Kochou Shinobu didn't criticize Kiyokawa Izumi on the spot. There was no obvious change in her delicate face, as if she hadn't heard him.
Kiyokawa Izumi believed he had some experience in reading people's expressions.
He secretly glanced at the Insect Hashira. There was no dissatisfaction or anger, just a gentle reminder to drink his medicine obediently before she hurried away.
It made sense. After all, she was a Hashira. How could she have so much time to bother with a small Team Member like him?
It was already surprising that she was the one who delivered his medicine the second time.
Seeing her leave, Kiyokawa Izumi continued to lie in bed, doing nothing.
Participating in the Final Selection had exhausted him mentally and physically.
At this moment, he truly didn't want to move at all.
He had no desire to maintain his Breathing Technique, nor to further refine his swordsmanship.
After grimacing and finishing his medicine, he lay lazily and relaxed on the bed.
Sleepiness gradually crept over him, and he drifted off to sleep unknowingly.
Time flew by.
Five days later, Kiyokawa Izumi, who had long since mostly recovered, was still living a decadent life of being waited on hand and foot.
He would occasionally stare blankly at the ceiling.
His greatest pleasure each day was to recall movies and novels he had seen before, remembering exciting scenes to pass the time.
This was purely due to idleness.
Mainly, the recuperation period was too boring.
There weren't many recreational activities in this era, and there was nothing to look forward to in terms of food.
He just lay in bed doing nothing all day.
It's worth mentioning that he hadn't seen the Insect Hashira for five days!
Perhaps she was out on a demon-slaying mission, or perhaps she was busy with other things.
The Three Little Ones were the ones who delivered his medicine.
Even after five days, he still couldn't tell The Three Little Ones apart very well.
He always felt they looked pretty much the same.
Occasionally, he would also see other Demon Slayer Corps Team Members being sent to the Butterfly Mansion—being sent here meant there was still hope for recovery, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Among these Team Members, there was one familiar face.
And he was a Hashira.
That's right, it was the famous Road Hashira Murata!
As everyone knows, the Team Members of the Demon Slayer Corps have a rank system.
They are divided into ten ranks: Kinoe, Kinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, Tsuchinoe, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoto, Mizunoe, and Mizunoto.
Kiyokawa Izumi was currently a swordsman of the last rank, Mizunoto.
Speaking of Murata, he was from the same generation as Giyuu, and even now, he was only a Kanoe rank swordsman.
Kiyokawa Izumi had met him once and had harbored thoughts of secretly learning from him.
After observing for a moment, he could only shake his head helplessly.
Although this person also mastered Water Breathing, neither his mastery of the Breathing Technique nor his swordsmanship skills were much stronger than his own.
Even if he used his eyes to imitate, he wouldn't learn much.
Lord Murata, can't you be a bit more powerful?
"What are you thinking about? How's your body recovering?"
A familiar voice sounded in his ear.
Kiyokawa Izumi was slightly startled and instinctively wanted to retort.
Do you walk without making a sound?
Kochou Shinobu, with a smiling face, suddenly appeared and cordially asked about Kiyokawa Izumi's recovery.
This truly flattered him.
"The external injuries have mostly healed. I guess the recovery is decent?"
Kiyokawa Izumi slightly moved his shoulders and said subconsciously.
"Clap!"
With a gentle clap of her fair hands, Kochou Shinobu's smile remained unchanged, and she said in a gentle tone,
"Then, let's start training tomorrow."
"?"
Kiyokawa Izumi showed a puzzled expression, looking at her with a hint of bewilderment.
What are you talking about?
Training?
What is that?
I've already participated in the Final Selection and have decided to withdraw from the Demon Slayer Corps—and you still want me to train?
You still want me to endure the hardships of training?
Are you kidding me?!
Kiyokawa Izumi's face showed very obvious resistance.
"If you harbor a mindset of just coasting along, you might lose your life when you encounter a demon, you know!"
"!?"
No, it was just one sentence. Can you remember it for so long?
Kiyokawa Izumi's mouth twitched slightly.
This person is definitely doing it on purpose!
"I..."
"You can't refuse! Be obedient, go to training tomorrow, okay?"
Although her tone hadn't changed at all, Kiyokawa Izumi vaguely heard a hint of threat.
"Okay!"
Kiyokawa Izumi said very submissively.
When under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head.
Living on someone else's territory, eating their food, with empty pockets and no money, Kiyokawa Izumi had no confidence to refuse.
Hearing this, Kochou Shinobu finally left, satisfied.
And so, Kiyokawa Izumi's leisurely life ended...
Early in the morning, the sun had just risen, and Kiyokawa Izumi, still half-asleep, was already pulled out of his warm bed by The Three Little Ones.
It was truly not easy to sleep in.
Kiyokawa Izumi arrived at the training ground Kochou Shinobu usually used—a particularly spacious dojo, large enough to accommodate dozens of swordsmen training simultaneously.
To his surprise, Kochou Shinobu was also there.
"Good morning!"
Kochou Shinobu greeted him very warmly.
Hearing this familiar voice, Kiyokawa Izumi instantly woke up and replied dryly,
"Good morning, Insect Hashira."
He glanced to the side, and the two individuals not often seen during his recuperation period were also present.
One was Kanzaki Aoi, and the other, of course, was Kanao.