Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Kanroji mitsuri's troubles
Kanroji Mitsuri had been troubled recently.
At almost the age of marriage, she saw her peers getting engaged one after another, while she remained single and silent.
She had always been different.
The more she ate, the stronger she became, developing a strength that was terrifyingly powerful.
As a child, she had been proud of her unique ability, but as she grew older, what once seemed like a gift turned into a burden.
Her extraordinary strength intimidated every man she met, leaving her without any prospects for marriage.
As a girl, she dreamt of marrying a man stronger than herself, but this wish seemed increasingly impossible to fulfill.
Although her parents assured her that it was fine if she didn't marry, Mitsuri couldn't let go of her longing for love and companionship.
Lost in her thoughts, Kanroji Mitsuri wandered out of town and found herself in a dense forest on the outskirts.
When the light began to fade and her surroundings grew dim, she suddenly realized how far she had strayed.
"Oops! I've walked too far. I need to head back quickly!"
Covering her mouth in surprise, Mitsuri turned to leave.
But then, a series of strange noises echoed through the dense forest. She paused and looked around curiously.
"What's that sound?"
The thick canopy of trees blocked the sunlight, making it difficult to see what was happening inside the forest.
"What should I do?" Mitsuri wondered aloud, feeling a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.
"Well… maybe I should go check it out?"
Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, she quietly ventured deeper into the forest.
Despite the eerie atmosphere, she wasn't worried about her safety.
Her extraordinary strength had caused her many problems, but it also provided a significant advantage: she was more than capable of defending herself.
As she moved deeper into the forest, the strange noises grew louder.
Climbing a gentle slope, the dense foliage suddenly gave way to a clearer view. Mitsuri raised her head, peering forward with curiosity.
Her eyes widened in amazement.
Aoki stood in front of a massive boulder, practicing Aoki-ryu.
"Aoki-ryu, Death Calamity!"
He moved with sudden intensity.
Jabs, kicks, and sweeps seemed chaotic and not particularly fast, but together they formed a rhythm that was as relentless and powerful as crashing waves, creating a sense of overwhelming force.
"Aoki-ryu, Storm!"
Aoki's movements shifted dramatically.
Every part of his body—fists, elbows, knees, and feet—transformed into deadly weapons, striking the boulder in a complex, unbroken rhythm.
Boom, boom, boom!
The sound was like a series of drumbeats reverberating through the air.
The boulder's surface became pitted and cracked under the relentless assault.
With a final blow, the boulder shattered into countless fragments, scattering in all directions.
"It's done!"
Aoki's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Mastering these two powerful moves marked the completion of his training in Aoki-ryu's basic techniques, and signified the initial formation of his personal combat system.
"He broke the rock?"
Kanroji Mitsuri covered her mouth in shock and excitement.
Her own muscle density was eight times that of an ordinary person. As a child, she had surpassed sumo wrestlers in strength. But even she couldn't break a rock of that size.
Could this be real?
Are there truly people this powerful in the world?
Eager to see more, she leaned forward for a better look, but lost her balance and fell face-first into the ground.
"Ouch!"
"Who's there?" Aoki turned abruptly.
"Uh-oh! I've been caught!"
Mitsuri stood up, slightly embarrassed.
"Hello, sir. We meet again! I didn't mean to spy on you; I just heard strange noises and came to check."
"It's you!"
Aoki rubbed his forehead.
How careless of me!
Mitsuri had gotten so close without him noticing. If she had been an enemy, the consequences could have been dire.
Although his focus had been entirely on "Death Calamity" and "Storm," this was a wake-up call.
This world was filled with threats, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
Shaking off his distraction, Aoki greeted her. "Hello, Miss Kanroji. It's nice to see you again."
Kanroji Mitsuri's eyes lit up. "Oh? You know who I am?"
"I've heard of you," Aoki replied.
The Kanroji family lived near the Aoki Dojo. Mitsuri was well-known in the neighborhood as the girl with the insatiable appetite and extraordinary strength.
Mitsuri's shoulders slumped. "I guess it's all about those bad reputations."
"Bad reputations?"
Aoki picked up his sunshade hat and gourd, speaking casually. "Miss Kanroji, being strong is not a flaw. People criticize you because they are jealous or afraid. In reality, your strength is a remarkable talent. You are truly exceptional."
"Do you really think so?"
Mitsuri looked at him with wide eyes. "What good is this talent if it means no one will ever like me?"
Aoki looked at her thoughtfully and smiled. "You should be more confident. Compared to you, most people are just ordinary. And as for your talent, it has many advantages. For example, you could easily outwork others in physically demanding jobs."
He had no intention of developing a close relationship with Kanroji Mitsuri. When she inevitably joined the Demon Slayer Corps, their paths might cross as adversaries.
It would be wise not to get too entangled with her.
However, he saw no need to avoid her completely or treat her coldly. Worrying too much about a future that might never come was pointless.
Mitsuri laughed, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "Compared to you, Mr. Aomura, I'm just an ordinary person!"
Aoki shook his head. "It's different. Most strong people become strong through rigorous training, but you were born with it."
"Training? Can regular people train to be as strong as you, Mr. Aomura?" Mitsuri asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"Just call me Aomura," Aoki corrected. "And yes, there are people stronger than me. But even the ability to train and become stronger is a talent in itself."
Mastering the breathing techniques, a cornerstone of the Demon Slayer Corps' power, required talent that few possessed.
"So, there really are people that strong in the world!"
Kanroji Mitsuri's eyes sparkled with newfound hope. "Mr. Aomura, are you going to continue practicing? Can I watch?"
"No, today's training is over," Aoki replied, shaking his head.
"Then, let's head back together!"
Mitsuri wasn't disappointed; instead, she beamed with a bright, sunny smile.
"I've been so worried about my strength recently. It's what led me to wander into your training spot today. But now, I'm really happy…"
As they walked back to town, Mitsuri was brimming with enthusiasm. She had never met anyone who shared her level of strength, and she felt a connection with Aoki.
She chatted animatedly about her life, her struggles, and her hopes for the future.
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