Yoriichi's Reincarnation in Tanjiro

The Final Summons

A/N: This is the 100th chapter yall. This has been a wild ride since I started this fanfic and I can't believe how far we've come. I'm proud of myself, and all of you for reading along the journey. Enjoy it while it lasts.

. . .

The night was deep, the kind of quiet that only comes when the world itself seems to be holding its breath. Inside a small room lit by the dim glow of a fading lantern, Tanjiro lay sprawled across his futon, fast asleep. His breathing was slow and steady, his body finally succumbing to the weariness that had been gnawing at him for days. In the cocoon of sleep, his face was peaceful, free from the burden that seemed to weigh on him even in his waking moments.

But that peace was shattered in an instant.

With a frantic flurry of wings, his Kasugai crow burst through the paper window, its panicked caw slicing through the silence like a blade.

"Tanjiro! Wake up! Emergency summons! The master is under attack by Muzan Kibutsuji! Immediate response required!"

The voice was like ice water thrown over him. Tanjiro jolted awake, heart hammering in his chest as he struggled to orient himself. Muzan—attacking the master? The words seemed impossible, a nightmare. But the urgency in the crow's voice left no room for doubt.

For a moment, he sat frozen, the gravity of the situation sinking in like a stone. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he threw off the blanket and scrambled to his feet. His hands trembled as he reached for his haori, fumbling to slip it over his shoulders. The air in the room felt thick, and heavy with the weight of what was to come.

He paused, hands hovering over his belt as the full implications of the summons hit him. The master—his mentor, his guide—was under attack by Muzan, the king of demons. This was the moment they had all feared, the culmination of everything they had fought for. And it was happening now.

But there was no time to dwell on the fear gnawing at his insides. His fingers moved quickly, securing his sword at his waist. Every movement felt sluggish, as though he were moving through water. He cursed his shaking hands, forcing himself to focus.

"Zenitsu! Inosuke!" he called out as he rushed to their rooms, the urgency in his voice barely masking the fear. He banged on their doors, his knuckles bruising with the force. "Get up! Muzan is attacking the master!"

Zenitsu stumbled out, eyes wide with terror. "M-Muzan?! Now?!"

Inosuke was already in the hallway, his boar mask askew as he brandished his swords. "Finally! It's about time we face that bastard!"

Tanjiro was about to rush out the door, but something yanked him back like an iron chain—Tatsuki and Nezuko. He couldn't leave them alone, not with the danger that could be lurking anywhere. Panic flared in his chest, and he pivoted sharply, sprinting toward Tatsuki's room.

"Tatsuki!" His voice cracked as he burst into his son's room, his heart pounding in his throat. "Tatsuki, wake up!"

The boy stirred, blinking groggily as he sat up. "Dad? What's going on?"

"We have to go. Right now." Tanjiro's voice was thick with urgency as he lifted Tatsuki into his arms, holding him close. He could feel the rapid beat of his son's heart against his chest, mirroring his own.

Next, he raced to Nezuko's room. She was already awake, her demon instincts alerting her to the danger in the air. Their eyes met, and she gave a solemn nod. He hurriedly helped her into her box, his hands shaking with a mixture of fear and the sheer weight of what he had to do.

With Tatsuki clinging to him and Nezuko's box securely strapped to his back, Tanjiro tore out of the house. The night air was sharp against his skin, every step echoing the urgency thrumming in his veins. His legs burned as he pushed himself to run faster, the familiar streets blurring into a dark haze. The fear of what lay ahead gnawed at him, but he couldn't slow down. He couldn't stop.