Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho (
Summary[]
Doma as a human child.
Doma recalls his past and his childhood. Born with rainbow colored eyes and white hair, he was believed to be special and connected to the gods. His parents, whom he considered dim-witted, arranged a cult with him at the head called the Eternal Paradise Faith; despite this, he never heard the gods' voice and simply played along. Worshippers flocked to Doma to repent their issues and problems in life, hoping for advice. However, even at a young age, the unemotional Doma found it annoying that adults had come to seek wisdom from a child.
When they begged him to guide them to paradise, he cried, believing that paradise, the gods and Buddha were a fairy tale that never existed, confused why people wouldn't believe they were all destined to die and rot and pitying them for their inability to see reality. Doma believes he was born to make it his duty to make these people happy, by devouring them whole.
After a fifth stab on his hand fails to hurt him, Doma quickly heals himself of Shinobu's poison, before asking if she is okay after noticing she is breathing heavily. Shinobu realizes the true strength of an Upper Rank, noting Doma's resistance and inability of poisons to work on him. He tells her that her lungs' cells are dying after accidentally breathing in his Blood Demon Art, now making it dangerous to breathe. She then decide to use multiple blows to poison him again.
Doma slashes Shinobu as she retreats.
Using Insect Breathing, Dance of the Dragonfly: Compound Eye Hexagon, Shinobu rushes forward and stabs Doma six times. He remarks that the Insect Hashira might be the fastest one he has fought, but as she backs away, Shinobu bleeds profusely, realizes she herself was also slashed in return before she could notice. Doma taunts her as she collapses in pain, mentioning that she could have easily cut off his head with her immense speed but can't due to her small frame. As blood falls on her hands, she sees just how small they are.
She remembers she never grew any taller, lamenting that she could have killed demons the usual way had she grown a bit more. Shinobu knows larger hands and legs meant more muscle and that it was a distinct advantage. She recalls Kanae was able to do so, despite being taller and having a dainty and thin frame, and remarks that Gyomei's strength puts others at ease when he fight. Shinobu remembers Kanae's last moments with her, telling herself she would likely lose to Doma.
Kanae's spirit suddenly appears before the injured Shinobu, telling her to stand. Shinobu believes she can no longer after losing so much blood, and with her left lung damaged by Doma's attack, she cannot breath normally as well. Kanae declares that irrelevant and states she will win with the right resolve to kill him, no matter the sacrifice, noting she promised to her and to Kanao. Remembering their younger sister, Shinobu crouches down while Doma approaches her, noting the slashes he gave was only half-hearted, making it very painful for her. Kanae urges her younger sister to keep trying, causing her to stand up, surprising the Upper Rank. As she stares at Doma, Shinobu starts to cough blood, prompting Doma to laugh that the blood in her lungs is causing her to do so.
Shinobu evades Doma's slash and stabs him in the neck.
Resolving to behead Shinobu to end her pain, he tells her to give up, claiming she is already beyond saving. Instead, Shinobu takes a stance and using Insect Breathing, Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Zigzag, she speeds towards the Upper Rank to attack him. Doma is shocked at this feat, noting the destroyed bridge from the impact of her feet; he tries to slash her in response but is unable to make contact, only managing to slice her haori. Shinobu crouches down and launches into the air, driving her sword through Doma's neck and forcing his body into the ceiling in one final thrust.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Doma
- Shinobu Kocho
- Kanae Kocho (Vision)
- Gyomei Himejima (Flashback)
- Kanao Tsuyuri (Flashback)
Events[]
- Shinobu Kocho vs Doma.
- Doma adapts quickly to Shinobu's poison, while she is grievously wounded.
- Shinobu makes a final stand and attacks Doma with her fastest form.