30 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

It wasn't until Haruto and Genya disappeared at the end of the mountain path that Tanjiro finally lowered his hand, which had been waving goodbye.

"Brother." Nezuko's soft voice carried a note of concern as she looked at him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Nezuko." Tanjiro reached out to gently touch her braided hair, offering a small, reassuring smile. "I was just thinking... What I thought were chance encounters may have all been planned by fate."

The Hinokami Kagura, Father, the Hanafuda earrings, Sun Breathing.

All these fragments of his life seemed to point to one name—Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

Haruto was an upright and honorable man. Even though he had hinted at the incredible strength of the Hanafuda earring's original owner and the disappearance of Sun Breathing from the world, he hadn't pressured Tanjiro to demonstrate the Kamado family's ancestral dance. Nor had he demanded any promises.

Instead, Haruto had simply ruffled the hair of each Kamado sibling, even tousling Tanjiro's fiery red locks.

"You don't have to do anything, Tanjiro," he said seriously. "Your life is your own. You don't need to carry someone else's burden or live with the weight of a mission that isn't yours."

That night, Tanjiro struggled to sleep.

In his dreams, he saw his father—not scolding him for his wavering resolve, but standing tall and steadfast, like a tree rooted in the earth.

"Don't blame yourself, Tanjiro," his father said, gently patting his head. "Do what you want to do. That's enough."

When Tanjiro woke, he lay in the darkness for a moment before sighing quietly. He rose carefully, dressed, and slung his basket over his back. Gripping his axe, he stepped outside into the cool night air and headed for the forest.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

He swung the axe rhythmically, trying to clear his mind through the monotony of chopping wood. But soon, he caught faint sounds drifting from the distance—an unfamiliar commotion.

Climbing to the top of a hill, Tanjiro looked down. To his shock, the village below wasn't cloaked in its usual calm darkness. It was alight, engulfed in raging flames.

No, those weren't just lanterns or hearth fires. They were blazing infernos, consuming everything in their path.

Through the roaring night wind, Tanjiro could faintly hear screams and wails. His stomach sank. Something terrible had happened.

Bandits? Could it be bandits?

Though Kyoto had become prosperous in recent years, more remote mountain areas like this were still plagued by raiding gangs.

The villagers had always been kind to the Kamado family, especially after Father passed away. They'd gone out of their way to buy the charcoal the family produced. If they were in danger, how could he just stand here and watch?

Even if he was powerless, Tanjiro thought, he had to get closer and see for himself. He sprinted home, heart racing, and put down his basket, clutching only the axe.

To his surprise, Nezuko stirred from her sleep, rubbing her eyes. "Brother?"

"There's trouble in the village. I'm going to check it out," he said quickly. "Stay here and watch over everyone. If anything happens, take the others and hide in the forest."

Nezuko nodded. "Take the sword with you. At least for protection."

Tanjiro hesitated for only a moment before setting down the axe and grabbing the Nichirin Blade. Nezuko's worried gaze followed him as he disappeared into the night.

...

"Murata-senpai, what's going on here?!"

"How would I know?!" Murata shouted, his frustration evident.

The village was an inferno, and the small team of Demon Slayers was doing their best to navigate the chaos. Among them was an especially aggravating newcomer, constantly bragging about rising through the ranks quickly and insisting that others stay out of his way.

Murata, a seasoned member of the Demon Slayer Corps, had already heard plenty of complaints about the rookie. But tonight, there was no time for petty grievances.

They had been sent on an urgent mission, and by the time they arrived at the foot of Mt. Kumotori, the village was already a sea of flames.

As they ventured further into the blazing ruins, they found the source of the destruction—a demon perched arrogantly atop a wooden building, its clawed hands aglow with blood-red fire.

"Ah, the Demon Slayer Corps," it sneered. "Just in time. I was worried the villagers wouldn't be enough fun."

With a casual flick, it hurled something to the ground.

The Slayers froze in horror as the remains of a child, reduced to little more than a skeleton, landed at their feet.

"Delicious! Simply exquisite!" the demon laughed, leaping down from the roof and unleashing a torrent of fire from its hands.

"Water Breathing: Second Form—Water Wheel!"

The boastful rookie reacted swiftly, slashing a wave of water-like energy to sever the demon's hands. Other Slayers scattered to avoid the flames, but their attacks seemed ineffective.

"This is bad! Its Blood Demon Art lasts too long!" Murata cursed, narrowly dodging another fiery blast.

In the chaos, their messenger crows took flight, seeking reinforcements.

Then, Murata caught a glimmer in the distance—a streak of starlight cutting through the dark.

Could it be...?

His heart lifted. The Star Hashira, Haruto, was the only one he knew who wielded a breathing style that shimmered like that.

But as the figure came closer, Murata's eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn't Haruto.

It was a red-haired boy, smaller than he'd expected, drenched in sweat and visibly trembling. Yet he held his Nichirin Blade firmly, his eyes burning with resolve.

"Who... is that?" Murata murmured.

Tanjiro's gaze fell on the ground, where the child's body lay. His voice broke as he whispered, "Is that Kenichi…?"

Recognition struck him like a thunderclap. The boy with the yellow hair… This was someone he knew.

He forced himself to steady his shaking hands and tighten his grip on the sword.

Demons. Monsters that trampled on others' happiness and feasted on human lives.

Genya had been right. They existed.

And they had to be stopped.

Tanjiro swallowed his fear, locking eyes with the demon.

"This... is my destiny," he said, his voice trembling but resolute.

"Kamado Tanjiro… this is your destiny."