I explained everything that had happened again to the sisters.
"Even so, a demon..."
Coming from a family that had suffered greatly because of demons, the sisters seed unable to accept this easily.
"I'd like you to leave this matter to ."
When I said that, the sisters seed to reluctantly accept.
"Understood, Sword Saint."
I first assigned rooms to the Tanjiro family. They seed tired and fell asleep without even unpacking. With their tension released, they seed to sleep soundly. They woke up around lunchti, ate, and discussed the future.
"I will hire Mr. Tanjuro to work at the clinic."
"Is there sothing I can do at a clinic?"
"Yes. Quite a variety of supplies co into the clinic. I'll introduce you to the suppliers, and you can purchase and manage the necessary items. Of course, I will personally purchase the specialized dical equipnt and dicines that require dealing with Westerners, so you don't need to worry too much."
I planned to entrust Tanjuro with purchasing and managing food ingredients, patient gowns, bandages, bedding, daily necessities, and so on. Additionally, having Tanjuro at the clinic would ensure its safety in case of ergency, as he would be able to fend off demons even when I was away. I couldn't send such a powerful bodyguard elsewhere.
"I see. I'll do my best."
Then Kie and Tanjiro also asked , "Is there any way I could help too?"
"Teacher, I'll do anything."
I said to Kie and Tanjiro, "You have many children to care for, so please don't overexert yourself. Just help out when preparing als. And Tanjiro, you must learn swordsmanship from now on. You'll need to protect your family from demons. You're not planning to leave everything to your father, are you?"
At that, Tanjiro spoke firmly, as if steeling himself.
"I'll learn diligently, Teacher!"
After that, I introduced Tanjuro to the suppliers and put him in charge of inventory managent. Tanjuro diligently learned the work, jotting things down in a notebook. Tanjiro trained his body during the day and learned swordsmanship with Nezuko at night. The third child, Takeo, also said he wanted to learn, so he trained with Tanjiro.
I wanted to teach them Sun Breathing imdiately, but their bodies weren't fully developed yet, so I couldn't. So I decided to start with Water Breathing, which was the least strenuous on the body. Tanjiro, determined not to lose any more family mbers, trained incredibly hard.
The sisters also felt considerable resistance to having a demon in the house, but as ti passed, they gradually began to accept that Hanako was safe, and they played well with Hanako and Tanjiro's younger siblings.
A few weeks passed. I examined Hanako frequently. The Tanjiro family watched intently as well.
"Hmm... So far, there's nothing particularly abnormal, but it seems we won't find a way to turn demons back into humans here."
Then Tanjuro asked , "Then what should we do?"
"If we can't find it here, we'll have to look outside."
I told the Tanjiro family about the Demon Slayer Corps, who hunted demons.
"Then, you're saying they might know sothing?"
"I doubt it. They are a group solely focused on hunting demons. And if such a thod existed, there would be no reason for them to still be risking their lives like this."
At my words, Tanjuro looked disappointed.
"I see."
"But it's also true that they are the closest to demons, so they would likely be the fastest to obtain information."
"Then..."
Since I had finished building up to it, I decided to get to the point.
"One of you will have to beco a Demon Slayer, travel to various places, and search for a way to turn Hanako back into a human."
When I finished, Tanjuro thought for a mont and then said, "Then I will beco a Demon Slayer."
At that, an interesting thought crossed my mind. If Tanjuro beca a Demon Slayer instead of Tanjiro, how quickly would they capture Muzan?
'That might be fun in its own way.'
I seriously considered sending Tanjuro off to beco a Demon Slayer. Then Tanjiro suddenly spoke to Tanjuro.
"Father, I'll go. You need to take care of the family, Father."
"That's out of the question! Didn't you hear what Teacher said? Becoming a Demon Slayer ans fighting demons. You, who haven't even mastered swordsmanship yet, going would be as good as going to die."
"I'm not saying I'll go right now. I know I'm still weak. So I'll train under Teacher until I'm ready. Please allow ."
"No, I said no!"
"If you leave the family now, Father, what will happen to Mother and the siblings who can't even walk yet? Also, soone needs to take care of Hanako, who turned into a demon."
Tanjuro and Tanjiro talked for a long ti.
"Hoo... Then, I want you to train in swordsmanship for a month and show that you have talent. Then I will allow it."
"Understood! I'll do my best."
And so the matter was settled. From the next day, Tanjiro began training even harder.
But Tanjiro's enthusiasm ran ahead of his body, and he pushed himself so hard that his body gradually couldn't keep up.
'If he keeps that up, he'll ruin his body... He'll end up like Gyoi. Huh, co to think of it...'
I suddenly thought of the novel 'The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic'. In that story, the protagonist, transported to a fantasy world, uses healing magic to get through overtraining and gains incredible strength.
'Maybe it's possible here too.'
From that day, I pushed Tanjiro with even more overtraining, called him in the evenings, massaged him, and used [Heal].
"Ugh... It hurts, Teacher."
"Endure it. It's because I'm taking care of your body that this kind of training is possible. Anywhere else, this would be difficult. Rather, it would ruin your body."
"Co to think of it, since you started taking care of my body, I do feel better the next day."
"Right."
At first, seeing Tanjiro push himself so hard, the family worried his body would break down, but since I was taking care of him and Tanjiro seed fine, they didn't say anything. Then a problem arose: instead of becoming like the protagonist of 'The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic', Tanjiro's body gradually beca a mass of muscle.
If he developed any more muscle, he would beco too slow, so I had no choice but to increase Tanjiro's muscle density using my [Haki Infusion] ability, just like I did with Nezuko. Consequently, Tanjiro's appetite also increased enormously.
'Wow... At this rate, I might be creating a monster.'
So I reduced the muscle training a bit and focused more on flexibility and teaching him Water Breathing. I also had him spar with Nezuko.
The promised month passed. Tanjuro and Tanjiro stood facing each other in the backyard with wooden swords.
"Tanjiro, I've seen how hard you've been training. But as your father, I hope you'll understand how difficult it is to send my son to a place where he might die."
"I know. But I hope you'll understand that my desire to protect my family is second to no one's."
I stepped forward, seeing that their conversation had ended, and gave the signal to start. Imdiately, Tanjiro quickly ran toward Tanjuro and launched the first attack.
Thwack! Thwack, thwack!
"Impressive! Truly the Teacher's training. To have trained you this much."
Tanjuro blocked Tanjiro's strikes, impressed. But no matter how hard I had trained Tanjiro over the month, it was practically impossible for him to beat Tanjuro, who had long trained in the Hinokami Kagura and had entered the Transparent World. However, even if his swordsmanship wasn't up to par, Tanjiro was stronger than Tanjuro.
Sensing the difference in skill, Tanjiro began actively using Water Breathing.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
THWANG-!
"Ugh!"
Tanjuro, finding it difficult to simply block Tanjiro's powerful strike, tilted his blade and deflected it.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
Flowing like water, Tanjiro moved and struck Tanjuro in quick succession.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Unable to just block any longer, Tanjuro finally began using Sun Breathing.
"Sun Breathing, Third Form: Raging Sun."
Tanjuro's sword swung in a figure-eight pattern, deflecting all of Tanjiro's attacks.
"Hoo... I have no choice but to acknowledge it. Your swordsmanship lacks precision, but to have co this far in just one month..."
At that, Tanjiro's face brightened.
"Then, will you allow it?"
"No, not yet. Now, you will take your father's attack."
Tanjuro said that and took an attacking stance. Seeing that, Tanjiro tensed and took a defensive stance.
"Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance."
Tanjuro approached Tanjiro, spun his whole body, and slashed diagonally.
THWANG!
"Kuh! Water Breathing, Twelfth Form: Spiral Current!"
Then Tanjiro did sothing unexpected: he blocked Tanjuro's attack and spun his body, trying to counterattack.
'Wow~! Nezuko must have taught him that.'
To teach even this, a month was too short, so I had only ntioned that such a technique existed. But it seed Nezuko, sparring separately with Tanjiro, had taught and practiced it with him for his sake.
Thwack!
But as expected, he had learned it recently and was still clumsy. Failing to properly utilize the opponent's force, his counterattack was slow, and Tanjuro was able to pull back his sword and block it.
"Remarkable. To use the opponent's force and even counterattack... Hoo... Very well. I'll allow it. Tanjiro, I leave Hanako's matter to you."
Finally, Tanjuro acknowledged Tanjiro's talent and allowed him to beco a Demon Slayer.
"Thank you, Father."
At those words, Tanjiro smiled brightly and expressed his gratitude to Tanjuro. Then all the family mbers ca out, hugged Tanjiro, and celebrated with him. Nezuko, who had trained with him, was especially happy, even shedding tears.
I patted Tanjuro on the shoulder and said, "Mr. Tanjuro, you have a good son."
"That I do. He is my pride. I'm sure he will succeed in resolving Hanako's matter as well."
That day, I made a delicious al, and the Tanjiro family and the Ubuyashiki sisters ate happily.
The next day, I thought about giving Tanjiro a Nichirin Blade, but it seed Tanjuro had already given him one of the two I had handed over before, so there was no need. Instead, I gave Tanjiro the address of 'Sakonji Urokodaki', Giyu's teacher, which I had found out earlier, along with a letter of recomndation.
"Where is this?"
"That is where a Demon Slayer trainer lives. He will guide you on the path to becoming a Demon Slayer."
"I see. Understood, Teacher."
"Rest well for a day or two, say goodbye to your family properly, and then leave."
"Yes."
Unlike the original story, Nezuko wasn't accompanying him, but Tanjiro would beco stronger as a result, so I wasn't worried.
Tanjiro spent the next two days resting, eating well, and spending ti with his family. Finally, he prepared to leave. I gave him travel money and lunch for the road.
"Stay healthy, Tanjiro."
"Thank you for everything, Teacher."
Tanjiro also said goodbye to his family.
"Tanjiro, be sure to write. Stay healthy."
"Understood, Mother."
"Brother, please co back safely."
"Yeah, I'll definitely co back safely."
"Tanjiro, don't overdo it. And if you're ever in the area, be sure to stop by."
"Understood, Father."
After saying goodbye and leaving, the family waved until Tanjiro disappeared from sight.
'Now things are flowing similar to the original story. It's a bit disappointing that Tanjuro didn't beco a Demon Slayer, though.'
Honestly, I could have trained Tanjiro myself instead of sending him to Urokodaki, which would have made him even stronger. But that would have strayed too far from the original story, so I decided to send him.
After sending Tanjiro off, several months passed without incident. I spent my days seeing patients. Tanjuro had also adapted well to his work and was helping at the clinic without any problems. Takeo, who was learning swordsmanship with Nezuko, was also slowly improving. Takeo dread of joining the Demon Slayer Corps like his brother and restoring Hanako to normal.
Then one day, Tanjuro ca to and quietly asked, "Teacher, when do you intend to take Nezuko?"
"Excuse ? Take her where?"
"To marry her."
I wondered what nonsense this was.
"What are you talking about? Nezuko is still in her early teens."
"It's not my place to say this, but Nezuko is already capable of bearing children."
From Tanjuro's words, it ant Nezuko had begun nstruating. When I hesitated, Tanjuro carefully asked, "By any chance, do you dislike Nezuko…"
"Th-That's not it."
"That's a relief. To be honest, many families have been proposing to Nezuko lately. But Nezuko refused them all. When I asked why, she said she likes you very much. So I ca to ask you directly. You are currently unmarried, are you not?"
"Well, that's true."
I had forgotten the historical context. In this era, it was common to marry off daughters at young ages. I had thought about taking Nezuko with when she grew older, but I never dread that ti would co so soon.
"Then, I'll take that as your consent."
"Wai…"
"Yes?"
"It's nothing."
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