Under the glittering neon of the Entertainment District, Bell, Tengen, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke met in a quiet corner to strategize. The loud bustle of nightlife swirled around them, lanterns and laughter echoing off the polished streets. Tengen crossed his arms, his face set in grim determination as he addressed the group.
"Listen up," Tengen began. "We're here to find my wives—Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru. They were stationed in the top three houses here but haven't reported back in days. I don't know what we're up against, but it's likely we're dealing with an Upper Moon demon."
The mention of an Upper Moon demon tightened the atmosphere. Bell noticed Tanjiro's jaw set with renewed determination. Meanwhile, Zenitsu and Inosuke, their boisterous natures shining through, fidgeted beside each other, clearly ready to pester Tengen with a volley of questions.
But it didn't take long for Inosuke to butt in, leaning forward as he jabbed his finger towards Tengen. "Why'd you need three wives in the first place, huh? Isn't one enough?"
Before he could get another word out, Tengen's hand struck down on Inosuke's head with a resounding bonk. "Less talk. More focus." He raised an eyebrow at Zenitsu, who only managed a squeak before Tengen knocked him out cold, his body hitting the ground with a soft thud. Tanjiro chuckled softly, and Bell merely smirked at the scene. To any bystander, it would've been quite the sight, but the antics only seemed to motivate Tengen.
Once Zenitsu was revived and the group's focus was restored, Tengen turned to Bell with a raised brow. "Alright, looks like you're good at making people look decent. You're the makeover specialist."
With a knowing grin, Bell got to work. Under his careful attention, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke were soon decked out in feminine disguises, each surprisingly refined compared to what might have been expected. Tanjiro's hair was styled, lengthened with clever tricks, and even adorned with a hairpin. He had a cotton-stuffed kimono that, with a few careful adjustments, gave the illusion of a curvy figure. Zenitsu and Inosuke received similar transformations, with Bell arranging their kimonos and hair to make them look like convincing young women. Tengen whistled in appreciation, folding his arms as he took in the result.
"Nice work, Bell. You've got a real knack for… alternative fashion."
Bell only shrugged, giving a small smirk. "Got to make do with what we have," he said, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "And trust me, no one will look twice."
With their disguises in place, they began their mission in earnest, splitting up to search various houses for any leads. Tengen went solo, moving through the district with ease, while the others were each sent to different establishments. It didn't take long for Bell to establish himself in the scene, as he gathered information by charming his way through the district, gleaning details from the older women running the shops to the younger girls who seemed in tune with the district's darker secrets.
Bell's reputation, and his six eyes to aid his scouting, made quick work of his surroundings. Some nights were spent over tea, others with late-night chats in rooms thick with incense, as he deftly pried stories and insights about the district's mysterious goings-on. He learned of suspicious deaths and whispered rumors, but no one seemed to know the true nature of the lurking demon. Then, one night, he spotted a faint movement out of the corner of his eye.
Near midnight, Bell spotted three women, their forms wrapped tightly within elegant yet strangely sinister obi belts, each frozen as if trapped mid-motion. His gut clenched as he watched them struggle against the restraints, then suddenly fall still. As he turned away, he found Tengen's gaze fixed on him.
"Describe them," Tengen urged, his voice tense.
Bell nodded. "They looked around our age, mid-twenties. All in obi belts, but not moving—almost as if they were paralyzed."
Tengen's eyes widened, a mixture of worry and relief flickering in them. "That's them. Makio, Suma, Hinatsuru. We've found them."
Before they could celebrate, a powerful blast erupted in the distance, and Bell's gaze snapped to the source. He recognized the scent of blood and destruction. "That's Tanjiro," Bell said, his voice grim. "And it sounds like he's already engaged."
Back in the thick of the district, Tanjiro had been fighting Daki, the Upper Six demon, in a one-sided battle. She moved with the elegance of a dancer, her sash-like belts slicing through the air, each one powerful enough to tear apart wood and flesh alike. But Tanjiro, undeterred, countered every attack with a fierce resolve. His movements were precise, his blade flashing in the dark as he aimed for her neck again and again. But she was fast, slipping out of his reach each time he got close, taunting him.
"You're pathetic, Demon Slayer," she sneered, her laughter like nails on glass. "Do you really think a weakling like you can defeat me?"
Tanjiro's grip tightened, eyes narrowing as he took in the destruction she was causing. Bodies lay scattered in her wake, and with each innocent death, something within him shifted. The fire within him burned hotter, an icy clarity descending over him as he stepped forward. No words escaped his lips, his focus narrowing to one simple objective: eliminate this threat.
Bell and Tengen hurried through the streets toward the chaos, adrenaline fueling their movements as they reached the brothel where Tanjiro had engaged Daki. But as they drew closer, they found Zenitsu, unconscious and wrapped tightly in Daki's obi belt. Quickly, Bell severed the restraints, freeing him, while Tengen dashed into the building to retrieve his wives.
With Zenitsu secure and the wives safely extracted, they regrouped just as Tanjiro engaged Daki once more, determination written on his face. His movements were quick, brutal, relentless.
Finally, Daki looked truly shaken. She lashed out, her belts slicing indiscriminately through the walls and floors, killing any remaining bystanders. But just as she struck, Tanjiro flashed behind her, his blade whistling through the air as he aimed a strike at her neck.
Just as Daki's head was about to meet Tanjiro's blade, Bell and Tengen arrived on either side of her. With movements as synchronized as a deadly dance, they joined in, their blades whirling with lethal precision. Bell's katana glowed a fierce, pulsing red, each swing fueled by righteous anger as he closed in on the demon, and Tengen's dual swords caught the glimmer of moonlight as they struck in perfect unison.
Daki's composure shattered. She bared her teeth, realizing, perhaps for the first time, that this was a fight she couldn't win.
The synchronized strike from Tengen, Bell, and Tanjiro connected in a brutal, sweeping arc, severing Daki's head with a clean slice. Her head hit the ground with a dull thud, her eyes widening in shock and frustration. She started wailing, a shrill voice carrying her complaints about the "unfairness" of it all, her petulance reaching new heights as she sputtered and whined.
But her body didn't crumble.
Bell's eyes narrowed as he activated his Six Eyes, and Tanjiro, still in his selfless, instinctive state, noticed her form shifting oddly, her body seeming to morph and pulse in a strange way. Both of them sprang forward, ready to strike again, when suddenly, a flurry of bloody sickles shot out toward them. Bell's sword whipped out in a flash, severing a sickle-laden arm from the shadowed figure that emerged beside her. But Gyutaro, the demon who had hidden within Daki's form, was undeterred.
Tanjiro's blade clashed with Gyutaro's sickles, sparks flying from the intense clash as he struggled to hold his ground. Without a moment's hesitation, Tengen leaped in beside him, swinging his blades down in a deadly arc that forced Gyutaro to defend his neck. But, knowing he was outmatched, Daki released a blinding explosion, forcing the Slayers to break formation.
The blast threw up plumes of dust and debris, but the momentary setback was quickly overcome. Zenitsu and Inosuke, who had been lying in wait, dashed forward as soon as the smoke cleared. With a flash of lightning speed and an untamed roar, they struck Gyutaro's neck from either side, their blades carving through with startling precision. The demon's head flew, and before he could recover, Bell darted in, kicking Daki back towards Tengen and Tanjiro. They moved with perfect unity, each stroke precise as they eliminated any remaining chance of recovery.
Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the labored breaths of the demon slayers. Tengen's three wives, who had been hiding nearby, cried out in surprise, rushing forward. They enveloped Tengen with relief, each taking a turn to hug him, their voices a mix of laughter and joyous scolding.
"Ah, you've got your husband back, safe and sound," Bell teased, his voice warm despite the exhaustion lining his features.
Each of the wives turned to the Slayers in gratitude, and Hinatsuru stepped forward to press a quick, gentle kiss to each of their cheeks. Tanjiro turned beet red, Zenitsu's cheeks flushed brightly before he promptly passed out, and Inosuke… well, he simply blinked in confusion, unsure what to make of the gesture but clearly enjoying the attention.
Bell chuckled, ruffling Tanjiro's hair as his blush deepened. "Good work, kid," he said, pride flickering in his eyes. "You've more than earned a break."
At that moment, Obanai Iguro arrived on the scene, quietly observing the aftermath. He gave Tengen a long look, nodding in slight approval. "You've taken down two Upper Moons," he acknowledged, crossing his arms, though his tone was less congratulatory than expected. "But remember, they were among the lowest of the Upper Ranks. It was expected."
Bell met Obanai's gaze with a casual shrug, the smile never leaving his face. "Expected or not, they're down. That's two less we have to worry about."
With that, the Slayers returned to the Demon Slayer Headquarters, where they were given a rare night of celebration. It was a night filled with laughter, stories of the recent battle, and the rare chance to let down their guard, each relishing the momentary peace.
As morning dawned, Tanjiro and Bell received word to report to the Master for a new mission briefing. The Master spoke quietly but with unwavering authority. "You will be heading to the Swordsmith Village. With Upper Moon activity increasing, we must protect this village, especially as it provides the weapons so vital to our cause. Tanjiro, your training will continue there, and Bell, you will oversee security alongside the village's guard."
Bell and Tanjiro exchanged determined glances, each of them understanding the importance of the mission. With a firm nod, they accepted their orders, ready to set off on the journey that awaited them in the hidden village of the Swordsmiths.