After the Demon King Giyu Was Captured by Shinazugawa

Giyu has always diligently cosplayed as the Water Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps.

But he has a few troublesome subordinates:

Subordinate One: Kokushibo. His younger brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, nearly killed him with a single sword strike. After he was captured, he vanished without a trace.

Subordinate Two: Douma. He was devoted to rescuing wayward young women, but after he gathered too many followers, the Demon Slayer Corps finally discovered his whereabouts and hunted him down. He ended up locked in prison.

Subordinate Three: Akaza, a demon devoted to becoming the strongest martial artist. He challenged people all over the place every day, so it was only natural that the Demon Slayer Corps captured him.

After he defeated the Flame Hashira, there were plenty more Hashira waiting in line. Giyu personally brought him back to the Demon Slayer Corps. With the Wind Hashira right beside him, it would have been far too difficult to go easy on him.

Giyu diligently plays the Demon King. He doesn't kill people, and he forbids his subordinates from committing heinous crimes. But every one of them has a one-track mind, and when one gets captured, Giyu has to find a way to bail them out.

At the Hashira meeting, all the Hashira sit cross-legged, while Giyu huddles at the very back, trying his best not to draw attention.

"Now all that's left is to catch the Demon King," Sanemi Shinazugawa says with his arms crossed and a cold smile. "How about we hang those Upper Moons of his outside the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters? I refuse to believe that coward won't come out of hiding."

No one has ever seen the legendary Demon King in person. They don't even know where to begin looking for him.

"That's a pretty simplistic idea," Giyu deliberately objects. "Do you really think the Demon King would fall for it?"

Sanemi's forehead veins throb.

Tomioka Giyu!

Just you wait. Sooner or later, I'll catch you by the tail and string you up to roast!

"Then we'll kill one of them every week!" Sanemi says through gritted teeth.

Giyu's expression changes. Sanemi always follows through on his threats. Giyu decides he needs to rescue his subordinates in advance.

Sanemi clenches his fists as he watches a certain arrogant Hashira leave the Hashira meeting.

That night, Giyu falls into a trap, and Sanemi Shinazugawa removes the Demon King's mask.

Sanemi actually tricked him! He said at the Hashira meeting that he would kill the Upper Moons! Giyu went to rescue them early, only to fall right into his trap!

"Tomioka Giyu!" Sanemi snarls, fury practically shooting from his eyes. "You bastard, you're the Demon King! I've wanted to beat you up for ages!"

Tomioka Giyu turns and runs.

Damn it! How much wisteria extract did Sanemi Shinazugawa put in the dungeon at his house? What is that jumble of smells in the air?

That night, the Demon King is captured.

Giyu kneels on the ground, his hands and feet locked in specially made shackles. Sanemi Shinazugawa's Nichirin Blade rests against his neck, its edge icy cold.

"Kill me or do what you want," Giyu says, lowering his eyes. "But I've never done anything wrong."

"Never done anything wrong?" Sanemi laughs in anger and leans in close. "Half a year ago, during a mission, I passed out from a demon's sleeping incense. Who was the person sitting on top of me that night? Your mask was exactly the same as the one you're wearing today!"

Giyu falls silent for a moment.

"If it bothers you... just pretend it never happened. I've forgotten it anyway."

"Tomioka Giyu!!!"

Sanemi roars so loudly that the whole dungeon trembles.

Reading guide:

Sanemi (top) x Giyu (bottom)

Secondary couple: Yoriichi x Kokushibo

Theme: Protecting one's beloved