Kanae. Her sister.

Kanae’s death at the hands of Upper Moon Two, Douma, was a complete mystery. Kanae was a formidable Hashira she should have won. She had the upper hand, but something went wrong. The grief was real, but Shinobu was pretending blatantly pretending. She didn’t look truly sad. Her sister had died her fucking sister so why wasn’t she sad? But no one had any idea what had really happened. Maybe Shinobu didn’t want to cry in front of everyone? Nobody knew.

The reality was that she, of all people, had agreed with Douma. Out of sheer jealousy. Kanae was tall, strong, able to behead demons Shinobu wasn’t. She was petite, short, physically weak. She was pure envy. Kanae got everything, while she got nothing. She felt like a background character and she was sick of it.

When Kanae went to fight Douma, he seemed to know her every tactic, all her weaknesses. Kanae, mortally wounded, noticed Shinobu behind Douma her face blank. When Kanae asked for an explanation, Douma just mocked her, asking how it felt to be betrayed by her own sister. Shinobu smiled.

Since when a Hashira dies, their Tsuguko automatically becomes the replacement, Shinobu took over from Kanae thanking Douma while playing both sides: with Douma, and with the Demon Slayer Corps, behind everyone’s shadow. Since they got close, Douma even wanted to help her comrades a little, so Rengoku survived his fight with Akaza.

Years later…

During a Hashira meeting, Kagaya explains the current situation: that Nezuko has conquered the sun, and he believes Muzan will take advantage of it. He asks them to save Nezuko. His voice is calm as always, the Hashira sit in seiza, listening.

“My children… since Nezuko has conquered the sun, I believe Muzan will take advantage of this. We must save Nezuko without fail. So, my children, our time to kill the remaining Kizuki and Muzan is near. Please ready yourselfes and the other Slayers.”

Shinobu begins to speak, her tone serene and calm.

“I’m sorry, Master Ubuyashiki… but are we powerful enough? We know the Upper Moons are much stronger.”

She stops when she hears the dead silence. All the other Hashira are staring at her. She resumes, now sounding nervous.

“Plus, I saw my sister killed by an Upper Moon! They’re incredibly strong there’s no way we can win against them!”

Rengoku, who had fought Akaza that night, replies. Even though he wants to disagree, he admits she’s right but says if they can awaken their Marks, they may have a chance. Sanemi is about to snap in pure anger as he declares they have to fight to avenge Kanae’s death. Shinobu stays silent, just cursing him inside.