Asakusa, Tokyo, was a far cry from the quiet mountain towns Tanjiro had grown accustomed to. The city buzzed with life—the streets lit by bright lanterns, crowds bustling in every direction, and the enticing smells of street food wafting through the air. The duo wandered through the busy market, taking in the sights. Bell, with his silver hair and dignified presence, stood out even more than usual, drawing curious glances from passersby.
Tanjiro was hungry, his stomach growling audibly as they passed a food stand. "Let's get something to eat, Bell! I can't focus on anything with my stomach this empty."
Just as they turned toward a soba stand, they accidentally bumped into a young couple, who were in the middle of a romantic moment. The couple pulled apart, slightly flustered. Tanjiro, always the polite one, immediately bowed in apology. "I'm so sorry for interrupting!"
The woman, pale-skinned with long dark hair and striking eyes, turned her gaze toward Bell. Her initial surprise faded as she gave him an inviting look, her eyes sparkling with interest. Bell met her gaze and offered her a charming smile, the kind that seemed to melt hearts effortlessly. She visibly blushed, looking smitten.
Before Bell could say anything, Tanjiro, entirely oblivious to the exchange, tugged at his sleeve. "Bell, let's go! I'm starving!"
Bell chuckled softly, giving the woman a nod before turning away. As they walked off, the woman remained standing in place, watching him leave, her heart clearly still aflutter. Bell shot Tanjiro an amused glance. "You sure have impeccable timing."
Tanjiro blinked, entirely unaware of what had just transpired. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Bell just smiled, shaking his head as they approached the food stand. They ordered bowls of soba, garnished with seaweed, fish cake, slices of pork, and green onions. The steaming broth filled the air with a mouth-watering aroma, making both their stomachs rumble in anticipation.
They sat at a small table under the lantern-lit night sky, the noise of the city buzzing around them. Just as Bell was about to take his first bite, Tanjiro froze, his chopsticks mid-air. His face paled, and his nostrils flared as he picked up on a scent—one so vile and familiar that it sent a shiver down his spine.
"No... It can't be..." Tanjiro's voice trembled. His eyes widened, and his entire body tensed as memories of that night came flooding back. The night he lost his family. The scent of blood, malice, and Muzan.
Bell, instantly sensing Tanjiro's distress, put down his chopsticks. His eyes sharpened as he leaned in slightly. "What is it?"
"It's him... Muzan..." Tanjiro's voice was low, filled with equal parts rage and fear. "He's here."
Without a second thought, the two rose to their feet. Bell quickly tossed a handful of coins to the vendor. "We'll be back for this later. Duty calls."
The vendor nodded, confused but understanding, as they disappeared into the crowd. Tanjiro's heart pounded in his chest as he led the way, following the scent that was all too ingrained in his memory.
They reached a bustling square, and there, amidst the people, stood Muzan Kibutsuji. His appearance was unnervingly normal—a well-dressed man with pale skin, dark hair, and an air of elegance. He held a child in his arms, his expression calm and detached as though he were just another passerby in the crowded city.
Tanjiro's blood boiled. This was the demon who had slaughtered his family. His hands shook as he reached for his sword, his voice a barely controlled snarl. "Muzan!"
The demon turned his head slowly, his crimson eyes locking onto Tanjiro. For a moment, Muzan's expression remained indifferent, but as he recognized the boy's face and the Hanafuda earrings, his eyes narrowed.
Without warning, Muzan's arm flicked out, and a random bystander—a young man—was suddenly transformed into a demon. The transformation was horrifyingly fast. The man's eyes bulged, his body contorting as he let out an animalistic scream, attacking the nearest person.
Before the crowd could even comprehend what was happening, Bell moved with lightning speed. In a blur, he restrained the newly turned demon, tying him up and placing him into the recovery position so that no one would notice the chaos that had almost erupted. His movements were so swift and precise that it seemed like no one had even realized what had transpired.
Bell's gaze shifted back to Muzan, his eyes cold. "Tanjiro, keep your head clear. We can't let him escape."
Muzan's lips curved into a sinister smile. "You think you can stop me, boy?"
Before Muzan could make another move, Bell dashed toward him with inhuman speed, his sword glinting under the city lights. Muzan narrowly dodged, retreating from the square. Bell managed to slip a note into the hands of the woman Muzan had been standing near, who was now confused and holding her child tightly. The note simply read: Leave this place. He is a demon, and you will die painfully if you stay.
Bell's quick thinking spared her a gruesome fate.
A fierce battle broke out in the dimly lit streets of Asakusa. Muzan moved with deadly grace, his strikes fast and calculated, but Bell and Tanjiro worked in perfect harmony. Tanjiro's swordsmanship, sharpened by his rage and training, clashed against Muzan's overwhelming power. Bell, with his experience and divine abilities, matched Muzan blow for blow, pushing the Demon King further back.
Their crows circled overhead, capturing every moment of the battle and sending swift reports back to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
At the same time, the Hashira were in a tense meeting, discussing the looming threat of Muzan when the crows arrived with urgent news. Some of the Hashira were in disbelief, while others—like Giyu and Rengoku—immediately stood, their faces set with determination.
"Muzan is in Asakusa," Giyu said, his voice low but filled with urgency. Without another word, they all rushed out, not even waiting for orders. The Master of the Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, didn't fault them. He had given strict instructions that if Muzan was ever located, the Hashira should respond immediately, He wished them luck and success.
As the Hashira raced toward Asakusa, Bell and Tanjiro continued their fight, Muzan's attacks growing more desperate. Bell moved like a tempest, his sword creating shockwaves with each swing. But just as the battle seemed to reach its peak, a haunting sound echoed through the air—the string of a biwa being plucked.
Muzan's body shimmered, and in an instant, he disappeared, vanishing into the night.
Bell halted his movements, his eyes narrowing. "A biwa? That's how he escaped."
Just as the battle ended, the Hashira arrived, finding Bell and Tanjiro standing alone in the aftermath of the fight. Rengoku's fiery eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Bell. "Who are you? And what happened here?"
Before Bell could answer, a voice called out from the shadows.
"I am Tamayo," a woman said, stepping into the light. She was a demon, but unlike any they had encountered before. "I have no love for Muzan. I've been working to destroy him for centuries."
Some of the Hashira immediately drew their swords, ready to strike her down, but Bell raised his hand. "Wait. She's doesn't have to be our enemy. She's could turn out to be an ally."
Tamayo nodded gratefully and began explaining her story—her hatred for Muzan, her experiments to find a cure for demons like Nezuko, and her goal to bring Muzan's reign of terror to an end. Bell, sensing the truth in her words, asked key questions about demon physiology, their strengths, weaknesses, and ways to weaken them beyond just wisteria and Nichirin swords.
Tamayo provided valuable insights, including some information on Muzan's blood, which could lead to a potential breakthrough. Her words secured her life as the Hashira reluctantly agreed to spare her. They would consult the Master of the Corps, but for now, Tamayo's knowledge could be crucial in their fight against Muzan.
As the Hashira left to report back, Bell and Tanjiro were invited to Tamayo's home to discuss further strategies. But elsewhere in the city, Muzan sat in the shadows, furious at the encounter. His eyes narrowed as he gave a new order to his subordinates.
"Susamaru, Yahaba... kill the brat with the Hanafuda earrings."
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