𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐬 - 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐮 𝐊𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖

"I...Nezuko and I will defeat Muzan Kibutsuji!" Tanjiro shouted confidently in the tone of promise.

"As you're ill-equipped to do so right now, Tanjiro," Oyakata-sama said smilingly, "let's start by defeating a Twelve Kizuki, alright?"

Face red with embarrassment, Tanjiro jolted backward slightly. "Yes, sir."

Beside me, Mitsuri started making little noises that sounded like muffled chuckles. Was she holding back laughter? I didn't want to make her feel bad for finding this serious situation funny, so I let out a little half-suppressed laughter to encourage hers. Shinobu, who was sitting in between Muichiro-san and Himejima-san, let out a small, barely audible giggle. 

"It goes without saying..." Oyakata-sama began, "That the Hashiras of the Demon Slayer Corps have phenomenal skills. After training themselves to death, they have defied death, and they've also defeated Twelve Kizukis."

He was right. I remembered when I had first started training with Kanae-san; I was frail, fragile, and very weak. It took me an entire month to be able to swing a sword repetitively without passing out or collapsing on the ground completely out of breath. (In my defense, I hadn't been fed well and was sick every other day) It took me a very long time to master flower breathing-- in fact, I never did. Kanae-san taught me endlessly and cheered me onwards every step of the way but in the end, I had to do my own research and derive my own breathing. I envy those who learn fast- like Muichiro-san and Himejima-san, who mastered their breathing techniques and became pillars within the span of two months.

I fought with my entire heart and soul to earn a spot all the way up here. I wanted to prove to Kanae-san and Shinou-san that I was worthy and that I was more than just a weakling. Just a week before my nineteenth birthday, after I had been training for God-knows-how-long, I finally reached one of the requirements to be a pillar- with a total of 43 regular demons and one lower moon demon killed. It was a relatively low-ranked moon, but it was a member of the Twelve Kizuki nevertheless.

If I remember clearly, it was either a male Lower Rank 4. 

"A good attitude to have!" Kyojuro exclaimed.

"That is why Hashiras receive respect and preferential treatment. So, Tanjiro, mind your manners when you speak."

"Y-yes, sir!" What a respectful boy.

"One more thing. Sanemi...Obanai...Don't torment the younger ones too much."

Obanai-san sighed disappointed, "As you wish."

Sanemi-san, whose form was barely more than a shadow now, seemed like he was bending downwards into a respectful bow with his eyes to the floor, repeated Obananai's words. I had hoped that they would have had to face a more difficult punishment than just the mere humiliation of The Master's soft reminder. I suppose that would be too much to ask for, so this will have to do for now.

"Tanjiro, we have concluded our business with you. You may step back."

Raising her hand, Shinobu-san said with her usual cheery voice, "In that case, allow me to take Kamado into my house."

"All right then! Take them away please!" She clapped twice to call on the kakushi to carry away the little demon in the box and her injured older brother.

Almost immediately, two of the kakushi members ran into the scene; one ran onto the stage to pick up Nezuko ad the other rushed in front of us to aid Tanjiro. The female kakushi seemed extremely startled to see a demon awaiting her- just as I would have been if I were in her shoes. Or rather, socks, as she stood there barefoot with her shoes held at the shaft.

"Pardon me for cutting in front of you!" A male one exclaimed apologetically, bowing in front of us before taking Tanjiro by the collar of his uniform and pulling him so that he'd sit on his back. The Kakushi always seem afraid to be around us and always try to avoid spending so much time in our presence; which could be one of the many reasons I barely ever see them despite them being scattered almost everywhere in the country. I believe that the Kakushi, although they aren't as much of front-liners as we are, are equally heroes. We- the Corps- wouldn't be here without their assistance.

"Now then, let us begin with the Hashira meet-" Oyakata-sama was interrupted by a running Tanjiro who had just escaped the Kakushi's tight grasp. 

"Please allow me to head-butt that man covered in scars! I gotta-" 

The Kakushi, who were exhausted out of their minds punched his back continuously to attempt to silence him, "Shut up! Keep your mouth shut!"

"I gotta head-butt him as many times as he stabbed Nezuko!"

What a hard-headed boy.

"Head-butting isn't a violation of the Corps rules, right?" He yelled, "Let me go!"

"Cut it out!" 

Beside Shinobu-san, Muichiro-san had thrown picked up a pebble from the ground and thrown it at Tanjiro's head and cheek consecutively, knocking him out cold immediately. I didn't notice his movements and from the looks of it, neither did any of us. This boy is undoubtedly a prodigy. I wonder if he came from a powerful line of people who had similar strength to him- it's a shame he doesn't remember anything about this past. He comes often to the Butterfly Estate to get treatments from Shinobu-san, but it isn't much of a help with his current state. I heard he was nursed by the Master's wife and her daughters when they found him lying injured on the floor of his house. 

"You're not allowed to interrupt The Master," he said subtly, bouncing the tiny pebble on the palm of his hand.

"We beg your pardon! We beg your pardon, Master!" The heavily covered people in front of us cried repeatedly, their heads almost touching the ground, "Master Tokito, we beg your pardon! We assure you that this boy will be severely reprimanded, so-- So please, please!"

"Just get out of our sight," The boy sighed calmly.

"Yes sir!" Both Kakushi chanted until they were away from us.

"Tanjiro...Give Miss Tamayo my regards."

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Word Count: 1006

A/N: Happy Belated New Years everyone! Sorry for my inactivity :(

P.S. Muichiro reminds me of a swan for some reason.