While everyone else was fast asleep—
In the depths of the mountains, a strange massacre was unfolding.
At night, Mount Natagumo was shrouded in a heavy, gray mist. The trees grew thick and tangled like the claws of a demon. Without preparation, one could easily lose their way within moments. The forest was eerily silent, save for the cold, desolate moonlight—no torches, no fires, no warmth.
At that moment, over a dozen people were making their cautious advance through the mountain. They wore the uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps, each with a Nichirin Blade hanging at their waist. Men and women alike scanned the surroundings with tense expressions, missing not even the faintest sign.
Rustle ×N
The sound of soft footsteps filled the night. The forest floor was thick with fallen leaves, and each step crunched faintly beneath their feet.
"Achoo!!"
"!" ×N
Clang!
The sudden sneeze startled the group instantly. Reflexively, they all drew their swords and pointed them toward the sound.
"Whoa!! Wait—it's me!"
The poor slayer hadn't even wiped his nose yet before throwing up his hands in surrender.
"Phew… you idiot, keep it down!"
The squad leader wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and scolded him sharply. The situation was already tense—this was no time for jokes.
"Yes, sir!"
"Ugh… useless fool."
Muttering curses, the captain sheathed his sword and continued leading the team forward.
"Captain… are we sure there's actually a demon here?" one of the members asked doubtfully.
"What do you think? Look around. Even if there weren't, we still need to investigate. Several people have gone missing in these woods."
The captain gestured at the dark forest around them.
"Witnesses said they saw… children nearby."
"Yeah… and spiderwebs, too?"
"No way. I mean, sure, it's called Mount Natagumo, but that doesn't mean there are actual spiders, right?"
The others began murmuring among themselves, their vigilance slowly slipping away.
"Spiders turning into demons?!"
"Shut up! Can't you say something less cursed?!"
The irritated teammate smacked his partner on the shoulder.
Rustle!
"!" ×N
A faint sound echoed through the underbrush. Everyone froze where they stood, hands on their hilts, ready to draw at any moment.
The captain raised a hand, signaling them to hold position.
"Wait… don't act rashly. Stay quiet."
"..." ×N
The air grew thick with tension. Even their breathing became audible, uneven, and strained. Sweat trickled down their temples.
Unseen to them, on the trunk of a nearby tree, thin silver threads were crawling slowly along the bark—like ghostly serpents inching toward their prey. And those weren't the only ones. The forest all around them was laced with these threads, a massive web already encircling the group, waiting for the right moment to strike.
"...Phew. Alright, let's keep moving," the captain said after a few moments, relaxing slightly when nothing seemed to happen.
"Yes, sir…" ×N
The group lowered their guard slightly and began to step forward—
Thud…
"Ah—sorry, Captain!"
The young man walking directly behind the captain bumped into him by accident, his forehead hitting the captain's back. He quickly apologized.
"..."
But the captain didn't move. He stood perfectly still, unmoving.
"...Captain?"
The boy frowned and called softly. The others turned curiously toward them.
Step… step…
The captain suddenly turned around stiffly, like a puppet being pulled by invisible strings. Then, before anyone could react—he drew his sword in one swift motion!
Clang!
Swish!
Without a word, he slashed straight toward the boy's chest!
Slash!!
"Ahhhh!!!"
The blade split the boy open from shoulder to stomach. Blood gushed forth like a fountain, splattering across the ground.
"Kyaa!!" ×N
The female slayers screamed in horror.
"W-what's happening?! Captain—"
Slash!!
"Ahhh!!"
Before one of them could even finish speaking, another girl was suddenly cut down by her own companion!
Before long, chaos erupted—almost everyone present began slaughtering one another. Blades clashed, bodies fell, and the ground soon ran red with blood. The forest floor, once covered in fallen leaves, became soaked with crimson.
"No! No!!!"
"I don't want to die!!"
"Run!!"
Only a few managed to resist the mysterious force controlling the others. Those who did fled in terror, abandoning all sense of duty. They scattered into the dark mountain forest—swallowed whole by the night. No one would ever know what truly happened there.
...
The next morning—
In the Fuji family's living room, the elderly woman had called a doctor to check on the three young men: Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
"..." ×3
All three sat quietly on the tatami, cooperating obediently as the doctor pressed his stethoscope to each of their chests. Even the usually loud Inosuke sat unusually still.
"Hmm—"
After a moment, the doctor closed his eyes thoughtfully, nodded, and put away the stethoscope.
"Your wounds have healed completely," he announced.
"Phew…" ×3
All three exhaled in unison with visible relief.
Though in truth, none of them had suffered serious injuries—most of the fighting had been handled by the Shogun.
"HAHAHAHA!! I told you—my body's the strongest!!"
The boar-headed boy immediately leapt to his feet, boasting as always, strutting around proudly.
"Uh… Inosuke…"
Tanjiro sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
"Waaah~! Thank goodness… I'm not dead!!"
Zenitsu was crying—again—just like before.
"..."
Tanjiro felt utterly drained. After spending so much time with them, he was convinced that Miss Raiden was the only normal one among them. What a group…
"Well, that's good to hear," the old woman said kindly, nodding in satisfaction.
Knock, knock…
A shadow appeared beyond the sliding door, followed by a polite knock.
"Hmm? Is that Miss Raiden? Come in, dear," the old woman called.
Slide…
The Shogun entered quietly, sliding the door aside. She walked into the room, her gaze calm as always, and addressed the elderly woman.
"Grandmother, here are the tea utensils from yesterday. I've come to return them."
She raised the tray slightly in demonstration.
"Oh, just set them there, dear. How was the tea yesterday?"
"It was good," the Shogun replied simply, placing the tray gently on the low table before turning to leave.
"By the way, Miss Raiden—were you injured yesterday? If you were, you should let the doctor take a look."
Just as she was about to leave, the old woman's voice stopped her, warm with concern.
"...?"
The Shogun paused and turned toward the elderly woman and the doctor, who gave her a respectful bow.
"I appreciate your concern, but it's unnecessary. I wasn't injured," she replied politely, inclining her head slightly in acknowledgment. Then she turned her gaze toward the three boys still in their pajamas, giving them a brief, silent look over.
"///!"
Feeling the Shogun's gaze, Tanjiro blushed furiously and instinctively tried to cover himself. His loosely opened robe made him panic—being seen like this by Miss Raiden, the person he admired most, filled him with embarrassment.
"D-don't look yet! At least wait until I'm dressed properly///!"
Beside him, Zenitsu squealed in panic as well, clutching the sides of his robe and hiding shyly behind Tanjiro.
"Hmph! Bunch of cowards! Not me, though! Hey, woman—look all you want! With your tiny frame, you must be impressed by my muscles, huh?! Hahaha!!"
Inosuke proudly stood up and tore off his sleep shirt, flexing his muscles like an overexcited fool. To be fair, his physique was impressive—by any man's standards.
"…Boring."
The Shogun shot him a flat look.
"What! You dare call my muscles boring?!" he barked, indignant.
"How are their injuries?" she asked, ignoring him entirely as she turned toward the doctor.
"Hmm… their wounds are quite light. They'll be fine within a day—nothing to worry about," the doctor replied, scratching the back of his head, his pineapple-shaped hair wobbling comically.
Flutter!
Just then, the noisy crow swooped gracefully into the room again, landing on the tatami floor. It hopped toward the Shogun's feet, flapping its wings eagerly.
"?"
She stepped back slightly, bending down and extending a finger toward it.
Flutter!
The crow immediately perched itself atop her finger.
"Northeast~! Northeast~! The next destination is northeast!" it screeched, its sharp voice ringing through the room like a living GPS—an extremely loud and annoying one.
"All three of you are to head to Mount Natagumo! Mount Natagumo! Raiden, you too! You'll have someone meeting you there!"
"Who?" she asked flatly.
"Don't know~!!"
Whoosh!
At that, she promptly flicked the bird away without mercy. A puff of black feathers filled the air.
"Waaah~!!"
The crow was sent flying right out the window, its squawking fading into the distance.
"I'll go prepare breakfast. Miss Raiden, you should join us later," the old woman said kindly as she passed by, completely unfazed by what had just happened.
"Thank you, grandmother," the Shogun replied politely.
"Oh, think nothing of it…"
Once the old woman left, the Shogun paid no further attention to the three boys in the room. Without even glancing their way, she turned and left.
Slide…
Opening the door to her room, she immediately spotted Ei—awake but dazed, sitting idly on the futon in a half-dressed state. She must have been getting ready but lost focus halfway through, as she often did.
Her stockings were already on, her inner layer and kimono loosely draped over her shoulders, but the sash and waist cord were still undone. Her long hair hung loose and unkempt, her ornaments absent. She looked utterly unprepared and adorably disheveled.
"?"
Hearing the faint sound of the door sliding open, Ei turned her head slowly, still dazed, and stared silently at her daughter.
"You're awake? Then get dressed," the Shogun said matter-of-factly.
Slide!
She walked past and pulled the curtains open. Sunlight instantly flooded the room, chasing away the dimness and filling it with gentle warmth.
"...!"
Ei squinted, shielding her eyes with one hand from the sudden brightness.
Seeing this, the Shogun sighed softly and pulled the curtain slightly back—just enough so the light no longer hit Ei directly. As expected, Ei lowered her hand.
"Come on, get up… finish dressing," she urged gently.
Instead, Ei silently lifted both arms toward her—elbows bent, arms open as if inviting an embrace.
"What are you…"
The Shogun's face flushed slightly as she realized what Ei wanted, though she still muttered shyly.
"...Come here."
Those were the first words Ei spoke that morning—her voice low, drowsy with sleep, laced with an irresistible sleepy allure.
"...Phew."
The Shogun let out a quiet sigh, then stepped closer. She gently adjusted her kimono and obediently sat down within Ei's waiting arms, her cheeks tinted pink as she did so. She didn't say a word—just sat there, slightly flustered.
Rustle…
Ei wrapped her arms around her, resting her head against the Shogun's neck. Her eyes were still half-closed, drowsy from sleep, and she leaned her full weight into her daughter.
"…"
The Shogun softly placed her hands on Ei's back, stroking gently.
"Where… did you go just now?" Ei murmured against her neck.
"To return the tea set," she replied simply.
"...You said you'd sleep with me last night, but when I woke up, you were gone. How cruel…" Ei mumbled drowsily in complaint.
"…Sorry. I thought you'd still be asleep."
The Shogun's voice was gentle, soothing.
"Have you eaten yet?" Ei asked again.
"Not yet… soon."
They parted slightly, their faces still close, gazing quietly at each other.
"I'm hungry… Shogun," Ei said softly, her sleepy violet eyes glimmering with mischief.
"If you're hungry, finish dressing. You'll eat with me," the Shogun said, brushing a strand of hair from Ei's face.
After all, she could always let Ei take over the body to eat herself.
"I'd rather not… It feels uncomfortable. Could you bring my portion here instead? I'll eat in the room," Ei said hesitantly, glancing toward the door.
"…"
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly, speechless.
"I don't know them well… it feels awkward. Please~? Mommy's hungry…" Ei murmured like a spoiled child, gently squeezing her hand.
"Haah… You're impossible," the Shogun sighed in defeat.
"Mm… thank you," Ei said, smiling sweetly.
Smack!
The Shogun lightly smacked her mother's thigh—a soft, crisp sound.
"Just stay home, then~!" she muttered, half-chidingly, as she stood and left the room to fetch breakfast for her stay-at-home mother.
"…"
Watching her daughter's back disappear through the doorway, Ei glanced down at the thigh that had just been tapped, rubbing it gently as a soft smile curved her lips.
With a cheerful mood, she began finishing the rest of her dressing. By the time the Shogun returned with the meal tray, Ei was already fully dressed—her hair tied neatly, her ornaments in place. The dazed woman from before had vanished, replaced by the poised and regal Beelzebul—her mother.
"You changed fast," the Shogun remarked, setting the meal tray on the low table and sliding it closer before sitting across from her.
"I only spaced out for a bit. And while you were fetching breakfast, of course I had to get ready," Ei replied smoothly, taking her seat.
"Why's that?" the Shogun asked curiously.
"What if you came back and saw me still lazing around? You might have refused to give me my food," Ei said with a teasing smile as she picked up her chopsticks.
"…"
The Shogun could only shake her head in silent exasperation, resting her chin lightly on her palm as she watched.
"I'll begin, then…" Ei murmured softly before taking her first bite.
"Mm—delicious," she said after swallowing, her expression content.
"Pfft… if it's good, then eat as much as you like," the Shogun chuckled, watching her mother's adorable, satisfied expression. If it makes her happy, that's enough for me, she thought, her gaze warm and full of quiet affection.