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Iizawa's Story (Part 2) – Team Hope: Iizawa & Shin's Past
[The chapter begins with the Egyptians sitting around Iizawa after finishing their meal. Everyone is curious to hear the story. Sunlight streams in, birds chirp softly.]
[The Egyptians' eyes are full of curiosity. Moaz speaks first:]
"Team Hope?"
[Iizawa nods in confirmation, muttering:]
"Yes. That's the name of our team. There were four of us: I, Rin, Shinzo, and Enzo. And Shin… the five of us were part of our Team Hope, all fans of Demon Slayer anime, just like you."
[Ali mutters under his breath:]
"I'm the opposite… I hate anime."
[Moaz places his hand over Ali's mouth, smiling at Iizawa:]
"Please continue, Mr. Iizawa-san."
[Iizawa nods, takes a deep breath, his silver eyes shining:]
"We, like any fan of Demon Slayer, wanted to change the endings and save characters we loved—like Rengoku-san, Shinobu-san, and others. My companions and I created our own unique breathing techniques: Eclipse Breathing for me, Star Breathing for Shinzo, Earthquake Breathing for Enzo, Flame Breathing for Rin, Rengoku's student, and Shin had Dark Breathing."
[Iizawa closes his eyes, continuing:]
"We each had favorite characters—some loved Shinobu, others Mitsuri, Aoi, Kanao, and more."
[Muhannad raises his hand curiously:]
"Simple question—where's the important part of your story?"
[Hudhayfa crosses his arms, looking analytical at Iizawa:]
"Yes, get to the crucial part, handsome old man."
[Iizawa exhales, looking at them:]
"Alright. My friends and I succeeded and changed some sad events—like Rengoku-san's death—and we were happy… until an event completely changed everything. Shin… focus on the name: Shin."
[The Egyptians fall silent, exchanging glances. Then Mazen, curious, eyes Iizawa:]
"Who is Shin?"
[Iizawa remains calm, clenching his fist, looking annoyed and sad, and continues:]
"Shin loved Shinobu deeply. He wanted to change her fate. When he finally confessed, he was shocked to learn she loved someone else—Shinzo, who was kind, understanding, and supportive."
[A silence falls. Mu'min mutters softly:]
"So… Shin is kinda like Moaz?"
[Iizawa continues, increasingly annoyed:]
"Of course, Shin was obsessed and angry to the point of disappearing. The shocking part… he became a demon. Not just any demon—he became terrifying, completely uncontrollable by Muzan, with a destructive range and bloodthirsty technique. He even assisted the Upper Moons first."
[Moaz's eyes widen upon hearing this, muttering:]
"Out of Muzan's control and with his own will? Don't tell me he found the blue spider lily?"
[Iizawa remains silent for a heavy moment, shaking his head:]
"He found it… and became immortal."
[Those words freeze everyone in shock. Mu'min immediately:]
"Yeah? Immortal?"
[Iizawa's tone shifts to sadness as he continues:]
"Yes. He caused the death of our team in the Infinity Castle. Shinzo did the impossible, but due to his weak body, he faced Doma and Shin to protect Shinobu… and died. Doma devoured Shinzo. The story ended sadly, with demons victorious."
[Mazen, nervously smiling:]
"Surely… that's the end, right?"
[Iizawa shakes his head:]
"No. He invented his own things, became fully in control, pulled others into the world, let them live their dreams, then… killed them and ate them, growing even stronger, believing himself the sole king. Truly terrifying. Most of my scars are because of him."
[Hudhayfa analyzes, thinking:]
"Shin's personality is deeply disturbed, post-traumatic… seems feral, extremely psychopathic, highly experienced, able to manipulate worlds. Truly deep stuff…"
[Ali slaps Hudhayfa, shouting:]
"Shut the hell up!"
[Moaz looks at Iizawa:]
"So… you want to teach us?"
[Iizawa nods, silver eyes shining with determination:]
"Yes. I trust you. Especially because I'll start training you tomorrow."
[Moaz smiles slightly, full of hope, and looks at Iizawa with determination:]
"Yes. We'll rise together as one."
[Iizawa goes quiet, eyes widening slightly at Moaz, muttering to himself:]
"Looks just like Shinzo… that gaze… that hope."
[Ali sarcastically, skeptical:]
"You almost killed us, and now you want us to work with you? Really?"
[Iizawa sighs, looking at them calmly, trying to explain:]
"I understand, but trust me now. I fear you might face the same fate as those before you."
[A heavy silence fills the room. Only moonlight illuminates the place. The wind blows, shaking the green leaves.]
[Muhannad raises his hand, smiling:]
"Alright. I'll become a Hashira… and take the $3000 reward."
[Ali sighs, raising his hand:]
"Okay… me too."
[Hudhayfa smiles, eyes burning with excitement:]
"Me too. I trust you, Grandpa."
[Mazen smiles enthusiastically:]
"Grandpa Iizawa, I'll bring Shin's head… and Kokushibo's as a personal gift."
[Mu'min shouts enthusiastically:]
"Me too—for Mitsuri-san and the Demon Slayer ladies!"
[Iyad repeats Mu'min's words:]
"Me too."
[Moaz smiles slightly, raising his hand:]
"My brothers and I are ready with you, Iizawa-san."
[Iizawa is moved but maintains composure, sighing:]
"Alright then… we'll meet tomorrow."
[Midnight. The air is cold and calm. Iizawa sits, gazing at the moonlight, playing his flute. Suddenly, he feels someone sitting beside him—it's Moaz, smiling.]
[Moaz, politely, softly:]
"Hello, Iizawa-san. Why is the master still awake?"
[Iizawa is silent, silver eyes meeting Moaz's brown eyes:]
"Remembering the death of my comrades… and my anger, my desire for revenge."
[Moaz nods understandingly, leaning back, looking at the moon:]
"Did Shin really do all this for Shinobu's love? Also… I'm curious… does he have a weakness?"
[Yoshiro nods in confirmation:]
"Yes. He has one… remember when Yoruichi almost killed Muzan?"
[Iizawa continues, confident:]
"Other generations appeared to face Shin. They invented techniques I acquired, and I'll teach them to you. A new level of power, different from the mark and the transparent world. Tomorrow, we'll delve deeper into this. For now… go."
[Moaz smiles and starts walking back. Iizawa whispers:]
"Sorry about your chest wound."
[Moaz turns toward Iizawa, smiling without resentment:]
"It's okay. My body and heart have been broken many times… I'm used to it. And the more the pain, the more learning… the stronger the body."
[Iizawa watches, contemplating Moaz's face, and gestures to him:]
"Alright, hero. Go rest. I'll prepare the generation that will bring a happy ending to this anime."
[Moaz smiles and heads to his room.]
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End of Chapter Fifteen – See you in Chapter Sixteen for the breathing techniques