The Gift of Umbrakinesis

Muzan Kibutsuji

~On a walled path~

Nezuko runs toward one of the Swamp Demons. Nezuko: "Ngh... Ngh!" Nezuko slams her foot down toward the Swamp Demon, but he retreats into the ground before he gets hit. Nezuko: "Ah... Ngh..." Swamp Oni: "Hehehe..." Nezuko: "Ngh...!" Nezuko runs toward the Swamp Demon again. Tanjiro: "Nezuko!" Nezuko stops. Tanjiro: "Don't chase after him! Get back here! Come to me." Nezuko runs back toward Tanjiro. Between her and Tanjiro, a hole for the Swamp Demon appears. Tanjiro: "Nezuko!" The Swamp Demon reaches out to grab Nezuko, but she jumps over him and rejoins Tanjiro. A black orb flies towards the demon hitting it back into the hole. Swamp Oni: "Ngh!" Tanjiro: "Ah..." Mr. Urokodaki did tell me... that Nezuko is a demon now. And that she's not necessarily so weak that I have to protect her. Is it all right to let her handle this? If I have her watch over those two, I can focus on my attacks. Tanjiro steps toward Nezuko, Kazuki, and Tomoe. As he does, the Swamp Demon's shadow appears at his feet. Tanjiro jumps back, creating a space between himself and the other three. Tanjiro: "Ngh...!" Nezuko: "Ngh..." Another copy of the Swamp appears out of the ground next to Nezuko and attacks. Swamp Oni: "Argh!!" Nezuko dodges the attack, and the Swamp Demon slides back. Swamp Oni: "Ngh..." Tanjiro: "Nezuko!" The shadow continues to creep toward Tanjiro. Tanjiro: "Nezuko! I'm going underground! I want you to protect those two! You can do that, right?" Nezuko nods. Tanjiro steps forward, into the Swamp Demon's domain, leaving Nezuko, Kazuki, and Tomoe with one of the Swamp Demon's copies. Swamp Oni: "Hehe..."

~In the Swamp Demon's domain~

Tanjiro sinks to the ground slowly from the hole he steps through. Tanjiro: Inside a swamp...And these are... Tanjiro falls past a bunch of clothing. Tanjiro: Are these the clothes and belongings of the people who were kidnapped? Just look at all the innocent people they've murdered! It's unforgivable! Unforgivable! Swamp Oni: "Hehehe... Getting hard to breathe, brat? There's hardly any air inside this swamp. On top of that, the darkness coiling around your body must feel pretty heavy. Hehehe... You can't move the way you would above ground! Serves you right! You should've looked before you leaped in, you damn fool!" Two copies of the Swamp Demon circle around Tanjiro. Tanjiro: Don't underestimate me! Just where do you think I got my training anyway? The air was thinner on top of Mt. Sagiri! Not to mention... some moves only unleash their full potential underwater! As the Swamp Demon copies swim around, Tanjiro prepares to strike. Before he does, the Swamp Demons rapidly swim away from him. Tanjiro: So they can move at angles like that inside this swamp? But it doesn't matter! All I have to do is slash when they get near enough to attack! The form that can be utilized even when there's no sure footing... Generating a powerful vortex with a violent twist of my upper and lower body! The Swamp Demon copies race toward Tanjiro. Swamp Oni: "Ngh!" Tanjiro: Here comes the scent! The opening thread! Total Concentration! Water Breathing! Sixth Form! Whirlpool! Tanjiro attacks. The two copies of the Swamp Demon are swept up in a whirlpool, their bodies cut apart. Swamp Oni: "Ngh... Agh...!" Tanjiro: "Ah..." The two copies of the Swamp Demon are defeated. As they float away, Tanjiro grabs a piece of fabric. He looks at it sadly and stashes it away. Tanjiro: Ngh... I can't breathe. I gotta get out of here! Tanjiro begins swimming to the surface. Tanjiro: Nezuko!

~On the surface~

Kazumi looks toward the hole in the Swamp Demon's lair. He turns back to Nezuko, who is fighting the remaining Swamp Demon. Nezuko dodges all the Swamp Demon's attacks and punches the Swamp Demon in the stomach. The Swamp Demon spits up blood. Swamp Oni: "Gah!" This girl is powerful! "Ngh!" Nezuko attacks the Swamp Demon a few more times. He dodges but slides back. Swamp Oni: She doesn't seem to have mastered any morphing skills yet, but look how strong she is anyway! She must have gotten a huge amount of blood from him! "Ngh!" The Swamp Demon prepares to go underground. Shadows grab him holding him in place. Nezuko runs toward him and attacks. Swamp Oni: She moves so fast! I can't dive back into the swamp! But hey, I'm getting used to these one-note attacks of hers! Nezuko kicks toward the Swamp Demon's head. Nezuko: "Ngh!" The Swamp Demon blocks Nezuko's kick with his hand. Swamp Oni: "Ngh!" Even if she kicks my head clean off... Even if my internal organs explode, demons can regenerate in a flash! "Heh... Argh!" The Swamp Demon rushes to attack Nezuko. Nezuko prepares to strike him, but he blocks the attack and slashes Nezuko across the forehead. Swamp Oni: "Hah!" Nezuko: "Ngh..." Kazumi: "Ahh...!" Nezuko: "Ngh..." Swamp Oni: All right! Now I'm gonna drill a hole right through your face! The Swamp Oni prepares to strike Nezuko. Before he can, Tanjiro emerges from the hole in the ground and slices the demon's arm off. Swamp Oni: "Ah... Ahh!" Tanjiro: "Hands off my sister!" Swamp Oni: "Ngh... Ahh!" Tanjiro slices the other arm off. The Swamp Demon falls backward. Swamp Oni: "Ngh..." Did I just get taken out? Both of my other selves got taken out by this guy! Tanjiro: "You give off a scent like rotten oil. It's a horrible smell! How many people have you killed?" Swamp Oni: "Listen! If women live any longer, they turn ugly and start tasting like crap! So we killed them for their own good!" Tanjiro: "Grr..." Swamp Oni: "You should be thankful to us demons --" Tanjiro cuts the Swamp Demon's tongue. Swamp Oni: "Ngh..." Tanjiro: "Never mind." Tanjiro takes a step toward the Swamp Demon. The Swamp Demon backs up against the wall. Tanjiro: "You're going to tell me what you know about Muzan Kibutsuji." Swamp Oni: "Ah...!" The Swamp Oni begins to tremble. Tanjiro: "Ah..." Swamp Oni: "A-Ah..." Tanjiro: "Talk to me!" Swamp Oni: "Eek...!" Tanjiro: "Start talking!" Swamp Oni: "I-I can't tell you. I can't tell you!" Tanjiro stands with his sword pointed at the Swamp Demon. Swamp Oni: "I can't tell you! I can't tell you!" ???: "They threatened you didn't they?" Tanjiro: "Who's there?!" ??? comes out of the shadows. ???: "Y/n Madrigal." Tanjiro: "Human?" Y/n: "Gifted human." Muzan: (Flashback) You mustn't tell. You mustn't tell anyone about me. If you do tell anyone, I'll know right away. I'm always watching you. Swamp Oni: "I can't tell you! I can't tell you! I can't tell you! I can't tell you!" Tanjiro: The smell of fear is strong. He's trembling down to his bones! Swamp Oni: "I can't tell you, all right?!" The Swamp Demon regenerates his arms and attacks Tanjiro. Swamp Oni: "Ahh!!" Tanjiro dodges the attack and beheads the Swamp Demon. Swamp Oni: "Ah..." The Swamp Demon disintegrates. Tanjiro: "Ah... Once again, I failed to get any information." Tanjiro sheathes his sword. He turns to Nezuko, who sits on the ground against the wall. Tanjiro: "Nezuko! She's asleep. She stopped bleeding, too. So she's sleeping to recover? Sorry. I'm so sorry. Wait just a little longer, okay? I promise to turn you back into a human again!" Tanjiro places Nezuko into the box and offers the seven-year-old his hand, who accepts. They walk over to Kazumi, who stares blankly at the ground. Tanjiro: "Mr. Kazumi. Are you all right?" Kazumi: "I've lost my fiance. How can I be all right?" Tanjiro: "Mr. Kazumi... No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living. No matter how devastating the blows may be." Kazumi grabs the collar of Tanjiro's clothing. Kazumi: "What do you know about it?! A kid like you?!" Tanjiro places his hands around Kazumi's wrist and smiles gently. Kazumi: "Ah...!" Kazumi lets go of Tanjiro's clothes. Tanjiro gets back up. Tanjiro: "I'll be on my way now. Take this." Tanjiro takes out the scrap of clothing he brought back from the Swamp Demon's lair and offers it to Kazumi. Kazumi: "Ah...!" Tanjiro: "I hope you'll find something of Miss Satoko's in there." Kazumi opens a scrap of clothing and finds Satoko's ribbon. Tanjiro turns and leaves. Kazumi: "Ah...!" So you went through the same thing, too? Is that it? "I... I'm sorry! That was an awful thing to say! Please forgive me! I'm so sorry!" Tanjiro waves back to Kazumi. Kazumi: His hand was heartbreaking to see. Hardened by relentless training and so thick. It wasn't a boy's hand. Tanjiro: "I'm leaving that young woman in your hands!" Kazumi: "All right! All right..." Tanjiro walks to his next destination. A crow flies overhead. Tanjiro: It's not just me. How many people have you killed, tortured, and tormented? Mizan Kibutsuji, I'll never forgive you as long as I live! Tanjiro stops and clenches his fist. The crow lands on his shoulder. Tanjiro: "Ah..." Kasu Crow: "Next up, Asakusa, Tokyo! Rumors of a demon lurking there!" Tanjiro: "Erk! I'm heading to my next mission already?" Kasu Crow: "Oh yes, you are!" Tanjiro: "Hold on a minute..." Kasu Crow: "No can do!" Tanjiro: "Come on, just give me a minute! Hold on! What?" Kasu Crow: "Just shut up and go already!" Tanjiro: "You said you were gifted. Do you have a breathing technique?" Y/n: "Breathing what? I have umbrakinesis." Tanjiro: "Umbrakinesis?" Y/n: "It is the ability to mentally generate and manipulate darkness. I can also control shadows." Tanjiro: "That's amazing." Y/n: "It's not when you live in a house where everyone has a gift." Tanjiro: "Hmm?" Y/n: "Abuela Alma doesn't possess any gift, due to being the one who manifested the miracle that blessed the Madrigal family in the first place. She is in charge of all magic of the family." Tanjiro hums in response. Y/n: "Bruno can see the future. Pepa controls the weather. My mom, Julieta can heal with food. Felix and my dad Agustin don't have gifts because they married into the family. Dolores has super hearing, Camilo has shapeshifting, and Antonio will get his gift soon. Isabela, the eldest sister can create flora. Luisa has super strength. I'm under the belief that Mirabel is next in line to take care of the magic after Abuela dies, and that's why she wasn't given a gift." Tanjiro nods. Y/n: "Maybe one day you can visit Encanto with me." Tanjiro: "Maybe."

~At night~

Tanjiro arrives in Asakusa with Nezuko and Y/n. Tanjiro: Are the cities this advanced now? It's nighttime, but it's so bright out! The buildings are so tall! What is this? The cities... The cities... "I feel dizzy." Tanjiro runs with Nezuko toward a dark alley. Tanjiro: "Uh, let's go that way, Nezuko!" Tanjiro sees a couple being intimate in the alley. Y/n gags. Tanjiro covers her eyes. Tanjiro: "Erk! I-I beg your pardon!" Tanjiro, Y/n, and Nezuko continue through the city. They arrive at an udon stand. Tanjiro: "Excuse me." Man 1: "Huh?" Tanjiro: "A bowl of udon with grated yam on top, please." Man 1: "Uh, sure thing!" Tanjiro: "I've never been to a place like this. It's way too crowded." Man 1: "Here's your udon with grated yam on top!" Tanjiro: "Thank you very much." Tanjiro begins to eat his udon but smells something. He stands and drops the bowl of udon. He looks around frantically, takes his sword, and runs back toward the city. Y/n yelps as she rushes to follow him. Tanjiro: This scent! Why would I catch it here all of a sudden? It's the same scent that was left in my house! Muzan Kibutsuji! Is this the guy giving off that scent? Tanjiro rushes forward past people on the street. He puts his hand on Muzan's shoulder. Muzan turns around. Muzan: "Hmm?" Tanjiro: It's him! Tanjiro prepares to draw his sword. Y/n: "D'ah!" Y/n trips and lands next to Tanjiro, scraping her knees and hands. Muzan raises an eyebrow. Girl: "Dad!" Tanjiro stops. Muzan turns more, revealing a little girl in his arms. Tanjiro: "Ah..." Girl: "Who's that?" Y/n gets shoved onto the ground again, scraping her knees even more. Tanjirou: "Ah...!" Y/n gets up. Muzan: "It's all right. Don't worry-" Y/n yelps as she gets pushed over again, causing more scratches. Muzan helps the young girl up and pulls her close to him to prevent any more injuries. Tanjirou: He's... He's... He's... He's living here, pretending to be a human! Muzan: "Is there something I can do for you? You seem to be quite flustered." Y/n leans back against him as she almost got hit again. Woman 1: "Oh, my. What's going on?" Girl: "Mother!" Tanjirou covers his mouth and grips his clothes. Tanjirou: They're humans! The girl and the woman... Their scent is human! Don't you know? Can't you tell? That this guy is a demon? That he devours humans? Woman 1: "Do you know him? Why are you holding that girl?" Muzan: "No. Much to my consternation, I've never seen these children before. They must have mistaken me for someone else." Muzan scratches a man passing by. Woman 1: "Oh, you think so?" Y/n stands next to Tanjiro as she looked at her palms which were bleeding. Tanjirou: "Ah!" The man scratched by Muzan clutches at his neck. Man 2: "Ah..." Woman 2: "Dear, what's the matter?" Man 2: "Ngh..." Woman 2: "Dear?" The man, having turned into a demon, turns to the woman. Man 2: "Urah!!" Woman 2: "Ah!" Tanjirou: "Stop!" The man bites the woman's neck. Woman 2: "Ahh!!" Y/n yelps as she almost got trampled.