As a Jonin-level puppeteer, Shimizu's ability to apply spiritual power far surpasses that of Uzui Tengen.
The 'score' technique, after hearing Uzui Tengen explain it that day, Shimizu was able to activate it in actual combat and deliberately train it in subsequent battles.
Even if the latter delved into Sun Breathing, and could enter the 'score' state faster than before, he was definitely not as fast as Shimizu.
Shimizu could activate the 'score' after only a few exchanges.
Furthermore, because he practiced the Mind's Eye Technique and the Sand Burial Technique, Shimizu had already faintly touched that realm.
He might only be one opportunity away from opening the Transparent World.
"Bang!"
Gunsmoke filled the air, and Byouba's neck was shot again, causing him to break free from his hidden Blood Demon Art state. Before he could escape, a sword light flashed, severing his neck, which had already healed by a third.
Sheathing his Nichirin blade, Shimizu watched Byouba gradually turn into ashes and dissipate. He clenched his left arm, and a sharp, thin needle popped out from the arm of the armored puppet, piercing his body and extracting a tube of blood.
The blood of the Twelve Kizuki contains the highest concentration of Muzan's blood; a few drops can turn a person into a demon, so it's quite valuable for research.
"I just don't know if the herbalists I hired in Kumotori Mountain have found the Blue Spider Lily."
Shimizu looked up at the sky and thought silently.
He had asked Tanjirou if there were any things resembling blue flowers near his home, with the reason that someone in his family was ill and needed this Chinese medicine for treatment, and that herbalists had found it in Kumotori Mountain. Coincidentally, Tanjirou's house was in Kumotori Mountain.
And Tanjirou answered very straightforwardly: he had seen it, but only once, and he only remembered that his mother had indeed taken him to see it, but he had never seen it again after that.
Shimizu estimated that when the Blue Spider Lily had not yet bloomed, it might have looked similar to those wild vegetables and weeds.
Now that summer had arrived, it was the time of year with the strongest sunlight, and the Blue Spider Lily was most likely to bloom.
If he still couldn't find it, the Blue Project would use the power of the Uesugi clan to dig up all the wild vegetables on the back mountain peak and eat wild vegetables every day. As long as there were any Blue Spider Lilies left, he would eventually eat them.
At that time, he only needed to take a portion of the Twelve Kizuki's demon blood, fuse it with his own blood, and finally expose it to the sun to determine whether he had eaten the Blue Spider Lily.
If possible, Shimizu wanted to try to research whether he could also become an organism with unlimited lifespan and super self-healing ability. Of course, if he could maintain his appearance and even retain his human identity, that would be even better.
… …
… …
Two days later.
The Ubuyashiki estate, in the open space in front of the courtyard.
Another Pillar Meeting was held.
"Lower Moon Three, another one of the Twelve Kizuki has been eliminated?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, whose purple markings on his face had become a bit denser, said with a smile.
"Another one?"
Shimizu was stunned, then turned his head to look at the entrance of the courtyard.
"Pillar Meeting, this should be the place, right?"
A girl with pink and green hair pushed open the door and poked out half of her body.
"Ah, I'm sorry, everyone. I got lost and came late!"
Mitsuri Kanroji trotted into the courtyard, and her two basketball-sized headlights shook constantly with her movements, looking very elastic.
"It's okay, Mitsuri. It's not time yet, it's just that everyone came earlier."
Kyojuro Rengoku said loudly with an enthusiastic smile on his face.
Mitsuri Kanroji was his disciple and successor before, so of course he would stand up to speak for her.
"That's right, there's actually still a minute before the agreed time. Congratulations, Mitsuri."
Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Pillar, uncharacteristically opened his mouth and said softly.
"Ah! Mr. Iguro! Thank you very much for the stockings you sent last time! They're very breathable and comfortable!"
Mitsuri Kanroji bowed casually.
Uzui Tengen, sitting next to Shimizu, gently nudged Shimizu with his shoulder, a teasing smile on his face, winking to indicate there was gossip.
He has three wives and can make them get along harmoniously. Of course, he is a veteran among women and can guess that Obanai Iguro is interested in Mitsuri Kanroji.
Which man would send a woman something like silk stockings if he wasn't interested!
However, apart from him and Shimizu, only Shinobu Kocho glanced at the two curiously. The other Pillars were all people with somewhat abnormal personalities and were a bit slow in emotional matters.
No one wrong first one inside one look!
"Cough cough, Mitsuri, Shimizu, thank you very much for your contributions. At the risk of your lives, you eliminated Lower Moon Six and Lower Moon Three. From today onwards, you are officially Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps."
The weak Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed tired of standing. Supported by Amane, he sat on the steps with a gentle expression on his face.
"Ah, actually, I didn't expect it to be a Twelve Kizuki. I just rushed up without thinking when I saw him trying to harm people, but fortunately, I won in the end without any danger!"
Mitsuri Kanroji clenched her fists, raised her small face with passion, and said.
"Lower Moon Three is a bit average. Except for Mitsuri, I've sparred with everyone present. With everyone's strength, it shouldn't be difficult to solve."
Shimizu sat in his seat with a calm expression.
"Twelve Kizuki is average… Why do I feel like your tone of voice is starting to resemble Giyu Tomioka's? To be able to say such unsettling words in a calm tone."
Sanemi Shinazugawa crossed his arms and looked at Shimizu.
As for Giyu Tomioka, he said to Sanemi Shinazugawa with an expression as calm as stagnant water:
"Thank you for the compliment, Shinazugawa."
A ＃ symbol representing annoyance appeared on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead.
"Bastard, do you think I'm praising you?"
"Isn't that so?"
Giyu really thought that Sanemi Shinazugawa was praising him, and he sincerely thanked him.
Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes seemed to be spitting fire as he stared at Giyu Tomioka.
"It's not convenient to fight here. After the Pillar Meeting ends, come outside and fight me!"
"I'll wait for you."
Giyu Tomioka stood up and was about to walk out the door.
In his mind, Sanemi Shinazugawa's way of communicating feelings with him was through sparring.
As for the Pillar Meeting… Giyu Tomioka, who thought he was not worthy of being the Water Pillar, felt that he was not worthy of participating.
