Demon Slayer: The Second God Who Walks the Earth

"Can transforming the Nichirin Blade into this form truly grant the ability to suppress the regeneration of demons?" The Serpent Pillar questioned whether the Crimson Blade could suppress the regeneration of demons.

Although he now has a favorable impression of Chiba Yo, he feels that he should still be more rigorous in matters of public affairs.

“I have already tested its abilities in the battle against Lower Moon Two,” Chiba Yo explained.

“I just confirmed with the crow that the Crimson Blade can indeed suppress the regeneration of demons,” Yaozai added.

There are no further questions about the other pillars now.

“In that case, we will try to acquire this ability as soon as possible,” said Himejima Gyomei, clasping his hands together.

"And about the markings I mentioned last time, since Chiba's markings are innate, I'll awaken them myself, and then I'll tell you how to awaken them," Sanemi added enthusiastically.

Giyuu, standing to the side, looked at Sanemi with an expression that seemed to say, "How could you even say that?"

At that moment, Kagaya spoke up.

"Regarding the markings, there's something I forgot to mention last time, so I'll tell you now."

Kagaya's voice was very solemn, and the attention of the Pillars was drawn to him, who looked at him with questions.

The atmosphere in the room became very serious.

"According to records, without exception, no swordsman with the markings lived past the age of twenty-five..." Kagaya slowly finished speaking.

Kagaya didn't mention this last time because he was worried about whether Chiba Yo, who had only recently joined the Demon Slayer Corps, could handle the outcome. He knew the other Pillars very well, but he didn't know much about Chiba Yo before.

However, after talking with Chiba Yo last time, Kagaya felt that Chiba Yo's ability to withstand pressure was not weak, so he chose to explain this to the other Pillars.

They all won't live past twenty-five... So that's what the teacher's father meant when he said they'd "only die young"...

Chiba Yo now fully understands what Shinobu had said back then, and this news still shocked him.

However, he did not experience any negative emotions such as fear or resentment. The fact that he would not live past the age of twenty-five was not something unacceptable to him at the moment.

In the past, he would have worried about who would take care of his mother if he died so young, but he doesn't have that worry now.

However, what he didn't know was that what Kagaya said was inaccurate. There were exceptions. Even with the mark, he still lived to be over eighty years old. He was the man who drove Muzan to the brink of death in the Sengoku period—Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

The room fell silent after Kagaya's words, not because of fear of the side effects of the mark, but because they were at a loss for words out of sympathy for Chiba Yo.

“In that case, I have no choice but to kill all the demons before I turn twenty-five.” A resolute voice broke the silence as Chiba Yo looked at Kagaya and said calmly.

“That’s right! What you said really resonates with me. It’s just that I won’t live past twenty-five. If I can eliminate all the evil spirits, what does it matter if I die young?” Sanemi agreed with Chiba Yo’s words, clenching his right hand and grinning as he spoke.

“That’s what I wanted to say too,” the Serpent Pillar added.

"I'm really looking forward to my markings; they'll definitely make me even more magnificent," Uzui Tengen said, stroking his chin.

The other pillars didn't seem to care about the drawback of the markings either; in fact, they were all somewhat looking forward to their appearance.

“I see… What will happen if I awaken my markings…” Himejima Gyomei muttered to himself.

Seeing the relaxed atmosphere on set, Kagaya smiled.

Just then, a crow flew in through the window and landed in front of Kagaya, with a letter tied to its leg.

Kagaya took the letter off the crow's leg, glanced at it, and then looked up.

"The Twelve Demon Moons have appeared on Mount Natagumo, and many team members have already sacrificed their lives. Giyu and Shinobu, you two go there. You should come along too; it'll be a good opportunity to test the Crimson Blade again."

Chapter 29 Man and Ghost

"Yes, sir." Giyuu, Shinobu, and Chiba Yo responded, and then the three of them left the mansion and headed to Mount Natagumo.

The other Pillars also began training to transform their Nichirin Blades into Crimson Blades.

The three of them barely spoke along the way. Chiba Yohara thought that his relationship with Giyu had made great progress, but now he found that he still had difficulty communicating with him. He only said a few words to Kocho Shinobu.

In addition, Chiba Yo also discovered that Kocho Shinobu is a rather warm person. Even with a cold person like Giyu, she would always try to communicate with him, just like now.

"If only humans and demons could live in harmony, what do you think, Mr. Tomioka?" Shinobu asked Giyuu.

This was what her sacrificed older sister had always hoped for. When her sister died, Shinobu Kocho lived out her sister's image.

But all of this was just a facade. Although she said that, her hatred for demons was no less than that for Sanemi and Obanai.

Giyu remained expressionless and calmly replied, "It won't work as long as the demons still eat people."

"What do you think, Xiaoyang?" After hearing Yiyong reject the idea without hesitation, Shinobu Kocho asked Chiba Yang.

“My thoughts are the same as Mr. Tomioka’s. As long as demons continue to eat people, it is impossible for humans and demons to live in harmony. Although these demons were once human, they committed unforgivable sins from the moment they became demons and ate people. Only by killing them can we appease the souls of those who died at their hands,” Chiba Yo replied to Kocho Shinobu.

"Ah, that's a real shame. But what Xiaoyang means is, can a ghost that hasn't eaten a human still be forgiven?" Shinobu asked Chiba after hearing his words.

This question stumped Chiba Yo. He had never imagined that there could be a demon that didn't eat people. All the demons he had seen so far had eaten people, except for those that were extremely cruel and not only ate people but also took pleasure in torturing and killing them.

Even newly created ghosts will eat people. After all, when ghosts are first created, they are very weak and desperately need to eat people to recover. They will not even spare blood relatives, and blood relatives are even more attractive to them.

After thinking for a while, Chiba Yo gave Shinobu Kocho an answer.

"If there really are ghosts that don't eat people, then I think we can let them live under supervision and try to find a way to turn them into humans."

"If we can't find it, and assuming it won't eat people, I think we should kill it when it reaches the age when it should die of old age as a human," Chiba Yo said.

In the past, Chiba Yo might not have thought so much and would have just killed him outright.

But after meeting Tanjiro and experiencing his first mission, his thoughts changed. Even if some people become demons, they are still deeply loved by others. The most painful thing when this happens is for the people who love them.

If someone has eaten humans, then there's not much to say. But if someone hasn't eaten humans, then Chiba Yang thinks there are still options besides killing.

Upon hearing Chiba Yo's words, both Giyuu and Shinobu Kocho seemed to fall into thought.

Chiba Yo continued to explain to them, "Eternal life goes against the rules of this world and should not exist."

Furthermore, if a ghost doesn't eat people, it means it still retains human consciousness. Immortality would then be a curse to it; with its loved ones and friends departing one by one, how long could its remaining human consciousness last?

After hearing Chiba Yo's words, Shinobu Kocho and Giyuu felt a growing respect for him, something they had never considered before.

"I didn't expect Xiaoyang to think so deeply. It seems that what you said is the most suitable method. What do you think, Mr. Tomioka?" Shinobu Kocho said with a smile, agreeing with Chiba Yang's idea, and also asked Giyu a question.

"Hmm." Yiyong hummed in response and then made no further comment.

The group then remained silent.

Soon, the three arrived at Mount Natagumo. Night had fallen, making the entire mountain appear extremely eerie and sinister, and faint screams could be heard coming from within.

"Why don't we split up?" Chiba suggested to Giyuu and Shinobu.

With such a large mountain, their progress would definitely be slower if the three of them moved together.

Giyuu and Shinobu nodded, and then the three of them went into the mountains separately.

In the dark forest, Chiba Haru hurried toward the center of the mountain.

Suddenly, a thunderous sound rang out, and Chiba Yo looked up in the direction from which the sound came.

In the sky, a blond-haired figure blocked out the moon, his right hand gripping the hilt of a Nichirin Blade, it was unclear whether he was sheathing the sword or preparing to draw it. Beside him, a demon's head also flew high into the air, and then the two fell together.

"Zenitsu?" Chiba Yo felt that the figure looked somewhat like Zenitsu, and with worry in his heart, he changed direction and started running in that direction.

Suspended on the roof of a house in mid-air, Zenitsu lay on his back, poisoned, and at that moment the moon was exceptionally clear in his eyes.

One idea after another gradually emerged in his mind.

I think I had a dream... a happy dream...

I am incredibly powerful... more powerful than anyone else...

Able to help the weak and those in trouble...

Zenitsu recalled the scenes from his dream, and the image of Kuwashima Jigoro appeared in his mind, as did the scenes of his grandfather teaching him in the past.

No matter what... what my grandfather taught me, and the time he spent on me... it was never in vain...

Just as Zenitsu was lost in thought, a figure dressed in white landed on the roof and called out to him.

Who is that...? That voice sounds so familiar...

His reverie was interrupted. Zenitsu heard a familiar voice in his ear, but he couldn't move his body, not even turn his head.

"Zenitsu! Hang in there, I'll take you to a doctor!" Chiba shouted to Zenitsu, hoping to keep him conscious, while carefully lifting Zenitsu up in his arms.

Zenitsu was arguably the first close friend Chiba Yo made after joining the Demon Slayer Corps, and he was very important to him.

At that moment, Zenitsu also saw the face of the newcomer.

It's Yang... Am I dreaming too...? It can't be such a coincidence... It seems... it's too late...

Zenitsu's consciousness gradually faded, and his eyes closed.

"Don't give up, Zenitsu!"

"do not give up!"

Two voices rang in Zenitsu's ears at the same time, and Zenitsu opened his eyes again at that moment, tears streaming down his face.

Amidst the turbulence, Zenitsu remembered Grandpa Kuwajima's teachings and slowly began to use breathing techniques to alleviate the spread of the toxins.

Chiba Yo, who was holding Zenitsu, felt slightly relieved after seeing this situation.

If she uses breathing techniques, she should be able to hold on for a while longer. Now it all depends on whether Sister Ren can save her.

Chiba Yo ran in the direction Shinobu Kocho had gone. He regretted suggesting they split up earlier, but fortunately they hadn't been separated for too long, and Chiba Yo quickly found Shinobu Kocho who was on her way.

"Sister Ren, please help me save him!"

Chiba Yo rushed to Shinobu Kocho's side and said to her urgently.

Chapter 30 Inosuke

“It looks like he’s been poisoned. Put him down first, and I’ll see what medicine to prescribe based on his symptoms.” Shinobu Kocho stopped after hearing Chiba Yo’s words, looked at Zenitsu’s appearance, and then said to Chiba Yo.

"Okay." Upon hearing this, Chiba Yo gently put Zenitsu down as Shinobu Kocho had instructed.

Shinobu Kocho bent down to check on Zenitsu's condition, then took out several vials of medicine and said while preparing the medicine, "Fortunately, this poison is not difficult to cure. This boy has also used breathing techniques to slow the spread of the poison, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Hearing Shinobu's words, Chiba Yo breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Shinobu-neechan. Also, there are quite a few people infected with this toxin over there that I just came from," Chiba Yo said to Kocho Shinobu.

He was too anxious and brought Zenitsu to find Shinobu Kocho first, since Kyojuro had told Chiba Yo when they first met that she was very skilled in poisons.

If Shinobu Kocho hadn't come along this time, Chiba Yo really wouldn't know what to do.

"I see. I'll go over there once the antidote is prepared," Shinobu Kocho replied while preparing the medicine.

She had prepared the medicine in no time and then injected the antidote into Zenitsu's arm.

At this moment, the hidden team members who had been following behind also arrived.

"Alright, he's out of danger. After some more recuperation, he'll be fine," Shinobu Kocho said, getting up.

Upon hearing this, Chiba Yo turned to look at Zenitsu and noticed that the poison spots on Zenitsu's face had indeed faded.

Zenitsu regained consciousness and immediately saw Chiba Yo and Kocho Shinobu in front of him.

The physical pain and what he had just experienced made him burst into tears.

"Yang!!! It really is you! I thought I was dreaming! Hey, let me tell you, that spider just now! It was so scary! It tried to turn me into a spider too..."

Zenitsu cried as he spoke, and at the same time threw himself at Chiba Yo, his snot almost smearing onto him.

“Yes, yes…” Chiba Yo echoed Zenitsu.

Hearing what Shinobu Kocho had just said and seeing Zenitsu's current state, Chiba Yo's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was completely put at ease.

"This is so scary! Tanjiro and Inosuke just left me! I can't find them..."

"Mmm..." Chiba Yang nodded in response. Although he responded, Zenitsu's incoherent words were somewhat incomprehensible to him.

Who is Inosuke...?

Chiba Yo thought helplessly.

"Let's bandage him up," Shinobu Kocho suddenly said with a smile to the Hidden Team member who had just arrived.

"Yes!" the hidden team member replied respectfully, and then immediately took out a bandage.

"Do you know what's even more infuriating? He actually took Nezuko away too! Taking Nezuko to such a dangerous place... Waaah... Waaah..."

“Yes, yes…” Chiba Yo continued to agree.

Who is Nezuko...?