Chapter 100: Nezuko Returns to Human Form

【Happy birthday to me.】

“What’s going on?”

Inside the Infinite Castle, Muzan suddenly felt one of his demons lose contact—completely unable to sense any aura whatsoever.

Though he didn’t care about ordinary demons.

But if he sensed any anomaly, he would unhesitatingly capture it and kill it himself.

Not only that, he hadn’t even had time to investigate what had happened before the connection vanished.

And the distance was too great; he couldn’t sense much at all.

“Could it be another one, like that bitch Jushi, slipped out of my control?!”

“Damn it! Bastard!!”

Over these years, Muzan had found nothing went his way.

He hadn’t found the Blue Manjushage, nor had he located and exterminated the Ubuyashiki clan!

All of this chaos began three years ago, with the white-haired demon slayer that Douma encountered!

“It’s definitely that white-haired demon slayer’s doing! Damn bastard!”

(Zero: I’m causing trouble, but not doing it on purpose.)

In a fit of rage, he smashed everything in his study to vent his frustration.

“Ultimately, this is all Douma’s fault! If he hadn’t failed to kill that female Pillar three years ago, none of this would’ve happened!”

Thinking of this, Muzan’s fury burned even hotter.

He mentally called out to Mukago.

“Mukago, bring Douma to me!”

*Clang!*

A single harp note rang out, and Douma appeared in Muzan’s study, holding a woman’s severed limb.

“Oh? Muzan-sama, what brings me here?” Douma asked with a grin.

Muzan said nothing—only slapped him hard across the face…

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

After returning to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Zero’s first action was to find Tanjiro.

He planned to tell him that Nezuko could return to human form, so their family could finally reunite properly.

But when Zero found Tanjiro, he saw him sitting in the back courtyard of Butterfly House, staring blankly at the sky with a look of utter despair.

In his hand were several letters, while the three Butterfly House children surrounded him, trying to comfort him.

“Xiao Qing, Xiao Cheng, Xiao Nasu, what’s wrong with Tanjiro?”

“Zero Pillar!” x3

The three Butterfly House children, seeing Zero, cried out in surprise and rushed to hug him tightly.

Xiao Qing: “Tanjiro is troubled by his sword.”

Xiao Cheng: “Master Koyoharu wrote saying he won’t forge any more swords for Tanjiro.”

Xiao Nasu: “Tanjiro is trying to find a way to apologize to Master Koyoharu.”

“I see…” Hearing their answers, Zero fell into thought.

He stepped forward and picked up the letters in Tanjiro’s hand to examine them.

【No more swords for you! Unforgivable!】

【Don’t even think about taking another sword from me!!】

【I’ll kill you! Curse you to death!】

Though only a few short sentences, the letters bore Koyoharu’s overwhelming resentment, etched clearly upon them.

And a murderous aura thick with hatred!

As if it had become a calamity-level curse spirit, ready to claim Tanjiro’s life at any moment…

“Big Brother Zero, what should we do… without a sword, I can’t go on missions…”

“I keep breaking the swords Master Koyoharu forged for me—I’m so sorry to him… It’s over… This is really over…”

Tanjiro didn’t know how to express how he felt.

Seeing this, Zero merely sighed softly and said: “Don’t overthink it. For now, train using the methods I taught you before.”

Koyoharu’s just a hard man with a soft heart—he might send you a new sword once time passes.”

“Really?”

“Probably… maybe… Anyway, let’s drop this. I have good news to tell you.”

“What good news?”

“Do you remember what Jushi once said?”

“I remember—Jushi once said demons can return to human form… Big Brother Zero, you mean Nezuko…?”

“Yes. Nezuko can now return to human form.”

“Really?! That’s wonderful!”

Hearing that Nezuko could finally become human again, Tanjiro’s earlier worries vanished instantly.

If Nezuko became human, she could reunite with her family properly and no longer have to travel endlessly with him every day.

“Let’s not delay—we’re going to my estate right now. Let Nezuko become human, and reunite with your family properly.”

“Yes! Thank you, Big Brother Zero!”

“No need to thank me. It was my promise from the start.”

After saying goodbye to the three Butterfly House children, Tanjiro rushed Pobujidai ly back to Zero’s estate.

He entered Zero’s room.

Xiao Yue was playing with Nezuko.

The curtains were drawn, and only the lamps were lit—clearly to keep Nezuko from sunlight.

Seeing Zero and Tanjiro, Nezuko leapt forward in a flying tackle.

“Nezuko!” Tanjiro moved to catch her—but Nezuko launched straight into Zero’s arms.

“Uh…” Tanjiro felt a pang of sadness. Had Nezuko not seen him at all?

Or had he become unimportant now?

It felt like the family cabbage had been stolen by a pig.

But upon closer thought, Zero wasn’t a pig—he might actually make a decent brother-in-law.

Still, in Zero’s eyes, Tanjiro saw only the affection of a brother toward a little sister.

There was no romantic feeling whatsoever.

“Master, you’re back~”

“Mm. Thank you, Xiao Yue. Where are Kanae and Mitsuri?”

“Kanae and Mitsuri said they’re preparing nice clothes—I’m not sure exactly what for, but they mentioned they’re planning a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?”

Though called a surprise, Zero couldn’t shake the feeling it was more likely a shock…

“I’m probably overthinking it. They’re probably just preparing clothes for themselves… right…” Zero thought.

He gently set Nezuko down and pulled out a vial of medicine.

“Tanjiro, this is the medicine Jushi sent. I’ve tested it—it definitely turns demons back into humans.”

“But just in case, I must warn you: no matter what I do next, don’t stop me. So…”

“Big Brother Zero, I trust you!”

Before Zero could finish, Tanjiro cut him off.

He understood Zero was acting for Nezuko’s sake. That Zero had told him directly meant he was thinking of Nezuko and everyone else.

So he chose to trust Zero—he hadn’t smelled any lie on him.

“Good. That’s all I needed to know.”

He then removed Nezuko’s small muzzle.

With the muzzle off, Nezuko’s sharp demon fangs were visible, and with her dazed, innocent expression, she looked utterly adorable.

“Come on, Nezuko, open your mouth. Ah~”

Zero, like a brother coaxing a little girl to take medicine, guided her to open her mouth and swallow the dose.

Though confused, Nezuko obediently opened her mouth and waited for Zero to feed her.

Zero slowly poured the liquid from the vial into her mouth.

When Nezuko had swallowed all the medicine, Tanjiro felt no change in her at all.

But soon after, Nezuko suddenly curled up on the floor, writhing in pain.

Cold sweat poured from her forehead.

She looked utterly tormented.

“Big Brother Zero, what’s happening?!”

“I don’t know! I tested this before!”

Zero rushed forward, lifted Nezuko into his arms, and soothed her: “It’s okay, Nezuko. We’re all here. Don’t be afraid~”

Perhaps the comfort worked—Nezuko calmed slightly.

But her face still showed unmistakable pain.

One hand tightly gripped Zero’s collar, and Zero held Tamako’s hand, soothing her constantly.

Tanjiro, seeing this, reached out and grasped Tamako’s other hand.

Kamado Kie heard the commotion downstairs and came upstairs to check.

“This… this is…”

“Mother, Tamako is returning to humanity—but she… seems to be in great pain…”

Seeing this, Kamado Kie stepped before Tamako and gently stroked her small face with one hand.

“Tamako, keep going! We’re all here with you!”

“Sister!”

Takeo and the others appeared at the door, rushing in together and forming a circle around Tamako, cheering her on.

At this moment, Tamako’s gaze was still unfocused; her self-awareness had not yet returned—she was still struggling!

“Maybe I can try!” Zero remembered that Tamako had once seemed to enjoy listening to his singing, so he began singing the song from his hazy memory.

The evening glow over the sea is like a child’s drawing?

Spread across the sky, waiting for seagulls to carry it away?

Distant sails battered by wind and waves?

Even if the dream brings pain, I won’t fear?

Where does the wandering desert wind go?

Has the spring breeze ever seen him before?…

The soothing song gradually calmed Tamako; the pain on her face slowly faded.

But Tanjiro’s family saw a tear form at the corner of Zero’s eye, sliding down his cheek and landing on Tamako’s forehead.

“So sad… so worn-down… What has Big Brother Zero been through? Why does it feel so heart-wrenching…”

Tanjiro smelled an unusual scent emanating from Zero—as if he had endured countless hardships.

More than anything… partings and deaths.

He couldn’t understand why such a scent clung to Zero.

Kamado Kie didn’t understand the language of the song, yet her heart ached for Zero.

Only Xiao Yue knew exactly what was happening…

Since Xiao Yue (T0) was created, she had often seen Zero alone in his room, singing this song.

Later, Luo Li told Xiao Yue (T0) that this was a well-known song Zero’s mother used to sing to him when he was very young, to lull him to sleep.

Later, the song became etched into Zero’s memory—he only knew it was sung to him by someone he deeply knew.

But he could not recall his childhood memories…

Moments later.

A small hand reached up to Zero’s cheek, wiping away his tears.

“Zero… brother…”

“Tamako? You… you’ve recovered?!”

“I… remember everything…” At that moment, Tamako recalled every single thing.

During her struggle in consciousness, she remembered it all.

She remembered holding Rokutaro’s hand as a child, playing in the icy snow…

She remembered her family accompanying her every day…

She remembered the happy days after first meeting Zero…

She remembered a monstrous creature suddenly bursting into their home at night, harming her family…

She remembered Master Tomioka, Master Rengoku, Juushirou, and Yushi...

She remembered the smiles of every person she met in the Demon Slayer Corps…

Fragmented memories flashed before her like a revolving lantern, restoring her self-awareness.

She recalled how Tanjiro had told her, even as a demon, that he would protect her no matter what.

Until now, she had returned to humanity and reunited with her family once more.

“I am… Kamado Tamako…”

“My family nearly died by demons…”

“Big Brother Zero saved my family…”

“I want to keep living with my family…”

Added to that, the song Zero had just sung pieced together all her memories.

Her eyes regained their light and self-awareness.

“Zero brother… you cried… I’ve never seen you cry before… don’t cry…” Tamako comforted him in his arms.

Zero smiled and said, “I’m fine. I’m so glad you’ve recovered. Your family has been waiting for you.”

“Tamako, my child!!”

Kamado Kie could no longer hold back—she pulled Tamako into her arms, tears streaming down her face.

“It’s wonderful, Tamako!”

“Sister!”

Tanjiro and his siblings embraced their mother and Tamako tightly, tears of joy streaming down their faces!

Zero and Xiao Yue exchanged a smile, glad to see the family finally whole again.

In the backyard, Tamako slowly extended one hand, gradually stepping into the sunlight.

Seeing no burning sensation on her hand, she took one cautious step forward.

Finally, her entire body was exposed to the sunlight.

For the first time in so long, she felt the warmth of the sun, closed her eyes, and basked in its glow.

A sweet smile remained on her face.

“Tamako, how do you feel?”

“Zero brother!”

Seeing Zero behind her, Tamako, still following her old habit as a demon, flung herself into his arms and clung to his neck.

“You, you’ve forgotten you’re not a demon anymore?”

“Ah!! S-Sorry, Zero brother, I… I…” Tamako blushed, realizing she had nearly forgotten.

Now that she was human again, she still acted as if she hadn’t changed—she wasn’t used to it yet.

“There, there, I’m not mad at you. But you should be careful—you’re a girl now. If others see you acting like this, you’ll never find a husband~” Zero teased.

“If I can’t find a husband, I’ll marry you…” Tamako muttered under her breath, head lowered.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! You heard wrong, Zero brother~”

Tamako covered her face in embarrassment, avoiding Zero’s gaze, and dashed inside.

“Huh? What just happened? Did I say something wrong?” Zero looked puzzled.

He even wondered if he had some strange odor that had scared Tamako away.

He sniffed himself, searching for any odd smell—but after a long while, he detected nothing unusual…

Hidden in a corner, Xiao Yue watched this scene and silently grumbled: “Master is such a blockhead! So clueless! When we return to the Starry Sky, I’ll tell Luo Li sister everything! Hehehe~”

Zero, still puzzling over himself in the backyard, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine…

That night.

Kamado Kie cooked a lavish dinner and shared it with everyone.

For the first time in a long while, Tamako experienced the true happiness of reuniting with her family.

Tears of joy shimmered as they flowed.