Crack…
Under Shinobu's orders, the Kakushi members climbed onto the roof and one by one cut through the spider silk that had been suspending the Demon Slayer Corps members.
Swish!
Thud!
"Ugh—ahhh!" ×N
Even though the threads were incredibly tough, they were still no match for the sharpness of Nichirin Blades. In an instant, they were sliced apart, and everyone who had been hanging upside down crashed heavily to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Oh dear… couldn't you all have been a bit gentler? Maybe have someone catch them down below?"
Watching the scene, Shinobu sighed in exasperation, muttering under her breath. Honestly, what a bunch of rookies—no sense of control. At this rate, even if they didn't die, they'd probably end up half-broken from the fall.
"S-sorry! We didn't have time to—"
One of the Kakushi members scratched his head awkwardly and immediately ran to check on the injured. The way he moved—clumsy, flustered—it was painfully obvious he was a newcomer.
"Sigh… looks like your training still needs work."
With a sigh, Shinobu crouched beside the row of wounded lying on the ground. Among them were not only Demon Slayer members who had already turned half-spider, but even a few civilians.
Her expression remained calm as she examined one of the half-transformed victims. She reached out to touch the man's face, then lifted his eyelid—the pupil was dilated and fixed upward.
"He's beyond saving. Next."
At her words, the Kakushi members quickly carried the body away. Because he had already mutated into a half-spider form, his weight had increased significantly—it took two men considerable effort to lift him.
The Shogun approached quietly and crouched beside her, watching curiously.
"I told you before, didn't I? I'm not only a Hashira—I also double as a medical officer," Shinobu said casually while checking the next person.
"Did you?" the Shogun asked blankly.
"…Well, now I did." Shinobu smiled faintly, teasing.
After patting the unconscious man's cheek to confirm he was still breathing, she pulled a syringe from her medical kit, drew up the antidote with practiced ease, and injected it into his arm.
"Take him away. Next."
As she gave her orders, she moved smoothly to the next patient—a man half-transformed but still conscious. She prepared another dose of her antidote and administered it.
"What brings you here?" the Shogun asked as she followed.
"The spiders," Shinobu replied simply.
"…"
The Shogun glanced up at the webbing that still clung to the trees overhead. It hadn't dissolved yet—which meant the demon wasn't dead. No, the one earlier had indeed perished… so there must be another.
"These threads belong to one of the Twelve Kizuki. Our Master sent us to exterminate them," Shinobu explained, motioning for her subordinates to carry away another victim.
"…"
The Shogun looked at her sideways.
"Of course, I have another task as well—to escort you to Headquarters. Carry him away," Shinobu added, signaling again. Her triage speed was astounding—even the Shogun found herself quietly impressed.
"You said 'us' earlier?" the Shogun asked.
"Mhm~ besides me, there's another. But you might not like him very much, so we split up," Shinobu said with a playful grin.
"He's your colleague?"
"Yes, the Water Hashira. Though his personality can be… a little stiff," she said, glancing meaningfully at the Shogun.
While the two conversed, Shinobu had already finished treating all the wounded, giving each one the necessary care. Her subordinates then lifted them onto stretchers, preparing to transport them back to Headquarters.
"Um… excuse me, are you… Lady Shinobu Kocho?"
A timid voice called out. It was the young female Demon Slayer who had been following the Shogun earlier.
"Hmm? Yes, that's me. And you are…?" Shinobu replied gently, unfazed.
"Ah… my name is Shie. I'm a new recruit—Mizunoto rank."
"A Mizunoto? My, such a new face. You're not hurt, are you?" Shinobu asked kindly, her medical instincts prompting concern as she stepped closer.
"I-I'm fine… thanks to this strong lady here. If not for her, I…"
The girl trailed off, glancing shyly at the Shogun, gratitude clear in her eyes.
The young girl blushed slightly as she glanced at the dazed Shogun beside her.
"Oh my~? I see how it is… Let me introduce you! This is Miss Raiden—our Demon Slayer Corps' newly appointed Thunder Hashira~!"
Like a butterfly, Shinobu twirled gracefully around the Shogun, lightly patting her shoulder before leaning in playfully, her cheek almost brushing against hers.
"Phew… not yet," the Shogun replied, subtly moving her face away and answering modestly.
"Thunder—Thunder Hashira?! No wonder you're so strong, Sister! You're as swift as thunder itself! Is that the Thunder Breathing? The perfected form of Thunder Breathing?!"
The girl's eyes shone with pure admiration—her pupils even sparkled with heart-shaped gleams as she unconsciously stepped closer.
"You flatter me… not quite," the Shogun said, taking a small step back, clearly uncomfortable with the girl's overly enthusiastic energy.
"Miss Raiden, could you please take me as your Tsuguko in the future? Please—I'm begging you!"
Clack…
The girl clasped both of the Shogun's hands in front of their faces, pleading sincerely.
"Ahem… that… we'll talk about it later," the Shogun said awkwardly, instinctively stepping back again. Please stop getting closer! And why are you so good at this?!
Indeed, such a forward type was hard for her to handle. Though conflicted inside, her face remained calm as usual. She took another small step back to gently brush the topic aside.
"Thank you so much!" the girl said happily, smiling brightly.
Why are you thanking me? I didn't even say yes. What a strange child, she thought silently.
"Pfft…"
Beside her, Shinobu couldn't help but giggle softly at the sight—she could almost read every thought running through the Shogun's mind.
What are you laughing at? You're the one who caused this mess! the Shogun thought, glancing at her helplessly.
"Alright~ we'll talk about that later. For now, we Hashira still have other matters to attend to. Kanao."
Tap, tap…
The girl with the side ponytail—Kanao—quietly approached Shinobu's side.
"This girl is in your care. Make sure she's safe," Shinobu instructed.
Kanao silently nodded, then turned to the Shogun and gave her a polite, gentle smile.
Seeing this, the Shogun returned the gesture with a courteous nod. Once Kanao led the still-reluctant girl away, the Shogun finally sighed in relief.
Finally gone…
"Hehe… wasn't that cute?" Shinobu teased, clearly amused.
"You're the only one who'd think so…" the Shogun muttered, sighing. Sometimes, she found Shinobu's personality a little too similar to that mischievous fox's she once knew.
"You're not good at dealing with that kind of girl, are you?" Shinobu asked knowingly.
"…That depends on the situation," the Shogun replied calmly.
Tap, tap…
After saying that, she walked past Shinobu, leaving only a slender silhouette behind.
"Don't walk so fast~ if you get lost, I won't be able to find you," Shinobu said in a warm, teasing tone, quickening her pace to catch up.
"There's no need to worry. I can walk upon the air itself," the Shogun replied without missing a beat.
"Oh? How impressive~ I didn't know that. So, you walked all the way here?" Shinobu asked with feigned surprise.
"Indeed. After all, the journey itself is what holds the most value," the Shogun said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke in a composed, almost philosophical tone.
"Pfft… that's exactly the kind of thing I expected you to say," Shinobu said, smiling as she looked at her companion.
"Did you come alone?" she asked curiously.
"No… a few boys came along," the Shogun answered.
"Members of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Yes. The new recruits—the ones who passed the Final Selection."
"I see… I understand now," Shinobu said with a nod.
The two continued their casual conversation, their footsteps never faltering as they ventured deeper into the dense forest of the mountain.
"You seem very familiar with this place?"
The Shogun had been watching her companion closely for a while now. From the very beginning, Shinobu had moved with the ease of someone who knew the mountain well—never glancing around for direction, her steps steady and sure, as if the entire terrain was engraved in her memory. It was the perfect image of someone who had mastered their environment.
"Hmm? I suppose so… After all, this mountain is just one range away from Headquarters. We often pass by it during missions. Over time, you naturally learn the way," Shinobu replied lightly.
In truth, Mount Natagumo wasn't particularly large. It merely felt vast to those who came for the first time—its eerie atmosphere played tricks on their perception. Getting lost here was easy, but not fatal; in theory, one could eventually find their way out. The real reason no one did was simply that demons lurked within.
"Why do you ask?" Shinobu turned her head curiously.
"You just seem… like you're coming home," the Shogun said plainly.
"Pfft… Only you could come up with something like that," Shinobu laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand as a bell-like chuckle escaped her lips.
"…"
Why did she always laugh at her? Was she truly that amusing? The Shogun couldn't quite understand it.
"…About the Twelve Kizuki," the Shogun said suddenly, changing the topic.
"Mm?" Shinobu hummed, continuing to walk while listening attentively.
"Are they that strong?"
"Hmm—how should I put it… The Lower Ranks aren't too powerful. Any of us Hashira can handle them. But…"
Shinobu's voice trailed off as she stopped walking. Her expression grew solemn.
"The Upper Ranks, on the other hand… they're a different story. Even for us Hashira, it can be difficult. You see, demons and humans are fundamentally different. When a demon is wounded, it heals instantly. But we—" she smiled faintly, tinged with sorrow—"we have to rest, recover… and sometimes, we never do."
It was a rare expression for her—complex, sorrowful, yet calm.
The Shogun quietly studied her face.
"So… they're overwhelmingly strong?"
"…For us, perhaps. But for you, I doubt it," Shinobu said, glancing sideways at her. "You know what I mean, don't you, Shogun?"
"I understand," the Shogun replied simply.
From that tone, she could tell Shinobu meant that the Upper Ranks were fearsome to ordinary humans—but for her, they would not pose much of a threat.
"And you?" the Shogun asked again.
"Hmm?" Shinobu blinked, surprised.
"Have you fought an Upper Rank before?"
"…"
Shinobu fell silent. After a moment, she looked up toward the round moon hanging high in the night sky.
"I haven't fought one myself," she said softly, "but… my sister died at the hands of an Upper Rank."
Her voice grew calm and distant, but her hand unconsciously clenched, then relaxed again.
"…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked," the Shogun said quietly. Realizing she might have touched an old wound, guilt flickered in her eyes.
"Hehe… it's alright. I don't mind. Besides, it's all in the past," Shinobu said with a gentle, sisterly smile that seemed to soothe the air around them—like a comforting ray of light.
"…"
The Shogun said nothing, though her gaze lingered on Shinobu—still a hint of concern hidden behind her composed eyes.
"Alright~ don't look so worried. Come on," Shinobu said cheerfully, reaching out to take her arm, pulling her gently along.
"Among the Hashira… is there a ranking?" the Shogun asked suddenly, curiosity returning.
"Of course there is," Shinobu said, smiling.
"What's your rank?" the Shogun asked straightforwardly.
"Pfft… do you really want to know~?" Shinobu teased.
"Yes," the Shogun replied simply.
"Me? Well…" Shinobu raised her index finger.
"First? You? You must mean last," the Shogun said dryly, her tone skeptical. She couldn't quite imagine Shinobu being at the top—something about her gave off more of a bottom rank energy.
"Shogun~? You know, some things are better left unsaid even if you know them~? Even I can get discouraged, you know—" Shinobu said dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest in mock sorrow.
Then suddenly, she froze.
"!"
Tap…
Shinobu reached out and grabbed the Shogun's wrist, halting her.
"What is it?" the Shogun asked calmly.
"Shh—something's here," Shinobu said in a low, serious tone.
…Did she have Tanjiro's ability to sense things too? By smell? By sound? Or something else? The Shogun wondered silently.
Flutter…
A butterfly descended gracefully from the sky, landing gently on Shinobu's fingertip. The small creature flapped its wings a few times. Shinobu gave a slight nod before letting it fly off again.
"There are demons nearby… and not just one," Shinobu said quietly, her tone sharp as her eyes hardened into a serious, icy gleam.
"Shogun… I—"
"Go. I can handle myself," the Shogun interrupted calmly, already understanding what she intended. There was no need for further discussion—Shinobu would deal with one demon, and she would handle the other.
"Alright… be careful," Shinobu replied softly.
Whoosh!!
In the next instant, Shinobu leapt into the trees, her movements graceful as a butterfly. She turned her head briefly, nodding once to the Shogun before disappearing into the dense forest, gliding from branch to branch with ninja-like agility.
Boom! ×N
Just seconds after Shinobu vanished, the ground began to tremble under a series of heavy thuds—each one deeper, louder, and closer than the last. The shaking grew so violent that the soil itself quivered and cracked.
BOOM!
Then, from the thick forest ahead, a massive humanoid demon burst forth—its leap so powerful it shot upward, silhouetted against the round moon in the sky. The figure's outline was monstrous: long hair, an enormous frame, and muscles bulging like carved stone.
"…"
The Shogun narrowed her eyes, watching the shadow descend toward her like a falling hammer. At the exact moment it swung downward, a spectral arm of Magatsu Mitake Narukami no Mikoto extended from the void—
BOOM!—and caught the blow perfectly.
The ground shook violently beneath the impact, a cloud of dust erupting outward. Yet, despite the demon's immense strength, the Shogun's summoned arm held steady—unyielding.
"?!"
The demon stared, wide-eyed, as its massive fists were effortlessly caught by the glowing violet arm before it. The energy radiating from it crackled like thunder, and yet—the Shogun herself hadn't even moved an inch. She simply stood there, cold and expressionless.
Now that she could see it clearly, the demon's appearance was grotesque—its long silver hair framed a face twisted like a spider's, with countless green eyes glimmering across its forehead and cheeks. Its mouth stretched all the way to its ears, filled with rows of sharp, uneven teeth.
"You're even uglier than the last one," she said dryly, not caring whether it understood her or not.
With a flick of her will, the spectral arm tightened its grip and hurled the massive demon high into the air. A second arm appeared, its fist tightening before slamming mercilessly into the demon's abdomen.
BOOM!
The impact was deafening—the shockwave blasted the surrounding dust away as the enormous body was sent hurtling through the forest like a cannonball, crashing into the ground far away.
CRASH!!
"RAAAAHHH!!"
Roaring in fury, the demon rose again and charged straight toward her, swinging a huge fist at her face.
This time, the Shogun caught the blow with her bare hand—and in one fluid motion, drove her elbow into the creature's arm joint.
Crack!
Despite their immense difference in size, her single strike shattered the demon's elbow instantly.
"ROOOAAAH!!"
The monster screamed in pain.
In that instant, she vanished—turning into a flash of violet lightning that danced around its sides.
Crack! ×2
Engulfing Lightning sliced cleanly through both of the demon's legs, forcing it to collapse to its knees.
THUD!
Driving the naginata's hilt into the ground, she leapt skyward, her form surrounded by streaks of lightning. With one arm raised high, she struck downward—half her body manifesting the form of her Magatsu Mitake Narukami no Mikoto puppet.
Splurt!!
Her strike drove the demon's upper body forward, and its enormous head plunged straight into the waiting blade of the planted naginata—Engulfing Lightning piercing perfectly through its skull.
Suspended in the air, the Shogun made a graceful finishing gesture. The spectral arms converged into one—forming Musou Isshin in her hand. With a single downward slash, the blade of violet light cleaved through the demon's neck like a guillotine.
Slash!
A brilliant arc of purple light traced through the air.
For an instant, the forest fell silent—then blood erupted in a crimson shower.
Without even glancing back, the Shogun lowered her arm, summoned a crackling barrier of lightning around herself, sheathed her blade, and turned away.
All in one seamless motion.
—
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