What is it?
So you were worried about this?
Still just a child, indeed.
Kochou Shinobu asked with a smile, "Tanjirou, you must know that most of the Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira, besides me, are constantly on missions outside, right?"
"Mm." Tanjirou nodded, looking confused.
In fact, it's not just the Hashira; the other members are the same.
As long as they aren't injured so badly they can't move, they are constantly out on missions.
That's because the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen are still too few compared to the Demons.
The Hashira, in particular, have almost no time to rest; otherwise, there would be no need for Tsuguko.
"Then doesn't Tanjirou find it strange?"
"Strange?"
Kochou Shinobu raised her index finger and shook it, "Why are your missions still as easy as before?"
Easy?
You call missions where I consecutively ran into several of the Twelve Demon Moons, including Upper Rank Three, easy?
Tanjirou suppressed the urge to complain and nodded silently.
Although his luck was bad in constantly running into strong opponents, there was generally no great danger, and Upper Rank Three was dealt with solely by Mizuki-san.
"Actually, it's because Tanjirou is an inheritor of Origin Breathing, and Mizuki-san, the only one in the Demon Slayer Corps who can instruct you, is deeply trusted by the Master. That's why orders are given to you within the scope permitted by Mizuki-san."
"The reason you weren't told how to activate the Demon Slayer Mark is that Mizuki-san hasn't spoken up about it, so the Master didn't feel it was appropriate to say more."
"The Master actually cares about you far more than you think."
Tanjirou suddenly realized, "So that's how it is?"
"Yes. If you want to ask how to activate the Demon Slayer Mark, go ask Mizuki."
"I understand."
... "What is the Demon Slayer Mark?"
"Mizuki-san! Please tell me how to activate the Demon Slayer Mark!"
"Forget it, Tanjirou, Inosuke. It sounds ominous."
In the corridor of the Butterfly Mansion, The Three Little Ones surrounded Mizuki.
"The Demon Slayer Mark?" Mizuki blinked and pointed to her own cheek, "It's this."
"...Isn't that a tattoo?"
"No. It's proof that the body has reached its limit; it's a special technique that strengthens the body."
Everyone's eyes widened: "Strengthen the body?!"
"Yes, activating the Demon Slayer Mark allows the body to become stronger."
Inosuke tilted his head, two plumes of white steam shooting out of his Pig Head mask's nostrils: "this great lord wants this!"
Mizuki looked up at everyone: "However, there is one drawback: swordsmen who activate the Demon Slayer Mark usually do not live past the age of twenty-five."
"..."
Zenitsu Agatsuma tried to push the two away: "Never mind! Let's get out of here quickly!"
Tanjirou said seriously, "Please tell me how to activate the Demon Slayer Mark!"
Inosuke flexed his biceps: "this great lord won't fall behind! I'm going to activate the Demon Slayer Mark right now!"
Zenitsu despaired.
Mizuki sweatdropped, wondering if this guy had understood her words at all.
While for the vast majority of the Demon Slayer Corps, becoming stronger at the cost of a shortened life is undoubtedly a good thing.
But not everyone has that kind of resolve, so when mentioning the Demon Slayer Mark, Mizuki usually explains the pros and cons.
Tanjirou was slightly lost in thought. The Demon Slayer Mark... he had always thought the one on Mizuki's face was a tattoo.
Does that mean the one on Dad's forehead is also one?
Tanjirou couldn't help but ask, "Mizuki-san, can the Demon Slayer Mark... be congenital?"
"Yes..." Mizuki was slightly surprised by his question, "Furthermore, those with congenital Demon Slayer Marks are not affected by the shortened lifespan."
If Muzan had been a little bolder back then, Yoriichi might have been able to end the existence of demons in that era.
"My father had a congenital scar on his forehead." Tanjirou paused and corrected himself, "Ah, but it might just be a birthmark."
"Is Mizuki's also one?"
"No, my Demon Slayer Mark awakened later."
Tanjirou's father?
Mizuki recalled the sickly young man. Indeed, that young man's breathing technique was utilized beautifully.
However... his constitution was too weak... even with a congenital Demon Slayer Mark, he wouldn't live long.
If he were still alive, he certainly would have been a powerful asset.
Speaking of constitution.
Even Tanjirou, the strongest among these three, currently doesn't have a strong enough constitution.
Although the awakening of the Demon Slayer Mark isn't absolutely related to constitution, the stronger the constitution, the easier it is to awaken, and the stronger one becomes after awakening.
This is undeniable.
They still have a certain gap between them and the Hashira.
After pondering for a moment, Mizuki said, "Let's put aside the matter of awakening the Demon Slayer Mark for now... For the time being, let's focus on laying the foundation."
"Your bodies aren't ready yet. Even if you activated the Demon Slayer Mark, you wouldn't be able to become much stronger."
Their constitutions were undoubtedly much stronger than Kochou Shinobu's, but judging a person's physical strength isn't that simple.
Although Shinobu cannot compare to the others in terms of raw strength and physical toughness, her thrusting speed is among the best in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Her body has practically reached its limit.
But Tanjirou and the other two haven't; they still have a lot of room for growth.
Upon hearing this reply, the expressions of The Three Little Ones varied.
Tanjirou was somewhat disappointed.
Zenitsu was so moved he was almost crying.
"Yosh!" Inosuke suddenly went wild, raising his arms and grabbing one person under each arm.
Zenitsu: "idiot, what are you doing?!"
"Training! Training!"
Inosuke dashed off with the two of them, leaving Mizuki looking bewildered.
She really still couldn't understand the thought process of this pig... Watching the three leave, Mizuki sat on the veranda, spacing out.
Before long, a set of light footsteps sounded behind her.
Mizuki turned to look; it was Kochou's younger sister.
Kanao Kochou subconsciously stopped, standing a short distance away with some restraint.
Mizuki waved her hand, "Come and sit."
Kanao Kochou walked stiffly over to Mizuki and then sat down stiffly.
This child... is like a robot.
Mizuki felt a little helpless. She often ran into Kanao at the Butterfly Mansion, but the child seemed shy, always afraid to talk to her and preferring to hide.
After sitting down, Kanao entered a state of silence.
Mizuki asked, "Did you need something from me?"
It was clear this child came here because she had something to ask.
Hearing Mizuki's question, Kanao Kochou took a deep breath and said, "Um..."
"Please tell me how to activate the Demon Slayer Mark."
Mizuki: "..."
Did you all coordinate to come ask Teacher Mizuki for advice today?
"Regarding the Demon Slayer Mark, Kanao should first follow..."
"Alright! First, five thousand push-ups!"
In the courtyard, Tanjirou and the others had found the three little girls from the Butterfly Mansion to sit on their backs while they desperately trained shirtless.
Mizuki swallowed the second half of her sentence.
Follow Tanjirou and them in their practice?
She couldn't say it.
The thought of Kanao desperately doing push-ups there made her unable to speak.
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