It had to be acknowledged—just the fact that Yuto had never eaten a human was enough to earn a surprising amount of goodwill from Urokodaki Sakonji.
Consuming human flesh and blood was the instinctual habit of all demons, the root cause of the eternal hostility between humans and demons.Since Yuto could restrain that instinct, it proved one thing clearly:
He did not wish to be humanity's enemy.
In the end, Urokodaki Sakonji brought both Yuto and Tanjiro back to his secluded home on Mount Sagiri.Giyu Tomioka—a man who despised demons more than anyone—had spoken up on their behalf. That alone was enough to make Sakonji curious. He wanted to understand for himself what made Yuto and Nezuko different from other demons.
Regarding Nezuko's condition, however, Sakonji could only shake his head.If she wished to become human again, there was likely only one possible path:
They would have to kill one of the world's demons—The Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.
After that sobering declaration, Urokodaki Sakonji began to explain the truth of the world to the two newcomers, Yuto and Tanjiro.
As a veteran nearly seventy years old, a man who had served in the Demon Slayer Corps for decades, Sakonji knew far more than any ordinary slayer.
The world's first demon was named Muzan Kibutsuji—the origin of all demons.
Every demon Yuto and Tanjiro had encountered on their journey was nothing more than a creature spawned from Muzan's blood.
And among all demons, only Muzan possessed the ability to turn humans into demons.Even the Upper Moons—the highest-ranking demons beneath him—could only communicate with Muzan through ritual sacrifices and, with his permission, act under remote guidance.
Muzan Kibutsuji had existed for hundreds of years. Though he had remained dormant for long periods, for reasons no one knew, no one could guess how many people he had transformed into demons over the centuries.
Just as humans differed in strength, so did demons.Those who relied solely on physical power and regeneration were the most common, the lowest tier.
But others possessed abilities beyond sheer strength—unique supernatural powers known as Blood Demon Arts.
Demons who wielded Blood Demon Arts were far stronger than ordinary ones—deadly, versatile, and terrifying.
Fortunately, such demons were relatively rare.
Among all demons, the strongest were without question Muzan Kibutsuji's twelve direct subordinates—the Twelve Demon Moons.
The Twelve Demon Moons represented the pinnacle of demonic power.Every one of them possessed Blood Demon Arts.Every one of them was monstrously strong.
And to even dream of killing Muzan Kibutsuji…
One would first have to defeat his Twelve Demon Moons.
Tanjiro's face twisted into a pained expression.He had known—deep in his heart—that restoring Nezuko wouldn't be easy.
But he hadn't imagined it would be this impossible.This wasn't merely difficult—it was practically a death sentence.
According to Urokodaki Sakonji, Muzan's whereabouts were unclear, his power was overwhelming, and twelve monsters served directly beneath him.
Tanjiro couldn't even defeat a typical demon.How could he possibly challenge Muzan?How could he survive such a battle?
But even so—Tanjiro didn't lose hope.
He bowed deeply to Urokodaki Sakonji, voice firm as he begged the old master to teach him the skills he would need to hunt demons.
This was the exact reason Giyu Tomioka had sent him here.Urokodaki Sakonji had once served as the Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps before retiring to train the next generation. His role now was to guide promising youths, preparing them to join the Corps.
Ever since Giyu's blunt lecture about strength, Tanjiro had resolved to grow stronger.Just as Giyu had said—without strength, he had no way to protect Nezuko.
Naturally, Tanjiro also turned to Yuto for help.Yuto was strong, and despite his demonic presence, he seemed kind.
But Yuto politely refused.
Not because he was hiding anything, but because the swordsmanship he used didn't originate from this world. During his fight with Giyu, he had noticed that this world possessed its own power system—a framework of techniques specifically designed to counter demons.
Yuto's swordsmanship was powerful, but foreign.
He couldn't guarantee its compatibility.He couldn't promise to teach something he didn't fully understand in this world.
And learning swordsmanship was far from a quick process. Yuto had his own mission to carry out—he didn't have the luxury of spending years training Tanjiro.
After Sakonji finished explaining the nature of demons, Yuto finally asked the question he had been waiting for:
"How do you obtain those special swords—the ones strong enough to kill demons?"
Urokodaki Sakonji glanced at Yuto for a moment before answering calmly.
"A sword capable of killing demons is called a Nichirin Blade.Its name comes from the power it manifests—power akin to sunlight.
Nichirin Blades are exclusive to the Demon Slayer Corps.Their forging methods are a closely guarded secret, passed down only within the organization.
Because of their unique forging process, each Nichirin Blade is compatible only with the user's breathing technique. Even if you were to steal someone else's blade… you wouldn't be able to use it properly."
Sakonji's explanation was deliberate.
According to Giyu Tomioka, Yuto seemed oddly fixated on Nichirin Blades.To prevent any future misunderstandings—or theft—Sakonji simply laid everything bare.
Besides, the blade's special effect only worked on demons.Against humans, it was no different from a particularly sharp sword.
So even if Yuto somehow obtained a Nichirin Blade and turned against the Demon Slayer Corps, it wouldn't give him any particular advantage beyond that of a normal weapon.
"The Demon Slayer Corps," Yuto repeated thoughtfully. "A unit dedicated to killing demons? That guy Tomioka Giyu was a member, right? And you as well?"
He paused, then added honestly:
"I'm curious. Both Tomioka and you are incredibly strong. Is that the normal standard for the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Yuto genuinely wanted to know.Giyu, who was around his age, had been enormously powerful.Urokodaki, though elderly, radiated strength no ordinary person should possess.
But if the Demon Slayer Corps was filled with fighters like this…
Why were so many demons still alive?
Along their journey, Yuto and Tanjiro had encountered several demons—including one who bragged about having killed many Demon Slayer Corps members.
But now?
Now Yuto was beginning to suspect the demon had just been boasting.