"But then again, to join the Demon Slayer Corps without the talent to become a Swordsman, you truly are a good little brother." Mizuki sighed as she spoke.
Shinazugawa Genya's slightly depressed mood instantly exploded. He stammered, "Who! Who did you say was a good little brother?!"
"See? You're so nervous you're starting to ramble." Mizuki spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness. "None of you are straightforward at all."
"Shut up!" Shinazugawa Genya's neck flushed slightly. "Hurry up and get out of my way!"
This woman! She really is annoying!
Just then, Kochou Shinobu suddenly spoke up.
"To be honest, I don't want him to join the Demon Slayer Corps. My little brother... Genya, that guy, should just settle down, start a family, and live until he's old and toothless."
Hearing this, Shinazugawa Genya's pupils contracted slightly.
Kochou Shinobu showed a gentle smile: "You brothers truly are more reserved than the other."
Fortunately, that idiot, Mr. Shinazugawa, still confides some things to his older sister.
Shinazugawa Genya gritted his teeth and turned his head away: "No way. My brother would never say something like that, because..."
Because back then, he had said something truly awful to his brother.
Mizuki had already heard about the Shinazugawa family's affairs from Shinobu.
Their mother turned into a demon and killed their other siblings. Sanemi only had time to protect Genya, fighting their demonic mother with a Kitchen Knife.
Because Genya couldn't see clearly in the darkness at the time, when dawn broke, he witnessed his brother 'killing' their mother, and called Sanemi a Murderer.
Although Tanjirou didn't understand what had happened, he gently stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"Genya, I think Mr. Shinazugawa definitely loves you."
Shinazugawa Genya's gaze wavered, and his jaw trembled incessantly.
Wait... "What do you mean? Is the Rooster Head brother treating him badly?" Inosuke, having finished breakfast, foolishly shuffled closer. "Should we help you beat him up?"
"That's not it! My brother treats me..." As he spoke, Shinazugawa Genya's face twitched. He scoffed unhappily, his eyes flickering with hesitation.
Perhaps he already had his answer.
But his tsundere personality still made him stubbornly question aloud, "You talk as if you have a way to make me stronger."
After all, he was different from others; he lacked talent in Swordsmanship and Breathing Technique. His Nichirin Blade was merely wielded crudely to hack at demon necks, completely unable to utilize Sword Forms or anything similar.
Someone like him couldn't be taught at all.
Even Mr. Himejima only taught him physical and mental training, and the improvement in strength was limited to body conditioning.
The fact that he asked this meant he already believed her.
"Hmm, it is indeed my first time encountering a Demon Devourer." Mizuki's crimson Double Pupils scanned Shinazugawa Genya up and down as if scrutinizing him.
Those highly unique eyes inexplicably weighed heavily on Shinazugawa Genya's heart, as if he had been targeted by some terrifying monster.
Yesterday, because she was mostly angry, Mizuki had only taken a quick glance.
Now, it seemed Shinazugawa Genya's physical condition was very unique.
Specifically, it manifested in astonishing Biting Force and a powerful Digestive System.
A Demon Devourer achieves the state of Demonization by eating the Blood and Flesh, hair, or other Bodily Tissues of a demon, granting the human body the Recovery Power and Combat Power of an actual demon.
But this is not an ability that allows one to become infinitely stronger simply by eating demons; it only grants him the ability for short-term Demonization.
Once the Digestive System completely breaks down the demon's Bodily Tissues, the intensity of the Demonization will be greatly reduced.
In other words, unlike others, he cannot maintain his peak state indefinitely when facing an enemy.
Instead, he needs to acquire Bodily Tissues from his enemies during combat to achieve the goal of strengthening himself.
Hearing Mizuki's words, a flash of disappointment and frustration crossed Shinazugawa Genya's heart. He said unhappily, "Then don't..."
Mizuki interrupted him: "Although I don't quite understand the principle, with me, your speed of getting stronger should be significantly faster than Tanjirou and the others."
"Huh?" Shinazugawa Genya furrowed his brows.
Mizuki didn't keep him guessing: "Because I am a demon, and one strong enough to rival an Upper Rank. My Bodily Tissues should be able to make you stronger, right?"
...After a moment of silence, veins began to pop out on Shinazugawa Genya's forehead.
"Do you take me for an idiot?" He gritted his teeth and pointed outside. "Hasn't the Sun already risen?!"
That kid over there is sleeping hidden in a box.
Mizuki tilted her head: "Can't you feel it? My Aura?"
"What are you talking about? I don't feel..."
Shinazugawa Genya's annoyed expression suddenly froze. The surrounding sounds seemed to vanish instantly, leaving only silent terror before his eyes.
His pupils trembling, he looked up. Mizuki's enchanting figure was somehow shrouded in darkness, and the Demon Energy radiating from her body was so thick it was suffocating, making every cell in his body tremble.
It's a demon... a genuine demon.
Furthermore... she's stronger than any he's encountered before... There's actually a demon who has conquered the Sun, and she's with the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
How is this possible!
Few people in the Demon Slayer Corps know Mizuki's identity. Besides the Hashira, only two members of the Logistics Unit present at the Hashira Meeting were aware, and The Master had instructed them not to spread the information.
Even though Ubuyashiki trusted that the children of the Demon Slayer Corps would not betray them, necessary precautions still had to be taken.
Shinazugawa Genya, having always stayed by Himejima Gyomei's side, naturally had no way of knowing.
In a flash, that indescribable Aura instantly vanished.
Shinazugawa Genya gasped for air, his back already soaked with sweat.
"Now you should understand what I mean, right?" Mizuki said calmly. "Let Tanjirou tell you the details."
"Did you finish breakfast?" Mizuki asked, looking at Zenitsu, who was looking listless on the side.
Zenitsu opened his mouth with difficulty: "I have no appetite."
Mizuki nodded silently: "That's fine. You won't throw it up during training later."
Tanjirou was scared stiff. So what kind of training is this going to be?
Will people die?
Zenitsu's face grew even paler, but only Inosuke, that Silly Boar, looked completely energized.
"Oh!! Today I'm definitely going to defeat you, woman."
Mizuki smiled: "Yes, being motivated is a good thing."
Everyone: It feels even better to be beaten up by you, doesn't it!!!
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