Demon Slayer: Taking Care Of Tanjuro's Wife And Daughter

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Whenever the sun sets and night falls, evil spirits emerge to haunt and devour people. To counter them, the Demon Slayer Corps stands ready to protect humanity by hunting down these demons.

Ryuji immediately recognized the young man as a Demon Slayer.

The reason was unmistakable: the word Metsu engraved on the back of his uniform signified his duty to slay demons. The Nichirin Blade at his side, a hallmark of the Demon Slayer Corps, further confirmed his identity.

Ryuji wasn't surprised to see Saburo speaking with a Demon Slayer. He had long suspected that Saburo was connected to the Corps, likely as a non-combatant who provided assistance behind the scenes.

Now, it seemed his suspicions were correct.

The Demon Slayer Corps was a complex organization, composed of various roles. On the front lines were the slayers themselves—dedicated warriors who risked their lives to battle demons, mastering swordsmanship and the Breathing Techniques. Supporting them were non-combatant units like the "Hidden," who assisted with post-battle cleanup, and the staff of the Butterfly Mansion, where injured slayers were treated and rehabilitated.

Beyond that, swordsmiths forged the Nichirin Blades, cultivators trained recruits, and the Wisteria Family provided safe houses. Overseeing it all was the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, a role held by the Ubuyashiki family for generations.

Directly below the Master were the Hashira—the Pillars—elite swordsmen who served as the Corps' most formidable fighters. Beneath them, slayers were ranked from Mizunoto to Kinoe, their ranks reflecting their skill and experience.

This strict organization was what enabled the Corps to combat demons for centuries without faltering.

As if sensing his presence, the young slayer suddenly turned his head, his sharp gaze locking onto Ryuji.

Ryuji nodded slightly, acknowledging the slayer's intuition. He had barely glanced at him, yet the swordsman had noticed immediately.

Noticing the interaction, The young man nodded, then approached.

"Hello. My name is Chiba Natsuo," the slayer said, bowing slightly. "It's an honor to meet you."

"I'm Ryuji," he replied with a nod.

"May I have a word with you?" Natsuo asked politely.

Ryuji smiled and turned to the children nearby. Patting Nezuko and Hanako on their heads, he addressed Tanjirou. "Tanjirou, keep an eye on Hanako and Nezuko, alright? Don't let them wander off. I'll be back soon."

Tanjirou nodded earnestly. "Yes, Uncle Ryuji."

With that, Ryuji gestured to Natsuo. "Alright, let's talk."

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In a quiet room, Ryuji and Natsuo sat across from each other, A pot of tea rested on the table, steam rising gently from their cups.

"Saburo told me about the incident you witnessed in the mountains a few days ago," Natsuo began, his tone calm but serious.

Ryuji nodded. After finding the aftermath of a tragedy while traveling with Tanjirou, he had reported it to Saburo, suspecting demons were involved. He knew Saburo had connections to the Demon Slayer Corps and hoped the information would reach them quickly.

"Yes, I saw it firsthand," Ryuji said. He recounted the details of the incident, his voice steady.

After listening intently, Natsuo nodded thoughtfully. "Would you be willing to guide me to the site? It might provide clues about the demon responsible."

Ryuji considered for a moment. "Of course, but we're planning to move out of this area in a couple of days. It's not safe to stay with demons nearby."

Natsuo frowned slightly. "You don't need to worry. We're here to eliminate the threat. There's no need to uproot yourselves."

"Better safe than sorry," Ryuji replied, shaking his head. "I won't take chances with the children's safety."

Natsuo's expression tightened. It was clear he took pride in his abilities and interpreted Ryuji's decision as a lack of confidence in the Corps. His tone grew cooler. "If you decide to leave, that's your choice. But I must ask you not to spread rumors about demons. It could cause unnecessary panic."

Ryuji blinked, then nodded in understanding. The Corps operated in secrecy, ensuring the general public remained unaware of demons to prevent widespread fear and chaos.

It explained a question that had lingered in his mind for years: why so few people seemed to know the truth about the world's dangers. Demons were dismissed as mere folklore, while the Corps worked tirelessly in the shadows.

---

After his conversation with Chiba Natsuo, Ryuji stepped outside. The streets were bustling with life—children played games, and vendors called out their wares. The cheerful atmosphere felt at odds with the dark reality he had just discussed.

It seemed like a peaceful world on the surface, one where people could live their lives blissfully unaware of the lurking dangers.

But Ryuji knew better.

For some, demons were an unavoidable nightmare. And when that moment came, few could stand against them.

Shaking off the heavy thoughts, Ryuji's gaze shifted to Tanjirou, who stood near a cart, keeping a close watch on Nezuko and Hanako. The two girls stayed near him, their curiosity drawing them to the sights around them but never straying far.

When they spotted Ryuji, Nezuko and Hanako ran toward him, their faces alight with joy.

"Uncle Ryuji!" they called in unison.

Ryuji chuckled and scooped them into his arms. "How about we explore the town a bit, hmm?"

"Really?" Hanako asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Of course," Ryuji said, setting them down. "But stay close."

He handed a few coins to Tanjirou. "Enjoy yourself too. Don't worry about the cart; someone else will handle it."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Tanjirou said, his face lighting up. He had accompanied his father, Tanjuro, to town before, but it was always for business. This was his first chance to explore and enjoy himself.

"Go on, have fun," Ryuji said, patting Tanjirou on the shoulder. He wasn't too worried about him wandering alone; after all, Tanjirou had trained in the 'breathing techniques.' It would take more than an average thug to challenge him.

As for demons…

It was daytime now. Not even Kibutsuji Muzan, the progenitor of demons, dared to step into the sunlight. Lesser demons, of course, wouldn't even attempt it.

During the day, demons remained hidden, wary of exposing themselves.

In the long history of the Demon Slayer Corps, there were rare instances of higher-ranked demons being killed in direct combat. However, many powerful demons had been tracked down by the Corps and burned alive by the sun.

Perhaps it was this fatal flaw that forced even Kibutsuji Muzan to live in the dark recesses of the world, always in shadow.

That same weakness drove Muzan's eternal desire to conquer the sun and live like a normal human.

...

It had been an exciting day for Nezuko and Hanako. They saw street performers breathing fire, craftsmen making clay figurines, and even artisans sculpting lifelike models from mud—things they had never experienced before.

Their previous life in the mountains, though peaceful, had lacked the vibrancy of city life.

"I'll take you both to even more exciting places in the future," Ryuji said softly, patting their heads.

"Really?" Nezuko and Hanako looked up at their uncle, their eyes sparkling with excitement for the adventures to come.

"Of course," Ryuji smiled as he checked the sky. Then, taking their hands, he led them back to the bullock cart.

When they arrived, Tanjirou was already waiting for them. His face still glowed with excitement, and a small package was slung over his shoulder—evidence of his enjoyable day.

But aside from Tanjirou, two others were waiting by the cart: Chiba Natsuo and Saburo, who was standing beside him.

Chiba stood with a composed demeanor, his Nichirin Blade resting at his side. It was clear he intended to accompany Ryuji and the others.

Ryuji nodded at him in greeting, noting the subtle shift in Chiba's expression. Although Chiba had shown little interest in ordinary people before, his gaze now occasionally drifted toward Tanjirou, as if something about the boy had caught his attention.

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