Act 16: Farewell Our Flame
Rise of the Demon King Tanjiro VS Demon Slayer Nezuko
**Originally posted in Fanfiction and Archive**
Published: 04-24-20 - Finished: 07-16-22
Kanon58: visit tapas dot com to support my own manga titled 'Paradox Mansion' lolz do subscribe! I just read the donut manga, I mean Rengoku Gaiden. Now am back to hypeeee!
As Said English sucks so do Not Except it to be written beautifully or whatever. I'm doing this out of pure fangirling and fantasy.
No Flames you are not a Breath Flame User xD
My fan cover songs please check them, type on youtube:
Kimetsu No Yaiba From The Edge English [JeanaSama] (Full version!)
"Kamado Nezuko No Uta Nezuko Theme Song Demon Slayers" I use it to inspire myself on writing this fanfic...hope you like it too!
No Flames you are not a Breath Flame User xD
COME ON BARE WITH ME IM SORRY D:
REVIEW To inspire me to update. ROLF
Visit my dying chicken Gurenge Eng Cover thanks type youtube "Gurenge English Lyrics - Kimetsu No Yaiba [JeanaSama]"
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A voice of a bully echoes.
"Oi, owl face."
Senjuro turns his head and found smaller figure, it was the demon medical boy Yushiro.
Unsure how to response to his rudeness, Senjuro made a crack up smile as he scratches his cheeks. "E-ehh...My name is Senjuro though."
Yushiro huffs and disregarded his feelings, not apologizing of course.
"Whatever, I suck at remembering names since human has short life. Remembering their names is pretty useless to me anyway~" wondering why his attention is called between the hallway of Butterfly estate. "U-um, Yushiro-san right? Ehehe...do you need something from me?" Continuing to be polite, Yushiro still did not return a smile but with grumpiness as he explained his reasons on stopping him from going. "I heard you will visit your father. I gave everyone their blue spider lily vile and I forgot to give yours." He handed him the blue vile. "Here." Accepting it and carefully lifted it with his fingers to see it's content, it looks magical. "Oh."
Yushiro looks away and shyly advices him. "Use it if you are in danger." And turns his back to walk away. Senjuro hurried to catch up though. "W-wait Yushiro-san!"
Stopping, "What is it?" Yushiro saw Senjuro's politeness with a smile that kinda reminds him of Tanjiro's gratitude. "Thank you! You are a nice demon. You must be good friends with Tanjiro niisan." Blushing and crossing his arms angrily. "Stupid, am not friends with Tanjiro or anything!" Senjuro laughs and shrugs. "Ehehe, Maybe!"
Rolling his eyes, Yushiro points at the Smoke Pillar. "Just go to whatever you are about to set journey!"
With that he says goodbye to Yushiro.
"Alright, I will be back."
Watching him leave, inside Yushiro's pockets remained two cylinder glass.
Touching them with unwavering determination for his mission to be alive at this very moment.
"Now this two vile left...Is for that Water Pillar and for Tanjiro..."
Consciously pulling out the beautiful hairpin from his chest pockets as his loneliness eases with it.
"Tamayo-sama, please continue to guide me."
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During the event Nezuko was poisoned by Shinobu and took Sanemi away.
["Don't you have another vile of antidote? Nezuko is poisoned isn't she?" Yushiro sighs and fierce his eyebrows. "I do have one but...It was for Tanjiro's."
Yushiro did not want to use it actually, even though he can make another one. Giyuu had to point it out loud. "You mean, you only have one antidote left?" Yushiro was smack by that fact and he is angry at himself, trying to control his anger by his fist closed and secured he breaths out the pressure he was feeling all this time.
"For now yes...am still about to make a new one before the Blue Spider Lily samples drought...but.." Giyuu grabs his collar and shakes him. "Why are you hesitating?!"
Unable to make an eye contact, Yushiro closed his eyes to relax and admitted what could be the reason behind him getting hesitant.
"...I lack an ingredient for the new antidote...We need to take a blood directly from Tanjiro's. And the previous demon blood we got from demon guards is for the latest last antidote that I will now use to Nezuko..." Giyuu hissed and released Yushiro's collar.
"Use it!" He commands him.
By using it, Yushiro has one chance to make the perfect antidote by the remaining blue spider lilies samples he receive.]
Yushiro cannot help but get worried to be true as he is here in his lab experimenting and mixing fluids of art.
"I wonder if it's enough. We cannot use more of it...if we do Tanjiro will loose his opportunity to be human again."
The ending of this battle is very near.
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Uzui Tengen stuck in his home but it was not even the slightest comforting ever since it was taken over by Tanjiro and his beloved demon guard Rengoku Kyoujiro's replica. It was strange Tanjiro suddenly disappeared and Kyoujiro is calm about it. Uzui is always careful but he is definitely good at asking questions, and today is the day that he dared to speak again his curiosity.
"Where did king Tanjiro go?" Somehow it sounds with slight mockery but he knows he is still a hostage and his whole clan is under the mercy of this demon. "And who are you to ask that Sound Pillar?" Kyoujiro who already had doubts on his sudden approach. Uzui chuckles and continued to act. "Don't be a stranger, just call me Uzui, is fine." He wanted to use the method of completely surrender like he is fine with this but absolutely not.
Kyoujiro decided to entertain him. "Very well then Uzui Tengen- but Uzui cuts him off with a tease. "Flamboyantly deaf?"
Somehow that made Kyoujiro off guard to his secret plans, he even had a oblivious embarrass cheeks. "Ehm, fine...Uzui right?" Uzui made his head nod two times to look silly and pleased. "Yes, yes." Because he did not feel any ill intent when the Sound pillar spoke to him, Kyoujiro proudly states. "Tanjiro-sama went ahead to save one of our comrades." Uzui went pale a bit.
"Wait...you mean..." Kyoujiro is still a demon after all, he showed him his evil smirk and adoration to their lord. "Oh~" but then he perk his head up and it bothers Uzui. "What is it?!" In a hurry, Kyoujiro chuckles and shared more of their success. "Just now, a memory has been transmitted to me. Tanjiro-sama has captured the Flower Pillar to become his queen."
To hear the people he knows it is not funny right?
"WHAT!?"
Uzui lost his composure a bit then rationally think deeply of the situation.
'Flower Pillar means...that silent girl named Kanao that was took under the wings of Shinobu when she was still alive. What more Tanjiro plans to make her his queen!? Things have turned very worst...I need to do something from the shadows or else my pride as a Shinobi will utterly be hypocrisy...But I cannot contact anyone or endanger my clan further.' Shaking off negative thoughts. 'To think of it, we always drink lately...Senjuro's dad. If...If he is still smart he can sense something is wrong as one of the previous Flame pillar...message should be easy to understand even without words. I could try this, but the risk...what about the risk...?' He has to take a chance now or never, Kyoujiro keep on speaking for his cheers to king Tanjiro.
"Also Tanjiro-sama has obtain the Marechi, hm~hm! Everything is going according to plan."
Uzui twitches and wish he can perish the thoughts but... 'Even Sanemi huh...' the Sound pillar starting to doubt if he should even keep this act on till rescue or he has to risk his life once more? He frankly wanted to live in peace that is why he retire besides of being unable to fight with an incomplete body. 'Tanjiro had stray afar? Is he really going to be Muzan's successor? Wait, what am talking about? He is already the king of demons by the 2years have passed...!'
But then this isn't the time to hesitate and be afraid.
'Right, I will lure that drunk card here!'
Which is why Uzui Tengen used his option to make the demon Kyoujiro confused.
"You know what...you have change indeed Kyoujiro." He used a mellow tone and it made Kyoujiro arch an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" Kyoujiro doesn't remember anything about being a human or his past except how Tanjiro had created him and Tanjiro's suffering from cravings. Seeing that Kyoujiro took the bait, Uzui pursue his plan to throttle his head.
"I know you do not remember but you were a former Pillar. The flame pillar to be exact...but a demon killed you. You have abandon your little brother Rengoku Senjuro and your drunk card Rengoku Shinjuro. I wonder how hey will feel about you now?"
Kyoujiro twitches. "I don't know what you are babbling about out of nowhere, however..." he pointed his blade to Uzui's neck to threat. "You can't poison my mind to think of anything else besides of serving and loving Tanjiro-sama."
Uzui cant help but mentally smirk. 'He says that but his demon eyes resembles a confused cat right now.'
Right, this is enough to confuse and make the rescue come sooner.
(Flashback)
Rengoku Senjuro went to his father. Basically their home.
"Father~!" Cheerfully he ran towards his father Shinjuro who look better. Terms of better he had muscular body. He seems to have trained back his old body. "Senjuro!" His eyes speak relief. Holding Senjuro's shoulders. "Quick! Something is wrong!"
"Eh?" Senjuro who arrive for a sweet reunion felt nervous whenever his father will say that some thing is off...
"W-what is it?"
Shinjuro looks around then he whispered in his son's ears. "Ever since your mission from the Red Light District. Uzui Tengen did not invite me to drink!"
"What?" Not understanding what was the big deal about it. Senjuro is lost. "Y-you and him are drinking...I see.." sad face. Shinjuro snaps to deny. "Hey! Its just a bit!" Shaking his head. "Wait! That is not the point why I brought that up!" Shaking Senjuro's bulk shoulders. "Lets visit the Shinobi Clan!"
Senjuro declines. "I'm just here for 2 days...after that I has to go back to Oyakata-sama father. I cannot play-" Shinjuro still shakes him. "Shut up! This is strange you know! Uzui and I...we drink but we also help Oyakata-sama in shadows...! So for him to completely stop visiting me...something must have happen!"
Pulling Senjuro by force. "Lets go to the Ninja clan!"
"Ehhhh!?"
The reporting crow silently watching over Senjuro. The crow flew back to Oyakata-sama.
Kiriya Ubuyashiki talks to the crow. "I see...as I suspected...even those who were not really related to Demon Slayer corps anymore...they will be hunt down. I guess no need to order Senjuro the unusual disappearance of Uzui Tengen. Since he and the ex flame pillar will go there..." Looking at the higanbana garden lies before his sight. Kiriya was scared. "I will be 13 years old by next year...and that time...the curse of dying will start to take over my body isn't that right?"
A small butterfly passes through him. "Father..."
...
Reaching the Shinobi clan, they saw a big hole on the ground, the house of Tengen is gone.
As if it was blown up.
Which in reality had happen.
Shinjuro and Senjuro enter the Shinobi Clan's village and found nobody to greet them.
"F-Father," Senjuro asks with sweat drops at his cheeks from the bewildering sight of missing building of Tengen. "What could have happen here you think...? Did they move out?" He nervously chuckles at the end. But Shinjuro, his father narrowed his eyes and can sense it. "Senjuro...there is a demon here."
Senjuro whose still a bit timid despite being a pillar over reacted. "W-WHAT!?"
Shinjuro covers his mouth to hush. "Let's go to the other buildings available." He pointed to the forest skirt. Technically the Shinobu clan has many household inside the village, the one that is visible had disappeared and the other small facilities were just behind bushes.
Senjuro didn't even thought of that but then he look at his back, the burnt parts of the ground. "Is this some kind of fire ball...?" Even though he has not seen a fireball,but according to myths someone can create a fire ball and make a huge destruction to the ground and this actually resemble those.
Gulping from his own scary thoughts, Senjuro followed his father to the other buildings and that is where his greatest fear once more approaches his darkness.
...
Shinjuro stop at his tracks followed by Senjuro.
"N-noway." His father is shaken, Senjuro peeks and found his dead big brother.
'A-aniki!'
Hiding in bushes they saw Uzui talking to the demon guard. Scanning the surrounding with their eyes only they finally notice the residence of Shinobi clan were under quarantine by this demon guard.
Senjuro's heart starts to ache.
*badump*
'I...I remember...' nervously clutching at his haori, he recalls his first encounter to him and how he felt back then versus this present. 'I fought him and thankfully survive with the help of my f-friends...' Despite meeting him before, this shouldn't be scary and still... 'Even so am afraid to face off with the face of my beloved dead big brother...!'
"Haha." Shinjuro let out a sarcastic chuckle and it was helpful to stop Senjuro in his chickening thoughts. "E-eh?" Shinjuro looks at his son who is alive then to Kyoujiro whose a demon.
"Kyoujiro...he is probably intending this as revenge at me. I quit being a demon slayer and now he get to be a demon now to be slain by the likes of us..."
Senjuro frowns and forgot the fact they were hiding.
"ANIKI WOULD NEVER THINK OF THAT WAY TO YOU FATHER!"
Shinjuro's eyes widen and nervous as hell that his growing up remaining son yells at him and the fact that...
"Whose there?"
*BADUMP...!*
Quickly Senjuro pushes off his father down the ground and slowly stood up to reveal his face.
Kyoujiro's demonic irises widens, he recognize him. "You are...that Smoke Pillar when I was looking for Tanjiro-sama."
Senjuro steps out of the bush, meanwhile Shinjuro couldn't say anything but frantically worried as hell. 'No...! Senjuro!' He clawed his nails to the ground in frustration. 'I should be slaying him instead...! Because am...a demon slayer too...' He just didnt thought he will witness today the fight between his two sons that were so close...so close...
That this might broke his heart further.
"S-Senjuro!" Uzui behind Kyoujiro says his name, Kyoujiro's ears twitch and stared at Senjuro's stiffening stance. "I see...so your name is Senjuro huh."
Senjuro just tighten the shut of his lips in response. 'So...this place has been taken over by my big brother.' Just like Tanjiro.
'Calm down, this isn't the first time you will fight him.' With shaky hands he slowly unsheathes his Nichirin sword. 'Fight him, fight him...' wavering eyes. 'Kill him and save these people! For Tanjiro niisan's sake...!' And points his fragile blade of will to his view. Kyoujiro sensed it.
'He is hesitating.'
So he smiles at him to take advantage of it. "Been a while right? We seen each other last at Asakuza Tokyo wasn't?" Senjuro hated it actually, to hear his voice.
To keep reminding himself he isn't his brother at all, he was not even converted. He was just a red liquid from Tanjiro's demon art. Senjuro started to breath heavily. "Hahh...hahh..." the pressure to fight him again and the fear if he would even win against him to protect everyone is there. 'I...I need to kill him before he kills anyone...!' Uzui whose silent spotted Shinjuro crawling on the other side of bushes. 'Shinjuro!' Trying to make eye contact to him, thankfully Shinjuro looks at him and read his eyes.
'Shinjuro, evacuate my people while we are stuck here.' Uzui's eyes said. Shinjuro nods in corresponding, 'I got it. You take care of my son though...'
They were glad that they used to work together before Shinjuro's wife that and made him depress. Leaving Uzui, Sanemi Shinobu, Giyuu and Gyomei hanging as the remaining pillars.
Till Kyoujiro dared to replace him as the flame pillar.
Uzui grins then gave him a serious look. 'I don't really want to die but if time comes, I will aid Senjuro.' With that, Shinjuro decided to run away to alert the hostages to escape. 'Kyoujiro...I miss you but...that one is a demon, not my son!' Deeply he regrets. 'Maybe...just maybe I wanted to apologize to your demon replica, just to satisfy this old man's ugly heart...!' Demon slayer or former, still their job is to make sure the less life of killed people will be saved.
Shinjuro puts his trust to his son now. 'Don't die Senjuro...!'
As for demon Kyoujiro he stabs his sword to the ground and rest his hands onto the sword handle. "Hm~hm~ are you here to fight me again with such weak resolve? Senjuro right...?" He mocks him. Senjuro whose face is darkening made a silent threat.
"...I will defeat you."
"Hm?"
The urge to become stronger and struggle to face him is very visible from his sweat face and shivers' breaths.
Senjuro knows he is the only one who can help right now.
'Am a pillar...so...'
Taking a deep heavy sigh he declares his plans for his opponent. "And free the image of my demon brother to ashes...!"
Hearing the word, 'Brother?!' Kyoujiro got off guard a bit. The smoke pillar forced his shaking and tense body to a fight stance.
"((Ke...Kemuri no kokyuu Ni no kata: Osen ten!)) Breath of Smoke second form smog slash!"
SLASH!
This attack is similar to faint slicing forward but the real aim is to cut off someone's arm. The certain someone sense it and stops it with his demon blade.
CLANG!
Uzui who is useless shouts on their background. "S-Senjuro! Becareful!"
Something makes Kyoujiro's blood boil and ticklish enough to irate him.
Their blades were making sparks and it trembles.
"You...you tell me who are you...? Why, why are you making my head hurt!?" Out of anger, Kyoujiro swung his blade harder and it throw Senjuro far off to the ground.
"K-khh...uwah!"
"Senjuro!"
CRASH!
Seeing the boy at the ground dirtied and quickly beaten, Uzui's body moved.
However...
"Stay where you are Sound Pillar!"
Demon Kyoujiro blocks his way with his blade and threatening glare. Uzui can see it, Kyoujiro is irate on something. "Tsk!" Clicking his tongue, 'Better stay here then, I'm sure Senjuro can fight back right...?' Although he did had doubts on his strength but Uzui know he has no choice but to stay as hostage and hope Shinjuro gets over with the mission to evacuate everyone.
Kyoujiro's face gain vein pops as he revert his attention back to his look a like.
"Grr..."
When Senjuro slowly rolled to stand up his body, Kyoujiro glares at Uzui and yelled. "You...you told me earlier I have a sibling, is this the person you are referring to?!" Senjuro's head perks up. 'Eh? He has...memories...? But how! Isn't he just a replica...?' Both were anxious right now.
Senjuro decided to ignore it and stands again with his blade. He gain bruises but not enough to take him down. 'Senjuro...You can do this!' Trying to be his own number one supporter, Kyoujiro on the other hand growls at the pillar. "Am not anyone's brother! Am Tanjiro-sama's loyal and beloved Demon guard! Anyone who tries to taint my love for my king will be burn alive...!"
Dashing forward his blade to the smoke pillar, Senjuro blocks again but the impact is strong to get himself thrown again at the ground.
"Uwaaah!"
Uzui is not liking the dis-advantage. "Dammit Senjuro! You can do better than that! Fight him! Fight Rengoku Kyoujiro's replica like the last time you did...! Put your big brother replica down...!" The sound pillar rubs his own hair in frustration.
"Guah!"
Senjuro who spits a bit blood but thankfully no broken ribs yet. 'T-that is easy for you to say...but...but...my brother, he maybe a demon but...he definitely looks like him and his belief. Strong and proud...how admirable like back then.' He want to roll his eyes but he wasn't that kind of boy anyway.
Fighting back, Senjuro runs towards his brother with a battle cry. "Haaaahhh...!" When his blade about to reach Kyoujiro's face, it was once again been blocked by the blade.
CLING!
"WEAK!"
And he kicks him, sending Senjuro away for the third time. He spits more blood this time.
"GAAAH!"
This is totally pathetic.
Senjuro's vision and hearing starting to blur and deafening.
Ring...)))
Senjuro stabs the ground to keep himself on falling further his weakening knees. Coughing, "hahh..! Hahh!" Scolding himself mentally as he wipe the blood in his lips by his sleeves. 'Keep it together Senjuro! You cannot die here...! You still have to save Tanjiro...Tanjiro niisan...he...he isnt suppose to be a devil...not that I know...!'
Unaware that Kyoujiro himself is also not in the right condition to mentally fight at the moment.
Senjuro saw a distant memory. The time he met Tanjiro at first hand.
((Flashbacks))
(("Please go down the path you think is right. If there is any body who bad mouths you, I will headbutt them."))
'I was a good boy...'
(("It would be better if you stopped that."))
'I was a weakling...'
(("Eeehhh...!"))
'That is why am someone to be protected...yet...'
The memory jumped to the time Tanjiro showed up at their gates before his fateful battle with Muzan occurs as their last conversation.
Before he became the new demon king.
(("Senjuro...!"))
A happy Tanjiro approaching him with waving hands.
(("Ah, Tanjiro niisan...")) stopping to sweep the front yard.
Senjuro smiles at his senior.
(("You visited again. What is it that you need?"))
He just wanted to be polite but Tanjiro made a offended face before he smiles back at him.
(("What? Can't I visit Rengoku-san's cute little brother?"))
He was teasing him, Senjuro cannot help but blush at his compliment.
(("D-don't say it like that...hehe. Am going to grow up manly like my big brother."))
'Yet...I carelessly make a promise to myself that am bound to fulfill now.'
Tanjiro is very supportive and a great listener.
(("Oh, so you have decided is that it...?")) Senjuro whose naïve to cheerfully share him his dreams.
(("Yes, I want to become stronger. Even if Aniki isn't around anymore...I'm sure he will be proud of me."))
'I remember Tanjiro niisan made a sad smile and I was not able to address it at all.'
(("I respect your decision, but then I also think you should cherish your life and live peacefully with your father...something I cannot obtain at the moment.
Not until Nezuko is back to how she used to be..."))
'Am only good at being polite after all.'
(("Tanjiro niisan..."))
'Nothing but a smoke.'
(("Well then! That's all I want here, to see you again! Got to get going now~!"))
Senjuro giggles and corrected Tanjiro's seriousness.
(("Don't say something like its the last. We will see each other again right, Tanjiro niisan...?"))
Tanjiro chuckles and rubs his back head.
(("Sorry, you are right. So let me rephrase that Senjuro. Ehem...See you later...!"))
And waves like the sunshine he is.
Flash back ended.
'There is something I can do now!'
Gaining confidence from his distant memory with Tanjiro.
Rengoku Senjuro's eyes gain fierceness, slowly he opens them and looks straight ahead to the demon guard.
"You are not my brother anymore."
"Hm?"
Not liking the look at the smoke pillar's eyes, Kyoujiro lend his ears at his bold words.
"Tanjiro niisan is my new brother and I will see him again and tell him that...that am a proud demon slayer like Kyoujiro niichan...!"
Senjuro fix his breathing stance.
(("If you are in danger use it."))
Remembering the vile, he showed it and shatter the vile to soak his blade.
SHATTERS!
Kyoujiro twitches at the obvious threat of that liquid to become one with the Nichirin is dangerous.
'He is serious now? This is...like back then, when we first fought. No, this is a higher level of bloodlust...!'
It was overwhelming, as if the place is getting covered by the flame's smoke.
Senjuro shouts his roar of fight. "Am Rengoku Senjuro! The Smoke Pillar! The remnants of the flame pillar...but the most cutest little brother of Rengoku Kyoujiro and we are loved by our father Rengoku Shinjuro...! The three of us is a big family!"
And attacks.
"Which is why, vanish before me you replica! Go back to Tanjiro's body and don't ever imitate my big brother again...!" His greatest last move.
"((Kemuri no Kokyuu saigo no kata! Tsuiho no Kemuri...!)) Breath of Smoke final form: Smoke Expulsion...!"))
It was a swirling movement to slice off the opponent's neck.
"RAAAAHH!" It reaches Kyoujiro's neck when he just stood there dumbfounded. "SHIT-"
STAB!
"Eh?"
Time stops the moment Uzui saw blood spilling into Senjuro's lips who even questioned what the hell just happend.
"S-Senjuro...H-he was..."
Oh, he was... "...Am...stabbed...?" Kyoujiro's blade pierced his body and speaking of Kyoujiro his neck is bleeding too. "Grrhhh...khh..." so his attack went through but then he was stab at the same time.
Eyes going white, Senjuro coughs blood and utter the kindest rescue all child would have screamed in times of frightening events of their lives.
"Mother..." and fainted.
Kyoujiro's mind felt it.
((DOOMED...!))
Not sure if it was the antidote in effect or the fact that a memory is triggering from unknown source.
When Senjuro's body collapses at his, he pulls out the sword and ended up catching the body of his opponent.
'...What was that?'
His head hurts.
((ACHE!))
"Argh!"
Then an image of black haired woman with reddish eyes appears. The place is a typical japanese room.
What shocks him is he saw Senjuro.
No, it was his face that looks human and is in a child form.
Kring...)))
Things got fuzzy for Kyoujiro and starts to ask himself. 'This memory...is this...me?'
Rengoku Ruka told him.
(("I will not be alive for much longer. It was a blessing to become the mother of such a strong gentle child. Now I beg of you...take care of your little brother Senjuro, besides of protecting the weak. Kyoujiro...I love you."))
His blood boiled, and he cannot believe he will say it too.
The kindest warmth of rescue.
"Mother...?"
"*COUGHS!*"
Hearing the smoke pillar hard coughing of blood, Kyoujiro snaps back to reality and his head looks down to his own arms and there is he...his little brother.
Apparently indeed his brother...! "Senjuro?!"
Rengoku Shinjuro comes back at the right moment. "Uzui Tengen! Your clan there are all evacuate-"
GASP
"Sen..." Eyes shaken, the sight of his remaining son in the arms of the demon guard. "Senjuro...!" The bloody sight of his haori, yes...stained red and redder. Like it is spreading deadly. "Ani...ki...?" Senjuro breathlessy calls him. Demon Kyoujiro starts to show a humane emotion and it is out of place even his words.
"Why...huh..." He was fearful and panicking. "B-blood...blood is gushing out of your body! Hurry, we must block it!"
Senjuro is shock.
'What is going on...?'
Senjuro hope he isnt dellusion because he is dying at the moment. 'Just to confirm...' Slowly his hand reaches the face of the demonic face of Kyoujiro and petted it with a relief smile and confused eyebrows.
'Ahh...Its a flesh and it is warm?'
Tanjiro's demons are actually all warm due to his breath of sun influence.
Which is why they are not afraid of sunlight but they are not alike to Tanjiro whose clearly invincible at the sun.
'I see...It is somehow human...he created for himself or for us...?'
Eventually Senjuro is struggling into a frown to stay wake. "Uhh...That's not it, how come you recall me? Are you perhaps not really my brother's replica from Tanjiro niisan's memory...?"
Something clicks. It was all the words of poison...by the ninja.
"That is...am...am...not sure but..." Kyoujiro's throat felt soar, his neck is slowly regenerating. The attack of Senjuro is truthfully powerful, it was the last form of Smoke breath techniques.
Also the fact that the Nichirin blades were wiped with the demon antidote, it adds more time for him to be able heal.
Shinjuro couldn't move at all as he is believing what he is seeing right now. But not for Uzui who did not except his plan to throttle the demon's mind like Tanjiro would have work.
He thought to finish his job.
The sound of wavering demonic desires of Rengoku Kyoujiro. "No, you are sure of it Kyoujiro."
Looking up to meet eye to eye with his hostage. "Eh? Sound Pillar..." The wind blows as the sunset is very visible. "Senjuro is your little brother. Didn't I told you, you had a family you left behind?" His face traced doubt but the word weighing in Uzui Tengen's were convincing because they match to his strange memories.
Glancing at his arms and at the older version of him, they all had the same owl face and flame haired.
"You mean this kid...and that man is..."
Shinjuro runs closer.
"S-Senjuro...!"
Kyoujiro's lips parted.
"My...father...?"
Stopping immediately at his running feet, Rengoku Shinjuro surely heard it. Hesitant to ask but he did anyway as he take a few closer steps.
"...Kyoujiro...y-you know me? H-how?"
The sunset is setting down.
Familiarity.
Everything suddenly makes sense like a flame that quench his candle of lies.
No...like the remnants of pollution.
'Ahh...I remember now. Am indeed a replica made by Tanjiro-sama's memory. But then am also an individual fragment of the late Rengoku Kyoujiro. Which basically means...'
"Senjuro," Kyoujiro looks down with a sad smile drawing out in his lips as he said with a longing voice of regret."...My dear little brother. Forgive me."
The melancholy of apology withers.
"A-Aniki...?"
Senjuro's inner soul awoke because of this development.
For Kyoujiro he slowly looks back to Shinjuro whose standing still a few inches away from their position.
Even though it was still a cast flame of questions, somehow it is the right thing to say. That is what Kyoujiro felt, "Father, forgive me as well for taking your last son. I dont even know what am doing anymore or serving...am very confuse. But one thing for sure, in Tanjiro-sama's memory...this kid Senjuro is something to protect by the man named Rengoku Kyoujiro." Chuckling, "I apologize for everything in behalf of Tanjiro-sama's doing." And bowing like his son.
Shinjuro burst into angry tears, his fist clenching. "Shut up! Demon or not...Am the one who should apologize...! Kyoujiro! Senjuro! Sorry for being a terrible father!" He began to rant about his mistakes and pathetically cries with runny nose. "Your mother...your mother Ruka wouldn't be happy about it but its too late! Which is why, I just want to satisfy my guilty heart from regret. That I didn't pray for your good luck and safety on that train mission...! Forgive me!" Shinjuro lets go of his pride and showed his true fragile state. "...Am very sorry from the bottom of my heart! My sons, I love you both just like how I love dearly your mother...!"
Hearing and seeing his father so honest and sorry for all his jerk attitude in the past. Senjuro's eyes is now crying and he cannot help but call him with understanding. "F-Father...!"
Kyoujiro sighs and his relief smile is there.
"I see. Thank you." Quickly glancing above, Senjuro notice his neck isnt healing. "Wait...Aniki-" about to touch the open wound, Kyoujiro caught his wrist and confesses his intentions as last.
It is like how his real brother would look like, cool and...and...caring.
"It is time for me to retire the image of Rengoku Kyoujiro. Senjuro, you did a wonderful job. I'm sure mother will he proud. Set your heart ablaze...!"
His neck cells explodes and his body starts to change into color red.
Senjuro whose at his arms felt the warmness turned cold and slimey.
As if...His solid body is turning into liquid.
But then, this is different look when he saw it from Mitsuri and Iguro.
Meaning, "Wait, are you self destructing!?" Since the enemy did not response, Senjuro starts to punch his chest, ignoring his stabbed body with blood spreading. "Stop! I haven't said anything yet! Aniki I love you Aniki and am sorry if I was always a burden...!" He pleaded.
Demon guard Kyoujiro remained calm and stared at him as his body is getting ripped into particles.
"Sorry, I cannot hear anything you just said. Whatever is it...I'm sure it is something grown up. Goodbye."
The flame pillar, the Homura that vanquish into ashes of nostalgia.
Becomes red.
Senjuro's face is horrified and screamed.
"KYOUJIRO NIICHAN...!"
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Out of nowhere an image of dissolving Rengoku Kyoujiro appears in his head and made his body stiff.
Tanjiro gasp loud. "Huh?!" Confused, 'W-what is this?!' Tanjiro is not understanding why he is receiving a message...no...it is a memory of what is happening on his demon guard. Flashes of orange, flashes of a Smoke pillar with his flame demon guard.
They parted ways.
'Rengoku san...killed himself!?'
Automatically Tanjiro reaches out and yelled his name in panic.
"No! Aniki!"
"Eh? Tanjiro-kun?"
It was a dejavu for some reason it just really felt like that. Tanjiro turns his back with a distressed voice. "I got to hurry and save him...! No! Don't go Aniki...!" He yells that and runs away.
Leaving Kanao in confusion.
"Wait! Where are you going Tanjiro-kun...!?"
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"Wuu..wuu..huhuuhuhuu...!" It hurts, not his wound but his final moments. The fact they was able to say goodbye even though it was not the original.
Still witnessing him disappear is something unbearable.
Shinjuro hugs his son as they both stayed near the puddle of blood...where the ex flame pillar existed a while ago.
"Kyoujiro...Senjuro...!"
Senjuro cannot stop screaming at the top of his lungs. "WAaaaahh...!"
With Kyoujiro deciding to accept death, Senjuro cries out to his heart content.
"WAAAAAHHH...!"
The sunset disappeared.
Uzui Tengen couldnt believe his eyes will drop tears from that farewell moment between the flame pillars.
These trio of flames.
"Haha...flamboyantly sad."
With this,his clan is freed.
...
"Tanjiro-sama?" Gyomei peeks at the throne room with a depress Tanjiro.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" His king's eyes were violently red. Tanjiro is clawing his own head, they hurt and his heart aches too.
He was in a mess.
'Why? Why?' He is asking himself or what the hell had been happening around him. 'Ever since I met Kamado Nezuko, the self proclaimed sister of mine...my demon guards, they died one by one. My Aniki...my precious Aniki had to die twice...!'
Tanjiro gasps.
'Wait, what do I mean twice...?'
"Haha..."
Gyomei is worried to hear his lord do a sweet chuckle just now. "Tanjiro-sama...?"
Tanjiro continues to chuckle into a giggle as it eventually turned to an evil laugh. "Ahaha...AHAHAHAHA!"
Gyomei has a bad feeling now.
His lord is going crazy.
"Everyone is dying." He says, "The peace treaty is a joke." He sighs and sarcastically says to Gyomei. "Muzan is not happy with this I guess." Then Tanjiro leaves his throne and walks away, passing by Gyomei he commanded. "Were going to the Demon Slayer head quarters." Gyomei who usually wont ask or speak his opinions, he cannot help but tell him.
"Tanjiro-sama, the Marechi has escape and...Sabito went to find him. What about that situation? Also, the Flower pillar-"
Tanjiro shouts again in anger. "THATS NOT IMPORTANT ANYMORE!" Gyomei shuts his mouth immediately and Tanjiro walks like he is ready for battle.
"I will end this charade for good."
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Rengoku Senjuro survived his stab wound for it is a sword that has stabbed him.
Having it sewed, the wound closes and just couple of days he did recover.
Unlike Kyoujiro's wound, it was like stab of an ice spike. A donut hole that cannot be sewed back together.
No wonder he died.
Thankfully Senjuro didn't.
Everyone heard the news, they praise him for defeating a demon guard alone but pf course he revealed to them that the former flame pillar actually suicides.
Kiriya remembers a demon name Akaza did this too.
A pillar meeting is held after.
"Tsuyuri Kanao and Shinazugawa Sanemi formerly abducted by the demon king. Now that we have retrieved the Wind Pillar and respected the Flower Pillar's wish to be left behind who knows what runs inside Tanjiro's mind...but all I know one thing."
Kiriya looks at his left side, where the in the corner the sunlight wont reach.
"Yushiro-san."
"Yes?"
"Is the antidote complete...?"
"Yes."
Yushiro has nothing else to say. Kiriya looked back to the rest of the pillars.
"Well then, I will be asking too much of you all...I want you guys to rescue again Tsuyuri Kanao. Do by any means to stab Tanjiro the antidote...otherwise please slay him." Then he eyed the little sister with a very serious stare. "You do understand it right? Kamado Nezuko?" Nezuko lifts up her spirits.
"Yes I do...I will take all the blame and responsibility if plan fails...!"
Agatsuma Zenitsu the Lightning pillar whose beside her sit, "Nezuko-chan..." touching her shoulder.
"You are not alone, I will take the blame with you...for you are my wife."
Staring at him. "Zenitsu-kun..."
Kanzaki Aoi crosses her arms and proudly states. "Hold up, I'm in."
Glancing at the Ice pillar with surprise. "Aoi-chan..."
Hashibira Inosuke joins with a boastful laugh before declaring his intention.
"Buwahah! No need to ask me! Am absolutely with you Nezuko-chan!"
Laughing a little to the Beast pillar.
"Inosuke-kun..."
Recently recovered Smoke Pillar says at the other side of sitting position.
"Nezuko, we will do this together and bring Tanjiro nii san as a human...everyone will return home!"
Smiling with small blush. "Senjuro-kun..."
Kiriya smiles too.
"Looks like everyone made their resolve."
Nezuko orders the last mission for all as the leading protagonist.
"Let us go everyone...to Kibutsuji Muzan's mansion!"
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Rise of the Demon King Tanjiro VS Demon Slayer Nezuko approaches !
To be Continued
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Kanon58: yes it is ending. Any last words?
And PLEASE visit tapas dot com to support my own manga titled 'Paradox Mansion' lolz do subscribe! HELP.
Next: The demon lord goes to meet Ubuyashiki Kiriya. Tsuyuri Kanao finally decided to make a move and having her dead sister's replica talk about it. Giyuu faces his precious bestfriend Sabito and will put him to rest? One more stone to destroy, Gyomei will not let the new pillar's to distract his master more than it has. Will Nezuko, Inosuke,Zenitsu,Aoi, Senjuro and Kanao defeat him and get to Tanjiro's closest peak?!