Hearing this, Ryuji said, "A search is necessary, but not everywhere."
—"Tanjiro, I ask you. What are the characteristics of a {demon}?"
Faced with Ryuji's sudden question, Tanjiro thought for a moment before answering, "{Demons} are afraid of sunlight and having their necks cut off by a Nichirin sword."
"Wrong! Those are the weaknesses of {demons}, not their characteristics," Ryuji immediately refuted Tanjiro's answer.
Ryuji knew Tanjiro's thinking was off, leading to the wrong answer.
"Characteristics are special features. Do you know why {demons} are called {demons}?" Ryuji corrected Tanjiro's thinking.
Tanjiro pondered for a while, still not understanding. He shook his head.
"Actually, '{demon}' is just a name to distinguish them from humans. The reason why they're called {demons} is that they are not human. They have a fundamental difference from humans, and that difference is the characteristic of a {demon}. The biggest difference between humans and {demons} is whether they eat people or not. Therefore, eating people is the characteristic of a {demon}."
Ryuji explained to Tanjiro.
Tanjiro felt Ryuji's statement was not rigorous. "Ryuji, if eating people is the characteristic of a {demon}, then some psychopaths also eat people. Does that mean they are {demons}? Nezuko doesn't eat people; is she human?"
Faced with Tanjiro's nitpicking, Ryuji smiled wryly. After taking a deep breath, he explained to Tanjiro.
"Those are special cases. Even if a person eats many people, they are at most a psychopath. Their human nature cannot be changed. Nezuko, even if she hasn't eaten a single person or a drop of blood, her nature as a {demon} cannot be changed."
"Because they are different species. Normal people wouldn't be psychopathic enough to eat people. Conversely, normal {demons} can't all be like Nezuko, able to refrain from eating people. Even Tamayo and Yushiro, despite their self-control, must drink human blood to survive."
"Therefore, it's correct to say that eating people is a characteristic of {demons} because most {demons} cannot survive without eating people."
Ryuji patiently explained to Tanjiro. Listening to Ryuji's serious explanation, Tanjiro finally understood. The characteristics mentioned were determined based on whether the being was human or {demon}.
Tanjiro nodded. "I understand, Ryuji."
"We've digressed. Once you understand that eating people is a characteristic of {demons}, you'll understand my search plan." Ryuji brought the conversation back on track.
Tanjiro understood Ryuji's plan.
Based on this characteristic, {demons} would likely not be found in uninhabited deep mountains but on mountains near villages where they could find people to eat.
Therefore, although the South-Southeast area was vast, searching the mountains around the nearby villages would save a lot of unnecessary effort.
"Wake up Zenitsu. Today, we'll conduct our initial investigation within a ten-kilometer radius of this village."
Ryuji stood up and assigned Tanjiro their task for the day.
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