Chapter 82: The Infinity Train Begins

Three days before the departure for the Infinity Train incident.

Night.

Inside a sickroom of the Butterfly Mansion, Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

Tanjiro looked at the few sheets of paper Zero had handed him before departing on his mission; written on them was some information related to the 【Sun Breathing Style — Dance of the Fire God】.

The further he read, the more shocked he became — he never imagined that the 【Sun Breathing Style — Dance of the Fire God】, passed down through his family for generations, had such an enormous origin!

The Sun Breathing Style — Dance of the Fire God is the Origin Breathing Technique — Sun Breathing…

But he had never once heard his father mention this matter…

The 【Combined Breathing Technique】 mentioned in the information was also something Tanjiro had never heard of.

He never imagined that Breathing Techniques could not only be so diverse, but could also be used in such a way…

But could he really do it?

"Since Big Brother Zero told me this information, he must have had his reasons. I trust Big Brother Zero! I also believe I can definitely do it!"

Tanjiro thought to himself.

Creak—

The sickroom door opened.

The one who came was Rengoku Shinjuro.

During this period, Rengoku Shinjuro had been thinking constantly, and combined with the information Zero had shown him, he felt humbled and ashamed.

He never imagined he couldn't measure up to a mere child like Zero — it felt as though he'd been lectured again.

"You are…" Tanjiro saw him and felt he looked somewhat familiar.

After a good while, he recalled who he was — the man he'd met during the trial several months ago.

Back then, that man had said he was the chosen one…

"Hello, Kamado Tanjiro… I am the former Flame Hashira — Rengoku Shinjuro. Rengoku Kyojuro is my son… I've come to apologize to you. Saying such things the first time we met, I'm very sorry, forgive me…"

"Ah… no, no, no, Mr. Shinjuro, you did nothing wrong. Please don't be like this…"

After some explanation, Tanjiro finally understood the whole story, but he did not blame Rengoku Shinjuro.

On the contrary, he felt sad for Rengoku Shinjuro as well — after all, he had lost his beloved wife, and to have endured until now was truly not easy.

And his own father had also passed away from illness, and his younger sister Nezuko had become a demon.

He had even nearly lost his entire family.

Therefore, he could understand Rengoku Shinjuro's pain.

Afterwards, the two spoke a while longer.

Rengoku Shinjuro told Tanjiro that he was the chosen one, because he possessed an even greater power.

It was said that those chosen by Sun Breathing all bore a naturally occurring crimson mark on their foreheads, just like the one on Tanjiro's forehead.

But Tanjiro did not quite see it that way.

"No, Mr. Shinjuro, I may not be the chosen wielder…"

Then, Tanjiro explained that the mark on his forehead was not some so-called natural birthmark.

It was a burn he had sustained as a child, when his younger brother knocked over a brazier, in order to protect him.

During the final selection on Mount Fujikasane, the scar at that spot had deepened once more, taking on its current appearance.

Yet the mark on his own father's forehead seemed to be natural, and his father had often told him 【to breathe】.

The pair of Hanafuda earrings on his ears had been handed to him by his father on his deathbed.

The Hanafuda earrings and the Sun Breathing Style — Dance of the Fire God must be passed down from generation to generation — this was the promise between him and his father.

Afterwards, he handed over the few sheets of paper Zero had given him for Rengoku Shinjuro to look at.

Rengoku Shinjuro took them and glanced through, and could not help but heave a long sigh.

He never imagined Zero's mind was so nimble — not only was the information comprehensive, even the cause and effect were written out clearly.

Although he did not understand what the 【Combined Breathing Technique】 written there was, it surely must have its basis.

Originally, having heard about Tanjiro's father, Rengoku Shinjuro had wanted to make his acquaintance.

But upon learning that Tanjiro's father had already passed away, he felt apologetic and regretful.

Just as the two were talking, Tanjiro's Kasugai Crow flew in, landing on the windowsill, and announced: "Caw! Corps members Kamado Tanjiro, Hashibira Inosuke, Agatsuma Zenitsu — a new mission has been issued."

Inosuke and Zenitsu, who had been resting on the sickbeds on the other two sides, upon hearing this, rubbed their sleep-heavy eyes.

Inosuke: "What's up?"

Zenitsu: "Mm… what's going on?"

"Caw, new mission — the victims of the Infinity Train have increased, over forty people are missing! Depart immediately at dawn, rendezvous with the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro and the Zero Hashira Zero on site, head west at once!"

Seeing this, the three understood the gravity of the situation. Rengoku Shinjuro also understood they would be setting out at dawn, and said: "Tanjiro, when you have time next time, come by my home for a visit."

"Yes, I will, Mr. Shinjuro."

After Rengoku Shinjuro departed, Zenitsu asked: "Tanjiro, who was that?"

"He's the former Flame Hashira — that is, the current Flame Hashira's father."

Inosuke beside them, brimming with fighting spirit, said: "I see, yahahaha! He's strong — next time I'll challenge him!"

…………

At dawn, Tanjiro finished all his preparations and was about to depart for the Infinity Train to rendezvous with Rengoku Kyojuro and Zero.

Before that, he still had a few things to take care of first.

Walking down the corridor, he suddenly bumped into someone.

Seeing the person approach, Tanjiro stepped aside to let them pass — but unexpectedly, that person simply collided shoulder-to-shoulder with Tanjiro and walked straight off without looking back.

"Strange, I clearly stepped aside… but then again, he seems to have been in the same Final Selection as me… I remember his name was… Shinazugawa Genya."

Watching Shinazugawa Genya's retreating back, he recalled the events of the Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane.

Back then, Shinazugawa Genya had been taught a lesson by Zero, and now he had grown so strong.

He was a completely different person from before.

"Long time no see! I'm so glad to see you in such good spirits!" Tanjiro called out a greeting toward his back.

Shinazugawa Genya paid no attention and left on his own.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Tanjiro wasn't discouraged either.

Arriving at the backyard, he spoke with Kanzaki Aoi once more and expressed his thanks.

Tanjiro also understood from Kanzaki Aoi's words that, because she had narrowly survived the Selection, she was afraid of fighting demons and always considered herself a coward.

But Tanjiro said it didn't matter, because with Kanzaki Aoi's help, she had already become a part of him, and he would carry Kanzaki Aoi's will with him into battle.

Then he waved goodbye to Kanzaki Aoi.

A breeze swept past; Kanzaki Aoi watched Tanjiro's departing back, a faint ripple stirring in her heart...

Finally, Tanjiro found Tsuyuri Kanao once more to express his gratitude.

Because of her help, he had learned the Total Concentration. Constant. Breathing technique.

Tsuyuri Kanao habitually took out a coin, just about to flip it, when she recalled the words Zero had once spoken...

In the end, she still flipped the coin and said, "This was your own effort, no need to thank me. Goodbye~"

Seeing that Kanao had finally spoken to him, Tanjiro was overcome with emotion.

However, after that Kanao kept repeating the phrase "goodbye"...

In the end, Kanao explained why she used a coin to decide certain things...

Tanjiro hoped Kanao could make her own decisions too, so he borrowed her coin and tossed it up.

If it landed heads, then Kanao would follow her own heart.

Kanao stared intently at the direction Tanjiro had tossed the coin, but unexpectedly a gust of wind blew past, making her squint and unable to see clearly.

In the end, Tanjiro caught the falling coin, ran up to Kanao, and opened his palm right in front of her.

It was heads...

Before leaving, Kanao shouted loudly, "Why did you toss it to land heads?"

Tanjiro smiled and said, "It was just a coincidence. Even if it had landed tails, I would have kept tossing until it came up heads! Because I want Kanao to follow her own heart in making decisions!"

These words made Kanao's heart suddenly stir, because Zero had once said something similar to him.

She didn't understand what this feeling was either.

"Goodbye, Kanao!"

Watching Tanjiro's gradually departing back, Kanao felt a strange sensation in her heart.

"Follow my own... heart..."

Leaving the Butterfly Estate, Tanjiro made another trip to the Zero Residence to bring Nezuko along.

"Tanjiro, be careful on the road. I'm leaving Nezuko in your care." Aunt Kui Zhi said reluctantly.

However, she would not stop Tanjiro from what he was determined to do.

"Yes, Mother. I will definitely protect Nezuko well!"

"Brother, please be careful! We'll be waiting for you and big sister to come back." Takekuma, Shigeru, Hanako, and Rokuta were also reluctant to part.

"Don't worry, I definitely will!"

Finally, after a brief farewell with his family, he shouldered the wooden box containing Nezuko and left the Zero Residence.

…………

Everything was ready to depart.

Before leaving, the three little ones of the Butterfly Estate carried over three giant gourds about as tall as they were and placed them in front of the three of them.

This was also the final stage test of Total Concentration. Constant. — blowing up the giant gourds.

The three of them hugged the giant gourds, aimed at the mouths of the gourds, used Total Concentration. Constant., and exerted all their strength to blow them up!

"Go! Go! Go!" The three little ones of the Butterfly Estate cheered them on.

Boom! x3

Three tremendous blasts rang out as the giant gourds were blown apart into fragments.

"You did it!!" The three little ones of the Butterfly Estate were also happy for their efforts.

"Please accept this." Afterwards, little Orange presented a small basket of prepared rice balls to them, and wished them luck in slaying more demons.

At the moment of departure, Tanjiro ran into Tomioka Giyuu and stepped forward to greet him.

"Mr. Tomioka."

"Are you setting out now?"

"Yes."

"It seems you've already mastered Total Concentration. Constant."

"Yes."

"Keep working hard."

"Yes... Mr. Tomioka, regarding Nezuko's matter, thank you so very much. You were even willing to stake your life for us, I don't even know how to thank you enough..."

"If you want to thank me, then repay me with your work. The mission of our Demon Slayer Corps is to slay demons."

"Yes!"

Afterwards, Tomioka Giyuu's figure flashed and he left the area to patrol his jurisdiction...

…………

The train station. The Infinity Train.

Tanjiro and the others spent a full day traveling, and at dusk, finally arrived at their destination.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Wha... wha... what kind of creature is this, hey?!"

"This guy must be... the master of this land, the one who rules this land!!"

Looking at the massive creature before him, Inosuke let out a cry of astonishment, looking like he'd never seen the world.

"No, this is a train, don't you know?" Zenitsu said with a speechless expression.

"Shh! Be quiet, I'll take the lead!" Saying so, Inosuke got into a stance, looking ready to charge.

"Wait a moment, Inosuke!" Tanjiro shouted: "What if it's the guardian deity of this land! And it wouldn't be good to attack suddenly!"

Zenitsu looked at the two of them acting like country bumpkins who'd never seen the world, and became even more speechless.

Helplessly explaining once more: "I already said this is a train, a train! It's a vehicle, for transporting people."

"Pig Rush! Pig Rush!"

Thud!

Inosuke charged head-on, slamming into the outer body of the train car.

Beep—!

A whistle sounded, and two train attendants ran over from not far away.

"What are you three doing?!"

"Ah! These guys are carrying swords!"

"Police! Go notify the police!"

Seeing the situation turning bad, Zenitsu immediately grabbed Tanjiro and Inosuke and fled quickly: "Not good! Not good, not good, not good!! Run!!"

…………

Whoo—

The Infinity Train began to depart.

Some small incidents happened along the way. Zenitsu, who was in the middle of scolding Inosuke, saw the situation and, not caring whether they'd be spotted by the police again, directly rushed out with Tanjiro and the others, catching up to the Infinity Train.

Inosuke and Tanjiro successfully jumped onto the last car of the train, while Zenitsu chased desperately behind.

In the end, with the help of Inosuke and Tanjiro, Zenitsu was successfully pulled up.

Standing on the observation platform of the last car of the Infinity Train, gazing at the star-filled night, they couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.

Recalling everything they'd encountered over the years, it felt like a dream, yet everything was so real.

Zenitsu looked at Tanjiro and asked: "Tanjiro... is it really okay to bring Nezuko along? Wouldn't it be safest to leave her at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters? Your family is there to look after her too."

Tanjiro smiled at Zenitsu and replied: "No, this is fine. Besides, I made a promise with my mother and my younger siblings."

Seeing Tanjiro so determined, Zenitsu also showed a smile and didn't press further.

"I will definitely protect Nezuko well, and let Nezuko... become human again!" Tanjiro said inwardly with firm resolve.

The starry night sky was so brilliant.

But, accompanying it, was endless danger.

At the front of the locomotive, Lower Moon One - Enmu, had appeared here at some unknown time.

Watching everything, a foolish smile spread across his face.

"All of this, it's just like a dream, so wonderful~ If I can complete the mission that lord assigned me, then... ah~ just thinking about it makes me happy~"

Enmu looked up at the sky, and just thinking about obtaining the blood bestowed by Muzan made him extremely excited~

…………

Inside the train car.

Tanjiro led the way in front, with Zenitsu following behind.

Zenitsu was dragging the belt at the back of Inosuke's crotch, to prevent him from doing something stupid again.

"Tanjiro, that Mr. Rengoku, can you recognize him?" Zenitsu asked.

"Yes, his hairstyle is the same as Mr. Makijuro's. And I remember his scent, as well as the scent on Big Brother Zero."

"Big Brother Zero is here too?! That's really great!"

"Zenitsu, you seem to care a lot about Big Brother Zero?"

"Because I can see he's very popular with everyone, and I can tell, he's very powerful! Most importantly, he's really beautiful..." As Zenitsu said this, he thought inwardly: Why is Big Brother Zero a man...

"Yes, he really is very powerful, and he's even fought against Kibutsuji Muzan... Ah, found him, right here."

Tanjiro smelled the scent emanating from the car ahead — it was the scent of Rengoku Kyojurou and Zero.

Just as he pulled open the wooden door of the car, an ear-splitting shout came through.

"Delicious!"

Zenitsu was so startled his hair stood on end.

"Tha... that person is the Flame Pillar? Are you sure he's not a gluttonous demon?" Zenitsu whispered into Tanjiro's ear.

"Yes, he is the Flame Pillar."

Afterwards, Tanjiro led the two of them over to Rengoku Kyojurou's side.

"Delicious! Delicious!"

Rengoku Kyojurou was eating his bento in big bites, his eating manner quite bold and unrestrained.

Zero, on the other hand, chewed slowly bite by bite, looking very quiet, forming a contrast with Rengoku Kyojurou.

"Big Brother Zero! Mr. Rengoku!"

"Hm? Tanjiro, you've come too!"

"Yes, good evening, Big Brother Zero, Mr. Rengoku."

"Delicious! Mm, good evening! Delicious!"

After the two of them finished their bento boxes, two female train attendants came and collected all the wooden bento boxes.

At this point, Rengoku Kyojurou finally spoke to Tanjiro, asking: "You're the one who was with the Master back then."

"Yes, I am Kamado Tanjiro. The two behind me are also Demon Slayer Corps members—Inosuke Hashibira and Zenitsu Agatsuma."

"I see, so that one in the box is what Zero mentioned…"

"Yes, she is my younger sister Nezuko."

"Mm, so that's the demon from back then. Since the Master and Zero have acknowledged her, I won't pry any further."

Rengoku Kyojurou patted the seat beside him and said: "Come sit here."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Rengoku!"