Perhaps worried that they truly misunderstood Sanemi Shinazugawa, Kanae explained with lingering concern, "Although I don't entirely agree with Shinazugawa's methods, I can't really criticize them."
"After all, while his approach is somewhat brutal, it genuinely allows the swordsmen to improve at lightning speed."
Her voice was quickly drowned out by the screams of the swordsmen.
It was just a bit miserable.
Everyone mourned silently.
Seeing Shinazugawa's insane behavior, even Kanzaki Aoi, who was most dedicated to watching the drama unfold, lost interest.
Judging by his appearance, he probably wouldn't stop anytime soon.
With Kanae present, she had a good understanding of Mizuki's blood, so there would be no mistakes.
After saying goodbye to Kanae, everyone prepared to leave.
"Young Miss Mizuki, you have a letter, sent by the Master." It was at this moment that Mizuki's exclusive Kasugai Crow, Snow Sparrow, delivered a letter.
"What?"
Mizuki paused slightly, taking the letter from Snow Sparrow's leg.
Could it be that Muzan's side had started making a move?
Mizuki opened the letter and quickly scanned the contents.
"What is it?" Kochou Shinobu leaned over from the side, extending her head without hesitation.
It was just that she wasn't tall enough and had to stand on her tiptoes.
Kochou Shinobu subtly glanced at the others, realizing their attention was focused on the envelope in Mizuki's hand, and slightly stood on her tiptoes.
Mizuki seemed to notice her movement and voluntarily lowered the envelope, her expression somewhat heavy.
Kochou Shinobu glanced at it, and her purple pupils contracted slightly.
Seeing the serious expressions of the two, Kanzaki Aoi couldn't help but ask, "Miss Shinobu, what happened?"
Kochou Shinobu raised her eyes to look at Tanjirou.
"Is it related to him?" Tanjirou asked, full of doubt and surprise.
Kochou Shinobu had no intention of keeping them in suspense and said directly, "It's about Zenitsu."
"Zenitsu's Senior Brother betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps and turned into a vicious demon."
Tanjirou's eyes suddenly narrowed: "What?"
"Brother Zenitsu." Nezuko muttered worriedly as sweat dripped down her face.
Mizuki, however, fell into deep thought.
Zenitsu's Senior Brother—the letter stated that he begged a vicious demon for his life during a mission and survived.
The person who luckily survived said they only saw the demon opposite them, wearing a purple-black kimono and having a very tall physique.
Undoubtedly, it was Kokushibou.
Her good-for-nothing Elder Brother.
However, what made Mizuki slightly concerned was the name of Zenitsu's Senior Brother; she seemed to have heard it somewhere before.
Kaigaku... was it when I was with the Demon Slayer Corps?
...No, it doesn't seem like it... it feels like a much older memory.
But she couldn't recall it.
To be honest, Mizuki actually felt relieved.
Kaigaku encountered Kokushibou while executing his final mission; originally, once that mission was complete, he was supposed to return for special training.
If something had gone wrong during the special training, the medicine she distributed might have ended up in Muzan's hands because of this person.
It wasn't that this would allow Muzan to gain the ability to overcome the sun.
One vial, or even a box of the agent, didn't hold that much power.
This was unquestionable, as Tamayo had already verified it.
Rather... it would make Kibutsuji Muzan realize in advance that this was a gauntlet designed specifically for him.
Tamayo asked her to distribute the blood, and it wasn't just for the purpose of reducing casualties.
If Muzan obtained the agent during the final battle, and couldn't quickly get it from Mizuki, he would definitely try to get it from other Corps members.
And that agent, once consumed, would become the hope for blocking Muzan's regeneration.
Combined with Tamayo's agent, it could make Muzan experience the feeling of having immense power but nowhere to use it.
If he obtained it from Kaigaku beforehand, Muzan would detect the agent's properties early and become wary of it.
"Zenitsu..." Tanjirou muttered to himself, then suddenly looked up, "I remember Zenitsu has a Master, right?"
"Yes, the former Sound Hashira, Mr. Jigoro Kuwajima, the Old Gentleman." Kochou Shinobu nodded slightly, clearly understanding the point of Tanjirou's surprise.
In the Demon Slayer Corps, if a Disciple turns into a demon, the Master bears joint responsibility.
Just like the letter of guarantee Master Urokodaki wrote last time.
If Nezuko were to eat a human, Master Urokodaki and Mr. Giyu would have to commit seppuku.
Tanjirou suddenly looked up: "No, we must stop Mr. Kuwajima."
"How do we stop him?" Mizuki's expression showed little change.
The letter hadn't mentioned Jigoro Kuwajima committing suicide yet; she wasn't very clear on the details and couldn't influence the situation.
This wasn't a fact that could be changed with a single sentence, nor was it something that could be solved by shouting "Stop the execution!" at the execution ground.
Rather, it was because the concepts held by people today were different.
Just like how she couldn't persuade Michikatsu to change his ingrained ideology back then.
The rooting of certain ideologies requires the efforts of generations to change; even if they are wrong ideas, they cannot be persuaded away with a few simple words.
Even if she requested Ubuyashiki Kagaya in her own name to stop Zenitsu's Master from committing suicide, Zenitsu's Master wouldn't thank her for the action, and might even strongly disapprove of her interference.
He might even consider it a humiliation.
I only hope that guy Zenitsu won't be too devastated... As if... after something like this happened.
His Senior Brother turned into a demon, and his Master had no choice but to Commit Seppuku.
Even that pervert wouldn't be able to make a fuss anymore.
While Mizuki was pondering how to explain things to Zenitsu, Tanjirou suddenly looked up: "I don't know what to do, but if that Old Gentleman dies, Zenitsu will definitely be heartbroken."
Mizuki was slightly stunned.
That really is... something the Protagonist would say.
Not thinking about the underlying meaning, but letting the body move, letting the truest self face the situation.
If she had been a bit firmer when facing Michikatsu back then, would the outcome have been different?
Mizuki was a sentimental person; describing her as a pessimist would not be an exaggeration.
She was the type of person who would remember past mistakes for a long time, regretting her actions every time she thought about them.
"I apologize, Young Miss Mizuki, Miss Shinobu, Miss Aoi." Tanjirou apologized to them. "I'll trouble you to look after Nezuko."
"I have to go back and find Zenitsu."
"Wait, Brother!" Nezuko chased after him. "I'm coming too!"
"Nezuko..."
Nezuko's eyes were firm: "I also want to help Brother Zenitsu."
Mizuki suddenly spoke up: "Take her with you. Maybe that idiot will calm down a bit."
Tanjirou no longer hesitated, took Nezuko's hand, and walked out.
Kochou Shinobu sighed: "I hope they succeed."
In this kind of matter, she couldn't say who she should support.
But deep down, she still recognized Tanjirou more.
"Mhm." Mizuki slightly closed her eyes.
Even the Demon Slayer Corps, inevitably, had produced a traitor.
In that case... the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters must be about to be exposed right under Muzan's nose, right?
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