In less than a second, Souta brought Tanjiro to Mount Sagiri.
This was the mountain where the former Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Sakonji Urokodaki, lived in seclusion.
After retiring from the frontlines, this powerful Hashira took on the role of a trainer, dedicating himself to nurturing the next generation of Demon Slayers—a role in which he was deeply respected by his students.
Unfortunately, due to the presence of the Hand Demon, every one of his trainees had been killed during the Final Selection.
Tanjiro was the only one who had defeated the Hand Demon and survived the trial.
Souta figured that once Urokodaki learned about this, a burden he had carried for years might finally be lifted.
"So this is Mount Sagiri..." Souta looked out across the vast woodland.
Compared to Mount Fujikasane, the atmosphere here felt much more pleasant—sunny, peaceful, and without the eerie, ghostly vibe.
"Yes. Master Urokodaki lives here in seclusion. Nezuko has been asleep here for two years as well," Tanjiro replied, glancing at Souta with hope and excitement glowing on his face.
Souta's casual display of power felt like miracles to him.
A being who could control time and space—it should be simple for someone like that to save a girl who had turned into a demon, right?
Tanjiro was becoming more and more confident in Souta's abilities.
"Point me toward your house," Souta said. "Also let me know how far it is."
"We're already here, so let's just walk there," Tanjiro said, shaking his head. "It's not far. If we suddenly appear, it might scare Master Urokodaki. And if he attacks, that'd be bad."
"Relax," Souta patted Tanjiro's shoulder. "He could punch me all day, and he still wouldn't be able to scratch me."
"..." Tanjiro gave a helpless smile.
If he didn't already have a sense of Souta's personality, he might've thought Souta was insulting his master.
"Humans can't teleport. If Master Urokodaki mistakes you for a demon, that's not good," Tanjiro insisted a bit more firmly. "So let's just walk."
Souta shrugged. "If you want to walk, I don't mind."
Then he created a rope with his powers and tied one end to Tanjiro's arm and the other to himself.
Using his divine powers, Souta cast a levitation spell and floated in the air like a balloon, letting Tanjiro pull him along.
"Lead the way," he said.
And so, the two of them started hiking up the mountain.
As they walked, Tanjiro asked, "By the way, I used to be able to smell you, Souta-san, but now I can't. Why is that?"
Souta instinctively raised his arm and sniffed. "I have a smell? Doesn't seem like it."
"No, I mean—I can detect information through scent. Like how you're not a demon or that you mean no harm."
"Ah, I see... that sounds like a kind of sensory detection."
Souta thought for a moment and said, "I activated my divine shield back at the Final Selection site. That's why your ability didn't work."
"It's a defensive barrier that blocks all interference. Not only can't you detect my scent, but even if you had clairvoyance, you wouldn't be able to read anything about me."
Tanjiro listened carefully, then made a request: "Souta-san, could you disable your shield temporarily?"
"Master Urokodaki is just like me—he can sense emotions and identify disguised demons through smell."
Tanjiro explained in detail:
"If your shield is down, he'll likely sense you mean no harm. That'll make things a lot easier."
He quickly added, "Of course, if you're not comfortable with that, I'll do my best to explain everything myself."
"You don't have to be so cautious when asking for something," Souta chuckled. "It's no big deal. The shield activates automatically against strong attacks anyway."
Souta retracted his aura, appearing like an ordinary person.
Tanjiro sighed in relief.
Though Souta was a god, he was easygoing and down-to-earth—just a bit lazy...
Still, that was hardly a flaw worth mentioning. Tanjiro had come to respect him quite a bit.
Soon, the two reached the wooden house halfway up the mountain.
Souta glanced ahead but didn't see Nezuko.
In the original story, she'd awakened just in time to greet Tanjiro after he returned from the Final Selection.
But this time, because Souta brought him back so quickly via teleportation, Nezuko was probably still asleep.
A low, slightly shaky voice called from behind them.
Tanjiro turned and saw Urokodaki Sakonji, carrying a bundle of firewood.
Before Tanjiro could even reply, Urokodaki dropped the wood and rushed forward, embracing him tightly like a child dear to him.
"You're back... That's all that matters."
It was an emotional release so strong that he didn't even spare a wary glance at the unfamiliar Souta.
He simply hugged Tanjiro in silence, showing his deep concern.
Finally... finally, one of his students had come back alive...
"Master Urokodaki?" Tanjiro called softly.
"I'm just glad you're safe."
Urokodaki let go of him, glanced at Souta, and said,
"Let's talk inside. I'll make your favorite hotpot tonight."
"Really!?" Tanjiro's eyes sparkled with joy.
Urokodaki nodded. Behind the Tengu mask, a faint smile appeared.
Tanjiro was still as expressive as ever...
After the hotpot was ready, Tanjiro finished explaining who Souta was and why he had come.
Though the Tengu mask hid Urokodaki's facial expressions, Souta sensed his surprise through spiritual perception.
"You can't really verify anything just by words," Souta said. "Let's go check on Nezuko. I suspect the phone is with her, but I'm not entirely sure. Let's confirm it."
Urokodaki sensed no malice from Souta, so he turned to Tanjiro.
Tanjiro nodded to his master.
And so, the three entered Nezuko's room.
On the wooden floor lay a neatly arranged futon, where a long-haired girl slept peacefully.
The blanket covered her body, leaving only her delicate, serene face visible—her sleeping expression was adorable.
Souta looked at the bamboo muzzle on her mouth, confirming it matched his memory perfectly.
Tanjiro turned to him and asked, "Is the phone on her?"
"We'll have to check her pockets," Souta said, looking a little too eager.
"Um, I'll do it!" Tanjiro quickly offered.
Letting a strange man search his sleeping sister—no matter how chill he was, he just couldn't allow that.
Souta shook his head. "System phones can't be seen or touched by anyone but their owner—unless they want to show it to you, it's basically invisible."
"Let's try this." Souta grinned, took out his own phone, and said, "I'll message her in the group and see if there's a reaction."
He opened the friend group chat and typed:
Souta: "@Kamado Tanjiro. Quit sleeping—time to party!"
Buzz, buzz— Immediately, a vibration came from the futon.
"No doubt about it. It's her," Souta said with certainty.
P.S. Book Recommendation:
Title:All My Blind Dates Are From the Anime Dimension
Alternate Title: Dimensional Cannon Playboy
New author on Hedgehog Cat.
It's a crack-fic. Don't take it seriously.
Me, Bing Chilling, in the middle of a blind date—I'm panicking.
Kotonoha Katsura: "Nice to meet you. Let me start by killing a boyfriend for fun."
Bing Chilling: "NIGERU!!!"
Asuna Yuuki: "Nice to meet you, I'm..."
Bing Chilling: "Kirito—make sure you wear a green-hat!"
Yuno Gasai: "Are you... my Yukki?"
Bing Chilling: "I'm not. Sorry. Bye!"
Scáthach: "Young man, would you mind an older woman for a date?"
Bing Chilling: "You're old enough to—$%@#&!!"
Tatsumaki: "Nice to meet you, I—"
Bing Chilling: "Out! Are you even legal?! I can't take this anymore!"
A chaotic otaku's dimension-crossing blind date journey.
Bing Chilling: "I'm losing my mind here!!!"