Just as the Shogun's match with Inosuke came to an end—
Whoosh~!
"Caw~!!"
That noisy black crow swooped down from the sky again, flapping into view before everyone. Its sharp, shrill voice called out deliberately, trying to grab their attention.
"...Haa."
The Shogun exhaled softly, a hint of exasperation crossing her face. Has this bird been following us the whole time? she wondered. It's like we're being watched.
"It's Mr. Crow…" Tanjiro muttered, staring up blankly at the bird.
"Raiden~! You forgot to give those kids their charms~!" the crow squawked as it flapped right in front of her face.
"Charms?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's right~! The Wisteria charms that ward off demons! Luckily, I delivered them in your stead—otherwise, those kids would've been demon bait by now!" the crow said, fluttering its wings toward the direction the children had left.
"Why would they be targeted by demons?" she asked calmly.
"Because they have rare blood~! Demons love the scent—it's like a delicacy to them!" the crow replied dramatically.
"I see…"
The Shogun nodded slightly, though she didn't seem particularly apologetic.
"You were careless! Careless, careless, careless~!!"
Whoosh whoosh!
The bird started flapping its wings furiously right in front of her, feathers practically slapping against her face.
Thwap…
"Caw~!!"
With a swift motion, she backhanded the bird away, then brushed off her kimono sleeves with an annoyed look, dusting off the feathers sticking to her clothes.
"Why don't you scold them instead?" she asked dryly, glancing at Tanjiro and the others.
"Because you're about to become a Pillar~! You're leading them, so small mistakes like this can't be overlooked~!" the crow cawed as it fluttered a few feet away.
"...Haa."
She sighed again, clearly unimpressed. So it's that kind of logic… subordinates make a mistake, and the superior gets scolded? she thought helplessly. Since when did I become their commander, anyway?
"T-To become a Pillar?! Miss Raiden?! So it's true then—Miss Raiden's a Pillar candidate?!" Tanjiro exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with awe.
"Pillar? What's that? Can you eat it?" Inosuke asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Crow."
There was something she'd been wondering about, so she called to the noisy bird coldly.
"Caw~? What is it~?" it answered, peering at her with its beady black eyes.
"How do you know my name is 'Raiden'?" she asked casually, folding her arms.
"Huh? The Master told me~! He said your name's Raiden~! Future Thunder Pillar~!!" the crow replied in its usual comically exaggerated tone.
The Master…
That was the person Shinobu had mentioned before—the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. What was his name again… Ubuyashiki… Kagaya? Something like that. These people even have names similar to those from Inazuma, she thought, amused. How curious.
"Alrighty then~! This trial is now officially complete~! You've all done well! Now I'll take you to your lodgings~! Follow me and don't get lost~! Caw~!!"
Flapping its wings, the crow soared into the sky, heading east.
Trial…?
So that's what this was—something like a test or challenge. These were usually meant for trainee Demon Slayers. Passing the final selection didn't mean safety—it was merely the beginning. The real danger lay in the journey to headquarters… that was the true test.
Still, she thought, I wonder what would've happened to them if I hadn't interfered?
"Miss Raiden…" Tanjiro said softly, looking up at her as though she were their captain. Maybe they really had become a temporary squad.
"Let's go. You all need rest," the Shogun said quietly, glancing at him before turning to follow the crow.
"Yes, ma'am! Come on, Zenitsu, let's go!" Tanjiro replied, hoisting the yellow-haired boy—still twitching from residual static—onto his back.
"Hey! Woman! Wait for me!! You guys too!! Don't leave me behind!!"
Inosuke shouted as they walked away, scrambling to grab his dual swords and stumbling after them in a flustered hurry.
And so, the group followed the bird down the mountain. By now, dusk had fallen. The fiery golden-red clouds painted the horizon, casting a warm glow over the forest path. The gentle chirping of birds added to the tranquil atmosphere, a stark contrast to the chaos they had endured earlier.
Tanjiro walked with effort, carrying Zenitsu on his back while also supporting the box that held Nezuko. The Shogun followed behind them, calm and composed, while Inosuke trailed right at her heels like an overly chatty shadow.
"Woman! You just wait! Don't think winning once makes you special—I'll definitely beat you next time!"
He had been repeating the same thing for so long that her ears were starting to ache.
"Next time I'll use my swords! I won't lose again, woman!" he went on, gesturing exaggeratedly, completely unaware of her lack of response.
"..."
Finally, the Shogun turned her head slightly, her violet eyes glancing at him.
"W-what?! You wanna fight again?! I-I'm not scared of you!" Inosuke stammered, startled by her attention. He immediately jumped back, flailing his arms into a ridiculous defensive pose that made him look more like an octopus than a warrior.
"…Don't call me 'woman.'" Her tone was calm, but the look in her eyes was firm.
"Then—then what do I call you?!" he asked.
"My name is Raiden Shogun," she said clearly.
"Got it! Raiden… chan-shroom! Just you wait, I'll beat you someday!"
He said it so confidently that she almost couldn't tell whether it was ignorance or deliberate mischief.
"I… haa… forget it." She sighed, letting it go before her patience snapped.
[Pfft…]
'What are you laughing at?! What's so funny?!' she grumbled inwardly, hearing Ei's laughter echo faintly in her mind.
[No… nothing… pfft.]
'...'
[…Alright, alright, I'll stop.] Ei quickly quieted down when she sensed her irritation.
After another thirty minutes of walking, they finally reached the foot of the mountain. The night had deepened—around seven in the evening now. The surroundings were quiet, illuminated only by a few dim lanterns. Crickets chirped softly in the grass, and the cool breeze brushed their clothes, peaceful and ordinary.
The crow led them to a large estate. On the wooden gate was engraved the character "Wisteria," surrounded by ink-painted blossoms forming an elegant family crest.
"Caw~!! Rest! Rest time!!" the crow shouted noisily.
"Rest until the injured are healed!" it added—referring to Tanjiro and the others, not her. This place was clearly a rest house meant for Demon Slayers.
"Eh? We can rest now?" Tanjiro asked, almost in disbelief.
"Heh-heh-heh~!" The crow chuckled smugly.
"Quit laughing like that!" Inosuke barked. "Let's blow this thing up!"
"I second that," the Shogun said with her arms crossed.
"Eek!!" The crow squawked and immediately flew off in a panic.
Clatter…
The large doors slowly opened, revealing an elderly woman. She was short and stooped, her expression kind as she looked them over and smiled.
"My, my… you've come a long way," she said warmly.
"Sorry for disturbing you so late," Tanjiro apologized politely.
"Ghost!!" Zenitsu screamed.
"So noisy." The Shogun's sharp tone silenced him instantly.
"Y-yes, ma'am," he stammered, shrinking back. He was clearly still traumatized from her earlier "lightning punishment."
"Who are you, old lady?!" Inosuke demanded, marching up to poke at the bun on her head.
"You must be Demon Slayers, correct?" the old woman asked, glancing toward Tanjiro.
"Yes, ma'am…" he answered politely.
"They look weak to me!" Inosuke scoffed, still poking.
"A boar shouldn't be rude to elders," the Shogun said coldly, deliberately emphasizing the insult, clearly getting revenge for the earlier "Raiden-chan-shroom" nickname.
"Who're you calling a boar?!" he roared back.
"It's quite alright, Miss Raiden," the old woman said kindly. "Everyone has their quirks. You, however, are a guest of honor, as are your fellow swordsmen. Please, come inside and rest for the night."
Her tone was polite yet strangely familiar, as if she had already been expecting them. The Shogun raised a brow. Could this be another arrangement from the 'Master' that the crow mentioned?
"Thank you, ma'am," she said, bowing slightly.
"Oh, such a courteous lady," the old woman chuckled softly. "How rare it is to see such manners these days."
Her eyes lingered on the group, particularly the Shogun and Tanjiro, before she nodded approvingly.
"Come in, all of you," she said.
And so, they stepped through the gate and into the wisteria-marked residence. Tonight, at last, they could rest—though for the Shogun, and the presence residing within her, sleep was never truly necessary.
Around nine in the evening, the night had deepened completely. Only a pale silver moon hung in the sky, veiling the land below in a quiet, melancholic glow.
At the Fuji household, only two rooms were still lit. One belonged to Tanjiro and his group—where laughter and the clamor of young men could still be heard, as though they had endless energy left despite the exhaustion of the day. The other room belonged to the Shogun and Ei.
They still have the strength to make noise after all that?
The Shogun silently muttered to herself as she passed their door.
The hallway was wide enough but dimly lit, the lanterns unlit. Even so, she could see perfectly fine. Dressed in a simple house kimono, she walked barefoot along the tatami floor—her steps light and soundless.
Eventually, she stopped before one of the rooms and gently knocked with the back of her hand.
Knock, knock…
A few soft taps sounded against the sliding door.
"Hmm? Who is it?" came the gentle, aged voice from inside.
"Grandmother, it's me—Raiden," the Shogun replied politely.
"Oh, Raiden girl! Come in, come in. Don't just stand out there," the elderly woman said warmly.
Clatter…
Sliding the door open, the Shogun knelt gracefully on the tatami, smoothing the hem of her kimono across her thighs. She lifted the paper screen slightly and saw the old woman seated at a writing desk, pen in hand.
"Pardon the intrusion…" she said softly.
"It's no trouble at all, dear. Such a polite young lady—pretty face, sweet voice, sweet manners too. Heh-heh…" the old woman chuckled, setting her brush aside to look at her guest with gentle amusement.
"You flatter me. Actually…"
The Shogun hesitated briefly, searching for the right words.
"Hmm? Is something the matter? You're not uncomfortable here, I hope?" the old woman asked kindly.
"No, not at all. I just wanted to ask… if there's any hot water available?" she said, taking a small packet of fragrant tea leaves from her kimono pocket and holding it up for the woman to see.
"Oh, you'd like to make tea? Oh heavens, my old head completely forgot—of course! Come, I'll take you to the tea room." The old woman smiled and began to rise from her seat.
"There's no need to trouble yourself. Just tell me where it is—I can manage on my own," the Shogun said quickly, not wishing to inconvenience her.
"It's quite alright, dear. The hallways are dark, and a young lady like you shouldn't wander alone. Come along now," the woman insisted gently, still smiling as she passed by the Shogun.
"…Thank you," the Shogun said quietly. She decided not to refuse any further—after all, to reject such heartfelt kindness would be rude.
The hallway wasn't pitch black, thanks to the faint glow of moonlight streaming through the paper windows. As they walked, the Shogun's gaze drifted toward the courtyard beyond—bathed in silver light, where trees, stones, and streams lay still and tranquil. A peaceful place like this… it's not bad at all, she thought. I rather like the quiet of nature.
"This house has quite a bit of history behind it," the old woman remarked, noticing her gaze.
"It may be old, but it has charm. The flow of energy here is good—very fitting for you," the Shogun replied softly.
"Heh-heh, yes… It was built for me, you know. He bought it back then, just for my sake," the old woman said fondly.
"…"
The Shogun said nothing. She didn't know who "he" was, but she could tell from the woman's tone that it was best not to ask.
Soon, they reached the end of the hall—the tea room.
Click.
The old woman turned on the light, and the once-dim room was instantly filled with a soft, warm glow. The comforting sight made the earlier gloom seem like a distant illusion.
"The hot water's over there. Do you know how to use it?" the old woman asked.
"Yes. Thank you," the Shogun replied, approaching the kettle. She placed a tray neatly on the counter and began preparing the tea with graceful precision.
"…"
The old woman watched her carefully throughout, her movements practiced yet elegant. The Shogun's hands were steady, her posture perfect—each motion fluid, deliberate, and quiet.
"You've done this often, haven't you, Raiden girl?" the old woman finally said, smiling faintly. "You brew tea quite skillfully."
"Mm… I often make tea for my mother," she replied honestly. The air between them was calm and peaceful.
"No wonder… your mother must be quite an extraordinary woman as well. You two must share a close bond, don't you?"
The Shogun relaxed her hands slightly, letting the tea steep for a while as she glanced softly at the elderly woman beside her.
"Yes… she treats me very well," she said quietly.
"..." The old woman nodded with a gentle smile.
"I want to do the same—to always be good to her," the Shogun continued softly. "She's fragile at heart, easily hurt… I don't ever want to make her sad."
She wasn't even sure why she was confiding like this. Perhaps it was the grandmotherly air surrounding the old woman—warm, patient, and understanding. Despite being centuries old herself, in this moment, she truly felt like a child again.
"Don't worry, dear," the woman said softly, stepping closer and taking the Shogun's slender hand into her wrinkled ones. "She will understand you—she surely will."
"You're very good at comforting people," the Shogun said with a faint smile as the woman gently patted her hand.
"Oh, it just comes with age," the woman chuckled. "I've been around long enough to know a thing or two."
The Shogun smiled faintly and then, after a moment of silence, asked, "Do you enjoy writing?"
"Hmm? Oh, that wasn't real writing," the woman said, shaking her head. "I was just writing a letter—to my husband."
"Your husband isn't home?" the Shogun asked absentmindedly.
"…He's no longer with us. So in a way, yes—he's not home," the woman said. Her voice didn't falter, her expression calm. It was clear she had long come to terms with it.
"…I shouldn't have asked," the Shogun said softly, a tinge of guilt in her tone.
"It's alright, dear. It's all in the past now," the woman said with a small smile.
"Whenever I see young ones like you, I feel as though I've become young again myself," she continued. "Every time someone from the Corps stops by, I take care of them as best I can. You're all still so young… but most of those who leave this place never come back."
"…" The Shogun said nothing, her gaze falling on the teapot as bubbles rose slowly to the surface.
"The Demon Slayer Corps is a dangerous calling," the old woman went on. "All I can do is watch your backs as you leave—one after another. But, girl…"
"Hmm?" The Shogun lifted her eyes.
"Be careful out there. Please. I don't want you to end up like so many others—gone without a trace. Especially you, my dear… such a lovely young lady, with a kind heart and a gentle soul. You should live, get married someday, have a child… not throw your life away. Promise me, child. Life is precious."
The old woman brushed a few strands of hair from the Shogun's face, her touch gentle and motherly.
"…Yes. I'll be careful. And… I'll come visit you again when I can," the Shogun replied softly. She didn't offer empty bravado or arrogance—she simply acknowledged the warmth in those words, accepting it quietly. Her voice was calm, her expression gentle.
"Mm… I'll hold you to that," the old woman said with a smile. "And remember one thing—no matter what happens, you're never truly alone. There are always people who care about you… people who worry for you. Your family. Your mother. So never gamble with your life, my dear."
"…I understand, grandmother," the Shogun said sincerely, nodding.
"Good girl," the old woman replied, smiling warmly.
The Shogun lifted the tea tray in her hands and turned toward the door.
"Grandmother, I'll head back now."
"Alright, dear. Be careful on your way."
"You too… may you live a long and healthy life," she said softly before leaving the tea room.
"Heh-heh… what a sweet girl," the old woman murmured as she watched the Shogun's retreating figure disappear around the corner.
"What a good child… If only my granddaughter were still here… she'd be about the same age as that girl, I suppose."
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