It was the Taishō period—a time when, as the sun set, legends spoke of demons prowling the night, devouring humans and spreading fear. Yet there were also those who hunted them: the Demon Slayers, warriors who risked their lives to protect mankind.
This place was known as Mount Fujikasane. True to its name, the mountain's slopes were adorned year-round with wisteria blossoms—flowers that all demons despised. The entire mountainside shimmered in a dreamlike hue of violet, as though dressed in a robe of ethereal beauty.
Though Mount Fujikasane looked breathtakingly serene, it was in truth a dangerous place. The mountain was used to confine captured demons—those subdued alive by Demon Slayer swordsmen. Guarded by the wisteria's natural barrier, it was like a living prison. It was said that this place served as the final test for those who wished to join the Demon Slayer Corps: to be thrown into this mountain and survive seven days within.
Halfway up the mountain, nestled beside a small path, stood a modest little shop. The house sat directly under the densest canopy of wisteria, making it impossible to miss for anyone passing by—though in truth, few ever did. Its signboard read elegantly: "Narukami Cottage." Nothing else was written, as if the owner cared little whether customers came or not.
The interior of the cottage was simple—a single bedroom and a living room that doubled as a small storefront. The counter was lined with various medicinal herbs illuminated by the soft yellow light of an oil lamp. The abundance of wisteria outside bathed the room in a faint lavender glow, serene and otherworldly.
"Haa… so many things to pack this time."
The quiet was broken only by the occasional rustle of paper bags. The soft voice belonged to a petite young woman with black hair fading into wisteria-purple at the tips. She wore the black uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps, covered by a haori patterned with butterfly wings.
Her violet eyes gazed leisurely at the rows of herbs before her, selecting each ingredient with practiced care and placing them neatly into paper bags.
"Sometimes, picking herbs is more complicated than slaying demons."
She murmured softly, unsure whether she was speaking to herself or to the woman sitting nearby.
Tap, tap…
Moving to the other counter, she searched around before calling out toward the other woman.
"Miss Raiden, where did you put the fennel?"
She glanced around again—nothing.
"..."
No reply.
Puzzled, she looked toward the other woman across the room.
Seated by the window on a tatami mat was a graceful figure in a white and lavender kimono. Her long, cascading violet hair flowed down her shoulders and back, adorned with a delicate folding fan ornament. Her violet eyes, matching the hue of the wisteria outside, stared dreamily at the blossoms swaying in the breeze.
"Are you daydreaming again~? Miss Raiden~?"
As she spoke, a playful breath brushed against Raiden's ear.
"!"
Raiden flinched slightly, her fair neck trembling as she turned her head slowly to face the small Insect Hashira beside her—Shinobu Kocho, who was leaning close with a teasing smile.
"..." ×2
Two pairs of violet eyes met—one calm and serene, the other mischievously gleaming. A silent understanding passed between them.
Shinobu's smile deepened with mischief. She leaned in even closer, her face approaching Raiden's cheek—though she didn't actually intend to kiss her.
Raiden's composure faltered for a moment. She instinctively leaned back, raising a delicate hand to cover her face, her movement filled with gentle, feminine grace.
"Please… don't do that."
Her soft voice was meant as a refusal, but the shy tone and her flushed expression only made her seem all the more alluring.
"Hehe~ still the same as ever, Miss Raiden."
Shinobu straightened up again, laughing lightly as she decided not to tease further.
"…Are you done gathering everything?"
The Shogun turned her head back toward Shinobu.
"Not yet. I was going to ask where the fennel was, but you were lost in thought."
Shinobu sat down beside her on the tatami, watching her with a fond smile.
"Fennel? It's… in the drawer beneath the licorice."
The Shogun thought for a moment before gesturing deftly toward the herb cabinet to indicate the location.
"Got it. But… you're always sitting here daydreaming. What's so fascinating out there~? Other than the wisteria, I don't see much."
Mimicking the Shogun's posture, Shinobu turned to look outside. Indeed, aside from the endless sea of purple, there was nothing else.
"Nothing special… just a habit," the Shogun replied softly, brushing a few strands of her long hair from her shoulder.
In this world, there wasn't much for her to do—life was peaceful enough. Unless hunting demons counted as work, she was… rather free.
Watching her play idly with her hair, Shinobu smiled faintly, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small butterfly-shaped hair ornament, placing it gently in the Shogun's hand.
"…What is this?"
The Shogun blinked, puzzled.
"Something I made in my spare time. It's for you."
Shinobu said it with a proud little grin.
"A hair ornament?"
"Yes. Try it on! Should I help you put it on~?"
"…No need~"
The Shogun squinted slightly, almost pouting, before deftly attaching it to her hair herself. It complemented the fan-shaped accessory she already wore perfectly.
"Hehe~ Miss Raiden, you're just like a child sometimes."
Shinobu chuckled softly, rising to her feet in one smooth, graceful motion without using her hands—like a butterfly taking flight. She teased lightly as she did so.
"…You've said that more times than I can count," the Shogun replied casually, adjusting the new accessory.
"Have I? I don't recall."
Shinobu answered smoothly, feigning innocence as she walked to the cabinet and rummaged where the Shogun had indicated.
Sure enough—it was there. She smiled to herself, placing the fennel in a paper bag, along with a few pieces of licorice. As an apothecary, her precision and skill in selecting ingredients were impeccable.
"Miss Raiden…"
"Call me 'Shogun.'"
The Shogun sighed softly, reminding her yet again.
She'd told her many times already, yet Shinobu insisted on calling her "Miss Raiden." It always sounded… awkward.
"…Shogun… Miss?"
Shinobu held back a laugh as she said it.
…Even worse.
"'Miss' is unnecessary."
The Shogun gave her a look.
"Then… maybe 'Miss Raiden' is better?"
Shinobu went right back to her old habit, leaving the Shogun momentarily speechless.
"In that case… should I call you 'Butterfly,' then?"
The Shogun countered with mild mischief, her tone lightly teasing.
"Nope~ Miss Raiden should call me 'Shinobu,' okay~?"
Shinobu replied playfully, smiling as if daring her.
"Why? If you won't address me properly, then I—"
"Hehe~ ahh… you really are a little childish sometimes, Shogun."
Shinobu laughed softly, clearly amused by her flustered reaction. In the end, she relented and used "Shogun" again—as if teasing her had been her goal all along.
"…You think I'm that easy to tease, don't you?"
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly, feigning irritation.
"Pfft… well, aren't you~? Because you're just that cute, Shogun~"
Shinobu had absolutely no intention of denying it.
"…Haa… fine, have it your way."
The Shogun exhaled lightly, deciding it wasn't worth arguing. This woman's personality was one she still hadn't learned how to handle.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you."
Shinobu chuckled softly, trying to soothe her.
"..."
But the Shogun didn't answer—she seemed to drift off again, lost in thought.
"Shogun…"
Placing the neatly packed herbs onto the shelf, Shinobu's tone suddenly turned serious as she called to her.
"?"
The Shogun looked up at her.
"Would you… like to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Her gaze was calm and steady, her expression far gentler but more serious than usual.
"…The Demon Slayer Corps? That's the organization you belong to, isn't it?"
The Shogun had heard of it before.
She had known Shinobu for some time now, and she was well aware of her identity. Shinobu was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps—but beyond that, the Shogun didn't know much. From the name alone, it was obvious what they did: they hunted demons.
But even so… would joining make any difference for her? After all, she could already slay demons on her own.
"Not bad, you're getting the hang of this~."
Shinobu smiled faintly at the Shogun's question, teasing her lightly.
"Just hearing the name 'Demon Slayer Corps' tells me it's for slaying demons. What's so complicated about that?"
The Shogun replied flatly, unimpressed.
"Well, yes… the name is simple enough for anyone to understand. People tend to hold a rather shallow impression of us. But this corps… is built upon the blood of countless fallen warriors."
Shinobu's gaze drifted toward the wisteria blossoms outside. Her tone carried a quiet melancholy—as though recalling sorrowful memories. In truth, within the Corps, such memories were commonplace. Every member had experienced loss, and that was precisely why their hatred toward demons ran so deep.
"After all, you're facing grotesque monsters with nothing but mortal flesh. Sacrifices… are inevitable."
The Shogun said it plainly, her tone calm yet understanding.
"..."
Shinobu turned her eyes back toward her, silently meeting her gaze.
"Did I… say something wrong?"
Seeing her companion's silence, the Shogun tilted her head slightly, unsure.
"Pfft… no. I'm just surprised—you summed up the Demon Slayer Corps perfectly. Yes… we fight demons with our own bodies, despite their near-immortal regeneration."
Shinobu smiled softly, her expression sincere. Then she walked back to the cabinet, continuing to sort through her prepared herbs. Her sword lay casually beside the Shogun on the tatami mat, as if she trusted her completely.
The Shogun, curious, picked up Shinobu's sword and weighed it in her hand. It was incredibly light—too light for a katana.
Shing~
She drew it from its sheath, revealing the strange violet-patterned blade that rippled like flowing water. It looked nothing like any ordinary weapon.
"Careful not to touch the edge."
Shinobu warned casually without looking up.
"Why?"
The Shogun withdrew her hand slightly, puzzled.
"…It's poisoned."
Shinobu lifted her eyes briefly as she replied matter-of-factly.
"You coated it yourself?"
"Of course."
The Shogun studied the weapon more closely. Unlike a typical katana, its blade was long and slender—almost like a silver needle—with a slightly hooked tip. It was clearly customized. The guard resembled a four-leaf clover, the hilt was mint green, and the sheath gleamed silver-white.
She turned the blade to examine the engravings upon it: one side read 'Evil Demon', and the other 'Extermination.'
"You called this a 'Nichirin Blade,' didn't you?"
"Yes. A sword capable of truly killing demons. Every member of the Demon Slayer Corps wields one—their core forged to resonate with their unique Breathing Style."
'Breathing'—that was what this world called their combat arts. In a way, it was similar to elemental energy in Teyvat, divided into various styles and attributes. The concept fascinated her.
"Yours would be… 'Poison Breathing,' correct?" the Shogun asked curiously.
"It's Insect Breathing~ I've told you that so many times, and you still can't remember~."
Shinobu gave her a side glance, half resigned, half amused. It was an expression she showed only when she was with her.
She had developed her fighting style because her small frame made it difficult to decapitate demons by force. Poison was her answer—it compensated for her lack of raw strength. Though she had struggled with it at first, she had since mastered it, coming to view poison as her greatest weapon.
Whoosh, whoosh~!
The Shogun swung Shinobu's blade through the air a few times, testing it. The strikes were light—unsatisfyingly so. With no true edge, the weapon was meant for stabbing and hooking, not cutting. She could feel the resistance of the air itself, the balance dependent entirely on her own arm strength rather than the sword's weight. Most intriguing of all—the poison didn't scatter from the blade. Solidified poison? she wondered.
Click!
She smoothly resheathed the weapon and placed it carefully back where it belonged.
"By the way… earlier, you asked me to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
The Shogun brought the conversation back on track. She couldn't recall when it had drifted off—and Shinobu hadn't mentioned it again until now.
"Mm~ so? Will you join?"
Shinobu asked casually, as though she'd never forgotten, her tone calm and playful.
"Why invite me?"
The Shogun tilted her head. Was the Corps really so short on manpower that they were recruiting anyone with a sword?
"…The Master admires you greatly," Shinobu replied with a small smile. "He said that if you were to join, the strength of the Demon Slayer Corps would grow tremendously. Since I already know you, he asked me to be the one to persuade you."
Shinobu spoke while continuing her work, her tone casual.
"…And what do you think?"
The Shogun asked, curious to hear her opinion.
"I think he's right," Shinobu said, smiling faintly. "With your strength, you wouldn't need any kind of selection process. We currently have nine Hashira, and one position—Thunder Pillar—is vacant. If you were to join, you could assume that title immediately."
After all, the woman before her didn't even need a Breathing Style to fight. Her strength far surpassed that of any mere Thunder Breathing user. Shinobu could understand her Master's reasoning perfectly. As he had put it—a talent this rare should never be left idle.
"Honestly… I also want you to join."
She decided to admit her personal thoughts openly.
"?"
The Shogun turned to her.
"I just don't like the idea of you living out here alone in this remote area," Shinobu said softly. "Even knowing your power, I still can't help but worry. Fujikasane Mountain is rarely visited by anyone. Occasionally, a few candidates for the Demon Slayer selection pass by for their trial—but otherwise, there's nothing here. No people, only demons."
"You live alone in this small shop, barely earning anything. Wouldn't it be better to come back with me? The members of the Corps all have their quirks, sure, but… at least under my watch, I can look after you properly. Wouldn't that be more meaningful than this quiet life?"
Listening to Shinobu's gentle reasoning, the Shogun felt a strange mixture of amusement and exasperation. Why does she sound like she's talking to a child again? The tone was almost… maternal. Did she really seem that untrustworthy? Even people in another world treated her the same way?!
"You're treating me like a child again…" she muttered with mild irritation.
"If that bothers you, I apologize… but I mean it sincerely, you know?" Shinobu replied warmly, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
"I don't care about business," the Shogun said. "I just find this peace… comfortable."
"The Corps is peaceful too, you know. When there's no demon-hunting mission, some of the others practically go stir-crazy from boredom."
Shinobu sighed softly, thinking of certain eccentric members who constantly gave her headaches.
"..."
The Shogun fell silent for a moment, then spoke again.
"What about the Corps' rules—?"
"No need to change uniforms, no bowing to the Master, no kneeling etiquette, and you'll be treated as his equal rather than a subordinate. Does that sound fair~?"
Shinobu interrupted her effortlessly, reciting the very conditions the Shogun had brought up before.
"He agreed to that?" The Shogun asked, slightly surprised.
"Mhm~ he's not a rigid man. You're a special case, so you'll be treated specially. That's what he said—it's more of a partnership than command."
"You understand that I—"
"I know, I know~ as long as the position of a Hashira remains unclaimed by another, even if you're away for years, the title stays yours. So even if you leave, the Thunder Pillar seat won't be reassigned. You'll just hold the title in name, simple as that."
Shinobu's explanation was tactful but thorough, addressing the Shogun's unspoken concerns perfectly. She knew who the Shogun truly was—and where she came from—so of course, she had prepared answers for everything.
"…I'll think about it," the Shogun finally said after a pause.
"Mm… I'll be waiting for your answer."
Click…
Stretching her arms with a satisfied smile, Shinobu looked quite pleased with herself. She packed up a large bundle of herbs into her satchel, slung it over her shoulder, and picked up her sword, ready to leave.
"…You're heading out?"
The Shogun stood, revealing her legs wrapped in pure white stockings as she slid her feet gracefully into her sandals by the entrance, preparing to see her off.
"Mhm. Oh, right—there's going to be a Final Selection for the Demon Slayer Corps soon. Some new recruits might pass through here. Take this."
Before leaving, Shinobu handed her a small wooden box filled with medical supplies.
"If any of them stop by, share some of these medicines with them. If they don't, that's fine too."
It was a quiet test—rewards for those observant enough to notice her little shop.
"Understood."
The Shogun accepted the box with a nod.
"Mm. Once you've decided, just use the communication talisman I gave you. The Master will send someone to escort you."
Standing by the doorway, Shinobu turned to explain the details clearly.
"No need. I'll visit personally when the time comes."
The Shogun shook her head gently. She preferred not to cause a commotion. Traveling alone suited her better—it was her nature as a wanderer, after all. Experiencing this world herself was part of the journey.
"Alright then… if you head east, you'll find the Corps' headquarters. You might encounter some new recruits on the way—feel free to travel with them."
Shinobu gestured in the direction before waving lightly, preparing to leap up into the trees.
"Shinobu… be careful on the road."
The Shogun called out softly, her tone warm.
"Hehe… you too~."
Standing on a branch, Shinobu looked back down at her with a gentle smile before vanishing into the forest in a blur of motion.
Whoosh!
The sound faded, and the woods grew quiet once more.
[Shogun…]
"Hmm?"
[I'm hungry…]
The familiar voice of Ei echoed faintly in her mind, muffled yet adorably plaintive.
"..."
Right… solitude was one thing—but this one still needed her attention. Haa.
Click!
Sliding the door shut, she sighed softly, slipped off her sandals, and padded across the tatami toward the kitchen.