Moonlight poured through the broken window of the dilapidated temple.
Tanjiro sat against the wall, holding Nezuko carefully in his arms. She had curled up against him, quiet and gentle like a sleeping kitten.
Sol Mirek watched them from nearby, his eyes slowly closing as he leaned against the doorway. He could feel the strength inside his body gradually returning. He was still far from his peak condition, but even now, it was already more than enough for this world.
On the opposite side of the temple, Sakonji Urokodaki kept his gaze fixed on Sol.
This mysterious young man had shocked him more than once tonight.
After a moment, Sakonji stood up and began dealing with the aftermath. The victims killed by the demon were carefully placed into a pit he dug beside the temple. Once they were buried, he covered the grave with the final handful of soil, clasped his hands together, and quietly offered a prayer.
When he finished, he turned toward the temple entrance.
Sol was still leaning against the doorframe. Under the pale moonlight, the young man's figure looked unusually calm.
"Mr. Sol," Sakonji said, his voice low and slightly hoarse.
"About the plan to hunt Muzan Kibutsuji... do you have any specific ideas?"
Sol opened his eyes. In the darkness, his pupils looked deep and unreadable.
"It's simple," he replied casually. "You find Muzan, then I eliminate him."
Sakonji walked closer.
"Muzan's whereabouts are extremely secretive. For more than a thousand years, the Demon Slayer Corps has been unable to..."
Sol cut him off before he finished.
"After becoming a demon, Muzan gained near immortality. But he still fears sunlight. There's also something called the Blue Spider Lily. Supposedly it can remove that weakness."
Sakonji frowned slightly beneath his mask.
"You just need to fake one," Sol continued. "Spread rumors about it and make sure Muzan's subordinates hear about it."
"A Blue Spider Lily..."
Sakonji felt a chill run through his mind.
Even the Demon Slayer Corps had never known such information.
How did this young man know?
For a moment, an unsettling thought surfaced in his mind.
Could Sol be something similar to Muzan, just more powerful... a demon that no longer needed to eat humans?
After a long silence, Sakonji slowly nodded.
"I will report this to the Master immediately. We will arrange for a forged Blue Spider Lily."
Sol gave a small nod.
"The sooner, the better."
The two stood facing each other in the quiet moonlight. Sakonji could clearly feel the overwhelming presence coming from Sol, a pressure far beyond that of ordinary people.
After hesitating for a moment, Sakonji finally voiced the question that had been bothering him.
"Mr. Sol... why do you want to help us?"
Sol's gaze drifted toward the distant mountains.
"Muzan has abilities I want."
Sakonji froze slightly.
He had expected some heroic explanation. Instead, the answer was blunt and straightforward.
"You... want the power of a demon?" Sakonji asked cautiously.
Sol turned his head and looked directly at him.
"He has something I need. That's all."
Sakonji quietly exhaled in relief, then realized how strange that reaction was. With the strength Sol had shown, he could crush Muzan without needing to become a demon himself.
"After sunrise, I will take you to meet the Master," Sakonji said respectfully. "You should speak with him directly."
Sol waved a hand lazily.
"No rush. I'm actually curious about your Breathing Styles. I'll spend a few days learning them first."
Breathing Styles were known to greatly enhance physical ability. Sol wondered whether they would have any effect on him.
Sakonji paused.
"Breathing Styles cannot be mastered overnight."
"You just teach," Sol replied casually. "Whether I learn it or not is my problem."
After a brief silence, Sakonji nodded.
"In that case, once we reach Mount Sagiri tomorrow, I will demonstrate Water Breathing."
The sky slowly brightened as dawn approached.
Soft sunlight began to filter through the clouds, illuminating the clearing in front of the temple.
Tanjiro rubbed his eyes. Nezuko was already asleep inside the bamboo basket beside him.
He gently lifted the basket onto his back and looked toward Sol and Sakonji.
"We should leave," Sakonji said as he placed the Tengu mask back on his face.
The three of them began walking along the narrow mountain path.
Tanjiro occasionally glanced over his shoulder, checking on Nezuko.
Sol walked behind them with relaxed steps, quietly observing his surroundings.
His footsteps were so light that they barely made any sound.
"Mr. Sol... can you really help me become stronger?" Tanjiro suddenly asked.
Sol glanced at him.
"Not me. Him."
He pointed toward Sakonji, who was walking ahead.
"Most of my strength is something I was born with. It wouldn't be easy for you to learn."
Sakonji looked back at Tanjiro.
"I have read Giyu Tomioka's letter. Tanjiro, your sister's condition is unusual. But since Giyu trusts you, I will teach you everything I can."
His tone became more serious.
"However, if your sister ever harms a human, there are only two things you must do."
"You must kill your sister, then take your own life through seppuku."
"That is the responsibility of someone who chooses to travel with a demon."
Tanjiro's hands clenched slightly.
"You must never allow your sister to harm innocent people. Do you understand?"
Tanjiro's eyes were filled with determination.
"Yes!"
Sakonji nodded.
"Then I will test whether you have the ability to become a Demon Slayer."
He turned forward again.
"Carry your sister and follow me to Mount Sagiri. While we travel, you must not make a single sound with your footsteps."
With that, Sakonji began walking ahead.
His movements were incredibly light, almost like a feather drifting across the ground.
Tanjiro took a deep breath, secured the bamboo basket on his back, and followed carefully.
He focused on maintaining his balance so the basket would not sway.
As for Sol, he had no interest in playing such a tedious game.
With a simple thought, his body slowly floated upward into the sky.
Sakonji nearly stumbled when he saw it.
Even with decades of experience as a former Water Hashira, he had never witnessed anything like this.
He looked up at Sol, who was calmly suspended in the air.
Under his mask, the corner of Sakonji's mouth twitched.
In all his years of life, he had never seen someone casually ignore the laws of nature like this.
Was this young man really human?
"Mr. Sol... what exactly is this?" Sakonji asked.
"Saving time," Sol replied as he slowly descended beside him.
His clothes did not even flutter as he landed.
"I'm not interested in this kind of basic training."
Tanjiro stared in shock. Sweat began forming on his forehead.
He remembered the massive crater Sol had created with a casual punch the night before.
Then he looked down at his own trembling legs.
Walking silently while carrying Nezuko was already exhausting.
"Keep going, Tanjiro."
Sol casually patted his shoulder.
"I'll be watching you from the sky... well, I'll just be watching. Do your best."
Sakonji took a slow breath to calm himself before turning back to Tanjiro.
"Continue. Watch your steps."
"Yes!"
Tanjiro nodded firmly and focused on the path ahead again.
He carefully maintained his balance and tried his best to remain silent as they walked toward Mount Sagiri.
Meanwhile, Sol followed beside them at a relaxed pace, occasionally glancing up at the sky as if he had nothing better to do.
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