3rd POV. 15 days after the Mt. Natagumo Incident. Ubuyashiki Residence.

While Tanjiro is working hard to improve his overall abilities.......

The same goes for Uchiha Sora.

Ever since losing his memories, Sora began to train himself in order improve his stamina.

Since knowing the risks of using his Mangekyo Sharingan, he promised that it will only be used when necessary.

So, he settled with his Sharingan.

Sora knew there is also a risk of using his Sharingan. It drains his stamina in order for his body to adapt to the Sharingan's precognitive abilities in battle.

When Sora exchanged letters with Tanjiro and coming into knowledge about the Total Concentration Breathing - Constant, he asked Tanjiro everything he knows and Sora adapted to his brother's knowledge.

It is a give and take.

Sora advised Tanjiro to sharpen his sense of smell and integrate the combination of using his other senses such as touch and hearing.

Sora then remembered how he mastered the Hinokami Kagura under Tanjuro's tutelage.

Sora: So, I guess these Total Concentration Breathing - Constant is like the how use the Hinokami Kagura.

Sora: It uses a breathing technique that allows us to dance forever.

Sora: Now that I remember it.......Dad and I even danced the Hinokami Kagura from sunset to sunrise.

Sora: All right. I told Tanjiro to dance the Hinokami Kagura at least for 2 hours whenever the sun is the about to set.

Sora: And gradually increase the hour whenever Tanjiro felt that he improved his stamina.

Sora: Then, if I mastered the Hinokami Kagura......I can just do it again!

Sora: I may not know any breathing techniques but.....

Sora: It seems like the Hinokami Kagura is also a breathing technique.

Sora: I heard from Oyakata-sama that the Demon Slayers used a variety of breathing styles.

Sora: So, I guess the same goes for me.

Sora: I'll use the Hinokami Kagura.

Sora: That is the only breathing style I'm familiar of.

Sora performed the Hinokami Kagura ritual dance when sunset came and attempted to dance until sunrise.

Until after four hours, he fell on the ground, his body who reached the limit.

Sora: *pant* *pant* *pant*

Sora: Strange.......I know I can dance from sunset to sunrise before.......

Sora: But now.......just only four hours and my body reached the limit......

Sora: Is it because I haven't really made a full recovery? No, that's not it.....

Sora: Maybe because I haven't even performed the kagura for the last 2 years.....?

Sora: But that's strange......

Sora: I've been performing this kagura ever since I was a kid.......

Sora: Yeah, maybe because my body needs to get used to performing the Hinokami Kagura once again.

Sora: I'll integrate the breathing technique that Tanjiro is learning, while improving myself in performing the kagura.

Sora: If possible, I have to physically train. I'm sure Oyakata-sama would allow me to train here.

And so, in order to regain his mastery of the Hinokami Kagura, Sora trained himself physically and mentally as well.

Physically so that he won't be exhausted that easily. Mentally so that he can be stable whenever there is a demon who can manipulate his mind or whenever the nightmares will come to haunt him again.

Sora: I have to get stronger! I have to get stronger!

Sora: I know Tanjiro is working hard but it doesn't mean that I'll just slack off either!

Sora: In order to protect Tanjiro and Nezuko. In order to save the innocent people who are caught up in this secret war against the demons.

Sora: In order to confront Muzan and make him pay for slaughtering my family!

Sora: No matter what it takes! I will make sure that Muzan's head will be severed!

Sora: And send him to the deepest parts of hell!

Sora continued to train and improve his stamina.

On the Butterfly Estate. On top of the roof of the mansion, Tanjiro is concentrating on mastering the Total Concentration Breathing.

Tanjiro: Concentrate, Tanjiro. Concentrate.

Tanjiro: Remember the progress you've been doing so far.

Tanjiro: My lungs have definitely improved ever since I began training to master the Total Concentration Breathing Technique.

Tanjiro: Meanwhile, my endurance improved because nii-san told me to practice the kagura for 2 hours and increase the time whenever I feel improvements.

???: Hello.

Tanjiro: I guess he wants me to use the kagura as a basis on my progress so far.

Tanjiro: Now, I can dance the kagura for about three hours......but the thing is.....

Tanjiro: My body is somehow becoming stiff after I perform the kagura. It is only the ritual dance.

???: Hello.

Tanjiro: But if I used it in battle, just like what nii-san and I did last time.....I'll be immobile for a while.

???: Hello?

Tanjiro: It may not be as severe as what is happening to nii-san, or maybe is it because he is using his Sharingan alongside the Hinokami Kagura.

???: Hello?

Tanjiro: Yeah, that is probably the cause.

???: Helloooooo.....

Tanjiro was cut from his thoughts when he heard a voice beside him.

Tanjiro: What the......!?

???: I see you've working hard.

The source of the voice is none other than Shinobu.

Tanjiro: Shinobu-san?

Tanjiro: What's this? Even though I sharpened my sense of smell, I still wasn't able to sense she's here?

Tanjiro: Looks like I still have to improve my senses.

Shinobu: Even though your friends went off to somewhere....

Shinobu: Don't you feel a little lonely by yourself?

Shinobu sat beside Tanjiro, and the boy answered with a smile on his face.

Tanjiro: No! Because once I mastered it myself, I can teach it to them, too!

Tanjiro: Just like how my nii-san used to teach me back then!

Shinobu: Nii-san? Here I thought you are a first born?

Tanjiro: Uh......it's complicated.

Tanjiro: I mean. I'm not the only one working hard.

Tanjiro: After all, back then, he is the one who took the burden to work for our livelihood ever since my father passed away.

Shinobu: Really?

Tanjiro: Yeah.

Shinobu: So, you forgot to mention about him?

Tanjiro: Sorry, I was just recollecting my own memories during that time.

Tanjiro: After all, when our family was massacred, nii-san was away due to his work.

Tanjiro: When I reunited with him recently, he somehow lost his memories.

Shinobu: Memories?

Tanjiro: I don't know how it happened but......

Tanjiro: But then he suddenly regained his memories with our family.

Shinobu: I see. Where is he now?

Tanjiro: He's in a safe place. He's been sending me letters with my crow so that we can keep in touch.

Tanjiro: I told him about my training and he's giving me constant advice.

Shinobu: I see. He's a nice person. Just like you.

Shinobu: I'm sure just like you, he has a beautiful soul.

Tanjiro smiled as he looked upon the moon.

Tanjiro: He is.

Tanjiro: Kind yet strict if he needs to. Just like my father, he always constantly lectured me about life.

Tanjiro: He even told me that I should be careful when choosing a girl to marry.

Shinobu: Hehe. How old is your brother anyway?

Tanjiro: If I remember correctly, Dad said he is around 9 years old when we took him in.

Shinobu: Took him in? You mean he's adopted?

Tanjiro: Yes. But even though he is adopted......we treated him as if he's a part of our family.

Shinobu: Does he know about his true parents?

Tanjiro: Yeah, but now that he lost his memories.......he doesn't even know.

Tanjiro: So, that's why, he wants to join me on my journey on finding a cure on Nezuko and at the same time, to regain his memories.

Shinobu: I see.

Shinobu: I would like to meet your brother someday. He is the same age as nee-san.

Tanjiro: Really? Then I'm sure, Kanae-san and nii-san will get along well.

Shinobu: You know how my sister interacts with other people.

Shinobu: Well, I guess......speaking of elder brothers.....

Shinobu: I used to look up on two certain brothers.

Shinobu: The elder one is also like your nii-san, Tanjiro. Hardworking, family first.

Shinobu: The elder brother's reason for working hard is to provide a future for his younger brother.

Shinobu: Because The elder brother knew that their mother is dying on a certain disease.

Tanjiro: A certain disease?

Shinobu: The youngest brother is still so young during that time, and the fact that their mother doesn't have that have long to live.......

Shinobu: The youngest brother doesn't even know about his mother's terminal illness.

Shinobu: The reason why it was kept a secret on the younger brother is because he wouldn't be able to handle it.

Shinobu: As the younger brother is too kind and too gentle.

Shinobu: However, on a certain night, they suddenly disappeared and years passed we've been searching for the brothers.

Shinobu: Until seven years ago.

Shinobu: On a certain night..........

Shinobu: We finally reunited with the younger brother.

Shinobu: Although not in a better reunion.

Shinobu: You see, the younger brother, who is grew up.......

Shinobu: He.....killed our parents, right in front of our eyes.

Shinobu: Nee-san and I couldn't even believed that of all people......he would do that?

Suddenly, Tanjiro flinched as he caught the scent of anger, coming from none other than Shinobu.

Shinobu: The kind eyes that I used to admire back then.......on that night, I saw those eyes became cruel and cold.

Shinobu: Stained in blood, his clothes and swords.......

Shinobu: Murdering our parents in cold blood.

Tanjiro: .........!

Shinobu: All I felt was hatred.......

Shinobu: I even asked the question of why did he even murdered our parents in cold blood?

Shinobu: What did they even to do him? Did our parents earn his ire?

Shinobu: But then, he suddenly vanished after nee-san and I lost consciousness during that time.

Shinobu: When I woke up, we were saved by Himejima-san and he told us a demon was sighted near our house and killed other people.

Shinobu: But when he arrived the said demon was already dead and turned to ashes.

Shinobu: So, after he rescued us, nee-san and I promised that in order to avenge our parents and to people who was killed by the said demon during that night.....

Tanjiro: You became demon slayers and wanted to convict the person who killed your parents?

Shinobu: Yes.

Shinobu: But when we were searching for leads about him, Oyakata-sama told us that the village where the brothers lived were destroyed.

Shinobu: He confirmed that the eldest brother and their mother died when the village was destroyed.

Shinobu: So, no wonder why we saw the younger brother, still alive. But that was the only time we saw him.

Shinobu: We never saw him ever since the day he murdered our parents.

Shinobu: If he turns out to be alive, then I will kill him with my own two hands.

Shinobu: But if he's dead......I'm sure he's suffering in hell.

Tanjiro: .........

Tanjiro: Please, don't say that, Shinobu-san.

Shinobu: What? Are you sympathizing with a murderer—

Tanjiro: Maybe he has a reason why the younger brother killed your parents.

Tanjiro: I mean, if you told me that he is kind and sincere, I'm sure he wouldn't be able to bear the thought of even murdering your parents.

Tanjiro: I'm sure, that person is suffering and regretting his actions during that time.

Tanjiro: Thinking and thinking why did he do that.

Tanjiro: I know there are people who wouldn't even kill without mercy but there are also people who were just forced to make the hardest decisions without even much of a choice.

Tanjiro: Nii-san once told me this......

Tanjiro: "Sometimes, we may face something in life that requires us to make hard decisions."

Tanjiro: "Even if you have to suffer the consequences of that choice, all for the sake of something precious to you."

Tanjiro: "That is the reason why the hardest choices, reuire the strongest wills."

Tanjiro: Just like my brother who chose to work hard just to provide for us.......

Tanjiro: Who chose to travel almost half a day to reach the place he's working at, working hard, then going back home......

Tanjiro: All of that just to provide for all of us......

Tanjiro: That is how I understood that my brother has been suffering all this time.

Tanjiro: And now, when I got to reunite with him, he's still suffering.

Tanjiro: Suffering from constant nightmares......

Tanjiro: I don't even know how will I even help him.

Shinobu: So, you're not just helping Nezuko-san but also your nii-san as well.

Shinobu: Nezuko who was turned into a demon.

Shinobu: While your brother who lost his memories and been suffering nightmares......

Shinobu: It must be hard.......

Tanjiro: That's why, I want to get stronger. So that I can help him carry his burden!

Shinobu smiled seeing that Tanjiro resolved to carry such a burden.

Shinobu: Then you got to do your best to protect Nezuko-san until the end, and to help your brother regain his memories, and relieve him of his suffering.

Tanjiro: Yeah! I will do my best!

Meanwhile, as for Kanae, ever since hearing about Nezuko, she's been ever curious about her because Nezuko is like the fulfillment of her dreams, for humans and demons to get along with each other.

In fact, Kanae asked Tanjiro if she can visit Nezuko during the night and have a talk with her, to which Tanjiro gave her the permission.

Under the moonlight, on the veranda of the Butterfly Mansion, Kanae and Nezuko can be seen sitting beside each other, Nezuko laying on Kanae's lap, as the latter is gently brushing the youngest Kamado.

Kanae: Say, Nezuko-san.

Nezuko: Mm?

Kanae: Do you believe that there is always a reason for everything?

Nezuko: Hm?

Kanae: You see, I have a childhood friend.

Kanae: Who is so kind to everyone.

Kanae: His beautiful eyes that is always filled with happiness.......

Kanae: He is always helping his mother in every way that he can.....

Kanae: He doesn't want to hurt anyone and even shedding tears to someone who is hurt......

Kanae: He always admired his nii-san and he hoped that one day, he wants to get a better job and help his family.

Kanae: Until so suddenly, he vanished alongside his brother. We never get to see them again.

Kanae: But I saw my childhood friend once more.

Kanae: However, when I saw him, his eyes are so cold and cruel....his sword dripping with blood, the blood of our parents.

Kanae: I never knew why he killed them. He never gave us an answer.

Kanae: I didn't knew what happened afterwards........

Kanae: When I woke up, our parents already died, and we were saved by Himejima-san.

Kanae: So, I was wondering, why? Why did his eyes are so cold and cruel when he murdered our parents......?

Kanae: Did I do something against? Where did I went wrong as a friend?

Kanae: Or maybe I was blaming myself the entire time.....

Kanae: As much as I want to blame him for what happened........

Kanae: I couldn't bring myself to do it......

Kanae: Because.........

Kanae: Why? Why did such a boy, with nothing but kindness, will commit such a thing?

Kanae: But everytime I can come up with an answer, there will be even more questions.

Kanae: I don't even know if he's still alive or not......

Kanae: But if he's still alive, I want to know the truth.

Kanae: I want to confront him about his reason........

Kanae: Because I wouldn't believe that he killed them without a reason.

Kanae: And from there, I will decide.......

Kanae: But if I decide to kill him.......

Kanae: I don't even know if I'll be ever bring myself to do it.......

Kanae begins to cry......

Kanae: I know this may be delusional of me but......

Kanae: I......just want him back.......

Kanae: I want my childhood friend to come back to us......

Kanae: To me.......

Kanae: When I learned that his village was destroyed and his family was killed by Muzan, I thought that he's all alone and suffering all by himself.

Kanae: Maybe that was the reason why he never went back to our house during that time.

Kanae: Because Muzan is probably on his trail and I guess he would rather sacrifice himself to save us.

Kanae: But I wouldn't also be able to bear that.

Kanae: With little to no answers about what happened to him during those years.......

Kanae: I don't know where to start and what to do.

Kanae: I don't even know if he's still alive or not.

Kanae: ........

Kanae: Maybe I'm just only clinging into this little hope of mine.......

Kanae's tears never stopped as Nezuko embraced her in a warm hug.

Kanae: Thank you, Nezuko-san. I'm glad that you're here to listen to me.

Little did Kanae know, that her own memories was manipulated by Sora's Kotoamatsukami.

Madara said that no one might be able to break Kotoamatsukami.......

However, if Tamayo's principle, "There will always be a cure in every disease" will be applied in this situation.....

"If Sora was able to alter a person's memories via his Kotoamatsukami, then he'll also be able to undo the alteration either by undoing the alteration or by showing them the other side of the story, in other words, the truth."

But with Sora's memories all gone, with his Mangekyo Sharingan being sealed by Madara's Tsukuyomi......how will the greatest Genjutsu user will be able to break free through the endless loops of nightmares?

There are three answers.

First, is Sora will finally be able to resist Tsukuyomi by regaining his full control over his Mangekyo Sharingan. This can only happen if Sora will be able to confront and settle his past.

Second, the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. Since Tsukuyomi was cast with an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, the only way to nullify the effects is for Sora to gain the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

Third, is none other than Kanae herself. How?

If Tsukuyomi's objective is to destroy the spirit.........feelings that can help reconnect the spirit can be used to counter and release the victim.

Emotions such as love can free the victim.

After all those years.......

Kanae harbored her strong feelings of love towards Sora. The reason behind her falling in love with Sora still remains a mystery, and Kanae is the only one who knew and kept that memory.

That is also the reason why Kanae resisted the effects of Kotoamatsukami to a certain degree.