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

[SmallMediumAtLarge]

No! Not the mice! Let us hope for their survival!

I don't think the pair will be able to escape as gyokko is pretty fast and pissed off haha! I wonder if they will kill gyokko or he will run away due to the sun?

Click to shrink...

Well, they aren't cutting off his head through those scales, barring a random reoccurrence of the Demon Slayer Mark in Tengen or Murata.

 

[TheDanny]

How can anyone manage to beat that guy's ultimate technique, punching things until they're fish!

Hopefully best buddy Rengoku shows up with the assist.

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

Throwing out the last of his explosives, Tengen started running away.

After releasing the fireworks, Murata followed behind Tengen, both committing to a tactical retreat. They darted through the forest, hoping to lose sight of Gyokko.

Tengen cursed. "A retreat feels disgraceful, but until we get reinforcements, it's our only option."

The moment he stopped speaking, Gyokko suddenly caught up with a vengeance. He readied a punch and sent Murata crashing against a tree. Murata spat out blood as his eyes closed.

Tengen blocked Gyokko's other attack, and they began clashing together head to head. Each blow edged closer and closer to Tengen's vitals. Even glancing blows caused damage, his accessories turning into fish.

"It's surprising," Gyokko said. "A normal human would have died from my poison."

Stalling for time, Tengen entertained Gyokko's curiosity. "As a ninja, I'm naturally resistant to poison. Cheap tricks like that won't work on me!"

"I've faced ninja before," Gyokko narrowed his eyes. "You don't look like them."

"I'm one of a kind!"

Tengen's mind rapidly worked on finding a solution to survival. The poison, despite his bluff, did still affect him. He wasn't immune to poison, just resistant to it. He had no simple way to behead this demon. Gyokko's scales were as tough as diamonds, and it took Tengen all his concentration to keep up with his speed.

His only saving grace was his experience in combat. If only he had a little more time to observe Gyokko's attack patterns, then he could create an opening.

Tengen bit his tongue, drawing blood as Gyokko's tail swiped him, lacerating his chest. Looming over him, Gyokko aimed a punch towards Tengen's head.

Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash

Makomo's blade tried burying itself into Gyokko's neck. He immediately wriggled away and put distance between the two hashira. Blood seeped out of his neck wound. Covering his neck with the hands on his head, he glared at the new arrival.

Murata, clutching his side, staggered towards Makomo and Tengen. His eyes were manic and he trembled, but Murata was still alive.

"A little more time, then I can finish the score," Tengen said, scrambling to bandage his chest.

Makomo and Murata nodded, rushing towards Gyokko with renewed teamwork.

Ice and water forms danced together, forcing Gyokko to split his attention between two coordinated opponents.

He had the complete advantage. Faster, stronger, and unlimited stamina, but every time he would get close enough to cause a fatal attack towards one, the other would help reduce the impact. Wounds littered their body and fish sprawled on the ground, yet they continued standing.

Meanwhile, Murata was fighting to keep consciousness. Everything burned. His torso bled, his vision blurred, his ears screamed, and the blood from his grip covered the sword's handle. He kept tightening his hold on the sword, praying for something to work.

Makomo fared better, but against an Upper Moon, her wounds were piling up. One eye swelled shut and the fingers on her left hand were broken. They both suffered fractures and the blood loss only served to make Gyokko more motivated to kill them.

The sun was rising soon. If Gyokko didn't finish this now, then he would have to flee. He summoned thousands of fish and stormed towards the demon slayers.

"Coming through!"

Sound Breathing, Fifth Form: String Performance

Tengen charged straight towards Gyokko, dodging fatal attacks and obliterating many of the fish. He got in range, swinging directly towards the neck. Gyokko retaliated in anger, summoning a swordfish and stabbing at Tengen's left eye.

"Now!" He screamed, bearing the pain.

Murata and Makomo capitalized on Tengen's distraction.

Ice Breathing, Fifth Form: Sleet and Slice

Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux

The blades met Gyokko's neck. Putting more and more pressure, they forced the swords to cut deeper and deeper. Against the hardened skin, Murata spent every bit of strength in his attack. Gripping the sword handle tighter, he forced himself to cut through. It turned red for such a short moment that Murata wondered if he was seeing things.

A feral cry erupted from Gyokko's mouths, a typhoon of water and fish pushing the demon slayers back. The sun began to peek, forcing Gyokko to retreat into the woods. His neck burned with a pain he never felt before. His blood stirred, reliving a nightmare from Muzan's past.

Murata ran towards Gyokko before collapsing on the ground, his blood seeping into the dirt. His hands empty, he noticed his sword dim as it remain lodged in Gyokko's neck. Gyokko, grabbing at it, hissed in pain as it burned him unnaturally.

Makomo threw her blade before kneeling in agony and Tengen did the same. The flying swords found an opening, driving Murata's blade deeper through the neck, separating the head from its body.

Arriving at Gyokko's body, Tengen and Makomo watched as he cursed them.

"That's not possible! How dare you! How dare you!"

Grabbing his damaged swords, Tengen sliced the rest of Gyokko's head into pieces.

"How dare you..."

He crumbled away, leaving nothing left.

Makomo rushed back to Murata. His pulse declined, and seeing the state of his hands made her wince. Without further treatment, infection would seep in.

Tengen slowly made his way back, holding Murata's sword and handing Makomo's weapon back to her.

"When are the kakushi coming?" He plopped to the ground, focusing on delaying the poison.

Makomo began addressing Murata's wounds. "They should be coming now. I told them to bring everything they could carry. The sooner we treat the poison and your eye, the better off we'll be."

Tengen sighed, letting the anguish in his body wash over him. "Hopefully, they have extra uniforms to change into. Look at us."

Makomo scowled at him.

-

The kakushi came with medical supplies and ample personnel. Transporting the kinoe and two hashira, they recovered in the Butterfly Estate.

Murata woke up after weeks of slipping in and out of consciousness. The first thing he felt were the numbness in his hands. They were wrapped so stiffly in bandages that he couldn't wriggle his fingers.

Tengen smashed through the door so loudly that Murata screamed.

"I heard the change in your breathing, so I just knew you were awake!"

Walking up to him, Tengen slammed a piece of paper on the desk next to Murata's bed.

"Enjoy your promotion, my friend. The master already established the Ice Estate and your title. Once Kanae gives the go ahead, you'll have to attend your own ceremony."

Murata nodded, still taking in the news. "What about you? Are you still going to be in the corps?"

"This little thing?" Tengen gestured at his eyepatch. "I still have all my limbs, don't I? I'm taking a break, but I'm not retiring just yet."

"What about Makomo? Did she already recover?"

Tengen nodded. "She left a couple weeks before you woke up. Her recovery is unlike any I've seen. I wish the best in your future."

"Don't just leave on that ominous warning!"

Tengen laughed, leaving as quickly as he entered.

-

Removing the bandages from his hands, Kanae gave a noise of disapproval.

Holding a hand to her forehead, she sighed. "I don't know exactly what you did during that battle, but if you grip your weapon like that again, you could lose the ability to hold your sword altogether."

Wriggling his fingers and clenching his hands, Murata could feel the stiffness abating. The skin mostly healed, though permanent scars marred them.

"Tengen felt the heat of your blade. Do you have any idea what you did?"

Murata nodded. "In that battle, all I remember was gripping my sword with such intense strength that I almost passed out. Upper Moon Five's regeneration slowed down when my sword made contact with him."

Kanae wrote down some notes, urging him to continue.

"That's the extent of it. It was a desperate moment. I don't think I can replicate that again."

She agreed with him. "I'm serious, don't make a habit of it. It'd be a shame to lose a new hashira that quickly," she said.

-

Murata rested. He healed, and while his hands hurt from time to time, he felt mostly recovered.

Receiving a letter from Nobu, he took it from the crow's leg and read it. The next day, the kakushi guided him to the Ubuyashiki Estate.

Finding himself in a similar situation, he kneeled in front of the master.

"Do you accept your title, Murata?" Kagaya asked him.

"I'd be honored to do so," Murata said.

With that, the rest of the hashira witnessed a new member amongst its ranks.

The death of Upper Moon Five was so widespread that even the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, showed up. It only soured Sanemi's mood.

"So now this deadbeat wants to show up?"

Shinjuro glared at Sanemi. "Watch your mouth, boy. I've been here longer than you've been alive."

Sanemi cracked his knuckles, his eyes bloodshot with glee. "I'll be glad to end that right now."

Gyomei stood between them, his expression tolerating absolutely no infighting. Shinjuro, eyeing Murata instead, scoffed and walked away.

"Why can't we have him retire, master?" Kanae asked politely.

Kagaya smiled. "The Rengoku family has always been a loyal and strong pillar of the organization. If he does not want to give up his title personally, then I will not force him. Instead, I want to focus on capitalizing this victory. Murata, do you have any more information about your blade during the battle?"

Murata explained his findings, though whether the usefulness of incorporating this into each individual's training was questionable. The damage to one's hands by trying to achieve this feat made it very risky, as evident by Murata's injuries.

Murata knew if he could manifest a demon slayer mark, then it would be possible without having to sacrifice his hands. Though, burning through your own lifespan by activating the mark wasn't exactly reasonable either.

With the meeting over and congratulations given, Murata immediately asked for a favor.

"You wish to read some of our records?" Kagaya asked.

"Yes. There has to be more about the 'red blade.' Who knows what else is in the records?" Murata said.

"I see no reason to deny you, though many of our best have tortured themselves trying to find those kinds of answers," Kagaya said, slowly walking to the Ubuyashiki library.

Handing him a copy of a key, Kagaya smiled at Murata. "If it is you, then I have nothing to fear. Find what you can, but don't forget to take care of yourself."

Entering the building, Murata began his search.

 

[CriticalFailure]

Goodness, an upper moon dead already?

This is a huge change.


I wonder if he will actually find anything, or he will make shit up to justify his strange knowledge..

 

[Jubjub3000]

He needs to train his grip strength! Once he can bend steel like play dough the red blade should be alot easier!

First crush bamboo, then rocks, then steel!

Edit

Also I bet muzan is pissed haha And with the red blade, me thinks murat will either never run into another moon or have all the lower moons and an upper moon flung at him.

 

[TheHerowithaThousandFaces]

Not going to lie Mc is still a bit weak to be a Hashira. I know being strong is not supposed to be his main quality but still even if he is going the weakest hashira but strong due be being smart route I feel like he is still does not have the bare minimum baseline stats needed by him to be promoted to a Hashira by DC.

 

[Hadiz]

Not going to lie Mc is still a bit weak to be a Hashira. I know being strong is not supposed to be his main quality but still even if he is going the weakest hashira but strong due be being smart route I feel like he is still does not have the bare minimum baseline stats needed by him to be promoted to a Hashira by DC.

Click to shrink...

I mean by timeline wise he's a Demon Slayer for more than 3 Years minimum, completed all Requirements to be a Hashira and was basically pivotal in honing on & key in killing one of the Upper Moons.

At that point he's deserved to get the promotion.

I wonder if he will actually find anything, or he will make shit up to justify his strange knowledge..

Click to shrink...

Honestly being able to find possible records of Sun Breathing, it's Forms, Origin, Etc.

Already gives Murata a lot of ways to bullshit in the Theory.

 

[Buddhahobo]

Honestly being able to find possible records of Sun Breathing, it's Forms, Origin, Etc.

Already gives Murata a lot of ways to bullshit in the Theory.

Click to shrink...

It also helps that the head honcho is already in his corner and will be happy to enable said bullshitting.

If anyone has doubts about Murata's thought process with seemingly unrelated records he points to for justification, they aren't going to call him out, but seek out Kagaya.

 

[Jubjub3000]

I wonder if murat will try train for as long as he physically can in order to get up to the standards of the other hashira?

And with the estate, I wonder what he plans to invest in, maybe he could drag in some demon slayer hopefulls and train them up? Get them to do some of his own training, as much as they can do.

 

[TheDanny]

The moment he stopped speaking, Gyokko suddenly caught up with a vengeance. He readied a punch and sent Murata crashing against a tree. Murata spat out blood as his eyes closed.

Click to shrink...

Why he not fishurata then? Wasn't Gyokko's second form so scary cause you'll just become a pile of fish if he so much as touches you?

Wounds littered their body and fish sprawled on the ground, yet they continued standing.

Click to shrink...

So there is fish?

Gyokko retaliated in anger, summoning a swordfish and stabbing at Tengen's left eye.

Click to shrink...

Bro was forced to bring out the big guns.

Spoiler

The death of Upper Moon Five was so widespread that even the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, showed up. It only soured Sanemi's mood.

Click to shrink...

Lol, his wife is dead.

Ice Breathing, Fifth Form: Sleet and Slice

Click to shrink...

So, can you describe the core differences between Ice breathing and the other styles? Like, what makes this breathing style and sword techniques unique?

Spoiler

 

[Jubjub3000]

I wonder if shinjuro will teach murata? He came out of hiding, so maybe this could reignite his passion? Even if its only a little bit?

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

The library was filled to the brim with scrolls, papers, records, ladders, and dust.

Several kakushi were assigned to the general upkeep of the Ubuyashiki library. They did their best, but exhaustion caught up with them as they slept on the floor near a corner.

The library contained all the records from the late Heian Period to the present day. Nearly a thousand years worth of knowledge, history, and accounts were kept here. Even though many of the older records were lost or destroyed during some of the chaotic periods of the organization's past, there was a great deal to sort through.

It took more time than expected. Not only were many of the records incomplete, but much of it was incomprehensible. He simply could not read the older works due to the formal and archaic Japanese it used. Even the documents from half a century ago required patience to get through.

Maybe the Demon Slayer Corps' greatest threat was the lack of formal education, he morbidly thought. His parents tried their best, but Murata was not from a rich family in the city. Murata did force himself to get better at reading and writing, but he could only go so far.

Unfortunately, his 'help' was in the same boat.

Sanemi shoved a scroll in Murata's face. "This has a number on it. From the seventeenth century?"

Tengen took it away and skimmed through it. "This is useless. It only talks about the torture methods of the Poison Hashira. On second thought..."

Makomo handed Murata another historical account. "This one talks about the Water Hashira during the Sengoku Period."

Perking up, Murata eagerly grabbed it from her, then frowned. "The late Sengoku Period. Not the right time, unfortunately."

Sanemi grumbled, knocking down a table and scaring the kakushi away. "What the hell are you even looking for? You became a hashira just to look at some moldy words?"

"I'm looking for accounts from the Sengoku Golden Age. If there's any era where I can find answers to the 'red blade' or any other paths to strength, then this is the best bet."

"If you want strength, just spar with me outside," Sanemi said.

Murata sighed. "Unless Masachika's there to watch us, you're going to pummel me with your fists."

"Found something!" Tengen pulled out a scroll.

"The Raging Blade?" Makomo peeked over, testing the words slowly.

Grabbing it, Murata read through the entry. It was old and damaged.

Once the marks started appearing, one...that tried...mimicked was the red...Tsugikuni...red blade... hamper even the...regeneration with...cut...extremely abnormal...impossible for non...Breathers to invoke the...Blade.

It wasn't useless, but there was a lot to be desired.

"It mentioned marks," Murata muttered to himself.

"It said non-breathers," Makomo noticed. "But it could be referring to a specific breathing art, right?"

"Maybe the original breath," Tengen said.

"I'm more curious about the mark," Murata said. "It must be related to the original breath, but there has to be more information about it."

Sanemi's crow flew through the window, yelling out orders. Sanemi left, leaving the three hashira in the library.

"I may have one eye, but I'm twice as useful as that guy!" Tengen bragged.

-

The next few days were spent much the same way, during which the hashira read to find more related information about the mark. Murata even enlisted the help of the kakushi in the library. One of them was a historian.

The historian, Shoto, handed him another scroll. "This one mentions marks, though it's quite bare. I did my best to interpret it."

Thanking him for his efforts, Murata read it.

When the marked one arrives, the mark will appear on others around that person as if in resonance.

Tengen huffed. "It's impossible. How are we supposed to find the marked one?"

"Maybe a descendant of the original breath is still alive?" Makomo asked.

"It's also possible the original breath was passed down to a friend or as a tradition," Murata threw out his conjecture.

That was the real answer, but actually finding Tanjiro looked to be a daunting task. His village was never mentioned by name. The only things Murata knew for certain was that his family worked with coal, there was snow in the winter, and they had bears.

Now, besides Kyushu and Shikoku, the rest of Japan had snow to a noticeable degree. As for bears, Murata had no idea of the bear population throughout Japan. For coal, the Kamado family did not work in a coal factory or mine, so their local source of coal would barely register on a map of natural resources.

Strangely, the record only mentioned 'the marked one.' If, by divine providence, someone encountered Kokushibo and escaped, would that fulfill the conditions of interacting with a marked person?

Did he not have to wait for Tanjiro to manifest his mark? Further, was a Sun Breather not necessary?

However, finding Kokushibo was a long shot. Worse, surviving Kokushibo was impossible. No amount of tricks or tactics would allow him to survive an encounter at this point. Of all the hashira currently, only Gyomei might stand a chance of survival. Only to survive, because actually killing Kokushibo without a mark was like pitting a child against a bear.

Murata had another kakushi copy the notes for future purposes.

Getting up, he had a new plan. "I'm heading to the Ice Estate."

"Finally, a change in pace!" Tengen eagerly joined him. Makomo followed behind them as they left the library.

-

Entering the dojo within the Ice Estate, Murata sat down, observing the room around him.

"In our fight against Upper Moon Five, there's something important I realized that we could all work on," Murata said.

Makomo and Tengen stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Our teamwork was vital, but it's not often that hashira get to work together. If we adapt our fighting styles together, it greatly increases our potential."

Makomo nodded. "Most of us already understand that, but the problem is we're often working alone because of our status. For most missions, sending more than one hashira is a waste of resources."

"I suggest the Ice Estate be used as a place for the hashira to train together, whenever time allows," Murata said.

"I don't disagree, but this place is boring. Not very flashy or suited for hashira training, in my opinion," Tengen said.

Murata understood. "I can ask for some of the kakushi to reorganize this place. I already have a house, so this is a bit overkill."

-

Much like the Butterfly Estate, the Ice Estate gained a new reputation beyond being a residence. It turned into a training ground for all the hashira. Plans were put in place to allow other higher ranking members or promising talents to train, but that was for the future.

With the establishment of the Ice Estate, Murata went back to duty, killing demons.

His other goal was to look for the Kamado family. He cursed his poor planning and regretted waiting so long to officially start the search. Even with the Ubuyashiki family helping, it would take too long.

Yet, the biggest concern wasn't whether or not he could save them. It would be a tragedy for Tanjiro to lose his family, that much was true, but his actions ultimately set in motion Muzan's defeat.

In other words, if Tanjiro didn't awaken the mark and Nezuko didn't conquer the sun as a demon, how would the Demon Slayer Corps lure Muzan and defeat him?

The mark was a simple matter. Tanjiro, with his kind and noble attitude, would not hesitate to help others even at the risk of his own life. However, Nezuko's transformation into a demon was more unpredictable.

After all, Murata's sole role as a demon slayer included preventing tragedies like this in the first place. Unless Murata could also find Tamayo, maybe she could change things.

Groaning, Murata kept moving forward as he felt the start of a headache.

 

[AstertheAshara]

He's finally arrived at the fear of all SIs. Changing a key event and fucking over cannon in the hopes of saving others and making a better outcome, or leaving it be and influencing events to a minimum so that a guaranteed good outcome can happen

 

[seafare]

So he is starting to think of that moment when he'll have to decide to either break the canon or not.

 

[Jubjub3000]

Thank you for this! I wonder what he will do... having two sun breathers or one sun breather and one sun conquering demon?

Would be great if he can save the family, would need to impress upon them the danger and how he believes that dance to be the key. They can always make charcoal somewhere else after all.

 

[Buddhahobo]

He's finally arrived at the fear of all SIs. Changing a key event and fucking over cannon in the hopes of saving others and making a better outcome, or leaving it be and influencing events to a minimum so that a guaranteed good outcome can happen

Click to shrink...

That's assuming he hasn't already done so, no?

Douma is now explicitly on Blue Lily retrieval duty iirc, and just because people like Giyu aren't currently part of the Hashira doesn't mean they don't exist, ya know? He's still there, but at a lower rank doing lower rank missions regardless of his ability due to Makomo's seniority.

Also remember, Tanjuro was the eldest among six siblings.

The answer isn't whether or not Murata would fuck over canon, merely if he'll have the chance to.

 

[DeeplyoftheWorld]

In the snowy mountains of rural Japan, Tanjiro put on the basket of coal, ready to sell as much as possible before the start of the new year.

"I promise not to slow you down!" Takeo said, already preparing his boots and scarf.

Their mother told him off, telling the younger brother to help take care of the rest of the siblings.

Tanjiro remained an honest and dutiful son, doing his best to bear everything. Yet, when he sensed Takeo's earnest desire, couldn't help but indulge him.

"It's okay, mother. If Takeo wants to come with me, we can both sell the coal together."

"You're the best!"

Meanwhile, Nezuko peeked out, wishing them luck and safety. Hanako was behind her, holding Rokuta.

Their mother sighed in fondness, but relented as the two boys headed down to the village.

The snow fell earlier than usual, and a plentiful amount covered the ground. Their breaths were visible as the partially cloudy skies loomed over them.

Arriving at the village, Tanjiro and Takeo began selling their coal. It took nearly the entire day, but they were successful.

It warmed Tanjiro's heart, especially with Takeo accompanying him. As the oldest brother, being able to show the rest of the siblings his ability to provide lit a silent pride in him.

To be truthful, sustaining his family on coal alone had become more and more difficult. He remembered rumors about the coal beasts from some of the merchants that stopped at his village. They ate mountains of coal to sustain themselves.

It would be a good thing for Tanjiro if he could sell, but when told about the countless men that mined the coal themselves, he despaired.

If he could help the villagers in his small corner of the world and in return, he could provide for his family, then that would be enough for Tanjiro.

Takeo and Tanjiro were stopped by Saburo on their way back to the mountain. The old man shoved them inside his home, brewing a pot of tea.

"It's dangerous. Rest for the night, then you can leave in the morning."

Tanjiro bowed to him, trying to justify leaving. "We wouldn't want to intrude. It's not too far."

"I insist," Saburo said. "If you meet a demon, then you're worse than dead."

Takeo raised his head, sensing the morbid tone in Saburo's voice. "A demon?"

"Monsters that eat humans. They hunt during the night."

"I don't think Takeo should be hearing this," Tanjiro said, evoking his older brother status. Takeo complained, wanting Saburo to tell more and more about the horrors of the dark.

They went to sleep quickly after.

-

"Be careful, and keep an eye out," Saburo waved to them. The clouds covered the sun and the sky.

Tanjiro and Takeo, feeling lighter after much needed rest, began the trek to their home. Takeo carried the empty basket, insisting on practicing the way it feels on his shoulders. They followed the path they took the day prior, and eventually saw the small house in sight.

They got closer and closer, and Tanjiro smelled a terrible, rotting scent. It felt bloody and violent, the result of cruel violence.

Takeo collapsed to the ground, his gut clenching in terror. Getting up slowly, he shook with fear.

"It feels wrong," Takeo tugged at Tanjiro's sleeve. They approached the door, and opening it, Takeo screamed as Tanjiro stood speechless.

Their family were sprawled out, lifeless and bloody. Kie, their mother, leaned against a wall as tiny Rokuta clung to her, even in death. Shigeru, located on the other side of the room, had his head broken unnaturally, as if thrown across the room.

Nezuko's back was turned to them, but they saw the dried blood staining her clothes. Pinned underneath Nezuko, Hanako remained still, her eyes closed. Yet, her breathing stayed faint like a flicker in the dark. Nezuko, too, appeared to be alive, if only barely.

Takeo immediately rushed to his sisters, trying to pry Nezuko as delicately as possible. Tanjiro followed and quickly carried Nezuko on her back as Takeo carried Hanako and grabbed a hatchet.

Leaving the house, they moved as quickly as they could through the cold. The extra bodies weighed them down, making it more and more difficult to push through the snow.

"Watch out!" Takeo yelled.

Nezuko struggled in Tanjiro's grip, causing him to tumble down a small mound. Her entire body grew larger and her teeth sharpened. Pinning Tanjiro to the ground, Nezuko reached out to bite his flesh.

Takeo threw his hatchet in desperation. The blunt side of the hatchet struck Nezuko in the head, staggering her for a moment. Tanjiro grabbed the hatchet and blocked Nezuko's next attack with the wooden handle.

Takeo made his way down , setting Hanako against a tree and trying to pry Nezuko off his brother. She brushed off Takeo harshly and lunged towards Tanjiro again.

Tanjiro struggled, begging for Nezuko to stop. Her eyes darted around everywhere, but seeing Hanako's faint breathing, Takeo's pain, and Tanjiro's tears, she began to cry.

Lowering his guard, Tanjiro relaxed slightly before crying. Then, seeing a swordsman jump towards them, he rolled away, dragging Nezuko with him.

The swordsman, standing away from the Kamado siblings, stared down at Tanjiro with pity.

"Why are you protecting it?"

"She's my sister! I don't need a reason to protect her!" Tanjiro said.

"She is a demon that eats humans."

Without further explanation, he ran at them, readying his sword. Tanjiro pulled Nezuko down to the ground. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the man holding Nezuko on the other side of the clearing.

Takeo, who had reached Hanako's side, watched in a daze. The man moved so quickly he couldn't even comprehend it. He exuded an aura of calm danger.

He stabbed Nezuko, causing her to flail recklessly. Tanjiro screamed, begging him to stop.

It broke Takeo's heart to see his stronger brother do nothing but grovel to the ground. And even if his older sister was a demon, he would not hesitate to do anything to keep her alive.

The man berated Tanjiro, taunting him.

"If you weren't so weak, then you wouldn't need to beg for your sister's life! It is the right of the strong to trample over the weak. How can your resolve save your sister, let alone your other siblings? Even if demons might have the answer to curing your sister, how can you, with such meager strength, force them to answer?"

Takeo's heart stirred in wrath. No one, not even the gods themselves, were allowed to criticize Tanjiro. The oldest brother carried everything on his shoulders, and to be lectured by a swordsman?

Giyu, originally prepared to face Tanjiro, had to dodge when he saw the younger brother throw rocks at him. It shook Tanjiro out of his despair and he readied himself with the hatchet.

Takeo, moving to punch Giyu, was knocked out cold by Giyu's slam. Tanjiro threw a clump of snow, trying to blind Giyu.

He dodged and hit Tanjiro hard on the back, causing him to collapse, hands empty.

Looking up, his eyes widened in surprise. He ducked out of the way of the flying hatchet, which lodged itself into the tree behind him. Distracted by Tanjiro's trick, Nezuko kicked Giyu away.

Guarding herself against Giyu, she stood between him and her brothers, protecting them.

It stunned him. Normally, a newly transformed demon would eat humans. Not even family was barred from a demon's starvation.

A memory resurfaced in Giyu's mind.

-

As the Water Hashira's tusguko, Giyu had several benefits afforded to him that other demon slayers did not have.

One of those was the invitation to train and spar at the Ice Hashira's estate. Giyu had never met the man himself. Yet, Makomo spoke well of him. In Giyu's opinion, a bit too well.

Entering the gates, he found no one nearby.

Quietly walking into the manor, he saw two men reading. The shorter one, with his black hair and focused posture, spoke softly with the taller, shinier man. Finished, he stood up and approached Giyu.

"You must be Tomioka Giyu," he said.

"I am."

A short silence emerged, but it passed quickly.

"I'm Murata, but I think you already knew that. Let's go to the garden. Giyu's fine, right?"

Giyu nodded, and they made their way towards the rock garden.

"Makomo had nothing but praise for you. She even said she wouldn't mind if you wanted to take the Water Hashira title," Murata said.

Giyu shook his head. He's had that discussion with her several times. "She is doing well, holding the title. As the student, it would be wrong for me to take it."

Murata laughed in amusement. "I see. Well, I assume you're here to train. If you don't mind, we can spar."

Bringing out the training swords, Giyu and Murata unleashed their respective breathing arts against one another.

Giyu embodied the core of Water Breathing, and he used it to a frightening degree. It would not be an understatement to say he had the skills of a hashira.

Fighting against Murata allowed him to use all his strength. Despite that, Murata kept up. It wasn't one sided, but he was able to stay in pace with Giyu's rhythm.

At the end of the day, they rested, observing the night sky.

"Giyu, I have a favor to ask of you. You do not have to accept, but just hearing it would comfort me."

Giyu didn't respond, allowing Murata to continue speaking.

"I'm looking for a family. Even though the master is helping me, I have no guarantee that I will find them in time. In the event you do, I ask you that you spare them, no matter what."

Giyu thought for a few moments. It was a strange request. To spare them made it sound as if they were deserving of death.

"It could cost you your life. But, I will defend you. I will stake my own life to do so."

Giyu spoke up. "If it is this important, why not ask the other hashira?"

Murata sighed. "I can't be certain of what they'll do. Even with the master, I cannot guarantee anything. At worst, it could be seen as treason."

The phrasing confused Giyu. "Then why me?"

Staring at Giyu with unnerving concentration, Murata spoke again. "I trust you. It's strange, but seeing you for the first time, I feel calm. No matter what happens, things will turn out fine,"

Murata looked to say more, but he stopped.

"I cannot accept such a vague request, but I will keep your words in mind," Giyu finally said.

"That would be enough for me," Murata said.

They talked more, trading stories and memories. Giyu stayed a few days longer, but the conversation from the first night lingered, refusing to leave him.

-

Nezuko clawed at Giyu, but blacked out as Giyu counterattacked.

Seeing the siblings in various states of unconsciousness, Giyu exhaled in slight annoyance and haste.

Bandaging Hanako's wounds as best as he could, he carried her, having her lean against Takeo.

He muffled Nezuko's mouth to obstruct her teeth, and he waited.

Seeing Tanjiro wake up, Giyu gave the boy instructions.

"I'll give you a map to Mount Sagiri. There, you'll meet an old man named Urokodaki. Tell him that Tomioka Giyu sent you," he handed Tanjiro several more supplies.

"I bandaged your sister's wounds as best as I could, but she is still weak. As for your demonic sister, it is cloudy, but be aware of the sun."

Takeo woke up shortly after, and the two brothers got to work swiftly, beginning their new journey.

Tanjiro thanked him with his entire being, sincerity radiating out of him.

It admittedly made Giyu feel awkward, but he took it in stride by staying silent.

 

[TheDanny]

"It feels wrong," Takeo tugged at Tanjiro's sleeve. They approached the door, and opening it, Takeo screamed as Tanjiro stood speechless.

Their family were sprawled out, lifeless and bloody. Kie, their mother, leaned against a wall as tiny Rokuta clung to her, even in death. Shigeru, located on the other side of the room, had his head broken unnaturally, as if thrown across the room.

Nezuko's back was turned to them, but they saw the dried blood staining her clothes. Pinned underneath Nezuko, Hanako remained still, her eyes closed. Yet, her breathing stayed faint like a flicker in the dark. Nezuko, too, appeared to be alive, if only barely.

Click to shrink...

So, both his little brother and sister live in this timeline? What caused the deviations that led to his brother asking to accompany him and his sister somehow surviving?

 

[King0fHearts]

So, both his little brother and sister live in this timeline? What caused the deviations that led to his brother asking to accompany him and his sister somehow surviving?

Click to shrink...

Something everyone underestimates random chance

 

[Buddhahobo]

So, both his little brother and sister live in this timeline? What caused the deviations that led to his brother asking to accompany him and his sister somehow surviving?

Click to shrink...

I don't know enough about how demons work in this show to do more than spitball, but they did kill an Upper Moon. Presumably that could have changed Muzan's operatus morandi a tad.

Maybe he's using a different amount of blood than he otherwise would have at this point in the timeline when doing his experiments or some other variable?

...But even then, wouldn't the other sister also be a demon? I thought they were all experimented on.

The little brother oddly enough is easier to rationalize - that can be explained by this not being the same trip where Tanjiro went to sell coal alone. We can continue to assume this is still the same year during the same winter until stated otherwise, but maybe Murata's presence and his contributions have been enough that Muzan simply wasn't in the area until a week or two later.

 

[Jubjub3000]

I wonder why takeo went this time, what changed, the sister surviving could be waved off as muzan being in a different headspace and deciding that she should be nezukos first kill instead.

I wonder if those two will train as swordsman or help with the logistics and less flashy details?

Thank you for the chapter!