Episode 73: Long time no see, Muzan, I'm back!
『 It must be said that the arrival of Suyako significantly eased the atmosphere.
Sumiyoshi initially didn't pay much attention to her concern.
But at this moment, various emotions surged within him.
After confiding his thoughts, Tsugikuni Yoriichi chatted happily with the couple.
The heavy burden that had long been weighing on his heart,
Seemed to be gently carried away by the breeze amidst the laughter.
Not long after the pleasant conversation, Sumiyoshi and his wife invited Tsugikuni Yoriichi to join their family for dinner.
At the dinner table, the Kamado couple learned that Tsugikuni Yoriichi was about to embark on an unknown journey.
Therefore, they suggested that Tsugikuni Yoriichi temporarily stay at their house.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi accepted their offer with quiet gratitude before taking his place among them.
Yet his separation from the Demon Slayer Corps had severed more than just ties—also lost connection with the inheritance of the Sun Breathing.
The most powerful Sun Breathing against demons would probably never be passed down to the next generation.
However, Tsugikuni Yoriichi didn't feel much sadness about this.
He always firmly believed that stronger people would appear in the future to defeat that hateful demon king – Muzan Kibutsuji.
He slowly let go.
But after learning all this, Suyako and the Sumiyoshi couple pleaded for a long time.
Finally, Tsugikuni Yoriichi agreed and demonstrated the full spectrum of Sun Breathing, from the basic first form to the mighty twelfth form, on the spot.
Sumiyoshi stood by the door, watching Tsugikuni Yoriichi dancing gracefully in the snow, his movements fluid and elegant.
He was both shocked and excited, his eyes wide, trying to engrave this exquisite martial art in his heart.
Even if he couldn't learn it himself, he was determined not to let this technique be lost in his generation.
As Tsugikuni Yoriichi moved, his figure appeared in everyone's eyes again and again. 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "???" ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "So beautiful, is this really swordsmanship?" ]
[ Kocho Shinobu (Demon Slayer): "The legendary Sun Breathing, said to have the strongest killing power against demons." ]
[ .....]
~Demon Slayer World~
Looking at Tsugikuni Yoriichi dancing in front of him.
Kamado Tanjiro's heart was very excited.
So, the Kagura he had been learning all this time,
Was it the legendary Sun Breathing?
~Infinity Castle~
Demon King Muzan watched as the strongest swordsman in the picture began to demonstrate his swordsmanship.
Panic flashed in his eyes.
But soon, he understood.
"Heh heh, you're dead, you're dead!!!"
"In this world, this dangerous thing, there is only one person left."
"Hahahaha!"
.....
『 However, the moment of parting finally arrived.
Before leaving, Tsugikuni Yoriichi bowed deeply to the Kamado family:
"Thank you both very, very much for bothering you for so long."
Then, he took off his earrings and solemnly handed them to Kamado Sumiyoshi.
Despite the thousands of reluctance in his heart, he resolutely turned around and disappeared from their sight.
He wanted to use his tiny life to find and defeat Demon King Muzan.
Although hope was slim, he decided to act.
Kamado Sumiyoshi stood rooted to the spot, knowing clearly.
This time, it was probably the last time he and his friend Tsugikuni Yoriichi would meet in this life.
As the head of the family and the sole inheritor of the Sun Breathing method,
He looked at his friend's receding back, his heart aching almost to tears,
But he reluctantly suppressed the reluctance in his heart and shouted loudly to his friend:
"Please don't worry about yourself, you are the most remarkable person in the world!"
"The earrings and the Sun Breathing method you taught us, we will continue them forever! One day, someone will take over the torch of this power!"
"Your achievements in this life will surely be remembered by the world, and your heroic name will resonate in every corner of the world!"
"So, now!"
Speaking of this, Kamado Sumiyoshi's emotions finally burst.
He rushed forward and shouted loudly: "Please don't be sad anymore!"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi in the distance stopped when he heard his friend's words.
He replied softly: "Sumiyoshi, thank you. Even if we may never meet again."
"But if possible, I hope there will be a day when we meet again in the future."
After saying that, he disappeared step by step into the vast wilderness.
Kamado Sumiyoshi seemed to hear that gentle reply.
He also smiled: "Of course, Yoriichi-san, I look forward to meeting you again."
Although the wish was beautiful, reality was often ruthless.
Limited by the limitations of the era, these close friends ultimately did not meet again.
Not long after, time flowed, and the scene shifted to ninety years after Tsugikuni Yoriichi's fierce battle with Muzan Kibutsuji.
The bright moon in the sky was dyed blood red at some point, making the night appear particularly eerie.
A light breeze swept silently across the sleeping earth, and the trees swayed gently with the wind, making rustling sounds.
Amidst this tranquility, an unusual killing intent quietly permeated, shrouding the entire night sky.
An old samurai felt this aura and resolutely walked out of his house with his sword.
He slowly walked along the forest path,
His heart seeking the sacred place he longed for.
Although time had left deep marks on his white hair and no longer clear vision,
This white-haired samurai was by no means ordinary.
He was the strongest swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps who had said goodbye to his close friend and lived alone back then - Tsugikuni Yoriichi. 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Oyama Mahiro (Onimai): "After he left here, is there anywhere else he can go? The Demon Slayer Corps didn't want him before, and he left here too..." ]
[ Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan): "Perhaps, only he himself knows?" ]
[ Haibara Ai (Detective Conan): "A person with such powerful abilities, why..." ]
[ .....]
『 The scene in the video slowly advanced.
The hands of time quietly skipped over ninety long years.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi, holding his Nichirin Blade, slowly walked towards the tall tower of his hometown in his memory, guided by the hazy moonlight.
There, he quietly waited for the person he was destined to meet.
His older brother, Tsugikuni Michikatsu.
No, perhaps a more appropriate name should be used now.
Upper Rank One... Kokushibo. 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "In an instant, ninety years have passed?" ]
[ Kocho Shinobu (Demon Slayer): "After awakening the mark, is it possible to survive for such a long time?" ]
[ Kocho Kanao (Demon Slayer): "This person, is he the elder brother of Senior Tsugikuni Yoriichi, the current Upper Rank One demon?" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "So ugly, I want to punch him." ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "It's very ugly, and also so hateful." ]
[ .....]
『 "What's going on?" Kokushibo in the video looked at the other party with a surprised expression.
"How is this possible, how are you here? My brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi?"
"By rights, as a born mark bearer, you should have left the world before the age of twenty-five. Why are you standing in front of me now?"
"What on earth is going on?"
At this moment, Tsugikuni Michikatsu was extremely shocked.
The reason he chose to become a demon was precisely because of the helplessness of limited lifespan.
However, the person standing in front of him, his brother Tsugikuni Yoriichi, seemed to have broken this iron rule.
Even more unbelievable was that this parting had lasted for ninety years,
A high age that even ordinary people could hardly live to.
Thinking of this, Tsugikuni Michikatsu's face became even gloomier.
After all his scheming, was he going to accept his brother's judgment of his fate here today?
"Damn it, will I never be able to surpass him in this life?" Tsugikuni Michikatsu sighed inwardly.
And on the other side,
Facing his brother who was questioning his existence like this, Tsugikuni Yoriichi,
A kind of indescribable sadness arose in his heart.
Looking at his brother who was caught in self-doubt, a tear rolled down the corner of his eye.
Then, he spoke with a tone filled with deep disappointment and regret,
Every word was full of bitterness.
"How sad, my brother."
"You have also reached this point."
Although he was truly unwilling to raise his weapon against the brother he had loved and respected since childhood.
But he didn't hesitate too much. Tsugikuni Yoriichi cast aside the conflict in his heart and drew his Nichirin Blade.
Because at this moment, what he saw was no longer his former brother,
But the most powerful demon after decades – the head of the Upper Ranks, Kokushibo.
This was an existence he had to eliminate.
In this life, he seemed to have accomplished nothing,
So, at this moment, let's do one last good deed for this world,
Even if the price of this good deed was to eliminate a demon – his former brother, Kokushibo.
After adjusting his mood, Tsugikuni Yoriichi pointed the tip of his sword at the shadow in front of him.
"Then, you should also be ready, brother..."
Immediately after, this swordsman, whose age was unlike that of a mortal, seemed to have returned to decades ago.
With astonishing speed, before others could react, he swung his sword fiercely.
At that moment, a tremor surged in Kokushibo's heart.
Before he could recover, the other party's blade had already swept past his neck.
His mind wanted to order his body to escape, but his body no longer obeyed.
Blood sprayed out from his neck like mist.
Fortunately, perhaps the other party still retained a trace of mercy,
And did not end his life with one blow.
But Kokushibo knew clearly in his heart,
Next time, that sword would surely cut off his head.
The power of that force was absolutely something he could not resist now.
Although the other party was already over a hundred years old and his movements were no longer nimble,
And he himself had become a demon, so lifespan was no longer an issue,
His physical strength was increasing day by day.
Even so, he dared not say that he could escape the attack of this terrifying existence again.
Heh heh, a genius, is it really impossible to surpass?
"He's already so old, but he's still so strong."
"Have I, even after working hard for ninety years, still not caught up to him?"
This shocking blow made Kokushibo completely give up resistance.
Just when everyone thought that the next blow would be the end,
The scene in the picture stunned everyone.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who had just displayed astonishing techniques,
Was now motionless.
A line of text that followed immediately made everyone freeze:
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Died) ] 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto): "Dead, died?" ]
[ Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto): "How is this possible, how did he die?" ]
[ Jiraiya (Naruto): "Did he use the last bit of strength in his body to swing this sword?" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "The last bit of strength in his own body?" ]
[ .....]
『 Yes, after that top swordsman used all his strength to unleash that blow, all the power in his body seemed to be drained, completely used up.
He just stood next to Kokushibo, his breathing stopped.
Everyone who saw this scene was surprised and couldn't believe it.
Just moments ago, this most powerful swordsman had unleashed his ultimate technique,
But in the blink of an eye, the situation had changed so drastically.
Not only did he fail to kill his brother who had turned into a demon,
Instead, he exhausted all his strength and collapsed on the spot.
And on the other side of the screen—
Kokushibo, who had just been freed from fear, realized that the life force of this strong man had vanished.
He had countless things he wanted to say to the other party,
But he was also afraid that the other party would miraculously revive.
So, he cruelly swung another sword,
And completely ended the deceased Tsugikuni Yoriichi here.
With one swing of the sword, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's body immediately split in half and fell to the ground.
In an instant, blood gushed out like a spring, and internal organs scattered everywhere due to the strong impact.
Just like that, this opponent, who was so powerful that Demon King Muzan avoided him for a lifetime, fell under his brother's sword. 』
『 .....』
~Dimensional livestream~
At this moment, everyone's hearts were surging, their thoughts myriad.
Many timid people who saw this scene covered their faces and cried,
Secretly sighing in their hearts that this legendary figure had such a tragic end after death.
.....
『 The scene turned to the other side. Kokushibo, who had personally ended his brother's life, did not show any signs of happiness.
He just sat there blankly, gasping for breath.
His eyes inadvertently swept over a small cloth bag that had fallen on the ground not far away.
The viewers in the live broadcast room recognized it. It was made from the belongings of Uta.
In the cloth bag, there should be an old flute,
That was the first gift that Tsugikuni Michikatsu, as an older brother, had given to his younger brother when they were children.
Kokushibo recognized this small object at a glance, and his face immediately changed.
Unexpectedly, after so many years,
This past that he had almost forgotten,
He could actually see the old flute he had given to his younger brother when they were children again.
At this moment, Tsugikatsu Michikatsu's heart felt like it had been hit by a heavy hammer.
It turned out that the promise the other party had made when they were children had been kept until the last moment of his life,
Even though he had completely broken his heart ninety years ago.
Thinking of the little things between the two brothers before, his heart ached terribly.
He, who had always only disliked Tsugikuni Yoriichi, actually shed tears for the other party for the first time.
From that day on, Kokushibo, who had personally ended his brother's life,
Always carried that old flute with him.
He held a sharp sword and walked alone on the forest path.
However, the regret left by the other party may never be continued by anyone again. 』
『 .....』
/Screen goes black
"Ding! Sixth Scene: " The Regretful Final Showdown... What Do You Take Human Life For!! " has ended."
"Ding! In ten minutes, 7th Scene will begin."
"Ding! Congratulations to Tsugikuni Yoriichi for receiving the rewards: Peak Combat Physique (Body will remain in peak condition until the moment of death), Yaoshi's Blessing (Side-effect eliminated version)."
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ March 7th (Honkai: Star Rail): "Yaoshi's Blessing, this should be the Yaoshi I understand, right?" ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "What does this mean? Does the blessing have side effects?" ]
[ TheHerta (Honkai: Star Rail): "Yaoshi's Blessing, interesting." ]
[ TheHerta (Honkai: Star Rail): "Moreover, it's the side-effect eliminated version. What will those guys from the Xianzhou think?" ]
[ Jing Yuan (Honkai: Star Rail): "As expected of the system's reward, it can actually grant a side-effect free version of Yaoshi's Blessing. This also means not having to endure the pain of Long-Life Curse." ]
[ Utaha Kasumigaoka (Saekano): "Long-Life Curse?" ]
[ Jing Yuan (Honkai: Star Rail): "(Explaining)....." ]
[ .....]
~Demon Slayer World~
~Infinity Castle~
After understanding the effect of the reward before him, Muzan Kibutsuji was instantly filled with envy.
"Something that can grant immortality."
"How great it would be if I could have that..."
For so many years, he had been searching for a way to become a perfect life form.
And this blessing from a god named Yaoshi before him seemed to be another path to becoming a perfect life form...
But,
—
"Ding! Since the recipient is already in a deceased state, a resurrection coin will be automatically used."
"Ding! Welcome, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, to the chat room."
~Dimensional livestream, Chat Room~
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Demon Slayer): "Where is this?" ]
[ Kocho Shinobu (Demon Slayer): "Hello, Senior Yoriichi." ]
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Demon Slayer):"You are?" ]
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Demon Slayer): "I should have died. In the final battle with my brother, I should have completely died." ]
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Demon Slayer): "And my body is still in its peak state. What's going on?" ]
[ Umaru Doma (Himouto): "Well, that's a bit complicated to explain." ]
(Ding! Memory loading...)
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Demon Slayer): "So that's how it is. This is already the future, hundreds of years later. The demons haven't been completely eliminated." ]
[ Tsugikuni Yoriichi (Demon Slayer): "Then, the meaning of my resurrection this time is to slay that guy?" ]
[ Muzan Kibutsuji: "..." ]
[ .....]