After receiving Tankichi's warm hospitality, the two stayed at his home for several days.
Leaving Tankichi's home, the two returned to their birthplace.
The once prosperous tsugikuni family had withered away within a few short years after Michikatsu left.
From others in the city, they learned that after the tsugikuni family head, Michikatsu, abandoned his wife and child, the tsugikuni family was left with only a frail mistress and young children, and was soon absorbed by others.
After repeated investigations, the siblings learned that Michikatsu's descendants, to avoid calamity, had changed their surname to Tokito and moved deep into the mountains to live by logging.
The siblings secretly went to see them, and only after confirming their well-being did they leave with peace of mind.
The two bought a small house in the city with the rewards they had earned from slaying demons in recent years and temporarily settled down in their hometown.
After settling in, Yoriichi wrote a letter detailing his battle with Muzan to the Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, hoping it would be helpful.
Although Tamayo had said that Muzan would likely not reappear before his death.
Yoriichi was still unwilling to give up. While caring for his increasingly ill sister, he maintained contact with the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, searching for Muzan.
They lived there for two years.
This year, Mizuki was twenty-five, and Yoriichi was twenty-six.
The rule that one could not live past twenty-five after activating a Demon Slayer Mark was broken.
Mizuki was not surprised; as Michikatsu had envied, Yoriichi was always the exception.
There might be differences in lifespan between innate Demon Slayer Marks and acquired Demon Slayer Marks.
As Yoriichi reached twenty-six and realized he hadn't died from the Demon Slayer Mark, he no longer openly searched for Muzan's traces.
Instead, he hid, hoping that Muzan would misjudge the lifespan of a Demon Slayer Mark user and reappear in this world.
However, Muzan had no other special abilities but was deeply versed in the philosophy of self-preservation, never revealing the slightest trace.
As time passed, Mizuki's illness worsened, and she coughed up blood more frequently.
While Yoriichi was out looking for a doctor, Mizuki took out an envelope she had prepared for who knows how long. After placing it on the table, she picked up her nichirin blade and left home.
She didn't want to die in front of Yoriichi; it would be too unsightly.
When Yoriichi returned home with the doctor, all that awaited him was the envelope on the table... Day turned to night, and Mizuki walked numbly along the road, not knowing how much time had passed.
"Gurgle~"
A subtle sound came from her stomach.
She was hungry.
But she hadn't brought any dry rations.
Mizuki found a rock and sat down, leaning against it.
The lingering glow of the setting sun fell upon her face, carrying a faint warmth.
She didn't know if she would have another journey after falling asleep.
Heaven had already given her one chance, allowing her to feel a mother's care and a brother's kindness.
Although she was still a little unwilling, there was nothing she could do.
As the last glimmer of the sunset disappeared, Mizuki slowly closed her eyes... "Miss Mizuki? Is that Miss Mizuki?"
After an unknown amount of time, a pleasant calling sound suddenly came from her ear.
Has my brother sent someone to find me?
She had already walked so far.
Mizuki's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.
What appeared before her was a girl wearing a Demon Slayer Corps uniform; she seemed to have seen her somewhere before.
"You are?"
The girl knelt down and smiled gently, "Mizuki, don't you remember me? Five years ago, you saved my life in a mountain temple."
Vague memories revived in her mind, and Mizuki's eyes became slightly clearer.
"You are... Namiko?"
Before her was the girl who had warmed Mizuki with her body temperature when Mizuki slew a demon in the snowy mountains that day.
Seeing that Mizuki remembered her, Namiko's lips curved into a happy smile, "Miss Mizuki still remembers me."
"You... joined the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Yes, after you saved me five years ago, I always wanted to repay your kindness." Namiko slowly knelt before Mizuki.
"Finally, three years ago, I joined the Demon Slayer Corps, but unfortunately, as soon as I joined, I heard the news of Miss Mizuki leaving the corps, so I couldn't meet you."
"I didn't expect to meet you here. Have you heard about the evil demon in the mountains?"
Mizuki was slightly startled: "Evil demon in the mountains?"
"Yes, in the mountains behind you, at the home of a samurai lord, his wife and children have inexplicably disappeared for several days."
"Did you receive a mission?"
"Yes."
Mizuki's eyelids drooped slightly, and the Transparent World unfolded before her eyes. The movement of Namiko's lungs was fully revealed to her.
In the past two years, her mastery of the Transparent World had become more proficient, and she could use it stably.
This Breathing Technique... is the Water Breathing style.
Water Breathing is the most adaptable of the Five Great Breathing Styles.
However, Minako's understanding of Water Breathing, let alone the state of Constant Concentration, was extremely superficial even in its simple application. At this level, she would probably struggle to deal with even ordinary demons.
Had the Demon Slayer Corps declined to such an extent since they left?
"Gurgle~"
Just then, an embarrassing sound rang out.
"…"
Namiko quickly rummaged through her satchel: "If Miss Mizuki doesn't mind, I still have some dry rations here."
"...Thank you." Mizuki did not refuse her kindness, and while eating, she chatted idly.
"Do you have any information on the evil demon?"
"Yes, intelligence suggests that the evil demon possesses a peculiar Blood Demon Art, and once made the samurai's wife disappear in broad daylight."
"Over several days, it has abducted several people, and the samurai is helpless."
Mizuki nodded slightly: "I'll go with you."
Blood Demon Art can be seen as a demon's superpower.
This type of demon is often more powerful than ordinary demons, and with Namiko's control over her Breathing Technique, she would probably have difficulty dealing with it.
"Really? It's great to have Miss Mizuki's help." Namiko let out a sigh of relief, saying wistfully, "This is actually my first time hunting a demon alone, and honestly, I've been feeling quite uncertain."
Mizuki remained silent.
After a quick meal, Mizuki followed Namiko into the mountains.
By this time, the sun had already set, with only a few lingering rays of twilight still glowing.
After walking up the mountain path for ten minutes, a large mansion appeared before them.
From Namiko, they learned that the mountain was the fiefdom of a samurai who had once served under the Shogun.
He was later granted this mansion as a reward upon retiring from the front lines.
Namiko adjusted her attire: "Please wait a moment."
She knocked on the large door.