Chapter 15: Indecision

Seeing the scene unfold before him, Tanjiro snapped out of his hesitation in shock. The large rock he had been holding slipped from his trembling hands and fell to the ground.

"They turn to ash just by being exposed to sunlight?! No wonder Nezuko avoids it!" Fear surged through Tanjiro's heart.

Overcome with panic, he frantically scanned his surroundings, searching for both his sister and Haru.

"Nezuko! Shiroi-senpai!" Tanjiro shouted. Where had they gone while he was hesitating?

With that thought, he sprinted back to the temple entrance, peering inside. At last, he spotted Nezuko curled up inside a bamboo basket in a shadowy corner, with Haru asleep beside her, leaning against the basket.

Relieved, Tanjiro let out a breath and chose not to wake Haru.

When he turned to look toward an open space beside the temple, he noticed Urokodaki Sakonji. The old man was performing a solemn ritual, paying respects to those who had fallen to demons. The small mounds of graves standing before him had been personally dug and prepared as resting places for the deceased.

"Um—"

Tanjiro hesitantly approached, wanting to speak.

Before he could continue, Urokodaki stood up and said, "I am Urokodaki Sakonji. You and that young man—you're the ones Giyu spoke of, correct?"

"Yes! My name is Kamado Tanjiro. That young man is Shiroi Haru, and my sister is Nezuko!" Recognizing that he had found the person he was searching for, Tanjiro eagerly introduced himself.

Urokodaki, however, paid little mind to the introductions. Instead, he suddenly turned to Tanjiro and asked, "Tanjiro, if your sister ever eats a human, what will you do?"

Tanjiro was left speechless. He had no idea how to answer such a question.

Seeing his hesitation, Urokodaki stepped forward and struck Tanjiro across the face.

"If I'm here, there's no chance his sister will ever harm a human. And if she does, you won't have to trouble yourself, old man—I'll be the one to end Nezuko's life," a voice interrupted.

Haru had appeared before them, leaning casually against the temple wall. His expression was calm and composed, as if none of this fazed him.

After speaking, he even let out a yawn and stretched lazily.

Urokodaki turned his gaze toward Haru. He appreciated Haru's clarity of mind—his ability to remain composed, decisive, and unwavering. Those were the qualities of a true warrior.

"Haru is right! Tanjiro, you take far too long to make decisions! Even when dawn arrived, you still couldn't deliver the final blow to the demon. And just now, why couldn't you answer my question? It's because your resolve is still too weak! If your sister ever eats a human, you will only have two options."

"Kill your sister—then take your own life."

"By keeping a demon as your sister, you must be prepared for that outcome! You must never allow such a thing to happen!"

"Do you understand me?" Urokodaki's voice was heavy with stern wisdom.

"Yes! I understand!" Tanjiro responded sincerely, taking the lesson to heart.

"Then, let's see if you are fit to become a Demon Slayer," Urokodaki declared.

His gaze then shifted back to Haru. "You're called Haru, correct? You come too! Giyu told me you're quite the unusual one."