Shinichi, clad in his haori, descended the mountain alone and wandered aimlessly through the small town at its base.
"Have you heard? The man-eating bear in the mountains has been more active lately. Several hunters have been devoured since seven days ago."
"Indeed. Who would've thought there'd still be bears roaming about in this bitter winter? I heard the charcoal-selling family up the mountain fell victim too."
"What? The Kamado family? What a shame—they were such kind people... Well, I hope the authorities do something about it."
"Do something? Those cowards at the police station won't dare enter the mountains even with their rifles. They're making excuses about waiting until spring. Hmph! What a bunch of cowards!"
The conversation between two townsfolk caught Shinichi's attention, and its content made him halt in his tracks.
"A man-eating bear? The Kamado family?" Shinichi frowned slightly.
The Kamado family hadn't fallen victim to any bear—they'd been attacked by Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of demons.
But that had happened two days ago.
From the townsfolk's words, the "man-eating bear" incidents had started seven days prior.
So... Shinichi turned his gaze toward the snow-covered mountain.
"There might still be demons in those mountains."
Who could it be? Upper Moon Three?
From Giyu, Shinichi had learned some information about Upper Moon Three—Akaza.
However, upon hearing that Akaza had clashed with another demon, Shinichi was momentarily stunned.
From the description, Shinichi quickly recalled Maito.
Why would he appear here?
"Hey! Kid! What are you sneaking around for? I've been watching you!" A townsman's harsh voice snapped Shinichi back to reality.
Before he could respond, the man's shouting drew a crowd of onlookers.
Many pointed at Shinichi's attire, particularly the black uniform beneath his haori and the Nichirin Blade at his waist.
"Are you from the police station?" they asked.
The commotion attracted attention from all around.
****
Inside a small teahouse by the road, a petite figure also noticed the ruckus.
Dressed in a butterfly-patterned haori over an elegant thick kimono, her smooth black hair was tied up with a large butterfly hairpin.
Blinking her violet eyes, Shinobu who had been sipping tea, suddenly spotted a familiar face in the crowd.
"My, my, Shinichi-kun?"
****
Meanwhile, the clamor of the crowd had begun to irritate Shinichi.
With a cold expression, he snorted, "Move aside!" and strode forward, forcefully pushing through the crowds.
Just as he emerged, Shinichi found himself face-to-face with a graceful figure standing before him.
Shinobu, clad in her kimono, smiled playfully at him.
"What a coincidence, Shinichi-kun."
"Shinobu? What are you doing here?" Her sudden appearance surprised him, and his gaze lingered on her kimono—it suited her quite well.
"Did you forget, Shinichi-kun? The Butterfly Mansion is running low on medicinal supplies. I came out to restock, and Master also suggested I take a little vacation~" Shinobu replied in a light, teasing tone.
"On vacation? Then why come here?" Shinichi was surprised, but perhaps it was just a coincidence.
Before the two could say anything more, a noisy crowd surged behind Shinichi, led by several hunters carrying old-fashioned rifles.
The hunters had heard from the townsfolk about suspicious individuals and decided to postpone their bear hunt in the mountains to first investigate these strangers.
"Hey! It's you two, right? You don't look familiar. Where are you from? Don't you know there's a man-eating bear on the snowy mountain? It's dangerous to wander around!" one of the hunters shouted as he approached Shinichi and Shinobu.
Shinichi and Shinobu exchanged glances.
As Hashira, they immediately suspected the so-called "man-eating bear" might actually be a Demon at work.
Shinobu smiled at the hunter and said, "Oh? A man-eating bear, you say? Perfect timing—I'm here specifically to gather medicinal ingredients. If there really is such a bear, its gallbladder must be quite valuable."
Her words left the burly hunter dumbfounded.
Was this little girl serious? She actually had the nerve to covet the gallbladder of a man-eating bear?
"Just who are you two? The man-eating bear is no joke. And you, young man—why are you carrying a sword? As far as I know, ordinary citizens aren't allowed to carry blades. Plus, people have been saying you've been wandering around our town. For safety's sake, you'd better come with us to the police station!" another seasoned hunter said slowly, eyeing the Nichirin Blade at Shinichi's waist.
"Oh my, that won't do," Shinobu said, glancing at Shinichi before tugging lightly at his sleeve.
Going to the police station would be a waste of time.
Moreover, the Demon Slayer Corps was an unofficial organization unrecognized by the government—such a visit would only invite unnecessary trouble.
But to her surprise, Shinichi gently shook off her hand.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd and Shinobu, he pulled out an identification badge from his uniform pocket.
"I'm Shinichi Moriki, a police inspector from Tokyo. I'm here on official business, but this man-eating bear case has caught my attention. Hasn't the local police station dealt with it yet?" Shinichi asked coolly as the hunters gaped at him.
The hunters were stunned.
An actual police officer? And from Tokyo, no less—a big city far more impressive than their rural backwater village.
Shinobu's beautiful eyes widened in shock, her lips parting slightly as she stared at Shinichi's police badge and sword permit (as mentioned earlier in Chapter 102).
Noticing her surprised expression, Shinichi couldn't help but smirk.
Seeing her keen interest in his documents, he handed them to her so she could examine them properly.
With his police identity revealed, many potential complications were avoided.
The hunters cooperated fully, answering all his questions.
Just then, another commotion broke out in the distance.
"Let me go!!" A girl clad in thick fur clothing with a rifle slung across her back struggled fiercely between two hunters who were restraining her.
The two hunters holding her back wore expressions of reluctance and pity.
One of them spoke to the girl, "Yae! You're still just a child, and you want to go into the mountains alone? It's too dangerous. Go home—we'll avenge Yuzo for you!"
But the girl paid no heed to the hunters' words, continuing to struggle with all her might.
"Let me go! Who said I'm alone? I still have Taro!"
"Woof woof!!" A small golden Shiba Inu barked at the hunters from beneath the girl's feet.
Shinichi, witnessing the scene: "..."
Shinobu, "What a spirited girl~"
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