Chapter 82: The Infinite Train Departs

Three days before the Infinite Train incident was set to depart.

Night.

In the Butterfly House ward, Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.

Tanjiro stared at several sheets of paper Zero had given him before his mission, containing information about the [Fire God God Music].

The more he read, the more stunned he became—his family’s ancestral [Fire God God Music] had such a profound origin!

The Fire God God Music was the Origin Breathing Style—Sun Breathing…

Yet his father had never mentioned this to him…

He had also never heard of the [Hybrid Breathing Style] mentioned in the information.

He hadn’t realized Breathing Styles could be so diverse—and used in this way…

But could he truly achieve it?

“Since Zero-brother gave me this information, he must have his reasons. I trust Zero-brother! I believe I can do it!”

Tanjiro thought to himself.

Creak~

The ward door opened.

The visitor was Rengoku Shinjuro.

During this time, Rengoku Shinjuro had been deep in thought, and after seeing the information Zero showed him, he felt deeply inferior.

He hadn’t expected to be outmatched by a child like Zero—it felt as if he’d been lectured by him.

“You’re…” Tanjiro recognized him, though vaguely.

After a moment, he recalled—he was the man he’d met during the trial months ago.

Back then, he’d claimed to be the chosen one…

“Hello, Kamado Tanjiro… I am the former Flame Hashira—Rengoku Shinjuro. Rengoku Kyojuro is my son. I’ve come to apologize. The things I said when we first met—I’m truly sorry.”

“Ah… no, no, Mr. Shinjuro, you didn’t do anything wrong. Please don’t say that…”

After a lengthy explanation, Tanjiro understood the full context—but he bore no resentment toward Rengoku Shinjuro.

Instead, he felt sorrow for him. After all, he had lost his beloved wife; to have endured this long was truly difficult.

His own father had died of illness, and his sister Nezuko had become a demon.

He had nearly lost his entire family.

So he understood Rengoku Shinjuro’s pain.

Afterwards, the two spoke further.

Rengoku Shinjuro told Tanjiro he was the chosen one, for he possessed greater power.

It was said that users chosen by Sun Breathing bore a natural red birthmark on their foreheads—just like the mark on Tanjiro’s forehead.

But Tanjiro did not believe this.

“No, Mr. Shinjuro, I may not be the chosen user…”

Tanjiro then explained that the mark on his forehead was not a birthmark at all.

It was a burn scar from childhood, when his younger brother had knocked over a brazier, and he had protected him.

During the final selection at Mount Fujikawa, the scar deepened further, becoming what it is today.

His father’s forehead mark, however, had seemed innate, and he often told Tanjiro, “Breathe.”

The flower-shaped earrings on his ears were given to him by his father on his deathbed.

The earrings and the Fire God God Music must be passed down through generations—that was his promise to his father.

He then handed the sheets Zero had given him to Rengoku Shinjuro.

Rengoku Shinjuro took them, glanced through, and sighed deeply.

He hadn’t expected Zero to be so sharp—his information was comprehensive, and every cause and effect was clearly laid out.

Though he didn’t understand what the [Hybrid Breathing Style] mentioned meant, he assumed it must have solid grounds.

Originally, upon hearing about Tanjiro’s father, Rengoku Shinjuro had wished to meet him.

But after learning Tanjiro’s father had passed away, he felt regret and sorrow.

As they spoke, Tanjiro’s messenger crow flew in and landed on the window, announcing: “Caw! Team member Kamado Tanjiro, Usui Izo, and Qi Zenitsu, a new mission has been assigned.”

Izo and Zenitsu, resting on the other two beds, rubbed their sleepy eyes.

Izo: “What’s up?”

Zenitsu: “Huh… what now?”

“Caw! New mission: victims of the Infinite Train have increased—over forty people are missing! Depart at dawn to rendezvous with Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro and Zero Hashira Zero, and head west immediately!”

The three understood the gravity of the situation. Rengoku Shinjuro realized they would depart at dawn and said: “Tanjiro, next time you have free time, come visit my home.”

“Yes, I will, Mr. Shinjuro.”

After Rengoku Shinjuro left, Zenitsu asked: “Tanjiro, who was that?”

“He’s the former Flame Hashira—the current Flame Hashira’s father.”

Beside him, Izo, brimming with battle spirit, declared: “Ah, I see! Yaaahahaha! He’s strong—I’ll challenge him next time!”

…………

At dawn, Tanjiro prepared everything and was ready to depart to meet Rengoku Kyojuro and Zero at the Infinite Train.

Before that, he had a few things to do first.

Walking down the corridor, he suddenly bumped into someone.

Seeing the person, Tanjiro stepped aside to let them pass—but the man collided directly with his shoulder and walked off without looking back.

“Strange, I clearly moved out of the way… but come to think of it, he was in the same selection class as me… I remember his name… Fushiguro Genya.”

Watching Fushiguro Genya’s retreating back, he recalled the final selection at Mount Fujikawa.

Back then, Fushiguro Genya had been scolded by Zero—yet now he had grown so much stronger.

He was unrecognizable from before.

“Long time no see! I’m glad to see you’re doing well!” Tanjiro called out to his back.

Fushiguro Genya ignored him and walked away.

Seeing he received no reply, Tanjiro was not discouraged.

He went to the backyard and spoke with Kanzaki Aoi, expressing his gratitude.

From Kanzaki Aoi’s words, Tanjiro understood she feared fighting demons because she had barely survived the selection, and saw herself as a coward.

But Tanjiro told her it didn’t matter—her help had become part of him, and he would fight carrying her will with him.

He waved goodbye to Kanzaki Aoi.

A gentle breeze stirred as Kanzaki Aoi watched Tanjiro’s departing back, her heart stirred slightly…

Finally, Tanjiro found Kanao Tsuyuri to thank her.

Thanks to her help, he had learned Full Concentration: Constant Breathing.

Kanao Tsuyuri instinctively pulled out a coin, about to toss it—then remembered Zero’s words…

In the end, she still tossed it and said: “This was your own effort. No need to thank me. Goodbye~”

Tanjiro, thrilled that Kanao had finally spoken to him, felt a surge of emotion.

But then Kanao kept repeating: “Goodbye…”

Finally, Kanao explained why she used coins to decide things…

Tanjiro hoped she could make her own choices—he borrowed her coin and tossed it upward.

If it landed heads, she should follow her heart.

Kanao stared intently at the coin’s flight path—but a sudden gust of wind blew, making her blink and miss the result.

Tanjiro caught the falling coin, ran to Kanao, and opened his palm before her eyes.

It was heads…

As he left, Kanao cried out: “Why did it land heads?”

Tanjiro smiled: “Just luck. Even if it had been tails, I’d keep tossing it until it came up heads! Because I want you to follow your heart!”

These words stirred something deep within Kanao—Zero had said something similar to her.

She didn’t understand what this feeling was.

“Goodbye, Kanao!”

Watching Tanjiro’s fading back, Kanao felt an unfamiliar sensation.

“Follow your… heart…”

Leaving the Butterfly House, Tanjiro went to Zero’s residence to pick up Nezuko.

“Tanjiro, be careful on the road. I’m entrusting Nezuko to you,” said Kamado Kikuno, reluctant.

But she would not stop him from doing what he must.

“Yes, Mother. I will protect Nezuko with my life!”

“Brother, be careful! We’ll wait for you and Sister to come back,” said Takeo, Shigeru, Hanako, and Rokuta, unwilling to let him go.

“Don’t worry—I will!”

After a brief farewell with his family, he slung the wooden box containing Nezuko onto his back and left Zero’s residence.

…………

All was ready for departure.

Before leaving, the three Butterfly House girls brought three giant gourds, each nearly as tall as themselves, and placed them before Tanjiro and the others.

This is also the final trial in the Complete Concentration: Constant Method—the blowing up of a giant gourd.

Tanjiro and the other two held the giant gourd, aimed at its mouth, and unleashed the Complete Concentration: Constant Method with all their strength to blow it apart!

“Go on! Go on! Go on!” The three young girls of Butterfly House cheered for them.

Boom! x3

Three thunderous crashes—the giant gourd burst into fragments.

“They did it!!” The three young girls of Butterfly House were delighted by their effort.

“Please take these.” Soon after, Xiao Cheng handed them a small basket of prepared rice balls, wishing them success in slaying more demons.

As they were about to depart, Tanjiro encountered Tomioka Giyu and approached to greet him.

“Mr. Tomioka.”

“Are you setting out now?”

“Yes.”

“It seems you’ve mastered Complete Concentration: Constant Method.”

“Yes.”

“Keep pushing forward.”

“Yes… Mr. Tomioka, thank you so much for what you did for Nezuko. You risked your life for us—I don’t even know how to repay you…”

“If you want to thank me, show it through your work. Our duty as Demon Slayers is to exterminate demons.”

“Yes!”

Then, Tomioka Giyu vanished in a flash, heading to patrol his assigned territory…

…………

The train station. The Infinite Train.

Tanjiro’s group spent a full day and finally arrived at their destination at dusk.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! What… what… what on earth is this thing?!”

“This thing must be… the lord of this land, the ruler of this land!!”

Seeing the colossal creature before him, Inosuke gasped in awe, as if he’d never seen anything like it.

“No, it’s a train. Don’t you know that?” Zenitsu said, utterly baffled.

“Shh! Quiet! I’ll take the lead!” Shuozhe , Inosuke assumed a fighting stance, ready to charge.

“Wait, Inosuke!” Tanjiro shouted. “It might be the guardian spirit of this land! And attacking suddenly isn’t wise!”

Zenitsu stared at the two of them, looking like country bumpkins who’d never seen the world, and grew even more exasperated.

He sighed and explained once more: “I’ve told you—it’s a train! A train! It’s transportation. It carries people.”

“Boar Charge! Boar Charge!”

Thud!

Inosuke charged headfirst and slammed into the exterior of the train car.

Beeeee~!

A warning whistle sounded, and two train attendants ran over from nearby.

“What are you three doing?!”

“Ah! These guys are carrying swords!”

“Officer! Go notify the officer!”

Seeing the situation turn dire, Zenitsu grabbed Tanjiro and Inosuke and bolted: “Danger! Danger danger danger!! Run!!”

…………

Ooo~

The Infinite Train began to move.

A minor incident occurred mid-journey; Zenitsu, mid-reprimand of Inosuke, forgot about the risk of being caught by officers and dashed out with Tanjiro to chase after the Infinite Train.

Inosuke and Tanjiro leapt onto the last car of the train; Zenitsu sprinted desperately behind them.

Finally, with help from Inosuke and Tanjiro, Zenitsu was pulled aboard.

Standing on the observation platform of the last car of the Infinite Train, gazing at the star-strewn night, Tanjiro felt a deep sense of wonder.

Recalling everything he’d endured these past years, it felt like a dream—but it was all so real.

Zenitsu looked at Tanjiro and asked: “Tanjiro… is it really safe to bring Nezuko along? Wouldn’t it be safer to leave her at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, where your family can care for her?”

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

Seeing Tanjiro’s resolve, Zenitsu smiled and stopped pressing the matter.

“I will protect Nezuko. I will make Nezuko… become human again!” Tanjiro vowed within himself.

The night sky was dazzling with stars.

But accompanying it was endless peril.

At the front of the locomotive, Lower Moon One—Enmu—appeared there without warning.

He gazed at everything, a foolish smile on his face.

“All of this feels like a dream… so wonderful… If I can complete the task given by that lord, then… ah, just thinking of it brings me happiness~”

Enmu tilted his head toward the sky, thrilled at the thought of receiving the blood from Muzan.

…………

Inside the car.

Tanjiro led the way, with Zenitsu following behind.

Zenitsu held onto the back of Inosuke’s belt to prevent him from doing something foolish again.

“Tanjiro, can you recognize that man—Rengoku?” Zenitsu asked.

“Yes. His hairstyle is the same as Makomo-sensei’s. And I remember his scent—and Zero’s scent.”

“Zero is here too?! That’s wonderful!”

“Zenitsu, you seem very concerned about Zero?”

“Because he seems popular with everyone, and I can tell he’s incredibly strong! Most of all—he’s really beautiful…” As he said this, Zenitsu thought inwardly: Why is Zero a man…

“Yes, he’s truly powerful—he once fought Muzan Kibutsuji… Ah, found it. Right here.”

Tanjiro smelled the scent emanating from the next car: Rengoku Kyojuro’s and Zero’s.

As he pulled open the wooden door, a deafening shout rang out.

“Delicious!”

Zenitsu’s hair stood on end from fright.

“Is… is that guy the Flame Hashira? Are you sure he’s not just a glutton?” Zenitsu whispered to Tanjiro.

“Yes. He’s the Flame Hashira.”

Tanjiro then led them both to Rengoku’s side.

“Delicious! Delicious!”

Rengoku Kyojuro devoured his bento with great gusto, eating with wild abandon.

Zero, by contrast, ate slowly and deliberately, appearing calm and composed—a stark contrast to Rengoku.

“Zero! Rengoku-sensei!”

“Hm? Tanjiro, you’re here too!”

“Yes. Good evening, Zero, Rengoku-sensei.”

“Delicious! Hmm, good evening! Delicious!”

After finishing their bento, two female train attendants came to collect the wooden boxes.

Only then did Rengoku Kyojuro speak to Tanjiro: “You’re the one from when I met the Lord.”

“Yes. I’m Kamado Tanjiro. These two behind me are also Demon Slayer Corps members: Usui Inosuke and Qi Zenitsu.”

“I see. So that’s what Zero meant by ‘the box’…”

“Yes. She’s my sister, Nezuko.”

“Umu. That was the demon from back then. Since the Lord and Zero have approved her, I won’t question it further.”

Rengoku patted the seat beside him and said: “Come, sit here.”

“Yes, thank you, Rengoku-sensei!”