Raiden was in an unusually good mood after obtaining the Blood Demon Art he wanted.
Aside from that single reward, everything else he gained from Yahaba had been worthless to him, so pulling it in one try felt almost indulgent. Good fortune had always lifted his spirits, and Raiden was no exception. The smile on his face grew brighter, relaxed, almost carefree.
Unfortunately, that same smile made Tamayo and Yushiro feel as if a blade were pressed against their throats.
Behind him, Yushiro's eyes were filled with quiet resolve, the kind one had when prepared to die. Earlier, when Raiden spoke about befriending Tamayo, it had sounded harmless enough. Now, with Susamaru and Yahaba as fresh examples, the meaning behind those words felt far more dangerous.
To Yushiro, Raiden had already been categorized as a lunatic who killed demons for entertainment.
Tamayo's thoughts were not much kinder.
Raiden's swift execution of the Temari Demon and the Arrow Demon had undeniably saved her. At the same time, the overwhelming strength he displayed made him a threat she could not ignore. Even now, she could not tell whether he stood before her as an ally or an enemy.
Hidden within the wide sleeve of her kimono, Tamayo's hand tightened around a small vial.
It was a special reagent she had created to mask her presence from Kibutsuji Muzan, meant to be her final safeguard. She never imagined she might have to use it on someone else.
Raiden noticed the shift in her posture and sighed inwardly. This reaction was not what he had hoped for.
"Miss Tamayo, I truly only wish to be friends with you."
"Do not believe him!" Yushiro shouted immediately. "He said the exact same thing to the other demons!"
Raiden's smile twitched. For a brief moment, his hand itched toward his sword.
Were those other demons remotely comparable to Tamayo?
Tamayo placed a calming hand on Yushiro's shoulder before turning to Raiden. Her voice was polite, measured, and distant.
"Mr. Raiden, I am grateful that you are willing to extend friendship to a demon. However, I exist only because Muzan still lives. I have no desire to become your enemy. Please, leave."
She had been willing to trust Tanjiro because of Nezuko, and because she had witnessed his compassion toward those on the brink of becoming demons. Raiden was different. His power was too great, his presence too oppressive. Words alone could not convince her.
"I know what you are researching," Raiden said calmly. "And I can help you."
Tamayo shook her head almost reflexively.
Help her? How?
To defeat Muzan, he would need to be turned back into a human. That required Muzan's blood, or at the very least the blood of the Twelve Kizuki who carried the greatest concentration of it. Could Raiden provide that? Killing the Lower Moons was one thing, but the Upper Moons had slaughtered nearly a hundred Hashira over the centuries. Even Raiden's strength had limits.
Rather than argue, Raiden snapped his fingers lightly.
Tamayo opened her mouth to refuse again, but no sound came out.
Her eyes widened as she realized she could not hear her own voice.
A thin mist of blood swirled around Raiden, subtle yet unmistakable. The aura it carried was one she knew all too well.
Blood Demon Art.
Tamayo froze.
He was using a Blood Demon Art.
How was that possible?
The use of Blood Demon Arts required one to be a demon. Yet Raiden carried no demonic scent, no distortion of presence. If he were a demon, she would have sensed it instantly.
Her brows knit together as she stared at him, disbelief giving way to awe.
A human using a Blood Demon Art was something she had never witnessed in centuries of existence.
Nearby, Tanjiro and Zenitsu also reacted.
"Is Raiden a demon?" Tanjiro whispered, confused. His sense of smell found nothing demonic about Raiden, no matter how hard he tried.
Zenitsu, on the other hand, moved closer to Raiden without hesitation. Fear flickered across his face, but his resolve was clear. Human or demon, Raiden had been at his side all this time. That was enough for him.
Raiden let the blood mist fade and looked back at Tamayo.
"Now, Miss Tamayo, do you believe I can help?"
After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"What do you want in return?"
She already knew the answer might cost her dearly. Someone capable of this was invaluable. Even a reagent made from his blood could change everything. For the sake of killing Muzan, she was willing to gamble.
"I already told you," Raiden replied, his tone easy, almost amused. "I want to be friends. Nothing more."
Tamayo stared at him, stunned.
Just friendship?
He knew her research. He knew what she needed. Yet he asked for nothing else.
Slowly, she bowed deeply.
"I would be honored to be your friend, Mr. Raiden."
[Ding]
[Successfully added Tamayo as a friend!]
[Friendship level: First Acquaintance]
[Reward obtained: Blood Demon Art, Bewitching Blood, Visual Dream Scent (Proficient)]
[Fuse skill now?]
[No]
A flicker of disappointment crossed Raiden's eyes. He had hoped for her most advanced technique, Bewitching Blood, Daydream Incense. Still, Visual Dream Scent was acceptable.
His gaze shifted to Yushiro, who stood protectively in front of Tamayo.
"And you?" Raiden asked. "Care to be friends as well?"
Yushiro felt Tamayo's hand tighten on his shoulder. After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
"…Yes."
[Ding]
[Successfully added Yushiro as a friend!]
[Friendship level: First Acquaintance]
[Reward obtained: Aptitude, Medium]
Raiden's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.
"Tch."
Medium aptitude. Utterly useless.
Yushiro stiffened as the faint sound of steel echoed in his ears.
So Tamayo agrees, and Raiden smiles like a saint. I agree, and he reaches for his sword?
Fine. So that's how this friendship works.
___
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