Crossover: The Problematic Deity of Arcadia

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In the eastern district of the Town, there was a run-down little inn. Mori Inn.

"Tanjuro, your friend's here!" the innkeeper called out from the hallway.

A moment later, Tanjuro slid open the door. Seeing Ryo and the others standing there, he blinked in surprise.

"You're already here!"

Then, turning back to the innkeeper, he said gratefully, "Thanks again for the help."

"No problem at all."

After exchanging a few quick words, Tanjuro turned to Ryo.

"Mind waiting just a second?"

He ducked back inside the room and said to his children:

"Tanjiro, stay here with your mother and look after your younger siblings. I'll be going out with my friend for a bit."

"I wanna come too!" one of the kids cried.

"Me too!" another chimed in.

"Stop it, Shigeru, Takeo—don't cause trouble. Nezuko, help keep them in line," Tanjiro said.

"Everyone, quiet down!" their mother added firmly.

"Alright, alright. How about this—rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins gets to come with me. The rest, I'll bring along next time."

"Okay! Let's play!"

Just like that, the room erupted into cheerful chaos.

A few minutes later, Tanjuro stepped out with Nezuko by his side.

"Tanjiro, keep an eye on your siblings, alright?" he reminded.

Once outside, he turned to Ryo and apologized, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Kyojuro Rengoku just laughed. "Don't worry about it. It's nice to see such energetic kids."

"We're the ones who should be apologizing for bothering you," Ryo said with a chuckle and a nod.

That's when he noticed Nezuko quietly observing him from the side, prompting a soft smile.

Unlike last night when her hair was loose, today Nezuko had her hair tied up in a neat bun. Her cheeks were tinged red, giving her a shy, country-girl charm that made her seem even more adorable.

"Aww, what a cute girl!" Mitsuri Kanroji said without thinking.

Shinobu Kocho nodded with a warm smile. "Mr. Tanjuro has such a lovely daughter."

That was enough to make Nezuko flustered. She quickly hid behind her father and mumbled under her breath, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have played rock-paper-scissors…"

Still, deep down, she didn't really regret coming along. It wasn't often she got to leave the house.

Ryo turned to Tanjuro. "Do I need to prepare anything in advance?"

Tanjuro patted the bag slung over his shoulder. "No need. I've got everything ready. All we need is a quiet open space."

Ryo nodded and led the group up a small hill near the inn.

There was a grassy clearing up there—soft, thick turf that was easy on the feet, even barefoot.

Tanjuro looked around and gave a satisfied nod. This area was perfect for what he had in mind.

As he set his bag down and began unpacking a few ritual tools, he glanced at Ryo.

"You're sure all I have to do is demonstrate the Hinokami Kagura?"

"Exactly," Ryo confirmed.

Mitsuri Kanroji gasped from a short distance away. "Wait, is that the Sun Breathing?!"

Kyojuro Rengoku planted his hands on his Nichirin Blade and nodded gravely. "Most likely, the name was changed to avoid detection. Smart move."

Nezuko blinked, confused. "Our family's Hinokami Kagura is… powerful?"

She tilted her head, puzzled. To her, the Kagura was just a dance her father performed every year to honor the fire god. How had it suddenly become this... secret technique? Sun Breathing? A brilliant strategy?

Her father had even taught it to her before...

"It really is powerful," Kyojuro said with a solemn nod. "The Kagura your family practices is actually the original Breath Style—created by the strongest man ever, Yoriichi Tsugikuni."

"It's said that the Sun Breathing was the very first form of swordsmanship using breathing techniques," he continued. "But it's extremely taxing on the body. Most people who tried to learn it would fall sick or die. That's why other, weaker Breathing Styles were created—to let more people stand a fighting chance against demons."

Nezuko's eyes widened as the pieces started to fall into place.

So that's why her father was always so frail and sickly—it was because of this ancient dance?

And not just that—turns out the Kagura wasn't just some ritual. It was the inheritance of a legendary swordsman from centuries past. A powerful legacy that could slay demons.

The realization hit her like a thunderbolt. It was like suddenly learning your family, which you thought was poor, had secretly been sitting on a billion-yen inheritance.

"Wait a second… are we rich?" she thought, her mind reeling.

But then her curiosity took over again.

"Um… but if the Kagura makes people sick, why would Mr. Ryo want to learn it?" she asked.

She was still young, and in her eyes, strength didn't seem worth the cost—especially after seeing her father suffer so much.

"Because we have to," Shinobu replied quietly.

Kyojuro, for once, wore a serious expression. "Even if there are risks, even if it hurts us—we have no choice. The final battle is near. We must seize every chance to grow stronger. Compared to that, falling ill is a small price to pay."

Nezuko stood in stunned silence.

So… even if it hurts, even if it means sacrificing yourself—that's what it means to be a hero?

Is that why Father always told us not to become heroes, but just to live peaceful lives?

Her heart swelled with admiration—not just for her father, but for Ryo, too.

Before she could dwell on it, Tanjuro stepped forward, barefoot on the grass, holding short prayer sticks in each hand. With calm, fluid motion, he began his ritual dance.

The Sun Breathing—Hinokami Kagura.

Nezuko watched silently, then glanced over at Ryo, who was standing nearby, watching intently.

"…He can really learn it just by watching?" she asked in disbelief.

It had taken her father decades to master the Kagura. Was it really possible to pick it up just like that?

"Yep," Shinobu said with a soft, proud smile. "After all… he's our trump card."

Nezuko's eyes widened with awe.

The trump card of the heroes...?

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