Chapter 305

But if she could reach the Transparent World realm that Luo En mentioned in her swordsmanship, her strength would definitely be a great deal stronger than now!

When that time comes, finding and killing the Upper Rank Two who killed her sister, the Ice Demon Douma, would no longer seem like a wild fantasy.

Luo En glanced at Shinobu Kocho before him.

Her usually smiling, lovely little face was now full of resolve, and deep within her mist-shrouded violet pupils lay a thick fury toward demons and an endless, lingering sorrow.

Luo En took a sip of wine, looked at her and nodded: "Alright, I can help guide your swordsmanship."

Joy flashed in Shinobu Kocho's eyes.

"But I have one condition."

"Please go ahead."

"I'm a bit curious about the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. If you can take me over there for a look, I'll guide your swordsmanship and help you reach the Transparent World realm."

Hearing Luo En's words, a flicker of hesitation crossed Shinobu Kocho's eyes.

After all, to evade Muzan Kibutsuji's attacks, the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters had kept its whereabouts incredibly secret for hundreds of years, and personnel outside the Corps were not permitted to enter at all.

Even as a Pillar, she could not break this rule.

"This matter, I need to seek the Master's instruction. It might take a few days."

"No problem, then we'll talk about it in a few days."

Luo En said, then looked toward Tamayo and Tanjiro: "Tamayo, this place has already been exposed, you should prepare to leave soon, and Tanjiro and Nezuko as well."

Tanjiro could not help but ask: "What about Mr. Luo En?"

Luo En smiled: "I'll go with you, and guide you a bit more along the way."

"Really? That's great!"

Hearing this, delight immediately appeared on Tanjiro's face.

Fighting a demon who wasn't even one of the Twelve Kizuki's Upper Ranks had left him seriously wounded, let alone those stronger Upper Rank demons and that Muzan Kibutsuji...

If he ran into them now, he would absolutely die!

For Nezuko's sake, to kill Muzan Kibutsuji.

He had to become stronger!

And through what had just happened, he already understood just how formidable this Mr. Luo En before him was.

If he could receive his guidance, perhaps his strength could grow even greater than it was now.

Tamayo glanced at the quiet, gentle Nezuko beside her, then turned to ask Luo En: "Um... Mr. Luo En, given Nezuko's current condition, wouldn't it be better for her to stay with us?"

Tanjiro came back to his senses and looked at Nezuko.

"Objectively speaking, it might be a bit safer."

Luo En leaned back on the sofa, looked at Nezuko and Tanjiro and smiled: "But let's still see how the two siblings decide."

"Nezuko..."

Tanjiro called softly.

Nezuko, biting her bamboo mouthpiece, gripped his hand and gazed at him quietly.

As if sensing something, a faint smile appeared on Tanjiro's face. He then turned to Tamayo and said firmly: "Young Lady Tamayo, thank you for your kindness, but Nezuko and I have already decided not to be separated anymore. Whether in life or death, the two of us siblings will stay together from now on."

"Is that so..."

Tamayo smiled gently: "I understand."

The look in Yushiro's eyes as he gazed at Tanjiro also shifted subtly.

Shinobu Kocho and Kanao stood to one side watching this scene, and the look in their eyes also changed a little.

Can a demon turn back into a human?

The Shinobu Kocho of before would absolutely never have believed it.

Although Shinobu Kocho strove to become as gentle as her sister Kanae Kocho, wearing a smile on her face day to day, she had always been suppressing her fury toward demons.

In her view, demons were demons — creatures that fed on human flesh and blood, drenched in a foul stench of blood, living in the darkness, wretched, loathsome, and hateful existences.

But now, looking at Tanjiro and Nezuko...

Her thoughts had begun to change a little.

Perhaps...

There really was that one slim possibility.

That a demon could become human again...

…………

The next evening.

Luo En, with Tanjiro whose injuries had improved a little, and Nezuko, said farewell to Tamayo and Yushiro.

Afterward.

The group left this manor.

Tamayo gazed at their retreating backs and said softly: "I wish you all... great fortune in battle."

Luo En, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanao left the manor and soon vanished at the end of the alley.

……………………

After the group left Tokyo's Asakusa.

Along the way, Tanjiro received a new mission directive.

Luo En then took Shinobu Kocho and Kanao and headed there together.

Passing through a mountain forest along the way.

The group lit a campfire and rested briefly.

Tanjiro suddenly thought of something, looked up at Luo En who was drinking, and asked: "Oh right, Mr. Luo En, may I ask you a question?"

Glossary:

【Ron, Shinobu Kocho, Kanae Kocho, Kanao, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Tamayo, Yushiro, Muzan Kibutsuji, Demon Slayer Corps, Twelve Kizuki, Arrow Demon, Upper Rank Two, Doma the Ice Demon, Transparent World, Hashira, Master, Asakusa, Tokyo】

"What?"

Luo En didn't look up.

"I didn't know you before—why do you know about me? Do you know my Master?!"

"Your Master?"

Luo En, holding a silver-blue wine gourd, thought for a moment: "Oh, Shinobu Kocho… sorry, I don't know him."

Shinobu Kamado glanced at Tanjiro, her eyes flickering.

So he's a disciple of the former Water Pillar…

No wonder he uses Water Breathing.

Tanjiro, hearing Luo En's words, grew even more confused: "Then…"

Luo En looked across at Tanjiro and smiled: "Tanjiro, do you know the origin of the earring you're wearing?"

"Earring?"

Tanjiro froze, touching the earring at his ear.

"This earring was passed to me by my late father—is there something special about it?"

"Of course."

Luo En smiled: "This Sun-Ring Flower Paper earring once belonged to Kokushibo."

Tanjiro froze in shock.

Shinobu Kamado was also shaken inside.

"W-what?!"

Recovering, Tanjiro was utterly stunned, flustered, his eyes turning into dots: "So… does that mean… my ancestors were… were… someone so incredible?!"

"No, Kokushibo was not your ancestor. Your ancestor was his close friend. At the end of his life, Kokushibo gave the earring to your ancestor, and it has been passed down through the Kamado family ever since."

Luo En took a sip of wine, stroking the head of Nezuko, who slept curled on his lap, and gazed at the flickering firewood, his eyes filled with quiet emotion: "This must be what is called the passing of the flame through bloodline…"

15, I'll make you stronger

He raised his gaze to the dazed Tanjiro and smiled: "Kibutsuji Muzan will send two Demon Abilities to come after you—probably because he happened to see your earring, remembered the fear of nearly being killed by Kokushibo, and suspects you're his descendant, so he wants to eradicate you completely…"

"So… that's how it is."

Tanjiro stood silent, stunned.

His abilities are beyond comprehension…

His strength is unfathomable…

And he knows in such detail things even the Demon Slayer Corps' ancient texts from four hundred years ago never recorded…

Just who is he?