In the original story, Tanjiro subdued the temple demon with just an axe. Now, wielding a Nichirin Blade alongside Nezuko, the siblings overwhelmed it. Despite his injured arm, Tanjiro fought fiercely and beheaded the demon.
As dawn broke, sunlight spilled into the hillside temple. Nezuko darted inside to escape the rays. Tanjiro, panting, stared at the dissolving demon corpse, exhilarated. "Senpai! I did it! I killed a demon!"
Horitake nodded, grinning. "Nice work. Right, Master Urokodaki?"
Unnoticed, Sakonji Urokodaki, former Water Hashira and Corps trainer, stood in the courtyard, his red tengu mask striking. Tanjiro, still shaken, gawked at the imposing figure.
Horitake inwardly urged, Come on, kid, that's your future master! Bow, flatter, hug the leg! Seeing Tanjiro freeze, he stepped in. "Master Urokodaki, this kid killed a demon with no training. Pretty impressive talent, right?"
Urokodaki's tone was icy. "Just a weak demon. Nothing to boast about."
Tanjiro snapped out of his daze, sheathing the blade and bowing nervously. "You're Master Urokodaki? I'm Tanjiro Kamado, sent by Giyu Tomioka."
"I read Giyu's letter and know about you and your sister," Urokodaki said. "But, Tanjiro Kamado, frankly, I don't see the talent Giyu described. I'm sorry."
Tanjiro paled, despair creeping in. Rejected?
Horitake was floored. This isn't how it's supposed to go! Urokodaki scolds him, tests him, then takes him in! What's happening?
The system chimed: "Ding! By aiding Tanjiro in killing the temple demon, you've disrupted fate, triggering a negative butterfly effect: Sakonji Urokodaki refuses to take Tanjiro as a disciple!"
Horitake raged internally. "Disrupted fate? I didn't help! I just lent him the blade!"
"Lending the Nichirin Blade constitutes aid."
"Are you kidding me?!"
Ignoring his outburst, the system continued: "Ding! Task issued: Resolve the negative butterfly effect—Urokodaki's refusal.
Urokodaki, heartbroken by the loss of many disciples on Fujikasaneyama, refuses to teach again to avoid further pain. Convince him to accept Tanjiro.
Note: You may persuade verbally or through combat.
Reward: Special ability, Spirit Vision.
Penalty: Tanjiro cannot train under Urokodaki, drastically altering fate, further collapsing butterfly effects. The future becomes unpredictable."
Another butterfly effect. Horitake sighed. Combat? He was stronger now, but beating a former Hashira was a stretch. Persuasion? Urokodaki's resolve was ironclad. He'd try both.
As Tanjiro stood, lost and helpless, Horitake stepped forward, facing Urokodaki. "Master Urokodaki, with respect, you're wrong."
Urokodaki turned, intrigued. "And you are? A Corps member?"
"I'm Horitake, not yet a member. My master is Jigoro Kuwajima. I met the Kamados on my travels, moved by their resolve, and escorted them here."
His tone grew heated. "They've suffered immense tragedy, guided here by Giyu-senpai and protected by me. After all this, you say Tanjiro lacks talent? I can't agree!"
"Horitake-senpai…" Tanjiro, touched but anxious, worried Horitake's boldness might offend.
Urokodaki's patience thinned. "What are you getting at, kid?"
"I'm stating facts: Tanjiro has extraordinary talent, and you're missing it! He killed a demon with no training—that's raw potential! And Nezuko, you saw her resist her bloodlust before a fresh corpse. That's incredible willpower! They have both talent and resolve. How is that 'no talent'? Or are you denying something, Master Urokodaki? Running from something?"
Horitake's words struck a nerve. Urokodaki bristled. "You…"
Unfazed, Horitake shifted tactics. "If you won't take Tanjiro, fine! I'll recommend him to my master. Jigoro only has me—he'd love another talented disciple. And honestly, Tanjiro might suit Thunder Breathing better than your Water Breathing. With his skill, he'll become a top Demon Slayer, maybe even a Hashira! Then, Tanjiro, you'll beat that stoic Giyu in front of everyone, showing Master Urokodaki up!"
"Eh?!" Tanjiro gaped, stunned.
Horitake pressed on. "That'll prove Tanjiro's talent and that you misjudged him today!"
Tanjiro trembled, nervous at Horitake's audacity. Urokodaki, expressionless behind his mask, said nothing. The air grew heavy as their gazes locked, tension crackling.