NOVEL WEB Chapter 93: DSWS: Chapter 93
"The Secret Weapon Hidden in the Village"
Mitsuri Kanroji blushed at the question, shyly saying, "Um? Me? It's really embarrassing… Do you really want to hear? Aoki-sama wants to hear too, right? Well…"
She covered her face in embarrassment.
"Actually, I joined to find my destined husband here! I really wanted to marry someone stronger than me. After all, every girl wants to be protected."
"Oh, it's probably hard for boys to understand. Hashira are strong, right? But we rarely meet, so I became a Hashira to increase my chances of meeting other Hashira. It was incredibly difficult!"
Aoki, his back to Mitsuri Kanroji, covered his mouth to stifle a cough, preventing the matsutake rice from flying out, though a few grains still escaped through his nose.
"Genya's really not in his room?" The three of them, plus Nezuko, went to Genya's room, intending to bring him some rice balls, but he wasn't there.
A member of the Hidden Division approached.
"Kanroji-sama, your Nichirin Blade is almost finished sharpening. For final adjustments, could you please accompany me to the workshop?"
Mitsuri Kanroji looked reluctant. "Oh dear, it seems I must go."
Tanjiro said, "Please don't worry, we'll walk you there."
"No need. I'll likely leave the village late tonight," Mitsuri Kanroji replied.
Turning to Tanjiro, she said, "Tanjiro-dono, it's uncertain if we'll meet again, but let's all do our best!"
"Tanjiro-dono, you survived a fierce battle against an Upper Moon. That's invaluable experience. Practical experience is the most precious; it's equivalent to five or ten years of rigorous training."
Stroking Nezuko's head, Mitsuri Kanroji continued, "So, Tanjiro-dono is stronger than ever. I, Mitsuri Kanroji, will always cheer for you and Nezuko-chan!"
"But I'm still far from strong enough!" Tanjiro said. "It was Aoki-senpai, Shinobu-senpai, and Uzui-san's efforts that secured our victory. To defeat Muzan Kibutsuji someday, I must strive even harder!"
Mitsuri Kanroji was impressed by Tanjiro's speech.
"Tanjiro-dono has permission to stay in the village for a while, right?" She leaned close to Tanjiro, her pleasant scent filling the air.
"I heard there's a secret weapon here that makes you stronger. Go find it." With that, Mitsuri Kanroji left with the Hidden Division member, teasing Aoki before she went, "Aoki-sama! You're the best candidate for my husband!"
Aoki muttered, "Please spare me, sister! Shinobu would skin me alive if she found out!"
Just then, Tanjiro's nosebleed erupted like a faucet.
The next morning…
Tanjiro, carrying Nezuko's box, headed into the mountains to search for the secret weapon Mitsuri Kanroji mentioned. Aoki, mostly out of boredom, followed.
"Aoki-senpai, what's this secret weapon Kanroji-san mentioned? A sword? A hidden treasure sword? It's like a treasure hunt! I'm so excited!" Tanjiro said excitedly in the forest.
"I don't know," Aoki said nonchalantly, hands behind his head.
"This is a nice place. The only downside is the strong smell of the hot springs. I wish we could find Haganezuka-san quickly."
Tanjiro suddenly spotted two figures in the forest ahead.
"Hmm?"
Looking closer, he saw a masked child, maybe seven or eight years old, and a young man with long black hair and a stoic expression.
He recognized the young man; Shinobu had mentioned him—Muichiro Tokito, one of the Hashira, the Mist Hashira.
Aoki saw Muichiro Tokito but didn't immediately recognize him. Of all the Hashira, he hadn't spoken to Muichiro even once. He'd thought Giyu Tomioka had the weakest presence, but Muichiro was even less noticeable.
"Get away! I won't give you the key! I won't tell someone like you how to use it!" the masked child shouted at Muichiro.
Tanjiro, witnessing this from afar, was puzzled.
"What's going on? Are they arguing? What should I do? Eavesdropping is bad, but if they're fighting, I should mediate."
Suddenly, Muichiro struck the child on the neck with a swift, incapacitating blow.
"Stop!"
Tanjiro leaped out, grabbing Muichiro's wrist.
"What are you doing?! Let him go!" Trying to pry Muichiro's hand from the child's neck, Tanjiro was surprised he couldn't budge Muichiro's arm.
Muichiro, despite being thinner and younger, was a Hashira. Tanjiro didn't understand, but now he did.
"So noisy. Who's there?" Muichiro said emotionlessly. "You want me to let go? Release your grip first!"
Muichiro used his free arm to elbow-strike Tanjiro in the abdomen.
Intense pain wracked Tanjiro's abdomen. He released Muichiro's arm and doubled over, retching.
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