Chapter 23: Minamino's Last Wish X Nen Property Transformation
Narrator's Note: Nen After Death. As the name implies, it is a Hatsu that only activates after the user's death. This phenomenon is born from an incredibly powerful, lingering emotion or an unbreakable Vow. Examples are numerous and terrifying: the Kakin Prince Camilla's "Million-Round-Trip Cat," which revives her by stealing the life of her killer; Neferpitou's "Toy Repairer," which reanimated its own corpse to continue attacking Gon even after death; and Chrollo's stolen ability, "Sun and Moon." Hisoka's own post-mortem revival is another famous case. Nen After Death is characterized by its intense, obsessive nature, fueled by an overwhelming willpower that transcends the boundary of life itself.
But the spirit before him was clearly not that. First, Hiro Minamino was an ordinary merchant, not a Nen user. Second, this was the world of Demon Slayer, a construct of Roy's own cognition. Without Roy's influence, it was impossible for a native of this world to manifest Nen.
Which left only one possibility. This was a remnant soul. A lingering echo of a person's consciousness, a non-physical manifestation of their spirit.
When Tanjiro reached out to help the spirit up, his hands passed right through it, confirming Roy's theory.
"He's... another kind of ghost," Tanjiro thought, his mind struggling to categorize this gentle spirit after his encounters with the monstrous demons.
Hiro Minamino, however, seemed to have come to terms with his state. Or perhaps, as a traveling merchant, he had simply learned how to talk to anyone—or anything. "Please don't worry, benefactor," he said with a kind smile. "To be able to see this world one last time after my unfortunate end... I am already blessed."
As he spoke, his translucent form flickered, thinned by the cold wind.
"Bro, he's fading!" Tanjiro cried out, his heart aching at the thought of witnessing another life extinguish before his eyes.
Roy said nothing. He coated his right hand in a thin layer of aura and reached out, mimicking Tanjiro's earlier gesture.
To both Tanjiro's and Minamino's astonishment, Roy's hand made contact. He was able to grip the spirit's arm and help him to his feet. For a brief moment, it was as if the ghost had a solid, physical form.
"Thank you, benefactor," Minamino said, bowing again. "I feel... much better now."
And it was true. "Bro, he's more solid!" Tanjiro said, circling the spirit with wide, curious eyes.
Roy didn't respond. He could feel his aura being steadily drained. Minamino's continued existence was being powered by Roy's Nen. The moment he cut off the supply, the spirit would dissipate.
Ultimately, Nen was a product of the mind, body, and spirit, filtered through the six major types. It was a reflection of one's emotion, willpower, and personality. In short—it was the power to impose your will on reality, governed by raw Aura Quantity and the rules you set for it.
Is it because of Nen that I can touch a soul?
As the thought crossed Roy's mind, the system panel flashed. Below the entry for "Nen Shape Transformation," a new category had appeared.
[Nen Property Transformation]
Roy blinked. Is this a reward for killing the demon? He remembered the book from his great-grandfather had mentioned Property Transformation, but it hadn't included any training methods. Perhaps Maha had felt it was too soon for him to delve into such an advanced topic.
But Maha couldn't have known about his Hatsu, the Gate of Cognition. From his very first dream, Roy had been engaged in an intensive, practical application of his own Nen.
Should I ask him for the second half of the notes when I get back?
After a moment's thought, he decided against it. One step at a time. For now, his priorities were increasing his base Aura Quantity and mastering Total Concentration Breathing.
Roy pushed the thoughts aside and addressed the spirit directly. "Don't thank me yet," he said, his tone practical, not cruel. "You are still going to disappear." Minamino was not a Nen user, and his body was gone. There was no coming back from this.
"As I said, to see the world one last time is a blessing," Minamino repeated with a peaceful smile.
"But once you're gone, you're gone forever!" Tanjiro blurted out, unable to comprehend the man's acceptance.
"Quiet," Roy snapped, before turning back to the spirit, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You are a remarkably optimistic man. If you have any unfinished business, speak now. If it is within our power, my brother and I will see it done."
"That's right! I can help too!" Tanjiro added, before quickly covering his mouth and stealing a nervous glance at Roy.
This time, Roy let it slide.
"There is... one thing," Minamino said, his gaze turning towards the distant, snow-covered peak of Sagiri Mountain. He knelt once more in the snow before Roy.
"Please, benefactor. Allow me to see my daughter, one last time. That is all I ask."
"How old is she?"
"A year and a half."
"Does she know how to say 'dada'?"
A look of pure, unadulterated joy lit up the spirit's face. "She does," he said, his voice thick with love. "She knows how to walk, too. Every time I come home, she crawls onto my stomach and just babbles 'dada, dada' over and over, smearing drool all over my face..."
His voice became a soft, wistful stream of memories. "I was thinking, when she gets a little older, I would tie pretty ribbons in her hair... take her to the capital to see the sights, to try the famous sweet dumplings... We'd go to the fancy dress shops, and I'd buy her a beautiful new dress, just to watch her twirl in front of the mirror..."
He spoke on and on, as if he had a lifetime of words to say and only a few moments left to say them. Roy listened in silence. Beside him, Tanjiro was openly weeping, tears streaming down his face.
'This damned world!'
Dohihara's dying words suddenly echoed in Tanjiro's mind. The boy unconsciously gripped the handle of the axe at his belt.
The moonlight caught the steel blade, reflecting a cold, unforgiving light.