If they kept talking like this, she would soon be pitied.
Mizuki simply changed the subject, saying, "By the way, Shinobu just asked about how to activate the Demon Slayer Mark. Do you have that idea too?"
Kochou Shinobu's expression shifted slightly, her weary demeanor instantly vanishing as she nodded solemnly: "Yes."
"Of course, Shinobu can."
"I can too?" Kochou Shinobu's eyes flickered slightly.
Mizuki deliberately asked, "Shinobu, why do you want to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark so badly? Is it because of Douma?"
Realizing that the Douma Mizuki mentioned was Upper Rank Two, who had almost killed her older sister back then, Kochou Shinobu subconsciously clenched her palm.
Kochou Shinobu lowered her head, looking at her clenched fists: "Not entirely. As a Hashira, I also want to contribute to defeating Muzan."
"Haven't you always been working hard, Shinobu?"
Mizuki glanced over. She didn't actually know Kochou Shinobu very well; she only vaguely remembered her because she appeared in the anime and left a significant impression, and only by intentionally recalling her could she barely remember this person.
Mizuki knew nothing about Shinobu's personal history, but she vaguely guessed the reason from her Breathing Technique, Sword Form, and unique Nichirin Blade.
The reason Kochou Shinobu chose to kill demons using poison was likely because she lacked the strength to decapitate them.
After all, she was very petite, not even having an advantage among other girls, measuring just over 1.5 meters tall.
Sure enough, after a moment of silence, Kochou Shinobu said with a hint of disappointment in her tone: "...Because my strength is very small; I don't have the powerful strength of the other Hashira."
Kochou Shinobu probably understood the Demon Slayer Mark as something that required certain aptitude to awaken, but in reality, it wasn't that complicated. It was more like an amplifier, based on the growth of one's overall physical fitness.
In other words... if your physical fitness is already poor, awakening the Demon Slayer Mark won't make you much stronger.
"Although this might sound harsh, for Shinobu..." Mizuki hesitated, "Even if you awaken the Demon Slayer Mark, I'm afraid you won't be able to directly confront an Upper Rank."
Kochou Shinobu was undoubtedly the weakest existence among the Hashira, the only one who needed external tools to slay demons.
Her physical condition was simply too poor. Even if she awakened the Demon Slayer Mark and her physical fitness improved, there wouldn't be much change.
The gap between an Upper Rank and a Lower Rank is like a chasm. And the gap between the lowest Upper Rank and the top Upper Ranks is also the same.
If one chooses to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark simply to increase strength, then that's fine.
But if one thinks awakening the Demon Slayer Mark can change the weakness of having little strength, that is impossible.
Even Mizuki, after awakening the Demon Slayer Mark, couldn't use grip strength to activate the Nichirin Blade's energy and awaken the scarlet blade. She only achieved it after becoming a demon and further improving her physical fitness.
The girl's frail body trembled slightly, her hands placed on her thighs clenched tightly: "Even so, I still want to do something."
Mizuki said helplessly, "Don't worry. I already planned to help the Hashira awaken their Demon Slayer Marks before the final battle with Muzan."
Awakening the Demon Slayer Mark means not living past twenty-five. Honestly, if such a price could be exchanged for an increase in combat power, adding strength to the mission of slaying Muzan, ninety-nine percent of the Demon Slayer Corps members would do it.
Love fades and grows, but hatred is endless.
These people had long ago resolved to sacrifice their lives.
Including Mizuki, she was also sustained by the belief in revenge until now.
"...Thank you." Kochou Shinobu's clenched fists relaxed slightly.
Of course, she was aware of the fact that she was weak.
She didn't have the natural divine strength like Mitsuri, nor the height of her older sister, and even her Breathing Technique was a 'defective product' extended from her older sister's Flower Breathing.
Among all the Breathing Techniques, it was a substandard among substandard techniques.
She was a person without talent... A slight knock on the door sounded from behind, and the two turned to look.
Tamayo stood at the doorway with a smile: "I hope I haven't disturbed you."
"No."
Mizuki asked, "Was it successful?"
Tamayo nodded lightly: "It went quite smoothly, but it still requires some time to consolidate."
Yae was still staying in the operating room to look after her own father.
Mizuki suggested, "Why don't you stay with the Demon Slayer Corps temporarily, Tamayo? I happen to have one more thing I'd like to trouble you and Shinobu with."
Yushiro, who was following behind, uncharacteristically didn't jump out this time.
"Of course, I was already considering that." Given Mizuki's unprecedented attitude, how could Tamayo refuse?
The battle against Muzan will likely begin soon.
Kochou Shinobu asked doubtfully, "Is there something you need, Mizuki?"
Mizuki stated directly, "Yes, it's regarding Upper Rank Two Douma's Blood Demon Art. I want to ask you both to develop an antidote to guard against that cold poison."
The information on the Upper Ranks was precisely for this purpose. Especially for things that can be guarded against, all possible preparations must be made.
As for Kokushibou... he probably can only be defeated head-on; being clever is pointless.
Kochou Shinobu was surprised: "Cold Poison? The Master actually instructed me to develop an antidote a long time ago, but progress has been slow due to the lack of samples."
After Ubuyashiki received the intelligence gifted by Mizuki, he immediately shared it with everyone and tasked the Kocho Sisters with developing an antidote for the cold poison.
And since Kochou Shinobu already harbored hatred for Douma, she was naturally delighted to do so.
"With Miss Tamayo here, I believe we will definitely be able to solve it smoothly." After what happened last night, Kochou Shinobu had considerable trust in Tamayo's medical skills.
As expected of a doctor who has lived for hundreds of years, she was completely incomparable to Shinobu.
Tamayo smiled faintly: "You flatter me. Miss Kochou is also an excellent doctor."
Mizuki interrupted the mutual flattery: "The sun is about to rise. Tamayo, please find a room to take shelter in for now."
Kochou Shinobu realized this and quickly stood up: "I apologize, that was my oversight..."
Perhaps due to the high-intensity mental exertion of staying awake all night, Kochou Shinobu felt momentary dizziness when she suddenly stood up after sitting for a long time, and her body swayed sideways.
Mizuki quickly reached out and steadied her: "Are you alright?"
"...I'm fine." Kochou Shinobu's face was slightly flushed.
Tamayo said, "I will ask Miss Aoi to take us to shelter from the sun for a while. Mizuki, please take Miss Kochou back to her room first."
"I understand." Mizuki turned her head to Kochou Shinobu, "Shinobu, go back and rest first."
Kochou Shinobu murmured, "Thank you for the trouble."
"It's nothing."
Mizuki accompanied her back to her room to sleep, and only then did she leave.
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