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[Crossover] Ch 100: Only Time Would Tell
🕑 Added 2025-06-17 22:27:59 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
Edo
The streets were in ruins, thick with smoke and the scars of war.
A young man pedaled through on a bicycle, his cap pulled low, shouting at the top of his lungs:
"Extra, extra! The Demon King Kibutsuji Muzan—classified as a top-level war criminal responsible for the fall of Edo and the massacre of nobles—has been captured by the Demon Slayer Corps! He'll be executed during the Fire God Festival at midnight!"
"Extra! Demon King Muzan to be burned alive tonight!"
His cries drew attention. Grim-faced survivors emerged from the wreckage, gathering around the young paperboy.
"I'll take one!"
"Me too—give me a copy!"
The papers sold out in minutes. Those who missed out crowded around the lucky few, reading over their shoulders.
"Wait… They actually caught him?"
"Yeah! It's all here in black and white. The bastard's getting torched alive tonight at the Fire God Festival."
"Hmph, what good is that? My whole house got bombed. All our money's gone. Him dying won't bring any of that back."
"Doesn't the paper say something about the Ubuyashiki clan stepping in? Supposedly, they'll restructure the government and offer interest-free loans to help rebuild."
"Seriously? They're offering that?"
"Won't know for sure 'til tonight, will we? The Ubuyashikis are organizing the whole execution ceremony. I bet they'll announce it then."
"So we're getting a two-for-one tonight? Watch that monster burn and maybe score a rebuilding loan?"
"Sounds like it."
"Then hell yeah—I'm going."
Chatter filled the ruined streets of Edo, a strange blend of anger, hope, and grim excitement.
— — —
Later, before midnight—
Tanjiro Kamado stared blankly at his father, Tanjuro, who was grinning and holding out a pristine set of ceremonial robes.
"Wait—you want me to perform the Dance of the Fire God, Hinokami Kagura, at the festival? Shouldn't you be doing it, Dad?"
Tanjuro laughed, more joyful than Tanjiro had ever seen him.
"This isn't just about tradition, Tanjiro. You helped bring down Muzan—you should be the one dancing. Besides, look at me. You think I can pull off an all-night Kagura dance like I used to?"
Tanjiro tilted his head in innocent confusion.
"But didn't you dance the whole night through last winter? And that was in the freezing cold…"
Tanjuro wanted to beat that idiot son for a second.
Right then, Nezuko stepped in and bonked Tanjiro on the head—hard.
"Dummy! Mr. Ryo gave the order himself. You're doing it, end of story!"
"Huh? It wasn't Dad's idea?"
Rubbing his forehead, Tanjiro blinked at Nezuko.
Nezuko then pointed toward the clothes. "Just shut up and go get changed already!"
"O-okay!"
Tanjiro grabbed the outfit and hurried off, muttering to himself as he went:
"She's been hitting me a lot lately—especially whenever Lord Yagami's name comes up. She's getting way too violent..."
Nezuko stood there fuming, her face puffed up in frustration.
Tanjuro chuckled from the side. "Haha! You are at that age now, huh?"
"Daaad!" Nezuko whined, cheeks red with embarrassment.
— — —
That night, under a gentle breeze—
Kibutsuji Muzan regained consciousness.
And immediately froze in confusion.
All around him were dense crowds of people, lit by flickering torchlight. Towering speakers echoed solemn Kagura music into the night. The crowd was silent, their faces serious, mournful—like they were attending a funeral or a ritual sacrifice.
Even Muzan, in all his centuries of terror, had never seen anything like it.
Ahead stood Kagaya Ubuyashiki, dressed in pure white priestly robes, holding a torch. Behind him stood dozens of Demon Slayer Corps members in black uniforms, each also carrying a lit torch.
"What the hell is going on...?"
Only then did Muzan notice the massive pyre beneath him—ten meters high, soaked in kerosene.
"They actually used kerosene? These maniacs!"
And then it clicked. He looked up at Kagaya, horrified.
"Wait… that torch—don't tell me…"
Kagaya's voice rang out, calm and commanding:
"Kibutsuji Muzan. For a thousand years, you've created demons, slaughtered innocents, and fed on humanity."
"Just days ago, you dared launch an assault on Edo, bringing the city to ruin. Your crimes are beyond redemption."
"...."
"What the hell is he talking about!? Assault on Edo!? When did I ever do that!?"
Muzan tried to speak—only to realize his tongue had been cut out and somehow couldn't be recovered. No sound came out. Worse, he was bound to a wooden post, eyelids forcefully pinned open with cruel wire. He couldn't even blink.
"Damn it! No pain sensors… that's why I didn't notice. But what about my regeneration?!"
Panic set in. He wasn't healing. He couldn't escape. And they were going to burn him alive— while he watched.
Kagaya finished reading a long list of his crimes, tossed the parchment into the pyre, and raised his torch high.
"Begin execution—!"
With that, the Demon Slayers hurled their torches into the pyre. The fire roared to life in an instant, flames licking toward Muzan's feet.
"No regeneration—this is it. I'm really going to die here!"
Desperate, Muzan opened his mouth to plead.
And immediately got a torchstick jammed down his throat.
For a second, he was too stunned to react.
Below, a girl—Shinobu Kocho—stared in silent horror.
"Oh no… I aimed wrong…"
She quickly retreated into the crowd, trying to act invisible.
Above, Muzan sputtered and gagged, but no one noticed.
"Begin the Hinokami Kagura!"
The crowd cheered. Tanjiro stepped forward, leading others in a powerful ritual dance. The flames danced around them as he performed the full Twelve Forms of Sun Breathing.
Muzan recognized it—and felt his final hope shrivel.
"Even if I survive the fire… they'll cut me down. That's the damn Sun Breathing…"
Hopelessness swallowed him whole.
And in those last moments, all he could think was:
"Wait… when the hell did I attack Edo!? At least make up a crime that actually happened…!"
In the crowd, Tamayo watched Muzan writhe in desperation, then turned away.
"Let's go, Yushiro."
"You don't want to watch the rest?" Yushiro asked, puzzled.
"No need to waste time watching something so pitiful," she said quietly. Then, after a pause, she added with a sigh:
"We'll visit the Ubuyashiki clan in a few days. I want to thank their new head."
"…Okay," Yushiro nodded. He gave one last glance toward Tanjiro, dancing beside the burning pyre, then turned and followed her.
— — —
Even from kilometers away, Ryo could hear the celebratory cheers and traditional Kagura music echoing through the night.
Edo was alive with joy.
Beside him, Kanae Kocho—now dressed in casual clothes—asked curiously, "You're not going to watch the execution?"
"No need," Ryo replied, shaking his head. "The closer we are to the end, the more careful we need to be."
He looked out the window at the moon.
"What about you? Aren't you going to keep Kanao company?"
"Makomo and Mitsuri are with her," Kanae smiled. "Besides, with the Demon Slayer Corps becoming part of the new government, those two are probably hoping I'll run the Ministry of Health."
Ryo nodded absently. "So… what's Kagaya planning now that he's healthy again?"
"Probably running for Prime Minister," Kanae answered. Then, hesitating a moment, she asked, "So… when are you leaving?"
"In about ten days," Ryo said without thinking.
Kanae looked conflicted, wanting to say something—but before she could, Ryo added: "Once things are stable over there, I'll probably summon all of you to join me."
"Really?" Kanae lit up.
"I said when things are stable," Ryo sighed.
But Kanae didn't care about the wait. Just hearing it from him was enough to fill her with joy.
Ryo said nothing. He knew better than anyone—bringing true stability to [No Name] would take a long time.
Luckily, summoning magic could be set on a timer. For Kanae, it might only feel like a month or two at most.
Still… would this massive intervention in the war-torn timeline really work?
Ryo narrowed his eyes.
If it did, the payoff would be enormous.
But if it failed—he'd have to settle for the bare-minimum reward: completing the observation of the Demon Slayer world.
Only time would tell.
"…Come on," he said suddenly, standing up. "Let's go join the celebration."
Kanae quickly stood to follow, but then paused, spotting a pocket watch lying on the tatami mat. She picked it up, confused.
"Huh? Only one hand… and it's stuck at 12?"
She caught up to Ryo, holding it out. "Hey, Ryo—your watch is broken. Want me to get it fixed?"
"Nah. I'll fix it myself."
Laughing softly, the two of them walked out into the night, joining the sea of festival-goers filling the streets of Edo.
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