He's surprisingly shy! Kyojuro thought, standing right behind the Wind Hashira. He couldn't help but shake his head, his face filled with genuine admiration. Shinazugawa is truly meticulous! He actually took advantage of everyone's distraction to sneak closer to Su Chen! This way, he can get his questions answered before anyone else. What a brilliant move!
But how did he even think of this strategy? Kyojuro wondered. Normally, Kasugai Crows carry confidential information for the Demon Slayer Corps. Almost every Corps member will subconsciously look up and listen to the crow's message. The news from Shinobu's crow was so explosive that everyone was shocked... but Shinazugawa wasn't! He actually resisted the urge to be distracted! He's a formidable opponent!
Thinking this, Kyojuro let out a quiet sigh of relief. It's a good thing he ran in the wrong direction at first, otherwise, he would have secured his spot even faster!
Da da da.
Kyojuro quickly shuffled his feet and stood in a perfect line right behind Shinazugawa. This way, no one could cut in front of him.
In the crowd, Su Chen, however, watched Shinazugawa with suspicion. This is too strange. Everything that had just happened was bizarre. First, what exactly is Kochou Shinobu trying to do? And what does Shinazugawa really want to ask?
Looking at Shinobu's sweet, perfect smile—the one that always hid a dagger—Su Chen was pretty sure the Wind Hashira wasn't here voluntarily.
The facts were pretty much exactly as Su Chen had guessed.
At this moment, Shinazugawa was in the middle of a fierce internal struggle. He secretly swore to himself. I won't say a single word! As long as I don't speak, that witch Kochou will have no way to deal with me! As long as I stay silent, I can still save some of my face today!
Perhaps Shinazugawa himself didn't even realize that his goal had already changed. His original plan was just to avoid Su Chen. Now, that plan was completely destroyed by Shinobu. The initiative had been completely stolen from him.
Seeing that Shinazugawa was determined to stay silent, Kochou Shinobu's small mouth began to work its magic again. She showed a perfectly harmless smile and said sweetly, "Mr. Shinazugawa, why aren't you asking? Are you not fond of talking? Would you like me to remind you what you wanted?"
Kyojuro, standing right behind him, also spoke up with great understanding. "It's alright, Shinazugawa! Don't be afraid that your talent is too low to understand! Be bolder!"
He clapped Shinazugawa firmly on the shoulder, his voice full of vigor. "Look at you! You came here to learn just like me, but you're acting so shy! Just be like me! Ask openly and honestly! It doesn't matter if you don't understand! If you don't know, you just don't know!"
It hardened.
Shinazugawa's fist hardened.
Silence was his final, stubborn defense. These people are definitely here just to mess with me! I'll endure it!
Looking at Shinazugawa's bright red, furious face, Su Chen finally understood the whole picture. He quickly analyzed the cause and effect. Su Chen deduced that Shinazugawa probably had something to ask Kochou Shinobu, but she didn't want to tell him. So, she had thrown the problem onto Su Chen instead. The furious, blushing man standing next to him right now was the best proof. His face explained everything.
Thinking of this, a plan suddenly formed in Su Chen's mind. He spoke up, his voice calm. "Shinazugawa-san, do you want to know how to specifically activate the Mark?"
Upon hearing this, Shinazugawa, who had been bracing for more teasing, was stunned. His whole body went numb.
How... How did Su Chen know?
He instinctively turned his head away, refusing to answer the question. But the stubborn, shocked look on his face had already given Su Chen the answer.
Seeing this, Su Chen understood. So, that's it.
He hadn't had much contact with Shinazugawa when he first arrived. The most he did was introduce the function of the Mark and the physical changes after awakening it, back in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's room. According to the original plot, Shinazugawa is a man who yearns for strength above all else. There's no way he would miss this opportunity. Su Chen instantly deduced all the necessary information. This was perfect. He also had something he needed Shinazugawa to do.
"Shinazugawa-san, do you want to learn? If you want to learn, I can teach you," Su Chen said openly.
Shinazugawa was stunned. Beside him, Kyojuro and Kochou Shinobu's expressions immediately changed to ones of deep interest. Only Inosuke looked completely bewildered.
Kyojuro and Shinobu were both Hashira. They understood the principle that awakening the Mark would allow them to kill demons more effectively. As for the side effects of the Mark, as Hashira, that wasn't their main concern. Now, if Su Chen was really going to teach the specific method, the Insect Hashira and the Flame Hashira naturally wouldn't miss this chance.
But wait, Shinobu thought, didn't Su Chen already reveal the method at Oyakata-sama's residence?
Indeed. Su Chen had held something back. He was just waiting for one of the Hashira to come and ask him personally.
Hearing the direct offer, Shinazugawa hesitated. His expression clearly wavered. He was torn.
In his heart, he felt he had already lost most of his face today anyway. At this point... asking one question wouldn't be a big deal, right?
Shinazugawa's pride finally wavered. He looked like he was in pain and forced the words out through gritted teeth. "What are your conditions?"
Su Chen smiled. "It's simple. You'll compete with me. We'll make a bet, and if you win, I'll teach you."
As soon as he said that, Inosuke couldn't help but shout, "A fight? We can fight!?"
Bang!
Kanzaki Aoi's fist landed squarely on his head. She bowed with a look of shame. "Excuse me, everyone! Please continue!"
Shinazugawa lowered his head and thought for a moment. Su Chen's meaning was simple: win the competition, get the method for the Mark. The only question was what competition. Influenced by Inosuke's shout, Shinazugawa suddenly looked up. "How about it? We go out and have a one-on-one fight?"
Kochou Shinobu kindly reminded him from the side, "No fighting near the Butterfly Mansion, okay~"
So, that plan was a bust.
At this moment, Kyojuro spoke up again. "Then how about we compete in eating rice balls?"
After hearing that, Shinazugawa nodded. His appetite was pretty good!
But Kochou Shinobu's smiling face stiffened. Her fair little hand subconsciously fumbled inside her pocket, feeling the few coins there.
Su Chen saw her embarrassment. Suppressing a laugh, he quickly said, "No, I don't like eating rice balls. That's not a fair competition!"
Hearing this, Shinazugawa and Kyojuro lowered their heads to think of another competition.
Kochou Shinobu's hand, which was still in her pocket, suddenly froze. She could tell that Su Chen was helping her. But... how did he know she had no money? This is too embarrassing!
Could it be that he knew I couldn't afford to host a rice ball competition and deliberately said that to spare me? After all, Su Chen was only fourteen, an age where he was growing rapidly. Just yesterday, she had seen him eat dozens of rice balls in one meal. How could he possibly not like them?
Shinobu, oh Shinobu... You're just too pathetic. You can't even afford to buy rice balls.
But then again, this Su Chen... he was really understanding.
If only she had met him earlier.
Perhaps...
Slap, slap!