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Shinobu Kocho's Kasugai Crow, a sharp female named En, led the way through the northern reaches with cold, avian efficiency. To an outsider, the northern mountains seemed a world away, but Kael's Calculating Survivor mind knew the map. The demon threat radiated from Kibutsuji Muzan like a virus from a Ground Zero; he didn't create them on a large scale because sharing his blood meant dispersing his own power—a concept the narcissistic Demon King found distasteful.
Shinobu moved with the weightless speed of a Hashira, her Insect Breathing having become a biological instinct. Yet, even as she overclocked her pace, she noticed Kael walking beside her with the casual ease of a man taking a Sunday stroll through Japantown.
How can a "ganic" have this kind of physical engine? Shinobu wondered. Even the Stone Hashira, whom she considered the pinnacle of human hardware, seemed to have a lower ceiling than Kael.
"Shinobu, are you running a sub-routine about me in your head?" Kael asked, glancing over.
Shinobu stumbled, her calm mask slipping for a microsecond. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kael squinted. His Power of Seven had pushed his spiritual intuition into the red. He wasn't a prophet like Kagaya, but he could catch the "static" of others' thoughts. Shinobu was definitely "debugging" his presence.
"Let's hurry," she said, her voice dropping into its practiced, gentle register. "We need to reach the village before the sun sets or we're sleeping in the snow."
The village was a vast expanse of white, a masterpiece of winter beauty that hid a growing panic. A "man-eating bear" had been terrorizing the local hunters. The innkeeper, a kind-faced elderly lady, warned them against entering the mountains.
"I understand, ma'am. One guest room for the two of us," Kael said, leaning against the counter.
"One room?" Shinobu's smile grew ten degrees colder. "Kael-kun, you're being a bit blatant."
"We're traveling as a couple, aren't we?" Kael winked. "Or would you prefer the 'siblings' roleplay? I'm flexible."
The old lady, sensing the "passion" of youth, handed Kael the key before Shinobu could object.
"Kael," Shinobu whispered as they climbed the stairs, her eyes narrowing into violet slits. "You'd better sleep with one eye open tonight."
"Don't worry," Kael replied, undeterred. "I'll just watch you sleep."
That night, a muffled shout echoed from the guest room.
"...DAMN! You're actually serious with those paralytics, Shinobu!"
The next morning, the innkeeper watched them leave with a nostalgic sigh, convinced they were just a high-energy young couple.
Outside, a commotion on the street drew their attention. A group of hunters with shotguns were arguing with a young girl named Yae. She was the daughter of Matazo, a hunter recently killed by the "bear." She stood her ground, her hunting dog Tarō barking at her side.
Just then, a figure drifted through the crowd. Red haori, dark hair in a low ponytail, and a face that looked like it had been carved from cold marble.
Tomioka Giyuu.
The Water Hashira walked straight to Yae and grabbed her gun. "Don't touch it," she screamed.
Giyuu ignored the fury. "I am Tomioka Giyuu of the Demon Slayer Corps. Tell me about the 'bear' that attacked your father."
The hunters grew tense. Rumors of a charcoal burner's family being slaughtered by a man in a haori had already reached the village. They leveled their shotguns at him.
"Quick! Call the police! Get a rope!"
Giyuu froze. Facing the muzzles of the guns, the man who could decapitate a demon in a heartbeat simply... crouched. He looked like he was about to put his hands behind his head to avoid a "misunderstanding."
"I'll do it!" Kael shouted, grabbing a rope from a merchant.
Shinobu watched in horror—and a hidden bit of amusement—as Kael ran forward and tied Giyuu up with a series of complex, high-tension loops.
"Young man, your rope-work is... advanced," a hunter noted, impressed by the artistic binding.
"It's a hobby," Kael said modestly. In Night City, Lucy had occasionally enjoyed these "games" to add a bit of spice to their downtime.
"..." Giyuu remained expressionless, despite the hemp rope digging into his joints. He was a Hashira; he could have snapped the rope like a thread, but his social anxiety made him stay still. He didn't want to cause a scene.
"Kael, this is a bit much," Shinobu said, finally stepping forward, though she was clearly covering a laugh.
"Kocho. You're here," Giyuu noted, his voice as flat as a dial-tone. He turned his gaze to Kael. "Then you must be the 'Calculated Survivor' the Master mentioned. Mr. Kael."
"In the flesh," Kael replied, tightening the last knot.
The situation was interrupted when Yae suddenly fainted from exhaustion and fever. Shinobu immediately shifted into her doctor persona.
"She needs a bed. Kael, explain things to the hunters. Mr. Tomioka, stop being a decoration and carry her."
Giyuu took a deep breath, his muscles rippling as he snapped the hemp rope with a burst of Water Breathing strength. He hoisted Yae onto his back and followed Shinobu toward the inn.
An hour later, Kael returned to the inn after successfully "optimizing" the hunters' perceptions of Giyuu.
He found Shinobu brewing medicine and Giyuu... currently in a staring match with Tarō, the Akita dog. Giyuu clearly wanted to pet the dog, but the animal was growling with bared teeth. Giyuu didn't seem to realize he was unlikable.
"AWOO!" Tarō bit Giyuu's hand and started shaking his head.
Kael stepped forward and picked up Tarō, rubbing the dog's head. The Akita immediately began wagging its tail, licking Kael's palm with enthusiasm. The contrast was a critical hit to Giyuu's self-esteem.
"The Master told me to follow your lead on this mission, Mr. Kael," Giyuu said formally, his face a mask of stoic professionalism. "I am ready."
"Want to touch the dog? It feels great," Kael teased, holding the Akita out.
Giyuu reached out a hand.
"GRRR!!"
"..." Giyuu retracted his hand, lost in a profound internal monologue about why the local fauna had rejected him.
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