When it came to unnatural endurance, Tanjiro Kamado wasn't much behind Chika. His skull was legendary—strong enough that even demons had complained about it—and his nose was practically a secret weapon. He could smell demons, emotions, even shifts in intent through scent alone.
So when the plan became "Close the door—release Tanjiro!" Chika simply followed behind her brother as he went full hound-mode, nose blazing, sniffing his way through the quiet streets of the village in search of their quarry.
"Left… right… forward…" Tanjiro muttered, sniffing rapidly before his head snapped up. "It's close—really close!"
He and Chika raced through the alleyways. In the original events, Tanjiro would've had to ask around to find the right area, but with that nose, there was no need for questions.
Once they pinpointed the general zone, their logical next move was to wait for nightfall—since demons never appeared under the sun. Any further movement risked alerting their target.
That was the plan.
But before long, Chika's gaze drifted toward a large estate nearby. From inside, she heard the faint sound of a young woman's voice—and an idea, both mischievous and daring, bloomed in her mind.
"Tanjiro," she said, lips curling into a sly smile, "I've got a fun idea~."
That night, inside the very same mansion—
A young girl walked softly into her bedroom. She set aside her outer kimono, wearing only her sleeping robes, and lay down on the futon. She closed her eyes peacefully.
Moments later, the floor beneath her rippled—swallowing the room in swamp-like darkness. Two pale, glistening hands reached out from that abyss, stretching toward her motionless figure.
Just as the hands were about to seize their prey—
Smack!
The "sleeping" girl's arms shot out from the futon, clamping down on the demon's wrists with an iron grip.
"What—?!"
The voice of the demon hissed from the darkness, startled. It tried to yank its hands back, only to find them locked in place. The strength holding it was not human.
Impossible! it thought in panic. I'm a demon—no human girl should have this kind of power!
Then, it noticed something wrong. The girl's hair—once black—was slipping away like a loose wig. Beneath it shimmered a mane of fiery red.
Not the girl it had chosen. A trap.
Chika grinned.
"Finally caught you? You know, your eyesight's pretty bad. Honestly, I think I could've fooled you even without the wig~."
"Y-you vile brat! Let go of me!!"
The demon's head emerged from the swamp, baring its fangs in fury, but before it could strike—
BAM!
The door exploded inward, wooden shards flying everywhere.
Tanjiro charged in mid-breath, sword raised high, aura surging like a wave.
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form—Drop Ripple Thrust!"
The attack struck true. His Nichirin Blade pierced straight through the demon's skull, twisting in a flash of silver-blue arcs before slicing across. Though the neck held, the head itself split apart, collapsing like broken porcelain.
For all its swamp tricks and Blood Demon Art, this creature wasn't much of a fight. Against ordinary humans, it was terrifying. Against Chika and Tanjiro—the over-leveled duo still grinding in the starter zone—it never stood a chance.
When it finally disintegrated, Tanjiro exhaled, lowering his sword. "Well… that was quick. Feels like this one barely counted as training."
He glanced at the ashes, frowning. "Still… that demon killed dozens of girls. No matter how weak, it deserved this."
Then, turning to his sister, he said, "But seriously, that was too risky, Sis! What if you'd been pulled into the swamp before I got here?!"
"Alright, alright, I'll be careful next time."
Chika waved a hand dismissively, smiling in that "I-know-I-won't" way that made Tanjiro sigh. She'd known from the start this demon wasn't strong—but that wasn't exactly the kind of reassurance she could say out loud.
They slipped quietly out of the mansion, leaving behind a single note on the desk:
The criminal has been caught.
It was enough to calm the household without spreading panic.
By now, it was around seven or eight in the evening. The streets were still lively—vendors calling out, lamps flickering, and shop signs glowing warmly.
Nezuko climbed out of the wooden box, now safe beneath the night sky, her bamboo muzzle fastened gently in place.
"Want to grab some dinner?" Chika asked.
Tanjiro nodded. "Noodles?"
"Sure. We're not broke anymore anyway."
Since joining the Demon Slayer Corps, they received steady pay. The Final Selection had even granted them a hefty starting allowance, and missions came with bonuses. Money was no longer a concern.
As they strolled down the market street, Chika spotted a small candy stall—and seconds later, Nezuko's eyes lit up too. She pressed her hands to the glass jar of colorful star-shaped candies, drooling slightly despite the bamboo in her mouth.
Konpeitō—tiny, sparkling sugar clusters shaped like stars. Sweet, bright, and childlike. Nezuko's favorite.
Chika chuckled softly and stepped up to the vendor.
"One jar of konpeitō, please."
The old man smiled as he handed over the glass bottle. Chika paid, then turned and presented it to Nezuko like a little trophy.
Nezuko hugged it tight, her body swaying back and forth in delight. If they hadn't been in public, she'd probably be twirling in circles by now.
"Mmff—mmf!" (Thank you, Sis!)
Chika laughed. "Don't mention it."
And for a moment, under the Taishō night lights, the three of them—Demon Slayer, sister, and the little demon girl—looked less like warriors and more like an ordinary family on a quiet evening stroll.