While Rengoku, Tanjiro, and Gyomei handle the Mugen Train, and Tengen/Sanemi prepare for the Entertainment District, Manjiro Asakura senses a trap laid specifically for him. He intercepts a mission intended for a lower-ranking squad
[Time: Two days before the Mugen Train departs.]
The morning air was cool. As Manjiro twirls the mission brief between two fingers like he's thinking of folding it into a paper crane.
Shinobu walks by with a tray of medicine. "Manjiro-kun? That mission was assigned to the Kinoe rank swordsmen. Are you planning to take the mission?"
He nods without even looking up.
"Mm. Yes. When I read 'no survivors,' I felt an immediate attraction. That probably tells you everything you need to know about me."
"That is… concerning," Shinobu replies with her usual soft voice, though her eyes narrow the slightest bit.
"A dense, high-altitude alpine forest surrounding Kuromatsu-jō, the Black Pine Castle, the mining town of Kuromatsu, apparently no survivors made it out of the Castle, and It started happening the day after i took down Upper rank 5" he mutters. "Tell me that doesn't sound like a trap. A trap meant for a Hashira."
Then, tilting his head with a lopsided grin:
"If I send the lower ranks, they'll die. If I go alone…"
He sighs dreamily.
"I might get lonely and throw myself off a cliff."
He steps closer, lifting a small vial off her tray, squinting at it with fascination.
"So how about joining me? It'll be a full moon on a cursed mountain… perfect ambiance for a romantic double suicide, don't you think?"
Her smile remains serene, though an unmistakable irritation flickers underneath.
"I'm afraid I'm far too busy to die with you, Manjiro-kun. However…"
She takes back the vial with her delicate fingers.
"If this truly is a trap for a Hashira, I suppose someone should monitor you to ensure you don't wander off and get yourself killed in an… unfortunate manner."
"Wonderful," he says. "I'll try to die in a fortunate manner instead."
Shinobu exhales through her nose, the Shinobu equivalent of rolling her eyes.
"But if you do die, I am using your corpse for research."
---
[Journey to Black Pine]
Manjiro walks like he's being dragged to his own funeral, which he would consider a treat. He leans into Shinobu dramatically, not quite touching her, but close enough to be annoying.
"My legs," he sighs, "they've abandoned me. They said they're tired of supporting a man with no will to live."
Shinobu doesn't shove him off. She simply angles her head toward him with a pleasant, terrifying smile.
"Manjiro-kun, if you require medical assistance, I can certainly help. I carry several toxins that would make you forget you ever had legs."
"So cruel!" Manjiro gasps, draped over her shoulder like a wet towel. "I offer you a romantic journey to our deaths, and you threaten me with paralysis? Where is the love??"
They pass a group of elderly villagers carrying firewood. An old woman chuckles, covering her mouth. "Oh, look at that young couple," the woman whispers loudly. "The husband is so spoiled, clinging to his wife like that. But look how she supports him. Young love is so passionate, they can't keep their hands off each other!"
Shinobu's face erupts in a bright red flush. "We— We are NOT—! He is just a bum!" she stammers, shoving him off.
Manjiro stumbles, then grins with wicked timing. "Darling, don't be shy! Admit you love carrying my burdens!"
"Die," she hisses running off, but she matches his pace so he doesn't fall behind...
---
By nightfall, they reached the summit. Kuromatsu-jō loomed against the stars, an abandoned samurai Castle in the center of a black forest.
[Time: The night the Mugen Train departs.]
They entered the courtyard. There, sitting on a grotesque throne made of broken Nichirin blades, sat a figure in a purple honeycomb-patterned kimono.
Shinobu places a hand on his sleeve.
"Manjiro-kun… is an Upper Rank."
He tilts his head toward her with a small grin.
"Nervous, Shinobu-chan?"
"No. Just bracing myself in case you do something stupid."
"Well…" he murmurs, stepping forward,
"If something happens, try to die near me. I'd like our corpses to match."
She stares at him.
"Do you ever stop saying such things?"
"Only when I'm asleep."
The Upper Rank demon back against us turned
It's like the night itself grows eyes.
The demon had six eyes. As he looked at them
Upper Rank One: Kokushibo.
Shinobu froze. Her survival instincts screamed at her to run.
[PASSIVE SKILL: MENACING AURA]
Description: An overwhelming projection of spiritual pressure.
Effect: Causes immediate paralysis, labored breathing, and uncontrollable trembling in opponents with lower spiritual fortitude.
Shinobu's hands shook. She couldn't draw her blade. Manjiro stepped in front of her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, breaking the trance with his own aura.
"Shinobu," he said, his voice dropping the playful tone entirely. " You should leave."
Shinobu: "Excuse me? We are partners on this mission. I am not leaving you."
Manjiro: "This isn't a fight, Shinobu. It's against an Upper Rank. Look at the town below." (He points to the lights of the village.) "In ten minutes, this mountain is going to be flattened. If those people stay, they die. Go down there. Evacuate everyone. Get them at least five miles out. Then come back and help me"
Shinobu looked at the demon, then at Manjiro. She realized he was right. "If you die," she hissed, "I will be furious."
Manjiro looked at her, soft and serious. "I won't." Then, the smirk returned. "Shinobu-chan, if we survive this, will you marry me?"
"NO!"
"See? You didn't even think about it."
"I DID! I THOUGHT 'NO!'" (She flashes away using Insect Breathing to go evacuate the town.)
Kokushibo slowly stood up, his six eyes narrowing in disgust. "I despise modern youth."
Manjiro shrugs.
---
Then
Kokushibo: "You send your only help away? Arrogant. Or perhaps... merciful? Now you are stuck here with me with no way out other than your soul leaving your body"
Manjiro: "I'm not stuck here with you. You're stuck here with me."
---