Tales of Demons and Gods: Light Devil Fruit

"Gyutarou?" Ye Xinghan raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing the boy before him. The boy's characteristics were strikingly similar to the Gyutarou he knew from Demon Slayer. 

The Sixth Upper Moon, a demon who wielded sickles as his primary weapon, and even his name was very Japanese.

Given the heavy influence of mainland Chinese culture in this world, Japanese names were almost unheard of. 

This peculiar coincidence raised a new question in Ye Xinghan's mind: Was this world not exclusive to Tales of Demons and Gods, or was this just a coincidence?

"Learn, adapt, overcome," Ye Xinghan mused internally, his curiosity piqued.

"It's a unique name. I hope we can become good acquaintances," Ye Xinghan said with a warm smile, stepping closer to Gyutarou.

As he moved closer, Gyutarou suddenly slashed at him with his sickle. 

Ye Xinghan had anticipated this, having closely observed the boy's body language. 

Gyutarou had been visibly uncomfortable with the proximity, though he tried to conceal it.

When Gyutarou's sickle swung toward Ye Xinghan's neck, Ye Xinghan effortlessly dodged, instantly retreating about three meters.

"Aren't you being too rude? We've just met, and you're already trying to kill me. Aren't you afraid of the consequences?" Ye Xinghan shook his head, sighing in exasperation.

"Nobles are nothing but scum! You think our lives are worthless, trampling on common people as you please. You create rules and regulations solely to satisfy your greed. How many have died for your amusement? And how many more will suffer under your so-called 'justice'? As for the consequences of killing you? I couldn't care less! Dead men tell no tales!" Gyutarou shouted hysterically, charging at Ye Xinghan with renewed fury.

This time, Ye Xinghan stood still, even tilting his head slightly, as if inviting the attack. 

Gyutarou's eyes gleamed with madness as he lunged, aiming for a decisive, lethal strike to decapitate Ye Xinghan.

But the expected result didn't occur. Instead, Gyutarou's sickle passed through Ye Xinghan's neck effortlessly, as though slicing through air. Shocked, Gyutarou froze momentarily.

"You're blinded by hatred," Ye Xinghan stated calmly, locking eyes with Gyutarou.

Snapping out of his stupor, Gyutarou attacked again, desperate to land a hit. Perhaps the earlier scene was just a trick of his mind. But once again, the sickle passed through Ye Xinghan without resistance. 

Determined, Gyutarou struck repeatedly, each time with increasing desperation:

Head.

Body.

Arms.

Legs.

Abdomen.

Neck.

Face.

He attacked from every conceivable angle, yet every strike was futile. 

Each time the sickle made contact, it passed through as if Ye Xinghan's body was incorporeal. 

The only thing Gyutarou noticed was a faint flash of light on his sickle as it passed through.

Confusion and bewilderment turned to terror. 

The fear of the unknown gripped Gyutarou. Despite his relentless attacks, nothing seemed to affect Ye Xinghan. Each futile strike deepened the chasm of dread within him.

Before long, Gyutarou collapsed from exhaustion. Gasping for breath, he looked up at Ye Xinghan and asked, "Why... why didn't my attacks even scratch you?"

"Not even the City Lord could land a hit on me, let alone you," Ye Xinghan replied with a relaxed smile. "I told you, I can help you reach new heights."

"Still trying to deceive me with your petty tricks. Maybe what I'm seeing is just an illusion, and your real body is somewhere else," Gyutarou mocked.

"Is that so? Then prepare yourself," Ye Xinghan laughed. Channeling a small amount of energy from his Light Devil Fruit into his right foot, he executed a swift hurricane kick. 

The force of the kick sent Gyutarou flying about 20 meters, crashing into a tree with a loud BANG.

"AAARGGHHH... cough, cough..." Gyutarou groaned, clutching his side as he coughed up saliva. His body ached all over, though the kick hadn't caused any serious internal injuries.

"Ah, we're even now," Gyutarou chuckled weakly, looking up to see Ye Xinghan standing calmly in front of him.

Ye Xinghan waited patiently as Gyutarou struggled to recover. Before long, Gyutarou managed to stand, leaning against the tree, looking more composed.

"You seem to have let your guard down. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Ye Xinghan asked.

"If you wanted to kill me, I wouldn't stand a chance. So why bother resisting? Besides, I know you won't kill me," Gyutarou replied confidently.

"Yup, that's true," Ye Xinghan nodded. "So, will you follow me?"

"I refuse," Gyutarou said without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Not telling you," Gyutarou responded flatly.

Ye Xinghan's eye twitched in annoyance. He considered beating Gyutarou into submission but decided against it. What he needed was true loyalty, not one born from fear and coercion.

"Sigh... Alright. If you change your mind, you can contact me anytime."

"I know you helped me back at the market. I'll repay you somehow, I promise. But I have my reasons for not following a noble," Gyutarou said, bowing toward Ye Xinghan.

"Forget it. Life is long, and everyone has their reasons," Ye Xinghan replied. "By the way, today's events felt off. The guards should have let you go once you returned the stolen goods."

"Today wasn't my day. Even my friend betrayed me, which is why I got caught," Gyutarou said sadly.

"I don't think it's a coincidence. First, your friend betrays you, and then the guards try to restrain you. Do you have anything precious on you?" Ye Xinghan asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Precious? I live at the bottom of society. What could I possibly have that's precious? All I have is..." Gyutarou's voice trailed off, his eyes widening in fear and worry.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Ye Xinghan asked, shaking Gyutarou's shoulder.

Suddenly, Gyutarou pushed Ye Xinghan away and sprinted frantically toward the city.

"What the hell? HEY, WAIT!" Ye Xinghan shouted, quickly following him.

After several minutes of running, they arrived at the city's slums. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, they finally stopped at the southernmost area—a tiny, rundown house.

The place was filthy, one of the dirtiest in the city, and people rarely ventured there. 

But now, four men stood outside the house, each wearing a wicked smile. The door was already open, and the sound of a girl's screams echoed from inside.

"I have a request," Gyutarou, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"What is it?" Ye Xinghan asked.

"As long as you save one person inside my house, I'll give you anything you want. Be

it my loyalty, even my life—I'll give it all if you save her."

"Who is inside that house?" Ye Xinghan asked.

Gyutarou didn't answer directly but rushed toward the house. 

As he did, Ye Xinghan clearly heard his desperate words.

"My little sister."

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