Buzz~
She sheathed the Engulfing Lightning and walked toward Tanjiro and the unconscious young man beside him. Lowering her gaze slightly, she examined their condition—aside from the cuts on their faces, there was nothing serious. The wounds looked like they had been there for a few days already.
"How is he?"
She motioned toward the unconscious youth with her eyes.
"Uh... still out cold. Probably just scared," Tanjiro replied, using a small towel to wipe the sweat from the man's forehead.
"I see... Carry him on your back, so he doesn't cause more trouble."
With that, she turned and began walking through the forest on her own.
"Yes, Miss!"
Tanjiro nodded instinctively, then hoisted the unconscious youth onto his back and hurried to follow her. Somehow, walking behind her made him feel completely safe—as if he had found shelter in a storm.
The Shogun noticed his footsteps following her but didn't stop him. She understood his intent. For ordinary people, moving in groups was far safer than walking alone.
"By the way, Miss Raiden... you're amazing!"
Tanjiro exclaimed with awe, still carrying the unconscious man. His eyes gleamed with admiration—the kind reserved for heroes and idols. She was breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly skilled in combat—a perfect being. A country boy like Tanjiro had never seen such a woman before.
"...Mm."
Her simple response left it unclear whether she was really listening.
"You're really incredible! Those techniques you used earlier... I could never learn something like that, not even in a lifetime!"
No, not even in two lifetimes.
Though that was what she thought inwardly, she replied with polite restraint.
"You flatter me."
Internally, she sighed. Was this what they called youthful enthusiasm?
"Um... excuse me, but... are you part of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Tanjiro finally asked the question that had been bothering him. With power like hers, she had to be connected to them somehow.
"...You could say that."
Soon enough, she probably would be.
The Shogun answered honestly as her steps continued forward, her eyes scanning the eerie forest ahead in search of a path out.
"..."
Tanjiro blinked, slightly dazed by her answer.
"What? Do I not look like one?"
She turned her head slightly, sensing his hesitation, and asked curiously.
"Ah, no, it's just... your weapon. When you fought earlier, you were using a naginata, right?"
Tanjiro scratched his head in confusion. From what he knew, all Demon Slayers used Nichirin Blades. Did they even make naginata versions?
"..."
The Shogun turned her eyes away, gazing toward the faint moonlight filtering through the trees. Then she sighed softly.
"Who ever said that killing demons must be done with a Nichirin Blade?"
"Eh?"
Tanjiro froze in confusion.
That was all she said. The rest, she left for him to ponder.
"But... my teacher said Nichirin Blades are the only weapons in the world that can kill demons!"
He protested quickly.
"The key words being... in this world."
She spoke nonchalantly.
"Huh?"
Tanjiro stopped in his tracks, staring blankly at her figure as she walked ahead. Then realization struck him—and his expression turned sorrowful.
No way... could it be... Miss Raiden is... already...?!
[He seems... to have misunderstood,] Ei's voice murmured.
'Let him think what he wants. I don't care,' the Shogun replied calmly.
After all, everything she said was technically true. She wasn't of this world.
[Haa...]
Ei sighed quietly within the Plane of Euthymia.
"Wait! Miss Raiden!"
Sure enough, the boy came running after her again.
"Aren't you supposed to be taking the final selection exam? Instead of following me around—"
"Ah, it's already the seventh day," Tanjiro explained quickly. "It'll be dawn soon. Once we make it through and find a way out, it'll be over."
[That's right... we're already six days late,] Ei remarked.
'That's only because you didn't want to leave the house,' the Shogun replied dryly.
[Unfair... you always blame me.]
'Am I wrong?'
[You share the blame! You always indulge me, don't you?]
Despite her words, Ei's voice carried a soft, playful smile.
'Heh... is that so? Then maybe next time, I'll just drag you out by force.'
[...Fine. Let's make a bet—you won't be able to stay firm.]
'I won't...'
She instinctively turned her gaze aside, her voice carrying a forced tone of defiance. Still, the faint blush on her face betrayed her guilt.
[We'll see about that, then.]
Ei's amused voice echoed gently within the Plane of Euthymia. She had heard that same line countless times before—and every time, her daughter yielded in the end. She could guarantee it. After all, they both knew the truth deep down.
As the two continued their quiet, playful exchange, the sky slowly brightened. A faint glow of gold began to rise over the distant mountain peaks, casting soft light through the once-gloomy forest.
Morning had come.
For Tanjiro, this marked the end of the most grueling seventh—and final—day of the selection. He had survived.
Before them stretched a path framed by wisteria blossoms, leading toward the back mountain. It was a safe road—the endpoint of the trial.
The Shogun stepped forward, reaching out to touch the delicate flowers. Their gentle fragrance filled her senses. A few colorful butterflies flitted through the air, dancing around her in the morning light.
"Nezuko is the prettiest!!"
Suddenly, Tanjiro shouted something absurd out of nowhere.
"??"
The Shogun turned to look at him, utterly perplexed, a small question mark practically floating above her head.
"Are you... ill?" she asked flatly, her tone sharp and dry.
"Ah, no, no... haha!" he laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. It was a habit—whenever he saw a beautiful woman, he blurted Nezuko's name to calm himself down.
"...Haa."
She sighed softly and chose to ignore the fool, turning away and walking toward the clearing ahead.
A golden glow bathed the open area—a single torii gate stood tall at its center, adorned with patterns of wisteria along its frame. A narrow stone path led through it.
Several people had arrived before them. Aside from the boy beside her, there were three others—two males and one female—all clearly survivors of the final selection. Out of more than twenty participants, these few were the only ones who made it. The rest... had either been eaten or lost within the forest.
Tanjiro walked forward slowly, looking at the other three. A quiet sadness flickered across his face. He knew all too well what these numbers meant.
The Shogun, however, paid little attention to the atmosphere. She approached with graceful, measured steps, her eyes sweeping across the survivors.
One was a fierce-looking boy with a pompadour hairstyle, wearing a dark haori and radiating rough energy. Another had yellow hair and a matching haori, his face filled with anxiety and fear. The last was a girl dressed in a long, cherry-colored miko-style outfit, her side ponytail swaying as she played gently with a butterfly perched on her finger. Even her hair ornament resembled butterfly wings—reminding the Shogun immediately of Shinobu's style.
Come to think of it... Shinobu had mentioned that her adopted child was participating in this year's selection. Could it be... this young lady?
"...?"
Kanao, who had been quietly watching the butterflies, suddenly sensed a gaze from afar. She turned her head slightly—and saw the purple-haired woman standing there.
"..."
Kanao gave a small nod in greeting, the corners of her mouth lifting in a faint, polite smile.
"?"
This time, it was the Shogun's turn to be puzzled.
Did she... know her? That gesture wasn't the kind one gave to a stranger. Could it be... Shinobu had told her about her beforehand?
Sigh... That woman really is...
The Shogun shook her head slightly.
"Welcome back." ×2
Tap, tap~ ×2
Just then, soft footsteps echoed ahead—two sets, perfectly synchronized, as if belonging to a single person.
Curious, the Shogun looked toward the torii gate. What had once been empty now held two kimono-clad girls, seemingly twins.
They stood side by side—one with white hair to the left, the other with black hair to the right. Both wore traditional blunt bangs, wisteria hair ornaments, and matching wisteria-patterned kimono. Their amethyst eyes calmly observed the few who had passed the final selection.
"First, congratulations to all of you..."
"For surviving the selection and returning safely."
The twins spoke alternately, each completing the other's sentence in perfect rhythm.
"And then? What happens next?!"
One of the rowdy boys spoke up impatiently, his tone laced with irritation.
"My sword—where's my sword?"
He growled in frustration. That was the whole reason he'd come—for the Nichirin Blade.
"First, we will distribute the uniforms to everyone..."
"And take your body measurements..."
"Then, your ranks will be inscribed accordingly."
"There are ten official ranks, arranged from high to low..."
"Rank Kō."
"Rank Otsu."
"Rank Hei."
"Rank Tei."
...
"And finally, Rank Ki."
"All of you currently belong to the lowest—Rank Ki."
All their words were directed at the four who had passed. Yet neither sister looked in the Shogun's direction even once. It was as if she were excluded—set apart from the others entirely.
"Tch... The sword!"
The boy still demanded angrily, making the Shogun glance at him with mild annoyance. Did he really think yelling would summon it faster?
"Today, everyone may choose the Tamahagane you wish to use for forging your blade..."
[The forging process will take at least ten to fifteen days to complete.]
"Che... what a pain."
The youth clicked his tongue impatiently—clearly not one for waiting.
"One more thing."
Clap, clap...
The white-haired girl clapped her hands softly.
Flutter...
From the sky, several crows descended, landing on everyone's shoulders—except the Shogun's.
[These are Kasugai Crows, used to deliver messages. They will accompany you and relay missions from headquarters in real time.]
"Wait—this isn't a crow, it's a sparrow!"
The blond boy exclaimed awkwardly, pointing at the tiny bird perched on his finger. But before he could say more—
"Get lost already!!"
"Eeeek!!!"
A sudden roar made him jump in terror!
The Shogun turned her head, visibly annoyed, to see the pompadour-haired youth losing his temper again.
Does this idiot ever stop?
Clatter!
The furious boy swatted the crow off his arm and stomped toward the twin girls, raising his hand as if to grab one of them by the hair.
Buzz~!
Before he could touch them, the Shogun merely lifted a hand. In less than a second, a faint violet lightning barrier shimmered around the girls—just in time for his hand to slap against it.
Zzzt!
"Ughhh!!"
A sharp current shot through his arm, forcing him to cry out and stumble backward. He stared at his hand—it was scorched black but still functional, though the pain was excruciating.
The Shogun had held back. The damage was superficial; he'd recover in a few days.
"!"
Tanjiro blinked, glancing toward her instinctively. The Shogun didn't even move afterward—her expression remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
"W-What just... happened?!"
The blond boy yelped, dropping to the ground in fright.
"Y-You... you damn—"
The pompadour youth glared murderously at the girl still surrounded by the faint, crackling shield, mistaking her as the one who'd attacked him.
"Such noise."
Tap, tap...
"?!"
Following that cool, elegant voice, a streak of violet light swept past the boy.
The Shogun walked calmly past him, raising her hand to withdraw the lightning barrier surrounding the twin girls. Throughout it all, the girls remained still and composed—silent as porcelain dolls.
"...It's you?!"
The furious boy glared at her.
Was that Thunder Breathing? No... it didn't seem like it. Then what was that power?
"Miss Raiden." ×2
As she approached, the twin sisters bowed to her in unison. They had already finished addressing the others—now it was time to speak to this special guest of their master.
"Thank you for saving us," said the white-haired sister softly.
"It's nothing. I intend to visit your headquarters. Which direction should I take?" the Shogun asked.
"Please head northwest," said the black-haired girl.
"Pass through the nearby town," added her sister.
"Then continue eastward..."
"Through Tokyo Prefecture—Asakusa City."
"Asakusa City?" the Shogun repeated curiously.
"Yes. It is the most prosperous district of Tokyo Prefecture, where you may rest for a time."
[After that, head northeast—toward Mount Natagumo.]
"There, someone will be waiting to meet you. Beyond that mountain lies the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Master awaits your arrival there."
"May your journey be safe." ×2
The two bowed together in perfect unison.
[That's quite the long trip…] Ei remarked.
'Think of it as part of our journey as travelers,' the Shogun replied calmly.
She could easily have flown there, but on second thought, she decided against it. There was a saying: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Walking there wasn't so bad—it counted as a kind of travel experience.
[You're awfully optimistic…] Ei teased.
'What's there to worry about? You're not the one doing the walking,' the Shogun replied flatly.
Even hitching a ride would probably earn a complaint... sigh. Was her mother becoming more and more of a recluse these days?
[Fine… I'll accompany you,] Ei finally relented. She couldn't just leave her daughter alone anyway—and really, who else would she accompany if not her?
Still… perhaps next time, someone else could watch over the Shogun for a while. After all, Inazuma was entering a new era, and Ei couldn't stay within the Plane of Euthymia forever. She had duties to attend to. If the Shogun wanted to wander the world again during that time, maybe… she could find someone else to keep her company.
But who?
Ayaka?
Yes, perhaps Ayaka would do. She trusted that girl—and her daughter always seemed at ease with her. The two had grown up together, after all. If Ayaka accompanied her, she'd feel reassured.
Hmm… perhaps something to consider for the future.
Ei stood within the Plane of Euthymia, resting her chin on her hand as she closed her eyes in thought.
'...What are you thinking about?'
The Shogun's voice echoed faintly through the Plane. She must have noticed Ei's silence and grown curious.
[I have a question for you, Shogun,] Ei said quietly, opening her eyes.
'What is it?'
Her daughter's tone carried mild curiosity.
[If… no one were to accompany you, and I told you to travel the world alone using Musou Isshin—would you go?]
Ei asked gently.
'...If I were alone, I wouldn't go.'
At least not now... maybe someday, when she had learned to be at peace with solitude.
[...I see.]
Ei smiled softly to herself—fond and maternal. As she thought, the Shogun was still young in spirit... still a child who needed someone by her side. It would take more time before she was ready to walk the world alone.
"?"
Outside, the Shogun tilted her head slightly. Why was Ei asking her such strange questions all of a sudden?
What was she plotting?
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