Disposition . Motherly and caring. Experienced when it comes to taking care of others weaker or younger than herself. Often hard on herself, rarely allows herself to rest. Stubborn when it comes to allowing others to help her. Dedicated to the Demon Slayer Corp. Prone to sacrificing herself for the sake of others. Fines that self sacrifice is a just cause.
Ailments . Albinism (OCA type 1A), light sensitivity, weak eyesight, poor immune system, prone to aggressive skin cancer. Chronic fatigue. Missing two fingers on her left hand.
RELATED NOTES
Journal Page taken from previous Bell Hashira, dated before his death: "Once, I had assumed that the infliction on her body was a twisted omen to be feared. I had thought her pale features would hold her back from becoming a true demon slayer. I was wrong, but I could never admit that to her. No, her temperament, her quiet kindness hiding years of frustration, it all reminds me of her mother. She who I have done the most irremediable things to. [...] Mitsu surpases me even now. Despite everything. I only pray that she lives long enough to see a new, fulfilling dawn."
Demon Slayer Corp. document on Ms. Kaneko: "Immediate transfer to Hashira Rank requested. Kaneko Mitsu has shown great talent and sacrifice in the name of humanity. Will be a welcoming addition to the most elite."
Demon Slayer Corp. document on Ms. Kaneko, dated four years later: "It is with great sadness to reveal that Kaneko Mitsu's health has deteriorated beyond medical help. As always, she is a talented slayer and dedicated to the cause. If she is asked to fight, she will do so without hesitation. At this time, it is suggested to only send her on specialized missions with the knowledge that it may end her life. We would like to keep her as an asset to the corporation at this time, much to her frustration."
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
tw . courtesan lifestyle mention ( no details ) . abandonment . death . sickness . implied ableism . implied domestic abuse .
Before the Demon Corps
Upon her birth, Mitsu's father had abandoned his family. Vanished without word or trace. His disappearance was blamed on infant Mitsu's bizarre complexion, something Mitsu damns him for to this day. If not for his thoughtless behavior, she may have had a chance at living a better life.
Mitsu's mother turned to working in the red-light district when their savings had dried up. If it meant she could get enough money for her daughter to thrive, so be it. It was dangerous work, but it was better than rotting away due to a man's negligence.
Despite her mother's efforts, this new environment was unkind to children like Mitsu. Even as a child, she was consistently at risk due to her 'unnatural complexion' as someone with albinism. There also wasn't much room to simply be a child. Mitsu had lost some of her fingers quite young, caught a sickness where medicine wasn't readily available. Men were thirsty for her unique look and often made attempts to trick her into their possession. Mitsu had to grow up fast to survive.
Things were not all terrible, thankfully. The working ladies loved taking care of young Mitsu. Viewed the small child as their own. They also cherished her mother's strong will to keep Mitsu safe. After all, most of these working women had been mothers at one point. Mitsu's family grew with all the men and women who worked alongside her mother.
Then came the day where Mitsu's mother was murdered by a jealous man. Not uncommon for someone of her status, but devastating all the same. And, of course, there was still a debt to be paid. With her mother gone, Mitsu had no income. So she took her mother's place, allowing herself to become a courtesan. Which, in the end, had saved her life.
Due to her complexion, she was highly sought after. She ascended ranks, became a prize that few men could afford. Mitsu also became a loving beacon to those under her wing. With kindness and love, she shared her newfound wealth with those who needed it most. Mitsu would often risk her life to keep these young girls safe.
Shortly after turning 17, Mitsu's father had found her with a single request. Return home with him, and he'll make her into a Demon Slayer.
Mitsu Kaneko agreed, leaving behind the red light district for good. But not for him. Never for him. This was for herself and for her mother, who suffered due to his cowardly actions.
Among the Demon Corps
Becoming a weapon against evil wasn't easy, but the hard work was satisfying. Mitsu even seemed to have a natural talent of picking up weaknesses in her rivals. It took time, but eventually Mitsu became comfortable wielding a weapon.
She excelled at her father's breathing style. Bell Breathing. A unique style that was only a few generations old. It was a sword style that utilized a rhythm and spiritualism. And of all the things she inherited from her father, this was the one she truly loved.
Some years later, her father died. A demon caught him unawares. There was no body to bury. Even after all the time she spent following him on missions, she found that she could not mourn for him. Her hatred of the man ran far deeper than any sort of familial bond.
With his death came two things. His title as Hashira, since she was already a better demon slayer than he could ever dream of being. And an ancient mansion atop a wide plot of overgrown land. It seemed her father inherited it some time ago himself, but had forgotten it after becoming a Hashira. Mitsu found a sense of kinship with this grand house after realizing that.
The mansion lay derelict. Nearly consumed by spiders and other feral creatures. There were some traces of a family that Mitsu assumed she was related to, but anything inside was far too gone to keep. The only thing worth taking note of was the wild wisteria that grew at the far edges of the land. Beautiful, even without experienced hands caring for them. Wisteria that could easily be used by the Demon Corps.
Not wanting the land to go to waste, Mitsu spent her entire savings on restoring the mansion and gardens. And with her father's savings, she bought out the debt of her courtesan sisters. Hired them as grounds workers, maids, and cleaners. Gave them a new life away from the corruption of the red light district.
Over time, the wisteria gardens flourished. Providing enough goods for an entire year, which Mitsu sold directly to the Ubuyashiki family. And with the money made off the gardens, Mitsu was able to create a boarding house out of the mansion.
Her farm became a beacon for women running from their abusers or running from the courtesan lifestyle. Mitsu's farm would help these young women learn how to work, and eventually, be able to fend for themselves in the outside world.
Unfortunately, Mitsu would retire as a Hashira at the age of 29. Her albinistic condition had weakened her immune system so severely, she was at risk of death from sickness alone. She spends her days caring for the young women on the farm and helping out weary Demon Slayers.
WEAPONS AND ABILITIES
tw . violence & implied death .
Breathing Style : BELL BREATHING. TWO GENERATIONS OLD.
Description . A unique style of breathing that only has three total forms. Each stronger than the last. It is a symbolic fighting style meant to calm one's mind, ward off evil, and pray to the gods. To her, it is a dance of purity. Something she hangs onto during the hardest trials.
First Form . Kagura Suzu. Begins with a calm step forward and into a prone position. She takes a knee, breathes in, and juts upright. A slash that starts from bottom to top, and then back down again. She twists the blade at the highest and lowest point of her swing. This is an attack for a single opponent.
Second Form . Keisu. A call to the living and the dead. A performance that lets Mitsu spin once before striking her opponent so hard, it sends a devastating shockwave around her. Occasionally, she can control the path of the shockwave. This often does not kill a demon outright, but it can incapacitate more than one. It also gives Mitsu room to move.
Third Form . Bonshō . Her strongest attack, but also the most difficult one. Mitsu is only able to pull off this attack by clearing her mind of all temptation and distraction. Any pain, any emotions, and any thoughts must be ignored. Only then is she able to perform a heavy, circular attack. If there is any hesitation, her attack will not complete the full circle. If her concentration is good enough, she can complete two circles.
Notes : After performing a successful attack and killing a demon, Mitsu will often pray. This is a spiritual experience for her. Each attack, the world falls silent as the bell tolls. She wears some of the Kagura Suzu bells on her person.
General Weaknesses . Other than her overall weakness and near blindness, her breathing style often left room for enemy attacks. More often than not, she must put herself in harm's way to perform these attacks. There's also a reason why her father died to a demon, as these attacks are quite basic and simple compared to the newest hashira.
IMAGES
my art . please do not use or repost anywhere .
