Chapter Forty-Two: The Final Battle Approaches

Just moments ago, Tanjiro Kamado had tightly shut his eyes, unable to bear watching what might happen. Yet, as seconds ticked by without hearing a single cry of pain from his sister, he hesitantly opened his eyes. Bathed in sunlight, Nezuko stood unscathed.

“Nezuko, you’re really not afraid of the sun anymore!”

Overjoyed, Tanjiro wrapped his arms around his sister, bursting into laughter.

“This should be proof enough of what I said, don’t you think?” Chu Fan spoke, noting Tanjiro’s delight.

“Mr. Hanyu, thank you for sparing us that day,” Tanjiro said, his gratitude overflowing. “Thank you for your guidance, for teaching me to truly master the Sun Breathing technique. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay the debt I owe you.”

“If we can lure out Muzan Kibutsuji, that will be reward enough for me,” Chu Fan replied. “You and your sister haven’t had the chance to wander together in a long time. Why don’t you take her down to the mountain foot and look around? If word spreads that there’s a demon who can walk in sunlight, Muzan will surely act. I’ll keep watch on the demons’ movements for you.”

To Chu Fan, if they could draw Muzan out, drive him to desperation, and force him into the Infinity Castle, he could reap more Chosen Coins and finally clear this world. That would be the greatest favor anyone could grant him.

“Alright, we’ll go right away,” Tanjiro nodded gratefully, then turned to his sister with a smile. “Let’s go, Nezuko. You must be tired of being cooped up in that box. Let your brother show you around.”

Hand in hand, Tanjiro led Nezuko outside.

“I’m coming too,” Zenitsu Agatsuma called, hurrying after them. Only once they were out of Hanyu’s earshot did he dare to speak again. “But Nezuko’s a demon who’s evolved to withstand sunlight—why can’t she talk yet?”

“If Muzan learns of Nezuko’s new ability,” Tanjiro answered gently, “she’ll be able to become human again, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Ever since Muzan Kibutsuji had attacked their family, leaving only Tanjiro and his sister alive, more than two years had passed. Not a day had gone by without Tanjiro dreaming of this moment: his sister restored to humanity, walking beneath the sun’s warm light by his side. Though she hadn’t fully returned to being human, he was sure it would only take a few more days at most.

As Tanjiro and the others left, Shinobu Kocho lingered, wishing to speak with Hanyu.

“Shinobu, the final battle is almost upon us. There’s no need for you to join,” Chu Fan said before she could speak. “You can defeat an Upper Moon, but it would cost you your life. That isn’t worth it.” With that, Chu Fan left.

“So you want to save me, but you won’t even talk to me for a little while longer?” Shinobu thought, a trace of sadness in her gaze as she watched Chu Fan depart.

From several hundred meters away, Chu Fan watched over Tanjiro and his companions, scanning for the demons’ eyes. He was certain that even if Muzan stayed hidden, he would send Nakime to scout.

Once he spotted one of the demonic eyes, he could let Tanjiro and the others return to safety.

Sure enough, as soon as Tanjiro and his group descended the secluded mountain and stepped onto the main road, Nakime’s ability detected them. At first, she’d only intended to report having finally found traces of the Demon Slayer Corps. But when she saw the girl with Tanjiro and sensed the aura of a demon, her heart trembled. Muzan had said this girl was out of his control.

In the blink of an eye, a white blur appeared before Nakime and crushed her avatar underfoot. Even Nakime’s true body, hidden in the Infinity Castle, was shaken.

“Master Muzan, I’ve seen the white shadow, and the boy with the special earrings you wish to kill. But most importantly, I saw a demon walking in sunlight, completely unharmed,” Nakime reported immediately.

“At last, after a millennium of searching, a demon with this ability has emerged,” Muzan exulted. For months he had remained within the Infinity Castle, and this news invigorated him.

For a thousand years, he had bestowed his blood upon mortals to create demons—both to search for the fabled Blue Spider Lily that would grant him immunity to sunlight, and to see if a demon might evolve such an ability. The flower had eluded him, but now a demon immune to sunlight existed. His ambition was nearly realized.

If he devoured that demon, his blood could grant other demons the same power. The world would become a realm of demons, and not a single human would threaten him again.

“Send out your remaining eyes and pinpoint the Demon Slayer Corps’ locations,” Muzan commanded with a sweep of his hand. “Once they’re found, tonight we’ll eradicate them. Soon, the world will belong to demons.”

“Yes, my lord!” came the responses from Kokushibo, Akaza, Hantengu, Gyokko, and the newly promoted Nakime and Enmu.

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Having destroyed Nakime’s eye, Chu Fan knew Muzan had received the news.

“It’s time, Tanjiro. Take Nezuko to Tamayo. The final battle will come tonight,” he instructed.

He let Tanjiro and the others return to the mountain, where they could stroll in safety, and departed for the Chrysanthemum House.

“Kiku, come here. I have something to tell you.”

Chu Fan knew that once the battle began and Muzan was slain, there would be no chance to bid Kiku farewell. Though she was sent by Kagaya Ubuyashiki to care for him, Chu Fan still felt grateful for her tireless, attentive service over the past four months. If not for her careful management of daily affairs, he would not have been free to immerse himself in his pursuits.

“Lord Hanyu, what is it?” Kiku asked, hurrying to his side.

“Muzan Kibutsuji will appear soon, and I am going to face him,” Chu Fan said. “When he is defeated and I leave, as promised, this residence will be yours as a reward if humanity prevails.”

As Kiku arrived, Chu Fan began to explain and entrust her with his parting wishes.