Chapter Eleven: Meetings Everywhere


Akaza uncomfortably paced back and forth in the corridor of the Infinity Castle. Had it not been for Doma, he would've surely died. The boy was a monster. He easily defeated Doma and was an inch from eradicating him. Akaza is not facing the boy anytime soon.

The reason why he went to save Doma there in the first place was simply because the perverted demon had disobeyed their lord's orders and went to hunt. The Demon King had strictly forbidden them to avoid any Hahira-level foe as the quantity of strong demons had reduced drastically in the past couple of months. And now, Doma is being given his sentence. Akaza couldn't help but grin a little. While it is true that Akaza is always jealous of Doma, he does look at him as his rival. But of course, both the Upper Moon hate each other's guts.

He felt a chill. The Demon King has summoned him. He quickly entered the court and bowed to his king.

In there, he saw Upper Moon One: Kokushibo standing with his usual emotionless face. This was the only demon beside their king, whom he truly respected. Upper Moon Four: Nakime, still motionless as ever with that musical instrument in his hand, was sitting on his usual spot. Akaza didn't dislike the guy. Hentangu was there, looking nervous for some reason. Akaza never really talked with him much. Gyokko was right beside Doma, grinning like a maniac. To him, the pot demon was nothing but an annoying pest. Upper Moon Six: Daki and Gyutaro 'was' also there, a mirror in 'their' hand and an arrogant smirk adorning 'their' face. Akaza didn't hate 'them'. But he didn't like them either.

"Yes my lord?" He asked in a calm tune.

"Tell me about HIM." The king ordered.

So he spoke.

"The boy was faster and stronger than me. He seems to have a lot of experience fighting in close range. His movements were calculated, like a war veteran. He moved the blade faster than my eyes could follow. In short, he is stronger than Kokushibo-senpai." The Upper Moon One didn't show any emotion at the revelation. "His strength alone can defeat me and I am sure that he wasn't going all out. I also want to say that he has more than just physical strength and a self-cloning trick. The boy can summon fire out of thin air."

"The Flame Hashira can also do that." Muzan said.

"Yes my lord," Akaza said. "But the boy can do it without using the blade itself." Every Upper Moon, including Kokushibo, was surprised by this. "That is not all. He can transform into other people." He looked at Doma who gave him a sheepish smile. "Also, his Breathing techniques were different too. He used some moves I never even heard of."

"I see," Muzan frowned deeply before asking, "Tell me, on a scale of one to hundred, what score will you give him?"

"Ninety-five, at least." Akaza replied without hesitation.

"Is he stronger than me?"

Pin drop silence descended throughout the castle.

"I don't know," Akaza couldn't reply truthfully, hence he tried to get away with a trick. "He wasn't using his full potential. So…"

Before he could complete his sentence, he found himself flying backwards like an arrow. When he hit the wall, he saw his king standing before him with his veins bulging around his forehead and his eyes slitted.

"I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!" Muzan shouted as he leaked a sea of killing intent. "IS HE STRONGER THAN ME OR NOT? ANSWER TRUTHFULLY!"

"Y-yes… my lord… he is far stronger than you… maybe all of us combined." He replied. Akaza could see his fellow demons' shocked faces. Even Kokushibo was tensed if his frown was any indication. Doma was missing his signature smile.

"Well then," Muzan said as he walked away. "It is high time we conquered the sun. I know what exactly we need…"

~••~

Tanjiro was waiting outside Ubuyashiki's office. He was yet to meet the man. Everyone talked with supreme respect about the man. Naruto didn't quite understand why. Was it because he ran the organisation? Was it the only reason? Naruto, as Hokage, was respected all over the Elemental Nations. Even his enemies respected him. That being said, Naruto was a very powerful figure in that world, but this man wasn't.

"You may come inside." A voice was heard from the room.

He took a deep breath before entering the chamber. The chamber's air was saturated with the aroma of wisteria flowers. Naruto assumed it was to prevent demons from attacking.

He looked at the occupants of the room. The first man he saw was sitting in front of a group of people who were kneeling in front of him. The man had dark raven hair and was wearing a purple yukata. His most interesting feature was his odd marks on his forehead and his pupiless… lavender eyes?

Naruto froze on the spot. 'No… she's gone… she's gone… they are all gone… calm down!'

Everyone watched with curiosity as the boy fell on his knees and began to breathe heavily.

"Are you okay," Rengoku asked with concern. "My friend?"

"Y-yeah…" Tanjiro was clearly noy okay. He was having a panic attack which was due for a long time. His eyes betrayed him and began to leak liquids at a disturbing rate.

"Kamado-sama?" The older girl he met that day, whose sister he had saved, Shinobu asked with concern. Tanjiro practically begged her not to call him that, but she didn't listen. She ran towards him and quickly diagnosed him. "You are physically okay. But you are mentally not. Isn't it?"

"I…" he sighed. "Yes, I am not okay."

"Oh, can you tell us what is it"

"I am afraid it is something I cannot quite share."

"I… I understand." Shinobou nodded.

"Okay, sorry for the distraction." Naruto bowed as he stood up. The demon slayers in the room seemed to understand as they did not say anything.

"We understand, Kamado-san," said Ubuyashiki on the behalf of his subordinates. "Now, let's move on to the meeting, please."

"R-right." Nodded Naruto as he stood beside the tall looking man who was constantly crying and clasping his hands together as he held some beads.

"As we all are aware that the Flower Hashira was attacked by an Upper Moon, Upper Moon Two to be exact, she was just about to die when this young man came to her aid." Everyone but Shinobou and Giyu looked at him and frowned. 'He doesn't look that tough'- they all thought. "He not only rescued her, but also defeated Upper Moon Six, who had come to help the Upper Moon Two."

Everyone gasped at that.

"Is he a secret demon slayer that works for you?" Sanemi asked, or rather, yelled.

"No," Ubuyashiki replied. "He is a demon slayer just like everyone else. In fact, he became a demon slayer by passing the last exam. He is quite skilled in the medical field too. If it wasn't for his quick actions, she would've most likely died.

"My friend here seems to be a prodigy, ha-ha!" Rengoku said cheerfully.

"But that's barely been a month!" Sanemi yelled again. "Are you saying that he got this strong within a month?"

"No," this time, it was Giyu who spoke. Everyone looked at him. "Five months ago, I met him on a mountain where he lived with his family. And trust me, he was stronger than any of us at that time."

Pin drop silence.

"He must be strong if you say so," the Stone Hashira said. "But stronger than all of us…"

"I saw him fight," Shinobou interfered. "He was faster than Tengan-san, stronger than you, agile than Sanemi-san and he used techniques I've never even heard of. He can probably fight against an entire army in the World War alone. The Upper Moons stood no chance."

Again pin drop silence.

"HOW CAN ANYONE BE THAT STRONG?" Yelled Sanemi. "THIS IS ILLOGICAL! UNBELIEVABLE!"

"I agree," Tengan spoke. "No one can be so strong. He does possess a majestic aura, but he can't be that strong."

Naruto meanwhile was looking at the children sitting behind the blind man. They reminded him of his own family. Naruto thought that not thinking about THEM would help him reduce the pain. But it did not work. Now he has to deal with mental breakdowns.

"Then how about a test?" Suggested Ubuyashiki as he felt that the debate would soon evolve into something much more chaotic. "All of the Hashiras against one Tanjiro Kamado, if Kamado-san has no problem of course."

"It's fine," replied Naruto. "But is this really needed? I don't care what others think about me. But if that's what you want, then it is okay, dattebayo."

"Thank you, Kamado-san." He turned towards the Hashiras. "Do you have any objections?"

"It is a wise choice," Gyomi said. "A battle would clear all the conflicts."

"I am in." Sanemi spoke. "I'll show everyone that he is just a brat."

"I would like to fight him too." Tengan said in a cheerful voice.

"I have no objections." Obanai said, or rather, whispered.

"I wish to have a friendly spar too!" Rengoku said in a loud voice.

"I am in too." Shinobou said with a smile.

Giyu gulped silently. He isn't in this madness. 'I hope I go unnoticed…"

"Giyu-san," Shinobou smiled at him. "You are joining too, right?"

Oh shit.

"Y-yes, of course. It's not like I will be severely injured or something."

"Then it's settled." Ubuyashiki spoke with a smile. "The spar will take place on the training ground beside Ubuyashiki Estate tomorrow morning. We will determine how strong Tanjiro Kamado truly is."

~••~

In the hall of the Butterfly Mansion, several boys were sitting in a circle. Everyone had some kind of food in their hands— some had dumplings, some had rice balls, etc. They were talking about the incident that happened a day ago. Rumours spread among them that there was a powerful warrior among them who single-handedly defeated Upper Moon Two as well as killing Upper Moon Six. Some even say that he alone can defeat all Hashira in spar.

"I-I am telling you," A man spoke with his mouth full of rice. "He is stronger than everyone!"

"He may be strong." One said as others looked at him. "But he can never be as strong as the Hashiras."

"I disagree." One shook his head. "I have seen him fight with my own eyes and believe it or not— he used such techniques and displayed such skills that I have never seen before."

"He was fighting the demons at the same time he was healing Kanae-sama. His hands were glowing."

"Really? He was at two places at the same time?"

"Yeah. he even treated her with the blood trans…something too."

"He is that great, huh?"

"You people were mentally disturbed at that time," another suggested. "Perhaps you were imagining things. It is not impossible—"

"Guys, guys!" A new voice interrupted. Everyone looked at the newcomer who was a fellow demon slayer. "Have you heard the news?"

"What news?" One asked.

"Kamado-sama is going to fight against all the Hashiras tomorrow!"

"What?" A demon slayer yelled. "Are you sure it is not a rumour?"

"I am positive." He replied. "I overheard Sanemi-sama and Mitsuri-sama talk about it."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"So, when is it going to be held?"

"Tomorrow morning," he replied. "At the training ground near the estate."

"Well, if that's true then I am not going to be absen."

"Yeah, I am definitely going to watch the match."

"Me too!"

"I am going to be batting on behalf of the Hashiras." A boy said cheerfully. "I'm sure then the boy is going to run before—"

"Oh, hello guys, am I interrupting something?" A very popular person was seen behind the boy who had brought the news.

Everyone turned their heads towards him.

It's HIM.

"Kamado-sama!" Everybody bowed, including the boy who was just about to remark something and mentionable about Tanjiro.

"Now, now guys," Tanjiro subconsciously gave them a 'daddy smile' as he said. "There is no need to be so formal with me. I am one of you after all."

'One of us?!' They all thought. 'Conjuring a mini sun with blade-like features, moving faster than sound and healing the unhealable and bringing someone back from the grasp of Shinigami? Who does that? None of us!'

"Anyways, I was here to get some food. Do you know where I can find some?"

"T-the kitchen is that way, at the end of the corridor." A boy said.

"Thanks!" With that he just disappeared.

He. Just. Disappeared.

"Yeah, so I am betting on him."

"No question."


Next: The Fire Shadow


TBC