Seeming to notice Mizuki's hesitation, Kochou Shinobu explained, "I don't think Mizuki's previous idea was wrong."
"As long as the swordsmanship can better sever a demon's neck, it is the most effective swordsmanship."
Kochou Shinobu had heard Mizuki talk about the information regarding the Snow Breathing Sword Forms.
Although it originated from Wind Breathing and Water Breathing, due to Mizuki's special constitution, the Sword Forms were not limited to Snow Breathing but incorporated other Breathing Techniques.
Often, one could see the shadow of other Breathing Technique Sword Forms within the Snow Breathing Sword Forms.
Therefore, she knew about Mizuki's indecision regarding the development of Sword Forms.
Should she return to the starting point, using the set she was already proficient in, which blended other Breathing Technique Sword Forms?
Or should she forge her own unique Snow Breathing Sword Forms?
Mizuki nodded lightly: "I understand."
She wasn't sure if it was because she used other Breathing Techniques and Sword Forms too much, but now she felt somewhat unaccustomed to using her own Breathing Technique.
Sword Forms, to put it plainly, are sword techniques; it's just that the variety of Breathing Techniques allows them to achieve a synergy greater than the sum of their parts when combined.
Was she overthinking things?
Even without the Sun Breathing Sword Forms, Yoriichi was still able to defeat Muzan.
However, Shinobu was right about one thing: the Breathing Technique Sword Forms have been passed down for hundreds of years, and there are many she has yet to see.
There are plenty of Hashira she hasn't fought yet; perhaps she could gain valuable insights from them... Early the next morning.
The Kasugai Crow began squawking loudly in the courtyard.
"It's the crack of dawn! Do you want to die?!" Zenitsu threw open the door, stamping his bare feet frantically, and started cursing.
Then... "I was wrong! I was wrong! I said I know I was wrong!"
Zenitsu was poked by several Kasugai Crows and scurried around, clutching his head.
Kanzaki Aoi said expressionlessly, "You don't know you were wrong, you just know you're about to have bad luck."
"Hashira Meeting. We request the Insect Hashira Kochou Shinobu, the Sun Hashira Kamado Tanjiro, and Miss Mizuki, to attend the Hashira Meeting."
After tormenting Zenitsu, the Kasugai Crows shouted this announcement.
"Have the others returned?" Kochou Shinobu murmured, "Honestly, there's been no word from Sister."
Inosuke clenched his fists: "Damn it! If that splitting demon hadn't run so fast! I'd be a Hashira too!"
"No, no, it has to be a solo subjugation."
Kanzaki Aoi asked curiously, "Speaking of which, this is Tanjirou's first time attending a Hashira Meeting, right?"
Tanjirou was about to nod, but Kochou Shinobu interjected, "No, theoretically speaking, it should be his second time."
Second time... Tanjirou was wondering when he had attended before, just as Nezuko handed him breakfast... Tanjirou's mouth twitched slightly: "Hmm... I guess calling it the second time isn't wrong."
The first time was when he was pinned to the ground and roughed up, wasn't it?
After briefly watching everyone eat breakfast, Mizuki followed Kochou Shinobu and Tanjirou to the meeting location.
After more than a week, and confirming the intelligence that the demons had disappeared, members of the Demon Slayer Corps returned one after another to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
They were preparing for the final intensive training before the ultimate decisive battle against the Demon King.
Arriving at the room at the end of the corridor, Mizuki could feel the distinct presences emanating from within even before opening the door.
*Swoosh~*
The large door was pushed open, and pairs of eyes looked over.
"Little Shinobu~ Yuko-san~" Kanroji Mitsuri greeted them cheerfully.
"Good morning! Miss Kochou! Miss Mizuki!"
"Oh! What an unflashy woman."
The Hashira who were familiar with Mizuki all offered greetings.
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked at the group of companions, whose faces all displayed the same Demon Slayer Mark as that woman, and noted their close relationship, involuntarily clicking his tongue.
Uzui, that guy, clearly disliked that woman back then, yet how much time has passed?
Annoying.
Fortunately, Iguro was there with him.
Kochou Shinobu and Mizuki felt fine, but Tanjirou was being stared at by the group and appeared somewhat reserved and uneasy.
Unlike previous times, this was his first time attending this meeting as a Hashira.
He didn't know if he deserved this title.
Kochou Shinobu smiled slightly: "Are we late?"
Mizuki counted the people; all the Hashira were present.
Kochou Kanae smiled: "No, the Master has not arrived yet."
Mizuki pointed to the expressionless Water Hashira Tomioka Giyu across the room, signaling Tanjirou to sit next to him.
She, meanwhile, followed Kochou Shinobu and sat on the other side.
As soon as Mizuki sat down, Kanroji Mitsuri in front of her turned around, offering a delicate candy with her small hand, and asked with flushed cheeks, "Would you like some Konpeito?"
Mizuki paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "Thank you."
"..." Iguro Obanai glanced sidelong.
The Stone Hashira maintained his usual big brother appearance, his hands clasped in prayer, looking compassionate, with tears constantly spilling from his eyes.
"Since everyone has gathered here, it seems the intelligence that the demons have disappeared is true."
With the 'big brother' mentioning the main topic, Sanemi Shinazugawa also became serious: "Ah, more than that, Iguro and I also discovered a situation where demons were gathering in groups."
It is well known that demons do not appear in groups.
Usually, only one demon appears in a given area, somewhat like an animal's territorial instinct.
If it weren't for this, the Demon Slayer Corps would inevitably have to expend much greater effort to eliminate these demons.
Iguro Obanai picked up the conversation: "Speaking of which, when Shinazugawa and I pursued them at that time, we personally witnessed them disappear before our eyes."
"No, it should be described as falling."
"The space beneath the floor seemed to connect to a structure-like area. Is that the place called the Infinity Castle?"
When Iguro Obanai mentioned this, his eyes held a trace of inquiry as he looked toward Mizuki.
Mizuki's heart jumped: "Infinity Castle? How did you encounter it?"
Iguro Obanai recounted the encounter he and Shinazugawa had.
A large number of demons had gathered in an abandoned fortress. When they chased them up a tall building, the group of demons disappeared right before their eyes.
By the time they jumped down, that space had shut them out.
Sanemi Shinazugawa listened, gritting his teeth, and punched the floor: "Damn it! We were so close that time!"
"Are you an idiot?" Mizuki broke out in a cold sweat just hearing their account. If they had gone inside, wouldn't they have been pincered?
"Huh?" Sanemi Shinazugawa looked over with a displeased expression.
Mizuki didn't mince words: "You clearly had information about the Infinity Castle, so why would you still charge inside?"
"You didn't think you could go in and come back out, did you?"
In that space, even if they didn't encounter Muzan or the other Upper Ranks, they would still get lost inside.
Mizuki couldn't even figure out how to crack that ability, yet there was a reckless idiot regretting not having jumped in?
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