『Shinobu Kochō』: "And that's exactly why everyone dislikes you."
Standing not far away, Shinobu spoke with her usual calm smile.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Giyu, please step aside."
『Giyu Tomioka』: "I… am not disliked."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "???"
Tanjiro stared in disbelief.
Even Carl, who had been quietly observing, found the scene rather amusing.
Originally, Carl had planned to leave once the mission was complete. But he soon sensed someone approaching — Giyu Tomioka.
Thinking back to the Demon Slayer storyline, Carl recalled the events following Mount Natagumo. After that battle, Tanjiro and the others were taken to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters for judgment — the so-called Pillar Meeting.
Since Tanjiro was traveling with Nezuko, a demon, many of the Pillars demanded her execution.
In the end, only the intervention of the Corps' Master saved them.
Carl remembered that confrontation vividly — the arrogance, the hypocrisy. It had always irked him.
That was why he decided to stay. He wanted to see if the Pillars here would act the same as in his memory.
If they really did, well… watching people dig their own graves could be quite entertaining.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Ah, is that so?"
She smiled politely.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "You didn't realize people dislike you? My, how rude of me."
!!!
Giyu's expression changed ever so slightly.
Tanjiro, meanwhile, looked utterly speechless.
Then Shinobu turned toward him, her tone light but commanding.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Little boy."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Yes!"
『Shinobu Kochō』: "The one in your arms is a demon. That's dangerous. Please step away from her."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "N-No, it's not like that—uh, well… I mean, you're not wrong."
He scratched his head, flustered.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "She's my sister. My sister was turned into a demon, so—"
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Ah? I see. How pitiful."
Her voice remained soft, her face gentle, but her words froze Tanjiro in place.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Then I'll put her out of her misery with a gentle poison. She won't feel a thing."
!!
Tanjiro's mind blanked.
She said it so kindly—yet what she proposed was horrifying.
At that moment, Giyu spoke in a low voice.
『Giyu Tomioka』: "You don't seem injured. Take your sister and run."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Thank you!"
Without hesitation, Tanjiro grabbed Nezuko's hand and fled.
He knew full well that traveling with a demon violated Corps regulations.
Not everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps could accept Nezuko, no matter who she once was.
And so, he ran.
Carl watched them go, exhaling softly.
『Carl』: "They didn't really need to run… I'm right here."
Still, since they'd already bolted, he saw no reason to interfere.
『Carl』: "Fine. I'll just enjoy the show."
If any of the Demon Slayers truly tried to harm them—
well, that would only mean someone had a death wish.
Shinobu watched them flee, her eyes narrowing in amusement.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "That's against Corps regulations, you know?"
She hadn't expected Giyu, of all people — the quiet, aloof Water Hashira — to break the rules for a demon.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Never thought I'd see a Pillar defending a demon."
Giyu said nothing. His silence was almost stoic, as always.
He rarely bothered to explain himself. If he saw no need to, he simply didn't.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Well, if you're truly intent on protecting them, then I won't waste time arguing."
Her tone softened again, though her words carried a hidden edge.
『Shinobu Kochō』: "Goodbye, then. Take care of yourself."
With that, she leapt gracefully into the trees and vanished from sight.
Giyu watched her leave, then turned and followed in the same direction.
Meanwhile, Tanjiro was still running through the forest, worry etched on his face.
『Tanjiro Kamado』 (thinking): Will they expel me from the Corps?
Even if Nezuko's my sister… I'm still traveling with a demon.
They'll never accept that.
Suddenly, he froze.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Someone's coming!"
He caught a familiar scent and quickly pulled Nezuko aside.
A figure dropped down from above.
A girl — wearing a white haori and butterfly hairpin.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: (gasping) "Her… I saw her during Final Selection!"
It was Kanao Tsuyuri.
Tanjiro didn't know her personally, but he remembered her calm, unreadable face.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Wait, I—"
Before he could finish, Kanao lunged forward, silent and precise.
She didn't even draw her blade, yet her movements were so fast that Tanjiro and Nezuko were instantly overwhelmed.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: (thinking) She's… so strong!
He and Nezuko couldn't keep up at all. Kanao's breathing was steady—constant. She was using Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, maintaining peak combat state every moment.
She kicked toward Tanjiro with blinding speed.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Tch—no time to dodge!"
Just as the blow was about to land—
『Carl』: "You've run quite far, haven't you?"
The voice came casually, almost amused.
Tanjiro blinked in confusion—then spotted Carl sitting nearby, munching on potato chips.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "???"
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Mr. Carl… where did you even get food from?"
『Carl』: "Hmm." crunch
『Carl』: "Don't worry. She can't move anymore."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Huh?"
He looked toward Kanao—and froze.
She was lying on the ground, unconscious, but breathing steadily.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Mr. Carl! She's not a bad person! We just had a misunderstanding—please don't kill her!"
Carl waved a hand lazily.
『Carl』: "Relax. She's just asleep. I didn't hurt her."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Ah… thank goodness."
He knelt down to check, confirming her pulse and breath. She really was fine.
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "That's a relief…"
Carl smiled faintly, amused by Tanjiro's earnestness.
『Carl』: "So, what's your plan now? The Demon Slayer Corps already knows about your sister. What will you do next?"
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "I… I guess we'll have to leave this place first."
『Carl』: "Alright then." He stood up, brushing off his hands.
『Carl』: "I'm not busy anyway. I'll tag along for a bit."
『Tanjiro Kamado』: "Really?! Thank you so much, Mr. Carl!"