Chapter 01 - 3rd Season

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The morning arrived, and with the enduring winter, mountains and valleys were blanketed by a white layer of snow that had fallen overnight. Despite the intense cold, the view was, in the eyes of many, beautiful and cozy. Throughout Japan, people began their mornings in a simple and humble manner, gathering with their families to eat before starting work. The younger children hurried to play in the streets, while the older ones met with friends to explore the surroundings or assist their parents with laborious tasks. However, even amidst the peace and tranquility of a winter morning, the city of Kyoto awoke in chaos due to the remnants of an overnight battle. This city, one of Japan's most famous, suffered from the destruction that spread through its alleys and the darker, impoverished parts of town.


— Get away! Stay far from me, you abomination! - Desperate cries drew the attention of passersby, who were horrified by the scene.


The creature's body burned under the sunlight, glowing like embers in a fire. Those who witnessed it armed themselves with whatever they could find to defend against it. However, just as they were about to chase after the creature, a crimson figure tore through the small crowd, trailing it like a fiery comet.


— Wasn't that... - a bewildered lady questioned, astonished by the speed of what appeared to be a person pursuing the creature.

— Yes, it was him! - A mother carrying her child in her arms sighed in relief, smiling at the sight of the figure chasing the fleeing creature. — I'd recognize that red hair anywhere.

— And to think our safety is being overseen by a teenager... The new generation is leaving us behind. - a vendor lamented, feeling overshadowed.


The pursuit continued, and as the creature fled, its body blazed in flames under the increasingly intense sunlight. Screams of pain and fear echoed through the streets, alerting everyone within earshot to the unfolding terror. Turning a corner, the creature found itself cornered in an alley. Tall buildings surrounded it, leaving no chance of escape. The imminent presence of the slayer with crimson hair and eyes only intensified the fear gripping the creature.
Trembling, its arms and wings quivering, the creature turned to face its pursuer. The slayer's intimidating gaze sent shivers down its spine, as if it would be crushed by that presence. Breathing became a difficult task — more challenging than battling an entire squad of demon slayers. In desperation, it knelt, forehead touching the ground, pleading for its life to be spared.


— Please, spare my life! I promise I won't attack humans anymore, won't feed on their flesh or blood. Please, let me go! I'd rather face that man's wrath than be killed by your sword! - The creature, revealed as a demon, kept its head low, fearing that any hint of dishonesty could result in immediate death.


The crimson hunter approached the creature, crouching to meet its eyes. The crimson blade of his sword was then pointed at the demon's throat.


— The blood you've spilled has stained your soul, and your fate is inevitable. But if you make an effort to redeem yourself, your eternal suffering will be lessened. - The slayer demanded answers. — Where are you emerging from? How are you created? Where are your masters? - The now cornered creature knew it had no choice but to respond to the crimson slayer's questions.

— I don't know! - the creature said in a pained tone. — All I can remember is waking up in a small village far from the bustling cities. The orders I receive simply appear in my mind, and whenever I try to escape or end my own life, my blood starts boiling from within. - Anguish was evident in its voice, but the fear in its eyes wasn't solely due to the experiences it had lived through; it was also the fear of the threatening crimson slayer. — I swear I'm telling the truth! I've never seen the master's face, nor that of the others-

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Suddenly, the creature's body began to glow intensely, and within seconds, it exploded, spraying blood and chunks of flesh in all directions. Shortly afterward, the remnants of the creature disintegrated into flames, and the slayer remained motionless in the same spot, wearing an expression of helplessness and sorrow. Despite threatening the creature's life, the slayer never considered taking a demon's life as casually as plucking a flower from the ground or stepping on an insect. Each time the crimson blade severed a demon's head from its body, the pain in the slayer's heart was as intense as the grief of losing a close friend or family member.

After all, it was a wretched life that had been taken.


— These demons were once human. - the slayer said solemnly. — They had human lives, human families. They ate, slept, laughed, and cried. Now they're dragged into a life where they no longer remember who they are or what they've done—completely forgetting everything they've lived through... - During his monologue, the hunter sheathed his sword and turned his back to the disintegrating scene. — I beseech the goddess Amaterasu to have mercy on their souls and allow them, in their next lives, to experience the happiness of living.


Calming himself after witnessing the aftermath, the hunter leaped across rooftops at high speed, making his way toward the road leading out of Kyoto. He paused at a dumpling stall, but his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his crow companion, Kasugai.

" Caw! Caw! Tanjiro Kamado! Tanjiro Kamado! Your presence is requested at Headquarters! Caw! Caw! "


— Eh? Another mission? They never give me a break... — Tanjiro sighed, resigned to the summons. — I'd better be on my way. Tell them I'll return immediately.


The crow nodded and spread its wings, taking flight across the skies, leaving Tanjiro behind. The hunter continued to enjoy the dumplings he had just purchased, and as soon as he finished, he vanished in a crimson streak down the road toward the headquarters.

[...]

Arriving in the mansion area, Tanjiro swiftly made his way to the usual spot, materializing seemingly out of thin air and kneeling on the Ubuyashiki Mansion's veranda. Kagaya awaited him there, calmly sipping his tea.


— Oyakata-sama, I've returned from my mission, but I couldn't gather any information. As before, the demon was eliminated before revealing anything.


Kagaya turned slowly toward Tanjiro, offering a gentle and reassuring smile.


— Tanjiro, I'm glad you're back safely. Don't worry; Tamayo is working on finding a way to sever the demons' connection to Muzan and any potential allies. But that's not why I summoned you. We've uncovered new information about the Red Light District.


Tanjiro clenched his fists, memories of his past life flooding back. He feared altering history due to him time-traveling. He had asked Kagaya to send a team of slayers to investigate the Red Light District because of the appearance of an Upper Moon.


— The hunters we dispatched to investigate the district have returned. They found traces of demonic activity throughout the area. Based on rumors circulating in the nightclubs, the likelihood of it being an Upper Moon is high. - Kagaya sighed and explained that he couldn't send Tanjiro alone or with just any group of hunters, even if they were all from the Kinoe rank. — So, I'll be sending you and a group of your choosing to verify the situation. Who will be the summoned slayers?

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