Chapter 58: Elder Sister |
"Hey, even if that's the case, a demon is still a demon. Do you intend to violate the organization's absolute rules?" the Wind Hashira asked, a hint of fury coloring his voice.
Not only had Giyu interfered, but now Shinobu had taken the Water Hashira's side. In Sanemi's eyes, a demon was always a demon, and sooner or later, Nezuko would start devouring people.
Even if a demon initially maintained their sanity, they would eventually succumb to their base instincts the moment they caught the scent of blood. Not to mention that demons gradually lost their minds if they went without human flesh for too long.
These were the fundamentals known to every member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Ara, ara, how could you think such a thing? No one here intends to harbor a demon; we are simply interested in an in-depth study of the phenomenon," Shinobu replied with a sweet smile.
"Uh, could you be more specific..." Tanjiro stammered, his skin crawling at the sight of that smile.
"Oh, you know, blood samples, tests, and things like that... don't worry. Since your sister hasn't eaten anyone yet, no one plans to torture her. Besides, I have a poison for a painless death," the Insect Hashira continued, her smile as pleasant as ever.
At her words, every muscle in Tanjiro's body tensed, and his heart hammered against his ribs: 'Hey, she's just joking, right?'
"Tch, deal with it yourself," Sanemi muttered, relaxing slightly as he turned his gaze toward the Water Hashira standing nearby.
The Water Hashira cast a grim look at Sanemi and Shinobu before turning toward Tanjiro and Nezuko. Giyu felt a weight on his heart, but he couldn't move against two Hashira at once, especially since he didn't fully grasp the situation.
"Oyakata-sama will decide," he said, sheathing his Nichirin Sword.
"There's no need to trouble Oyakata-sama with such trifles; he's already buried in work," the Wind Hashira immediately countered.
Giyu didn't respond, merely glancing at Shinobu.
She then started walking toward Tanjiro and Nezuko with a smile.
"Run! Nezuko!" the boy shouted, his breath hitching as he clenched his fists. His intuition screamed that this woman's approach boded nothing but ill for them.
At his cry, Nezuko—who had been snarling threateningly at the Hashira—flinched and hesitated for a moment before turning and sprinting away through the snowdrifts.
"I won't let anyone touch my sister," Tanjiro gritted out, holding his hatchet in trembling hands.
Hearing this, Giyu looked at the boy again. He thought the lad might have the potential to become a Demon Slayer; after all, not everyone could maintain their grip on a weapon in such a situation.
But right now, he was weak and vulnerable!
As she approached, Shinobu merely spared Tanjiro a gentle glance. She felt no ill will toward this kind, radiant boy. After all, he was neither a demon nor a slayer, just an older brother with a tragic fate.
Whoosh!
A moment later, the Insect Hashira lunged past Tanjiro in a blur, leaping onto a snow-covered branch before soaring after the fleeing Nezuko.
Even though Tanjiro was fully focused, he was nowhere near fast enough to keep up with the Hashira's movements.
However, a split second before the Nichirin Sword in the Insect Hashira's hand could cut off Nezuko's path...
Clang!
It was suddenly parried by a rusty machete.
Once again, the situation was turned on its head.
Shinobu stared in shock at the figure that had appeared out of nowhere. She jumped back instinctively, finally seeing a young girl dressed in simple black clothes.
She looked to be about twelve years old—far younger than any of the Hashira present—yet her tiny hand gripped the rusty machete as if she were merely out in the mountains to gather firewood.
"Sister Kanao!" Tanjiro exclaimed in surprise.
Kanao Tsuyuri was a lonely, quiet girl from the town at the foot of the mountains. Whenever he was in town on business, he tried to help her, as she lived without parents at such a young age; he often brought her charcoal.
But who could have guessed that this defenseless girl, whom he considered a little sister, would effortlessly block Shinobu's attack?
"You won't do anything to them," Kanao said indifferently.
After awakening a tiny fragment of his will, Yeruashi had watched her for a while before sending her to live in the town at the foot of the mountains.
There, she had befriended the Kamado family. Yeruashi was well aware of this, but he had chosen not to interfere.
Because Kanao had once been granted the power of omniscience, however briefly, she still knew a great deal.
For example, she knew that Yeruashi was an almighty God, and she was a sort of Apostle to him. It had been a long time since she had received any word from him, but she continued to live in the town as he had commanded.
Tanjiro was a very good, kind boy.
As was the rest of the Kamado family.
Now, Kanao was simply following the calling of her own heart.
Nearby.
The expressions on Sanemi's and Giyu's faces shifted drastically.
While Shinobu's attention had been fixed solely on Nezuko just moments ago, they had clearly seen Kanao's arrival from the side.
A girl barely ten years old had not only moved with incredible speed but had also blocked a Hashira's blade with a rusty machete.
Too fast!
The Wind and Water Hashira stood frozen in place.
"What a series of twists of fate. However, I won't allow you to protect this demon... and by the way, haven't we met before?" Shinobu mused, tightening her grip on her Nichirin Sword.
"You're Sister Shinobu, aren't you? Thank you very much for buying me back then..." Kanao said, lowering her machete and bowing politely.
Her memories of the past hadn't faded. She still remembered the Kocho sisters and easily recognized Shinobu, despite how much she had changed.