Chapter 13: Tanjirou, Do You Believe That Demon Exist In This World?
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**Nightfall**
The night crept in quietly, as it always did. Ryuji stood alone by the window, gazing at the star-filled sky. A chill wind swept through, making the air cold and heavy.
With Kamado Tanjuro's funeral over, a strange calm settled over the household. But Ryuji knew this peace was only on the surface, hiding an underlying cruelty.
Every night, as darkness fell, demons roamed the land. The *Demon Slayer Corps* would rise to meet them, protecting humans from their evil.
Each night, demons died, but so did Demon Slayers. The true nature of this world was a brutal cycle of life and death—an endless battle between the hunters and the hunted.
The Kamado family still knew peace for now. For the next few years, this small corner of the world would remain untouched. But in time, the arrival of *Kibutsuji Muzan* would shatter that tranquility.
That cruel day would come when the entire Kamado family—Kie, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, and little Rokuta—would be mercilessly slaughtered. Nezuko, cursed to become a demon, would endure an eternity of torment, struggling against her own monstrous hunger. And Tanjirou, though spared from death, would live in the eternal agony of losing his family.
Ryuji thought of Kamado Kie's kind face, her grace. He pictured Nezuko's innocent smile, the warmth of her small hands. All of this beauty, this fragile happiness, was destined to be destroyed.
But it belonged to him now. He wouldn't allow it to be ruined.
There was only one way to change that.
"Tanjuro... I promised you I'd take care of your wife and children," Ryuji whispered softly to himself, his breath visible in the cold air.
The simplest solution would be to move the Kamado family far away from this cursed land, where Muzan would never find them. But even that wouldn't guarantee safety. After all, the Kamado family was tied to *Yoriichi Tsugikuni's legacy—the man who nearly defeated Muzan centuries ago. As long as Muzan lived, the Kamado family would remain a target.
There was no escape. The only way to end the threat was to kill Muzan himself.
If Ryuji were an ordinary man, such a task would be impossible. But he wasn't ordinary. He had the power to grow stronger, to surpass Muzan. With patience and preparation, he knew that day would come.
Until then, he needed to protect the Kamado family and strengthen his own abilities. He could even train others to stand alongside him.
Determined, Ryuji crossed the room and knocked on Tanjirou's door.
Tanjirou answered quickly, bowing slightly when he saw Ryuji. "Uncle," he greeted respectfully.
Ryuji gave a small nod, resting a hand on Tanjirou's shoulder. "I need to talk to you."
"Of course." Tanjirou followed, though curiosity flickered in his eyes. What could his uncle possibly want to discuss?
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Inside Ryuji's room
"Sit," Ryuji said, his tone gentle yet serious.
Tanjirou sat down, his brows furrowed in thought. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, "Uncle, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Ryuji's expression softened slightly. Over the past days, he had seen how much respect and gratitude Tanjirou held for him. The boy's dedication to his family, his kindness, and his unwavering sense of duty had not gone unnoticed.
"Before your father passed away, did he tell you anything important?" Ryuji asked, his voice steady.
Tanjirou's face grew somber at the mention of his father. "He told me many things... but what exactly are you referring to, Uncle?"
"About demons."
The word "demons" struck Tanjirou with confusion. He thought hard, recalling the things his father had shared before his death. But there had been no mention of demons.
Seeing the bewilderment in Tanjirou's eyes, Ryuji sighed softly. "It seems Tanjuro-san didn't tell you everything. Perhaps he was trying to protect you from the burden."
Tanjirou straightened up, his hands unconsciously gripping the fabric of Ryuji's clothes. "Uncle, please tell me. I need to know. If there's a burden, I can bear it. I'm the eldest son. It's my responsibility."
Ryuji's gaze lingered on the boy, admiring his determination. "I had hoped to wait until you were older, but as the eldest son of the Kamado family, it is your right to know the truth."
Tanjirou's face grew serious. "Uncle, I'm ready. Please, tell me."
Ryuji nodded, locking eyes with Tanjirou. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air.
"Tanjirou, do you believe that demons exist in this world?"
Ryuji looked at Tanjirou with a serious expression.
Hearing the word 'demons' made Tanjirou feel confused, causing him to unconsciously think about them.
As for demons, he had never seen one.
However, in his memory, when he was very young, when his grandmother was still alive, she often sat on the threshold of their house at sunset, holding him in her lap. More than once, she had told him, "It's getting dark, don't go outside. There are evil spirits lurking out there."
Back then, he was terrified every night, afraid that an evil spirit would suddenly appear and devour him.
Gradually, as he grew older, Tanjirou realized that his grandmother had only been trying to scare him.
The so-called 'demons' only existed in stories. He thought demons might not exist in this world.
However, looking at Ryuji's serious face, Tanjirou's heart filled with doubt. Could there really be demons in this world?
If they didn't exist, why would Ryuji ask him such a question?
"I have no idea," Tanjirou said after a long pause. Facing his uncle's intense gaze, he could only shake his head helplessly. "Why are you asking about this all of a sudden?"
"Because," Ryuji said, "it concerns the Kamado family."
"Demons… related to my family?" Tanjirou's eyes widened in disbelief.
Ryuji placed a reassuring hand on Tanjirou's shoulder and motioned for him to sit down. "A long time ago, there was a man named Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He was an immensely powerful swordsman, even regarded as a god or Buddha walking among mortals.
During Yoriichi's time, demons would often haunt the land and devour people. Humans had become their prey.
In response, people united to fight back, forming groups dedicated to hunting demons. But among these dark creatures stood one above all—the most powerful and terrifying of them all—the progenitor of all demons, Muzan Kibutsuji.
The swordsmen hunted demons to protect the world, and their ultimate goal was to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan. But Muzan was too strong, and no one could defeat him. Every warrior who tried to kill him was brutally slain.
That's when Yoriichi appeared.
He joined the Demon Slayer Corps and began hunting demons. None could escape Yoriichi's blade.
Eventually, Yoriichi tracked down Kibutsuji Muzan. Even someone as powerful as Muzan, who saw himself as the perfect being, was nearly killed by Yoriichi's sword."
Listening to Ryuji's story, Tanjirou's heart surged with admiration for the man who could make even demons tremble in fear. Yet, he still couldn't understand what any of this had to do with the Kamado family.
Seeing the confusion in Tanjirou's eyes, Ryuji continued, "Yoriichi had a close friend, and that friend's name was Kamado Tanji."
Hearing the name, Tanjirou's heart skipped a beat.
He didn't know the names of his ancestors in detail, maybe they were written in the family records, but he had never paid much attention. However, the name 'Kamado' confirmed a connection.
So, Tanjirou leaned in closer, listening intently.
"Though Yoriichi nearly killed Muzan, in the end, Muzan escaped. Yoriichi blamed himself deeply for this.
Yoriichi believed that he had been born into this world with the sole purpose of defeating Kibutsuji Muzan, but he failed. And because of that failure, countless lives were lost. The guilt weighed heavily on him.
For the rest of his life, Yoriichi continued to search for Muzan, determined to end him once and for all.
However, while demons are immortal, humans are not. Before he passed, Yoriichi entrusted his friend Kamado Tanji with his earrings and the secrets of the 'Sun Breathing' technique, so the legacy would not be lost."
Ryuji paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Now, do you understand why demons are connected to the Kamado family?"
Tanjirou nodded slowly. "The Kamado family inherited Yoriichi's will. And since Yoriichi was a man who terrified demons, they fear that the Kamado family will carry on his legacy."
As he spoke, Tanjirou clenched his fist. "So… the demons would stop at nothing to destroy that inheritance, and that means the Kamado family would be their enemies."
Suddenly, Tanjirou stood up. "I can't let those demons harm my family!"
Seeing Tanjirou's determination, Ryuji smiled with pride. "That's why we can't sit idly by and hope the demons never find us. This isn't just about you, Tanjirou. It's about your mother, your brothers, and your sisters."
"We have to become stronger and take control of our fate," Ryuji continued. "I don't want to stand by helplessly one day, watching the things we love be destroyed by demons.
And I certainly don't want our happiness to be shattered, swallowed by the scent of blood."
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