The Shogun, still pinning the man beneath her, looked up when she saw Tanjiro running back, panting heavily. She was about to ask something—
"Everyone, move aside!!"
Unexpectedly, the police arrived at that moment. Their squad rushed in, only to see the strange scene before them…
"Get up, kid! Let him go!"
The leading officer grabbed Tanjiro by the collar, trying to pull him away just as he switched positions with the Shogun.
"No! Tie him up—get a rope or something!"
Tanjiro struggled violently.
"Stop resisting! I said let go!!"
The officer didn't listen and continued trying to drag him off.
"This guy's dangerous right now! We can't let go!"
Tanjiro gritted his teeth, pressing harder on the demon beneath him, who continued to thrash wildly.
The people surrounding them didn't move at all. It was as if they were frozen—or perhaps simply too used to watching chaos unfold before their eyes.
"Hey! You, girl—step aside!"
One of the officers spotted the Shogun crouching beside Tanjiro and moved toward her, reaching to grab her shoulder—but—
Smack!
She stepped sharply on his shoe. Her heel, wrapped in white silk stockings, pressed down on his toes.
"Ugh—ahhh!!"
The man cried out in pain, bending forward instantly.
The Shogun rose smoothly and kicked him in the shin, sending him crashing to the ground. She had held back—her instinct was to kick somewhere far more painful, but she thought better of it. After all, they were still police officers. It would not be appropriate. Best to restrain herself.
"Do not touch me."
Her voice was cold and sharp.
"You—!!"
"What's your problem, woman?!"
"You're attacking a cop?!"
"Assaulting an officer, huh?!"
Click! × N
The remaining officers, seeing their comrade fall, instantly drew their batons and aimed them at her, ready to strike. Their focus was entirely on the Shogun now, Tanjiro completely forgotten.
"Miss Raiden!"
Tanjiro shouted anxiously.
"He attacked me first. I should be the one asking what you intend to do."
As she spoke, her hand beneath her sleeve shifted into position, fingers curling into the form to summon the Engulfing Lightning—but—
The next instant—
"Blood Demon Art: Fragrant Illusion of Dream."
A clear, ethereal woman's voice drifted through the air, soft as flowing water, gentle and mesmerizing.
Whoosh~!
A wave of sweet fragrance swept through the area, followed by shimmering, colorful petals of light appearing around them. The petals floated like ribbons through the air, wrapping around the officers and blocking everyone's vision.
"?"
The Shogun blinked in confusion—
Tap...
A soft hand touched the back of hers beneath her sleeve, stopping her from drawing her blade.
"No need to startle the snake."
The same voice whispered close to her ear. A woman in a black under-robe patterned with red flowers walked gracefully past her.
Her hair was pinned elegantly with a decorative hairpiece—a beautiful woman, clearly of refined taste.
"What is this?!"
"I can't see!"
"Ow!! Who hit me with a baton?!"
"Who's grabbing me?!"
"Are we being attacked?!"
The police officers appeared dazed by the flower's effect, trapped in some kind of illusion—not deadly, but enough to obscure their senses, a kind of visual deception.
The illusionary field enclosed them, cutting off the outside world. Civilians and police alike vanished from sight, leaving only a few of them inside the barrier.
"...!"
Tanjiro turned sharply toward the unfamiliar woman, instinctively on guard, though he still kept one hand pressing down on the demon beneath him.
"Even after he became a 'demon,' you still called him a 'person.' You even want to help him."
The woman looked at Tanjiro as she spoke, her tone gentle.
"Then allow me to lend you a hand."
With that, the wound on her forearm slowly began to close.
"..."
The Shogun's gaze shifted to the wound—it looked like scratch marks. Did she do that to herself?
"That scent… who are you?"
Tanjiro asked cautiously. The woman's scent—she was a demon?
"Yes. I am both a demon and a doctor."
The woman admitted plainly, as if reading his thoughts.
A doctor?
The Shogun was quietly puzzled... could a demon really be a doctor? Did she heal herself?
"My purpose," the woman said softly, "is to kill that man... Muzan Kibutsuji."
"!"
Tanjiro's eyes widened in shock.
The woman didn't meet his gaze again. Instead, she turned to the Shogun and gave a polite bow.
"Someone will come to retrieve you shortly. Please wait for a while. I know you both have many questions. When the time comes, we can introduce ourselves properly."
"Oh, and... leave this man to us for now. I'll treat him."
"Ah..."
Tanjiro hesitated, then finally eased his grip. The woman placed her hand on the demon's forehead, using her power to lull him into unconsciousness. Then, a silver-haired boy beside her stepped forward to carry the man on his back.
Before the Shogun could say anything, the woman waved her hand—
Vmm~!
In an instant, the barrier vanished. The bustling cityscape dissolved, replaced by a quiet residential street—the same place where Tanjiro had bought udon earlier. The city they'd been in was now far behind them.
Spatial teleportation?
No... it didn't seem like such a dramatic ability. Perhaps illusionary magic? A shifting of perception through hypnosis?
The Shogun's violet eyes scanned the surroundings thoughtfully, analyzing the woman's mysterious power.
"Phew... so, Miss Raiden, what brought you to Asakusa City?"
Tanjiro finally found a moment to speak.
"For a similar reason as yours."
The Shogun replied calmly, glancing at him.
"Huh? My reason... you mean to reach the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters?"
"Exactly."
She nodded.
"That's great! That means we'll be traveling together, right?!"
Tanjiro's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I suppose so... but if you become too noisy, I'll leave you halfway."
The Shogun sighed lightly, half-teasing.
"Understood! I promise I'll behave!"
Tanjiro replied eagerly—after all, this was a chance to travel with his idol! Such an experience was priceless.
[...]
From within, Ei fell silent, staring at the boy speechlessly.
Could this boy be trying to flirt with my daughter? That won't do... I'd better keep an eye on him. No wild boars should be allowed near my white radish.
"Who is she?"
The Shogun asked, noticing the girl still sitting on the chair nearby—Nezuko, chewing on a bamboo muzzle, fast asleep.
"Ah... that's Nezuko, my sister."
Tanjiro introduced her proudly.
"The sister you mentioned before?"
"Yes! That's Nezuko. Pretty, isn't she?"
He asked with a grin.
"She's... quite lovely."
The Shogun replied diplomatically, though she meant it sincerely. The girl was indeed beautiful—or perhaps adorably delicate was the better word.
"Hehe..."
Tanjiro rubbed his cheek awkwardly, as if embarrassed by his own pride.
[Too bad... she's not as lovely as you.]
Ei's teasing voice slipped in mischievously.
'Ei... it's better to go along with the conversation sometimes,' the Shogun replied inwardly, mildly exasperated.
[But it's true—she's not as lovely as you.]
Ei insisted stubbornly, with zero sign of remorse.
'...'
The Shogun fell silent.
[Alright, alright, I'll stop.]
Ei finally relented, noticing her daughter's expression.
'Thank you...'
[Hm?]
'Just now... you called me lovely, didn't you? Thank you—for the compliment. It's all thanks to you.'
The Shogun looked up at the sky, her face tinged with a faint blush as she said it softly.
[Pfft... you're welcome~]
Ei's voice answered with gentle laughter, filled with warmth and affection.
"Listen up, you brat!!" the bald shop owner bellowed, leaning in so close that his spittle hit Tanjiro's face. "There's one thing in this world I care least about—and that's money!!"
"But!!"
He suddenly shouted again, his face twitching with veins as he glared at the stunned Tanjiro. "You didn't eat my udon, did you?! Huh?!"
His face reddened, muscles bulging, as if he might tear the boy apart any second.
"Uh... I—I'm sorry... It was an emergency at the time—"
"'Emergency,' huh?! That's no excuse! Wasting food is not an excuse!!"
The man roared again before Tanjiro could finish.
"O-Okay, I'm sorry!!"
Tanjiro flinched, shutting his eyes tightly and bowing his head in panic.
"Sorry isn't enough!!"
The shop owner refused to let up.
"I... I'll buy another bowl! Please make me one more!"
Tanjiro straightened up, gathering his courage to speak sincerely.
"Oh? You really want to eat again?"
The boss narrowed his eyes.
"Yes!!"
Tanjiro stood at attention and even saluted, looking utterly ridiculous.
"You sure about that?!"
"I'm sure!!"
"Alright then! Two bowls! Both of you are eating!"
He jabbed a finger toward Nezuko, who was sitting nearby.
"?"
Nezuko tilted her head, confused, looking up with wide innocent eyes.
"What are you staring at? You're eating too! Take that bamboo off!"
The boss reached forward, but—
"Uh!! I'll eat for her! I'll eat two bowls!"
Tanjiro quickly stepped in front of his sister, grabbing the man's arm and shouting desperately.
"Ha! Now that's a man! Fine, I'll make them for you! You'd better finish every drop!"
With that, the boss stomped back to his stall, still muttering angrily as he started cooking again—occasionally glancing back at Tanjiro, as if afraid the boy might escape.
"Phew..."
The Shogun, leaning against the wall nearby, couldn't help but sigh softly.
What kind of farce was this?
[This shopkeeper's rather amusing.]
Ei's voice teased playfully from within.
'Is that so... would you like a bowl too?'
[No thanks. I'm full—I just ate.]
Ei replied lightly.
Funny enough, both she and Tanjiro had eaten ramen recently, though in very different settings—hers in a shop, his from a food cart.
'Didn't expect him to catch up this quickly,' the Shogun mused. They had left a full day earlier, after all.
[The timing's about the same. We did stay overnight at that girl's place, remember?]
'So he didn't even rest... came straight through the towns,' she thought. 'Seems we'll be traveling together from now on. It'll be easier that way—especially if he has one of those crows to guide him to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.'
[Shogun...]
'Hm?'
[Someone's watching.]
At Ei's warning, the Shogun instantly sensed it—a pale boy in white hiding halfway behind a tree. His presence was faint, his eyes dull. She could feel it—he was a demon, observing them quietly from the shadows.
He must be that woman's subordinate.
'...I see him,' she murmured.
With calm, deliberate steps, she approached the tree and stopped before him.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The lady ordered me to bring you to her. Oh, and... him too."
His tone turned disdainful as his eyes flicked toward Tanjiro, who was currently wolfing down noodles.
"?"
Tanjiro must have sensed the gaze, because he looked up mid-bite—and recognized the boy from before. Startled, he began to eat faster, shoveling noodles into his mouth until both bowls were empty.
"All done! Thank you, sir!"
He shouted, bowing quickly before grabbing Nezuko's hand and running toward the others.
"Go on then!"
The boss waved after him with a grin and a thumbs-up, not caring one bit about payment.
"Done eating? Try not to choke."
The silver-haired boy glanced at Tanjiro as he ran over, his tone sharp and mocking. "What, you're done already?"
"Ah... I've got a big appetite! Haha..." Tanjiro laughed awkwardly, scratching his head as if he hadn't caught the sarcasm.
"Hmph... let's go." The boy said curtly, turning away without another word.
"Wait—where are we going?" Tanjiro asked quickly.
"Are you stupid? To the lady's residence, of course." The boy replied with obvious impatience.
That lady...
"I could've just followed her scent, you know," Tanjiro said, trying to sound helpful.
"She's hidden her place with an illusion spell. You'd never find it," the boy snapped, starting to walk again.
The Shogun watched his back with a quiet sigh.
'He's so cocky...' she complained inwardly.
[Pfft... understandable. Youth often brings arrogance.] Ei's amused voice whispered in her mind.
'Let's hope that's all it is,' the Shogun replied, following after him.
"Uh..." Tanjiro hurried to catch up, pulling Nezuko along by the hand.
"...Your sister."
As they walked, the Shogun glanced sideways at Nezuko, studying her features with faint curiosity.
"Hm? What about my sister?" Tanjiro asked.
"...She's a demon?" The Shogun finally voiced the question that had lingered since she first saw the girl.
"Ah... yes, but please don't worry! Nezuko may be a demon, but she doesn't harm people—I swear it! I'll stake my life on that!"
Tanjiro immediately moved in front of his sister protectively, his expression serious.
"There's no need to be so tense," the Shogun said softly, seeing through his thoughts. "I was merely curious."
She sighed lightly. She didn't particularly care about such things. And she understood why he traveled with her—because she was family. It was that simple.
"Yes... I understand. My reaction was instinctive. Please forgive me." Tanjiro bowed his head, embarrassed, scratching his cheek as he explained. His respect for Raiden Shogun grew even deeper—her composure and empathy impressed him more than ever.
Of course, the Shogun had no idea what was going through his mind.
"If you continue to act this way... you may draw unwanted attention." She warned calmly.
"Eh? What do you mean, Miss Raiden?" Tanjiro asked, puzzled.
"You intend to join the Demon Slayer Corps, correct?" She looked at him evenly.
"Yes," he nodded firmly.
"One of my acquaintances told me—the Corps and demons are mortal enemies. They destroy any demon they find, without exception."
"!!"
Tanjiro's face drained of color at her words. His grip on Nezuko's hand tightened as his expression hardened. He remembered the man he had met near his home—the one who had tried to kill Nezuko. That man's intent had been unmistakable. Even Tanjiro's desperate pleas hadn't stopped him.
"So... if you insist on joining them, you should be prepared," the Shogun said gently. "Be ready for the possibility that your sister may not be accepted... or worse."