"Raiden…"
Tanjiro called out anxiously. He had meant to argue with Raiden, but never expected him to leap straight into battle. Tanjiro remembered this Mist Hashira from the Hashira Meeting. He had become a Hashira long ago. Would Raiden be at a disadvantage fighting him?
To Tanjiro's nose, Raiden's presence seemed as powerful as Muichiro's. What he didn't realize was that both Raiden and Muichiro were far stronger than he was, making their auras hard for him to tell apart.
Raiden waved his hand and offered Tanjiro a confident smile, reassuring him. Even if Muichiro hadn't awakened his Mark, he still wouldn't be a match for Raiden, not even close.
Kotetsu sat on the ground at Raiden's feet, watching him with confusion. Is Raiden here for the mechanical doll? Or is he another Pillar? He's about the same age as the Mist Hashira… could he actually beat him? That irritating seaweed-haired guy, why does he talk so cold? It's truly infuriating!
The area around them was cleared, leaving only Muichiro and Raiden facing off. A soft breeze drifted through the nearby bushes as Muichiro calmly drew his nichirin blade. Slowly, the blade emerged from its scabbard, sunlight glinting off its sharp edge like a stream reflecting light.
Suddenly Muichiro's body snapped forward like a startled leopard. His steps were nearly silent, but his speed was breathtaking. In an instant he disappeared from his place, only a swirling gust of wind hinting at his movement.
Raiden's expression remained calm. He didn't draw his own blade. Instead he extended a single finger, as though casually brushing dust from his sleeve.
That simple movement seemed gentle, but from it came a force nearly invisible to the eye. Not solid like a blade, and yet swift and sharp, it shot toward Muichiro's side as if it were an arrow.
Muichiro sensed the strike. With a nimble twist, his form curved in the air like a carp darting through water to avoid a net.
"Oh, that was fast," Raiden murmured. Seeing his first Red Clean Arrow miss, he registered a flicker of surprise. Of course — Muichiro was the fastest Hashira to reach that rank. His reactions were impressive. Raiden's own Red Clean Arrow wasn't the same as what the Arrow Demon once used, its form now more refined, its speed and power greatly increased. For Muichiro to dodge it on the first encounter proved his reflexes true.
Muichiro landed on the ground, expression unchanged, though inside his breath hitched slightly. What was that ability just now? Why did it smell like blood? It felt like a Blood Demon Art, yet the person before him was clearly human. Can humans even use Blood Demon Art? His thoughts wavered as he tried to make sense of it.
Raiden looked at the charging Mist Hashira with a faint smile before lightly waving his finger again.
This time, Muichiro's reaction was more controlled. The next Red Clean Arrow approached and he easily slipped aside. But Raiden wasn't finished. Another came, and another after that.
Muichiro dodged repeatedly midair, but with each evasive move he couldn't fully reposition himself, forced to meet Raiden's attacks head-on.
"Clang! Clang!"
Two sharp sounds rang out in quick succession, the first the blade meeting Raiden's invisible force, the second the impact pushing Muichiro backward in defense.
Time ticked on as Raiden's Red Clean Arrows continued pressing in. Whenever Muichiro began adapting to the rhythm, Raiden simply added more, each one summoned with a subtle gesture.
Within five minutes, Muichiro was handling six Red Clean Arrows with practiced skill. Raiden stood there idly, his fingers dancing almost playfully. Not disdainfully, but with ease. Muichiro still had not used a breathing form, clearly treating this as training rather than a fight.
Kotetsu could not see the arcs of the invisible arrows, yet he watched the clash wide‑eyed. Despite knowing nothing of breathing forms, he recognized Raiden's composure and power. Anyone could see how the Mist Hashira struggled against him. Rengoku had called him Raiden — and now there was no doubt that Raiden was far stronger than the seaweed‑haired Hashira. Just a few casual gestures unsettled one of the strongest Pillars in the Corps.
Tanjiro, who had been worried moments ago, now watched with astonishment. Raiden's strength… is terrifying. How can he remain so relaxed even against a Hashira like the Mist Pillar? They're barely exchanging blows, and Muichiro hasn't even used a breathing technique. But Raiden too hasn't drawn his blade. His power doesn't rely on flashy style, he fights with unparalleled close‑quarters skill. Every time he faced an Upper Rank, as long as he got close they were suppressed without exception.
Inosuke cocked his head beneath his boar mask, observing Muichiro struggling against what looked like invisible strikes. A spark of understanding flashed in his eyes. So this thing can be blocked with a nichirin blade? I thought it just carried you along with it. He's learned it! Next time I'll use this against Raiden myself and really show him what I can do!
"I'm done," Raiden said, stretching slightly as his wrist ached from all the gestures. "It's boring."
As soon as he spoke, his extended palm curled inward as if gripping something unseen. The invisible Red Clean Arrows that had filled the air didn't vanish with hostility, but seemed to respond — freezing mid‑flight as though time itself stopped. Then, as Raiden closed his hand, they dissolved quietly, becoming nothing.
Muichiro stood with his blade in both hands, his breathing slightly heavier than before. Pale blue eyes shifted from Raiden's calm face to the sheathed sword at his side. He has that level of power without even drawing his blade? Raiden truly is different from any other Hashira I have met.
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