1 Demon Slayer Arc — Side Quest (1)

Demon Slayer Corps.

A group of youngsters clustered in the training field.

"Have you heard the recent news?"

"Of course. Instructor Zoro is amazing. He has only been here for two months. Yet, he already had killed over 50 demons."

"I've been in the corp for five years. I'm only a hinoto. Compared to the Mystifying Hashira, I'm like crap of trash."

"Today's the last day right?"

"I guess so. After all, Lord Zoro was promoted to Hashira."

"Look! Lord Zoro is here!"

A shout startled the crowd.

They immediately gazed at the entrance gates.

A muscular man with a solemn gaze ambled from that direction.

This muscular man was of an average height with lightly tanned skin. Three nichirin blades were bundled in a green haramaki over his right hip. Although he has three identical gold earrings on his left earlobe, the black bandana over his cropped green hair never bothers to hide them. In addition, the scar on his left eye and his chest featured his solemn gaze.

He halted in the center of the youngsters. Everyone, regardless of ranks, cupped fists and greeted,

"Greetings, Lord Zoro."

Zoro stared with his face unchanging.

"I have an important announcement later in the lesson. For now, let's begin the discussion."

The youngsters expected this scenario so they weren't too surprised.

All of them soon raised hands in the air. Zoro swept his gaze and said,

"Today will be different. I'll be giving you a lesson each, so form a single line. Come, you first!"

The hinoto-ranked girl stepped forward. She gripped the pink nichirin blade and said,

"Lord Zoro, I'm a newly promoted Hinoto. I had problems with the fifth form, Break of Flower. Whenever I started to practice, I fell into an issue I can't understand. Thus, I seek your assistance."

Zoro nodded and thought, "System, analyze."

[Analyzing]

[Analyzing Complete]

[Status]

[Name: Kanao Tsuyuri]

[Problem facing: After the incident in Natagumo Mountain, she was promoted to Hinoto. Now after returning to the organization, she quickly realized that she was very weak at the moment. Thus, she trained and master the Breath of Flower's fifth form, the Peonies of Futility. But it was very hard to master. As a quiet girl, she couldn't bring herself from asking someone about this problem. Not only later when she sparred with Tanjiro Kamado, a newly promoted Kanoto that she realized that being stubborn wouldn't help her to become strong.]

Zoro looked at the transparent screen and sighed.

After escaping from Wano Country three months ago, Zoro somehow happened to stumble upon a mysterious stone.

This mysterious stone was very mystical. It looked ordinary, but it somehow entered his body and formed a tattoo on his right bicep.

Then, it transported him to this strange world that greatly differs from his hometown.

This world had three types of people: mortal, demon slayer, and demons!

When he had arrived in this world, the mysterious stone proclaimed itself as 'Savior System'. It distributed missions after missions. He had just completed the 'Promotion Hashira' mission.

After today's teaching, the mission would be completed. The last mission, which he had been waiting for so long, was finally about to start. He hoped that when he completed it, he could return to his hometown.

His comrades...They were waiting for him!

With the aid of the system, Zoro explained the flaws of the fifth form. He added tips that could quickly assist the young lady, causing the latter to nod in satisfaction.

"No wonder." Zoro's suggestion greatly helped Kanao. She sighed and cupped her fist. The problem she had been stuck with was solved like that. She almost couldn't believe it. Lifting her head, she retreated and left the line.

The person behind her stepped forward as soon as she left. He began to inquire about his problem. Soon after, one by one, Zoro solved problems easily like lifting a hand. Zoro's teaching soon came to an end.

Before he left the field, Zoro left a sentence. "The lesson is officially over. I wanted to say after today, there'll be no Instructor Zoro. I assume everyone here knows why."

Everyone nodded.

"You have to remember what I taught: Accept that you're not the best and have the will to strive to be better than anyone you face. Demons are terrifying. But if you can't even face them, what's the point of being a Demon Slayer?"

------------

[Mission Completed]

[The main mission has been unlocked]

[Main Mission]

[A few weeks from now, the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, will face his demise during a mission. He is someone who deserves to live. Go forth savior, change this man's destiny!]

[Reward: A Mysterious Skill]

Zoro halted. He was familiar with Rengoku.

When he had first arrived in this world, he had met this man through an encounter. This person was also the one who had introduced him to the Demon Slayer Corps.

To think that he would die...

Zoro sighed and clenched his blades. Since he had the opportunity to change the foregone conclusion, he would try to do it.

At that moment, a young girl approached him.

Zoro stared. He remembered her.

'Was it Kanao Tsuyuri?'

The girl halted in front of him.

'That's right. Isn't she Shinobu-san's young sister?'

Kanao greeted,

"Lord Zoro."

He nodded and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Yes. Lord Kagaya requested the presence of all Hashiras."

"A gathering? Is it because of... that boy?"

Zoro remembered Giyu-san bringing a young kanoto with a rumored demon sister. That has been a week ago.

"That's probably the case," replied Kanao.

"Ok, I got it."

Zoro nodded and strode.

But Kanao called him again.

"Lord Zoro."

"Yes?"

Zoro turned his head to her.

Kanao coughed. "You're walking in the opposite direction."

"Ah."

Zoro rubbed his nose, somehow embarrassed.

"So which way should I go?"

-----------

Infinity Castle, Twelve Kizuki Headquarters.

Muzan Kibutsuji requested the presence of all the lower and upper demons for an important meeting.

All Kizuki attended, besides Rui who perished in Namatsunu mountain.

Muzan wore a solemn gaze. Tapping the wide table, the meeting began.

Nakime stood with a sigh. "My lord, apparently a new hashira has appeared."

The Kizukis frowned.

"Is it that guy?"

"Indeed." Nakami nodded. "His name seems to be Zoro Roronoa. He wielded three nichirin blades. With them, he slaughtered fifty-some demons in a few months. They called him the Mystifying Hashira."

Muzan narrowed his eyebrows.

He had heard of Zoro Roronoa.

This guy appeared two months ago.

Ever since his appearance, the crimes have greatly diminished. Contrary, the death of demons has been increasing crazily; something he found unpleasant.

A demon that almost became a lower kizuki had even perished in his hand.

Kokushibo, the first-ranked Upper Demon, had his attention piqued. He had never heard of a demon slayer with three nichirin blades. "What are his abilities?"

Nakime glanced at the paper in her hand.

"The report says that Zoro's three nichirin blades are respectively blue(water), indigo-gray(stone), and the last one green(wind). He had revealed three forms that work well with his blades. If his previous performance was his best, his estimated strength is around: halfway upper rank."

"Halfway upper rank..." Muzan did not like that word.

The strength of the Demon Slayer Corps was growing more and more powerful nowadays. Though aware, he was helpless on it. He was still amid self-recovery. At the very least, he had to wait for a few months for a full recovery.

At that time...

Muzan sneered. If not for that annoying ant Kagaya...That punk.

"Proceed," Muzan said. "Tell me about Rui! What exactly happened!"

It was Enmu's turn to stand. As the leader of the lower-ranked Kizuki, the responsibility of Rui's death fell onto her shoulder.

"Lord, Rui's death was done by a demon slayer Tanjiro Kamado and the Water Hashira."

"Tanjiro Kamado?" Muzan awaited an explanation.

"Tanjiro Kamado is a recent demon slayer who debuted at the same time with Zoro Roronoa. Furthermore, he has a Demon Sister, Nezuko Kamado!"

"Oh, a demon." The upper Kizukis were interested.

"This demon lady puzzled me. She never eats human nor shown any insanity."

Muzan frowned. A demon that doesn't eat humans?

"List her as an abnormality."

He instructed. Then, he coldly commanded. "This Tanjiro must die. Enmu..."

"Yes my lord."

"You must kill him." Muzan looked at her. "And Akaza, assist her. Remember to only show if an Hashira shows up."

Akaza, the 3rd Upper-ranked Kizuki, nodded.

"As for you Kokushibo..." Muzan looked at the six-eyed demon. "Bring all of the lower demons with you. Go and find an opportunity to test the Mystifying Hashira's strength. Remember, if you had to sacrifice these useless dogs, don't hesitate."

"Yes, my lord..."

--------

Demon Slayer Corps

All of the Hashiras, except for the newly promoted, had gathered together in the courtyard. Lord Kagaya stood in front of them.

At that moment, Zoro could be seen running inside the gates. He just had arrived thanks to Kanao leading him.

Zoro halted and stared around. The nine hashiras had already gathered.

His gaze halted at the red-haired youth. He felt crestfallen for a moment but shook his head.

'Rengoku-san, I'll definitely save you.'

"Yo, Zoro!"

Rengoku noticed Zoro and called with a laugh. He patted Zoro's shoulder and said, "The moment we met, I knew you'll make it. Mystifying Hashira...That suits you."

Zoro smiled. "How about a Spar?"

"Absolutely." Rengoku became energetic at the mention of that. "After the meeting."

"That settled then."

Zoro nodded. He looked around. "Has the meeting started?"

"Well..." Rengoku laughed. Zoro noticed the bloodstain in the area.

Rengoku explained and Zoro nodded. Apparently, Sanemi-san argued with the boy Tanjiro. He pierced the small box that the boy always carried with him, and the demon girl's blood leaked out.

Though Tanjiro headbutted Sanemi, the meeting had yet to start.

They had been waiting for him to arrive.

Zoro felt embarrassed hearing that.

Zoro followed behind Rengoku as they formed a column with the other hashiras.

Lord Kagaya noticed Zoro and cleared his throat. "Good morning, everyone. Before we begin the meeting, I would like to welcome the mystifying hashira, Zoro Roronoa, for his benevolent action. He contributed greatly during these past months. It's all thanks to him that crimes had dwindled."

The Hashiras nodded and greeted Zoro enthusiastically.

Then, Lord Kagaya continued speaking, "This meeting will be split into two segments. Firstly, about the demon girl, Nezuko Kamado. Everyone, if you want to say something, you can step forward."

Giyu with his usual expressionless face stepped forward. "Lord Kagaya, I strongly believed that Nezuko will never eat humans."

Sanemi sneered but did not speak. He touched his forehead, still feeling a tinge of pain from what happened earlier.

Lord Kagaya swept his gaze to the other Hashiras. No one refuted, so he smiled, "Although we can't be sure she will attack humans, people are protecting her. We can't reject this notion."

"Since there's no objection, we will proceed in the second segment." He said. "There are few unpolished gems with huge potential within the organization. I would like someone to guide them, anyone here wants to volunteer?"

[New assessment!]

[Main Storyline's Side Quest]

[Muzan Kibutsuji, the main antagonist, is brewing a noxious scheme. Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, would perish under this plan. Your main objective is to train the outstanding young Demon Slayers that would be present in the event.]

[System will instruct the Host the following training sequence.]

[Host has received 'Five elemental formations' to be passed to young disciples]