Tanjirou shook his head and nodded, "That Old Gentleman has not yet taken his own life."
"However, he wrote a reply, hoping that Zenitsu would prepare well for this special training and defeat Kibutsuji Muzan."
"He does not want Zenitsu to worry because of his personal matters."
"In his words, he rejected Zenitsu's good intentions and deliberately emphasized that he did not want him to return."
The topic of a Master having to commit ritual suicide because their Disciple became a demon was too heavy, causing even Sanemi Shinazugawa, who usually clashed with Mizuki, to lose his desire to argue with her, and his expression darkened.
No one wants to raise a disloyal and unrighteous beast.
Hearing Tanjirou's words, Mizuki was not surprised.
Just as Kochou Shinobu had said, Tanjirou and Zenitsu probably wouldn't be able to smoothly convince Old Master Kuwajima.
If that Old Gentleman truly intended to listen to Zenitsu, even if Zenitsu hadn't contacted him, he would have definitely considered this outstanding child.
Didn't he know that if he took his own life, Zenitsu would be sad?
Just like those who commit suicide, didn't they think about their parents and children?
If they weren't truly unable to live on, who would want to commit suicide?
But in the eyes of people in this era, some things must be done.
This is neither a rule nor a law; it is an issue of ideology.
Nezuko pursed her lips: "Zenitsu originally wanted to rush back..."
Mizuki looked at Tanjirou curiously, shouldn't you be insisting that he rush back right now?
He can't just be this obedient, can he?
This doesn't seem like the protagonist of a Shounen Manga.
Tanjirou didn't know what Mizuki was thinking, but he subconsciously replied, "Actually, I also hoped he could rush back, but that is Zenitsu's decision."
"It's probably too late to rush back now," Kochou Shinobu said lightly, shaking her head.
If Old Master Kuwajima truly had the resolve... no, it should be said that this was inherently a dead end.
Rushing back wouldn't help, nor would it stop him.
Even if Ubuyashiki Kagaya issued a direct order, it is highly unlikely that he could prevent the ritual suicide.
Those are the rules and regulations passed down through the Demon Slayer Corps for generations.
The person who lives will definitely be subjected to criticism and scorn from others.
*Swoosh*
Just as everyone fell silent, hearing only the carefree sound of Inosuke eating, the dining hall door was suddenly pulled open.
Zenitsu Agatsuma appeared at the doorway with a messy head of yellow hair and a look of dejection, as if he had been abandoned by someone... which, in a sense, was true.
Seeing that he finally came out, Nezuko quickly walked over.
"Zenitsu!"
Zenitsu looked up blankly at her: "Nezuko, I'm so hungry. Is there anything to eat?"
He showed none of his previous perverted behavior.
This is abnormal.
This was the thought of everyone present.
That idiot is definitely not this normal.
Sure enough, even though she heard he was finally willing to eat, Nezuko couldn't smile and instead looked at him worriedly.
Zenitsu didn't get a response and didn't try to speak again, simply walking over to the others and sitting down next to them.
Seeing this, Nezuko went to get him a bowl of rice.
Seeing that they weren't even picking up their chopsticks, Zenitsu couldn't help but look up: "Eat? Why aren't any of you eating? Why are you just staring at me?"
"Zenitsu..." Tanjirou opened his mouth but couldn't speak.
How should he comfort him?
He had no idea how to offer comfort.
After all, there was no way to comfort someone over something like this.
Zenitsu forced a slight smile: "What are you thinking? I'm not that weak."
"This is the Old Gentleman's own choice, and I should respect him."
Everyone: "..."
They didn't know how to start speaking.
This guy was clearly putting on a brave face.
Just then, Mizuki suddenly raised her hand and slapped Zenitsu across the face.
The speed and suddenness were such that no one present had time to react, let alone Zenitsu, whose mind was in Chaos.
A crisp *smack* was heard instantly, and Zenitsu was knocked head over heels.
Everyone looked at Mizuki with expressions ranging from shock and awe to confusion and fear.
"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!!" Zenitsu was jolted awake by the slap, his cheek aching terribly as he rolled around on the floor.
He finally scrambled up and angrily demanded, "Bastard! What was that for!!!"
Everyone was stunned again.
He's so brave.
They had never seen Zenitsu be this brave before.
Previously, whenever he faced Mizuki, he was either flattering her or wearing a fawning expression, not daring to utter a single curse word.
Mizuki said expressionlessly, "Crying will make you feel better."
Everyone: "???"
Then why did you hit him!!!
Zenitsu paused: "Does that have anything to do with you inexplicably hitting me?"
Mizuki said faintly, "If you feel pain, it should be easier to cry."
Zenitsu couldn't help but subconsciously retort, "Are you a devil? How can anyone cry like this?"
Everyone originally wanted to agree with him; that was truly devilish.
But when they looked at Zenitsu's cheek, they involuntarily froze and pointed at him.
Zenitsu instinctively reached up to touch the corner of his eye, and indeed there were tears. He burst out in fury: "These are tears of PAIN, you bastard!!!"
Mizuki: "So, didn't you cry?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa: He was certain this woman was indeed a devil.
Shinazugawa Genya: So scary.
Tanjirou: So scary.
Kochou Kanae: Pain can indeed make one cry.
Kochou Shinobu: Mizuki is so cool.
Zenitsu's head was covered in black lines; the more he thought, the angrier he got, and the angrier he got, the more he thought, until he was practically fuming because of Mizuki.
A dark aura of Qi involuntarily spread from his body.
Mizuki lowered her brow and explained, "I'm not very good with words, but I think everyone here can empathize with the feeling of losing a loved one."
"Crying is indeed a good method. It has scientific basis."
What the heck was that last sentence!!
The beginning sounded quite heartfelt, but that final line about scientific basis completely ruined the atmosphere!
Everyone complained internally.
Zenitsu's expression froze, and his eyes dimmed: "I know."
That everyone is suffering.
That everyone is working hard to slay Kibutsuji Muzan.
"But..." Zenitsu Agatsuma lowered his head, clenching his hands unnaturally, his jaw grinding audibly, "But I just don't understand."
"That beast clearly knew that if he betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps, Grandpa would die."
With a little guidance, some things, like a faucet, naturally open up more and more.
Teardrops fell onto the floor one by one. When Zenitsu raised his head, his face was already blurred with tears.
Seeing this scene, Mizuki was momentarily stunned.
A past event she preferred not to recall also welled up in her heart.
Mizuki wore a faint smile: "...Our experiences might be quite similar."
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