"Tanjiro, if Senior Shin kills all the demons on Mt. Fujikasane, we'll be totally safe!" Zenitsu Agatsuma said, already fantasizing about a perfect ending.
Tanjiro didn't reply. After spending a night with Zenitsu, he had come to understand that Zenitsu wasn't just timid—he talked nonstop. Most of the time, Tanjiro chose to ignore his rambling.
But after hearing about the dangerous mission Shin Arashi had taken on, Tanjiro began to worry.
"Zenitsu, we need to find Senior Shin as soon as possible," Tanjiro said seriously.
Zenitsu blinked, confused. "Tanjiro, why? Senior Shin is out hunting demons. Why would we go get in his way? We might just slow him down!"
Tanjiro could tell Zenitsu wasn't interested in going, so he didn't press. "Alright then. Stay with the others. I'll go look for Senior Shin alone."
At those words, Zenitsu panicked. The thought of being left alone terrified him. After spending the night with Tanjiro, he had grown attached—and more importantly, he trusted Tanjiro's strength.
"Don't leave me, Tanjiro!" Zenitsu cried, grabbing onto him. "These guys were only saved because of Senior Shin. If I stay with them and we run into another demon, I'm dead for sure! I still want to find a girl to marry!"
Zenitsu's outburst immediately stirred up anger among the surrounding group of young demon slayer candidates. Though what he said wasn't entirely wrong, they didn't appreciate being insulted by someone as cowardly as Zenitsu.
"What did you say, you little brat? I'll knock your teeth out!"
"Big words coming from a coward!"
"Who do you think you are, talking down to us?"
The verbal attacks flew from every direction. Zenitsu, true to form, squealed and hid behind Tanjiro.
"Tanjiro, they're scary! I don't want to stay with them!"
Seeing the situation, Tanjiro understood. Zenitsu wasn't liked by this group—and honestly, it was understandable. Still, Zenitsu had spoken the truth. If not for Shin Arashi's efforts clearing the area and saving others the night before, many of these boys would already be dead.
Letting Zenitsu stay here would only lead to him getting bullied.
So, Tanjiro stepped forward and addressed the group. "Everyone, listen. Since we're all here, why don't we work together? Let's go find Senior Shin. If we stick together, we have a better chance of surviving. If we run into a demon, we can help each other."
His words brought a hush over the group. After facing death firsthand, none of them took survival lightly.
Still, no one responded.
Everyone wanted to stay put—right in the safe zone marked by Shin Arashi. Seven days of hiding sounded much better than facing more demons.
Finally, one boy spoke up. "I'd slow you down anyway. I'm injured, so I'll pass."
Tanjiro turned to look at him. The boy's right arm—the one that should have been holding a sword—was gone. The stump was crudely bandaged with torn cloth. It had clearly been severed in a demon attack the night before.
In his condition, traveling would be nearly impossible. Tanjiro understood completely.