Chapter 837: Hope
Chapter 837: Hope
"So it's you," Butterfly Ninja exclaimed, then paused as if understanding something. No wonder the girl before her felt so peculiar, neither ghost nor human. Her eerie speed and unknown strength were also something she had never encountered before. It all made sense now; she was the little girl that Maple Night had taken away years ago. That explained everything.
"So, you're saving them because that's what the Great One wants?" Butterfly Ninja sheathed her Nichirin Blade and asked. If it was Maple Night's wish to spare Mizu's life, she would have no objections. After all, it would be like receiving a divine prophecy, and no one could defy it.
Kanro hesitated for a moment but quickly understood who Butterfly Ninja was referring to. She shook her head, "No, I just want to save them. They are all kind people."
"..." Butterfly Ninja sigantly covered her forehead, "Is that your own idea? But you don't know that once you become a ghost, you can never turn back into a human. You are already under the control of evil and are our enemy."
Kanro tilted her head, "But it's not impossible to turn a ghost back into a human, is it?"
This statement caused Butterfly Ninja to pause in her tracks. Based on her research on ghosts so far, she had not found a way to turn a ghost back into a human. But if it was Maple Night who intervened, even a ghost might be able to regain their humanity.
Just as Butterfly Ninja was deep in thought, Immortal Uchiyama and Tomioka Giyu had already walked over.
"What's going on? Who is she, and do you know her?" Immortal Uchiyama frowned, eyeing Kanro with suspicion. He was naturally displeased with the sudden appearance of someone wanting to shield a ghost.
Butterfly Ninja placed her hand on her chin as if deep in thought, "How should I put it... Well, she's a... she should be considered a shrine maiden."
"Shrine maiden? What's that?" Immortal Uchiyama looked confused.
However, Tomioka Giyu understood immediately. His eyes widened as he looked at Kanro, but when he saw that Immortal Uchiyama had not caught on, he explained, "The job of a shrine maiden is..."
Immortal Uchiyama's eyes widened as he finally understood.
The job of a shrine maiden was to serve the gods!
And as far as they knew, there was only one true god in this world.
"So, this is the will of the Great One?" Immortal Uchiyama's lips twitched. If it was indeed the will of Maple Night, then they had no choice but to obey.
But Butterfly Ninja smiled and said, "It doesn't seem to be the Great One's intention. It's this shrine maiden's own idea."
Clang!
Butterfly Ninja sheathed her Nichirin Blade. She no longer intended to harm Mizu, even though it wasn't Maple Night's wish. She didn't want to get into a conflict with Kanro, this 'shrine maiden,' especially since Kanro's words had given her something to think about. If Maple Night was willing to intervene, perhaps Mizu could be saved.
However, pleading with Maple Night for help was no easy task. The Demon Slayer Corps desperately wanted Maple Night to help them eradicate the evil ghosts, but they didn't even dare to make such a request.
Kanro turned to Immortal Uchiyama and said softly, "They are all kind people, and they have never harmed anyone. Please give them a chance."
Immortal Uchiyama frowned, "But she's already a ghost..."
"Ghosts can also turn back into humans," Kanro insisted.
"You mean... but that's probably very difficult, isn't it? Have you received permission?" Immortal Uchiyama understood Kanro's intentions and asked in a low voice.
Kanro shook her head, "I haven't received any divine messages in a long time."
"Then how dare you—" Immortal Uchiyama felt like scolding her. He had thought that Kanro had received permission from Maple Night, but it turned out that it was all the shrine maiden's one-sided decision.
Swish!
Enraged, Immortal Uchiyama drew his Nichirin Blade and swung it at Mizu.
Kanro expressionlessly pressed the firewood sword downward.
Boom!
The invisible wind blade that Immortal Uchiyama had slashed was forced down into the snow, creating a gully several meters long in the snow, but it didn't even touch Mizu.
If Kanro's previous action of blocking Butterfly Ninja's attack had been too fast for them to see clearly, this time, they all understood the depth of Kanro's strength. Immortal Uchiyama's attack couldn't even get past her guard!
Even though Immortal Uchiyama was furious, he knew that it was impossible to get past Kanro to attack Mizu.
"Forget it!"
Undead River Real sheathed his Nichirin Blade but said sternly, "However, if she harms ordinary people from now on... I will definitely cut her down!"
After speaking, Undead River Realm's Yahiko turned and leaped away, disappearing into the forest.
It was only then that Tanjiro, who had been ignored to the side, finally stepped forward and asked, "Nezuko, what's going on...?"
Nezuko looked at Tanjiro and said softly, "There are some things I can't tell you, but there is a way for Muzan to become human again."
"Really? How?"
Tanjiro was so eager to know that he didn't even bother to ask about Nezuko's situation.
Nezuko didn't answer but looked towards Butterfly Ninja instead.
Butterfly Ninja thought for a moment and said, "There is indeed one person who might be able to turn a demon back into a human."
Tanjiro immediately knelt and bowed to Butterfly Ninja, pleading, "Then... can you tell me where the person who can save my sister is?"
Butterfly Ninja shook her head. "I know where he is, but first, he might not want to see you, and second, he might not be willing to help you. Moreover, I can't tell you where he is."
"Why not?" Tanjiro asked, looking at her.
Butterfly Ninja remained silent, then turned to look at Tomioka Giyu.
The matter of Maple Night was an absolute secret within the Demon Slayer Corps, and it was naturally impossible to tell outsiders about it. Nezuko was an exception, but Tanjiro was just an irrelevant person.
Tomioka Giyu understood this as well and hesitated for a moment before finally making a decision. "I can't tell you either, but if you become a demon slayer, you might have a chance to find out."
Tomioka Giyu still wanted to give Tanjiro some hope.
Although it was a slim chance.
After all, to learn about Maple Night's existence, one would have to become a demon slayer, join the Demon Slayer Corps, and—become a Pillar!
It was already difficult to pass through the trials of cultivation, even harder to pass the Demon Slayer Corps' entrance exam, and becoming a Pillar was even more challenging. Countless demon slayers had to struggle between life and death to even have a chance at reaching the Pillar level.
Moreover, even if one became a Pillar and gained access to information about Maple Night, going to see him and asking for his help was no easy task. Maple Night might not even be willing to see them or lend a hand.
"Please let me become a demon slayer."
Without any hesitation, Tanjiro immediately responded.
No matter what it took, as long as he could save his sister, he would do his best.
"That's quite a difficult path."
Butterfly Ninja looked at Tanjiro and smiled faintly. "But perhaps you can do it."
Swish!
After speaking, she leaped away and disappeared from the spot.
Only Tomioka Giyu was left, and he glanced at Tanjiro before saying, "Go and visit an old man named Uzui Tengen, who lives at the foot of the Mist Valley Mountain. Tell him you were sent by Tomioka Giyu, and that should be enough."
"Also, your sister is already a demon and cannot be exposed to sunlight."
Tomioka Giyu gave Tanjiro a few instructions before turning to leave as well.
Only Tanjiro, Muzan, and Nezuko were left in the clearing.
"Nezuko... I..."
Tanjiro looked at Nezuko, hesitated for a moment, and then his sadness overwhelmed him.
Nezuko looked at him quietly for a moment before speaking softly, "Go now. You can do it. Your destiny is unique, and you must believe in yourself."
In the past, with her near-omniscient perspective, she had seen the past and knew about Tanjiro and the Sun Breathing technique. Tanjiro was indeed a special existence, and perhaps Maple Night had arranged for her to live in this town because of this.
"I'm leaving now."
Nezuko bid Tanjiro a simple farewell and then disappeared from sight as well.
(End of Chapter)
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