1st POV

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"You sure you don't want me to drop you off?"

Tanjiro shook his head, sweat forming, and replied, "Thank you, Colith-san, but it is truly not necessary. I want to know how long it will take for me to get there." He apologized for declining the offer.

I pouted, even though he couldn't see it, and crossed my arms, letting out a resigned sigh. Urokodaki and I remained on the doorstep, watching the boy jog a few meters away before stopping. He waved at us and then continued his run, wearing a similar haori as the former water pillar and his iconic Kitsune mask.

"You're going after him, aren't you?" the old man remarked after a brief pause.

"Yep!" I grinned and leaped into the air, following after the kid. "See ya!" I waved, and he returned the wave with a sigh, observing me as I quickly caught up to Tanjiro.

Seppen joined me swiftly, and we made sure to keep a safe distance to avoid being detected. His nose was incredibly sharp, and we didn't want to risk being spotted.

Why was I following him? Well, he did manage to reach his destination without any issues and even passed the exam with flying colors in the anime. But there was more to it than that. I had some responsibilities, such as ensuring that the casualties during the final selection remained low. You see, not everyone was cut out to become a slayer, and Kagaya knew it.

Rather than letting potential recruits die foolishly because they bit off more than they can chew, there had been a change in the rules. Anyone with fatal injuries or on the brink of death would be rescued — by me. As a result, they wouldn't become slayers and would have to restart their training and attempt the following year. It was a way to minimize unnecessary loss of life.

So, yeah. I've sent clones to the last selections and saved a lot, and I say A LOT of people.

Kokushibo didn't particularly exhibit much of a reaction to this revelation, even though he was well aware of it. It appeared that Muzan's influence over him had completely dissipated, given that he could now speak Muzan's name without facing any consequences.

Colith-1, discount MJ-0.

We reached Mount Fujikasane just before sunset, a clear sign that Tanjiro's additional training had paid off. His sessions with Kokushibo had certainly honed his reflexes, even though all he could really do was dodge. Koku-kun was ruthless.

The subject of the earrings never came up again, but I continued to encourage him to open up about them. Kokushibo was one of the rare demons who still remembered their past, so he didn't react strongly to the revelation that Tanjiro was a descendant of Yorichii's closest friend, which could explain the earrings.

He wasn't one to bring up his past a lot though, as tragic as it was, and neither was I. Kokushibo was a man of few words when it came to his history, and I, well, I had a tendency to accidentally spill the beans on things I shouldn't know. Strangely, he never questioned how I had that knowledge. He knew what I was after, but I only revealed it when I was certain that Muzan wouldn't catch wind of it. Keeping the element of surprise was crucial, even though it was astonishing that he hadn't realized I'd snatched away his most loyal servant.

The final selection drew a large crowd this year, with some familiar faces from the previous year, those I had saved. They seemed more determined than ever to succeed. Good for them. I remained hidden, scanning the crowd to see if any of the main characters were missing.

'I suppose some of them have yet to come.'

Tanjiro was currently trying to interact with the others, being the newbie he was, he most likely was fishing for information. I smiled before my attention was drawn to a speck of yellow entering the meeting place. A very familiar and frightened speck of yellow I might add.

'That's Zenitsu for you.'

He was, well, shivering his timbers and looked anything but happy to be here, which was fair. Pre-developed Zenitsu was a pain in the ass to deal with, considering his clinginess and more than dramatic reactions. Still, he was sweet, if not just misunderstood, even in his own weird way. His senpai however... Yeah, a very unlikable creature this one. He was among those who passed last year without trouble.

His head snapped in my general direction, beads of sweats rolling down his face as he stared intently in my direction.

'Damn, his hearing is no joke.' I stayed still, canceling any sound coming from me. 'Didn't think I'd use the anti-Uzui so soon. The fucker almost always catches me. Then again, they have good hearing so that's a given.'

I observed him, noticing a slight frown as he struggled to pinpoint my exact location. However, he soon got distracted by something else, allowing me to continue my observations.

Kanao had been one of the first to arrive, exuding an aloof air that discouraged anyone from approaching her. Her aura remained emotionless, radiating an unusual calmness that seemed beyond the reach of an ordinary human.

'These guys really have no idea what a therapist is? This child clearly needs therapy!... Like 99% of the cast actually.' I sweat dropped.

Perhaps I should have made a conscious effort to meet them besides fooling around. I mean, stumbling across Genya and Senjuro had been a total fluke! And the circumstances of the meetings were, kinda absurd. The former nearly had his eyes gouged out by some hey Arnold lookin' ass demon while the latter almost got kidnapped.

How on earth they survived these encounters in canon is beyond me.

As for Genya, the kid appeared less worn-out and slightly more muscular than his anime counterpart, although it might be because the exam had yet to start. The last time I saw him, he was with Gyomei, enthusiastically punching trees while the giant played a flute. So I discreetly dipped before they could sense my presence, but I did leave some food behind 'cause I was like that.

Anyway, it was heartening to see how much less aggressive he had become. With proper guidance, even the most troublesome kid could mellow out, if only a little.

Inosuke...well, he was around, probably terrorizing whoever glanced his way.

I remained hidden until the rest departed for the exam and then appeared in front of the twins, the only ones remaining.

"Yo!"

"Oba-san!" They both exclaimed in delight, quickly regaining their composure from the initial surprise of my arrival and rushing into my welcoming embrace. Over time, they had started referring to me as "auntie," a term that never failed to warm my heart.

"Heya there, pumpkins!" I chuckled, giving them a warm hug before stepping back. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Hm!" Kanata beamed.

"Yes, thank you for coming to see us!" Kiriya replied with a grin. I ruffled their hair, eliciting joyful giggles from the twins.

"No need to mention it. So, it's your turn for the exam this year, right? How are the others? And are your parents doing well?" I inquired, glancing around curiously.

"Father is doing wonderfully!" Kiriya began, his enthusiasm apparent. "And mother—" A playful nudge from his sister interrupted him. They exchanged a quick, excited glance before turning their attention back to me.

I arched an eyebrow, even though they couldn't see it. "What's going on?" Both of them shook their heads and started giggling. I narrowed my eyes playfully. "Oh, is that how you want to play it, huh?" I placed Koku's box on the ground, and the kids began to back away, knowing exactly what was coming. "Well then, you'd better start running because Big Mom is here, and she's going to eatcha! GRAAAH!"

Squealing with delight, they scattered in all directions as I lifted my arms dramatically, chasing them while cackling menacingly.

I had met Kanata, Kuina, and Kiriya during my second visit. They weren't at all wary of my sudden appearance in their house, likely having heard about me through their sisters and parents. It appeared that, like Nichika and Hinaki, they appreciated the gifts I brought, as they often carried their plushies even in serious situations. It was heartwarming to see them happier, especially since Kagaya could now go about without needing assistance.

To onlookers, the kids still looked creepy as hell their unusual appearance, but that was just their appearance. What set them apart was their vibrant auras, although I was the only one who could perceive them.

While reading the manga, I had always pondered where the kids stayed during the exam. Waiting an entire week at the foot of the mountain for children seemed impossible and irresponsible. It turned out that there was a Wisteria house nearby, which made much more sense.

Speaking of the exam, my clones had already rescued more than twenty candidates, and that was only on the second day.

There were a total of ten clones, with three of them assigned to closely monitor the main cast. While I had no doubt they would easily survive this ordeal, I wasn't taking any chances, considering the potential repercussions my presence might have. That butterfly effect ain't catching me lacking. Nope.

Tanjiro fought the hand demon and, somehow still got his head wound, although that's mainly due to him narrowly dodging a strike from the restless demon. The agitation was due to the fact that the grotesque creature had been unable to consume humans for two years straight which, well, would make any demon go apeshit.

The battle became one-sided as soon as he started bragging about killing Tengu gramps' students. Tanjiro didn't even give him time to blink that his head was already separated from his body and rapidly disintegrating.

Well sheesh. I think we created a monster.

Although the demons proved to be much more aggressive than usual, by the end of the seven days, fifteen people, including the main cast, had successfully passed the exam. It might not have been a large number in my opinion, but it was certainly better than just five. I had dropped the kids off two hours before dawn and took to the air after providing them with snacks to enjoy the ceremony. Everything seemed to be going relatively well; everyone had received their crows—sparrow in Zenitsu's case—and were now in the process of selecting their ores.

An abrupt urge to bring a touch of chaos into these unsuspecting souls gripped me.

Just as Tanjiro reached out to choose an ore, the enticing aroma of grilled meat wafted into his nostrils, causing him to pause and glance behind him in confusion.

"BARBECUE! BARBECUE! Who wants some barbecue?" I enthusiastically called out, standing behind a food stand that had magically appeared for no apparent reason. I was decked out in a ridiculous apron and a chef hat that didn't fit my outfit at all.

The silence was deafening as they all stared at me in sheer bewilderment, completely oblivious to the siblings' suppressed laughter.

"I know it must've been a tough week, but don't fret! Here's some delicious food to lift your spirits!" I exclaimed, shoving plates of sizzling rotisserie into their bewildered hands. They were too flabbergasted to respond properly; even Kanao appeared lost for words. "Remember to eat slowly, or you'll end up choking!" I cautioned before teleporting in front of a startled Inosuke. "Here you go, big guy."

Pig assault looked back and forth between me and the plate, utterly puzzled.

"Bon appétit! And congratulations for passing the exam!" I said cheerfully, flashing a peace sign before disappearing from the clearing in a puff of smoke, food stand and all.

"...W-was that Taiyo-shin...?" Zenitsu stammered, finally breaking the stunned silence.

"What was he doing here?"

"Was that really him?! Holy shit! He's real!"

"Should we eat...?"

"This guy doesn't seem to mind," someone pointed towards Inosuke who was inhaling the food. Seeing this, most of them started eating, leaving Zenitsu flabbergasted.

"IS NOBODY GOING TO QUESTION WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" He received shrugs in response.

Tanjiro sweat-dropped, watching everyone marvel at the food, then shrugged and started eating. After all, he was quite famished.

"So, did everyone get to eat?" I inquired. Tanjiro glanced upward briefly as he tried to recollect before hesitantly nodding. "Even the butterfly girl?"

He pondered for a moment, "I think she flipped a coin and then passed her plate to someone else after it landed," he explained, which left me sighing in disappointment. "Is everything alright, Colith-san?"

"Yeah, no need to worry," I waved a dismissive hand. "How did the exam go, by the way? How many demons did you kill?"

He raised a hand to tally with a slight frown, "I believe it was around twenty." Impressed, I let out a whistle.

I patted his head, "That's a lot! Good job!" I praised before pausing when he didn't return the cheer. "What's wrong? Are you hungry?" I made a bento filled with fatsia sprouts appear and offered it to him. He thanked me, no longer surprised by my powers as he was two years ago.

"It's just that I can't help but think they were once human too, and must've gone through a lot..." he confessed, his expression pensive, "Though, that doesn't erase all their wrongdoings, and the suffering they caused to people but..."

"You feel bad for them." he winced.

"Is that bad...?" I shook my head.

"You're kind. Not everyone shares that quality, but it doesn't mean you're condoning their deeds, so feeling sympathy is not a weakness," I remarked. "It actually reminds me of my Ma, though she was harsher." I chuckled, then added, "However, don't be too naive to believe that everyone harbors goodness. Some individuals are inherently malevolent; trust your nose, don't be fooled."

He looked at me with admiration and nodded, seemingly surprised that I hadn't scolded him like Tengu gramps typically did on this subject.

"Maybe in the future, you'll encounter more demons like Nezuko, as uncommon as they are," I suggested cryptically, leaving him puzzled by my words. Swiftly, I steered the conversation in a different direction.

We reached our destination in the afternoon, and the old man was nowhere to be found, presumably running errands, with the assumption that Tanjiro wouldn't return until late at night. After taking a bath and tending to his minor injuries, mostly bruises and a head wound, he passed out like a light, completely oblivious to Tengu gramps' arrival and Nezuko's awakening thirty minutes later.

Imagine his astonishment when, upon regaining consciousness, he was greeted by wide, sparkling pink eyes peering directly into his soul.

"Ne—NEZUKO!"

He welled up with tears instantly, scrambling to embrace her tightly. Two years of incessant concern left him in waves at the sight of his sister. The demon girl reciprocated the hug, somewhat bewildered by her older brother's emotional response, but she responded with a gentle hum. Urokodaki and I observed the heartwarming exchange, and if tears were shed from beneath his mask, I pretended not to notice.

"I accept, Colith-san!"

"Hm?" I looked down and found Tanjiro under the tree I was on, "What's up kid? Accept what?" I quirked a brow.

The fifteen-year-old nervously twiddled his thumbs for a moment before looking up at me, determined, "I—I accept your proposal regarding Nezuko!"

It took my brain a solid 10 seconds before my eyes lit up. I closed the manga I was reading and popped right in front of him, startling Tanjiro who yelped.

"I wasn't expecting you to change your mind! I thought you declined since you never mentioned it again after she woke up," I made the book poof away and held my hips, "So what gives? And no, no need to apologize." I flicked his forehead, stopping him from doing just that.

He came to the realization that he wouldn't always be by his sister's side in battles, and his future opponents might exploit that vulnerability. It would be prudent if she could fend for herself, particularly given that Kokushibo appeared more formidable and less driven by bloodlust compared to their initial encounter. Thus, if Nezuko could grow stronger without ever harming humans, it could prove to be a valuable asset in dire situations.

"I may not be around if she ever loses control not that I think it'll happen, I trust Nezuko, but things can change during a fight, and I would never forgive myself if she was to harm others..." he lowered his head, eyebrows creased, "So that's why—"

"I get it, no need to ramble." I pinched his cheek, "I'm glad you took the time to think about it seriously, especially if she stumbles upon a Marechi."

"Mare...chis?"

"They're humans with very special blood that attracts demons. It makes them much more aggressive and bloodthirsty. Those at the final selection were nothing compared to a demon who sensed a marechi. Even Koku-kun had some trouble controlling himself when there was one around, though that was before we met. He merely sneers in their presence."

He gulped, visibly disturbed, "I-I see..., that's good to know..."

"Mah, don't worry! Now come on, let's tell gramps!"

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest into night, we ventured into its depths. I found myself face to face with a pair of large, innocent pink eyes. Tengu gramps had joined us, whether out of curiosity or concern for Nezuko, I couldn't be sure but he was here. Meanwhile, Kokushibo remained in his box, indifferent toward the matter while Tanjiro appeared both nervous and resolute.

I had previously briefed them on how demons would react to my blood, which was the reason for our presence in the woods to avoid harming Tengu Gramps' house. Nezuko appeared baffled as she exchanged glances between the vial and me. Tanjiro attempted to explain what would occur, but he struggled with his words, as he was still unfamiliar with the process.

"Are you certain it is safe?"

I waved the old man's concerns off, assuring him that it'll be fine. "Of course. I'll just have to monitor her like I've done with Koku-kun, which means that I'll be with you guys on your journey. Hope that's not an issue, Tanji?"

"Not at all!" the boy replied.

I didn't plan to intervene in most of his upcoming battles; he needed them to develop his strength. The extra training with Kokushibo had already made him stronger than his original counterpart, and I hoped the same would apply to Nezuko. Speaking of Nezuko...

She downed the vial's contents, and we all held our breath as her body went rigid. We anticipated some kind of reaction, but were completely bewildered when she merely blinked and gazed at us with those same innocent eyes—

"Ight, that's odd...," I mused, as I circled the demon child, searching for any signs of change. Strangely, even her aura seemed unchanged – not a hint of bloodthirst.

Tanjiro joined me, sniffing the air and remarking that Nezuko appeared calm, even content. He couldn't detect any aggression or negative emotions from his sister, which left me puzzled. This marked the first time a demon had failed to react to my blood!

"It doesn't seems to have worked." Tengu gramps stated, watching the scene with folded arms.

I held my chin in thought before getting an idea, "Hold on," I fetched another vial of blood and told Tanjiro to back away.

"What is this?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Marechi blood," How I got this you ask? Contrary to common belief, Marechis weren't as uncommon as one might imagine. In fact, I encountered a few during my travels, and a significant number of them resided in densely populated regions, which made it nearly impossible for demons who preferred isolated areas to hunt them.

'No wonder Muzan prefers to hide among them.' I shook my head then popped the lid off before moving it under her nose. Nezuko stared at me.

No reaction.

"Well, the good news is Nezuko won't pose a threat to anyone, so you can rest easy," I reassured, stowing the vial away. I blinked in surprise when I felt arms wrap around my waist, and I looked down to see Nezuko embracing me. A warm smile spread across my face. "I'm not sure why, but it worked. At least there's no risk of losing control."

"This might be due to the fact that young Nezuko has yet to consume human flesh," the old man suggested, causing me to pause and contemplate.

"Hmm, that actually makes sense," I nodded, picking up the girl and placing her on my hip after she shrank. "I guess that's sorted," I said before a mischievous grin crossed my face. "The first one to arrive is in charge of preparing dinner!" With a giggle, I and Nezuko vanished before Tengu gramps could react. Tonight, I will cook!

"Hm."

"..."

"Hm?"

"...?"

"Hm! Hm!"

"...!"

I attempted to suppress a laugh, but the sound drew the attention of the two demons, causing them to both glance in my direction. Nezuko sat in front of Kokushibo, mirroring his posture, and it seemed like she was trying to provoke a reaction from him – which she managed to do! He tilted his head in response.

"Having fun?" I teased. Kokushibo's eyes narrowed slightly, while Nezuko beamed. She straightened up and then waddled over to me.

They crossed paths three days after Nezuko's awakening when I literally coaxed him out of his box. Naturally, she was initially wary, given that he was, well, an upper moon demon. However, her apprehension eased when Tanjiro explained the situation. He didn't display any contempt toward her, so I considered that a victory! Although he did find her situation rather peculiar, as he had never encountered a demon who refused to consume human flesh without my direct meddling.

Today marked the day Tanjiro received his sword, and judging by the commotion outside, it seemed like Haganezuka was already throwing a tantrum. After giving both demons some affectionate head pats – despite Koku-kun's apparent reluctance (though I knew he secretly enjoyed it) – I left them to their own devices and stepped outside. As I slid the door open, I raised an eyebrow, catching the attention of the three males.

"A black sword? That's sick."

Haganezuka's aura surged in surprise, and he was likely peering curiously from behind that mask. After all, I was dressed in just a kimono top and hakama. I offered him a polite smile.

"You must be Tanji's swordsmith. I appreciate your craftsmanship; it's a truly beautiful sword."

He quickly regained his composure. "Y-yes, indeed! I crafted it!" He puffed up with pride. I was about to offer more compliments when he suddenly got right up close to my face, causing me to lean back slightly. I sensed a threatening aura behind me but chose to ignore it. "However, I must ask, you're not from around here, are you? Your skin color is quite unusual! Are you a foreigner? Your voice sounds familiar though. Have we met before?"

Welp, at least he was bold and straight to the point.

'That's what happens when you share food with strangers. Not that he's a stranger to speak of.'

It was dumb, really. During one of my culinary adventures at the outset of my journey, I stumbled upon a sweet shop in a town whose name had now escaped my memory. Naturally curious, I entered the store and began purchasing various sweets to sample later. My eyes landed on the last plate of Mitarashi Dango, and just as I was about to order it, I felt an iron grip on my shoulder. To my surprise, it was Haganezuka, who had been eyeing that very plate the entire time I was there and wasn't pleased with my intention to claim it. To cut a long story short, I did order it, took just one stick since that was all I needed to replicate it, and then offered the plate to him right as he was on the brink of going apeshit.

It appeared that the encounter had left a lasting impression on him, enough to remember my voice even after all this time. I heard Tengu gramps let out a sigh, while Tanjiro stared in astonishment at the unfolding scene. I gently pushed Haganezuka away, all the while maintaining a friendly smile.

"That's probably because we shared some Mitarashi Dango," I admitted, seeing no reason to conceal it any longer. He came to a sudden halt, likely processing my revelation.

"THAT WAS YOU?!" He exclaimed, clearly taken aback. "THE KIND DANGO STRANGER!"

I blinked in mild confusion. "...The what?"

"CAW CAW! TANJIRO, YOUR ORDERS HAVE ARRIVED!" The room's attention shifted to the crow that barreled in, causing Tanjiro to jump in surprise. After all, Seppen didn't exactly speak, so his surprise was warranted.

Once the bird had conveyed the orders, I gestured for him to perch on my outstretched arm, which he did out of sheer curiosity. I produced some seeds and extended them to him. Matsuemon cawed joyfully and began pecking away with gusto.

Evidently, Haganezuka had not connected the dots between Taiyo-shin and the 'Kind Dango Stranger.' However, upon learning that I was Taiyo-shin, he didn't seem to care much. He dismissed the rumors, declaring, "I'm a busy man!" and most of it went over his head. What mattered most to him was that I had shared his favorite food, and that, in his eyes, was a significant gesture. He departed a while later, elated after receiving a box full of sweets from me, promising to return the favor tenfold.

I think I just got Haganezuka in the bag.

Oh well.

I turned to Tanjiro, "First mission, heh? Mind if I tag along?"

EDITED