying Filipino forces in the area against the Spanish colonial government.
As a sign of respect, the Japanese let the Filipino rebel forces take and capture Manila. This brought great relationships with both forces.
In the same conflict, Japan successfully fielded the Type 31 75 mm mountain gun and was proven effective against the opposing Spanish forces during the war.
America also joins the war, taking Cuba and Puerto Rico in the process.
France, though as part of the Franco-Japanese Alliance, remained neutral.
The war ends with Philippines and Guam transferred control to the Japanese. Prince Ito Hirobumi is elected as Resident-General of the Philippines and the South Seas territories.
August 1898: Debate on what to do with the Spanish colonists and local Filipinos became a hot topic after former Filipino rebels makes several demands including equal rights in the Empire.
"They are our Gaijin," and "Winning the Hearts and Mind," speeches are made in the Imperial National Diet. Garnering the interests of Internal Pacifists who were concerned of the internal affairs within the Empire.
As a result, the Spanish colonists and the local Filipinos are given some rights as Second-class citizens. While most were not happy with this, but remembered the respect they've been given during the Battle of Manila, they can also see this is at least the first step.
Taiwan and the rest of Japanese overseas holdings are given the same treatment to their respective locals.
There are notions within the Imperial Diet of recruiting the locals of their overseas holdings as possible manpower as workers and soldiers for the ever-expanding Japanese Empire. However, a decision has yet to be officially made.
August 2 1899 - September 7 1901: The Boxer Rebellion. Nothing worth mentioning in this conflict.
January 1904: Pressure for the annexation of Korea is on the rise.
Prince Ito Hirobumi is sent to Korea as Resident-General of Korea, as he was known from the Philippines and the South Seas territories as a highly respectable governor, after choosing his successor to govern the Philippines and the South Seas territories.
An assassination attempt on Ito occurs. However, Ito miraculously survives. The assassin is surprisingly given clemency by Ito Hirobumi himself and was sent to hard labor for the rest of his life.
February 8 1904: Wanting a warm-water port for their navy and maritime trade in the Pacific Ocean, Russia demands position of the Liaodong Peninsula from Japan.
Japan offers to recognize Russian dominance in Manchuria in exchange for recognition of Korea as part of Japan's sphere of influence.
The Russian Empire refuses. Japan perceives this as a threat to its own security and attacks Russia's naval force in Vladivostok.
France, for the umpteenth time they've joined the alliance, maintains neutrality but keeping to its alliance with Japan offers to mediate peace talks.
Both Empires refuse and thus the Russo-Japanese War began.
September 5 1905: The Russo-Japanese War ends in a complete Japanese victory.
During the negotiation process, Russia offers to secede not only all of the Kuril Islands but also all of Sakhalin Island if Japan does not demand reparations.
With a very narrow window of opportunity, before more Russian reinforcements would arrive in the Far East, Japanese ambassadors reluctantly accept the proposal and the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed.
Although they are quietly not happy they didn't get any amount of reparations out of the deal, Japanese officials vowed that they not let anything like this happen ever again. As a result, the notion of a multi-ethnic Japanese Armed Forces is passed. Allowing non- ethnic Japanese citizens of the Empire to join any branch of the military they so wished to join or conscripted to.
The world is shocked by Russia's defeat. Japan's position as a Great Power has been recognized and is taken seriously befitting of its status.
France silently congratulates Japan on their victory.
1910: Despite the efforts of Ito Hirobumi, Korea is annexed anyway.
However, Ito had made great efforts so that the Koreans and Chinese residents are given the same rights as the Filipinos and the Spanish he had governed before his transfer as Resident-General of Korea.
1911: The serious adaptation of the "Fourteen-Fourteen Fleet" was proposed by the Naval General Staff. The Imperial Diet has instead authorized the construction of Two Battleships and Six Battlecruisers. Which would become the Fusō-class Battleships and the Kongo-class Battlecruisers.
1912: Emperor Meiji passes away. Prince Yoshito becomes the Taisho Emperor.
1913: The Imperial Diet authorizes the construction of Four Battleships. One additional Fusō-class Battleship and the rest were the Ise-class Battleships.
1914: The First World War begins.
Japan joins the Entente and sieges the German colony of Tsingtao, forcing the German garrison to surrender and gaining their respect.
At the same time, a mixed racial Japanese Expeditionary force of 10,000 is sent to Europe.
1915-1916: Japanese troops fighting in Europe are horrified by the conditions of the western front looking too similar to the land battles fought during the Russo-Japanese War.
Taking lessons of said war, Japanese commanders shared their recorded experiences with their allies.
Aircraft are used in great numbers in combat. Japanese commanders took notes of this and sent information back to Japan of their observations.
In the Pacific, Japanese Naval and Land Forces attack German Micronesia and New Guinea from the Philippines and the South Seas territories.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Diet agrees to authorize two additional Battleships and four Battlecruisers, seeing the increase of shipbuilding production capabilities of Korea and the Philippines are rising in favor of a long-term shipbuilding industry.
1917: America joins the war.
The Imperial Diet further authorizes six additional Battleships.
Early-Mid 1918: Again, the Imperial Diet has authorized another four Battlecruisers. In total, the authorization existed for an "Fourteen-Fourteen Fleet".
July-September 1918: Rice Riots in Japan.
An incident with the IJA's handling with the riots sparks massive outcry across Japan damaging the Imperial Army's image and losing influence in politics.
In the wake of the Rice Riots Incident, the Imperial National Diet passes a bill forbidding the military from gaining power ever again, leaving the military in control of the civilian government.
November 1918: Unable to halt the tide against them, Germany and the Central Powers surrender, finally ending the Great War.
Japan gains Tsingtao, German Micronesia, and New Guinea as rewards for its participation in the War.
Japan decides to not partake the Russian Revolution/Civil War as it had enough wars in a single decade.
1920: Franco-Japanese Alliance comes to an end on the insistence of the United States and Great Britain due to their fears that alliance will become an obstacle at the Paris Peace Conference. As well as the fear that Japan might want to dominate the Pacific and Asia.
France reluctantly agrees to end their long-standing alliance with Japan ending almost 35 years of friendship.
"Well... That's certainly interesting enough..."
The former Demon King commented. Not sure if he should react the same as Tanjiro who had his mouth wide agape and a clearly surprised look on the current Demon King's face at the difference of historical events that they've learned in this world from their own.
Though Muzan noted the technology used by the Meiji era was a year earlier than he knew from his time as he leisurely read and listened to news of the events occurring in and outside of Japan. The same can be said to current Taisho era, but the technology used was two years earlier than what was introduced later on.
If his theory is correct, hypothetically, then the next era's technology would be three years earlier than what their world would field later on.
But, he wondered the Demon Slaying Corps had recruited the locals of Japan's overseas territories to their demon slaying cause. He would've imagined the Ubayashiki family taking advantage of the territorial expansion Japan seemed to be eager to take.
Muzan vividly remembered the demons he and Tanjiro experienced during the three years they had after the duo-subconscious left Japan. Certainly, the demons in Asia had a much variety of techniques than had imagined in their encounters in the East to West.
He also wondered that his counterpart in this world would have recruited or formed alliances of the Demon Kings of those areas. They were demons that had given Tanjiro a hard time in each encounter. From the East's Blood Demon Arts to the demons in the West with their Martial Demon Arts.
Ten years prior to the final battle, Muzan was supposedly went to Korea to forge an alliance with a Demon King in Korea. If he managed to successfully make such an alliance, then history would've been different if that were to occur.
Sadly, that was not meant to be. As it turns out, the Korean Demon King was killed when some stupid Korean partisan assassinating a certain Japanese political figure that was conveniently the core of the Korean Demon King and thus ended all demon life in the Land of the Calm Morning.
The former Demon King wondered at the time what was of the point of all his troubles to get to Korea if his supposed ally was killed.
Tch. But in any case, since that demon's core has miraculously survived the assassination, I suppose my counterpart here in this world would've made that alliance as promised.
Muzan grinned, his counterpart would surely made contact with the other Demon Kings he supposed to meet and he supposed that includes the Filipino Demon King Tanjiro faced in the Philippines back in their world would've joined in an unholy demon alliance.
He could envisioned it quite vividly. If the demon alliance his counterpart supposedly had made would make the final battle he theorized in this world would be more gruesome, destructive, and the price of victory for the Demon Slayers would surely be too costly to pay. A costly victory to say the least for the humans..
"Interesting. Most interesting."
He mumbled in bemusement inside of Tanjiro, who the latter had to take in in order to fully understood the magnitude of the difference this world has compared to their world.
Although he could not see Tanjiro physically without a mirror to show, but he can easily tell in his mental state that he was too surprised to be aware on what was happening outside.
Muzan sighed in his mental side of the body of a True Demon King. He had to make sure the schedule was right for Tanjiro's sister and counterpart to arrive in Asakusa on time. The former Demon King would rather not want to change this world's history as it is, it would make their future knowledge form their world to be useless to apply.
The demon that had once terrorized Japan for a thousand years felt a ripple, disturbing his musings in his mental side as well as alerting the dominant conscious of the presence that appeared from behind them.
With Tanjiro snap out of his shock and turn to see who it was behind him and saw a young, but beautiful, girl around Nezuko's with a hair style similar to his late mother with porcelain skin as beautiful as snow with crimson-slit eyes that looked like that of a cat.
She was wearing a black silk kimono that was partially hidden by her black haori with red clouds from its tips and at its back. For her footware, she wore nothing but sandals and clean socks with the same color as the clouds.
All in all, she was a very beautiful girl. Far more beautiful than his sister, so to say.
"Ah, hello there, Yuna." Tanjiro greeted to the beautiful young girl in front of him as if he knew her beforehand, with the said girl bowing in great respect for him, "Have you come to report?"
"Yes, Chichi-ue. I have come to tell you tell you that Nezuko-sama and your counterpart has arrived in Asakusa. Currently, they are eating three bowls of Yamakake Noodles. Two of which belongs to your counterpart, Chichi-ue."
She replied, her voice enticing to the ears of many men. Hearing her speak would make most men fall in love with her immediately. Adding in with her looks, she was perfect woman for any male to prove their worth to her.
Tanjiro made a wry face at each "Chichi-ue" she made. Completely reminding him who she and what she actually was.
Kamado Yuna, although she looked to be old enough to be in the same age as Nezuko. She was in fact, two days old. Or 41 hours and 8 minutes and still counting if Muzan wanted to be specific about her age.
In order words, the girl in front of him was his creation. Born from the parting of his flesh.
As for how Tanjiro did it. He merely took an inspiration from a demon he encountered somewhere in the Middle East who had ability to create many "children" after removing his flesh. But that demon weakened himself each time he made those many "children".
After dealing all of that demon's "children" and facing the demon himself. As it turns out, the more he killed his "children" the strength he lost had returned in proportion to the amount he made his "children".
But Tanjiro's version was different. His version was to impart his flesh like that demon but made his creations as strong as the average human in stature. He also empowered them by giving his creations his blood in order for Tanjiro and, to an extent, Muzan to know how powerful they were by the amount of demon blood Tanjiro gave them.
Power-wise, Yuna was as strong as he was at peak level prior to the final battle against Muzan with his Demon Slayer Mark activated. Much stronger when she decides to activate her Demon Slayer Mark and her power further increases when she goes to her "True Demon" form.
Skill-wise, the Demon King's spawn was as skilled in the sword as well as both the Breath of Water and Sun as she is able to use them both proficiently. Able to activate her Demon Slayer Mark on her accord as well. But her use in Blood Arts is lacking, only able to use "Exploding Blood," "Flames of Restoration," and "Reinforcing Flames of the Sun" in her arsenal.
That was to be expected. Tanjiro remembered Muzan told him of his analysis, You've purposely made her this as another experiment. The first one, Taka, was powerful as me at my full power in his base form and as skilled as you and Yoriichi are in both the sword and Breath styles. And he was able to use every Blood Art you've learned prior to his creation. But at a cost... He's broody and moody as he could be and a bit... Edgy. As for her, she's a damn tsundere with no—
The Demon King of the Rising Sun subconsciously reached and softly rubbed his left cheek from the Demon Slayer Mark-enhanced slap to the face. Did he forget to mention that Yuna could her Muzan due to her mental link to him as his creation?
"Chichi-ue, why are rubbing your cheek? Was it because I harmed you because of what Muz-chi almost told you about me?"
She speak in a soft and caring tone. But when she reached to the part of "Muz-chi" had brought sudden goosebumps and chills in his spine when the sudden smell of a menacing aura started to surround her.
It reminded him too much of a certain Insect Hashira that he knew all too well. With his demon-enhanced smell, he could easily distinguish that she was something to be feared of. Even he, as her "Father" and creator, would do not as much to get on her bad side.
Although Tanjiro's method of using the Arabian Demon's Blood Art, reforming it to be a better technique seem good in paper. But the downsides, they have their own independent thinking and personality that he has no control by their birth.
One thing for sure, his two creations were completely loyal to him. Even his first creation, or firstborn depending on which term used, despite his broody and moody attitude, he would go at all lengths (in his own unique way) to do what his "Chichi-ue" had ordered (read: asked) him to do.
Seeing that Yuna was shown to be like her brother had cemented that the technique he reformed, for all its flaws, was certainly help him go on this world with help.
But what she said on the last part of her report caught Tanjiro's interest.
"Two Yamakake Noodles for my counterpart?"
"Yes," she answered, "It would seem that your counterpart is able to partake human sustenance as substitute for blood, Chichi-ue. If Nezuko-sama back in your world regain her strength just by sleeping, I believe your counterpart has that same mechanism, albeit in a sleeping manner, Chichi-ue."
Tanjiro nodded, understanding the implications his counterpart has over to Nezuko back when she was still a demon.
New world, new factors, I suppose. He thought carefully, noting another contrast his world and this world has over each other.
"Chichi-ue, may I ask you something?"
Yuna's voice brought Tanjiro back to reality once more and motioned a "you may," hand sign.
"Should we go over to the next location where Nezuko-sama is supposed to meet Muz-chi's counterpart? It would be wise if we go there as soon as possible, as well as donning the armor you've taken days ago as a precaution should an unexpected anomaly were to occur."
Tanjiro, once more, noted that Yuna was much smarter than he had taken her granted for. And her suggestions are too logical and somewhat efficient to ignore.
He nodded to his "daughter," and stood up. Leaving all of the pieces of paper on the floor of an abandoned apartment he found on the far edge of Asakusa where he made his temporary base.
He, and as well as Yuna, disappeared. Leaving no trace as they went to the street where Nezuko should be heading to.
To meet a certain demon.
As the duo appeared on top of a tall building where a large crowd of people of different race from every part of the Empire had gathered.
The Demon King of the Rising Sun, now donning the dark-colored Samurai armor that was partially covered by his haori, activated the See-Through World. Bypassing any physical obstacles from obscuring his search for a certain girl in pink haori from the crowd.
From there he saw her, or rather, both as his counterpart was with her.
He widened his slightly, looking a bit surprised that his counterpart was with Nezuko. Supposedly, his counterpart should be left back to the noddle stand with Nezuko sprinting to find Muzan. But now, the two siblings were in the same place with his counterpart leading the charge and his sister followed suit.
This is completely different. Tanjiro thought, Have my presence in this world deviated on what should and what should've happened. Damn it!
He mentally cursed and growled in frustration. But restrained himself as to prevent any more deviation on what could've potentially happen if he were to intervene.
But as the minutes went by, he could see things started to happen as he remembered them to be. With the woman's husband turning into a demon.
Unfortunately, the deviation of the events occurring was shown in its full glory.
With the crowd of people going into a full-blown panic. Nezuko's apparent rage almost made her draw her sword, her scent of wrath far stronger than what he exuded in the past in that same position as her.
"KIBUTSUJI MUZAN!" Nezuko's enraged voice seemed to emanate the entire area, "I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY! NO MATTER WHERE YOU RUN TO, I WILL PURSUE YOU TILL THE END OF HELL ITSELF! I WILL REMOVE THAT HEAD OF YOURS WITH MY BLADE! I WILL NEVER—"
"Would she just shut up and get over with it. This is my second time hearing this and I feel this is like rewatching a film."
"Muz-chi, you've broken the mood. I wanted to hear it firsthand. I don't see why Chichi-ue hasn't mentally block you yet."
"Well, excuse me, girl. I am voicing my thoughts at the events unfurled before us. Do you really think I would be just sit here and be quiet when I'm supposed to give my own goddamn opinion on this!?"
"And you're not supposed to be interrupting!"
"It's not my fault you could hear me due to your link Tanjiro!"
As the banter between Muzan and Yuna starting grate his mental and physical ears. But fortunately enough, he could hear Nezuko finished her declaration with clarity despite the two demons literally shouting near him.
"—I WILL ABSOLUTELY NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"
As Nezuko's declaration reached to the rooftop of the building they were standing on. The former Demon Slayer once hellbent on killing the former Demon King heard him chuckled at the scene in nostalgic amusement.
"And yet, you forgave me, Tanjiro. Perhaps the girl needs to know what it's like to be in your shoes if she were to become the Demon Queen in this world just like you."
The only Kamado sent to this world nodded, he had learned to forgive the millennia old demon when they come to terms with each other. With situation that forced both of them to make amends with each back when they were still at odds.
If he hadn't forgave him back then, would he be as strong as now?
It was another topic for another day as he saw Tamayo, among the crowd along with Yushiro, saw her nails sharpened and proceeded to scratch her exposed arm. With blood pouring out of the four marks like a waterfall.
Tanjiro knew that she was using her Blood Demon Art. But seeing how she did when she first used to distract the Imperial Guards stationed in the area.
Truly, it was worthy of being called "Aroma of Visual Fantasy".
"Chichi-ue, what is our next move?"
The second child of Tanjiro asked, seeing events calming down as the pair of demons talking to Nezuko. Knowing there is nothing much to look at anymore.
Tanjiro looked at the scene once more. His mind deep in thought and to make sure they had to do without trying to deviate any more events from happening than what it should.
"You follow them. I'll go find this world's Muzan. I have something to say to him."
"Me, follow them, Chichi-ue? It would be wise for me to go to Muz-chi's counterpart in your stead and you to follow Nezuko-sama and your counterpart."
As she suggested but Tanjiro shook his head. Declining her course of action.
"No. Seeing that you don't like Muzan, just like awhile, you might just as well antagonize this world's version of him. I'll go, and you'll follow them. If you meet Susamaru and Yahaba, speak to them not harm them in any way unless the black cloud engulfed either of them."
Yuna, instead of being surprised, just bowed respectfully. Now fully understood what he was implying.
"Yes, Chichi-ue. I will go and do as you've ordered."
Before she was about to leave, via flickering away at high-speeds, Tanjiro stopped her as he tossed his sword along with its sheath.
Confused at the action her father made, but was removed when he said.
"Use it, I think you'll need it in case you need to. I'll go speak to this world's Muzan unarmed. I'll be back Yuna, I promise."
The second child of the Demon King looked at his for a split second but nodded as she disappeared. But not fast enough to escape his senses.
The Strongest Breath User of his generation sighed, knowing talking to this world's Muzan would be a lot different than he was used to talk with Muzan in his mind. He just hoped nothing unexpected will happen.
Unfortunately for him, five certain people had just reached the outskirts of Asakusa itself.
And cut!
Also a word for Novirp13, hope you understand why I changed a bit of context from your AU. Just wanted to add a bit of world-building, some trivia to make the world (your AU) looked actually different. Also, I wanted to put some flair of Alternate History into the mix in order mess Tanjiro and Muzan's heads. Lol.
Hope you guys enjoy this story, please leave a review and be sure to press the fav and follow button if you like this story.
That is all, gabrielchiong11, out!