Mizuki turned back in confusion, "Why?"
Uzui Tengen glanced at her sideways, "Isn't that brat your step-son?"
"Just keep an eye on him."
"Who exactly is saying Tanjirou is my step-son?" Mizuki raised an eyebrow, slightly speechless. "Besides, I'm not a Hashira."
"It's just a way of speaking; calling you master and disciple works too," Uzui Tengen corrected himself. "But I see you care about him more than a real master would."
"Is that legendary Origin Breathing really that powerful?" Saying this, Uzui Tengen couldn't help but turn his head to ask.
To warrant such attention.
Mizuki suddenly stood motionless, gazing up at the night sky.
Uzui Tengen: "Hey?"
"...Perhaps it's not that strong." After a long silence, Mizuki took a deep breath.
At least... she couldn't feel an ounce of security from Tanjirou.
Perhaps his age limited his physical growth; even though Tanjirou has now awakened the Demon Slayer Mark, he is still too weak for Mizuki.
He can offer too little help.
Being able to clash with the Lowest Upper Rank at this age is already impressive, but perhaps Mizuki's expectations for him were too high. She always felt that someone who could use Sun Breathing shouldn't be this weak; they should be stronger.
Thinking of this, Mizuki couldn't help but mock herself.
Having lived fruitlessly for several hundred years and still being unable to defeat Kokushibou and Muzan, yet choosing to place her hopes on the fifteen-year-old 'protagonist' Tanjirou—how shameful.
Seeing her heavy expression, Uzui Tengen was momentarily at a loss for words.
The two returned to the Wisteria House in silence.
As soon as she returned to the Wisteria House, Mizuki immediately pulled off the hairpin on her head. Her waterfall-like crimson hair fell down, removing the weight from her head.
Mizuki changed the bulky kimono for her own clothes, feeling as if she had shed a set of shackles; she was so relaxed that her breathing became smoother.
Sure enough, she still preferred wearing such light, convenient clothes.
Returning to the communication room, Uzui Tengen had also changed back into his usual attire, carrying two Nichirin Blades on his back.
"In any case, I'm leaving that brat to you." Seeing Mizuki enter, Uzui Tengen shrugged. "They've reserved a room for you here at the Wisteria House. Remember to come back tomorrow to report the situation."
"Also, take them with you. Release them if there's an emergency."
"What?" While Mizuki was stunned, Uzui Tengen walked toward her and opened his large right hand, revealing... a mouse in his palm.
It had a Jewel Headband tied around its forehead, similar to Uzui Tengen's, and stood on two feet in his palm.
This was the Ninja Beast 'Muscle Mouse' employed by Uzui Tengen. It possessed extremely high intelligence due to special training, and its strength was great enough to easily lift a Nichirin Blade weighing several kilograms.
Mizuki pursed her lips, feeling slightly nauseous, "What a disgusting mouse."
Uzui Tengen was deeply offended and roared, "What kind of taste do you have, woman?!"
"Look at this flamboyant posture?! Look at these elegant body curves!"
As he spoke, the mouse in his palm cooperated perfectly, flexing its biceps and back muscles like a bodybuilding champion.
"Tell me! Did you see it?!"
"So gross..." Mizuki retreated two steps, her expression suggesting she was struggling not to vomit.
Uzui Tengen instantly turned to stone.
The Muscle Mouse squatted in Uzui Tengen's palm, drawing circles, its confidence plummeting.
"That's enough! I'm leaving!" Uzui Tengen prepared to leave in a huff.
Mizuki suddenly called out, "Wait."
"What now!" Uzui Tengen turned back irritably.
Mizuki looked serious and warned him, "Be careful. The demon here is very likely an Upper Rank."
"If you encounter it, remember not to drag out the fight."
Uzui Tengen was stunned for a moment, thinking this woman was actually quite... just kidding!
Uzui Tengen exploded in rage, "You're looking down on this great lord, aren't you?!"
"You're looking down on this great lord, aren't you!"
Mizuki said expressionlessly, "Then how do you think you compare to Kyoujurou?"
Uzui Tengen's voice caught, and he said through gritted teeth, "I understand!"
He had already heard about the battle with Upper Rank Three—the first time an Upper Rank had been slain in over a hundred years—from the Master.
According to Kyoujurou's own opinion, if he had faced him, he probably would have died there.
Because by the second half, when both sides were fighting all out, he could barely make out their techniques anymore.
Among the Demon Slayer Corps, he felt that the only person who could reliably defeat Kyoujurou was Himejima-sensei.
This indirectly reflected that the Upper Ranks were indeed very strong.
Uzui Tengen agreed to the promise and turned to leave, but Mizuki suddenly reached out to stop him.
"What is it now?!"
Mizuki calmly extended her hand, "Give me the mouse."
"It's Muscle Mouse!" Uzui Tengen irritably corrected her and placed the Muscle Mouse in Mizuki's hand.
Mizuki felt the mouse moving in her palm and looked up to ask, "Do you have a box or something?"
Uzui Tengen presented her with the back of his head and walked away in a huff.
Mizuki looked down at the two Muscle Mice staring back at her. After a few more glances, they seemed quite pleasing to the eye.
Mizuki took the two mice and headed toward the Tokito House.
It was when the night was darkest; the Tokito House was incredibly noisy. The owner in front of the house saw off two drunken guests before returning inside to busy himself.
The situation inside was completely invisible.
Although the Transparent World possesses a certain degree of X-ray ability, it is limited to the human body, similar to an X-ray through a layer of clothing, and cannot penetrate walls.
Sending someone inside would indeed be better.
They only needed to be able to react promptly when unexpected situations arose.
Mizuki stood on the roof of the Tokito House, looking around and confirming the direction of the other two establishments.
Although Tanjirou's location was the most likely, support for the other two sides must at least be in place.
Speaking of which, she had originally wanted to ask Uzui Tengen something.
His three wives worked in three different establishments, and all three had lost contact. This indicated that the demon was paying attention to all three houses.
Otherwise, it couldn't be such a coincidence.
Could it be that they were helping the villain?
Are humans colluding with demons?
Mizuki sat quietly on the rooftop. She might not have learned anything else over the years, but she was definitely number one at spacing out.
If a monk wanted to compete with her in Zen Meditation to see whose concentration was better, she could sit there obediently without moving for dozens of days.
The night passed without incident. Seeing Tanjirou walk out of the shop door early in the morning, Mizuki turned and left to rendezvous.
"I haven't found anything yet on my side."
"Me neither."
Just arriving, the progress isn't going smoothly.
Uzui Tengen mused silently, "Is it really an Upper Rank?"
This method of concealing one's presence certainly doesn't seem like something an ordinary demon or a Lower Rank could achieve.
Uzui Tengen ordered, "Continue scouting. If there's an emergency, immediately have the Muscle Mouse notify me."
"Understood!"
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