Chapter 17: First encounter with kanroji mitsuri

"It seems intelligence will need to be prioritized more in the future," Aoki mused as he stretched, feeling the subtle shift in his body after allocating attribute points. Intelligence was crucial, not just for his mental acuity but for the control and finesse required to harness his powers effectively.

"Speaking of attributes, I still have two free points left to allocate," he thought. Accessing his system panel, Aoki assigned the points to intelligence and agility. His current strength was sufficient for now, and given a demon's rapid regenerative abilities, physical fitness wasn't as pressing.

"There's also the Demon Wine Gourd," Aoki murmured, retrieving the light-yellow gourd from his inventory. It was an unassuming object, about twenty centimeters tall, yet he knew it held significant potential. After a moment of contemplation, he realized its purpose. Unlike the magical gourds in *Journey to the West*, this gourd didn't capture demons or aid in combat. Instead, it transformed ordinary wine into Demon wine—a beverage that even demons could savor.

In some ways, this was more precious than any combat ability. Ever since his transformation, food had lost its flavor, tasting like sand. Being able to taste again was a gift beyond value.

"It's almost dawn," Aoki noted. Securing the gourd at his waist, he adjusted his sunshade hat and began his descent down the mountain. The previous night's exertions had left him drained. Using "Boiling Blood" had taken a toll, and overusing "Space Shuttle" had left him further weakened.

As he reached the base of the mountain, daylight had already broken. He joined the bustling road filled with people and traffic, leading to a prosperous town. High-rise buildings loomed ahead, and the streets were packed with shops and throngs of tourists.

Blending into the crowd with his bamboo hat, Aoki walked unnoticed through the busy streets of Azabu. This place felt like a different world compared to his previous residence. Here, it seemed as though he had stepped into the early 20th century rather than the 19th.

Navigating from the main road into a quieter alley, Aoki found himself amidst an array of food stalls selling everything from udon and ramen to tempura and sushi. The tantalizing aromas stirred a forgotten hunger within him.

One shop caught his eye—a small izakaya, with a red lantern hanging at its entrance, the word "Izakaya" written on it in bold calligraphy.

Aoki's fingers brushed the Demon Wine Gourd at his waist as he decided to enter. Inside, the space was cozy, with only six tables, each separated by curtains. A lone figure bustled about, preparing the place for the day's business.

The izakaya was nearly empty, with only one other customer present. Aoki glanced in her direction and froze momentarily. She was a young girl, probably in her late teens, with a delicate face and a distinctive mole under each eye that added a cute touch to her appearance. She wore a pink kimono embroidered with flowers, emphasizing her mature figure despite her young age.

But her most striking feature was her long cherry-pink hair, styled in braids, with the tips colored light green.

The girl, sensing his gaze, turned and smiled brightly, her expression lighting up with a sunny warmth.

"Uncle Yokogi's sake and yakitori are the best," she said cheerfully.

"Thanks," Aoki replied, quickly averting his gaze. He removed his bamboo hat and chose a table in a quiet corner of the izakaya.

A woman with a warm demeanor approached, carrying a tray laden with side dishes, which she set on his table.

"What would you like to drink?" she asked.

Aoki handed her the Ghost Wine Gourd. "A draft beer, please, and fill this with sake."

"Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment," the woman replied, taking the gourd and heading to the back.

As she disappeared behind the curtain, a middle-aged man emerged, holding a food box and a bottle of sake.

"Mitsuri, your grilled chicken skewers and sake are ready. I've also added some sakura cake," he announced.

"Thank you, Uncle Yokogi!" The girl with the cherry-colored braids beamed as she took the food box and sake bottle, then dashed outside with a joyful spring in her step.

"Tell your father to come by the shop next time!" the man called after her.

Aoki quietly observed the exchange. Mitsuri Kanroji—the first "acquaintance" he'd encountered in this new world, aside from Muzan Kibutsuji. Unlike others, who he had barely known, he recognized Mitsuri well.

Given the timeline, Mitsuri likely hadn't yet joined the Demon Slayer Corps. If he were still human, he might have considered striking up a conversation. But as a demon, it was safer to keep his distance from her.

After sitting quietly for a while, Aoki decided to leave as the izakaya began to fill with more guests. The bright morning sun greeted him outside, and he squinted against its glare. "I need to find a place to stay," he thought.

His powers had grown rapidly, faster than he had anticipated. He needed time to stabilize and integrate his new strengths.

As he wandered through the town, marveling at its blend of modern and traditional elements, he found it buzzing with energy. Azabu was a town on the cusp of transformation, bridging the old and new worlds seamlessly.

In the evening, Aoki continued his search for lodging. As he walked down a quieter street, a young man with a friendly face and thick eyebrows approached him suddenly.

"Sir, you have a unique bone structure and exceptional talent. You're a natural martial arts genius. Would you like to join our dojo?" the young man asked, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.

Aoki raised an eyebrow. "Unique bone structure? How did you figure that out?"

The young man hesitated, beads of nervous sweat forming on his forehead.

Aoki smiled slightly. "Who taught you that line?"

The young man's face reddened. "I... I read it in a novel."

Embarrassed, he quickly added, "But I'm not lying! Based on your physique and demeanor, you're perfect for our Aoki style."

{A/N:- Same name as the MC?}

"Aoki style?" Aoki echoed, amused. "Is that name for real?"

The young man nodded earnestly. "Yes! Aoki Ryu is a hand-to-hand combat martial art known for its speed, fluid movements, and continuous attacks."

"Well, we do share a name," Aoki mused. "Does your dojo provide lodging?"

Learning martial arts sounded appealing. Despite his demonic powers, he wasn't skilled in close combat, often relying on instinct in fights. This was a significant reason he couldn't fully utilize his abilities.

The young man's eyes lit up. "Yes! We have plenty of empty rooms. If you join the dojo, you can stay for free!"

"Let's check it out," Aoki agreed. He sensed something odd about the situation but felt confident in his abilities. He didn't mind exploring further.