Chapter 98: Fated

Yoshiwara’s pleasure district had become a pile of rubble.

Among the ruins, four women were frantically searching through the debris for Zero and the others.

They were Maki, Hina He , Suma, and Nezuko.

Maki: “Lord Tengan! Where are you?”

Hina He : “Lord Tengan, please be safe!”

Suma: “Waaahhh! Lord Tengan, don’t die on us!”

Slap!

Maki slapped Suma’s firm, bouncy rear with a sharp crack, snapping: “Idiot Suma! Don’t talk nonsense like that—Lord Tengan wouldn’t be in danger!”

“Aaaah～ Waaahhh～ Maki’s bullying me again～”

“Wait, look over there!” Hina He pointed to a distant mound of rubble, where a blue-glowing hemispherical object lay half-buried.

Maki instantly drew two kunai, eyes sharp: “Could the demon still be alive?!”

She crept forward cautiously to investigate.

Hina He and Suma also drew kunai, following slowly behind Maki, shielding Nezuko behind them.

CRASH!

The rubble exploded outward, revealing Zero and the other four.

Uzui Tengan had used his own body to shield Tanjiro and the three children.

The earlier explosion had triggered Zero’s [Quantum Shield], forming a three-meter-radius hemispherical barrier that protected all five.

Thanks to Zero’s excessive caution—he’d pre-charged the [Quantum Shield] with [Energy Crystals]—none of them were hurt.

Nezuko, relieved to see them all unharmed, lunged toward Zero—only to smash into the [Quantum Shield]’s surface, arms and legs splayed in a “big” shape.

Zero immediately deactivated the protection mode; Nezuko dashed into his arms, nuzzling her head against his chest.

“There, there, Nezuko—we’re all fine.”

“Mmm～”

She then slipped off Zero and ran to check on her brother.

“Nezuko! You’re safe too—thank goodness!”

Tanjiro, seeing Nezuko unharmed, exhaled in relief.

As for Uzui Tengan, he was currently basking in the tender embrace of his three wives.

The three women circled him, meticulously scanning him from head to toe, checking for injuries.

They were practically ready to strip off his clothes and pants for a full inspection.

“Zero?!”

Hearing his name called, Zero turned and saw Kanao and Shinobu.

The butterfly sisters, upon seeing the massive explosion from afar, had rushed forward, fearing for Zero’s safety.

When they arrived, Yoshiwara’s pleasure district was already a smoldering ruin, flames raging everywhere.

Fortunately, no one had been seriously injured; as the Hidden Division arrived to assist, Kanao began searching for Zero.

Seeing him unharmed, she nearly burst into tears, launching herself into his arms and clinging tightly.

Afraid it was an illusion.

“There, Kanao, don’t worry—I’m fine.”

Kanao said nothing, only held him tighter.

Creak. Creak.

Zenitsu, watching Uzui Tengan surrounded by his three wives, gritted his teeth with envy.

He really had three wives?!

Shinobu stared at Uzui Tengan, her eyes darkening—she was already plotting how to teach him a lesson.

Not long ago, at Butterfly House, he’d kidnapped Kanao and Kanae without permission and taken them to Yoshiwara to help him complete his mission.

What kind of place was Yoshiwara? What could possibly happen to children that young there?

She hadn’t been at Butterfly House then, but she’d remembered this grudge.

Uzui Tengan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, sensing something ominous.

He glanced around but saw nothing unusual, dismissing it as a trick of the mind.

After Zero’s reassurance, Kanao calmed slightly.

“I’ll check the surroundings again. There may be some matters here that will require your help.”

“Mm. Be careful. I’ll wait for you.”

Without caring who was watching, Kanao kissed Zero on the lips.

They’d kissed so many times before—what was one more?

“Mmm～ What a splendid youth～” Uzui Tengan sighed, watching the scene.

“Yes, Lord Tengan—they’re so sweet～” Hina He , sensing the faint pink bubbles around them, felt a sweet warmth.

Suma, eyes full of envy, turned to Uzui Tengan: “Lord Tengan, I want to try too…”

Xu Mo saw this and looked at him with envy, saying to Uzui Tengan: “My lord Tengan, I’d like to try too…”

Maki slapped Suma’s rear again.

“Suma, what are you saying?! There are children here!!”

“Aaaah～ Lord Tengan, look—Maki’s bullying me again～ Waaahhh～”

Shortly after Zero left, Ikkyu Shobu arrived.

“Upper Rank Six… Six, huh? Even though he’s the lowest of the Upper Ranks, defeating him is still commendable—I’ll praise you for it.”

Everyone stared, unsure how to respond, only feeling awkward.

“You’re mistaken. I didn’t defeat Upper Rank Six—it was Zero. He killed him alone.”

At the mention of Zero, Ikkyu Shobu bristled—but then thought better of it.

Besides, Kanao was here.

“Tch. So it was Zero? Of course. He dares to punch Muichiro himself—how could he fail against a mere Upper Rank Six? He wouldn’t deserve the title of Pillar otherwise.”

Ikkyu Shobu sneered, then turned and walked away without looking back.

Iebi Kaban sneered and turned away without looking back.

No one spoke. Silence settled over the group.

And a faint scent of vinegar lingered in the air.

No need to guess who it came from.

…………

“Given the force of the explosion, they must’ve been thrown this way…”

Based on the blast’s direction, Zero quickly located the severed heads of Jigoro and Daki.

But the siblings were arguing.

Daki: “Brother, you’re supposed to be strong! Why didn’t you save me?! Why did you lose?! If you’d killed that white-haired demon hunter sooner, none of this would’ve happened!”

Jigoro: “Didn’t you see I was fighting a Pillar?! That Pillar isn’t easy to beat! In Infinity Castle, all the Upper Ranks and Muichiro himself couldn’t touch him! And another Pillar was watching us!”

“And why didn’t you kill those three brats first and come help me?!”

Daki: “I was about to! Those three brats gave me no chance! That brat with the earrings—he used some trick that stopped me from regenerating!”

Jigoro: “Then why didn’t you just run?! How can you fail at something so simple?!”

Zero stood nearby, watching the two heads argue, expressionless.

Though their backstory was tragic, they had harmed humans—they must pay the price.

It was only fate’s cruel irony that they were born in such a harsh age.

“Zero-nii.” Tanjiro arrived with Nezuko to see what was happening.

“Big Brother Zero.” Tanjiro arrived here with Nezuko to see what was going on.

Zero raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence—watch, and you’ll understand.

“Shut up! You call yourself Upper Rank Six, yet you got killed by three brats?! You’re an idiot!”

Jigoro roared, and the siblings fell silent.

As if wounded, Daki snapped: “...You’re not my brother! You’re a monster! We’re not even related—you don’t look anything like me!”

“You’re useless! Aside from being strong, you have no redeeming qualities—zero worth! Now you’ve lost, you’re worthless! Just a pathetic monster!”

Daki vented every bitter thought, blaming her brother entirely, never considering herself.

“What the hell?!” Jigoro shouted, lashing out: “I saved you countless times! You’d be dead without me! You’re the useless one! Weak, worthless! I regret every second I protected you!”

“If you’d never been born, my life wouldn’t be like this! Why must I keep cleaning up your messes?! You shouldn’t have been born in the first place—”

His words were cut off as Tanjiro clamped a hand over his mouth.

“No… you don’t mean it. You’re lying…” Tanjiro couldn’t bear to see them keep fighting—he covered Jigoro’s mouth.

He could tell—Jigoro didn’t mean those words.

“Make peace. You’re siblings who rely on each other. No one will forgive what you’ve done…”

“No one will be your ally—so at least stop hurling insults at each other…”

These words left Jigoro and Daki silent, staring at each other.

As Daki’s head began to vanish, she cried out: “I’m sorry, brother! I just… I can’t accept it! I don’t want to die—I…”

Just as the Fallen Maiden’s head was about to vanish, she cried out: “Sorry, brother! I just can’t accept it… I really can’t accept it! Quickly think of a way to save me, I don’t want to die, I…”

Before Duoji could finish speaking, she turned to ash and vanished before Jigoro’s eyes.

“Mei!!”

At that moment, Jigoro shouted his sister’s human name.

Memories in his mind flashed by like a revolving lantern.

“Yes, I remember now—my sister’s name is ‘Mei,’ not this ugly name ‘ Duoji .’ No, even ‘Mei’ is an ugly name…”

Jigoro recalled his past with his sister…

They were born on the banks of the Rōshōmon River, the lowest part of the pleasure district…

At birth, they nearly died several times…

Because he was ugly, he was always shunned…

He often went hungry, eating poisonous insects, snakes, and ants when hungry, drinking water from filthy gutters when thirsty…

His toys were the sickles left behind by clients…

The only thing he ever took pride in was his little sister—Mei—who, even as a child, possessed a beauty rivaling any angel’s.

Later, he discovered he was a skilled fighter, so he became a debt collector…

Until the year his sister turned thirteen, Mei poked out a samurai’s eye with a hairpin…

Because his sister was innocent and easily influenced, he often told her: “Before others take from you, take from them first! Before others demand from you, demand from them first!”

That night, he returned to find his sister bound and burned alive by the samurai and the madam…

After killing the samurai and the madam with his own hands, he carried his sister alone through the snowstorm-lashed streets…

No one offered them help…

Just as the siblings’ lives were about to end, Upper Rank Six, Dōma, encountered them and gave them his blood…

If I cannot be happy, neither shall anyone else…

Jigoro had no regrets about becoming a demon—only guilt toward his sister.

If not for me, she might have lived a better life…

【Mei, you and I are not the same.】

Finally, Jigoro’s head also turned to ash and dispersed into the air.

Tanjiro felt sympathy for the siblings.

But he would not forgive their deeds.

“Zero-brother… do you think they’ll reconcile?”

“Yes. After all… they are the only family who can rely on each other.”

“Really? Then that’s wonderful…”

“Let’s go. We need to return.”

Immediately, Zero took Nezuko’s hand and rejoined the group, preparing to leave Yoshiwara.

As they walked, Zero suddenly noticed something else:

Tanjiro’s sword—was it alright…?

Based on the previous two lessons, every time Tanjiro fought a Lower or Upper Rank demon, his sword broke…

This time shouldn’t be any different…

“Tanjiro, I have a question for you.”

“What is it, Zero-brother? Ask.”

“Where is your sword?”

“My sword…”

Tanjiro suddenly realized—his sword was gone again!

“Damn it, my sword!”

He panicked and ran back to search frantically for his Nichirin Blade.

He silently prayed—please, let nothing be wrong with it!

Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable…

He still trembled at the memory of being hunted down by Kōtetsu Hanae.

“Hmm… ah, your sword Zhongjiu still couldn’t escape this tragic fate… Is this destiny?”

Then, he left with Nezuko.

The sky gradually began to lighten.

Zero had Nezuko return to her wooden box to avoid the sunlight.

He looked around—the Insect Hashira members were handling matters, and everyone else had gathered.

But Tanjiro seemed off—he sat alone atop the rubble.

Zero went over to see what was wrong.

“It’s over… the sword broke again… it’s over…”

Tanjiro kept repeating the same phrase.

Faintly, Zero thought he saw a white spirit floating out of Tanjiro’s mouth.

In its hand, it held his Nichirin Blade—broken cleanly in two.

Earlier, Zero had timely protected everyone with his [Quantum Shield].

But in the instant of the explosion’s shockwave, Uzui Tengen, carrying three people, stumbled and fell.

Tanjiro, due to inertia, also fell to the ground, losing his grip on the Nichirin Blade, which flew away.

When he returned to search, he spent a long time finding it—buried beneath the rubble.

Though he found it, it had been crushed into two pieces by fallen wooden beams and bricks…

This sword… how to put it?

It still couldn’t escape its fate of breaking.

“Ah~ Tanjiro, perhaps… this is your destiny,” Zero patted Tanjiro’s shoulder.

He could do nothing about it.

He could only leave it to fate.

So Zero decided to buy several watermelons on the way back.

“Zero, your battle was magnificent! By the way, would you like to come to my place for a hot spring bath?”

Uzui Tengen, accompanied by his three wives, invited Zero.

“My house is quite large—several people bathing together won’t be a problem at all~”

Zero, carrying Kanao’s body, thought for a moment. Since there was nothing urgent ahead, a hot spring bath sounded good—he agreed.

“Alright. I can’t refuse such generous hospitality.”

“Hahaha! That’s magnificent! You’re always welcome with your magnificent presence!”

Kyojuro, walking beside Zero, pondered how to retaliate against Uzui Tengen for his earlier actions.

…………