There are fundamental physical differences between males and females, especially in terms of strength.
Under the same conditions, it's only possible for males to be stronger.
There aren't many female members in the Demon Slayer Corps, and among the Hashira, there are only three. Excluding Kanroji Mitsuri, who has a special physique, the remaining Kocho Sisters are not known for their strength.
Kanae's strength is only slightly better than her sister's, but it's not considered great.
Even among Demon Slayer Corps members below the Hashira level, many are stronger than the two of them.
To address this, the training for male and female members actually differs slightly when it comes to slaying demons.
Males are better at training their body muscles, prioritizing strength.
Females, on the other hand, focus more on body flexibility, gaining an advantage in speed and agility.
The Flower Breathing Kanao inherited from Kanae is a derivative of Water Breathing, and it doesn't require much strength.
Water Breathing emphasizes gentle and adaptable techniques, which can also be said to be suitable for most women.
Mizuki still couldn't ignore Kanao's request; it was rare for this child to speak to her.
"Mr. Rengoku should be coming today..." Mizuki pondered for a moment, then said, "If you don't mind, Kanao can practice with Mr. Rengoku here with me."
Kanao's control over her body is actually stronger than Tanjirou and the other two, and her Constant Concentration technique is more skilled.
She also uses a derivative of Water Breathing, so her combat power is not weaker than Tanjirou's.
The combat power among these few people is actually very close; even Tanjirou, who was promoted to a Hashira after hunting the lower rank five, doesn't have much of an advantage.
However, this generation of Hashira is incredibly strong.
These are the Hashira who, for hundreds of years, could rival the first generation Hashira... no, it should be said that they surpassed the Hashira of the Sengoku Period.
Not everything becomes stronger with age.
"Mm." Kanao's eyes brightened slightly, and she nodded with a smile.
This child rarely initiates contact with people. Greeting is fine; she'll smile in response.
But as for initiating conversation... Mizuki had tried to talk to her before, which scared the child so much that she was sweating all over and stood motionless. This in turn scared Mizuki quite a bit, and the two stood in the corridor staring at each other until Kochou Shinobu, who happened to pass by, found them and led Kanao back.
After that, Mizuki didn't dare to proactively communicate with Kanao much, but after she interacted with Tanjirou and others who were undergoing rehabilitation training due to the Natagumo Mountain battle, she changed quite a bit.
Although Mizuki didn't know what happened, she assumed it was due to Tanjirou's influence. Could it be the protagonist's charm halo?
What the Kocho Sisters had never been able to achieve, a stranger accomplished.
"You're all here." A gentle voice came from afar. Kochou Shinobu smiled slightly, looking at the three people diligently training in the corner of the courtyard. "You're full of energy."
Kanao turned her head and greeted, "Sister Shinobu."
Mizuki: "...Shinobu."
Kochou Shinobu sat down on Mizuki's other side, forming a two-sided cheese sandwich with Kanao around Mizuki.
Mizuki's body was a bit stiff. She wished she had moved over and leaned against the pillar.
Ever since she talked to Kochou Shinobu in her dream on the Mugen Train, she hadn't been feeling well.
As the saying goes, what you think about by day, you dream about by night.
Enmu might be able to create false dreams, but he couldn't deceive the dreamer's inner self.
Mizuki's hesitation was the best proof; she probably truly had a special feeling for Shinobu, but she instinctively didn't want to think about it.
That's why she felt uneasy when she saw her.
Fortunately, in a group of three, if you don't speak, I don't speak. In front of two teammates who couldn't carry a conversation, even Kochou Shinobu couldn't start a topic.
The three sat on the veranda, basking in the sun, looking as if time stood still in peace.
If one could ignore Mizuki's somewhat stiff body.
"Is anyone home?"
A loud and enthusiastic voice came from outside the house.
Mizuki had never liked such an enthusiastic voice so much. She breathed a sigh of relief and jumped down from the veranda.
Rengoku Kyojuro was a very magnanimous person; he immediately bowed ninety degrees to Mizuki: "Miss Mizuki, I've come to bother you!"
Mizuki waved her hand: "It's alright."
Rengoku Kyojuro looked around: "Is the training here?"
"Yes."
The Butterfly Mansion's courtyard was large. Tanjirou and the two others were only training at the very edge, and the open space was perfectly sufficient for them to perform, as long as she didn't use large-scale Sword Forms like Moon Breathing.
"Then I'll leave it to you!" Rengoku Kyojuro bowed deeply to her again.
It made Mizuki feel a little embarrassed.
"Wait a moment." Mizuki returned to the veranda and unfastened the Nichirin Blade from her waist.
Kochou Shinobu reached out her hand, and Mizuki subconsciously handed it over. By the time she reacted, Kochou Shinobu was just about to withdraw her hand.
Feeling the resistance from Mizuki, Kochou Shinobu looked at her in confusion: "Mizuki?"
"...Nothing." Mizuki quickly let go of the Nichirin Blade and returned to the open space.
After standing for a while, she realized she seemed to have forgotten something and turned to look at the veranda.
Kanao was looking at her with anticipation.
This child... is too passive!
Mizuki helplessly waved at her.
"Come here, Kanao."
"Mm."
Kochou Kanao then stepped down from the veranda and with light steps, came to Rengoku Kyojuro's side.
Mizuki proactively explained to Kyoujurou: "This child also wants to try activating the Demon Slayer Mark."
Kyoujurou's eyes lit up, and he gave Kanao a thumbs-up: "I see, let's work hard together!"
Kanao: "..."
It was a social anxiety collision.
Mizuki's mouth twitched, and she looked at Kyoujurou: "I'll say one more thing: if you activate the Demon Slayer Mark, you won't live past twenty-five. Mr. Rengoku, have you made up your mind?"
Both Mizuki and Ubuyashiki had emphasized this point.
But on formal occasions, Mizuki would still ask again, respecting their opinions.
Kyoujurou waved his hand, completely unshaken: "Of course!"
"I know..."
"That's not fair! Why can they do it!" Inosuke suddenly yelled, almost knocking over the Three Youngsters of the Butterfly Mansion on his back.
He ran up to Mizuki like a puff of smoke, his blue headpiece's eyes staring intently at Mizuki, and two streams of white steam puffed from his Pig Head nostrils.
"this great lord wants to join too!"
Mizuki: "..."
She had forgotten about this guy's personality.
"Ah, Inosuke, don't make Miss Mizuki uncomfortable." Tanjirou chased after him and pulled Inosuke back.
Zenitsu even used all his might, "Exactly, you idiot, get back here!"
Mizuki sighed: "It's alright."
Zenitsu turned to look: "Miss Mizuki, I'll get this guy out of here right away!"
Mizuki scratched her ear: "I mean, it's alright, the three of you can join too."
She didn't want to be accused of favoritism.
"Great!"
"Really?"
"Eh?!"
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