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Demon Slayer/Naruto aren't exactly the most famous type of fanfiction out there. Ironically, they have potential to become one of the best kind of fanfictions.
So set your heart ablaze with the will of fire and let's show the world how great such a fiction can turn out to be!
Chapter Three: Sorry Mister Muwa-san!
Muzan knocked on the door. He may be a demon, but he knows his manners. After fifteen seconds, he heard someone unlocking the door.
"Welcome Nezuk-" a boy with black-red hair wearing Hanafuda earrings opened the door. Hanafuda earrings. The boy gave him a puzzled look before asking, "Yes sir?"
Muzan stared at him, then smiled, "Good evening, young man. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Muzan Kibutsuji. I am a writer. I travel from town to village in order to gather research materials."
"Cool," the boy said, then he asked the strangest question anyone asked him in the last century. "But you look like a band member more than a writer. The last writer I knew used to write smut." He gave Muzan a thoughtful look. "Do you write that kind of stuff too? Are you here to get a good spot to peep on the hot springs in the village? You aren't a pervert, are you?"
A pregnant pause.
"So I came to visit this lovely town of yours. During my stay here I heard great things about this mountain. Then I decided to pay a visit. But alas! I seemed to have lost my way back. I was wondering if you would be kind enough to let me stay for the night."
"Sorry Mister Muwa-san!" The boy smiled sheepishly. "It is my duty to look after my family in the absence of my father. And I have to go out for a bit, hence I can't leave a stranger in my house alone with the rest of my family members when I am not home."
"What a sensible young man you are!" Muzan grinned madly, he would enjoy seeing the boy feasting on his family members' flesh. Subconsciously, he leaked some killing intent, but the boy seemed unaffected by it. "And my name is Muzan. Not 'Muwa-san'."
"Sure, whatever." The boy slammed the door on his face.
Muzan's veins around his forehead bulged. His slitted eyes reappeared. Dark-red aura engulfed him. NO ONE EVER DISRESPECTED HIM LIKE THIS. THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTE CARNAGE…!
Muzan's fist went straight for the wooden door; intention— break the door, get in, make the boy a demon, watch him kill everyone and finally give him a very painful…
He blinked his eyes for a split second then reopened them. The door would be now…
"Muwa-san?" The Hanafuda earrings-wearing boy opened the door, causally stopping his fist by gripping it tightly. Without losing his smile he asked, "Are you mad at me because I did not let you in? Pardon me, please, but I had no choice. Anyways, Did you happen to spot a girl of my age somewhere around here?"
Muzan didn't reply. How can he? A boy no older than fourteen stooping his fist like nothing! That's impossible… or perhaps he is… 'He stopped my punch effortlessly… is he a demon too… no… I wonder what potential he possesses… maybe… I think I should retreat for now.'
"Say something, would ya?!" The boy pressed, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"I… didn't." He replied.
"Oh, that's too bad." The boy let his hand go. "I guess I have to find her myself." He looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "Hey Muwa-san, why don't you tag along with me? I can show you the way back."
"That," he gave it a quick thought. The boy is clearly no ordinary human. Who knows how strong the rest of the family is. Attacking this family might not be a good idea after all. "Would be very kind of you."
"Great!" The boy smiled widely, "My name is Tanjiro Kamado by the way. Nice to meet you."
'Tanjiro…I will definitely remember this name.'
~• •~
The boy has amazing abilities aside from his super strength and inhuman reflexes. He's got a very keen nose. Tanjiro located his sister from half a mile away from his home using his smelling ability. This surprised Muzan greatly.
The boy definitely has some powerful blood running through his veins. Muzan wondered if he was a descendant of Yoriichi. After witnessing his abilities first hand, this idea doesn't entirely seem too far -fetched.
Tanjiro found his sister at Saburo's house. The old man let the young girl stay at his house because he thought that it would not be safe for her to wander alone in the middle of a snowy night. Tanjiro thanked the man for his courtesy but said that he will escort his sister back to their home.
Muzan, seeing the girl, was a bit disappointed. He expected her to be strong, but the girl appeared to be weak. Then again, her brother also appeared to be weak on his first encounter. Hence, he didn't make further assumptions.
Nezuko was surprised to see her brother. Although it is something he would do. She thanked Saburo-san for his concern for herself.
The old man insisted that they stay but he could not convince the overprotective brother. Saburo bid them goodbye and slammed his door, muttering something about 'I won't be responsible if something happens.'
They walked for a bit before Tanjiro looked at Muzan and said, "So, I think I should…"
He was interrupted by a powerful roar that shook the entire mountain. The animal was at least seven feet tall and it had coal black fur. With each of its steps, the whole earth felt like shaking. Muzan had a bored look on his face, whereas Nezuko was shaking behind her brother. And as for Tanjiro, well… he turned towards the source and spotted a giant black bear. 'Huh, shouldn't it be hibernating now?' The bear slowly made its way towards them.
"Nezuko, Muwa-san," Tanjiro said as he stepped forward. "Stay back, let me handle this."
"Onii-chan…" Nezuko sniffed.
"Are you sure, young man?"
"I can take care of it," He replied. Seeing their doubtful look, he said,"Believe me!"
Tanjiro stopped about three metres away from the animal and looked right into its eyes. The animal made some odd sound with its mouth before suddenly jumping back.
It. Literally. Jumped. Back.
"What's happening?" Muzan asked, not quite understanding. Nezuko was too shocked to utter anything.
"He said he was hungry." Tanjiro said without turning back.
"What!?" Muzan exclaimed, or asked.
"Onii-chan… you speak… 'bear'?"
"Anyways," Tanjiro walked towards the animal, who was currently… shivering. "He tried to eat us. But I forbade him— I told him that I will punish him if he ever attacks a human. And do you know what he asked?" Tanjiro asked with hollow eyes and blank look on his face. "'Can I eat the monster with you then?'"
Muzan felt a chill… no… it would be an understatement… he felt his legs shaking.
"I wonder…" Tanjiro continued. "Which one of us is he talking about? The stronger monster… or the weaker monster…"
Muzan gaped like a fish out of water. He took a few steps back as the boy was radiating a massive killing intent— intentionally or not. For a split second, he saw a slhithoule of Yoriichi behind the boy.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! Muwa-san!" Tanjiro burst into laughter. "You actually fell for it. I was joking, dattebayo!" Then he looked at the animal and gave a silent command or warning.
The animal pissed on the spot before running away and disappearing into the woods.
"Wow." Nezuko said. "I never knew anyone could handle a bear better than father."
'Their father too?!' Muzan thought in awe. 'What is with this family? What kind of twisted legacy did you leave behind, Yoriichi….'
"So, I guess this is it, Tanjiro-kun." Muzan said. The boy turned to him and gave him another one of his unique smiles.
"I wouldn't leave someone new like you here all alone. What if you are attacked by a bear?"
"But your sister…"
"Nah," he moved his hand. "Be ready to be amazed by my awesomeness, Muwa-san!" He brought his hands together in front of his chest and using his index fingers made a cross sign. "Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof!
When the smoke cleared two identical boys standing side by side grinned at him.
"Whaaat…?" Muzan didn't know that he could scream like a girl. He is glad that he discovered it before anyone else from the Kizuki could. But the point is— how on earth did that boy do THAT? Is this an illusion?
Nezuko was also taken off her guard, but she wasn't as surprised as Muzan as she had seen the trick in the morning.
Tanjiro, seeing 'Muwa-san's awe, said, "No need to fear Muwa-san. It is my shadow clone." The clone waved its hand and said, 'Yo.' "It is not as awesome or strong as I am," he continued ignoring the clone who retorted, 'Hey!' "But it is strong enough to guide you through the mountain."
"I think…" Muzan said. "I will be fine by myself. Thank you for accompanying me this far."
"Nonsense!" Again Tanjiro waved his hand, much to Muzan's annoyance. "I can't leave you here." Looking at his clone he gave a silent command to which the clone nodded in response. "He will be with you for the rest of the way."
Muzan, seeing no room for debate, agreed. Before they parted ways, Muzan asked Tanjiro, "Tanjiro-kun, I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me."
"Nah," he said. "It wasn't a problem, dattebayo."
"Before I leave," Muzan said. "What type of sorcery is this?" he pointed towards the clone.
"It's a long story." Tanjiro sighed. "A very long story."
"I hope we meet again," Muzan smiled. "I would love to listen to your story. I am a writer after all, Tanjiro-kun."
"Yeah!" The boy energetically said. "Then you can publish a super cool book about it, dattebayo!"
Then they begin walking in the opposite directions. Before the real Tanjiro along with his sister was out of sight, Muzan gave one final look to him.
'You knew all along who I was, didn't you? We will definitely meet again.' He thought. 'Tanjiro-kun.'
~• •~
Two hours earlier.
It was way past dinner time and Nezuko was yet to return. Everyone was growing more and more anxious. Finally, not being able to wait anymore, Tanjiro decided to go and look for her. His mother, Kie, protested, but he didn't change his decision. When Tanjiro was just about to head out, he felt something malicious outside of their house. Then there was a knock on the front door.
Who could it be? Everyone but him believed it to be Nezuko. But he acted as if he also thought it to be her.
Upon opening the door, a tall man wearing a band-like suit came into view. The man was wearing strange clothes. His son, Boruto used to watch a show of singers who wore such clothes. This man's attire was similar to theirs. Is he a band member who is also a psycho killer? The Kamado family has no enemies, not at least for a few centuries. The stranger definitely has some malicious intentions.
The stranger stared at him in an odd way. Tanjiro smiled. "Good evening, young man. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Muzan Kibutsuji. I am a writer. I travel from town to village in order to gather research materials."
"Cool," Tanjiro commented. "But you look like a band member more than a writer. The last writer I knew you to write smut." He gave Muzan a thoughtful look. "Do you write that kind of stuff too? Are you here to get a good spot to peep on the hot springs in the village? You aren't a pervert, are you?"
Muzan ignored the question.
"I came to visit this lovely town of yours. During my stay here I heard great things about this mountain. I couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. Then I decided to pay a visit, but alas! I seemed to have lost my way back. I was wondering if you would be kind enough to let me stay for the night."
"Sorry Mister Muwa-san!" The boy smiled sheepishly. "It is my duty to look after my family in the absence of my father. And I have to go out for a bit, hence I can't leave a stranger in my house alone with the rest of my family members."
"What a sensible young man you are!" The man grinned creepily, almost like Orochimaru back in Chunin Exams. He leaked some killing intent with Kage-level intensity. This guy is dangerous. However, this did not affect Tanjiro much. He might have if he hadn't faced more powerful enemies one after another in his thirty-plus years of life. "And my name is Muzan. Not 'Muwa-san'."
"Sure, whatever." Tanjiro slammed the door on his face. Batter not to face this guy here. He needs to draw the troublesome man away.
Tanjiro doesn't want to freak his family out by showing them what kind of warrior Naruto was. Naruto was a kind and friendly man throughout his life. Never had he harmed any innocent and he hated innocents getting harmed because of him, even if that being unintentionally.
His siblings were fast asleep while his mother was waiting for him.
"Who was that?" She asked.
"Dunno." Tanjiro simply replied. "Some guy asked for help. Says that he lost way back to town."
"You're going to help him, aren't you?"
"Of course!" Tanjiro smiled. "But I am not leaving you guys here all alone." He swiftly summoned five shadow clones. No sooner had they pop into existence than she jumped a bit, perplexed. "Now I am going to find Nezuko. Ja ne!"
Kie is not getting used to this anytime soon.
The killing intent was increasing at an alarming rate. Tanjiro rushed to open the door.
"Muwa-san?" Tanjiro opened the door. In the corner of his eye, he spotted a projectile reaching at high ANBU-level speed. A normal man wouldn't even know what hit him. But Tanjiro is not a normal person, not Naruto at least. He casually stopped his fist and gripped it tightly. He felt fractures to the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. If he had not used Chakra he would have lost his limb by now. This person is someone you don't want to fight without any strategy or the measurement of strength. Without losing his smile he asked, "Are you mad at me because I did not let you in? Pardon me, please, but I had no choice. Anyways, Did you happen to spot a girl of my age somewhere around here?"
The man didn't reply. He was clearly shocked.
"Say something, would ya?!" Tanjiro pressed.
"I… didn't." He said something under his breath..
"Oh, that's too bad." Tanjiro let his hand go. He "I guess I have to find her myself." He looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "Hey Muwa-san, why don't you tag along with me? I can show you the way back."
"That," he looked thoughtful for a moment. "Would be very kind of you."
"Great!" Tanjiro smiled widely, "My name is Tanjiro Kamado by the way. Nice to meet you."
"Tanjiro…" He said it, as if he is trying out how it sounds coming from his mouth.
~• •~
They found Nezuko at old man Saburo's house. Nezuko was a bit puzzled for a moment seeing him. But she understood without needing an explanation. The old man was angry at him for coming all the way from the top of the Mountain for his sister in the middle of night. But of course he couldn't force them to stay.
The bear didn't speak of course. It was simply Naruto's tactic to confirm if Muzan was a human or not. Judging from his reaction— he wasn't. The bear was really hungry though. It said that his cave broke down due to stones falling on it. One might question how he knew it if he didn't speak 'bear'— well, he lived half of his life practically with toads, so yeah, he knows how to know 'underneath the underneath.'
Before parting ways, Tanjiro made a shadow clone and sent it with Muzan.
The clone was destroyed ten minutes later. Someone attacked it from behind. The attacker was fast. Too fast. But it wasn't Muzan. So whoever sent Muzan didn't send him alone. They probably wanted to capture him in order to learn his secrets. Unfortunately for them, it seems this dimension's beings do not possess chakra to perform Ninja Techniques.
'Who sent Muzan? Muzan is at least Kage-level… He isn't a human. No… he is a… superhuman? An experiment? Like Orochimaru used to do long ago? But the question is who or what are they looking for? What do they want from the Kamado family?' Tanjiro thought as he came back with Nezuko. Kie was hugging her eldest daughter tightly. The younger siblings woke up and looked at the elders with confused and innocent eyes. He smiled sadly. 'I've lost my family once. I am not losing my family again.'
THE NEXT CHAPTER IS COMING SOON.
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