From the small town, they traveled all the way to the bustling metropolis—
Tokyo Prefecture, Asakusa!
The streets were lively and brilliant with lights. Vendors shouted over one another, and crowds flowed endlessly through the avenues.
This was Aoyama's first time stepping into such a flourishing city since transmigrating.
He handled it well.
Tanjiro, however—
Was completely overwhelmed.
Staring at the dazzling night market and the endless sea of people, his jaw nearly dropped.
"The buildings are so tall! What's that over there?!"
"A city… a city… So this is a city, Senior Brother?! This is a city?!"
Aoyama covered half his face with his hand and pulled Nezuko along quickly, pretending he didn't know this country bumpkin.
"Senior Brother… can we go somewhere less crowded? There are too many people. I'm getting dizzy…"
Tanjiro trailed behind pitifully, still gripping Nezuko's hand tightly to avoid getting separated.
After hearing him beg repeatedly, Aoyama finally led them toward a quieter area.
From within a dim alley came… strange, ambiguous sounds.
Aoyama's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
He patted Tanjiro's shoulder.
"Go check the alley. Might find something interesting."
Tanjiro didn't think twice.
"Interesting" naturally meant demons to him.
It was night—perfect hunting time.
He rushed into the alley.
Less than thirty seconds later—
He bolted back out, face red as a tomato.
"Y-You… Senior Brother… Urokodaki-sensei was right…"
Aoyama grabbed him by the collar.
"What did Urokodaki-sensei say? And why are you blushing? What did you see in there?"
He was asking knowingly.
He'd deliberately sent Tanjiro in.
Who would've thought the pure-hearted boy would be so flustered by a couple passionately embracing in public?
Tanjiro avoided eye contact and hurried forward silently.
Big cities…
Were too much.
People were too… open.
Right out in the street, hugging and kissing without shame…
He felt like crying.
His senior brother had set him up.
Eventually, they arrived at a relatively quiet corner.
Under a streetlamp stood a small udon cart. A bald man sat there lazily smoking, one leg crossed over the other.
"E-Excuse me… could I have a bowl of yam udon…"
Tanjiro asked weakly, still not fully recovered from his embarrassment.
"Make that two," Aoyama said, sitting down beside him.
Then he added casually,
"Look at you. It was just some basic, mildly inappropriate-for-children stuff."
"Senior Brother!!! So you knew?!" Tanjiro jumped to his feet, clutching his head in despair.
He had sworn never to speak of it.
And yet—
Senior Brother had known all along.
He felt utterly betrayed.
Soon, steaming bowls of udon were placed before them.
Tanjiro took a sip of the hot broth.
Finally, his nerves settled.
Then—
A powerful scent hit his nose.
Demon.
Not just any demon.
A familiar one.
His face went pale.
He knew this smell.
It had once filled his home.
It had taken his family.
It had turned Nezuko into a demon.
At the same time, Aoyama caught it too.
He reached out swiftly and caught Tanjiro's bowl before it could fall.
"Tanjiro. Steady. Don't waste the money."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
So.
The final boss was here.
Exciting.
They placed the bowls back on the counter.
"Boss! Don't let them get cold. We'll be right back!"
Aoyama gently patted Nezuko's head where she rested with eyes closed.
"Stay put."
Then he and Tanjiro followed the scent.
Through alleyways.
Back into the bustling main street.
In the flow of people, Aoyama pointed.
They hurried forward.
The source of the scent—
A man wearing a black suit jacket, white trousers, and a white fedora trimmed in black.
Aoyama narrowed his eyes.
There he was—
Kibutsuji Muzan.
Tanjiro moved first.
He grabbed the man's shoulder.
Crimson eyes glanced back coldly.
When the man fully turned around, his face was refined, almost beautiful—yet pale, with faintly furrowed brows.
"Hmm?"
Tanjiro's teeth clenched.
Rage burned in his eyes.
No doubt.
This was the man.
The demon.
Kibutsuji Muzan.
Aoyama stepped forward calmly, openly studying him.
As expected of the ultimate boss.
The oppressive aura alone was thousands of times stronger than any small fry.
But Aoyama—
Did not fear.
Did not flinch.
Did not retreat.
His thumb nudged the blade slightly out of its sheath.
Then—
"Daddy!"
A sweet voice rang out.
Muzan turned slightly.
In his arms was a small, adorable girl.
"It's alright. Don't worry."
His voice softened as he comforted her.
At that moment—
He looked no different from an ordinary father.
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