Shinobu Kocho's tests on her new wisteria poison had finally reached their conclusion.
The results were beyond satisfactory. The toxicity had been magnified nearly fiftyfold, a staggering leap that promised to bolster Shinobu's lethality on the battlefield significantly. With the experiments a success, she found herself in an uncharacteristically buoyant mood.
She had already decided that upon their return, she would refine this new strain further, pushing it as close to perfection as possible. At the same time, she planned to prepare a large stockpile—after all, it was better to be over-prepared than caught off guard. From this day forward, this new wisteria poison would be her primary weapon of choice.
With Shinobu's work finished, it was time to focus on Kanao.
One of the primary objectives of this excursion was to temper Kanao through genuine experience—to throw her into the fray, let her participate in real combat, and ensure she grew accustomed to the sight of demon blood.
While Kanao's personality remained a significant hurdle, it did not mean she was weak, nor did it mean she would hesitate when facing a demon. This fact was laid bare during her very first engagement.
The moment Horitake or Shinobu gave the order to strike, the usually soft and docile Kanao underwent a total transformation. She became sharp, decisive, and ruthlessly efficient. She dispatched the foul creatures with a cold precision that brooked no mercy.
Watching Kanao's gallant and fluid movements as she cut through demons, Horitake couldn't help but recall a specific scene from the original story.
In the original timeline, when Tanjiro and Kanao first met, Kanao had been intent on slaying Nezuko. Tanjiro, naturally, tried to stop her, only to be unceremoniously knocked unconscious by a single, swift kick from the girl. That moment alone was a testament to her prowess.
And one mustn't forget: when Tanjiro was recovering at the Butterfly Mansion and began his functional recovery training, who was his primary opponent? It was Kanao. During their reaction-speed drills—the game of snatching tea cups—Tanjiro had been doused in tea more times than he could count before he finally managed to win a single round.
It was evident that, at least in the early stages, Kanao's strength was significantly higher than Tanjiro's.
This disparity was being proven once again. Kanao's first true trial was clean and efficient. Her strikes were brutal and unforgiving, creating a stark contrast to her dazed and "moe" exterior.
As Kanao finished her first completely independent battle, Horitake began to clap, offering his sincere praise.
"Impressive. Truly impressive. Little Kanao's strength has exceeded my expectations." He turned to Shinobu with a smile. "In a sense, this girl is already stronger than my junior fellow disciples or even our young friend Tanjiro. Shinobu-nee, the Butterfly Estate certainly knows how to raise a daughter."
Standing beside him, Shinobu smiled with a touch of quiet pride.
"Of course. While Kanao's personality is still a concern, it was because my sister and I worried about her that we started her training so young. we wanted to bolster her strength early on. We simply didn't want her to suffer or be taken advantage of when she grew up, so we pushed her to train."
Hearing this, Horitake finally understood.
It made sense why Kanao was currently ahead of the likes of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Yaae. It came down to their starting points. Kanao had been nurtured as an elite by both Kanae and Shinobu since she was a small child. After years of top-tier, specialized education, it would be stranger if she wasn't strong.
Meanwhile, what about Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Yaae? Those three were all late bloomers who had changed careers halfway through their youth. Their average training time didn't even exceed two years. How could they possibly compare to Kanao's years of foundation?
It reminded Horitake of certain issues in modern education.
In the past, there was a saying that "children from poor families manage the household early." Because their lives were difficult, they had no choice but to study with desperate diligence to get ahead, often resulting in excellent academic performance.
But the modern era is different.
Nowadays, the children who truly excel academically often come from affluent families. Those from genuinely struggling backgrounds are becoming the minority among the elite. Because only a wealthy family can provide a child with the best tutors, the best resources, and the best environment to cultivate their talents to the fullest.
Such children start the race from a position far ahead of everyone else.
And what about the children from difficult circumstances? Their starting line isn't even on the same track. No matter how hard they work or how much they struggle, it is grueling—if not impossible—to catch up to those who were given every advantage from birth.
This disparity creates a vicious cycle: the poor get poorer, and the rich get richer, while the wealth gap widens into a chasm. Children from good families receive an elite education, developing top-tier skills and mindsets; when they grow up and inherit the family business, they take it even further. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds... limited by their environment, generally stay where they are.
Of course, there are those who defy the odds—the "golden phoenixes" rising from a chicken coop—but those cases are rare exceptions.
As the saying goes: Dragons beget dragons, and phoenixes beget phoenixes. The chance of a true dragon emerging from a loach's hole isn't zero, but the probability is infinitesimally small. The environment of a loach hole simply isn't built to sustain a dragon.
Cough... Horitake caught himself. He had let his frustration with the grim realities of society get the better of him, causing his thoughts to wander. He felt a bit embarrassed; the "rotten reality" of it all just tended to strike a nerve.
Regardless, the fact remained: Kanao was currently stronger than the "young trio." She had received a head start and superior nurturing, and that was simply the way of the world.
Looking at Kanao, who had performed so well, Horitake spoke up in praise:
"Well done, Kanao. Your strength is excellent. Your swordsmanship is sharp and decisive, and you don't hesitate for a second. Your use of the 'Flower Breathing' is quite polished; it's clear you've inherited the true essence of Kanae-nee's teachings."
He continued, his tone becoming more professional. "In terms of pure combat power and technique, you don't have many glaring weaknesses. The only real issue is your personality, which you'll have to work on slowly over time. As for forms and combat maneuvers, I don't have much to teach you—you're already doing a great job. If I were at your current level of strength, I doubt I could do much better."
"Now, all that's left is the 'crash course' training. Once you've undergone my intensive regime, I estimate your effective combat strength will increase by another twenty to thirty percent."
Having assessed Kanao's baseline, Horitake began to formulate a specialized training plan for her.
First, they would suspend their nighttime demon-hunting activities. Intensive training was far more efficient during the day.
Second, they needed to find a safe, quiet location where they wouldn't be disturbed.
Once those two conditions were met, the training could proceed with maximum efficiency. The trio moved immediately, putting their duties as slayers on hold. They found a peaceful, serene village and secured lodging. After scouting the outskirts, they located a perfect training ground.
And so, the intensive "crash course" officially began.
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