CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: SETTING OUT

Some things are better left unknown, yet fate insists on revealing them.

But knowing them, and being powerless to change them, is the greatest torment.

As Tetsu no Sosuke sank into this contemplation, he inevitably found himself caught between several dilemmas.

First, he had no idea where Tanjiro’s family lived.

According to his information, the family lived in the mountains and had made their living selling charcoal for generations. However, charcoal sellers were countless, making this information practically useless.

A more reliable clue was that the family likely lived within the territory under Tomioka’s jurisdiction.

After all, Tomioka was the first to arrive after the incident.

But this was merely speculation, lacking any solid evidence. There were countless reasons why Tomioka might have been there.

The most plausible explanation was that he had detected traces of a demon, and his Kasugai Crow had summoned him to investigate.

Another possibility was that he was returning from a mission to report his findings when he stumbled upon the scene.

Less credible scenarios included him stepping out to relieve himself and accidentally discovering the demon’s presence... Anything was possible, making it impossible to rely on such assumptions.

"But at least it gives me a direction to think about..."

Sosuke noted this down and moved on to the next dilemma.

This one only arose under the hypothetical scenario that he actually found Tanjiro’s family.

What should he do when the time came?

One thing was certain: Kibutsuji Muzan was the mastermind behind the Kamado family’s tragedy—the undisputed final boss among all demons!

Known information revealed that, apart from sunlight, this being feared absolutely nothing.

As things stood, Sosuke couldn’t even dream of saving them on that day. In fact, his mere presence would guarantee his death!

"So, even if I manage to find them, I absolutely can’t let Muzan see me..."

Sosuke frowned. How could he save them without showing himself?

Could he find them beforehand and hide the entire family?

But what reason could he give to convince them?

The truth was, none!

Tell them a demon was coming to kill them?

He wasn’t a prophet. Why would they trust a complete stranger?

Moreover, Muzan’s pursuit of the family felt far from simple. If he had a specific purpose in mind, could they really evade his tracking so easily?

"Dragging along a whole family, young and old..."

Sosuke shook his head. It was nearly impossible.

In the end, he realized that with his current abilities, saving them was utterly beyond his reach.

If he truly wanted to salvage everything, he would have to rely on the Demon Slayer Corps.

But the question remained: if Kibutsuji Muzan dragged everyone into the Infinity Castle now, triggering a premature final battle, would that really work?

He shook his head. No, it wouldn’t.

At least not at this stage.

They lacked sufficient understanding of each other, and what right did he have to expend their precious combat resources here just because he wanted to save them?

Especially when facing Kibutsuji Muzan.

Without Tamayo’s drug to turn demons back into humans, how could they suppress his combat power?

Though some jokingly claimed that during the Infinity Castle battle, Muzan had dragged everyone into the castle only to "AFK" and get himself killed, the problem was that even AFK required the right conditions.

Sosuke couldn’t even imagine what horrors would have unfolded if Muzan had been able to move freely from the very beginning of the Infinity Castle battle.

Total annihilation might have occurred right from the start!

Therefore, it was absolutely impossible!

Sosuke took a deep breath. "If we can’t use the Demon Slayer Corps and can’t defeat Muzan, then... we’ll have to target Tanjiro’s family. At least they’re the easiest to deal with. I wonder if that father who could sever a bear’s neck with an axe while gravely ill is still alive? Hmm, probably not. Tanjiro was just a child back then."

With this thought, he had already made up his mind.

Compared to confronting Muzan directly, hiding Tanjiro’s family—whether through lies or violence—would be far easier.

As for whether they would thank him if he achieved his goal through violence...

Sosuke didn’t dwell on such matters.

He wanted to do this not for gratitude or reward, but simply because he knew what was coming and had come to this world.

Obligation didn’t enter the equation, because none existed.

He simply didn’t want such a tragedy to unfold under the same starry sky.

As for whether the boy wielding the Hinokami Kagura would still fight on the front lines if His family were saved...

Hmm... Sosuke hadn’t considered that.

If he kept overthinking things, would he ever get anything done?

Sosuke stood up and took a deep breath. "Besides, ultimately, everything depends on finding Tanjiro. If we can’t even find him, all this talk is just empty words."

He turned back to look at the Nichirin Blade resting on the table.

After a moment’s hesitation, he wrapped the blade in white cloth and carefully placed it in its Sword Box.

He put on his haori and donned his conical hat.

With a Wisteria talisman for protection, he planned to deliver the Nichirin Blade himself.

He chose this moment because Kanae had left again.

As a Pillar, she was always bound by her duties.

At home, Sosuke and Shinobu were constantly at each other’s throats, locked in a daily battle of wills.

Choosing to leave at this time was partly an attempt to avoid the conflict.

However, after exchanging greetings, the situation took an unexpected turn, leaving Sosuke somewhat bewildered.

As he walked out of the Butterfly mansion, he glanced at Shinobu beside him, her face radiating resentment as if he owed her money. He couldn’t help but say, "You can stay home. I’ve prepared thoroughly; nothing will happen."

Shinobu shot him a disdainful look and turned her head away with a hmph!

’Hmph you, brat! Can’t you ever speak properly?’

Sosuke’s face darkened, but he sighed and set off in the direction Tomioka had given him.

As he walked, Sosuke couldn’t help but let his mind wander.

He wasn’t thinking about health issues... nor about exhausting himself.

His thoughts drifted to something far more terrifying.

’Why is Shinobu so insistent on coming with me? Could it be because she knows she can’t stop me from seeing Kanae at the Butterfly mansion?’

’Is she planning to take advantage of this secluded outing to chop me into eight pieces when no one’s around?’

The thought made him instinctively glance at Shinobu.

He found her staring at him with a murderous glint in her eyes. ’Hey, that look... are you really planning to kill me and cover it up?’