Despite Zenitsu's ten thousand objections, he couldn't escape and followed them up the mountain with a desperate expression.
As for Shinazugawa Genya, though his mind was still a bit muddled, he gradually understood everything after Tanjirou's explanation.
His gaze, initially bewildered, slowly turned fervent.
This woman didn't lie; he really could become stronger.
Arriving at the place where they had clashed with Tokito Muichiro yesterday, Kotetsu was squatting in front of yoriichi type zero, tinkering with something.
Kotetsu muttered to himself as he tinkered:
"Seriously, who makes a doll do housework? She's clearly a girl, so incredibly lazy."
Hearing the faint stifled laughter behind her, Mizuki's mouth twitched: "Ah, exactly, that woman is truly lazy."
The sudden voice behind him made Kotetsu tremble, but then he couldn't help but turn his head and echo, "Exactly, that woman..."
Kotetsu's cold sweat poured under his mask: "Haha... Sister, I was just kidding."
It's over, it's over, it's over.
Mizuki glanced down: "Make tea, understood?"
"Understood!" Kotetsu trembled all over and quickly left with yoriichi type zero.
Everyone: Miss Mizuki is so mean.
Compared to the others who only dared to think it, Kochou Shinobu laughed outright: "That's really mean, bullying a child like that."
Mizuki's lips curved slightly: "Bullying? Aren't I just playing with him?"
"Look, isn't that child quite happy too?"
Everyone was speechless: No, no, no, only you are having fun!!!
Kochou Shinobu smiled: "Then I'll go see if that child needs any help. You all have fun."
Kochou Shinobu deeply understood her strengths and weaknesses. If nothing unexpected happened, the Demon Slayer Mark was already her limit.
As soon as Kochou Shinobu left, everyone stood in two teams, as if in a standoff.
"Well then, let's start by exercising our bodies." Mizuki drew Shura from her waist, reversed the blade, and adopted a stance to meet the enemy with the back of the sword.
Even with the back of the blade, The Three Little Ones, who had been beaten by Mizuki countless times, dared not show the slightest slack.
Genya's Nichirin Blade had not yet been repaired, so he borrowed an iron blade from the Swordsmith Village.
Of course, for Genya, the sword's purpose wasn't significant; it was merely for cutting demon necks.
His most common weapons were Demonization and—a firearm.
But... "The method you mentioned for making me stronger, it's not just this, is it?" Shinazugawa Genya was not a patient person to begin with.
Mizuki sighed: "Then at least let me see your strength, right?"
"After all, if you're very weak, even with all the flesh and blood, you won't be able to defeat me."
Shinazugawa Genya was a little displeased. But he wasn't someone who expected something for nothing.
"Just as I wished. I'll personally gnaw on your bones later."
Mizuki's eyelids drooped slightly: "Are you a pervert?"
"???"
"I'm a Demon Devourer!"
"That's also a pervert."
Shinazugawa Genya's veins throbbed on his forehead. His brother was right; this woman was indeed annoying.
Just as everyone had taken their stances and were about to begin training, a clear voice suddenly rang out from above.
"I finally found you all."
The Kasugai Crow named Gin-ko flapped its wings, circling above everyone's heads.
Seeing it seemed to be descending, Mizuki actively extended her hand, but Gin-ko didn't even look at it, turning to fly onto Tanjirou's shoulder instead.
"Who wants to land on a demon woman like you?"
Mizuki:?
Gin-ko ruffled its feathers; it still remembered what happened yesterday.
Who cuts off their own arm with a poker face?
Seeing it so displeased with her, Mizuki pouted and withdrew her hand: "Do you have something to say?"
"Muichiro is looking for you."
As Gin-ko finished speaking, Tokito Muichiro walked through the forest.
Shinazugawa Genya's eyes widened slightly: "Mist Hashira..."
The legendary Demon Slayer Corps genius who became a Hashira two months after grasping a sword.
He's also in the Swordsmith Village?
He walked straight towards Mizuki, saying expressionlessly: "Please instruct me on how to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark."
Although he often spaced out during the Hashira Meeting, he would still obey the Master's orders. Since forging his Nichirin Blade would take time, he might as well take this opportunity to ask for guidance.
Demon Slayer Mark?
Shinazugawa Genya, who completely didn't understand what he was saying, only felt it was absurd. A Hashira asking someone else for guidance?
Upon hearing Tokito Muichiro's words, before Mizuki could even respond, Zenitsu suddenly walked up to Tokito Muichiro.
His previously wilting expression instantly became energetic.
"Hmph~ Is that how you ask for a favor?" Zenitsu swayed back and forth in front of Tokito Muichiro, the smugness on his face undisguised, "Don't you know that Miss Mizuki's time is completely different from you Hashiras' time?"
Everyone: This guy is really riding on someone else's prestige.
Mizuki:...No, she wasn't thinking that at all.
If Zenitsu hadn't popped out, she would have agreed immediately.
Zenitsu looked rather pleased with himself: "Don't you understand? While you're troubling Miss Mizuki, Miss Mizuki might have already cut off the necks of several Upper Ranks."
Everyone: He's so despicable, what do we do if we want to pretend we don't know him?
Meanwhile, Kotetsu, who was bringing tea from a distance, clenched his fist when he saw this scene.
Well said! Keep scolding him!!
Make that hateful shorty understand the fact of his incompetence!
Seeing Zenitsu being so rude to her master, Gin-ko flew off Tanjirou's shoulder and went to Zenitsu, pecking him fiercely.
"You bastard blondie! How dare you bully Muichiro!"
"Ah!!!" Zenitsu was chased, dodging everywhere.
Tokito Muichiro frowned, looking thoughtful.
Tanjirou stepped in to smooth things over, giving a wry smile: "Tokito-kun, don't mind it. Everyone welcomes you. That Zenitsu guy is just a little..."
He couldn't bring himself to say 'playful'.
Visibly, Tanjirou's face was strained and somewhat distorted.
Mizuki covered her face. This kid, he's still as bad at lying as ever.
At this moment, Tokito Muichiro suddenly bowed: "I apologize for taking up your time."
Everyone's expressions changed drastically.
Is this the rude guy from yesterday?
As a Hashira, he's bowing to a demon?!
His serious request made Mizuki's eyelid twitch, and she quickly waved her hand: "Don't listen to that guy's nonsense. Teaching you about the Demon Slayer Mark was already discussed with Ubuyashiki-sama."
"It's the right thing to do."
To defeat Muzan, strengthening the Demon Slayer Corps' combat power is very necessary.
After all, she had never seen Muzan's strength. Even though Yoriichi's strength was greater than Muzan's, she had never won a single time, nor had she ever put Yoriichi in a difficult situation.
Muzan's strength, even if not as good as Yoriichi's, was definitely above hers, not to mention Kokushibou watching from the side.
If she couldn't make the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps grow to the point where they could defeat her with a small numerical advantage, they would never be able to defeat Kokushibou.
One must know that even in her battles with Kokushibou back then, she had few victories and many defeats.
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