Giyu and Kyojuro watched as the younger Hashira ran towards the Upper Rank. There was something different about him though. He wasn't exuding anger or frustration or even fear. There were no emotions in his expression at all. The two older Hashira were prepared to back Tanjiro up, but some instinct stopped him. They could only watch as Akaza fumbled his attack, sloppily punching towards the Kamado.
Tanjiro focused all his attention on the weak points he could see with his new sight. 'This is it! Hinokami Kagura: Setting Sun Transformation' he sliced off Akaza's head again. As the body attacked him, Tanjiro performed a second technique: 'Solar Heat Haze' Tanjiro disappeared as though he'd never been there, the lack of resistance causing Akaza'a body to stumble. 'Hinokami Kagura: Beneficent Radiance'. Finally, Tanjiro twisted his body so he was upside down.
'Hinokami Kagura: Setting Sun Transformation' Tanjiro once again cut off the Demon's head. This time, the damage seemed to be too much. Akaza's body collapsed to it's knees, beginning to crumble away. "Tanjiro. Wow" Giyu breathed. As the young Hashira fell to the ground, he gasped, dropping his Sword. "Are you alright?!" Kyojuro called, as the two adults moved over to him. "I-" Tanjiro coughed, his body struggling against the after-effects of the battle.
"I-I'm okay. I just need, to get my breath back. The Hinokami, Kagura forms take a lot out of me" he replied. Kyojuro nodded, "well, we should at lease move away from here" he decided. The Flame-Breather helped Tanjiro up with an arm around his waist. The three of them began to move away, but Tanjiro gasped as the smell of blood got stronger. "No way" he groaned. "What's wrong?". Kyojuro asked. The sound of a hand slapping the ground was heard behind them. With wide eyes, they watched as the Demon pushed himself up to his hands and knees as his head slowly regrew again.
But as he did, Tanjiro frowned at the scent of sadness and grief coming from him. Tears began streaming from his eyes as it regrew. Once his head was back, Akaza just stood there, crying. Then his whole body jerked and he gripped his head with both hands as he doubled over. "Leave me alone! I'm not going to do it! I'm not Akaza you Bastard!" he yelled. "We should attack again while he's-!" Giyu began frantically, but Tanjiro held his arm out to stop him, "wait" he said urgently, eyes staring down at the struggling Demon on the floor.
Blood pooled from Akaza's mouth, as his cells rebelled. He clawed at his head, tearing chunks of his hair and flesh from it. Tanjiro could smell the Demon's cells struggling to change, similar to how his family, Tamayo and Yushiro's scents were different from every other Demon. His eyes widened, "I think he's trying to break free of Muzan!" Tanjiro exclaimed. "Wait, what?!" Kyojuro cried, staring at the Upper, no- former Upper Rank Demon, shocked at the sight before him. "Come on. You're supposed to be powerful, right? So don't give in to him!" Tanjiro said firmly.
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Within the cocoon of flesh that he'd made himself so that he could transform into his true Demon form, Muzan's eyes widened as he sensed his blood inside Akaza begin to disappear. 'What is this?! How?!' he thought to himself.
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With a scream, Upper 3 felt something inside him snap, and he gasped as it did. He blinked his eyes rapidly as the Kanji in them faded away. "My name is not Akaza. I am Hakuji. And I refuse to be Muzan's puppet anymore!" he growled, standing up. The two adult Hashira redyed their Swords, but Tanjiro smiled. "Welcome back Mr Hakuji" he said kindly. The Demon looked over the three of them, "are, are you alright? Did I hurt you?" he asked with a worried frown. Giyu and Kyojuro looked surprised at the words. "You did, but we can patch ourselves up easily." Tanjiro replied. "Please, let me help. I have experience caring for wounds" Hakuji said.
"Really? Thank you!" Tanjiro said gratefully, as his comrades were still mute with shock. But this was Tanjiro Kamado. This was the boy whose family had defied everything Demon's were known for. And who had changed their world view's. If anyone could convince them to accept an Upper Rank Demon's care, it would be him. They watched as Hakuji carefully tended to their wounds. "Well, we should get going. We need to find my family and the other Hashira" Tanjiro decided. "Yes, let's go" Kyojuro agreed.
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Zenitsu had just encountered and killed his traitorous Sibling Student Kaigaku, who had become Upper 6. 'I did it Gramps. He's gone. I hope you can rest in peace' the blonde thought, feeling his body crack apart from the Upper Rank's attack. 'Look's like I'll be joining you soon. Sorry Tanjiro. Nezuko. I don't think I'll be coming back' Zenitsu thought as he lost consciousness. However a 'Kakushi' who was actually Yushiro ran by with another Corps member.
Both wore Yushiro's 'Eye's' on their foreheads to hide themselves from everyone else's sight. "Shit! If you wanna help me, then hurry up! This kid doesn't have long!" the Demon called, hoping down platforms to reach the young Demon Slayer. "Right! I' coming Mr Yushiro!" the other Demon Slayer called, climbing down more carefully. Yushiro examined the cracks on Zenitsu's body carefully. "This is the result of a powerful Lightning Blood Demon Art that tears apart the body at a cellular level. I have to neutralise it's effects or he won't last very much longer" he said.
"Seriously? That's one fierce Blood Demon Art! Can you save him?" the young man asked. "I might be able to, if we have no interruptions" Yushiro replied. "Right! I'll keep you safe Yushiro, so don't worry and keep working!" the Demon Slayer replied, drawing his Sword. 'Well, if an enemy Demon can se past my Blindfold, then they're probably too strong for this guy to handle. But I need to focus here' Yushiro thought. The Demon Doctor got to work.
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Sanemi sat on the floor with his Sword out next to him. Hanako stomped her foot, "we have to, get back to, my, family, quickly! Why are you, just sitting there?!" the young Demon girl demanded. "Shut up already brat. This place is too huge for the two of us to search on our own! It'll be better if we wait for the Demon's to come to us and take them out, instead of running around randomly and possibly not finding anyone!" Sanemi yelled.
"What about, your family? Genya and, Teiko are here too" Hanako said. "What?! They're here?!" Sanemi yelled, standing to his feet and grabbing Hanako roughly by the shoulders. "Yes? Aren't all, the Demon Slayers in, here?" the black and pink-haired girl asked haltingly. The white-haired man grumbled, veins pulsing in his head. Finally he let go of Hanako, gripping his Sword tightly, "fine! Let's go. I can't just leave those two on their own, they'd be killed by the first Demon that found them" Sanemi said, turning away from Hanako.
The two ran through the Castle, both hoping to find their family's quickly.
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As Genya and Teiko ran through the halls, both stopped upon feeling a powerful Demon's presence. "Wh-what is that b-big Brother?!" Teiko asked fearfully. "Something strong" Genya growled, clenching his fists. "Wh-wh-what do we d-do?" Teiko stuttered. "I- I think we should take a look. In case we can do something to help" the older Sinazugawa replied after a moment. They ran and leapt through the rooms and moving areas. "Get ready. We're close" the mowhawked teen said seriously.
His little Sister nodded. As they got closer the Siblings slowed down, sneaking towards the powerful Demonic energy. Genya gulped upon feeling it closer. 'We'll be fine. Demon's can't kill us, so we can help the other Demon Slayers' he thought. As they reached a room with black and gold pillars, their eyes widened upon seeing Muichiro, Shigeru and Kie fighting a Demon wearing a purple Kimono and holding a Sword. "What the hell?! That Demon! Wh-what is it?" Genya stuttered in fear.
Teiko was whimpering upon feeling the power from him. She shook her head. If her friend's could fight Muzan, she could fight this Demon. "G-Gen-ya. Let's h-help" she said, grabbing her Older Brother's Purple Kimono top. The Demonized teen gulped, before firming his resolve, "right!" he replied. They turned back to the group, where Upper 1 was talking to the Kamado's and Demon Slayers. Suddenly he had vanished, "don't you both, think so, as well?" he asked, appearing behind the two Siblings. Genya and Teiko turned around, the Demon girl using her Blood Demon Art to shove her Brother out of the way.
Before they could blink, she had been sliced in half. "TEIKO!" Genya cried, stopping his momentum and moving to shoot Upper 1. He disappeared again, and Genya braced himself to feel pain, but instead heard a loud clang of metal on metal. He looked around to see their Older Brother standing in front of them, his Sword out and blocking the strike that would have bisected and killed him. "'Nemi!" Genya cried. "How dare you harm my younger Brother and Sister! I'm going to tear you to pieces you son of a bitch!" the white-haired man snarled.
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Kie ran towards them, kneeling down by Teiko. "It hurts, it hurts," she began using her Blood Demon Art as Genya watched them. He sighed in relief when his baby Sister was fully healed, "thank you Mrs Kamado" he said gratefully. Kie nodded, looking up at the ongoing battle, "I need to get back in there. Be careful you two" she said softly, before standing up and moving to rejoin the fight. Teiko stood up, "Genya?" she asked. Her Older Brother nodded, "let's go" he agreed.
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Takeo and Tamayo were taking out any Demon's they came across. Takeo would beat them rapidly until they could no longer regenerate and turned to ash, while Tamayo used her Blood Demon Art to force them to say Muzan's name. Suddenly Takeo stopped running and sniffed the air. "Takeo? What's wrong?" Tamayo asked.
"Tanjiro is close. And-" he froze, before his veins bulged and a low, furious growl came from his throat, "Upper 3! Come on!" Takeo snarled, beginning to run faster, using his Blood Demon Art. "Wait Takeo! Don't just rush in!" the Demon Doctor called, following the boy.
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Tanjiro, Kyojuro, Giyu and Hakuji hurried down a corridor. "I hope we're not too late. Please Hinokami, protect my family!" Tanjiro muttered under his breath. Suddenly he gasped, "I smell Takeo! My little Brother is close!" he cried. The group stopped, "are you sure Tanjiro?" Giyu asked. The Sun God Hashira sniffed the air, pinpointing the direction the scent was coming from. Then he turned and hurried in a different direction, "this way!" he called.
The group rushed down the adjoining hall, while Tanjiro kept them updated. "Miss Tamayo is with him. They're right on top of us!" he cried, as the two Demon's suddenly appeared from the open hall above them. It was clear that his little Brother had been using his Blood Demon Art to rush here, and he flew out into the open air accidentally. "Takeo!" Tanjiro called, holding out his arms for his little Brother. He caught him before he could hit the ground.
"Oh Takeo! You're alright! I was so worried about all of you!" Tanjiro cried, hugging the young Demon boy in his arms. "Tanjiro-! Get off! Can't you see Upper 3 is right there?!" Takeo yelled. "It's alright. He's on our side now, as hard as that is to believe!" Kyojuro exclaimed. The Demon boy stopped struggling and stared at the former Upper Rank, "seriously? Just like that?" he asked in confusion. Tamayo made it down to them then, having gone at a steadier pace. She looked them all over, "is anyone hurt at all?" she asked.
"No, Mr Hakuji already treated our injuries. He was really good at it" Tanjiro replied brightly. "Tanjiro! Put me down already!" Takeo snapped in annoyance. "Oh! Sorry Takeo, I almost forgot I was still holding you" Tanjiro replied sheepishly. After he put his younger Brother down, the three Hashira began explaining the events of their battle with Hakuji and after. When they were done, Tamayo looked over at former Upper Rank Demon with awe, "you were able to break Kibutsuji's Curse that easily? I'm happy for you Mr Hakuji" she said with a gentle smile.
"It's not over yet. We still have to kill Muzan and the other Upper Rank's, and find everyone who was scattered" Giyu spoke up. "True! so let's keep going then!" Kyojuro cried. Before they could do so, a Crow flew overhead, "Shinobu Kocho is dead! Caw! Upper 2 has defeated her!" Tanjiro gasped in horror, "no!" he cried. Tamayo looked down in sorrow, "she was the young girl I was working with. I'm sorry Tanjiro" she said apologetically. Both Giyu and Tanjiro looked furious, "we have to hurry! No one else will die tonight except for Muzan and the remaining Upper Ranks!" the Kamado snarled.
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Mitsuri, Iguro and Nezuko attacked the enemy Demon's in their way. Rokuta had gotten injured and gone to sleep to heal himself. When the news about Shinobu had come through, the Love Hashira had looked heartbroken. Nezuko growled angrily, while Iguro glared at the air, "fucking Demon's! I'll slaughter them all!" he hissed. "Kanroji?" the black-haired man asked, as the woman cried and shook in anger, "let's go" she said with a furious look on her face. Nezuko nodded in agreement.
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Tanjiro, Hakuji, the Water and Flame Hashira's, Takeo and Tamayo ran through the Castle. 'This scent-!' Tanjiro thought, becoming enraged. Takeo growled deeply, "Muzan!" her snarled. Tanjiro gripped his Sword handle tightly, veins bulging all over his body. Hakuji clenched his fists, with his memories returned, he knew what Muzan had done to him. He'd taken advantage of his desire to die, to turn him into a monster.
Thanks to him, he had spent hundreds of years killing. He was as bad as the Kendo Dojo members who had taken everything from him all those years ago. And so, he needed to make up for everything he'd done over those Centuries by helping to kill Muzan. Even if he died in the process, it would only be what he deserved.