Chapter 141: 141 Special Ability
Actually, in the current Demon Slayer Corps, although there are higher-ups who support and value Tanjirou, many more do not acknowledge him.
The reason is simple, because Tanjirou violated the rules of the Demon Slayer Corps.
As a Ghost Hunter of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjirou not only protected a demon—who was an enemy—but also kept this demon by his side at all times.
Indeed, the meticulously handled wooden box that Tanjirou carries with him actually contains a demon.
Therefore, Tanjirou faced hostility from many Pillars in the Demon Slayer Corps, with only the Water Pillar and the Insect Pillar somewhat taking his side and choosing to support him.
As the Flame Pillar, Kyoujurou Rengoku, because the head of the Demon Slayer Corps had approved of Tanjirou’s relationship, did not show hostility towards him, but to say he had already approved of and chose to support Tanjirou would still be somewhat premature.
Currently, Kyoujurou Rengoku’s attitude towards Tanjirou could be described as temporarily observational.
That is why he told Tanjirou, he wanted to observe him.
Tanjirou was also aware of this, so a hint of gloom emerged on his face.
But very quickly, Tanjirou recovered.
"I believe in Nezuko." Tanjirou placed one hand on the wooden box, looking steadfastly at Kyoujurou Rengoku, and said, "She will definitely earn Mr. Rengoku’s approval."
"Yes!" Kyoujurou Rengoku nodded, maintaining a smile, and said, "I naturally hope for that too!"
At this, Tanjirou finally smiled.
Overall, Kyoujurou Rengoku was quite benevolent towards Tanjirou and not like some of the Pillars in the Demon Slayer Corps who abhorred evil to an extreme, unwilling to accept Tanjirou who protected a demon no matter what.
Perhaps realizing this, Tanjirou relaxed his expression.
"So... are you also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Tanjirou finally turned his attention to Reiger.
This elder brother, who seemed to be only a year or two older than him and appeared to have a good relationship with the Flame Pillar, was not wearing the uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps, which sparked Tanjirou’s curiosity about his identity.
Tanjirou’s question was soon answered by Kyoujurou Rengoku.
"This young man is about to become my adopted son!"
Kyoujurou Rengoku declared this loudly.
"I see! So this elder brother is Mr. Rengoku’s adopted son!?"
Tanjirou understood.
The term ’adopted son’ here does not mean a stepson, but rather an apprentice to a Pillar-level member.
They are generally directly subordinate to their master who is a Pillar. Although their rank may not be high, their status and influence within the Demon Slayer Corps are considerable, often seen as representatives of the Pillar.
A Pillar-level member has the authority to mobilize any member of a lower rank, but if they wish to utilize another Pillar’s adoptive son, they must first obtain that Pillar’s consent, which subtly indicates the status of adoptive sons in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Mr. Rengoku stated this elder brother is his adopted son, so, does that mean this person is Mr. Rengoku’s disciple?
Does that mean he also practices Flame Breathing?
Miss Shinobu said that "that move" she used last time in the fight against Lower Rank Five could only be known by someone like Mr. Rengoku, who is a Flame Pillar and adept in Flame Breathing. Could Mr. Rengoku’s adopted son also know something about it?
Thinking this, Tanjirou could not help but want to ask aloud.
However, before Tanjirou could voice his question, Reiger spoke first.
"No."
Reiger succinctly denied it.
"What do you mean, no?"
Tanjirou was momentarily startled.
"I am not the Flame Pillar’s adopted son." Reiger glanced at a smiling Kyoujurou Rengoku and told Tanjirou, "We met on this train. Before this, we didn’t even know of each other’s existence."
"Eh?" Tanjirou widened his eyes, turned to Kyoujurou Rengoku, and exclaimed in surprise, "Is, is that so? Mr. Rengoku?"
But Kyoujurou Rengoku’s response was as follows.
"Don’t mind these trivial details!" Kyoujurou Rengoku declared with his head held high and chest puffed out, "This young man will become my adoptive son! That’s what I’ve decided!"
Upon hearing this, Tanjirou momentarily set it aside, while Zenitsu, who was struggling mightily in a fight with Inosuke, couldn’t help but retort.
"Doesn’t that just mean he hasn’t obtained the person’s consent yet?"
Zenitsu’s retort was quite to the point.
After all, Reiger had been completely unaware of the adoptive son matter from the very beginning, nor was there any plan for him to become Kyoujurou Rengoku’s disciple.
Of course, Zenitsu, always keen to grasp the essentials, said, "Since you met on this train, doesn’t that mean, this brother is actually unrelated?"
"......"
Everyone suddenly fell silent.
This surely caught the crux of the matter.
"This can’t be right, right? It’s not okay to involve ordinary people in the Demon Slayer Corps’ missions, right? It could kill people!"
Although Zenitsu was typically fearful, he was nevertheless very compassionate, and upon knowing that Reiger was an unrelated civilian, he immediately stood up in a fluster.
"Are we just going to discuss the Demon Slayer Corps’ missions and the Infinite Train in front of unrelated civilians? Aren’t we afraid of causing chaos?"
Indeed, the young man was prone to making a fuss and seemed somewhat inexperienced with the world.
"It’s alright, don’t mind me," Reiger said without setting down his lunch box, speaking faintly to Tanjirou and Zenitsu. "Though I’m not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, and indeed, I’m not involved, don’t let my appearance deceive you. I do know a bit about your affairs. Besides, I can protect myself and even friends I’ve just met. I won’t die."
At these words, Zenitsu didn’t know what to say.
Tanjirou also fell silent, looking at Reiger, his thoughts unknown.
On the contrary, Inosuke, who had been acting crazy just moments ago, leaned against the window and said coldly.
"He’s telling the truth," Inosuke suddenly stated. "I can feel it; this guy is very strong, probably even stronger than the Flame Hashira beside him."
"Oh?" Kyoujurou raised an eyebrow.
Strangely, Inosuke’s abrupt statement even received Tanjirou’s endorsement.
"Inosuke is right," said Tanjirou earnestly, nodding. "There was no hint of a lie in those words just now, and from him, I can smell an incredible scent only swordsmen who have undergone rigorous training would exude."
"Hmm?" Kyoujurou raised an eyebrow again.
"You can’t be serious, can you?" Zenitsu was stunned but then murmured, "It does seem like I can hear an unusual sound, feels kind of terrifying..."
"Hmm!" Kyoujurou crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully.
Only Reiger, hearing the trio’s words, sincerely expressed his amazement.
"Your abilities are indeed special."
If someone else were there to hear Tanjirou, Zenitsu, and Inosuke talking, they would undoubtedly find it bizarre.
But Reiger knew their statements had reasons.
Whether it was Tanjirou, Inosuke, or even including Zenitsu, each of them possessed an exceptionally outstanding sensory skill.
Tanjirou had a keen sense of smell.
Inosuke had astonishing tactile perception.
Zenitsu had exceptional hearing.
These three could smell, hear, and feel physical sensations that ordinary people couldn’t detect, stronger than even animals known for their sharp senses.
Because of this, they were the protagonists, formed a group not only due to their shared goals but because they were similarly special.
Known to Reiger, just as he was about to say something more, someone else entered the carriage.
"...Please show your tickets."
The person speaking these languid words was dressed in the train conductor’s uniform.
Only then did everyone notice that the train conductor was approaching them, looking somewhat listless, his voice weak and his face weary.
"...Please show your tickets."
The conductor was there to check tickets.
"Alright, let’s get the tickets checked first," Kyoujurou said. "We’ll talk about the rest later."
"Okay!" the trio nodded simultaneously.
The group then presented their tickets in succession for the conductor to clip.
Upon seeing this, Reiger’s eyes flickered.
As someone familiar with the original story, Reiger of course knew that this wasn’t right.
Kyoujurou and the protagonist trio were unaware that the tickets for the Infinite Train had been tampered with by a demon aboard, mixing the ink with demon blood.
Once the conductor clipped the tickets, the hidden demon would use the blood on the tickets to cast a long-range spell, hypnotizing all the passengers holding tickets.
So, checking the tickets was actually risky.
However, Reiger decided not to intervene.
For he knew that not only were the tickets tampered with, but the entire train was under the demon’s influence.
If the Demon Slayer Corps members were not hypnotized and instead took action, it could provoke an extreme reaction from the hidden demon, potentially jeopardizing the entire train.
With two hundred passengers on board, any unexpected reaction could cause a significant issue.
Thus, it might be better to handle the demon himself while everyone else was under hypnosis.
"...Please show your ticket."
By now, the conductor had reached Reiger, asking for his ticket.
Reiger calmly took out his ticket and handed it to the conductor for clipping.
He wasn’t afraid of hypnosis.
Completely immune to mental interference and possessing the highest level of ’Abnormal Resistance’ power, hypnotizing Reiger was utterly impossible.
Thinking this, Reiger had forgotten one thing.
In his range of skills, there was this phrase—’Can accept and enhance beneficial effects directed at oneself.’
In other words, if the hypnosis had no negative effects but was beneficial, Reiger would still be susceptible to the influence.
"Ding ling—"
The Sun Wheel Earrings Tanjirou wore gently jangled, emitting a barely perceptible pleasant chime.