The Multiverse Voyager

Sup y'all, its me, the author

So, I got kinda bored of all the training and I just wanted to get into the actual world, with all the demons, all their unique abilities, the Hashira. So I just spent extra time finishing everything up in two chapters that I'm releasing back-to-back.

Also, my chapters are atleast 3k words long, but these two are 4k words long so, enjoy the double release I guess

[Chapter Start]

"Itadakimasu"

The smell of sizzling food and spices wafted through the night air as I sat at a lone food stall, slurping down a steaming bowl of noodles. My stomach growled in protest; it had been hours since my last meal back when I left Urokodaki-Sensei's hut. The broth was rich and savory, and the noodles were perfectly cooked, though none of that really mattered, food was food and after running all night trying to track demons, I needed something to keep me going.

But damn, this food was just amazing, much better than anything I've ever eaten before both in this world and my home world. So much so, that I just had to slam my hand on the table as I hung my head low.

*SLAM*

"DELICIOUS"

"Haha," The old vendor laughed as he heard me scream "I'm glad you enjoy them, young man."

I paid the vendor, thanked him with a nod, stepped out into the early morning light, and inhaled the fresh morning air while stretching, feeling every muscle in my body loosen. A thought struck me as I stared down the long road I had just traveled.

"Damn," I mutter as I calculate the distance I just traveled "Just how much did I run?"

The distance from Mt.Sagiri to Mt.Fujikasane was about the same as the distance from the farm I first landed to Mt. Sagiri. If this was the me before I went training, it would have taken me a week to travel, but I did that in just one night and to with no breaks on the way.

Why did I travel the entire night with no breaks you ask?

To hunt demons of course.

Speaking of demons... Where were they? I knew for a fact I had sensed their presence during the night, faint traces scattered through the woods. Yet none of them had shown themselves, as if they were avoiding me.

 "Are they... scared of me?" I wondered aloud. "Nah, I'm not even an official slayer yet, maybe they just mistook me for a normal demon slayer?". The idea was laughable, but the silence of the night had been unsettling.

What AYD didn't realize was that it wasn't just his status as a Demon Slayer that had kept the demons at bay. It was the immense aura he was unconsciously emitting—a presence powerful enough to rival that of a high-ranking Slayer. Though far from the level of a Hashira, this aura was enough to make the demons think twice. Instinctively, they had chosen to avoid him, knowing that confronting such a presence would spell their doom.

…

…

…

"Finally"

By noon, I had reached Mt. Fujikasane, where the final selection would take place. The mountain loomed ahead, its peak shrouded in mist. I slapped my cheeks as I prepared to climb it. A handful of other participants had already gathered near the entrance. I paused, sizing them up.

One boy stood out first. He had a jagged scar running across the bridge of his nose. He clutched his sword tightly, and though he may have been trying to hide it, his eyes were looking around quickly.

'He's nervous' I thought 'Then again, who isn't?'

The guy wasn't weak either. His hand was full of callouses, meaning he put a good amount of effort into mastering the sword. His posture showed him relying on his right leg more than the left leg, and from the way he was breathing, he doesn't seem to use Water Breathing. Either he's disabled in one leg, or he's a user of Thunder Breathing.

Then there was a girl with striking red eyes and a Nichirin Blade strapped to her back, exuding quiet confidence. Her hair was unnaturally red as well, meaning she either dyed her hair or she was just born with red hair and eyes, and the Nichrin blade strapped on her back instead of her waist was weird, but slayers usually do so when they're more proficient in some breathing forms than others and just discard the other forms.

A boy with unruly hair had a small sparrow perched on his head, chirping softly. That could be useful to scout out the area or call other slayers for help, though that will be replaced by a Kasugai crow if he survives. Oh? Looks like this guy uses Water Breathing.

And finally a muscular girl with brown locks. A proper definition of a 'muscle mommy' if she weren't a minor, and from the aura I feel she's the strongest of the bunch, strength-wise atleast. The guy with jagged scar might be able to beat her.

I can tell because that guy is much smoother at using breathing techniques than her. Aside from these people, the others weren't noteworthy.

I blinked as I processed my analysis of the group

'Since when did I become so observant?'

"Ah, screw this," the muscular girl said, stretching her arms wide. Her toned muscles shifted under her skin, every line was sharply defined and dense. "I'm going out to grab something to eat. I'll see you all in an hour or two."

"Make sure to come back on time" The red-haired girl waved her away, busy showing the scarred man her sword. From the way the sword reflected sunlight, it seemed to be brand new. The boy beside them was too busy feeding his sparrow to even bother replying, though she didn't seem to mind as she left anyway.

'How convenient, all the strong ones are in a group together'

But seriously, a group of fighters stronger than the people in their own age group teaming up to take on an entrance exam? This gives off the main character and their team vibes, though that happens more in Korean media than in Japanese manga.

And if we go by that trope, that guy in the middle would be the 'main character'.I couldn't help but mockingly think to myself, That so-called 'main character' over there would probably be slaughtered by the Hand Demon in a heartbeat.'

As I leaned against a nearby tree, the muscular girl walked past me. Her steps slowed down near me just barely, and I couldn't help but notice the way her eyes lingered on me. They scanned me from head to toe, stopping briefly at my uniform and my Nichrin blade. Her gaze sharpened for a moment before she turned and strode off, disappearing into the distance.

What was that about? I wondered, raising my eyebrow. Turning back to the group, I caught something even stranger—the scarred boy, the red-haired girl, and even the sparrow boy were all staring at me now. Their gazes weren't casual. No, they were studying me.

For a moment, I thought there might be something off about me. Maybe I had dirt on my face or my Haori was messed up. 

Then it hit me.

My Haori, with its flowing water-inspired patterns, was designed to reflect my Water Breathing style. And then there was my Nichirin Katana—the engraving "Exterminate" on the blade was a dead giveaway. That word wasn't something just anyone got. It was a mark reserved for Hashira. They could probably tell I'd been trained by either a Hashira or someone who used to be one.

I sighed inwardly. Of course. This is the classic "protagonist group meets rival" moment. They think I'm some overpowered prodigy who'll end up helping them or something. Let me guess—later on, they'll surpass me, we'll become allies, and I'll fade into the background as their cheering squad. Classic.

I shook my head. Stop it, AYD. This isn't some story. This is real life. Quit overthinking everything.

Just as I was about to brush it all off, the scarred boy stepped forward. His movements were hesitant, but his eyes had a certain spark in them. He stopped a few feet away and gave me a small bow.

"Hello," he started, his voice steady despite his earlier nerves. "I'm Takeda Itsuki, I come from the Kanagawa region. I'm sorry if I come off as rude, but I noticed you and I couldn't help but wonder… are you trained by a Hashira?"

I straightened up, bowing in return as it would be rude not to do so. "Yeah I have, you can just call me AYD, I come from outside Japan, nice to meet you." I paused, studying him more closely. "Earlier, I noticed you and I think that you practice Thunder Breathing, right?"

Itsuki blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. "Y-Yeah, I do. How did you know?"

"It's in your stance," I said, crossing my arms. "You lean on your right leg more than your left. Thunder Breathing's First Form, Thunderclap and Flash, requires you to step heavily on your right leg while keeping your left back to get that explosive burst of speed. It's subtle, but noticeable if you know what to look for."

"You got that just from how I stand?" His jaw practically dropped. "That's incredible. As expected of a Hashira's student."

'There it is. Another cliché line.'

Before I could even respond, the red-haired girl stepped forward, crossing her arms and glaring at me. "I'm Arata Hoshiko," she said sharply. "And don't think you can look down on Itsuki just because he didn't train under a Hashira."

"I never said I did."

She jabbed a finger at me as if she didn't listen to what I just said. "Itsuki's been through more than you can imagine. He's stronger than you think!"

"Thats…great?"

She crossed her arms, her fiery red eyes glaring at me. "You probably think you're special, being trained by a Hashira or whatever, and rich too considering you come from outside Japan. I bet you got trained under a Hashira because of your connections."

I wanted to tell her my family wasn't as great as a family as she thought but held back. It's not wise to compare sufferings with one another. Besides, I bet whatever his backstory is, it's more tragic than mine

"but you don't know what Itsuki's been through. His family were simple farmers, growing rice and vegetables in a small village. They barely had enough to live, but they were happy. Then one night, Muzan Kibutsuji himself showed up."

Her voice sharpened, her tone heavy with emotion. "Itsuki's father stepped outside to check on a noise. He didn't even get to scream. His mother hid Itsuki and his little sister in the pantry, whispering for them to stay quiet, but it didn't matter. Muzan toyed with them. He killed her right in front of Itsuki, then ripped apart his sister like she was nothing. Itsuki was nine years old, left alive only because Muzan decided he wasn't worth the trouble."

She clenched her fists, her words rushing out. "A Demon Slayer found him days later and took him in, teaching him Thunder Breathing. Itsuki trained harder than anyone, breaking his body to master it. He wasn't just learning to fight—he was preparing to take revenge. But even that was ripped away. His sensei died protecting him during a battle with an Upper Moon. Itsuki had to watch another father figure die right in front of him."

Her voice softened, though her words cut just as deep. "And you know what? Itsuki's faced Muzan again since then. He's still standing, still fighting. He's not some rookie you can write off just because he didn't train under a Hashira. He's survived more than most people can even imagine."

'Tragic backstory, family killed, mentor dead, and a showdown with the main villain? This guy is checking all the protagonist boxes. No wait, what am I thinking? This poor guy had his family killed and had to face off against the Demon King, I shouldn't be making fun of this guy'

"Well," I said slowly, "that's... impressive. I can see why he's not to be underestimated."

Hoshiko puffed her chest out proudly as if she were the one being praised. Itsuki rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, looking anywhere but at me.

I couldn't help but sigh again, this time out loud. 'Great. I'm officially the rival character in their little hero journey. Just my luck. Maybe they'll just die to the hand demon in the forest and I'll rid of them'

"Well" I said, processing my thoughts "I wish your group the best of luck, and may we not meet in the forest, or ever again for that matter"

…

…

…

The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. I was sitting beneath a Wisteria tree, my back against its trunk and my head resting lightly on the hilt of my katana. Sleep had taken over—well, more of a light nap really. It wasn't like I could afford to fully let my guard down, even now.

The sudden shuffling of feet jolted me awake. Blinking, I noticed everyone around me standing upright, their eyes fixed straight ahead. The red-haired girl, the scarred guy, the sparrow kid, and even the muscular girl—who had apparently returned at some point—were all standing in line, focused on the front.

I stretched, cracking my neck as I stood up, brushing off the leaves clinging to my haori. Following their gaze, I saw them. The twins. Identical in their pale features and haunting expressions, they stood silently before us, their presence heavy despite their small frames.

'Man, just like in the anime'

"Welcome to the Final Selection," one of them said, or both, their voices were so eerily synchronized it sent a small shiver down my spine. "This is where Demon Slayers are born. Your task is simple: survive."

The other continued, emotionless as stone. "You must remain here for seven days, evading or defeating the demons within the forest. Only those who endure will become Demon Slayers of the lowest rank, Mizunoto."

The twins raised their arms, gesturing to the shadowy forest that lay behind them. Its entrance was marked by Wisteria trees, their blossoms glowing faintly in the twilight. Beyond that, the trees grew darker and denser, the air heavy with an ominous stillness.

"The Wisteria marks the safe zone. Beyond this point, demons roam freely. Those who wish to leave may do so now. Otherwise…" They paused, their gazes scanning each one of us. "Step forward."

No one moved to leave. Not surprising. Everyone here was either too stubborn, too desperate, or too determined to quit now. I stepped forward with the rest, gripping my katana tightly as the twins turned and walked away, vanishing into the shadows as though they were never there.

A sudden flutter caught my attention. The sparrow perched on the unruly-haired boy's head took off, flapping its tiny wings as it disappeared into the darkening sky.

Smart. A scout.

Without a word, the group dashed into the forest, their figures disappearing one by one into the murky gloom. I adjusted my grip on my sword and followed, the thrill of the hunt starting to awaken within me. The Final Selection had begun.

…

…

…

The forest was dark and oppressive. I moved swiftly, my senses sharp, scanning for any signs of movement. So far, any demon I sensed ran away from me for some reason. At some point, I stopped sensing demons entirely

I slowed down slightly as I looked around me. "Seriously, this is supposed to be a test of survival, why is no demon here?"

Red flag.

Just as I said that a faint rustling reached my ears, and my instincts flared. Without hesitation, I leaped into the air just as a pair of clawed hands erupted from the ground where I had been standing.

While mid-air I heard the whooshing of air behind me, tilting my head back, I noticed the leaves of a massive tree rustling. Sure enough, a demon suddenly lunged out from the tree, aiming straight at me with its mouth open.

With a practiced movement, I unsheathed my blade and spun into a Water Wheel, slashing clean through the demon's torso. The cut missed its head, leaving it alive but incapacitated. Before I could finish it off, a creaking sound drew my attention.

Thick ropes snapped as a large tree branch catapulted several jagged rocks straight at me. I slashed through the rocks with ease, but the large amount of rocks blocked my vision. By the time I was done slashing the rocks, a third demon, hidden by the trap, launched itself at me.

"Water Breathing: Seventh Form- Ripple Thrust"

I reacted on instinct, thrusting my sword forward at the last second. The demon impaled itself on the blade, its skull splitting as the blade pierced through its brain and out the back of its neck. I flicked my sword, decapitating it in one swift motion.

"These demons are clever," I muttered, scanning my surroundings. "Far smarter than I expected." It was a coordinated trap: the first demon emerged from the ground to force me into the air, the second ambushed me from a blind spot, and the third used a distraction to strike while I was vulnerable.

Too bad they met someone like me.

The remaining two demons watched from the shadows, trembling as they sensed my strength. "This guy... he's too strong for a rookie," one whispered. I didn't give them time to act. With a burst of speed, I closed the gap, my blade slicing through their necks before they even realized I had moved.

"What?" One of the demon heads said before fading into dust "Why is everything upside down?"

"Pathetic," I muttered, stepping over their bodies. These demons were nothing compared to the one I had fought on Urokodaki-Sensei's mountain. The memory of that battle made these encounters feel almost dull.

"I underestimated the gap between normal demons and lower moons" I muttered, raising my sword upwards. "I haven't even begun to sweat yet"

"Water Breathing: Twelfth Form: Ascendant Torrent"

With immense speed, I burst from my position as I dashed forward with so much speed that the trees around me began to blur. Unsheathing my Katana, I slash apart a demon that tried to run from me.

"Four demons instead of three huh?" I say, walking to the demon who I overshot by a bit "Atleast you were smart enough to run away"

"Pl-please" the demon begged "Mercy please"

"Mercy?" I scoffed, my voice cold. "How many people begged you for mercy before you devoured them?" Without waiting for an answer, I swung my blade, ending him in one clean stroke.

I watched silently as I saw the demon turn into ashes.

'I killed them' I thought as I looked at my blade 'They're not humans, but I still killed someone, I'm a murderer'

And yet, I felt nothing.

'I'm a murderer,' I thought again, my eyes fixed on the faint glint of moonlight reflecting off my blade. The words hung heavy in my mind, but they didn't sting. No guilt crept in to weigh me down.

"They're not human," I muttered as if trying to convince myself. My voice felt distant, detached. "They're monsters. Killing them is my duty."

Yet, the memory of the demon's pleading face lingered, haunting the edges of my thoughts. I could still hear his voice, trembling as he begged for mercy. And then the silence, as my blade cut through his neck.

I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away. This wasn't the time to question myself. If I hesitated—even for a second—it could cost me my life.

I replayed the demon's words in my head. "Mercy." The way he said it—it wasn't fear. It was desperation. Genuine. But that didn't matter, did it? He had killed. He had consumed. How many lives had he stolen? Families torn apart, dreams extinguished, futures erased.

I raised my katana, steadying my breath. Whatever shred of doubt remained inside me was buried under a rising determination. If this was what it meant to be a Demon Slayer, then so be it.

They chose this path when they became monsters.

And I chose mine when I picked up this blade.

*chirp chirp*

My emo brooding was interrupted by the soft, insistent chirps of a small bird. I looked down, and sure enough, the sparrow from before—the one perched on the unruly-haired guy's head—was hopping around at my feet, chirping furiously.

It tilted its tiny head and pecked at my ankle, not hard enough to hurt but enough to get my attention. The scout of the group was somehow left alone. This can't be a good sign

"What is it?" I muttered, sheathing my katana.

The bird flapped its wings, chirping again, then hopped a few paces forward. It looked back at me, its small black eyes full of urgency.

I raised an eyebrow. "You want me to follow you?"

The sparrow pecked the ground twice, as if confirming my guess, then fluttered up into the air, circling once before darting off into the trees.

I sighed and stretched my shoulders. "Alright, alright, I'm coming."

I followed the little bird, its tiny wings flapping frantically as it led me through the dense forest. 'Maybe they got in trouble' I thought while following the sparrow 'Is it the hand demon? That's the only explanation

It wasn't long before I noticed the faint sounds of movement ahead. Voices—low, tense, and unmistakably human.

The sparrow suddenly perched on a low-hanging branch, watching me with a tilt of its head as if to say, This is it.

I slowed my steps, creeping forward as quietly as I could. The trees parted to reveal a clearing, and that's when I saw them.

The group. (Dun dun dun)

They stood in a loose formation, weapons drawn, their faces etched with concentration and fear. The red-haired girl, Araki I think? No was it Arata? Doesn't matter, was gripping her Nichirin blade tightly, Itsuki was in a Thunder Breathing stance, and the muscular girl was front and center, her body bloodied and her Nichrin broken.

And then I saw what they were facing.

The Hand Demon.

It was massive, easily three times the size of a normal human, its grotesque body covered in bulging muscles and multiple hands, making Shigaraki look like an innocent child in comparison. Puke green skin, crossed out eyes, it was quite possibly, the ugliest thing I had ever seen in my life.

Even from a distance, I could feel the oppressive aura it exuded. The air around it seemed heavier, and colder, and the sheer malice in its yellow, glowing eyes could be seen radiating like light.

It was nothing.

This demon was the one these people were struggling against? This laughably pathetic demon? This guy is just barely more powerful than a normal demon with a Blood Demon Art outside these mountains.

What was all that talk about before? Faced off against the Demon King? That fucker probably left you alone because he thought it would be a waste of his time and an insult to his pride to take on someone as weak as him.

I ducked behind a tree, watching intently. My heart pounded as I sized up the situation. The sparrow chirped softly, perching on my shoulder as if urging me to act.

"Relax, little guy," I whispered, my hand brushing over the hilt of my blade. "Let's see how they handle this first."

My gaze flicked between the demon and the group. I wanted to believe they had a chance, but their I knew the truth. This wasn't going to end well unless someone stepped in.

"I'm not wasting my time on this" I muttered unsheathing my sword "I'm killing this demon right here"