Chapter 1: When the Water Began to Flow Backward
At six in the morning, Qin Zi finally shut the book in his hands.
His eyes were dry and burning. His head felt heavy, as if it had been soaked in water for an entire night. He had not slept even a minute.
"So this is Demon Slayer…" he muttered hoarsely.
"This is not Demon Slayer at all. This is clearly Hashira execution."
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became.
"The Water Hashira and Wind Hashira survive the final battle, only to die at the age of twenty five because of the Demon Slayer Mark."
"In the end, the only one who lives properly is the retired Sound Hashira."
That thought triggered a vivid image in his mind. A flamboyant man laughing loudly, surrounded by three wives, living freely after leaving the battlefield behind.
Qin Zi's expression twitched.
His vision suddenly darkened.
The next moment, his body collapsed onto the bed, consciousness slipping away like water flowing down a drain.
Time lost all meaning.
When awareness returned, the first thing Qin Zi heard was voices.
"He's awake. Thank goodness."
"Yes, but what about Sabito…"
A sharp pain exploded in his head.
"Hiss…"
Qin Zi instinctively grabbed his temples. It felt as if something thick and sticky had been forcibly stuffed into his brain.
"Damn it…" he groaned weakly.
"I really cannot stay up late anymore. At this rate I will die suddenly one day."
Before he could complain any further, a flood of memories crashed into his consciousness.
They were not vague impressions.
They were clear. Complete. Real.
Faces appeared one after another.
A stern yet gentle father.
A soft spoken mother.
A smiling older sister.
Tsutako.
Then a familiar mask.
A rough voice hiding warmth.
A strict yet caring teacher.
Urokodaki.
And finally, a boy with fiery eyes and a fearless smile.
Sabito.
Qin Zi's breathing stopped.
He slowly raised his hands in front of his eyes.
They were small. Slender. Clearly belonging to a child.
His surroundings, his body, the memories inside his head all aligned into a single undeniable truth.
"I… transmigrated?"
Not just into any world.
He had entered the world of Demon Slayer.
And worse or perhaps better, he was no longer Qin Zi.
He was Tomioka Giyu.
The Water Hashira.
The strongest Water Breathing swordsman in a hundred years.
"How did this even happen…" Qin Zi thought blankly.
"Just because we both have an older sister That makes no sense at all."
Still refusing to accept reality, he searched deeper into his memories.
Then his heart sank.
This was not the future Giyu.
This was thirteen year old Tomioka Giyu.
Fresh from the Final Selection.
Alive because Sabito had saved him.
Alive because someone else had died.
"…Damn it."
If only he had arrived earlier.
Even a single day earlier might have changed everything.
Qin Zi let out a long breath and forced himself to calm down.
There was no way back.
No return path.
He had become Tomioka Giyu.
Strangely, after that realization settled, the panic disappeared.
In its place rose excitement.
He had admired this world while watching it from a screen. He had admired its resolve, its cruelty, and its determination.
Compared to his dull and repetitive previous life, this world burned fiercely.
"I am sorry," he whispered in his heart.
"I could not save Sabito."
"But since I know the future…"
"I will walk this path for you."
His gaze sharpened.
"From this moment onward, I am Tomioka Giyu."
One of the boys nearby wiped his tears and spoke hesitantly.
"There is something else about Sabito…"
Another boy, clearly more composed, explained what had happened on the mountain.
Sabito had fought almost all the demons alone.
He saved countless participants, moving nonstop across the mountain.
In the end, exhaustion caught up with him.
His stamina ran dry.
His Nichirin blade was damaged.
Only then did the Hand Demon manage to kill him.
If Sabito had not chosen to save everyone…
That demon would never have stood a chance.
Tomioka Giyu listened quietly.
When the story ended, he raised his hand slightly.
"I understand," he said calmly.
"Thank you for telling me."
"Someone will avenge him."
The two boys looked at him, then nodded firmly.
"Yes. Someone definitely will."
The boy in the striped kimono steadied himself and added,
"Those who pass the Final Selection will receive a Kasugai Crow."
"You also need to choose tamahagane to forge your Nichirin blade."
"Someone will come soon. You should rest."
After thanking them again, Tomioka Giyu was left alone.
He closed his eyes and examined his current condition.
"I know all ten forms of Water Breathing."
"But none of them are fully mastered."
"I cannot maintain Constant Total Concentration Breathing."
"For a thirteen year old, this is already exceptional."
"Three or four years to become a Hashira…"
"This time, I will go even further."
"Before the story truly begins…"
"I will become stronger."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," he said.
A man dressed in black entered. His face was hidden, but his voice was respectful.
"Oyakata sama wishes to see you."
Giyu froze.
At this stage, he was still an unknown swordsman.
But he nodded and followed.
The Kakushi carried him swiftly away from the Butterfly Mansion.
Soon, they arrived at a quiet garden filled with flowers and flowing water.
Seated calmly on the tatami was Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Beside him stood a white haired girl. Several pieces of tamahagane lay on the table.
"The person has arrived," the Kakushi said before leaving.
"Thank you for your hard work," Kagaya replied warmly.
Tomioka Giyu knelt.
"Oyakata sama."
From the depths of his heart, he respected this man.
A leader who remembered every fallen swordsman.
A leader who sacrificed everything for humanity.
"You do not need to bow," Kagaya said gently.
"Stand up, child."
"You are worthy of it," Giyu replied seriously.
Kagaya paused, surprised.
"I already know about Sabito," he continued softly.
"Do not blame yourself. His choice was not wrong."
"You must carry his will and continue forward."
"I will," Giyu said firmly.
Kagaya nodded, then gestured toward the table.
"To slay demons, choose the steel that will protect you."
A black crow landed on Giyu's shoulder.
"This Kasugai Crow will guide you and deliver missions."
Giyu gently touched its head.
Turning to the table, he examined the tamahagane.
After a moment, he chose the largest piece.
"This one."
The white haired girl nodded.
"The blade will be delivered in ten to fifteen days."
Giyu bowed once more.
"I will take my leave."
As he left the garden, one thought lingered.
Master Urokodaki would be deeply hurt.
After all, the Hand Demon was sealed by him.
And Sabito had paid the price.