Chapter Forty-One: The Moment Has Arrived

The special training had only just begun when Zenitsu Agatsuma lost his fighting spirit at the Sound Hashira’s place. Yet, thanks to Tanjiro Kamado’s encouragement, Zenitsu soon overcame that hurdle. With the prospect of meeting Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, at the next stage, he quickly regained his composure and motivation.

The training grounds of the various Hashira were bustling with activity, except for that of Chufan Kikuya. No one dared to visit his place. Little Kiku listened to the lively sounds coming from next door, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude around her. She too wished to see Lord Phantom Feather instruct others, but seeing his unwavering dedication to his own training, she suppressed her curiosity. Instead, she diligently attended to Chufan’s daily needs. Though not to the extent where he simply reached out for clothing or opened his mouth for food, her care was meticulous. She went out of her way to learn how to prepare various dishes, keeping the entire Kiku House immaculately organized and spotless.

Chufan would occasionally check on Nezuko Kamado, eager to see when she would finally evolve the ability to withstand sunlight. Once Nezuko reached that stage, his plan could finally be set in motion.

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Three months of special training passed by almost unnoticed. Chufan had now spent over four months in the world of Demon Slayer. His control over his own strength grew more refined, and thanks to his diligent daily practice, his swordsmanship had reached level 3, marking a significant improvement in his overall abilities. For the past several months, it was as if demons had vanished altogether, with no news or incidents reported.

On this day, as part of his daily routine, Chufan went to check the box containing Nezuko and discovered that her demonic constitution had evolved to the third stage—she now possessed the ability to withstand sunlight. On the same day, Kagaya Ubuyashiki summoned Chufan alone. This meeting was not at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, but on a mountain near the base. Here, there was little protection from the wisteria flowers, so demons could easily approach.

“We’ve managed to buy three months’ time. Tamayo has developed the medicine to turn demons back into humans,” Kagaya said. “I haven’t let down the hopes of Tanjiro Kamado. But Kibutsuji Muzan truly seems to have gone into hiding. Using this as justification, I’ve persuaded some of my children—the Nine Hashira. My wife, daughters, and I are prepared to meet our end.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki could no longer stand and lay prone on his bed, his voice barely audible. If not for Chufan’s keen hearing, he would have struggled to make out the words.

“So the medicine to turn demons back into humans has been developed,” Chufan replied. “In that case, I have good news for you as well. You are not the only one who can lure Kibutsuji Muzan out. Tanjiro Kamado’s sister, Nezuko, has evolved and can now withstand sunlight. I believe you understand what this means.”

Kagaya’s spirits lifted somewhat at this, though his heart’s violent palpitations caused him to cough up blood. Even as his life flickered like a candle in the wind, his words carried unwavering determination.

“That is truly wonderful… cough… Please, Phantom Feather, I leave them in your hands. Bring victory for humanity.”

“I promise you, I will spread the news with Nezuko,” Chufan replied solemnly. “We must make sure the demons know that Nezuko now possesses the ability to withstand sunlight.”

With that, Chufan departed and sought out Tanjiro Kamado, who had completed his special training and was waiting at the Butterfly Mansion.

“Tanjiro Kamado, I have something to tell you. Your sister has evolved and can now withstand sunlight…” Chufan announced directly before Shinobu Kocho, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and the others.

It was an astonishing revelation, yet Zenitsu and Inosuke Hashibira did not utter a sound. After enduring the rigorous training of the various Hashira, they had heard even more rumors about Phantom Feather, learning just how fearsome and unfathomably strong he was.

“Phantom Feather, it’s not that I doubt you,” Tanjiro said, “but is it really possible for a demon to withstand sunlight?”

He was not worried that Phantom Feather would harm Nezuko, but rather feared that sunlight would kill her instantly. He wanted to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan, but he also wished for his sister to become human again.

“If you doubt my words, have Nezuko stretch out her hand and let the sun shine on it—you’ll know for sure,” Chufan said. “Tamayo has already developed the medicine to turn demons back into humans, but we can’t have her take it just yet. We need her as bait to draw out Kibutsuji Muzan. Tanjiro, you should know that if I wanted to kill your sister, she would have died the very first time we met.”

Understanding Tanjiro’s dilemma, Chufan had long prepared for this.

“All right, let’s try it. If it doesn’t work, please let my sister take the medicine and return to being human,” Tanjiro agreed after a brief hesitation. He knew that, as Phantom Feather said, if Chufan had wanted to kill Nezuko, he wouldn’t have needed to go to such lengths. Even now, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to take Nezuko and expose her to sunlight. Yet Chufan had respected his feelings, explaining everything and letting him decide.

“Very well,” Chufan replied.

“Nezuko, you heard, didn’t you? Stretch out your hand and try it. If it doesn’t work, you can become human again today,” Tanjiro said gently as he opened the wooden box on his back.

A cute, black-haired little girl crawled out obediently and nodded. She looked at the sunlight outside the room, still a little frightened, but bravely stretched her hand out of the shadows, exposing her palm to the sun.

The sunlight, which should have severely wounded a demon with even the slightest contact and would have been fatal if fully exposed, did not harm her delicate little hand in the slightest. Instead, she basked in the sun’s warmth just like any ordinary human, completely unharmed.