"Butterfly? You…"
"Miss Shinobu…"
"Hey, Butterfly—this is your first time doing something like this, isn't it?"
Sanemi's sharp, feral gaze locked onto the girl to his left, his tone cutting and cold.
"You made such a major decision without consulting the rest of us, went straight to the Master—do you think so little of your fellow Hashira?!"
Despite his biting words, Shinobu's expression remained serene, her face calm and unreadable.
"..."
Giyu glanced at Sanemi, his gaze equally cold.
"Would it make a difference?"
"What?!"
Sanemi snapped, clearly provoked by her composed tone.
"The situation we're in now would be the same even if I'd told you beforehand. Wouldn't it?" Shinobu replied quietly, her eyes lowered but her voice calm. She knew perfectly well that if she had informed them, they would've opposed her anyway. So she went directly to Kagaya instead. She was prepared for their displeasure—but for the sake of the Corps, she didn't care.
"Damn you, Butterfly—!"
Sanemi was about to rise to his feet—
"Enough!"
"!" ×N
The one who spoke this time was the Shogun—the very woman they'd been calling a stranger. All eyes turned toward her, momentarily stunned.
"What did you just say, woman?!" Sanemi barked, his voice laced with anger and disbelief.
"It was my decision to join. She has nothing to do with it," the Shogun replied firmly, her arms folded as she faced him without a trace of hesitation.
"!"
Shinobu's eyes widened slightly in surprise before softening into an expression of quiet astonishment.
(Waaah~! These two! Such a mysterious connection between them—and they even match in color! So perfect! So beautiful! Ah~)
Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji's face flushed bright pink, her imagination clearly running wild.
Shinobu gave a small, helpless sigh as she met the Shogun's calm gaze. Her look seemed to say, You really didn't have to do that… But deep down, warmth bloomed in her chest—a quiet, comforting feeling.
"Tch! So it was your idea to join?! Then I'll say it again—Butterfly went out of her way to recommend you. If that's true, show me proof! If you want to be one of us, then earn our acknowledgment—woman!" Sanemi's tone was sharp and heated.
"He's right," Rengoku said firmly. "The position of a Hashira demands a rigorous trial. It cannot be granted so easily. Sanemi speaks the truth—we need proof."
"Then, Butterfly, since you're her sponsor, tell us your reason," Gyomei added, his deep voice calm but resolute.
"Strength," Shinobu answered instantly.
"!" ×N
At that single word, the other Hashira stiffened, brows furrowing.
"Heh… strength?" Sanemi sneered. "What's that supposed to mean? You saying we don't have any?"
"Yes. Strength," Shinobu repeated, meeting his eyes. "The reason you want—she possesses unmatched strength. Is that sufficient for you, Sanemi-san?"
She rose gracefully, offering him a faint, confident smile.
"Then prove it!"
Clack!
Sanemi unsheathed his blade, its edge gleaming as he leveled it toward the woman in the kimono.
"Phew… I thought this so-called rigorous trial would be something more interesting. But if strength alone is the measure, then it's hardly a test at all," the Shogun said calmly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"What did you just say?! Woman, don't you dare take your words lightly!" Sanemi growled, baring his teeth.
"Humans are always driven by pride and rivalry. I understand that," the Shogun said coolly, her violet eyes sharp and composed. "So then… how about we settle it with a duel?"
"…Gladly!"
Sanemi's grin spread wide, feral excitement flashing across his face. Her challenge was exactly what he wanted.
Shinobu smiled faintly, her expression softening with quiet relief.
Yes—this was the best proof there could be.
"Very well… Miss Raiden, my children can be rather rebellious. I must ask for your patience," Kagaya said gently, turning toward her with an apologetic smile.
"It's no trouble," the Shogun replied softly. "I expected as much. In an organization that battles demons, strength is the only truth. I'll simply demonstrate it."
Step, step…
She took a few slow steps forward, her expression unreadable. She didn't blame them—if anything, their skepticism made sense. Words wouldn't convince them. Only results would.
After all, if demonstrating power was the test, then to her—it wasn't a test at all.
It was an open-book exam.
"Hmph… at least I like your attitude. Come, then," Sanemi said with a crooked smile, stepping aside and gesturing mockingly toward her.
"…Much obliged."
She shot him a cold glance and replied curtly before stepping forward. Passing by him, she walked to the open courtyard, stopping near its center-right. Every eye followed her movement—after all, this was no trivial duel. Even those who had shown disdain earlier now watched in silence, their attention fixed on her.
"Miss Raiden…"
Tanjiro, still bound on the ground, looked up anxiously at the woman before him, his voice trembling with worry.
"..."
Shinobu stood off to the side, her focus sharp and unwavering—though her gaze was set more on the Shogun than her opponent.
"Oh-ho! This is getting exciting!" the Flame Hashira Rengoku exclaimed, eyes burning with fervor.
"Heh, let's see a truly flamboyant performance from you two," said the Sound Hashira Uzui, grinning slightly.
(Wow~ They're both so cool~!)
The Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji clasped her hands to her chest, heart pounding, cheeks flushed.
"Huh? What are they doing again? Why are they arguing? What am I supposed to do?" the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito muttered, staring blankly at the sky.
The Shogun and Sanemi now faced each other, standing on opposite ends of the courtyard.
"Since this is a sparring match, I won't use Breathing Techniques—just pure swordsmanship," Sanemi said flatly.
"Phew… you'd better use your Breathing Techniques," the Shogun replied calmly, shaking her head.
"What?!" he barked, scowling.
"Otherwise, it'll be boring. It'll end too quickly. At least this way, you'll have a chance to struggle."
"You… damn woman!!"
Sanemi's fury flared as he glared at the composed figure before him—arms folded, unbothered, her gaze unwavering.
Clack!
He drew his sword in one swift motion, taking his stance.
"This warrior spirit—I like it!" Rengoku declared approvingly, grinning wide. Even Shinobu couldn't help but smile faintly.
Crackle…
A flash of blinding lightning burst into existence before the Shogun. From that crackling light emerged her weapon—Engulfing Lightning—its blade gleaming as it struck the ground.
Thud!
With a slight motion of her foot, she flicked the weapon's haft into the air. The naginata spun once before landing perfectly in her hand.
Whoosh!
She twirled the heavy weapon with effortless grace, one hand spinning its several-dozen-kilogram weight as though it were weightless. The air roared from the force of her swings, stirring dust into a whirling storm.
"So cool~!" Mitsuri squealed, eyes sparkling.
"A naginata, huh? Quite flashy—I like it," Uzui said approvingly.
"…Her arm strength," Giyu murmured quietly to himself. To wield such a heavy weapon one-handed with that speed… was that even human?
"Come at me whenever you're ready," the Shogun said coolly, shifting her stance. The naginata rested behind her, blade angled down, her legs poised as her kimono fluttered softly in the wind.
"!"
Boom!
Sanemi kicked off the ground, his speed explosive as he charged straight toward her. In an instant, his blade arced downward—
Swish!
—but she merely tilted her head, dodging it with casual precision.
"!"
Sanemi's eyes narrowed. No hesitation—he continued slashing, unleashing a flurry of strikes from every direction.
Yet to the Shogun, every swing felt slow, deliberate—as if time itself had slowed to her rhythm. She sidestepped each strike with calm precision, her movements flowing like water.
Swish! ×N
To the others watching, her evasions were near supernatural—faster than the human eye could track, her form blurring like a mirage.
My turn.
As his final strike passed, she shifted subtly, her foot hooking behind his leg.
"Ugh!"
Sanemi stumbled forward in shock, catching himself after several steps. He glanced down at his leg, then up at her retracting movement, his face twisting in disbelief.
When did she…?!
"Tch…"
He lunged again, determined to strike.
But the Shogun vanished from his sight—appearing instantly behind him. Her naginata swept low, the flat of the blade striking his ankle.
Thud!
He hit the ground before he even realized what had happened.
"!" ×N
The onlookers' eyes widened in unison. The motion had been so simple—yet so impossibly fast that even they, the Hashira, could barely follow it.
"My turn."
"!"
The Shogun's voice fell, and before her opponent could react, she swung her naginata and charged forward like a thunderous beast unleashed! Sanemi barely managed to bring his sword up in time.
BANG! ×N
The very first strike hit with such overwhelming force that his upper body lost balance, his feet skidding sideways as the shockwave cracked the ground beneath him.
Swish!
She didn't give him even a breath to recover—her naginata blurred, weaving a storm of silver arcs before his eyes. Each swing tore through the air, creating gusts of cutting wind that dwarfed Sanemi's earlier strikes. The difference in power was undeniable.
Clang! ×N
Desperately, Sanemi parried from all angles, his movements frantic and defensive. Each impact drove him further back, his boots dragging across the courtyard stones. His hands trembled under the pressure, the vibration numbing his grip.
CRACK!
Another vertical strike slammed down, immense and merciless. Sanemi caught it with both arms, his knees nearly buckling from the force.
BOOM!
The ground beneath him fractured, thin cracks spiderwebbing outward as his legs quivered under the pressure. He gritted his teeth, refusing to kneel.
"Urgh! You—what are you, a monster…?"
That strength! That wasn't human—no, not even most demons could produce such power! Perhaps only the Upper Ranks could compare!
BANG!
With a swift motion, the Shogun shoved him backward, deliberately creating distance. The courtyard fell silent for a heartbeat as the outcome became painfully clear to everyone watching.
The fight was one-sided.
Every Hashira now stared in awe, their earlier skepticism gone without a trace. Their focus sharpened completely—this wasn't a simple spar anymore. The way she moved, the force she wielded—it was no different from fighting an Upper Rank demon. A single lapse in focus and they'd lose sight of her.
As for Sanemi… well, he had no choice but to play the target.
"Huff… huff…"
Sanemi's breathing came heavy and uneven, his arm trembling violently as he tried to steady his sword. He glanced down at his shaking forearm, then back at the woman who hadn't even broken a sweat. Frustration burned hot in his chest.
Buzz~
"What—?!"
In the blink of an eye, her form flickered and vanished from view. For a brief moment, it was as though time had been cut apart—no one saw how she moved, only that she was suddenly behind him.
WHAM!
With the flat of her naginata's blade, she struck Sanemi squarely across the back. The blow sent him flying several meters forward like a ragdoll.
"Gah!!"
THUD!
He crashed face-first into the ground, skidding to a stop in a graceless heap.
"!!" ×N
Every other Hashira's eyes widened in shock. For a fleeting instant, their minds went blank. They had been watching intently—and yet none had caught her movement.
"My, how flamboyantly beautiful," Uzui murmured with an impressed grin. His earlier skepticism had long since vanished—no, it had turned into admiration. Something—or someone—this spectacular was always worth appreciating.
"Kh…"
Sanemi forced himself up, wiping blood from his lip with the back of his hand. His eyes burned with renewed fury, but there was a flicker of disbelief beneath it. That speed… even as the Wind Hashira, he hadn't sensed it at all.
The Thunder Hashira… he thought bitterly, recalling the Master's words. Her title now made perfect sense.
Clack…
He drew his sword again, stance low, breath steadying.
"Wind Breathing, Third Form—!"
Hiss~
Frosty vapor escaped his lips as pale-green energy spiraled around his blade. The air roared, twisting violently into three raging cyclones that shredded the courtyard's surface beneath his feet.
"Clean Storm Wind Tree!!"
Slash!! ×3
Three massive, rotating wind blades surged forth, converging toward the Shogun like tornadoes in motion.
The onlookers tensed instantly, their focus unwavering. This would be the moment of truth—how would she counter a full-form Breathing technique?
Crack…
The world seemed to slow. The three wind blades crawled forward at a snail's pace, the air itself distorting around them.
The Shogun's eyes glowed with a piercing violet light as the Chakra Desiderata manifested behind her, its radiant wheel spinning with divine brilliance. Her hair shimmered like amethyst silk, the strands flowing with arcs of electricity. Thunder erupted around her in a blinding surge, distorting the ground beneath her feet as lightning rippled outward in waves.
BZZZT!!
Her body dissolved into light—a streak of violet thunder trailing a luminous tail as she flashed past Sanemi in an instant.
"Thunderclap!"
As that ethereal voice echoed—time snapped back to normal.
"!"
The space where Sanemi's wind blades had struck was now empty—she was already behind him before he could even process it.
Crack! ×N
In the next instant, countless arcs of violet light burst forth, circling around him in a perfect ring. The air filled with a chorus of lightning, the flashes of her strikes carving intricate, blinding patterns around him like a storm of blades. To his horror, the crackling edges missed his body by mere inches—slicing only the air around him, as if she were deliberately tracing the outline of his form.
The storm lasted only a few seconds, but to those watching, it felt eternal.
When the violet light finally faded—
Whoosh!
The ground around Sanemi glowed faintly with residual electricity, the soil blackened and scarred in a perfect circle around him. Each mark emitted a faint, corrosive shimmer of lingering thunder.
"..." ×N
Silence blanketed the courtyard. Everyone stood frozen, stunned by the sight before them. She had held back—if she hadn't, Sanemi wouldn't have even a corpse left to bury.
Clack…
The Shogun's naginata rested against the side of Sanemi's neck, the blade hovering with chilling precision.
"You've lost," she said coldly.
Sanemi's hand trembled on his sword hilt, his face pale as the realization hit him.
"If any of you still doubt me—if you think I don't deserve this position…"
Her gaze swept sharply across the gathered Hashira.
"…then you may challenge me. All of you. At once, if you like."
"..." ×N
A heavy silence fell once again.
Whoosh…
Then suddenly—Rengoku stood, his movement so abrupt it startled everyone, including the Shogun, who instinctively turned her head toward him, ready for another fight.
But instead—
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!!
He broke into loud, enthusiastic applause, his face glowing with admiration.
"Splendid!! I acknowledge you, Raiden!" he declared with a blazing grin.
Clap, clap, clap!
Shinobu joined in, her gentle smile carrying a quiet warmth of approval.
Clap, clap, clap! ×N
One by one, the others began to applaud as well—some hesitantly, some awkwardly. Even those who had doubted her moments ago could no longer deny what they'd witnessed. Only Giyu remained silent, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"What a dazzling display. Flamboyant form, flamboyant finish—indeed, magnificently flamboyant," Uzui said with deep satisfaction.
"So cool~! Miss Raiden, do you need a girlfriend~?" Mitsuri squealed, hearts practically sparkling in her eyes.
Click…
The Shogun let out a small breath, lowering her weapon. With a faint hum, Engulfing Lightning dissolved into pure energy, vanishing from sight.
"Hmph… don't get too full of yourself," Sanemi muttered hoarsely, turning back toward her with a wild grin. "You beat me today—but don't think you'll beat me again, Raiden. I'll remember this."
She didn't answer, merely watching as he sheathed his sword and walked away without looking back. But the way he'd spoken—using her name—told her everything.
He had acknowledged her.
Still… deep down, she was certain of one thing.
Even if they fought again—he wouldn't win.