@Kampfarsch Her being fixated with that due to being a young fox back then and the impact others view's had on her at that stage of her development =/= Inari literally manipulating her and the story straight up telling you that was the case. Kon literally states it on the chapter, that Inari tampered with her memories. We
Know for a fact the calculus she stole is able to manipulate people.
Now, while one could argue Kon can be a non reliable narrator, in this case I think is safe to assume she is not bullshitting and is being accurate with accussing Inari of, quoting the manga, "mudding her memories".
@Drey Because apparently is a common theme in this manga that not everything is black and white, and even the scummiest, dirtiest character has a motivation behind that somewhat huminazes them. I don't think is bad that the author shows us this, however they are far from trying to paint them as "poor babs : (((" like it happened in say, naruto for example. These characters, while they did horrible shit, also have a degree of depth which is both refreshing but also pretty interesting.
To use the current examples, Kaede is an asshole, but he does have redeeming qualities (he is sociable, charming, overall you wouldnt think he is a psycho that gets off fighting and eating people). That however is not the author saying they are morally good, but that they arent completely evil either (Inari).
I guess you could say they are presenting them as sympathetic, showing they all are trying to make it in the world they live in, being what they are. But I think is exactly why that fits so well? I mean they arent human, of course they are gonna be kinda fucked. Just look at the human farm we had a couple arcs back. No one from the main cast was feeling the least bit upset over a place like that existing lmao. Kabane also has no issues in murdering other people or kemono. Nobody in the manga is 100% good, which I think is cool.