FLASHBACK!!

Ryu: And that's about how much reinforcement my new swords are gonna need.

Ryu was in front of Hagumo in the Swordsmith Village. The master blacksmith seemed to burn in a raging flame as his muscles bulked up.

Hagumo: ALRIGHT!! LET'S HAUL ASS!!! I'LL MAKE THAT SWORD THE MOST POWERFUL ONE THE WORLD WILL EVER SEE!!!

Ryu: That's what I like to hear.

He placed 10 odd looking Nichirin Ores in front him.

Ryu: Those are Nichirin Ores that've absorbed flames hotter than the sun. You know what to do.

Hagumo: It'll take a few days but that sword will go even beyond your expectations!!!

Ryu smirked before walking out.

2 WEEK LATER!!

Ryu was walking back to the village as this time Shojo was in her human form.

Ryu: Remind me why you wanted to come out in physical form again?

Shojo: It gets cramped inside your head sometimes. Even spirits need fresh air once in a while.

Ryu: Makes sense I guess. Just make sure you're invisible to others when we get inside.

Shojo: Oh I'm already in spirit form.

Her hand went right through Ryu's side as they walked into the village. The first thing they saw was a particular odd sight.

???: TANJIRO!!!

The Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji was running towards Tanjiro with a somewhat tearful look.

Ryu: -_- Now I know good and damn well this is only the second interaction those two have had.

Tanjiro: PLEASE BE CARFUL!! Your breast are going to fall right out!!

Shojo: You know it's a lot funnier hearing it out here.

She had a small smile saying this.

Ryu: So I'm gonna be the good guy and ask what the hell is up here?

They both looked back seeing Ryu there.

Mitsuri: Ryu!!

Tanjiro: When did you come here?! And how did you know where to go?!

Ryu: All the Hashira know how to get here.

Mitsuri: It's great to see you again! I thought you'd still be recovering from battle another 2 Upper Moons!

Ryu: I was fine the next day. Also, weren't you just sad?

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu Tanjiro and Mitsuri were all having dinner as Tanjiro was shocked at how much they BOTH consumed.

Tanjiro: That's amazing!!

Mitsuri: You really think so? I didn't eat that much today though.

Ryu: We'll given you're about half my size and ate more than three sumo wrestlers, I think that's why.

Tanjiro: But you ate even more Ryu! How do you stay so muscular eating that much in a meal?

Ryu: Huh? I never really thought about it. I do a lot of fighting and working out so that might have something to do with it. Other than that I pretty much just have a fast metabolism. So I wouldn't suggest anyone eating as much as I do.

He thought back to a certain black and white haired male facepalming.

Ryu: Definitely wouldn't be worth it.

Tanjiro: Oh yeah, the boy you met at the spring was from our batch. His name is Genya Shinazugawa.

Mitsuri: Oh! Is that so... Then that means he's Sanemi's little brother right?

Ryu: Wait you mean that kid who's head I almost popped like a grape? He's here?

Tanjiro: Yes.

Ryu: Wind boy's never mentioned him so they're probably on the outs right now.

Mitsuri: That sounds so tragic.

Tanjiro: They are? Why is that?

Mitsuri: Well I have five siblings and I get along with them. I don't really know. I guess the Shinazugawa brothers are just scary.

She said this whole playing with Nezuko who was in child form.

Tanjiro: Genya still hasn't gotten here. I'd like if we could just chat for a bit.

While Tanjiro said that Mitsuri and Nezuko were smiling at each other.

Ryu: Eh, he probably heard I was here and didn't want to see me.

Mitsuri: Why would that be?

Ryu: Did I not just say I almost popped his head like a grape?

Mitsuri: Well it looks like he isn't coming. And he told the villagers that he won't eat at all. Maybe he brought something with him.

Nezuko hugged her as she spoke with Ryu just confused at that point.

Ryu: 'So am I the only one that gonna comment on that?'

Tanjiro: I hope he's okay. I'll bring him some leftovers.

Mitsuri: Yeah!! Great idea!

Ryu: -_- You're too kind for your own good.

After they had left the table Tanjiro asked a question that Ryu deadpanned at.

Tanjiro: Kanroji, why did you become a Demon Slayer?

Mitsuri: Huh, me? It's kinda embarrassing...

Ryu: -_- She wanted to find a "Gentleman" who would marry her for life.

Mitsuri blushed hearing Ryu say that out loud.

Tanjiro: But... Out of all places... Why...

Ryu: Yeah I thought it was stupid too.

As they walked they came across a messenger.

Messenger: Master Kaizen, Master Kanroji. Your swords will be done very soon. We would like you both to come to the workshop so we can make our final touches.

Ryu: Hagumo sure took a while. Guess this where we part ways for now.

Nezuko hugged him as he rolled his eyes smiling hugging her back.

Ryu: Alright you won. Tanjiro, be safe and keep up with your training.

Tanjiro: Will do!

Mitsuri: Tanjiro, I don't know if we'll be able to see each other alive next time, but let's just do what we can. You survived a battle against an Upper Moon, that's already a great learning experience. Practically speaking there's nothing more valuable than experiencing something like that. That's equal to five, maybe 10 years of intense training. You're definitely stronger than when I last saw you. I Mitsuri Kanroji fully supports the Kamado Siblings!

Tanjiro: Thank you so much. I still have a ways to go. I only won because Ryu Uzui and Ruby helped me. I'll work harder than ever! So I can beat Muzan Kibutsuji!!

Ryu smiled seeing this.

Ryu: Good to hear it kid. And if you can stay around here for a bit longer-

Ryu and Mitsuri looked back seeing the messenger patiently waiting. Mitsuri leaned over to Tanjiro whispering in his ear.

Mitsuri: I heard there's a secret weapon in this village that makes you stronger. Go look for it.

Ryu lightly punched Tanjiro on the shoulder as they walked with the messenger.

Ryu: Nosebleed coming in 3, 2, 1-

Tanjiro held the food in his hand above his head as blood shot out his nose.

Shojo: Perfect timing.

Ryu: Haha, never fails.

The kept walking until the arrived a workshop. Immediately they noticed Hagumo grinding at a blade that resembled Ryu's Mammoth Nichirin Sword. The difference though were the edges seemed to shine more and were deathly sharp.

Ryu: Yeah that's about right.

Soon he finished passing out on the ground with his mask falling off. It revealed his face to be that off what Ryu would put as-

Ryu: Why the fuck does he look like a K Pop Star?

Mitsuri: OH NO!!

Hagumo: I... I'm fine... Ahhhhh...

Ryu went over and put him on his back.

Ryu: Hagumo, I have a lot of swords, but I'll be the first to say I've never seen ones like this.

He set him an a chair before grabbing the blade as it changed colors to black red and blue.

Hagumo: I told you... That sword would surpass your expectations...

Ryu walked outside to a bolder gripping the blade. He swung it slashing through the boulder and the ground.

Mitsuri: Amazing...

He blade shone with the moonlight reflecting off it.

Ryu: This truly is the strongest sword in the world. Only fitting it's wielded by the strongest swordsman.

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu seemed to be swinging his new sword in while he was in an inferno he created himself. He was slashing apart clones of himself made out of flames as he was sweating all over.

Ryu: *Pant* *Pant* Not *Pant* good enough.

Shojo: You're really pushing yourself huh? I haven't seen you this tired in a while.

Steam began to come off of him as his eyes glowed.

Ryu: I was having a tough time against two Upper Moons together before, and they weren't even the top one. If Muzan is anywhere near as he should be in comparison then I want to get strong enough to where I can rip him into shreds faster than he can regenerate. And I hate relying on my forms too.

He began to move faster and rip through clones at a quicker rate increasing the heat of the flames. At one point it seemed as if flames literally came out of his mouth as a mark appeared on his neck and spread across up to the right side of his face. Drastically increasing his speed and strength with one swing of his blade he dispersed the raging flames to even his own amazement.

Ryu: O_O I didn't think I put that much force into my swing.

Shojo: Uhh, well something just happened to you.

Ruby and Rengoku had seen this from where they were at and appeared before Ryu.

Rengoku: What in the world happened?

Ryu: Ruby.

Ruby: Huh?

Ryu: Didn't you tell me that when you two fought Daki that the mark on his forehead spread and he started fighting like a different person?

Ruby: Yeah he got really strong when...

They both noticed the marks on Ryu's face started creeping back to his neck.

Ruby: ... No way.

Rengoku: Does this mean it could be possible for all Demon Slayers?

Ryu: I mean maybe. I'm not exactly sure if I needed it myself but better safe than sorry.

Rengoku: I'll report to the master immediately.

Ryu sighed before summoning a geyser of water over him to himself off.

Ryu: This feels REAL familiar.

Ruby: What?

Ryu: Nothing. Anyway Rubes, let's see if you can gain this new mark too.

Ruby: What makes you think I can get this?

Ryu: Who knows, it could be a Remnant thing. If not, and I got it, then you definitely will.

Ruby: ... I hate your logic.

Ryu: No you don't.

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu and Ruby were running towards the Sword Smith Village as the former was ever so slightly annoyed.

Ryu: Ok, so these are gonna be probably the 5th and 6th, or technically one lower than that, Uppers Moon Demons I'll face and at this point most definitely kill.

Ruby: I kinda wanna try to kill one myself just to see if I can without your help.

Ryu: Don't underestimate yourself, you definitely could.

They leapt into the trees going faster noticing something.

Ryu: Separate places huh?

Ruby: Well, who's taking on who?

Ryu: You go left, I go right.

The rose haired girl shrugged before they split up. Finding demons along the way Ryu had unsheathed his katana cutting them to pieces.

Ryu: I think the first Demon that should be slain by the Mammoth Nichirin Hagumo made should be an Upper Moon. Only fitting for how much work he put into it.

He kept going forward seeing a trail of destruction. I. The distance he heard rumbling as well.

Ryu: Hm, well, I could get there in the blink of an eye but let's just flew a little.

He closed his eyes focusing.

Ryu: Shattered Universe.

He reopened them as everything seemed to stop around him. He went faster before arriving at what seemed to be the fight scene but everyone was unmoving.

Shojo: How long has it been?

Ryu: A little over a year actually. Man, I've gotta learn not to slack on all my abilities. I almost wasn't able to stop time.

Time resumed as the fighting did as well. Ryu finally noticed that Mitsuri was fighting a child Demon with the eyes saying "Upper Four".

Ryu: Yup, s'bout right.

Although she was losing he noticed how there was a heart shaped mark.

Ryu: What?

Genya who was there as well looked up shocked.

Tanjiro: Genya, this isn't the time to be-

Tanjiro saw Genya's expression before seeing Ryu was the reason he had gone slack jawed. Tanjiro smiled seeing him there.

Tanjiro: RYU!!

Mitsuri looked at Ryu smiling.

Mitsuri: You're here!!

He noticed that tree roots came after Mitsuri. In an instant he way there cutting up the roots easily.

Ryu: Keep your eyes on the damn battle idiot!!

Tanjiro: Be careful, this one is even more powerful than-

Ryu didn't even listen before gripping his blade as earth dragons popped up from the ground.

Ryu: Magma Breathing: 9th Form!

Purple magma covered Ryu's new blade as he held it over his head with both hands. Tanjiro seeing this became frantic.

Tanjiro: EVERYONE BRACE YOURSELVES!!!

Ryu: Rage Demon Piercer!!

He swung the blade down causing a slash of purple lava to go to the child Demon incinerating everything but his neck.

Ryu: Huh, that worked better than I thought it would.

Tanjiro: That won't work!! It isn't his real body!!!

Genya: THE REAL THING LOOKS LIKE AN OLD MAN!!

Ryu: I am really getting tired of these Demons just cheating death.

He looked around and down.

Ryu: So, this one's a coward? Just prey then.

The child Demon had risen again but just as quickly Ryu cut him down the middle with a scorching hot blade.

Ryu: Hey, fuck off.

All of a sudden Ryu's vision began to change.

Ryu: The hell?

Shojo: Ok, this is new.

He looked around and saw that the others were seemingly transparent.

Ryu: ... What?

Tanjiro: Hurry, the Sun's about to come up!

Ryu: 'Ok I think I somehow might've gotten high.'

He looked at the child Demon before seeing that there was something in it's head. It revealed to be a cowering old man.

Ryu: FOUND HIM!!

He rushed past gripping his blade as ground dragons formed around him. They opened their mouths firing sound blast at him. This connected as he covered his ears in pain. Nezuko went forward before she noticed that he had disappeared entirely.

Nezuko O_O?

Ryu had appeared behind the Upper Moon with a vein on his forehead and his mysterious mark spreading once again.

Ryu: Not gonna lie, that hurt.

He looked behind himself shocked before realizing what was happening. Ryu was about to slash down before looking at the sky.

Ryu: O_O Oh No.

Tanjiro: What is it?

Ryu gulper before pointing up revealing the sun had began to rise. Tanjiro's eyes went wide as he looked for Nezuko.

Tanjiro: Nezuko, we have to go now!!

Ryu: DON'T SAY IT, JUST GO!!!

Ryu slashed down at the kid before looking around for the real body. His eyes glowed as he started from seeing meters away finding the old man Upper Moon running.

HANTENGU!!

Ryu: FOUND IT!!

He as well saw that the was a small him inside of the bigger one putting two and two together. He teleported in front of him before slashing the body into nothing but hundreds of bits.

Ryu: Ok, one problem is done!

He jumped back up seeing a sight that he never expected to see.

Ryu: ... The fuck is going on?

Nezuko was standing in the sunlight.

Shojo: And before you ask again, no, you aren't somehow high and didn't snap a nerve in your head. This is real.

Ryu: ... Roll with it.

He slid down the hill smiling.

Ryu: Looks like my hunch was right. You're special, Nezuko.

He patted her on the head as after a long time-

Nezuko: Th-Thank you!

Nezuko hugged him as Ryu thought to himself.

Ryu: 'You win Fang: Nezuko's Best Girl.'

CHAPTER END!!