Demon Slayer: Muzan, will you dance too?

"The Nichirin Blade, rice balls, money, and you, little guy (Katsurayu)... I hope I didn't forget anything?"

The sun had already set, and Kiyokawa Izumi quickly packed her things, clearly preparing for her trip to Mount Sagiri.

"Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow morning to leave?"

Under the eaves, Shinobu asked softly.

"Early or late, it's all the same. See you again someday."

Kiyokawa Izumi waved his hand gently and said with a smile.

Having been in this world for less than a month, he actually possessed very little and had nothing to prepare.

As for saying goodbye.

I know even fewer people, so there's no need for it.

Shinobu Kocho seemed to tacitly approve of his staying at the Butterfly Mansion, or at least allow him to stay there temporarily, but she didn't inquire about his specific attitude.

Because he knew very well that he didn't belong here and that he would eventually have to leave.

There was actually no particular purpose to this trip.

I simply want to become stronger.

It's not about becoming stronger for the sake of becoming stronger, but simply hoping that I won't encounter situations where I feel powerless in the future, and that I won't be at a loss when I'm in despair.

I'm working hard so that I can face everything with composure in the future.

It's not some grand idea, nor is it about becoming stronger to save others.

It's even a bit selfish, to say the least.

"Take care on your journey!"

Upon hearing this again, Kiyokawa Izumi even felt a surge of impulse, wanting to turn around and tell her without hesitation that the enemy she would face in the future was so powerful that it would make her despair.

You'll die!

Even with all our might, we cannot defeat them.

They will be eaten, and their remains will be gone.

This is certainly your scheme, but is this really the outcome your sister wanted to see?

Perhaps it was sympathy, pity, or the unwillingness to see someone they knew end up like that; the impulse was hard to suppress.

Kiyokawa Izumi turned around and faced the slightly surprised Kocho Shinobu. Unconsciously, her right hand tightened its grip on the Nichirin Blade at her waist. After a moment of silence, she said nothing.

It's ridiculous, really. How was he supposed to even begin?

In what capacity and from what stand?

Faced with her resolute decision, could Kiyokawa Izumi, an outsider, really bring herself to say certain things?

Whether revealing information about Doma would arouse suspicion is another matter, but would Shinobu Kocho really believe it?

Why would an ordinary swordsman like him have information about Upper Moon Two?

This is unreasonable!

Perhaps after leaving the Demon Slayer Corps, Kiyokawa Izumi will leave behind everything she knows, but not now.

Sometimes, I really envy Yoriichi Tsugikuni; he's like a dazzling, handsome man who fell from the sky.

"If you had that ability, wouldn't you need to be hesitant right now?"

Unfortunately, he didn't have Yoriichi Tsugikuni's talent, nor did he think he could become the next Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

The current Kiyokawa Izumi is a lost person who hasn't even figured out his own path.

The world is so vast and unimaginable; what difference does it make whether I exist or not?

Can my existence change the predetermined outcome?

"I'm afraid that won't work."

Perhaps, for the Demon Slayer Corps, this was the best possible ending, as everything was destined to be this way.

Kiyokawa Izumi left quietly, without making a special trip to find the three little ones or Kanzaki Aoi.

My relationship with these people is actually quite ordinary.

……

Because demons only appear at night, the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps have somewhat irregular sleep schedules.

Kiyoshi Izumi has gotten used to traveling at night.

He participated in the Final Selection after Kanzaki Aoi, but earlier than Tanjiro.

In other words, there is a high probability that you will encounter Tanjiro at Mount Sagiri.

During this period, the protagonist should still be training under the former Water Pillar, while Muichiro and Kyojuro may have just become Pillars or are about to become Pillars.

Although the original work has a simple timeline, it does not specify the exact month and day.

However, Kiyokawa Izumi, a member of the lower-ranking team, didn't have much information about the current Pillars.

All I know is that Shinobu is already the Insect Pillar and took over the Butterfly Mansion years ago.

Brother Yiyong should have been a water columnist for quite some time now.

To be honest, why doesn't Kiyokawa Izumi go find this person?

In terms of strength, Giyu, who is at his peak, should be much stronger than Urokodaki Sakonji.

This is certainly just speculation, but the previous Water Pillar never actually used his full strength in the original work.

In addition, he is getting old and his body is no longer at its peak.

So why doesn't Kiyokawa Izumi go find someone he thinks is stronger?

Because he's not a shrew!

This was obviously a joke, but since Brother Yiyong is the current Water Pillar, he's been so busy that he's never heard of him having a stepson.

Not being able to see them is one aspect.

How easy is it for an ordinary swordsman to see a Pillar?

Even if he could meet him, Kiyokawa Izumi had no confidence that he could gain his approval.

After weighing the pros and cons, I still think choosing my ex, Shuizhu, is the more reliable option.

……

In a dilapidated temple deep in the mountains,

Kiyokawa Izumi walked in under the cover of night, half of his Nichirin Blade already drawn.

"Many hunters from this area have gone missing, and the swordsmen who came to investigate have not yet arrived."

"I was just passing by and meddling, you probably don't have any objections, right?"

Kiyokawa Izumi spoke softly, his clear voice echoing through the dilapidated temple, as if something was crawling in the depths of the shadows.

The bluish blade was already drawn, and a seemingly ordinary slash was delivered.

Having done all this, Kiyokawa Izumi sheathed his sword and left without pausing.

The sound of a demon's head hitting the ground came from behind.

Just as he said, he was just passing by and stopped by to take a look and vent his frustrations.