Tanjiro, frantic with worry, missed that Horitake's "killing intent" toward Nezuko was pure theatrics, his scent free of malice. The stubborn boy pleaded desperately until Horitake "reluctantly" sheathed his blade.
Tanjiro recounted their tragic tale—family slaughtered, Nezuko turned demon. Though Horitake knew the story, he listened patiently, moved by their hardship. It was a heartrending saga.
Citing Giyu Tomioka's name finally calmed Horitake's "suspicions," allowing the three to talk face-to-face. Horitake nodded, feigning realization. "If Giyu-senpai vouches for you, I'll trust you. But a demon who doesn't harm humans…" He eyed Nezuko, marveling aloud while secretly admiring her adorable beauty. "Never heard of such a thing."
"Senpai…" Tanjiro began.
Horitake waved it off. "Just call me Horitake. No surname—I'm an orphan."
Polite as ever, Tanjiro stuck to "Horitake-senpai." "Are you and Giyu-senpai the same?"
"Well, we're part of the Demon Slayer Corps, a group fighting demons. Giyu-senpai's a Hashira, top-tier. I'm just a trainee, not yet a full member, out here training. But I'm no weaker than regular Corps members," Horitake said with a grin.
Tanjiro, curious about these new terms, started to ask more, but Horitake cut in. "Didn't Giyu-senpai send you to Sakonji Urokodaki? He's a Corps trainer. Train under him, and you'll learn all this as a trainee yourself."
Patting Tanjiro's shoulder, Horitake reassured him. "No rush. Kisatsume Mountain's your best bet right now."
Tanjiro nodded, half-understanding, then asked his burning question: "Horitake-senpai, is there a way to turn a demon back into a human?"
Glancing at Nezuko, Horitake replied, "For your sister?"
"Yes!"
"As far as I know, no."
Tanjiro sagged but rallied. "I'll keep searching."
"Good spirit!" Horitake clapped his shoulder. "Never give up hope, Tanjiro."
Tanjiro nodded earnestly.
"But enough about Nezuko—focus on yourself, kid!" Horitake's tone shifted, sharp. "Nezuko's a demon; she's already healed, even pushed that fang out. But you?" He grabbed Tanjiro's bleeding arm, pointing at the embedded fang. "This came from that demon's mouth—full of germs! No antibiotics here. If it gets infected, you're done. Who'll look after Nezuko then? Me?!"
Tanjiro paled, panicking. "What do I do, Horitake-senpai?!"
"Stay calm." Horitake, cool as ever, yanked the fang from Tanjiro's arm. Blood gushed.
"It's bleeding!" Tanjiro shrieked.
"Stop yelling—it'll only bleed faster." Horitake tore a strip from his robe, tightly binding Tanjiro's arm to slow the flow. "We need a town, now, for disinfection and bandages."
He turned to Nezuko. "Your brother's hurt, can't carry you. I'll take you for now. Be good." Nezuko tilted her head, then shrank and climbed into Tanjiro's basket.
Tanjiro blinked, surprised. "Nezuko trusts Horitake-senpai?"
Covering the basket, Horitake hoisted it onto his back. "Move it, Tanjiro!"
"Yes!" Clutching his arm, Tanjiro followed, muttering, "Horitake-senpai saved us and helped so much. He's a good person."
"Ugh, Tanjiro, don't call me a good person, even if you're a guy."
"Why? I'm praising you!"
"In my hometown, calling someone 'good' is rude."
"Really? But you said you're an orphan…"
"Shut it! Just listen, no comments!"
"Yes…"
Bickering like brothers, they hurried off.
By afternoon, they reached a town and found a doctor. Tanjiro's wound, deep to the bone, was serious. During disinfection and stitching, he endured excruciating pain, face pale, sweating, biting a cloth to stay silent—afraid of worrying Nezuko. The doctor praised his grit.
Nezuko, sensing his pain, fidgeted in the basket. Horitake gently patted her head through the cloth, calming her miraculously.
Treatment done, payment settled, Horitake supported a drained Tanjiro as they left, Nezuko on his back. Shaking his head at their state, he sighed. "Alright, I'll play the hero. We'll rest here tonight, and tomorrow, I'll escort you to Kisatsume Mountain."
Tanjiro, pale, protested. "Horitake-senpai, you've saved us, helped me, even paid for the doctor. I can't accept more…"
"With your condition, how'll you get Nezuko to Kisatsume Mountain?"
"But… how can I repay you?"
Horitake smirked. "Maybe when Nezuko's human again, she can be my bride?"
"What?!" Tanjiro stammered. Nezuko stirred in the basket.
"Kidding! Way too early for that. Let's find a place to crash."