The little girl continued to speak, but the smile on Shinobu Kocho's face had vanished.
"My big brother asked me to tell you that he had something urgent to take care of, so he left first. He said he'll definitely treat you next time."
"Alright, I understand. Thank you, little sister," Shinobu said politely, trying to keep her composure. She turned to leave, her footsteps just starting when the little girl tugged at her trouser leg.
"Huh? What is it, little one? Is there something else?" Shinobu asked, puzzled.
The girl shook her head, then opened her palms and added innocently, "Big brother said that after I tell you that, you'll give me money to buy candied fruit."
Shinobu's eyes darkened. She had never encountered someone so shameless.
With a sigh of exasperation, Shinobu handed the girl some coins. "Here, this should be enough for several sticks. When you want one, just buy one—don't waste it all at once, alright?"
"Okay! Thank you, big sister! Bye!" the girl beamed, waving cheerfully as Shinobu finally turned and walked away.
Shinobu rubbed her temple in annoyance as she exited the Inn. She had made up her mind—Tomioka Giyu owed her, and she'd be settling that score the next time they met.
***
Life had returned to a semblance of peace. But in truth, this would be the final year of calm.
A year later, Kamado Tanjiro passed the Final Selection—and the story truly began.
Tomioka Giyu did not waste the time. He continued to train rigorously, sparring often with the Stone Hashira, Himejima Gyomei, during the day and taking missions to slay demons at night. He was determined to push the limits of his potential and prepare himself to withstand more dangerous opponents.
Notably, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, would occasionally drop by for a spar when free. Although their personalities clashed, Giyu recognized that Sanemi's relentless, pressure-heavy fighting style was worth learning from.
A year passed in this fashion. One day, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the master of the Demon Slayer Corps, summoned both Giyu and Shinobu to his residence.
At the gates of the estate, Kocho Shinobu spotted Giyu and immediately turned her head with a cold snort, refusing to acknowledge him.
"Uh…" Giyu scratched his head awkwardly. "Still holding a grudge, huh…"
"I'll treat you to something good later," he offered sheepishly.
"Hmph," Shinobu walked into the courtyard, not even glancing back.
Giyu hurried after her. "Two meals! Three! I was just joking last time. I promise I won't do it again."
Shinobu paused. "Three meals. Not one less."
"Deal. Now hurry—don't make the Master wait," Giyu said, breathing a sigh of relief.
Following behind her, Giyu shrugged helplessly. Dealing with Kocho Shinobu was harder than fighting demons sometimes.
Inside, Ubuyashiki Kagaya was softly speaking to a weakened messenger crow perched on his hand.
"You've done well. Thank you for returning safely… Nearly all the swordsmen sent there have perished…"
The Master turned to them. "It's likely a group of Twelve Kizuki is involved. We must dispatch a Hashira. Giyu, Shinobu—this mission falls to you."
"Understood, Master," both responded solemnly.
On the way, Giyu found himself reflecting. "It's already time for Mount Natagumo…"
"Tomioka," Shinobu said beside him, brows furrowed, "Do you think it'll be an Upper Rank this time?"
Although he already knew the answer, Giyu shook his head. "Unlikely. If it were, the Master would've sensed the danger. It's probably a Lower Moon."
"Besides," he added, "even if we face an Upper Rank, we won't go down easily. At worst, we'll survive."
As long as it's not Upper One, two or Upper Three, Giyu thought privately. I'm not ready to take on Akaza yet… much less someone like Kokushibo.
Before long, they arrived at the base of Mount Natagumo.
Just as they entered, a thunderous crack echoed across the mountain.
"Huh? Thunder?" Shinobu asked.
"No," Giyu said after a moment, eyes narrowing. "That's not thunder. It sounds like… lightning from a Nichirin Blade."
"We'll cover more ground if we split up. You go check it out. I'll follow this blood scent—it's getting stronger."
"Got it. Be careful, Tomioka."
Shinobu dashed off gracefully, her haori fluttering like butterfly wings.
Giyu leapt into the treetops, using the elevation to scout and move quickly.
Meanwhile, by a river deeper in the mountain, a large, muscular spider demon held a struggling boy in a boar's mask by the head, ready to crush his skull.
This was Hashibira Inosuke, the wild boy raised by boars.
But in the next instant, the spider demon's arm snapped clean off.
Inosuke hit the ground with a thud and looked up just in time to see a figure retreating, sword drawn.
Was it that man? Did he even swing his blade?
The demon regenerated almost immediately and charged. But Giyu calmly stepped aside and, in one fluid upward stroke, cleaved the demon in half.
Inosuke's jaw dropped. He watched in awe, whispering, "W-what power…"
That slash… it's nothing like mine. I put my whole body into my attacks, and they barely scratch these things—but he…
He sliced that thing like tofu.
His admiration quickly morphed into excitement.
"Fight me!!" he roared, pointing. "You beat the Twelve Kizuki—so I'll beat you and become the strongest!! Hahahahaha!"
Giyu blinked. This boar-headed kid clearly had a few screws loose.
"That wasn't a Twelve Kizuki, you idiot," Giyu muttered. "Don't spout nonsense."
He reached into his uniform and pulled out a rope.
"Huh?! What did you say?! Of course I knew that!" Inosuke spluttered. "Tanjiro said it, so I just—"
His voice cut off. He suddenly realized he couldn't move.
He looked down.
Somehow, while he was yelling, Giyu had tied him to a tree.