Shinobu… if I had no hatred, no burden, no duty—maybe I could have kept trusting you, even after feeling the painful disappointment from you. Maybe I would've gambled that the Demon Slayer Corps would treat me kindly.
But I can't.
I have to live. I still need to cut off Muzan Kibutsuji's head with my own hands—for the sake of comforting my family's souls, and avenging those whose lives were twisted and destroyed by him.
And I still have to find Tanjiro… to protect him.
So I can't go back with you. Not even with your most solemn and sincere promise.
Under Shinobu's hopeful gaze, Kawanishi finally spoke, voice steady: "I'll stay with you until morning. Then… let's part ways."
"I trust you. But the Demon Slayer Corps? I don't—and I can't."
Shinobu had hoped, but she wasn't surprised. She'd already steeled herself for this.
She said, "You don't have to stay. That whistle I blew earlier—Demon Slayers will be coming soon."
"Go. I won't stop you."
Kawanishi glanced at her and pointed at her right hand. "Not stopping me?"
"Then why is your hand on your sword sheath?"
Unnoticed by him until now, Shinobu's fingers were already gripping the hilt of her Nichirin Blade.
Shinobu smiled. "Oh, nothing. Just using it to prop myself up."
Kawanishi: "…Really?"
Shinobu gave a sweet, narrow-eyed grin. "Of course."
But then came a faint hissing from the sheath—she had coated her blade with wisteria poison, one that could paralyze a demon.
Shinobu didn't truly want Kawanishi to leave. Not only because of his claim to feed on demons—a mystery worth investigating—but because of her sister's ideal: the dream of peace between humans and demons.
Over the years, Shinobu had encountered many demons and tried to befriend them. Every attempt had ended the same way—resistance, violence, and death.
But Kawanishi… he was different. He might really be the one.
The moment the poison was applied, she made her move. Her legs were the most wounded, but her upper body was still functional. With her speed, even exhausted, she could land a cut—and once the wisteria took effect, she could bring him in.
But Kawanishi had been wary. He had felt danger spike the moment she touched her blade.
In an instant, he surged backward at full speed, his four wings unfurling, his demon form fully emerging.
A flash of steel grazed past his neck—narrowly missing his skin.
Shinobu retracted her blade and sat back against the tree, smiling faintly. "Your reflexes have improved a lot."
Back then, she could swing her blade around his neck without him noticing.
Now, even though she was injured, he dodged it—his speed had truly increased.
"Gaining power this fast… is it really just from eating demons?"
Kawanishi stared at her, calm. "Were you trying to kill me?"
It felt like a string had snapped inside him.
Shinobu's breath wavered slightly as she settled back against the trunk. "Of course not. I just wanted to bring you to the Corps."
"I'm not the type to forget a debt, you know."
Kawanishi, I didn't want to hurt you. But you don't trust the Demon Slayer Corps. That's what breaks my heart.
Master Ubuyashiki is wise. He has eyes and ears everywhere. He'd prove whether you're telling the truth.
Even if you are a demon—if you don't eat people, and you're not Muzan's pawn—we could make room for you.
But you… you don't trust us.
Suddenly, an unpleasant croaking echoed through the air.
"Caw, caw, caw."
"Lady Shinobu is here."
"Lady Shinobu is here."
"Lady Shinobu is here…"
Shinobu recognized the kasugai crows' voices. That meant support had arrived.
The whistle she blew earlier had been loud and shrill, intended to summon nearby Demon Slayers. It wasn't to confront Kawanishi—it was to call for help for the town.
Kawanishi looked up. Several black-feathered crows circled overhead, their beaks opening and closing to deliver the grating humanlike speech.
He turned to Shinobu. "Looks like help has arrived. With them here, you'll be safe."
"Goodbye, Shinobu."
"Let's meet again… if fate allows."
From the nearby forest, the sound of footsteps approached. Four or five uniformed swordsmen emerged, surrounding Kawanishi with wariness and hostility.
One of them rushed to Shinobu's side, blade drawn, shielding her from view.
They assumed Kawanishi had hurt her and formed a defensive circle—though none dared to strike first.
Kawanishi didn't even look at them.
His four wings stretched and began to beat.
Shinobu's gaze went past her fellow Demon Slayers, locking onto Kawanishi's calm face.
She couldn't help but speak.
"Wait…"
But Kawanishi had already taken flight, soaring into the moonlight. He didn't respond, didn't hesitate. He flew straight past the encirclement.
The Demon Slayers let out quiet sighs of relief. A demon with wings like his clearly wasn't someone to engage carelessly—especially when even Lady Shinobu had been wounded.
The swordsman shielding Shinobu turned to her. "Lady Shinobu, are you all right? Did that demon hurt you?"
But for some reason, Shinobu's mood had sunk. She shook her head faintly, not answering him. Instead, she asked, "Were you nearby when you heard the crows?"
"There's a town that's been attacked by demons. The threat has passed, but it still needs support."
The swordsman said, "Don't worry about that, Lady Shinobu. Plenty of slayers and support units are heading in."
"We're from HQ. We received an urgent order."
"They said demons were launching a large-scale assault on towns. We were sent to assist."
"All the other Pillars have already gone ahead. Hopefully, they'll make it in time."
So it wasn't just Ishibashi Town?
If Akaza was there, then the other towns likely faced Upper Moons as well…
Still, Master Ubuyashiki moved fast. Reinforcements are already en route.
Dawn is nearly here. And with the other Pillars likely not acting alone, things should be fine.
Shinobu looked up, watching the fading silhouette against the moonlight.
Kawanishi… we'll meet again.
I just hope that when we do… you're still the same person you are now. That you haven't lost yourself.
So many who had turned into demons began by hating what they'd become.
But as desire grew, and their hearts corroded, they became true demons.
I'll report everything to Master Ubuyashiki. We'll uncover the truth.
And if it's proven you never harmed humans—if you really did protect that town—then the Corps won't reject you.
Kawanishi… I look forward to the day we meet again.
(End of Chapter)