"Nezuko's Trial"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's revelation sent shockwaves through the Hashira. All eyes, except for Aoki's, turned to him and Tanjiro. Tengen Uzui blurted out, "No way! None of the Hashira have encountered Muzan Kibutsuji. Wait, Aoki is a Hashira… but that's not the point. What does he look like? What are his abilities? Where did you meet him?"
Muichiro Tokito asked, "Did you fight?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa demanded, "What was Muzan doing? Did you find his lair? Answer!"
Aoki sighed at their excitement. "Let me say something you might not like: you should be grateful you haven't encountered Muzan Kibutsuji. Unless two or more Hashira face him simultaneously, there's virtually no chance of survival."
"What do you mean?" Sanemi Shinazugawa asked, his eyes narrowing.
Aoki glanced at him. "Use your brains. You all clamor to kill Muzan Kibutsuji, but have you considered that even the Upper Moons of the Twelve Kizuki are a challenge? Where's your confidence in defeating someone stronger than them?"
"You're annoying!" Sanemi Shinazugawa gripped his Nichirin Sword, ready for a fight. Kagaya Ubuyashiki gestured for silence, stopping him. The others quieted down.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke calmly. "Muzan Kibutsuji sent people after Aoki and Tanjiro, likely to silence them. This is our first real lead on Muzan Kibutsuji, and I won't give up. Nezuko may have undergone unforeseen changes, even Muzan Kibutsuji didn't anticipate. I hope you understand."
The Hashira were silent for a moment. Sanemi Shinazugawa spoke again, objecting.
"I cannot comply, Master. A human might be spared, but not a demon. We Demon Slayers risk our lives fighting demons, making huge sacrifices. I cannot accept this."
He drew his Nichirin Sword, cutting his arm, letting blood drip onto the stone floor. "Master, let me prove how vile demons are."
He placed Nezuko's box on the ground, stepping on it, letting his blood drip onto the box. "Demon, it's feeding time. Bite me."
Tanjiro tried to stop him, but Aoki restrained him.
"Don't move. Observe," Aoki said calmly.
Tanjiro gritted his teeth, watching the blood soak the box. Nezuko, curled inside, fought against her bloodlust. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her claws scratching the box.
"Shinazugawa, not in the sun," Obanai Iguro warned. "Demons can't stay out in sunlight."
Sanemi Shinazugawa lifted the box and leaped into the shade.
"Excuse me, Master."
He threw the box down and stabbed it with his Nichirin Sword.
"Nezuko!"
Tanjiro yelled, but Aoki held him down.
"Calm down!" Aoki shouted, though his own jaw was clenched. He didn't want to see Nezuko hurt, but letting Tanjiro intervene might worsen the situation.
"It's okay, Nezuko won't die. Trust her. She can endure," Aoki said, though unsure himself. If Nezuko failed, he, Tanjiro, Giyu Tomioka, and Urokodaki Sakonji would commit seppuku.
"Come out, demon! This is the human blood you crave!" Sanemi Shinazugawa stabbed the box repeatedly, Nezuko's cries echoing.
He pried open the box. Nezuko slowly stood, sweat dripping, saliva pooling from her mouth, her eyes narrowed and fierce. She was at her limit.
She stared at Sanemi Shinazugawa's bleeding arm, letting out a low growl.
Sanemi Shinazugawa taunted, "What's wrong, demon? Come on, you're hungry, aren't you?"
Nezuko saw her family in her mind, and Urokodaki Sakonji's words: "Humans are your family. Protect them."
She repeated internally, "Protect humans. Help humans. Don't harm humans. Never harm humans."
She suppressed her bloodlust, turning her head away from Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Sanemi Shinazugawa was shocked. He hadn't expected Nezuko to resist. His blood was potent, equivalent to fifty people's.
"What happened?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked a child.
The child replied, "The demon girl turned her head away. Even after being stabbed multiple times, she resisted biting the bloody arm offered to her."
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