Well-Adjusted Barely Traumatized Demon Slayer (Murata SI-ish)

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

While reading and watching Demon Slayer, I initially thought to myself:

How difficult could it be to keep this timeline within canon?

Turns out, it's a bit confusing. For example, we know that Sanemi and Giyu are the same age. They're both 21, and furthermore, Giyu was actually born earlier in the year than Sanemi was. Or maybe Sanemi was born the year prior, which would make him a few months older. Either way, they're about the same age.

We also know that Giyu became hashira before Sanemi did. In Sanemi's promotion, we see Gyomei, Tengen, Kanae, and Giyu as already established hashira.

I think it's safe to say that Giyu joined the corps before Sanemi did. Sanemi joined later, but likely progressed a bit faster due to his experience fighting demons before joining, and his battle against Lower Moon One, in which he was the only survivor. Basically, an automatic promotion.

Why do I mention this?

Mainly because I had no damn clue where to put Makomo. Was she before Sabito and Giyu, or after them?

The only reason I put her before them is because I think it would be strange for Giyu to do nothing if he was the senior student. Like, he didn't visit his teacher in that time? On the other hand, it would make sense considering Giyu's guilt, so he would retreat into himself further and only complete his missions.

Considering his amicable relationship with Urokodaki, I would find it hard to believe he didn't keep in contact with Urokodaki. By extension, I would find it reasonable for Urokodaki to mention he took in another student. If he didn't, then Makomo was likely a student prior to Giyu and Sabito.

Anyway, back to ages. Murata's age is not specified. We know that in canon, he was in the same Final Selection as Giyu. Murata is at the very minimum older than Tanjiro and company.

In this fic, I have Murata the same age as Giyu and Sanemi.

So, a rundown (this contains spoilers for future chapters):

When Murata trains with his teacher Sato, I pinned him at around 12. He spends a year training, and takes Final Selection at 13. This would have him taking Final Selection earlier than Giyu, and is the reason why Makomo is there.

Makomo in this fic is about the same age. She's around 13 when she takes Final Selection. I can't imagine her older than that, and honestly, she looks like a kid in the anime. Whether her family was poor or rich, we don't know. Maybe she just didn't eat enough.

By chapter 3, Murata goes through a two year time skip between his first mission and the Lower Moon Six encounter. This guy ain't Tanjiro, so he isn't blitzing through the ranks in a year or finding Demon Moons like they're Pokemon. Murata will fight some, but it's not supposed to be a common occurrence.

In the original story, all the events between Final Selection and Infinity Castle took place in just over a year or so (it really highlights Tanjiro's growth).

So, Makomo and Murata fight Lower Moon Six at age 15. Makomo becomes a hashira shortly after.

In chapter 5, Murata meets Sanemi for the first time. So, Sanemi is about 15 or so. We don't know how old Sanemi was when he killed his mother, but the oldest I would put is about 13. So, Sanemi's been very lucky and killing demons for about a year and a half to two years all by himself.

From chapters 6 to 8, between training, normal missions, and his journey into the Eternal Paradise cult, Murata turns 16.

I'll update this as the fic gets longer, but this is a tentative timeline, and subject to change.

It doesn't help that the original manga is kinda unclear as well. As an example, consider the hashira's age by the time of Tanjiro's trial:

Gyomei is the oldest by far, probably around 27. We know that at 18, almost 19, he was going to be executed before being saved by Kagaya. I believe here Gyomei mentions Kagaya being 4 years younger than him. So by extention, Kagaya is about 23.

Next is Tengen. He's the same age as Kagaya, and we see in Tengen's flashback that Kagaya's scar didn't extend very far into his face. I also think it's safe to say Tengen was a hashira before Giyu, though in Tengen's flashback, we see all three of his wives. I have no clue when he gets each wife.

Giyu is likely next. We know that he joined early and he's about 21. And it was already mentioned earlier that he was hashira before Sanemi.

Sanemi is 21 and the next one to be a hashira among the canon lineup.

Obanai is actually the same age as Giyu and Sanemi. He's older than Sanemi but younger than Giyu. We don't know when he became a hashira though, but it would have to be after Rengoku and before Mitsuri.

Next oldest is Rengoku, who's 20. We know he was hashira after Sanemi, because Sanemi was the one who expressed doubt in Rengoku's ability to pick up the title after his father. It was only after fighting Lower Moon Two that Rengoku promoted.

Mitsuri is 19 and likely the last one to be promoted as hashira. We know that she trained under Rengoku. Honestly, with more experience, she could have become even more dangerous.

Shinobu is 18 and become a hashira at 16. I believe she ranked up right around the time Giyu spared Nezuko, and he was 19 at that point. I haven't read the Tomioka Gaiden, so maybe she was hashira for longer than that.

Last is Muichirou at 14. He became a hashira in two months. He's a speedrunner for sure.

Anyway, for this fic, we got Murata, Makomo, Sanemi, Giyu, and Sabito in the same ballpark, agewise. I mentally consider them to be their generation's version of the Tanjiro squad. Currently heavy with water breathers, which is subject to change.

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Muzan was, unsurprisingly, someone who wrote a lot.

Not in terms of fiction or literary prose. His expertise bordered towards record-keeping.

When one became as long lived as him, not even the best memory can remember everything.

In addition, he was born to a wealthy family. As a wealthy heir, his duties including knowing how to read and write.

When he stole the notes from the doctor he murdered, he started to devour anything he could find about the Blue Spider Lily.

-

An excerpt below:

Originally, that cursed doctor found the Blue Spider Lily in Japan. His intent was to create a cure for all ailments. He traveled to Korea, China, and Mongolia, without luck.

It was only when he came back from his journey that he found it. He had neither the foresight or wisdom to record where it specifically grew.

In the end, he did achieve his goal. The disease of humanity is only cured by becoming a demon.

-

Next, it was necessary to keep track of his unique biology. Muzan did not immediately gain all his demonic powers at once.

The strength and the hunger were the first things he noticed. But the other abilities were cultivated through time.

-

The blood I hold is extremely toxic. It appears that not everyone has the same tolerance for it.

The more one can handle my blood, the stronger they are as a demon. There is no consistent variable that measures a human's potential to handle my blood, however.

Some have a natural affinity for it, while others can grow into it.

Interestingly, demon slayers have the worst affinity to my blood. It is most likely due to their mental insanity.

As for myself, I have perfected its control. It took decades, but I have made it so that each demon is cursed and bound to me. Because blood demons arts have become more unpredictable, it's a necessary measure, for the worst case scenario.

-

Muzan was also, for lack of a better term, an inhumane boss. For most demons, it was better if they didn't have to interact with the progenitor of demons.

He did like to keep a short summary of some of his strongest.

-

I enjoy Gyutaro's nature. His greedy ambition and unrepentant self is necessary to becoming a more powerful demon. If only he ditched the last remnants of his humanity by discarding his sister, then he could achieve his full potential.

Daki is an immature and spoiled child. She tries to act as a proper lady, but I have met animals more graceful than her. However, just like a child, she responds very well to a few words of encouragement.

Gyokko is fine but I do not care how sincere his praise is. However, his pottery is lucrative. Very few demons possess an appreciation for art. Since I showed him his path to life, it's only right that I benefit from his wealth.

Hantengu is annoying. If he turned into Zohakuten forever, then maybe Upper Four wouldn't be degrading. At least he knows respect.

If every demon were Akaza, then I would have achieved my goals centuries ago. Loyal, serious, and strong, he's one of the few I don't regret turning into a demon. It is for those reasons I humor his 'request.'

Douma is disgusting. A glutton and a slothful being. His rapid growth and strength is one of the greatest mysterious I've encountered. Yet, his cult could be worthwhile.

Kokushibo is someone I hold a certain level of respect. Bound to duty and order, he understands the deepest concepts of demonic nature.

-

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

The Demon Slayer Corps is traditionally made up of ten ranks, with two additional positions.

In order from lowest to highest, it goes like this: mizunoto, mizunoe, kanato, kanoe, tsuchinoto, tsuchinoe, hinoto, hinoe, kinoto, and kinoe.

The two additional positions are tsuguko and hashira.

Tsuguko is less of a rank and more like an additional status. The tsuguko are the direct successor of a specific hashira. In the event of a hashira's retirement or death, the tsuguko is left to inherit the hashira's responsibility. As a result, one could theoretically be a mizunoto and a tsuguko of a hashira at the same time.

The hashira are the strongest slayers of the organization. At most, there is only one hashira per breathing style. Furthermore, they have to clear a couple requirements.

Now, the manga and anime don't really touch on the rank and file of the Demon Slayer Corps. As far as we're concerned, the important ones are the hashira and to a lesser extent, tsugukos and kinoes.

I mention this because despite many people's knowledge, the requirements on becoming a hashira are more vague than necessary.

Spoiler: Demon Hunter Q&A; a databook, most likely

Beating fifty demons or one of the demon moons. Simple enough. Also, the Rengoku Gaiden mentions this during the fight between Hairo and Rengoku:

"The conditions for becoming a pillar are to be a kinoe, and to either exterminate over fifty demons, or to defeat one of the twelve demon moons."

Okay, now you have to be a kinoe, and either kill fifty demons, or eliminate one of the demon moons.

Maybe it's just an ambiguous translation, because while it adds more information, it raises more questions than it answers.

The implication here is that to be hashira:

1. One has to be a kinoe.

2. One has to kill fifty demons or kill a demon moon.

Alternatively:

1. One has to be a kinoe and kill fifty demons.

OR

2. One has to kill a demon moon.

The kinoe part is what makes it frustrating. Does a demon slayer have to kill fifty demons total or fifty more demons after becoming the kinoe rank? Does your tally from previous ranks still count? For example, if you killed thirty demons then ranked up as kinoe, does that mean you only have to kill twenty more?

Alternatively, does a demon slayer have to kill a demon moon as a kinoe to become a hashira?

One situation is if you were involved in a demon moon encounter as a lower rank. If you were able to kill that demon, would you automatically be eligible for hashira? Or is it just an unlucky situation where you rank up but don't become a hashira?

Another confusing thing is that most people think you have to kill a demon moon by yourself to get the rank.

We have only two confirmed instances where a demon slayer killed a demon moon and became a hashira. Kyojuro and Sanemi.

Kyojuro defeated a Lower Moon by himself.

Sanemi defeated a Lower Moon with his friend, who later died after the battle.

Both were kinoe in their respective fights. Both promoted to hashira.

With all that said, I'm going to go ahead and establish my own standard.

To be hashira, one has to:

1. Become kinoe.

2. Kill a total of fifty demons OR kill a demon moon (but not necessarily by yourself).

The attrition rate for demon slayers must be horrible. Consider the time it takes to travel between missions, conduct investigations, killing the demon, and then resting. Reaching fifty demon kills is impressive, no matter what.

Adding the caveat that one doesn't have to solo a demon moon would explain Sanemi's canon promotion. It would also discourage sabotage in the organization. When we have people like Kaigaku that exist, I don't think such things are off the table.

The caveat also brings in the third factor that is not mentioned in either the manga or anime and that I just made up.

The Ubuyashiki vibe check. Kagaya has a great intuition of people's character.

Despite not being the most stable of people, the hashira are, deep down, good people. Continuously serving to fight for others.

The hashira are meant to serve as a backbone of the organization. Not only are they capable fighters, but they serve to raise morale for other demon slayers. There's a reason Shinjuro was considered for early retirement. His behavior was not reflecting the organization's values. It helps to be a kinoe first to understand the structure of the organization beyond killing demons.

So, to reiterate:

1. Be a kinoe.

2. Kill a total of fifty demons OR a demon moon

3. Pass the Ubuyashiki vibe check. For judge of character and in the event of a demon moon death, your level of contribution.

The Ubuyashiki family has the final say, ultimately. It's their organization, and the hashira respect Kagaya so much that barring severe circumstances, they would understand if he made a decision to make someone a hashira or not.

A/N: The image broke. I'm attaching the reddit link to the post that has the imgur image of what I'm talking about. https://www.reddit.com/r/KimetsuNoYaiba/comments/srm6o5/why_are_people_still_so_confused_about_the/