"I see, so all the man-eating demons were created by a Demon King named Muzan Kibutsuji, and a demon's strength is determined by both Muzan's blood and their own Blood Demon Art."
After talking with Murata for half the night, Makoto Suzuki finally had a general understanding of this world's situation.
Demons only fear sunlight, and Nichirin Blades can kill them because they are forged from a special ore that absorbs sunlight. In addition, wisteria flowers are also a deadly poison to demons.
As for the government, they are still completely unaware of the existence of demons and know almost nothing about the Demon Slayer Corps. Therefore, the Demon Slayer Corps is an entirely independent, unofficial organization.
However, Makoto Suzuki quite approved of this concealment from the government. After all, for those powerful figures, a mere inability to see the sun would in no way affect their pursuit of immortality. They would fall to their knees before Muzan Kibutsuji at any cost, just to beg for a little of his blood.
As for eating people—it's not as if they don't already devour people now.
"That's everything I know. As for other information about the Demon Slayer Corps, I can only tell you after you've officially joined. I'm sorry."
"There's no need to apologize. It's your responsibility as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. I should be the one apologizing for asking such a direct question."
Makoto Suzuki bowed slightly.
To be honest, he was quite impressed with Murata. Even knowing he was no match for that demon, he still prepared to fight it, and he had already sent out the intelligence before the battle. If the Demon Slayer Corps was full of people like this, or at least mostly people like this, then the organization was fully qualified to call itself one that fights for humanity.
"No, no, you saved my life! Please don't do that."
Murata was startled and quickly bowed ninety degrees, but Makoto Suzuki stopped him.
"Alright, Mr. Murata, since we have to wait for your Kasugai Crow to bring someone back, we should probably find a place to stay."
"Ah, no problem! Please, you must let me pay for the room!"
Murata said very happily, feeling like he finally had a way to repay even a fraction of the kindness he'd been shown.
It seems the Demon Slayer Corps isn't short on funds.
Makoto Suzuki thought to himself. Originally, his worst-case scenario was that if the Demon Slayer Corps was also rotten to the core, he would just join to get a Nichirin Blade and then leave, traveling and slaying demons on his own. But now, it seemed that joining the Demon Slayer Corps directly was also a good option.
And so, the two of them stayed there for three days straight. Every day, Makoto Suzuki would go and check on the mother and daughter, and he was relieved to find that they had settled down again and their lives had returned to normal.
Three days later, while chatting with Makoto Suzuki, Murata heard what sounded like the flapping of wings outside. He excitedly looked up, opened the window, and peered out.
"Here! Here!"
The Kasugai Crow cawed excitedly; clearly, it was also happy to see that Murata was still alive.
But the person who had come with the Kasugai Crow did not seem pleased by the scene.
A cold light flashed, though it didn't strike Murata's neck directly. The newcomer simply assumed a combat stance.
"Are you one of the Twelve Kizuki? Did you hide the number in your eyes?"
the man questioned in a cold voice.
"Eh? Lord Water Hashira? You came in person? This is Lord Makoto Suzuki! He's the one who killed Lower Rank Six and saved me! He's not a demon!"
Murata explained anxiously.
"Murata, are you telling the truth?"
"You remember my name? Er, of course it's true! I'm still human, and Lord Makoto Suzuki is human too. We've been moving around outside during the day these past few days."
Giyu Tomioka did not readily believe this statement. After all, it was still nighttime, and there was no way to directly verify their words at the moment.
"In that case, why don't we have a meal together tomorrow during the day? I imagine this Mr. Water Hashira must be tired after traveling for so long. It's getting late, how about you rest first?"
Makoto Suzuki smiled, not feeling offended in the slightest. If he were in the other man's shoes, hearing that Murata had encountered the supposedly unbeatable Lower Rank Six, only to arrive and find Murata still alive next to a complete stranger not wearing a Demon Slayer uniform, his first reaction would surely be that Murata had been turned into a demon by Lower Rank Six and was being kept by its side.
After a moment of silence, Giyu Tomioka simply sheathed his sword but showed no intention of resting.
"If you need to sleep, please do."
Clearly, he didn't fully trust Makoto Suzuki and Murata yet, so he planned to stay and watch them to prevent any escape.
"This... Lord Suzuki?"
"I told you, just call me Makoto or Mr. Suzuki. Let's get some sleep for now. Everything will be clear when the sun comes up tomorrow, won't it?"
Makoto Suzuki yawned and lay down in his clothes.
Murata was a bit stressed. He looked at the Water Hashira, then at Makoto Suzuki, and finally retreated to a corner, staring anxiously at the night sky and praying for dawn to come quickly.
When the first ray of sunlight shone through the window, Giyu Tomioka stepped into the room. He looked at Murata, who was sleeping soundly in the sunlight, then turned his gaze to Makoto Suzuki, who was already awake.
"Thank you for saving him."
"It was just a coincidence. I'm glad he didn't give up the fight himself."
Makoto Suzuki's gaze fell on the sword at the other man's waist.
"If I wanted to get a Nichirin Blade, what would I need to do?"
"That is not for me to decide. I will relay your battle record and your request to the Master and await his decision."
Although the young man maintained a calm and detached demeanor, when he mentioned the Master, one could still hear a genuine reverence in his voice.
"So I have to keep waiting here?"
Makoto Suzuki scratched his head. To be honest, he was getting sick of being idle these past few days.
"Before I relay this message, there is one more thing."
"What is it?"
"I need you to prove to me that you truly have the ability to slay Lower Rank Six. Only then can I help you pass on the message."
So he's a bit of an arrogant guy, huh? Maybe last night he just didn't want to stay in the same room as us, which is why he was squatting outside the whole time?
The other's reasoning was perfectly logical, and Makoto Suzuki had no intention of refusing. It was just that the Water Hashira's way of communicating was clearly not very friendly, even after proving that he and Murata were still human.
Hmm, if he really has that kind of power, even if he doesn't want to join the Demon Slayer Corps, I will take the initiative to request a Nichirin Blade for him from the Master. I'll add it to the end of the message and vouch for him in my own name.
It seems Mr. Giyu is his usual self today, only saying half of what he means.
_____
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