As promised extra chapter for 20 powerstones
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"Domain Expansion… Malevolent Shrine."
The world screamed, the air stilled around me as Sukuna's infamous domain bloomed around me. With my control I kept it away from the house. No need to scare the family any more than they probably already were.
The two remaining scouts turned into red mist with how many slashes tore into their bodies. Their blood turned the snow red. My gaze whipped over to Muzan who stood frozen, something like fear etched into his face.
I could see what he was thinking as if reading his mind.
This isn't blood demon arts…
'You're god damn right you prick… welcome to hell Muzan.'
His face twisted, half in pain, half in anger as my slashes landed on his body shredding his once pristine clothes into rags. His blood splattered the snow he was standing on. The fear was now clear in his eyes.
A part of me savoured how delicious that was. Making the big bad of this world afraid of something other than Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
"Not so high and mighty now eh? Whatever… you're still standing a little too tall, so don't blame me for taking a little off the top."
He staggered as I slashed into him some more. His body healing but much slower than before. The Cursed Energy clearly had an effect on his demonic body. Fear was rolling off of him in waves.
"Satoru-san!!!"
My head spun towards the voice, I dissolved the domain just before Tanjiro reached its edge. A worried look was etched on his face as he froze in place. Eyes darting between Muzan and me, he had my nichirin blade clutched in his hands.
'Damn it kid… I told you to stay in the cellar.'
Then Muzan saw him… no, Muzan saw the hanafuda earrings and the demon king went berserk. His eyes bloodshot, clothes torn, blood pooling beneath him.
"No!" His voice was a ragged screech.
He lunged, faster than before, all his focus on killing the boy. Tanjiro stood frozen in fear. I cursed, reverting my body back to my base form. Power wasn't what I needed, I needed speed.
In the next breath I was in front of Tanjiro, teleported through Blue. I pulled back my leg and channeled CE through it just as my heel collided with Muzan's chin.
A flash of black lightning split the air around me with a crack that split the night. Muzan went flying, a streak that tore through the trees and off the side of the mountain.
'GOALLLLLL!'
The snow settled again, the only sound was Tanjiro's breathing, sharp and guilty.
"I- I'm sorry Satoru-san! I let him escape…" he apologised with a bow.
I ruffled his hair and smiled, "It's alright kid. Don't sweat it… that guy won't be coming back so soon after the beating I gave him."
His eyes softened a little, even if he didn't fully believe me.
Me I wasn't worried, sure Muzan escaped but that last blow was devastating and he practically shit his pantaloons. Muzan learned something too, he had more than just Yoriichi to fear now.
"Alright… help me clean up this mess then we can head back inside to check on your family."
[Scene Break] (POV Shift)
Kamado Tanjiro always thought that his world was relatively small. His family home at the top of Mount Kumotori, the village not too far from the foot of the mountain.
He'd burn wood then sell the charcoal in the village, buy supplies and treats for his family, take care of his mother and his many siblings.
'Then I met Satoru-san' He thought to himself.
He watched the mentioned man clean up the remenants of the battle. After that thing had lunged at him, his mind has been in turmoil. That man, that monster had seen him and immediately rushed in to kill him.
But Satoru, who claimed to be a simple government agent had saved him in the nick of time. Appearing in front of him with a burst of speed that defied belief.
Tanjiro wasn't a fool, he had seen the markings on Satoru's face before they faded away. He had seen the massive shrine that faded the second he had called out to him.
That was power, no question about it. No matter how malicious it seemed to be, Tanjiro had witnessed Satoru protecting him, protecting his family with it.
He knew that Satoru wasn't an evil person. He had given them supplies, laughed and ate with them. Entertained his siblings with stories of his adventures.
Tanjiro made up his mind.
"Satoru-san?" He called out.
"Hmm? What is it kid?"
"T-that man, he wasn't human was he?"
"Oh? You're pretty perceptive," Satoru straightened up to his full height. "You're right… that man was a demon, a thing of legend."
"Demon…" Tanjiro whispered.
"Specifically, that was Kibutsuji Muzan… the progenitor of the demons."
Tanjiro's breath hitched, 'The Progentor of demons… but why was he after my family?'
Seemingly reading his mind Satoru continued, "Muzan has been around for quite some time. Back then, he was nearly defeated by a man. Yoriichi Tsugikuni. A legendary swordsman that helped establish the organisation I'm working with."
Tanjiro listened carefully, he felt that Satoru was about to reveal something about his family.
"Yoriichi created a sword style that was designed solely for the extermination of demons. People tried to learn this style but couldn't which resulted in him helping them create their own styles…" Satoru paused and shifted some snow to cover a patch of blood.
"That's another story though… Yoriichi had a friend, that friend was a man that used to live in this very plot of land. Your ancestor, I forget his name."
"Then that man, no… that demon, Muzan. He wanted to kill me because of my ancestor?" Tanjiro asked.
"Partially…" Satoru adjusted his sunglasses. "Those earring you're wearing… they've been passed through your family right?"
Tanjiro nodded, "My father had them before me, and before that my grandfather."
Satoru, satisfied with the answer continued. "Those earring were originally Yoriichi's. He passed them on to your ancestor as well as the original sword style, a Breathing Form. But he disguised it as a dance, mainly to hide it, but also so that your ancestors could learn it easily and pass it on."
Tanjiro let the silence carry for some time. His mind digested what he had just heard. His ancestor, Yoriichi, that demon Muzan. It sounded fantastical, too crazy. Yet part of him knew it was true.
Tanjiro knew he needed to be stronger, he needed power so that he could protect his family. He had already made up his mind. Now all he needed was for Satoru to agree to his plans.
"Satoru-san…" Tanjiro bowed, "please, take me as your disciple."
Tanjiro waited for an answer, when none came he slowly looked up and nearly jumped back when he found Satoru crouched in front of him looking at him like a second head had sprouted from his shoulders.
"E-eh?"
"Kid, do you know what you're asking?" Satoru asked.
"Yes! But I need strength, I need to protect Kaasan, Nezuko… everyone. I need to protect them all."
"Yare Yare…" Satoru sighed, "you'll be exposing yourself to a lot of danger kid."
"I know," Tanjiro shook his head, determination flashing bright in his eyes, "I nee—
"Fine fine…" Satoru moved away, "let's finish up here. Then we'll talk to your family. Let your mother know what your plans are and see what she plans to do."
"I-, but…"
"No complaints kid," Satoru flicked his forehead, "if you want to study under me then you need to let your family know."
Tanjiro rubbed his forehead, a slow grin forming on his face. "Hai! Sensei… I won't disappoint."
Satoru sighed, "Whatever kid… I haven't even agreed to take you on as a student yet."
Tanjiro was already running back to the house.