"Judgment of the Hashira (Part 2)"
"I have a question for this young man," Shinobu Kocho said, turning to Tanjiro. "You, a Demon Slayer, acted with a demon. It's your sister, but she's still a demon, violating Corps rules. Explain yourself."
"No need for an explanation," Tengen Uzui said, drawing his Nichirin Swords. "Let me execute him."
"No," Shinobu Kocho interrupted. "Let's hear his explanation."
Tanjiro stepped forward. "My sister—"
Before he could finish, sharp pains shot through his body, causing him to cough violently.
Shinobu Kocho produced a gourd and offered it to Tanjiro. "Drink some water."
After glancing at Aoki, who nodded, Tanjiro drank deeply.
"It has pain relief," Shinobu Kocho explained.
Tanjiro swallowed. "My sister… she's a demon, but she's never eaten a human. She never has, and never will. She even fights alongside the Demon Slayers, for humanity!"
A figure appeared—Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, carrying Nezuko's box. Bloodshot eyes glared at Tanjiro. "This idiot's protecting a demon? What's going on?"
Panic filled Tanjiro's eyes at the sight of Nezuko.
Mitsuri Kanroji: "Shinazugawa-san, you have more scars. So handsome!"
A "Hidden" Demon Slayer rushed in. "Shinazugawa-sama, please! Put down the box!"
Shinobu Kocho, rising from her crouch, said, "Shinazugawa, don't act rashly."
Mitsuri Kanroji: "Shinobu-san seems angry. Rare. So handsome!"
Ignoring Shinobu Kocho, Sanemi Shinazugawa glared at Tanjiro. "You said what? A demon fighting for humanity? Ridiculous!"
He drew his Nichirin Sword and stabbed the box, Nezuko letting out a moan. Blood stained the blade.
Tanjiro, enraged by the attack on his sister, shouted, "You dare harm my sister?! I won't forgive you, no matter who you are!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa intensified his attack. He withdrew his sword, wiping the blood. "Interesting."
Tanjiro roared and charged.
"Stop! The Master is arriving!" Giyu Tomioka shouted, startling Sanemi Shinazugawa. Tanjiro was already upon him.
Tanjiro dodged a strike and headbutted Sanemi Shinazugawa, knocking him to the ground.
A dull thud echoed. Sanemi Shinazugawa convulsed.
Aoki clicked his tongue. He knew the force of Tanjiro's headbutt. A casual strike had once caused a minor fracture to his fist. Sanemi Shinazugawa, having received a full-force headbutt, likely suffered a concussion.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, bleeding from the nose, glared at Tanjiro. "You bastard! I'll kill you!"
He raised his sword, but his arm was grabbed. Aoki had appeared beside him.
"That Shunshin again. He's a ninja, isn't he?" Uzui Tengen thought.
"What's this, Aoki? Think you can get away with anything now that you're a Hashira?" Sanemi Shinazugawa snarled.
Aoki chuckled. "Sorry, Shinazugawa. He's my junior brother. And that demon is his sister, essentially my sister too. I won't let you kill them."
His tone turned cold. "Anyone who harms someone important to me will die, even if I have to chase them to hell."
Shinobu Kocho's expression flickered with surprise, then complexity.
Aoki continued, "Honestly, if I were even slightly more bloodthirsty, you wouldn't be talking to me now. You'd be dead."
Rage filled Sanemi Shinazugawa's face. He understood Aoki's implication—their previous fight. If Aoki had been more ruthless, Sanemi Shinazugawa would be dead.
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