After freeing Kie, Tanjiro explains in detail how to reach a safe place — where Kie could start a new life — and then sets off to find Kanao deep within the forest. Little Tsuyuri watched some butterflies circling the area with a puzzled expression on her face, as if she were seeing something that wasn't meant to be.
— Kanao? - Tanjiro approaches Kanao calmly and stands beside her to observe the butterflies as well. — Is something wrong with the butterflies?
— They seem confused, as if they're drunk. - Kanao extends one of her fingers, and one of the butterflies tries to land but ends up falling, — There must be something in this forest affecting them this way
Kie's final warning suddenly echoes in Tanjiro's mind. "Be careful of that", a phrase that left a lingering concern, especially coming from a demon — an entity already considered supernatural. After all, what could be the nature of a creature that even demons find inexplicable and ominous?
— Kanao, I have a bad feeling about this. Go back, take Nezuko, and run to a safe location where you can send a message to the HQ using the crows. Call for reinforcements, at least three hashiras. - Tanjiro tightens his grip on his nichirin blade, nervousness or worry evident in his eyes.
— T-Tanjiro-san?! I can't do that! How could I leave you? If it's so dangerous that we need three hashiras, we should face it together! Right? Right?! - Kanao starts shouting at Tanjiro, tears welling up in her eyes, an expression of anger and determination.
Tanjiro is deeply surprised by Kanao. Such behavior is unusual, even in her first life when Kanao became capable of fully expressing her feelings and making her own decisions. Tanjiro never experienced a moment where Kanao raised her voice in an argument. Even in battles, Tsuyuri always maintained a calm and passive demeanor.
It takes Tanjiro a moment to recover from the surprise — and when he does, Kanao still wears the same irritated expression, staring deeply into his eyes.
— F-Fine! I apologize. - defeated, Tanjiro gives up on sending Kanao away. — You're right; let's handle this together.
With a whistle, Tanjiro calls his crow and relays the message it should deliver. The crow flies toward the demon slayers' headquarters, and Tanjiro resumes his journey toward the peak — where supposedly Lower Moon Five awaits, along with the mysterious 'thing' mentioned by Kie....Thirty minutes pass, and Tanjiro finally reaches the summit of the mountain. In front of what appeared to be a wooden house hidden by thick mist, Rui seemed to await the arrival of the two hunters. His left eye — uncovered — fixates on Tanjiro, analyzing his appearance and, most notably, the Hanafuda earrings.
—Long red hair and a pair of Hanafuda earrings. So it's you. - unable to sense Tanjiro's presence, Rui wonders whether the boy before him is a powerful pillar or merely a hunter too weak to notice. —That man will give me more of his blood if I bring him your head, so let's end this quickly.
The scent of blood and red spider webs emerge from the trees, encircling the entire area. With narrowed eyes, Tanjiro begins to worry about the upcoming fight. Accompanied by Kanao and his sister Nezuko, the burden on his shoulders has multiplied immensely.
"Running away is an option, but this battle will be crucial for Nezuko to awaken her demonic blood art and become even stronger. I also need to consider Kanao's growth... A fight against a Lower Moon is dangerous, but as long as I'm here, nothing will happen. What concerns me... is 'that' which Kie mentioned", Tanjiro thinks to himself.
YOU ARE READING
The Legend of the Sun Pillar
FanfictionIn the final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, many of the Pillars lost their lives along the way, and few of those who survived up to that point made it to the end. With Tanjiro Kamado's sacrifice, Muzan Kibutsuji was forced to keep fighting until th...
