The black liquid churned in Gyokko's palm, shaping itself into goldfish that instantly spat out countless fine, needle-like projectiles. With a flick of his wrist, the poisoned needles rained down on Zenitsu like a storm.
This was his hidden trump card—each needle coated with a toxin that paralyzed the nerves within seconds. A single hit would render the target completely immobile.
"Zenitsu! Watch out!"
Before Tanjiro's shout even finished, several needles struck Zenitsu's shoulder.
A numbness spread quickly from the wound, racing down his arm and through his entire body in seconds. His fingers trembled uncontrollably, the sword quivering in his grip.
"T-These needles… they're poisoned! Tanjiro, be careful!"
His voice shook as his knees buckled, barely managing to stay upright.
Gyokko sneered, his smile cruel. Ignoring Zenitsu, he turned toward Inosuke.
The black fluid pooled before him, swirling into the shape of a large bowl-like cage that emitted a powerful suction. In the blink of an eye, it trapped Inosuke inside.
"Blood Demon Art—Blood Prison Bowl!"
"Damn it! What the hell is this thing?!"
Inosuke hacked at the black fluid wildly, but his blades sank into it like water, leaving no mark. Worse still, the air inside the bowl grew thinner by the second. His breathing quickened, his face flushed, and his vision began to blur.
"Inosuke!"
Tanjiro rushed forward, desperate to help, but a wave of razor-sharp water blades blocked his path.
"Your opponent is me!"
Gyokko's body glimmered with a sickly sheen as the black liquid poured endlessly from his pot, rising into thick water walls that stopped Tanjiro's every strike.
"Watch your friend suffocate first. Then it'll be your turn!"
Inside the cage, Inosuke's movements slowed, his muscles weakening. Zenitsu, seeing him struggling for breath, clenched his teeth as frustration burned in his chest.
No… I can't just stand here again. Not this time. I have to protect them.
Forcing his numbed limbs to move, Zenitsu gripped his Nichirin Sword tightly. Faint sparks of golden lightning flickered along the blade.
"Thunder Breathing… First Form… Thunderclap and Flash—Godlike Speed!"
His body, trembling like a candle in the wind, burst forward in a flash of lightning. Despite the poison coursing through him, his speed tore through the air.
Rushing past Gyokko's flank, he brought his sword down on the top of the Blood Prison Bowl, lightning splitting through the air.
"Crack!"
A thin fissure appeared across the surface of the bowl, and fresh air immediately rushed inside.
Seizing the chance, Inosuke gathered his remaining strength, raised his twin blades, and roared: "Beast Breathing—Second Fang: Slice!"
His blades slashed through the crack, widening it until the bowl shattered completely. The black liquid splashed across the ground, dissolving into puddles.
Gasping, Inosuke stumbled out and caught Zenitsu just as his body went limp. The golden-haired slayer's sword clattered onto the ground.
"Yellow hair! Oi, yellow hair!"
Inosuke shook him anxiously, but there was no response.
Tanjiro's rage flared like fire. Seeing Zenitsu collapsed and Inosuke barely standing, his fury ignited his mark. The flame patterns on his forehead blazed crimson.
Orange-red fire surged across his Nichirin Sword as he roared, "Hinokami Kagura—Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance!"
A flaming dragon burst forth from his blade, roaring toward Gyokko's pot-body with overwhelming power.
Gyokko's expression twisted in shock. He summoned water walls to defend, but Tanjiro's flames cleaved through them instantly, the fiery dragon closing in fast.
"Impossible! How has your power increased so much?!"
Gyokko tried to liquefy his body, transforming into a column of water to evade, but Tanjiro predicted his movement.
"Hinokami Kagura—Flowing Dance Flash!"
His flaming sword spun in a vortex, trapping the stream of water inside.
Forced back into his true form, Gyokko's pot cracked apart, black fluid leaking through widening fractures. His once-smooth body trembled—he was running out of strength.
"Inosuke! Now!" Tanjiro shouted.
Inosuke, still weak but relentless, surged forward with his wild energy. His twin blades gleamed with feral intensity. "Beast Breathing—Third Fang: Devour!"
The twin strikes tore through the debris, sealing off Gyokko's escape.
Seeing the two attacks closing in, Gyokko's eyes filled with panic. He tried to summon more liquid, but Tanjiro was already in front of him.
His sword blazed like the heart of the sun as he swung down.
The blade cleaved cleanly through Gyokko's neck.
A sharp hiss—then silence.
Gyokko's head rolled onto the ground, his pot-body losing its luster. The black liquid stilled, then crumbled into gray ash.
With the fight over, Tanjiro rushed to Zenitsu's side and checked his pulse.
"He's okay. The poison just paralyzed him—he'll recover after some rest."
He let out a deep breath of relief, then turned to Inosuke. "What about you? Are you hurt?"
Inosuke shook his head, his face pale but defiant. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy. Let's get yellow hair back to that forge place."
Tanjiro nodded, carefully lifting Zenitsu into his arms. Inosuke picked up their fallen swords and followed close behind.
The sounds of battle had drawn villagers over. They gathered around, eyes wide as they saw the ashes scattered across the ground and the two slayers standing amidst the smoke.
Tecchin Tecchikawahara stepped forward, handing Tanjiro a small pouch. "Here—some herbs from the forge. Use them on the way. They might ease the poison's effects."
"Thank you, Tecchin-sensei."
Tanjiro accepted the pouch and bowed deeply before continuing on with Inosuke, heading toward the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
...
Two days later, in the Butterfly Mansion's infirmary, Zenitsu finally woke up.
He opened his eyes and saw Tanjiro and Inosuke sitting beside his bed. Letting out a breath of relief, he said, "Thank goodness… you're both okay. That demon—did we win?"
"We did. Gyokko has been defeated," Tanjiro replied with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, Zenitsu. The paralysis poison in your body is gone now."
Zenitsu nodded weakly and tried to sit up—just as Shinobu entered the room, holding a small slip of paper in her hand.
"Tanjiro," she said, her voice calm, "Oyakata-sama has asked you to go to headquarters immediately. He has something important to announce."
Tanjiro blinked in surprise, then stood at once. "Understood. I'll go right away. Zenitsu, Inosuke—rest well. I'll tell you everything when I get back."
When he arrived at the meeting hall in the Ubuyashiki Mansion, all the Hashira were already present.
Tokito Muichiro's wrist had fully healed, and Kocho Kanae's injuries were nearly mended. Shinazugawa Sanemi and Himejima Gyomei sat on opposite sides of the room, both fixing their stern gazes on Tanjiro.
At the center, Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat calmly in his chair, a gentle smile on his pale face.
"Tanjiro, you've arrived," Kagaya said softly, his voice warm yet filled with quiet authority. "Your victory in Swordsmith Village—slaying Upper Moon Five, Gyokko—was an extraordinary achievement. You protected the swordsmiths and their Nichirin Blades, ensuring the village's safety. That alone is worthy of great merit."
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the Hashira before returning to Tanjiro. "Moreover, the breathing style you use, once confirmed by Giyu himself, is none other than the long-lost Sun Breathing—an art of immense power. After discussion among the Hashira, I have decided to formally appoint you as the Demon Slayer Corps' new Hashira: the Sun Hashira. You will take over Giyu's former patrol area in the northern region."
Kagaya's tone grew lighter. "Your Tsuguko will be Zenitsu and Inosuke. Both showed remarkable skill in the recent battle and are capable of supporting you."
Tanjiro froze, unable to believe what he had just heard.
The Sun Hashira? Taking over Giyu-san's patrol area?
He glanced around the room. Muichiro gave a quiet nod. Kanae smiled gently at him. Even Sanemi, though stern as ever, remained silent, showing no objection.
"Oyakata-sama, I…"
Tanjiro's throat tightened as he thought of Giyu and everything that had led him here. "I won't let you down. I'll protect the people in the northern region—and I'll find Giyu-san. I'll bring him back."
"I believe you will," Kagaya said kindly. "Giyu is a good child. He's only being controlled by Muzan for now. I have faith that one day, you'll bring him home. But remember—the northern territory is dangerous. Muzan's presence there is strong. Be cautious, and contact the other Hashira immediately if anything happens."
"Yes, Oyakata-sama!"
Tanjiro bowed deeply, his voice firm with resolve.
When the meeting ended, Kanae approached and gently patted his shoulder. "Congratulations, Tanjiro. If you ever need help in the north, just call on me."
"Thank you, Kanae-san," Tanjiro said with a grateful smile.
Muichiro stepped up next, his pale-blue eyes calm yet approving. "Your breathing technique is powerful. Let's spar sometime—if you're up for it."
Tanjiro nodded eagerly, his spirit burning with determination.
As he stepped outside, sunlight poured down over him, warm and bright. He gripped his Nichirin Sword tightly. The blade shimmered with an orange-red glow, as if responding to his will.
Returning to the Butterfly Mansion, Tanjiro shared the news with Zenitsu and Inosuke.
Zenitsu jumped up in excitement. "That's amazing! We're your Tsuguko now, Tanjiro! I'll train harder—I swear I won't slow you down anymore!"
Inosuke clenched his fists, laughing loudly. "Hah! Red hair's a Hashira now?! Then I'll be next! The great Beast Hashira, Inosuke-sama! Wahahahaha!"
Tanjiro couldn't help but laugh, his heart full as he looked at the two of them.
Becoming the Sun Hashira was only the beginning. The road ahead would be even tougher.
The northern winds would remain cold—but they could never extinguish the fire in Tanjiro's heart.
He tightened his grip on his Nichirin Sword and looked into the distance with steady eyes.
Giyu-san… I'll bring you back. I promise.