Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

"Damn it!!!"

Tanjiro, usually calm and gentle, suddenly shouted, his soft eyes now wild with fury.

'Boom!'

The flames surrounding him, already intense, flared even hotter, distorting the air around them. The emotions of anger and guilt consumed Tanjiro's mind, pushing him to the brink.

If only he had arrived a moment earlier, those two children might have had a chance. But now... it was too late!

Flames surged violently through his body. The scar on his forehead seemed to come alive, transforming into flame-like markings that infused him with newfound power.

'Hiss~'

Hot air filled his lungs. Unconsciously, Tanjiro abandoned the water breathing technique he had trained for over two years. Instead, he tapped into an ancient, primal breathing technique, one that felt as though it had been etched into his soul.

"Sun Breathing, Fifth Form..."

"Sun Wheel!!!"

Without fully understanding how this mysterious technique emerged, Tanjiro could feel its power building in his chest. His body moved instinctively, channeling this energy into his blade.

'Tread!'

Tanjiro, his eyes now glowing crimson, lunged forward.

In an instant, a trail of fire erupted from beneath his feet, surging toward the two demons. A massive fireball launched from his sword, racing along the fiery path.

The ball of fire, growing larger as it absorbed the surrounding flames, rapidly expanded from the size of a small rubber ball into a blazing inferno the size of a train.

"Huh?" 

Only now did the two demons, previously preoccupied with their meal, realize the danger they were in. Panicked, they dropped the child's lifeless body and leapt to either side.

Though demons can regenerate, they knew well that if their bodies were reduced to ash, not even Muzan's blood would be able to bring them back. This was one of the few ways humans could effectively combat demons.

'Boom!'

The fireball, having missed its target, crashed into the wall at the end of the alley. The resulting explosion sent a wave of intense heat rippling through the air, raising the temperature of the entire space by ten degrees in an instant.

"A swordsman who can control fire?"

Yahaba and Susamaru, the two demons, exchanged glances, their expressions hardening. They now looked at Tanjiro with a mix of curiosity and caution.

These two demons were Muzan's latest creations, and he had been particularly pleased with their progress. If they hadn't only recently become demons, Muzan might have promoted them to the ranks of the Twelve Kizuki, replacing the weaker members.

To prove their worth to Muzan, they'd been operating in Tokyo, preying on lone drunks or delinquents in the dead of night. This time, they had gotten lucky and found two lost children—only to attract the attention of Tanjiro.

Demons grow stronger in two ways: by receiving Muzan's blood or by devouring humans. However...

These two ambitious demons would not have the opportunity to achieve their dream of joining the Twelve Kizuki tonight.

---

'Step!'

Tanjiro, moving with blinding speed, swiftly retrieved the bodies of the two children. Staring at their lifeless eyes, rage and grief filled his heart.

"Damn it..."

He gently laid the children's bodies down.

As Tanjiro stood, the fiery markings on his forehead expanded fully, and the bond-enhanced flames he wielded now radiated like the sun, emitting an aura deadly to demons.

But despite the overwhelming force of Tanjiro's presence, Yahaba and Susamaru, still prideful in their newfound immortality and Muzan's favor, did not flee.

---

Late into the night, Tokyo's modern skyline glittered with lights, giving the city an alluring charm even in darkness.

But then...

'Boom!'

A deafening explosion echoed from the slums of Tokyo, startling those still out enjoying the nightlife. For a moment, people took notice, but soon returned to their revelry, treating the disturbance as little more than gossip material.

Even the police, patrolling nearby, merely glanced in the direction of the sound before moving on. They assumed it was just another gang fight involving heavy weapons—a common occurrence in the city's less privileged areas. None of the officers, tasked with protecting the upper class, dared to investigate further.

Little did they know, a battle was raging that could alter the fate of the world.

---

'Fsssh...'

Embers flickered on the ground like tiny glowing insects. Tanjiro, now calm once again, surveyed the destruction he had caused, a hint of regret in his eyes.

It wasn't until he brushed aside some rubble, revealing the still-regenerating forms of the two demons, that he let out a sigh of relief.

"Huh~"

"Good thing I held back on that last attack..."

"It would've been a waste if I'd killed them outright."

With that, Tanjiro turned his gaze skyward and let out a practiced shout.

Moments later, a crack of lightning lit the sky, and before Tanjiro's eyes, Enel's figure materialized.

"Yo, Tanjiro!" Enel greeted with his usual nonchalant grin.

Though they hadn't seen each other for a few days, the bond between Tanjiro and Enel was still strong.

After a few quick actions, Tanjiro's point balance instantly rose by 2,000.

"A Demon worth 1,000 points?" 

Tanjiro turned to look at the fading remnants of the demon, a look of surprise crossing his face.

Because, in his estimation...

These two demons didn't seem as threatening as the three demons that can swim in darkness he had fought before.

This time, thanks to the evolution of his bond, he had managed to defeat two powerful demons without even needing the power of his Larvesta.

"So..."

"Have I gotten stronger again?!"

A sudden burst of joy lit up Tanjiro's face.

No one could resist the feeling of getting stronger.

Because becoming stronger meant he could hunt more demons and earn even more points.

Tanjiro raised his Nichirin sword and, with the help of the moonlight, examined his reflection in the darkened blade.

After mastering Observation and Armament Haki and the Six Powers of the Navy, his strength had indeed improved.

However...

The technique he had instinctively used earlier didn't seem ordinary!

And Tanjiro had noticed something else...

Ever since his bond with Larvesta evolved, he often found himself recalling the breathing technique he had just used...

The Dance of the Fire God, which his father had taught him when he was young!

This made Tanjiro curious.

"Could it be that... Father was connected to the demon slayers in some way?"

But before he could dwell on the thought, he dismissed it.

After all, he now had many paths to grow stronger, beyond just breathing techniques!

Tanjiro looked at Larvesta approaching him and bent down to touch its head.

"Chirp~"

But the insect turned away with a huff, giving Tanjiro a cold look.

A few days ago, Tanjiro had promised to use some of his points to enhance Larvesta's power. 

Clearly, in all the excitement, he had forgotten that promise.

"Oh! That's right!" 

Tanjiro smiled sheepishly, as if suddenly remembering. He quickly turned to Enel and said,

"Sir Enel, I'd like to exchange some points to power up Larvesta. Do you have any recommendations?"

After many trades, Tanjiro had learned the proper approach. Knowing Enel's vast experience as a dimensional merchant, he trusted his advice.

Tanjiro had already gained much from his previous consultations with Enel, and asking questions had become a habit.

But to his surprise, this time Enel, who was usually eager for deals, shook his head solemnly.

Then, in a serious tone, he said:

"We'll talk about the trade later."

"Tanjiro, you need to leave this place immediately."

"Because you've defeated these two demons, a being far beyond your reach is on its way here."

"If he decides to kill you, as a dimensional merchant, I can't intervene."

As a merchant of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, Enel believed in treating all lifeforms equally, much like Sir Leo...

Regardless of right or wrong, good or evil.

However, after coming to this world and meeting Tanjiro, Enel's attitude seemed to have softened a bit.

In the past, Enel—who once called himself a "god"—wouldn't have cared about the fate of mortals.

He could've easily traded with both demon slayers and demons, creating a scenario where he benefited from both sides...

All to complete his mission more quickly.

But looking at Tanjiro—who refused to sell the Nichirin blades of fallen comrades at Mount Fujikasane, who relentlessly hunted demons to avenge the dead—Enel began to see this world differently.

Certainly, the most important factor was that Enel believed Sir Leo, if he were in this world, would undoubtedly side with humanity.

Because Sir Leo despised those who did not respect life.

---

"A being beyond my reach?"

Tanjiro was taken aback.

But before he could think further, a familiar, dreaded scent suddenly filled his senses.

"This... this scent!!!!!!"

Tanjiro's eyes turned scarlet in an instant.

It was the same scent from the night his family had been slaughtered, the scent of the one who had turned Nezuko into a demon!

Anger surged through him like wildfire.

Tanjiro, still not in his fully evolved bond state, began to tap into the ripple form again...

But before he could lose himself to rage, Enel's voice boomed:

"Tanjiro!"

The soul-piercing voice snapped Tanjiro out of his vengeful haze.

Enel gently patted Tanjiro on the shoulder.

"It's too early for you now."

"Trust me, your chance will come."

Enel's words were cryptic, but somehow Tanjiro understood.

"..."

Gripping his sword, Tanjiro gritted his teeth.

In the end, he followed Enel's advice, nodding gratefully, and swiftly vanished from the alley using the Navy's Shave technique.

Less than a minute after Tanjiro disappeared...

A swelling appeared on the ground beneath Enel's feet.

In an instant...

Countless bloody tendrils burst from the earth, forming a figure—a polite-looking man with white hair and a pale face.

It was none other than the one hiding among humans in Tokyo—the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

As the King of Demons, Muzan had absolute control over nearly all the demons.

He sensed the exact moment when Yahaba and Susamaru were killed and immediately began covertly following their trail underground.

Muzan surveyed his surroundings.

Even though he didn't see a Nichirin sword on Enel, he was immediately certain...

Yahaba and Susamaru had fought here—and lost their lives.

Looking up at the towering 2.6-meter figure of Enel, Muzan's scarlet eyes darkened with a cold, sinister gleam. His voice, colder than the harshest winter, cut through the air:

"You're the one who killed Yahaba and Susamaru?"

"..."

Enel's lips pressed into a thin line as he stared back at Muzan, his gaze unreadable and calm.

However...

If one were to observe carefully, they might notice a faint, barely concealed glint of greed in his eyes.

After all...

Muzan was a walking, gleaming '100 million points'!

Who could resist that temptation?!

If it weren't for the fact that Enel was a dimensional merchant himself...

He would have tied Muzan up on the spot and traded him to other merchants.

Despite Enel's fearsome reputation in the pirate world—where even the great Four Emperors, Big Mom, and the former Emperor Kaido, bowed their heads in his presence...

Now, as a dimensional merchant, things were different.

In reality...

Aside from trading some of Shandora's gold for points and acquiring Thundercloud and a few abilities...

He hadn't gained a single extra point for himself!

After all...

He was a public servant! 

As an assistant to a dimensional merchant, all the points he earned went straight into Leo's pocket.

Except for the few powerful abilities Leo had granted him to maintain his status as the head of the Celestial Gym...

He hadn't spent a single point for his own benefit in the pirate world.

So, let me ask...

Who wouldn't be tempted by a walking 100 million points standing right in front of them?

Despite Enel's best efforts to remain calm, the more he restrained himself, the more restless his eyes became.

Until...

"Huh?"

Muzan suddenly froze, growing uneasy as he noticed Enel's increasingly intense stare.

A troubling thought crossed his mind:

"Why is this guy looking at me like that?!"

"Could he be... attracted to my beauty?"

"No, wait..."

"This form is a man!!?"