"Tomioka, that box looks a little suspicious," Shinobu Kocho said lightly, pointing at the wooden box on Tanjiro's back, her smile gentle as ever.
Giyu Tomioka and Tanjiro both looked toward the box.
Tanjiro was about to explain, but before he could speak, a faint sensation drifted into his nose.
Killing intent.
It was subtle, wrapped in warmth and kindness, yet unmistakably sharp.
It was coming from the Insect Hashira herself.
She wants to kill Nezuko.
By the time Tanjiro fully understood what Nezuko's existence meant to the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinobu had already stepped closer. With a soft smile, she raised her pink Nichirin blade and slashed toward the box.
Clang.
A water-blue blade intercepted her strike.
Shinobu lifted her gaze, her smile unchanged, though the cold in her eyes deepened.
"Tomioka, you know what is inside that box, don't you?"
Giyu did not answer. He blocked her blade with one hand and, with the other, seized the strap of the box and threw it toward Tanjiro.
Shinobu watched silently, the edge of her blade gleaming.
Tomiyoka Giyu was shielding a demon.
The same man who despised demons more than anyone.
Every Hashira had lost something to demons. Sympathy never stayed their hands. Once a demon was identified, it was killed, without exception.
So why was he stopping her?
She withdrew her blade, suppressing her doubts. Her target was the demon, not a fellow Hashira.
But the moment she moved to pursue Tanjiro, Giyu stepped in front of her again.
"Please step aside, Tomioka," Shinobu said calmly. "And you, young man, you are protecting a demon. That violates Corps rules."
"That's not true," Tanjiro said hurriedly. "She's my little sister. She won't hurt anyone."
Shinobu covered her mouth, her expression filled with pity. "How tragic. Then let me end her life with a painless poison."
"Can you still move?" Giyu said quietly, without turning around. "Leave now. Take her and go."
Shinobu was dangerous. Even Giyu could not afford distraction.
"Thank you, Mr. Tomioka," Tanjiro said, bowing deeply.
He turned and ran, Nezuko on his back.
The medicine Shinobu had injected earlier had helped, but its effect was already fading.
Behind him, Shinobu's eyes narrowed.
"That is crossing a line, Mr. Tomioka. What you are doing now directly defies Corps law."
She did not immediately give chase.
She was not alone on Natagumo Mountain.
Kanao Tsuyuri was here as well.
Kanao followed orders without hesitation. If she encountered the demon, she would kill it.
In Tanjiro's current condition, he would not survive a clash with her.
Still, Shinobu stepped forward.
She preferred to kill the demon herself.
As she moved to pass Giyu, steel rang out again.
Clang.
Her gaze sharpened.
So he was serious.
---
Tanjiro ran through the forest, every step tearing at his battered body.
The mountain's base was in sight, yet his legs felt buried in mud.
Just a little farther.
If he stopped now, Nezuko would die.
He forced himself forward.
Bang.
Something struck his back with crushing force.
Tanjiro rolled across the ground, the box tumbling away and crashing against a rock.
The lid burst open.
Nezuko spilled out.
"Run," Tanjiro gasped, forcing his head up. "Run, Nezuko. Find Raiden. Do not let them catch you."
Kanao stood ahead, her presence calm and unyielding.
Nezuko looked at Tanjiro, her pink eyes wide. Then she turned and ran.
Kanao moved instantly, giving chase.
The medicine had fully worn off. Tanjiro collapsed, watching the two figures vanish into the forest.
Raiden.
He was the only one who did not care that Nezuko was a demon.
When they rested, Raiden had always looked after her without hesitation.
If Raiden was willing to help, Nezuko might live.
Then doubt crept in.
Could Nezuko understand him? Did she know where to find Raiden?
Tanjiro's heart tightened.
No. He had to move.
---
"Zenitsu's color is finally coming back," Raiden muttered, crouching in front of the unconscious boy.
He tapped one of the darkened marks on Zenitsu's face.
Fine white threads extended from Raiden's fingers and slipped into Zenitsu's body. One by one, the dark poison was drawn out along the threads and dispersed.
Raiden had trusted Tanjiro and Inosuke to handle the Spider Demon Father. Zenitsu needed attention first.
He had seen Zenitsu defeat the elder spider demon using Thunder Breathing, Thunderclap and Flash Sixfold. The boy had collapsed immediately after, but compared to before, the improvement was obvious.
Satisfied, Raiden withdrew the threads and glanced at them resting in his palm.
They were strong, but lacked venom.
A pity.
If they had both strength and poison, his options would be broader.
He stood up, brushing dirt from his clothes.
The Water Hashira and Insect Hashira should have arrived by now. It might be useful to meet them.
Then something small burst from the trees.
Bare feet. Loose clothing. A familiar scent.
Nezuko ran straight toward him.
"Nezuko?" Raiden said, blinking.
She stopped in front of him, clutching his clothes tightly with both hands. Her pink eyes looked up at him, wide and pleading.
Then she pointed behind her.
Raiden followed her gesture and spotted Kanao, halted mid-step, blade drawn.
Nezuko looked back at him again, as if accusingly saying she had been chased the entire way.
Raiden sighed softly, a crooked smile forming.
"Trouble already?" he said under his breath.