The night was eerily silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. The moon hung high, casting a pale glow over the dense forest as the Kamaboko squad moved cautiously along the dirt path. Their mission had led them deep into an unfamiliar region, one where the air felt thick with something unspoken—an unease that none of them could quite place.

Tanjiro, leading the group, inhaled deeply, his sharp senses on high alert. "There’s something… strange ahead," he murmured, his maroon eyes narrowing. Nezuko, safely tucked within her box, shifted slightly, as if sensing it too.

Zenitsu gulped audibly, gripping his sword tighter. "S-Strange how? You mean ‘let’s turn around and go home’ strange, or—"

"Shut up, Monitsu," Inosuke huffed, already cracking his knuckles. "If there’s something weird, we smash it!"

Genya rolled his eyes but kept his shotgun close, stepping up beside Kanao, who remained silent, her violet gaze fixed ahead. Something about the atmosphere unsettled her, though she gave no outward sign of hesitation.

Then, just ahead on the path, a figure emerged—wandering aimlessly under the moonlight.