As the experiments on the white mice steadily progressed,
not only did the red scorch marks on the mice that had already awakened their Demon Slayer Marks gradually take on a new appearance,
but even among the ordinary mice that had never been injected with Tanjuro's blood,
a small number actually developed this "New Demon Slayer Mark," provided they were strong enough.
After all the experiments, not a single one of the thirty mice had died.
Even those that had failed to awaken this New Demon Slayer Mark
had merely fallen into an inexplicable state of weakness, which, according to Tamayo, would probably last several days.
Of course, the marks that appeared on the vast majority were an inconspicuous dark yellow.
Only a scant few had markings of a peculiar dark gold.
As for the reddish gold Xia Xi had mentioned before, not a single one appeared this time.
A clear trace of disappointment crossed Tamayo's and Xia Xi's faces.
So they had simply gotten lucky and hit the jackpot a few days ago.
Whether swimming in water or running on their wheels, the injected mice placed in the new cages exercised with an intensity
that stood in stark contrast to the few useless mice beside them without a New Demon Slayer Mark.
They looked as though they were almost catching up to the Ninja Rats Uzui had raised.
"So, Mr. Xia Xi, should we lend a hand?"
Watching Tamayo and Yushiro carefully recording all sorts of data in their notebooks,
and occasionally taking blood and samples from individual mice, Tanjuro had assumed Xia Xi would busy himself alongside them.
Instead, to his surprise, the Dawn Hashira simply stood there with his arms folded,
slacking off to one side like a leader on an inspection tour.
"Lend a hand?"
*All