Early spring sunlight filtered through the eaves of the estate, scattering like fine snow across the courtyard. The air was beginning to warm.
A Kasugai crow delivered a letter.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat quietly, pale fingers brushing over the scroll.
"Two children have eliminated all the demons on Mount Fujikasane."
Amane poured tea beside him.
"That is hardly surprising. Miss Sui was praised by Shinjuro Rengoku as 'a once-in-a-generation talent.' With those Mystic Eyes of hers, the demons there wouldn't last a single exchange."
She paused slightly.
"I'm more curious about the other child. Was it Urokodaki's disciple, Kuroba? Or the new Thunder Breathing swordsman, Narumi?"
Then she thought of someone.
"…Or perhaps Shinazugawa?"
Kagaya smiled faintly.
"It was him."
"That boy, filled with rage and hatred… During this selection, he and Sui got along quite well."
"Thanks to them, many survived. And we've uncovered the truth."
"Do you remember Urokodaki's former disciples—Sabito and Makomo?"
"By his judgment, they should never have died during the selection."
"We suspected a stronger demon was hidden within Fujikasane. We even sent a Hashira to clear the mountain… but found nothing."
"It seems… our methods were insufficient."
Amane's expression changed.
"…So there was something?"
"Yes."
"A demon that had devoured over fifty humans."
"And another—"
"A Blood Demon Art user. A candidate for the Twelve Kizuki."
Amane stood abruptly.
"…How is that possible? The mountain is regularly cleared, and even Hashira conducted a thorough sweep years ago!"
Demons of that level—
Were impossible for candidates to handle.
Kagaya spoke calmly:
"There is a hidden cave behind the waterfall at the mountain's base. It connects to an underground river, bypassing the wisteria barrier."
"They hid there."
"They avoided every purge."
"And the Twelve Kizuki… already know about the Final Selection."
"They left that demon there to eliminate promising swordsmen."
Amane lowered her head.
"…So that is the truth."
"Thanks to Sui and Shinazugawa."
Kagaya continued:
"I will go to Fujikasane personally, to oversee the ceremony."
"And send word to Himejima. He will seal the underground passage."
"The selection site will be relocated."
"We'll leave behind an empty shell… for the demons to watch."
"…Understood."
Mount Fujikasane — Day 8, Morning
Mist drifted through the mountain, carrying the fading scent of wisteria.
A handful of surviving candidates gathered at the entrance.
"We lived… we actually lived!"
"There were barely any demons!"
"They were all killed!"
Arguments broke out immediately.
"I saw them! All the demons were moving toward one place!"
"Yeah! Something was attracting them!"
"…Hey. Look."
Footsteps approached.
And—
The smell of roasted meat.
Everyone swallowed.
"…Seriously? You can't even cook properly?"
A rough voice.
"I just don't like getting grease on my hands."
A calm reply.
A scarred boy stepped out.
Behind him—
A girl in a crimson haori.
Eyes closed.
Holding skewered meat.
The aroma alone made everyone's stomach growl.
Kuroba Chiyo, sitting in the corner, lit up with recognition.
"It's them…! They're the ones!"
"They killed all the demons!"
Some scoffed.
"They don't look like much."
"That girl? She probably can't even cut a demon's neck."
Sanemi looked over.
Silence fell instantly.
"…Big talk," another taller boy sneered.
"Clothes clean, no blood—maybe they just hid somewhere. And grilling meat? This isn't a playground."
Sanemi's hand moved toward his weapon.
His breathing sharpened.
Kuroba tried to speak—
No one listened.
Someone even shoved her.
Sui sighed softly.
Then—
She tossed her skewer into the air.
Everyone froze.
Confused.
Then—
She vanished.
The next moment—
She stood in front of the loudest one.
Smiling.
"—You—"
Thud.
The sheath struck his forehead.
A knee followed—
He flew.
Ten meters.
Into a tree.
Sui turned, catching the falling skewer perfectly.
Then helped Kuroba up.
She frowned slightly.
"…Ah. The oil's dripping."
Then, gently:
"Want some? I can hear your stomach."
Thunder Breathing users—
Had exceptional hearing.
Silence.
Total silence.
Not one of them had seen her move.
Not one.
And they all understood—
If she wanted—
They'd already be dead.
Then—
From beneath the torii gate—
A figure emerged.
Black uniform.
Golden glinting faintly.
"Welcome back."
The messenger's voice was calm.
As if none of this mattered.