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Chapter 28: Off to Sagiri Mountain X Minamino's Gratitude
🕑 Added 2025-10-19 10:33:32 +0000 UTCChapter 28: Off to Sagiri Mountain X Minamino's Gratitude
An electric shock's intensity can be controlled. Silva's whip, however, was an entirely different beast. How much force he would use, whether he would imbue it with Nen—it was all a complete unknown.
"Whatever makes him happy," Roy said, a note of resignation in his voice. They were all stubborn, him and his father. Neither would ever back down. That was the Zoldyck way: a house full of immovable objects.
Gotoh, ever the professional, said nothing more. His job was to handle the logistics, to free the Young Master from the burden of trivialities.
DING... The clock in the corner chimed, signaling less than an hour until Roy's scheduled sleep time. After helping Roy out of the medicinal bath, Gotoh gathered the used clothes and was about to leave when Roy stopped him.
"Two things."
"First, I need you to book appointments with the top specialists in pulmonary disease."
"Second, I need you to find me all available information on Conjurer-type Nen users. Specifically, any with a documented record of using 'reverse conjuration.' I need to consult with them."
He hadn't forgotten about Tanjuro. The most direct solution he could think of was to use a Conjuration ability to bring modern medicine from his world into the world of Demon Slayer. He instinctively reached up to touch the sun-patterned earring, but his hand found nothing. Right. He wasn't in the dream yet.
"The first task is simple," Gotoh said after a moment's thought. "The capital city's hospital is world-renowned for its respiratory department. With enough Jenny, we can secure an appointment with the best."
"As for the second..." Gotoh spread his hands helplessly. "Young Master, as you know, I do not have the clearance to access the family's intelligence network."
Roy knew the Zoldycks had their own private intelligence agency. But without Silva's direct authorization, not even he or Illumi could use it. "I understand," Roy said, dismissing him.
He had time. Nearly two years before Tanjuro's health would critically decline. He'd find a way. If all else failed, once he'd mastered Sun Breathing and the basics of Nen, he would take the Hunter Exam. A Hunter License would grant him access to the Hunter Association's private network, which would open up a world of possibilities.
The night wind rustled the curtains, revealing Snow-Walker resting on its rack. Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing the boy's face in a soft, silver light. He lay down on the bed, his hands folded over his stomach, and closed his eyes.
The familiar sensation of falling...
He walked through the kaleidoscopic tunnel and emerged onto the shore of his subconscious sea. He stood there for a moment, letting the waves wash over his bare feet, clearing his mind. Then, he pushed open the door to the world of Demon Slayer.
"Bro~"
A shivering Tanjiro, wrapped in a blanket, poked him awake. "I just went for a pee... it's freezing out there." He looked at Roy with a mixture of awe and admiration. After everything they'd been through, his brother could still sleep like a rock.
"There's a cloth bundle under the axe," Roy mumbled, still half-asleep. "Rice balls inside. Heat them up by the fire."
Roy went outside, washed his face with a handful of fresh snow, and returned to the now-crackling fire. He took out the water flask and uncapped it. Tanjiro, while heating up their breakfast, scooted closer, hoping to bask in the faint warmth of Roy's aura.
Roy ignored him and opened his Aura Nodes a little wider, feeding more Nen into the flask. A wisp of white smoke curled out, coalescing into the upper half of Hiro Minamino's spirit.
"Good morning, benefactor," the spirit said with a bow.
Tanjiro, seeing the spirit's lower half trailing off into smoke inside the flask, leaned in closer. "Hey, Mister, are you okay in there?"
A sharp chop to the head from Roy sent him scurrying away, nursing the new lump.
"Please excuse my brother's lack of manners," Roy said to Minamino. "If you're ready, we can leave as soon as we've eaten."
Minamino smiled warmly at Tanjiro. The boy's earnest, pouting face reminded him of his own daughter. "There's no need to trouble yourself, Master Eiichiro," he said. "But there is one small matter, if you'd be so kind."
"When the demon attacked me," he explained, "it knocked my traveling pack aside. It shouldn't be too far from here. Inside, you'll find some gifts for my family, and a small purse of money. Please, take the money as a token of my gratitude for avenging me and taking me home."
"Simple enough," Roy said, then looked at Tanjiro. "You heard him. Keep your nose sharp on the way down."
After a quick breakfast, they left the shrine. It didn't take long for Tanjiro to find the pack, half-buried in the snow under a pine tree. Inside was a bolt of cloth, a wooden toy horse, and some official-looking documents.
"That's it," Minamino's voice whispered from the flask. "The cloth is for my wife and mother. The toy is for my daughter. The money... please, Master Eiichiro, it is yours."
Roy picked a single copper coin from the snow and pocketed it. The rest, he had Tanjiro bundle back up and place in the pack. Minamino started to protest, but Roy simply picked up the pack and started walking towards Sagiri Mountain.
"In this world, a man is the pillar of his family," Roy said, not looking back. "You may be gone, but your family still needs to eat. This money will help them get by."
"That's right, Mister!" Tanjiro added, smiling at the flask. "More money means more candy for your daughter!"
Minamino let out a long, shuddering sigh, and bowed his head in profound, silent gratitude.
They reached the foot of Sagiri Mountain and saw a small village nestled in the valley below. As they got closer, a familiar sound drifted up to them on the wind—the sound of a child's voice.
"Mama, when is Papa coming home?"
