The hot spring was finally peaceful. With Inosuke no longer a headache pest, Raiden could relax and enjoy the soothing warmth on his skin. He leaned back against the stone edge, listening with quiet amusement to Tanjiro and Genya Shinazugawa's conversation beside him.
After their soak, Raiden and the others followed the guide toward the dining hall. Behind him, Inosuke's gaze was sharp, almost predatory. Though his previous ambush failed, he had discovered Raiden's weak spot. Given another chance, Inosuke was sure Raiden would eventually yield to his Beast Breathing.
When they entered the dining room, bowls of fragrant matsutake rice were already served. Raiden had always thought his appetite was impressive — until he watched Mitsuri Kanroji, Tanjiro, and Inosuke devour their food as if they hadn't eaten in days.
Luckily, Nezuko was awake to keep Raiden company. As soon as she opened her eyes, she looked first at Mitsuri, then at Raiden. After a hesitant moment, she walked over with tiny steps and extended her hands.
Raiden gently scooped her up. He spun her lightly in the air, and Nezuko's eyes curved into warm crescent moons of pure joy. With the bamboo muzzle making muted sounds, her laughter was crisp and innocent, like cool water over smooth stones. The atmosphere around them seemed to brighten.
Nezuko's small hands waved like a bird learning to fly, her legs kicking softly with each turn, and her dark hair blossomed around her like silk in the breeze. Watching this, Zenitsu's expression twisted with envy. He wished he could share that joy too.
"Raiden," Zenitsu muttered, "I want to…"
"Alright," Raiden said calmly.
Raiden had noticed Zenitsu's shift in mood earlier. When Zenitsu spoke, he put Nezuko down and handed her over to him. After all, Zenitsu and Nezuko were considered an official pairing, and it was about time he supported that budding bond.
Zenitsu took Nezuko and for a moment, Raiden expected him to play with her happily. Instead, Zenitsu set her down, approached Raiden, and slowly extended his hands toward him.
"Come on."
"Huh? Come for what?" Raiden asked, bewildered. Nezuko was right there — so why was Zenitsu offering his hands to him?
Before Raiden could think more, he felt himself pulled into movement.
"Spin around!" Zenitsu shouted.
Whack!
The sharp sound snapped the attention of Tanjiro and the others who were still eating. They glanced in Raiden's direction just as he forced a casual smile.
"It's nothing," he said, rubbing his forehead. "My hand just itched. Please, continue eating."
Zenitsu now lay face-down beside him, unconscious and sporting an impressive lump on his head. Inosuke quietly adjusted his boar mask, silently questioning his own instincts. Raiden wasn't going to attack him, was he?
Raiden watched the group's attention drift back to their food before he looked down at the prone Zenitsu, stroking his chin with a raised brow. Zenitsu seemed a bit… cheerier than usual, and maybe even slightly off-kilter. Wasn't he supposed to be trying to win Nezuko's affections? Why had he come at him instead?
Two Days Later — Swordsmith Village
Tanjiro had heard from Mitsuri Kanroji that hidden treasures awaited in the back mountains of the Swordsmith Village. Eager to explore, he ventured there — and Raiden followed.
According to the current situation, Raiden was bound to encounter Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and the swordsmith Kotetsu somewhere in those woods. Muichiro and Kotetsu were already at odds over Yoriichi's mechanical doll, and the dispute would end with Muichiro taking it.
Raiden came partly to pass time, and partly to see how strong Yoriichi's mechanical creation truly was. It wasn't meant to rival Yoriichi himself, but if Muichiro respected it, then it had to be a formidable training partner.
As they walked deeper along the mountain path, Raiden's ears picked up a heated argument.
"You're getting annoying. Can you stop already?" one voice snapped.
"You? You're the annoying one," another growled back. "Arguing won't help. I'm not giving it up, so leave."
"Why should I hand it over just because you're a Hashira? Don't be so full of yourself."
Muichiro's expression remained calm yet icy. "Give me the key."
"No," the other man — Kotetsu — retorted. "This was passed down by my ancestors." He shielded the wooden figure of Yoriichi's doll behind him.
Tanjiro, arriving just then, caught sight of the quarrel and glanced past Kotetsu to see Raiden standing with arms folded, watching both men while also observing Tanjiro's reaction.
Sure enough, the presence of Yoriichi's mechanical doll stirred something deep within Tanjiro — memory, instinct, heritage. Raiden didn't intervene.
The dispute raged on until Tanjiro's distant gaze finally returned to focus. Muichiro, clearly growing impatient, raised a hand as if to brush Kotetsu aside.
"Hmm?" Muichiro paused, startled. The figure of a child that had been there moments ago was gone. Rescued? Just like that? Who had done it? He didn't know — and it didn't matter. He was still here for the mechanical doll.
His gaze shifted to Raiden, who stood casually but alert.
"Want to be friends?" Raiden asked lightly.
Muichiro blinked, then looked back toward Kotetsu. "Give me the key. I don't have time to waste."
Raiden sighed internally. Making friends with Muichiro was going to be difficult.
Kotetsu glanced at Raiden and tried to slip free. He assumed Raiden was demanding the key too.
"No," Kotetsu said. "This mechanical doll will break if used again. I can't hand it over."
Muichiro lowered his eyes and spoke flatly, truth cutting through his tone. "Have you undergone torture training? Even adults can't handle that. Don't make foolish decisions. You're wasting time discussing while demons kill people. Your time and a Hashira's time aren't equal. Use some sense."
His words were harsh, but undeniably true. Kotetsu couldn't help but lower his gaze.
Muichiro continued as if simply stating fact. "Swordsmiths can't fight. They can't save lives. They make weapons and nothing more. Know your place before you act. You're not a child."
At that moment, Raiden stepped forward, placing himself between the two men. Tanjiro opened his mouth to argue, but Raiden pressed a hand lightly on his shoulder and spoke for them both.
"You're also a Hashira?"
Muichiro stared at him, perplexed. Raiden looked close to his age and yet claimed to be a Hashira? Had he attended the Hashira meeting? Muichiro couldn't recall seeing him, but the way Raiden had handled the earlier situation made it hard to doubt him.
Training with another Hashira could boost his strength as well. With that, Muichiro made his decision.