Chapter 58: The Night Sin Walked Among Them
The moon hung low in the sky, a pale spotlight over the forest where the Demon Slayers trained. After hours of intense practice, the group finally settled around a small campfire, their muscles aching and clothes damp with sweat.
Even Saitama had laid back, arms behind his head, staring blankly at the stars. "This world has a nice sky," he muttered.
Tanjiro sat beside him, tending to Nezuko who had dozed off, her small hands still clutching her bamboo muzzle. "It's peaceful tonight," Tanjiro said softly. "Hard to believe there's a war coming."
"It's always like this," Giyuu murmured from the shadows, sitting slightly apart from the rest. "Peace is just a breath before the next tragedy."
The crackling fire filled the silence that followed.
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The Sinful Presence
Far beyond the flickering flames, unseen by the group, Sin walked slowly through the woods. Every step left the grass wilted, the air trembling with ancient malice. Its body was shrouded in a cloak made from fused souls, faces screaming silently within the fabric.
Sin wasn't like the Upper Moons they had fought before. This demon carried the weight of history itself, a creature born from the sins of mankind — every betrayal, every murder, every act of cruelty carved into its being.
It didn't need to search for its prey. It could feel them — their guilt, their fears, their doubts — like a beacon drawing it in.
"Flame, water, thunder, beast, love, and… emptiness," Sin's voice was a low, distorted whisper. "A bald man with power beyond understanding. Interesting."
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A Sudden Storm
The peaceful silence shattered as a sudden gust of cold wind blew through the camp. The fire flickered violently, nearly dying out. Inosuke sprang to his feet, swords drawn.
"Something's here!" he shouted.
Before anyone could react, the air rippled — like reality itself was cracking open. From the shadows stepped Sin, its towering form barely human. Its face was a mask of ever-changing emotions — rage, sorrow, fear, greed — constantly shifting like liquid.
Zenitsu fell backward, trembling uncontrollably. "T-that's not a normal demon! I-I can't even breathe!"
Tanjiro's hand went to his sword, his sense of smell overwhelmed by the stench of blood, regret, and malice radiating from Sin's body.
"Stay behind me," Giyuu said calmly, stepping forward with his sword drawn.
Rengoku stood beside him, flames dancing along his blade. "Whatever you are, you will not harm my comrades."
Sin's mask twisted into a grin. "Harm? No, no… I am here to show you the truth. The truth of your sins."
Suddenly, shadows crawled from beneath Sin's feet, wrapping around the ground like black ink. Each Hashira — and even Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke — saw visions flash before their eyes.
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The Visions — Sins Revealed
Tanjiro saw himself failing to save his family again and again, his hands drenched in their blood.
Zenitsu saw all the times he ran away, leaving others to suffer.
Inosuke saw himself abandoning his mother, even though he was just a baby.
Giyuu saw Sabito's death, the guilt of surviving alone crushing him.
Rengoku saw his father's disappointment, the weight of never being enough.
Even Nezuko, still sleeping, trembled as her subconscious was flooded with memories of the family she couldn't protect.
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Saitama's Sin?
Sin's gaze finally settled on Saitama.
"Ah… and you…" Sin's voice grew curious. "What is your greatest sin, Bald Hero?"
Everyone turned to Saitama — who just yawned.
"My sin? Hmm…" Saitama scratched his head. "I guess… maybe I forgot to water the cactus in my apartment once."
Sin's mask froze — the faces halting mid-scream.
"What?"
"I mean, I've punched a lot of stuff. Maybe too much. But they were all bad guys, so…" Saitama shrugged. "Yeah, it's probably the cactus thing."
For the first time in centuries, Sin was speechless.
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The First Clash
Rengoku broke the silence with a roar. "Flame Breathing: Fifth Form — Flame Tiger!"
A flaming beast erupted from his blade, charging at Sin. But the demon opened its cloak, and the flames were swallowed whole, vanishing into the screaming souls within.
"What?!" Rengoku gasped.
Giyuu followed up instantly. "Water Breathing: Eighth Form — Waterfall Basin!" A crushing wave descended upon Sin, but again, the cloak devoured the attack, the water turning into dark mist.
"Your sins feed me," Sin said softly. "Every regret, every failure — they are my strength."
Saitama sighed. "Man, you talk too much."
Before Sin could react, Saitama vanished — reappearing directly in front of it. One casual punch — not even serious — connected with Sin's mask.
BOOM.
The earth shook as Sin was launched backward, crashing through several trees and embedding into a cliffside.
"Alright," Saitama dusted his hand. "Next."
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
"Oi, stop looking so surprised," Saitama muttered. "This is my whole thing."
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Sin Regenerates
From the rubble, Sin rose, the mask cracked but reforming instantly.
"You cannot destroy me, hero," Sin whispered. "As long as humans sin, I will exist."
"Cool story," Saitama replied. "I'll punch you until you're bored of coming back."
"Form a battle line!" Rengoku shouted. "We fight together!"
The Hashira stood shoulder to shoulder, flames, water, poison, love, and mist ready to clash with the darkness. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke joined them, swords trembling in their hands — but resolve burning in their hearts.
Saitama stood at the front.
"Let's get this over with," he said. "I left my grocery list back home."
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To Be Continued…
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End of chapter