When Mizuki found Tanjirou, he was helping Nezuko cook for the training members.
Originally, the cooking duty was assigned to Kanae and Kanao, but after Nezuko arrived, she hoped to help, so the task of preparing meals was entrusted to her.
Of course, Kanae and her sister still helped out in the kitchen most of the time.
It was just that when they were busy, Nezuko would take on more of the work.
According to reliable gossip, after eating, the swordsmen unanimously declared that the food was more palatable and delicious than before, praising Miss Kanae's cooking skills for having improved greatly.
What puzzled everyone was that over those two days, the training led by the Flower Hashira, Miss Kanae, became much stricter. Many had hoped for an easier time, but the suffering was worse than training under Lord Shinazugawa.
It wasn't until they later saw Nezuko busy in the kitchen that everyone realized they had precisely stepped on a landmine.
Kochou Shinobu was also there, naturally, because she needed to inform Kanae about preparing the late-night snack.
Seeing that the kitchen was so crowded there was barely room to stand, Mizuki looked speechless. "I've been looking for you all morning, you know."
The three Kochou sisters, plus Tanjirou and his sister, made the entire kitchen very lively.
Tanjirou was sitting behind the stove. Hearing Mizuki's voice, he turned his head, his nose tipped with a bit of ash. He scratched his head sheepishly, "I've been helping Nezuko cook in the kitchen."
Mizuki's fingers subconsciously lifted, paused, and then wiped the ash from the tip of his nose. "Tanjirou already knows, right?"
"About tonight, with the other Hashira..."
Before Mizuki could finish speaking, she heard Tanjirou's firm reply.
"Yes, I'm going!"
Mizuki swallowed the rest of her words and nodded. "It's still early. Conserve your energy for now. The Awakening of the Transparent World is more difficult than the activation of the Demon Slayer Mark."
It was only evening now; dinner wasn't even ready, let alone a late-night snack.
Tanjirou hadn't been idle here either, sparring with others occasionally.
As the first person of this generation to activate the Demon Slayer Mark, he was the second person after Mizuki to make the Mark permanent. Aside from the effects of his age, his true strength was already close to the forefront of the Hashira.
Even Sanemi Shinazugawa found it difficult to gain an advantage when fighting him.
One must know that although Sanemi Shinazugawa had not yet activated the Demon Slayer Mark, Mizuki considered his strength to truly be among the best in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Whether on the side of the Demons or the Demon Slayer Corps, the fluctuation in combat power is huge.
On the Demon Slayer Corps side, the strong ones, like Himejima Gyomei, are more powerful than most Hashira who have activated the Demon Slayer Mark, even without having activated it himself.
The weaker ones, like Kochou Shinobu, due to her weak Physique, were quickly caught up to by those behind her, even after activating the Demon Slayer Mark.
Now, even Kanao's raw strength surpasses Kochou Shinobu's.
For Tanjirou to achieve this level is already very good... although it is still far from what Mizuki expects.
But Mizuki understood that Tanjirou was not Yoriichi.
They were two completely different people, whether in appearance, personality, or talent.
Nezuko paused her vegetable chopping, turned her head, and said with a smile, "Brother will definitely be able to do it."
Tanjirou clenched his fist with a determined look and replied, "I will work hard!"
"Mhm." Mizuki's lips curled up slightly.
She did not doubt whether Tanjirou could Awaken the Transparent World.
In her view, this was an inevitable outcome.
Even if he couldn't activate it during the special training, he would definitely Awaken that power during the final battle against Muzan.
Tanjirou's talent is not weak; it could even be called outstanding. If he is weaker, he is only weaker than Tokito Muichiro.
Compared to Yoriichi, the talents of everyone else in this world seem overshadowed.
Mizuki glanced around the kitchen, then realized something and asked, "Wait, I haven't seen Inosuke. Where did that guy go?"
Tanjirou explained, "Inosuke and Genya have already passed the special training under Mr. Shinazugawa and Miss Kanae. They left early this morning and headed towards Mr. Himejima's place."
Mizuki was stunned for a moment. "Is that so?"
Thinking about it, she hadn't seen Genya's figure earlier.
Because Genya's presence wasn't as noticeable as The Three Little Ones, Mizuki had subconsciously overlooked him.
Thinking that, it seemed a bit impolite.
Mizuki rubbed her chin. "In that case, I wonder if they'll make it for the training."
However, since both of them had already activated the Demon Slayer Mark, Mizuki didn't have high expectations for their Awakening of the Transparent World.
Especially Inosuke.
The Breathing Technique that child uses is a derivative of Wind Breathing, created without any foundation in swordsmanship. It was likely a breathing style he developed himself after snatching a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman's weapon and witnessing their battle against a Demon.
It wouldn't be wrong to say he has talent, but that Breathing Technique is too crude, making it difficult for him to improve.
Many Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps use derivative Breathing Techniques, but those were passed down as Legacy through many battle-hardened swordsmen.
Even Kochou Shinobu's Insect Breathing, a subordinate Breathing Technique derived from Flower Breathing, is far superior in precision compared to Inosuke's Beast Breathing.
The Transparent World requires the Breathing Technique and swordsmanship to be cultivated to the extreme, reaching a Realm similar to returning to one's original nature. It seems more appropriate to describe it using Akaza's term: the Supreme Domain.
If the Demon Slayer Mark is the stepping stone and the scarlet blade is the prerequisite, then the Transparent World is the physical manifestation of talent.
As for Inosuke, his crude swordsmanship and Breathing Technique will make it difficult for him to open that Supreme Domain.
In comparison, Zenitsu's Thunder Breathing, which only consists of a single technique, seems increasingly refined to Mizuki, sometimes even astonishing her.
Since Inosuke and Genya went to Himejima Gyomei's place, it's unclear for now whether they can come back.
As for Zenitsu, since the special training was Kochou Shinobu's spontaneous idea, he wasn't informed in time. By the time he found out, Zenitsu's 'tattered' body had already become even more battered due to Sanemi Shinazugawa's 'care'.
Zenitsu shook his head helplessly and spread his hands. "What a pity. It looks like I'll have to be absent tonight."
Everyone: No, we can't see even a hint of reluctance in your thoughts.
Noticing Mizuki's gradually chilling gaze, Zenitsu, who was ecstatic inside, instantly broke out in a cold sweat and quickly raised his hand to declare:
"I'll catch up with everyone immediately after I rest for two days!"
Mizuki's cold eyes softened slightly, and Zenitsu sighed in relief from the bottom of his heart.
He almost died; that was truly terrifying.
"Haha, well, I won't bother you anymore, won't bother you." Zenitsu scurried away dejectedly.
Kochou Shinobu looked up at the sky, where a silver moon hung on the horizon. "Counting the time, it should be about ready, right?"
It was already the dead of night.
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