When that vagrant fled in panic, Mizuki's eyes immediately perceived the swordsman's heart and pulse, which were pounding with fear.
The frequency was almost enough to meet the conditions for activating the Demon Slayer Mark.
Whether it was his breathing frequency or lung movement, forget Total Concentration Breathing, he was clearly just an apprentice unskilled in the Breathing Technique.
He was even worse than Namiko.
The demons he could handle had, at most, only eaten one or two people, or perhaps none at all.
The most crucial issue was his mindset.
She had simply walked over normally, without any intention of concealing herself.
Yet he was this terrified.
This showed that, as a Demon Slayer, the swordsman before her was unqualified.
Because of the targeting by Muzan and Kokushibou, the Demon Slayer Corps has truly struggled in recent years.
Someone of this caliber was already out killing demons alone.
This was not meant negatively; she was merely stating a fact.
Even if he were lucky enough to investigate the Eternal Paradise Cult, he would ultimately just end up being eaten.
It could be said that Mizuki had actually saved his life by doing this.
Mizuki stripped off his outer garment, thought for a moment, and then used her sword to write a few words on the ground.
'That is not a demon you can handle. Go back.'
After doing all this, Mizuki covered the swordsman with nearby wild grass to prevent him from freezing when the night turned cold.
She truly was too gentle.
Having taken the swordsman's uniform, Mizuki returned to the Medical Clinic and happened to run into Tamayo, who was preparing to go out with her medicine box on her back.
Mizuki asked, "Do you have a patient?"
"Hmm..." Tamayo replied first, looking at the clothes in Mizuki's hand, and countered, "Is that... a Demon Slayer Corps uniform?"
"Did you get in touch with the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Mizuki shook her head: "No, I just happened to run into a Demon Slayer swordsman while investigating a demon."
Tamayo's face paled: "Did you... him?"
Mizuki's expression turned speechless.
Tamayo's expression recovered, and the corner of her mouth lifted: "Just kidding."
"But Mizuki, did you take his clothes because you plan to act under the identity of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Mizuki asked, puzzled, "Why couldn't someone have happily lent it to me, or gifted it to me?"
Tamayo was silent for a moment: "Do you believe that yourself?"
"..."
Mizuki changed the subject and asked again, "Are you going out?"
Tamayo nodded slightly: "Yes, there is a critically ill patient."
As a Demon Doctor, Tamayo only went out to treat patients at night.
Mizuki suggested, "Then I'll go with you."
Tamayo looked at the clothes in her hand: "Will it interfere with your plans?"
Mizuki shook her head: "No, a minor situation came up, I'll go back tomorrow."
That family of three was having a reunion; she wouldn't be so tactless.
"That's good then." Tamayo smiled and nodded.
"Give it to me." Mizuki held out her hand.
"Then I'll trouble you, Mizuki." Tamayo skillfully handed the medicine box to her.
"It's nothing."
Mizuki casually slung the medicine box over her shoulder and threw the clothes she was holding onto the counter.
"Let's go."
This wasn't the first time Mizuki had accompanied Tamayo outside.
It wasn't just to protect her safety; mainly, she felt embarrassed about getting free room and board.
When she was home, she could still rely on her parents.
But out here, she had to help out somehow.
Even if she wasn't acting as a bodyguard, carrying the medicine box was helpful.
The moonlight was strong, and the weather was growing cooler day by day, causing Mizuki to shiver involuntarily.
Mizuki followed Tamayo to a courtyard. It was clear that this family was quite wealthy.
As the two arrived in front of the house, faint, weak gasps entered Mizuki's ears.
It certainly looked like a critical illness.
Tamayo slid open the door. Lying on the tatami mat in the room was a young man, appearing to be around ten years old, very young.
But due to the torment of the illness, the young man's face was not pleasant to look at, and he was even somewhat emaciated.
Although his emaciated face made him look slightly different from the person in her memory, Mizuki still recognized him.
Yushiro.
To be honest, with her current memory, if she hadn't seen him with her own eyes, it would have been hard for her to recall his appearance based on his name alone.
It's like trying to remember a middle school classmate twenty years later; it's difficult to recall what they looked like.
Mizuki hadn't expected Yushiro to have already met Tamayo at this time.
The two entered the room, and Tamayo sat down beside him.
Mizuki, meanwhile, took off her conical hat and loosened the white cloth, revealing her delicate nose bridge.
It was stifling her to death.
Tamayo touched Yushiro's forehead, and Yushiro groggily woke up.
What he saw struck him like lightning.
In his eyes, he automatically ignored Mizuki behind Tamayo, seeing only the gentle woman before him.
His heartbeat accelerated.
Mizuki keenly noticed this.
This guy... is it love at first sight for Tamayo?
"The medicine box." Tamayo's ethereal voice sounded.
Mizuki quickly placed the medicine box beside her.
"Water."
Mizuki quickly heated up a basin of water and brought it over.
Tamayo folded a towel and placed it on Yushiro's forehead to alleviate his symptoms, then began examining his body.
Mizuki didn't understand the procedure, so she just stood by, waiting to assist.
After a while, Tamayo slowly put away her tools.
She hesitated, then told Yushiro, "Please wait a moment."
Tamayo stood up and nodded slightly toward Mizuki.
Mizuki understood and followed her out of the room.
Tamayo slowly spoke: "His illness, I'm afraid... cannot be cured."
Tamayo shouldn't have said this to her; Mizuki was neither family nor the patient himself.
Mizuki saw what Tamayo was thinking and said calmly, "Why not just turn him into a demon?"
Tamayo suddenly turned her head, frowning tightly: "But... is such a thing truly permissible?"
She was actually hesitating, which was why she spoke to Mizuki this way.
She saw Yushiro's desire to live, and thus wanted to help him.
Mizuki smiled slightly: "Why don't you just ask him?"
Tamayo lowered her eyelids. Before she could respond, she heard Mizuki speak again.
"Furthermore, if he is accompanying you, I will feel much safer."
Tamayo looked up in surprise: "Mizuki, you..."
Mizuki smiled slightly and explained to her: "There is something I need to do..."
She explained to Tamayo that she wanted to search for information on the Upper Ranks.
To investigate these demons, she would have to leave.
Originally, she was a bit worried about Tamayo, but since Yushiro had appeared, entrusting her to him was the best option.
After all, Yushiro was the one in the story who always stayed by Tamayo's side.
Listening to Mizuki's explanation, Tamayo looked hesitant and said worriedly, "The Upper Ranks are the demons closest to Muzan, having received a large amount of Muzan's blood..."
Mizuki interrupted: "Don't worry. Even if it's Kokushibou, I won't lose."
She hadn't been cut down by Yoriichi all those years for nothing.
She had the confidence that she would absolutely not lose to Kokushibou again.
If they truly ran into each other, she likely wouldn't be able to hide her identity anymore, but she had no intention of seeking trouble with Kokushibou anyway.
It wasn't time yet.
Tamayo saw the firmness in her heart and gently closed her eyes: "I understand."
Mizuki smiled slightly: "Mhm, let's go in and ask him. I think he will agree."
His heart is already racing.
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