Doom & Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Xover - Chapter 21 - Page 3 (2024)

 
Tanjiro was pleasantly surprised to see Murata, he hadn't seen the boy since after the Natagumo incident when he and the other boys were recovering from their injuries. After Tanjiro expressed how he was physically feeling, Murata explained, "I heard you've recently encountered two of the Upper Moons, that's scary stuff, dude." Tanjiro concurred. Murata looked around and noticed Rengoku which compelled him to bow before the presence of the Hashira before continuing his scan of the room and noticing the absence of Zenitsu and Inosuke. He commented on this, "Where'd Zenitsu and Inosuke go? Shouldn't they be here?"
Rengoku knew that Murata just stepped on a tripwire and was anxious to see how Tanjiro was going to respond to the situation. Tanjiro paused before forming his answer, "Zenitsu quit because he's afraid and Inosuke left to do his own thing."
"Ah, that sucks, man."
Tanjiro had a lingering thought in the back of his head and felt like expressing it out loud, "Murata, what compelled you to join the Demon Slayer Corps? Was it debt? Was it family? Or just for fun?"
See Also
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"None of them, actually." Tanjiro threw his eyebrows up in shock as he gave the boy a puzzled expression and waited for him to elaborate. "I never lost anyone, my family's still alive and well, thankfully. I joined because I think it's the right thing to do with all of these demons roaming about and killing people. It's like, why be a victim when I can play my part and help others, you know?" It was Murata's turn to be surprised as he noticed Tanjiro's bewildered expression. Murta apologized, "Sorry, I know it's not like everybody else. I'm pretty sure you've gone through worse."
Tanjiro explained his reaction, "No- no… I respect that, a lot." Murata scratched his head out of embarrassment, he didn't expect to receive praise from his friend. Rengoku even chimed in from the back:
"As do I, young one, you've got a strong sense of integrity and justice!" Murata turned beet red upon receiving a compliment from a Hashira which made him press his face into the bed before crying out:
"No! It should be ME that thanks YOU, I am unworthy of your praise Mister Rengoku, sir!"
"At ease, young one, I'm not a god or anything. There's no need to treat me any differently than anyone else, I'm only human, after all." Murata complied with the older man's orders and lifted his head.
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The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, was inside his equivalent of a living room inside of his peaceful mansion. Next to him was his wife and in front of him, his five children. They were enjoying a lovely dinner until they noticed one of the Kakushi nervously run up to the door and bowed, apologizing to the master, "Master! I'm sorry for the intrusion! It's just-" The Kakushi was pushed aside by the Doom Slayer who peeked into the room to see the young man. The family, except Kagaya, was shocked to see the man who's tall stature intimidated them.
Kagaya called out with a gentle and unconcerned tone, "Who is it?" his daughters explained that the Hellwalker was at the door. The man was unphased by this and welcomed the Hellwalker in, asking for his family to step out for a moment to allow the warrior the audience he presumably wanted. His family nervously did as told and left the leader by himself in the room with the Hellwalker. Kagaya indicated to the space in front of him, "Feel free to take a seat, Hellwalker." The Slayer crossed his arms, not budging an inch as he remained standing in front of the leader. "How can I help you, today?"
The Hellwalker spoke up, "I need a new sword. Where do I get one?" Kagaya's face lit up as he remembered that he was told that the Slayer was using Rengoku's sword. The man was happy to oblige, "The Nichirin Blades are crafted in the Swordsmith Village by talented individuals who train their entire lives to perfect their craft. Due to their importance, we've kept their village highly secured and hidden from the public eye. We use… let's say, unconventional methods to keep the village safe. However, it's kept both my household and their village safe after all these years. Considering all of the work you've done for us, I'd be more than happy to give you the directions to the village."
The Slayer uncrossed his arms, waiting to be given the directions he needed to get going. Unfortunately, the man started to cough out blood uncontrollably. The Slayer looked around, believing the leader was under attack but the threat was dismissed with the man gesturing for the Hellwalker to calm down. Once his coughing had died down, he explained, "There's no need to worry, Hellwalker, it's just me." He inhaled greatly to catch his breath before continuing, "You see, my family's been plagued by Muzan's existence for centuries now. Not just in the fact that he's the progenitor of all the demons, but because my family is tied to him by blood. No one in my family gets to live long, I'm not exactly sure what it is but we've chalked it up to some sort of curse that's tied to Muzan's existence. I speculate that once Muzan's out of the picture, this curse that's plagued my bloodline will cease. At least, that's what I hope will happen."
The Slayer had the same thought when Urokodaki told him a similar statement about Muzan. Though this does make the Slayer curious about this Muzan's existence. If Muzan is related to this man by blood, does that indicate he was once human? If so, what turned him into a demon? Presumably the Dark Lord and if so, how?
"I'll inform your Kasugai Vulture about the location of the village. He'll guide you from that point on." The Slayer was fine with this and began to walk away. As he did, Kagaya had one last thing to say to the Doom Slayer before he took his leave, "Thank you, Hellwalker, for everything you've done." The warrior didn't respond, simply continuing on his way as if it was nobody's business.