So Tanjirou had been looking for a way to turn a demon back into a human for this reason…
On the way back to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Musashi had already learned some information from Kochou Shinobu.
The demon girl named Nezuko was Tanjirou's younger sister. His family encountered a demon when he was out, and everyone in his family, except for his sister, died. His surviving sister also turned into a demon.
Alas, what will happen next?
Looking up at the sun hanging in the sky, Musashi felt that this matter was a bit beyond his expectations.
If it was according to the Demon Slayer Corps's rules, Tanjirou's behavior would be considered harboring a demon, and this alone would be enough to execute him according to the rules.
However, thinking of Tanjirou's personality, Musashi felt that he should not do something like harboring a man-eating evil demon. Thinking of Kochou Shinobu's question on the way here, Musashi guessed that perhaps Tanjirou's sister, who turned into a demon, would not eat humans.
Although the probability of this happening was very low, and Musashi had never heard of anyone encountering a demon that didn't eat humans so far, Musashi still hoped it was true.
If this Nezuko doesn't eat humans, then he will try his best to protect both of them. If she has already eaten humans, then he can only protect Tanjirou.
Musashi thought to himself, although he and Tanjirou were friends and he had a good impression of him, his bottom line was that man-eating evil demons were unforgivable. If Nezuko had eaten humans, he would not choose to let her go.
However, thinking that the Master's order was to bring Tanjirou and Nezuko back instead of directly executing them, Musashi felt that the outcome of this matter should not be too bad.
Originally, Musashi had planned to ask Zenitsu what the situation was, but now Zenitsu was wrapped up like a mummy and couldn't speak at all, so asking him was useless.
…
The sunlight spilled into the familiar courtyard, and the Hashira-ranked swordsmen were once again summoned after only a few days.
The Wind Hashira was still training and had not arrived yet, but the other Hashiras had all gathered here. Giyuu was fine after lying down for a while and stood alone on one side. Kochou Shinobu explained the general situation to the Hashiras present.
The Kakushi carrying Tanjirou put him down, and Musashi stepped forward to untie the ropes on Tanjirou.
"Master Musashi…"
That Kakushi felt a bit troubled. Although it wasn't specifically stated what to do with Tanjirou, he had violated the rules, and tying him up with ropes was considered normal treatment to prevent him from resisting.
"Thank you, but all the Hashiras are here, so nothing can go wrong," Musashi said to that Kakushi.
"Yes." That Kakushi stopped saying anything after hearing Musashi say that.
"Hey, Musashi, this guy violated the rules, right? And he even harbored a demon. What are you doing now? It's not flashy at all," Tengen Uzui said unhappily after seeing Musashi's actions.
"His injuries are quite severe. If he's kept tied up, his injuries might worsen. Besides, all of us Hashiras are here now, so there's no need to worry about him resisting, right?" Musashi replied.
He had just used the Transparent World to clearly see Tanjirou's injuries, which were very severe, with many external and internal wounds. He probably couldn't even move easily now.
For now, Musashi was still willing to believe that there was a reason why Tanjirou did this.
After being untied by Musashi, the external noise also caused Tanjirou to wake up.
"Musashi? Why are you here? Nezu… cough cough…" After waking up and seeing Musashi, Tanjirou felt a bit confused, but soon he became concerned about Nezuko's whereabouts. However, his injuries were too severe, and he started coughing after only saying a few words.
"Hey! The person in front of you is a Hashira, the highest Moon in the Demon Slayer Corps! You should be more respectful!" The Kakushi next to him heard Tanjirou's address and said angrily to him.
"It's fine, we knew each other before. He's my friend," Musashi waved his hand and said to that Kakushi.
Then he looked at Tanjirou again.
"Your injuries are very serious. It's better to speak less now. There will be a lot you need to say later," Musashi reminded Tanjirou.
Hashira? The highest Moon in the Demon Slayer Corps? Didn't we join the Demon Slayer Corps together? My current Moon seems to be the lowest, Mizunoto…
The Kakushi's words just now made Tanjirou stunned for a moment. His gaze towards Musashi held a bit more admiration.
"Before the trial begins, first explain the crime you have committed…" Kochou Shinobu said to Tanjirou after seeing him wake up. All she knew was that the demon was Tanjirou's sister.
"There's no need for a trial!" At this moment, Kyojuro spoke, his voice as powerful as ever.
"Harboring a demon is clearly a violation of the rules! We alone are enough to deal with it! He should be beheaded along with the demon!" Kyojuro said loudly.
Musashi was not surprised by Kyojuro's attitude. After spending time together, Musashi had a better understanding of his teacher's personality. He was very enthusiastic and liked to take care of people, but he was someone who tended to jump to conclusions and sometimes wouldn't wait for the other person to finish speaking. However, he was very sensitive to people's emotional fluctuations and was very understanding.
But even so, his attitude towards demons was still very clear: he believed that demons were beings that must be slain.
"Then let me flashily cut off his neck. I'll make his blood splatter everywhere more flashily than anyone else. It's already beyond flashy," Tengen Uzui agreed after hearing Kyojuro's words.
"Ah, ah, what a shabby child. How pitiful, just being born is pitiful enough. Let me kill you," Gyoumei said with tears in his eyes, hands clasped together.
"Yes, it needs to be flashy," Tengen Uzui said in agreement.
"I think we should let him explain. Tanjirou is a friend I met during the Final Selection. He can cut off the neck of an evil demon without hesitation, and he also saved many people during the Final Selection. I believe there's a reason why he did this. Please give him a chance."
Seeing that the Hashiras were about to execute Tanjirou on the spot, Musashi stood up, bowed to the other Hashiras, and said.
I couldn't save that young boy then, I can't watch Tanjirou go through the same thing again…
Unlike the other Hashiras, Musashi had some understanding of Tanjirou and believed that Tanjirou could provide an explanation that he could understand. He also hoped it would be so.
The other Hashiras were stunned after seeing Musashi's actions. The scene quieted down, and Obanai, who was originally on the tree and about to speak, also remained silent for now.
Similarly, the other Hashiras also had some understanding of Musashi. The matter of Demon Slayer Mark and the Bright Red Nichirin made the other Hashiras know that Musashi was someone willing to sacrifice everything to eradicate demons.
"Alright then! Since Musashi said so, let this young boy explain! But if he can't give a reasonable reason, he will still be beheaded along with the demon!" Kyojuro was the first to speak, indicating his willingness to give Tanjirou a chance.
The other Hashiras also did not speak again.
Musashi…
Tanjirou looked at Musashi in front of him, deeply moved.
Musashi straightened up, turned to look at Tanjirou, and said to him:
"Speak, Tanjirou, I also want to know the reason why you did this."