Naruto: Blazing Eyes in the Eternal Night

"Rengoku did not lose!!!"

"Rengoku won!!!!"

As he watched Tanjiro cry out in defiance, sorrow, pride, pain, and guilt, Kyojuro Rengoku suddenly smiled.

Perhaps it was the rising sun dispelling the chill of the night, or maybe it was the unwavering determination in the young man's eyes, burning like the sun itself. Either way, the pain in Rengoku's body seemed to lighten.

Kamado boy… You already have the conviction needed to become a pillar.

And the boar-headed boy, the yellow-haired boy, and the demon-turned girl—Nezuko—they too will grow into the new pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps...

"Stop shouting like that, or your wound will tear open."

Rengoku spoke gently. It had been a long time since he had spoken so softly—perhaps because the hole in his chest and abdomen, left by the Upper Moon Three, made it difficult to project his voice.

"You're seriously injured too, Kamado boy. If you die, then that would mean I lost, wouldn't it?"

"Rengoku-san..."

Tanjiro was still crying. The boar-headed boy seemed to be crying too. In moments like these, that boar mask really did serve its purpose—at least a man wouldn't be seen shedding tears.

With that amusing thought—one that only he would find funny—Rengoku called out to Tanjiro, who was still near the edge of the forest.

The Upper Moon Three had just retreated into the shadows of the trees. Tanjiro was too close. If the demon was willing to endure the pain of the sun's rays for a final attack, it would be dangerous.

"Come here and talk with me for a little while longer."

As Tanjiro stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight, Rengoku finally felt at ease.

"In my dreams just now, I remembered something."

"Go visit the Rengoku household. There, you'll find the records of the Flame Hashira from past generations. That Hinokami Kagura you spoke of—huff—it might be recorded somewhere in those texts."

The pain in his left eye had become familiar, but the gaping wound in his chest was still an inconvenience. Rengoku steadied his breathing, trying to speak as smoothly as possible.

"R-Rengoku-san, stop talking! Use your breathing to slow the bleeding—there must be some way to treat you!"

As he watched Tanjiro's panicked expression—the way his brows knitted together—Rengoku was reminded of his younger brother, Senjuro.

Senjuro, my little brother… I suppose I must apologize to you this time.

"No, there isn't. I will die soon."

"I want you to tell my little brother, Senjuro… to follow his own heart and do what he believes is right."

With calm finality, Rengoku declared his impending death.

Though it would bring sorrow, he himself felt at peace.

He remembered his mother's warmth when he was young, his father's descent into despair after her passing, and his own stubborn determination to master the Flame Breathing style. His father might not have approved of his defiance, but...

I'm sorry, Father.

That elderly woman at the train station spoke of your former glory. And after hearing it, I still believe... to become a swordsman, to save lives, to be like you once were—

—it truly is a wonderful thing.

Just as you once said, this world has no shortage of geniuses—like the Mist Hashira, like Kanroji, and now, like the Kamado boy and the boar-headed boy before me. Each of them possesses their own strengths. Compared to them, I am but an ordinary Rengoku.

But even geniuses need time to grow.

And while they grow… let this reckless Rengoku hold the line, just a little longer.

"Please tell my father to take care of himself."

"And, Kamado boy… I believe in your sister. I acknowledge her as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps."

"Anyone who risks their life to fight demons and protect humans, no matter what others say, is one of us."

"Stand tall and live with pride!"

"No matter how powerless or weak you feel, no matter how many times you're struck down—"

"Let your soul blaze!"

"Clench your teeth and press forward!"

"Even if you falter, even if fear grips your heart, time will not wait for you!"

"I will not grieve with you."

"Do not blame yourself for my death here."

"I am a Hashira. It is only natural for me to stand as a shield for my juniors."

"We are the Hashira. Any one of us would have made the same choice."

"We will never allow demons to snatch away the young saplings."

"Kamado boy, boar-headed boy, yellow-haired boy… you must continue to grow."

"One day, you will become the pillars that support the Demon Slayer Corps."

"I believe in you."

Ah… his vision was blurring… Had he lost too much blood?

Rengoku Kyojuro's half-lidded right eye suddenly widened. In the distance, across the barren land, a familiar figure stood—

A white kimono, a sash of red and yellow, long black hair draped over one shoulder, and… those warm, flame-colored eyes, forever burning with kindness.

"Mother…?"

"Have I fulfilled my duty?"

"Have I done what I must? Have I carried out my responsibilities?"

Ruka smiled, her eyes filled with pride. "You have done well."

At that moment, all the pain in his body faded away. The gentle radiance surrounding his mother bathed his face in warmth.

He smiled, truly happy.

And, at last, he closed his eyes in peace.

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Darkness.

There was a sound in the darkness.

Rengoku Kyojuro strained to hear.

He remembered dying. His mother, Ruka, had come to greet him.

By now, he should have arrived in the afterlife.

So there really is a world beyond death…?

Would I be able to meet the past Flame Hashira here?

How would they judge my generation's Flame Hashira…?

The sound grew louder.

Light began to emerge within the darkness.

Brighter and brighter, until—

It condensed into… a letter?

...........................................................

Dear Kyojuro,

The Great King Enma says that a certain world has been seeing far too many deaths lately.

But there aren't enough souls that qualify for reincarnation.

So… Mom snatched up a good spot for you! You're going to be reborn now~

After all, Kyojuro, you died way too young! It's totally unfair given that I named you "Juro" (Longevity).

This time, follow your heart and live a long, good life!

With love, your mother, Ruka

.....................................................

As soon as Kyojuro finished reading, the letter vanished.

He blinked, stunned.

His mother's personality… seemed a lot livelier than before?

Wait.

Was he already reborn?! And with his past memories intact?!

This time—this time, he would live to see Kibutsuji Muzan's demise with his own eyes!

With a sharp gasp, he opened his eyes—

—And locked gazes with a small child crouching beside him.

One second.

Two seconds.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! BROTHER MADARA! HE WOKE UP!!!"

Five-year-old Uchiha Izuna absolutely refused to admit that he had been startled.

Even though this kid—his supposed "nephew"—had snapped his eyes open so suddenly, staring at him without blinking, without even twitching.

He was just really excited to see someone wake up! That was all!

Before Kyojuro could say anything, the black-haired child bolted away at an impressive speed.

Watching his retreating figure, Kyojuro thought, Hoh, that speed… Is he a successor of Thunder Breathing?

He tried to sit up.

But his body… felt clumsy. Uncoordinated. It refused to obey him.

He reached out, trying to brace himself against the wall.

A small, soft hand appeared before him.

He grasped it firmly.

The little hand squeezed back.

There were tiny dimples on the back of the hand.

Ah…

At that moment, Kyojuro truly understood what reincarnation meant.

He… had become a baby!!!