Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

There was no point in talking about gathering intel on Muzan Kibutsuji right now — Kawanishi was already filled with doubt just seeing how unsure Hōjō Chaji seemed about even making it to Asakusa.

"How could I have gotten lost? My mind's just a little dazed from your beating."

"Anyway, I'm leaving. See you in Asakusa."

With that, and under Kawanishi's skeptical gaze, Hōjō Chaji turned decisively — though in completely the wrong direction — and quickly walked away.

Beneath his crying-face mask, Chaji wore an awkward expression, thankfully hidden.

He'd never been able to tell east from west — a fact that had plagued him since childhood and had become a running joke in his ninja village.

How's a ninja supposed to get by if he can't even navigate? Damn it — people should just say 'left' and 'right!' Why make it so complicated?

This world really is cruel to those with no sense of direction…

He quickened his pace, practically running off, and soon disappeared from Kawanishi's view.

Kawanishi called out after him:

"Hey! Don't die!"

Traveling to Asakusa to investigate was no small matter. It was extremely dangerous — after all, Tsukihiko was very likely Muzan Kibutsuji himself. Investigating him was like dancing on the edge of death.

Though Kawanishi hadn't known Chaji for long, he felt a strong connection. They were alike: both demons who had overcome their urges and clung to their humanity.

Don't die out there, Hōjō Chaji…

After lingering a little longer before his family's graves, Kawanishi finally approached his old house.

The door, which he had once broken down, had been repaired, and though the interior was still dusty, it was clearly cleaned up — probably by Tanjiro.

Looking up at the faint stars overhead, Kawanishi muttered:

"I'm going to find Tanjiro and Nezuko now. I hope there won't be any more misfortune."

With a whoosh, he unfurled his wings and shot into the sky like a streak of black light.

Rapidly ascending, the mountains shrank beneath him, becoming like toys he could hold in his palm.

"Sagiri Mountain..."

The mountaintop stood out like a crane among chickens — a layer of faint mist wrapped around it, distorting the light and blurring the outlines.

"There it is — Sagiri Mountain. Tanjiro, Nezuko, I'm coming to find you…"

He couldn't wait any longer.

With his six wings folded tightly, Kawanishi shot forward like an arrow, flying straight toward Sagiri Mountain.

In no time, he reached the mountain's base. After landing, he deactivated his demon form, reverting to his human appearance.

He believed Tanjiro would recognize him, even in his current state.

Searching for a while, Kawanishi soon spotted a clearing with a modest wooden house — the only building on this part of the mountain.

"Tanjiro should be in there…"

Twitching his nose, he picked up two scents: one human, and another that was both familiar and strange — part human, part demon, very much like Hōjō Chaji's.

But that familiar note… could it be Nezuko?

"What's going on?"

"Did Nezuko become a demon too? Is that why I mistakenly thought she'd died, and when Tanjiro returned, she had already turned? So he took her away?"

Kawanishi had been mentally prepared for this possibility ever since reading Tanjiro's message.

"But who's the human in there?"

Then, to his surprise, the human scent vanished from inside the house — appearing suddenly, right behind him.

Without a sound, someone had slipped behind him. A cold gleam flashed toward his neck.

In an instant, Kawanishi demonized and blocked the strike with his steel-hard hand. Metal clanged as blades met.

Bang!

He instinctively kicked backward, but the assailant deftly struck his ankle tendon with the sword hilt, making his leg go numb.

"That hurt…"

The man had perfectly targeted his weak point, leaving Kawanishi unable to exert force.

"Black Severing Blade!"

Crimson energy gathered in his hands as he summoned his blade from his arsenal. Spinning with the momentum, he slashed behind him with tremendous force.

"Huh?"

The attack sliced empty air. Kawanishi spun fully around — and finally saw his opponent.

It was a man wearing a menacing tengu mask. He wore a blue haori patterned with waves and held a Nichirin Blade angled downward. A simple gray sheath hung from his waist.

Everything about him radiated danger. Even the blade's gleam made Kawanishi's eyes sting.

This was a powerful human.

Judging by his gray-white hair and slender, veined hands, he was clearly an elderly man.

"I let my guard down, and he got behind me without a sound…"

"Not even the faintest footstep. His body control is terrifying."

"He must be from the house. And he carries a Nichirin Blade — likely a Demon Slayer Corps member. But since Nezuko is here and unharmed, he hasn't attacked her."

"Tanjiro — is this the person you sought on Sagiri Mountain?"

Kawanishi spread his six wings wide, his eyes locked on the old man — ready to flee at the slightest threat.

It wasn't cowardice — the masked man's gaze cut through him like blades. This was not someone he could take lightly.

Meanwhile, behind the tengu mask, Urokodaki Sakonji silently studied Kawanishi.

Even with his demonic fangs and face, Sakonji immediately recognized the resemblance to Tanjiro.

Tanjiro… this must be your brother. He really did come looking for you.

Your whole family truly is extraordinary.

Tanjiro possesses a keen sense of smell like mine, capable of sensing emotions and distinguishing humans from demons.

Nezuko, though turned into a demon, suppresses her instincts and even protects humans.

And now, this Kamado eldest son, though freshly turned, is already this powerful. Those six wings behind him clearly aren't for show — I doubt I could keep him here if he wished to flee.

What's more, like Nezuko, he carries no trace of human blood on his breath… Truly remarkable.

But how has he gained such strength without feeding, while Nezuko requires long slumber to recover?

Hmm? His breathing… strange… He's using a form of Total Concentration Breathing I've never seen. Self-taught, perhaps. Crude, but impressive.

Under Kawanishi's guarded gaze, Urokodaki finally sheathed his Nichirin Blade with a crisp click.

After observing him for a long moment, he finally spoke in his deep voice:

"Kamado Kawanishi, Tanjiro has been waiting for you for a long time…"

(End of chapter)