This time, it was Yoriichi Tsugikuni who froze.
Chitoshi, that child… was dead?
His gaze trembled as he met Ren's eyes. Ren's expression was calm, almost emotionless, yet Yoriichi saw the deep despair and pain etched within.
He knew something catastrophic must have driven his disciple to become a demon, but he never imagined Chitoshi's death.
That boy was so gentle, the kind who charmed even strangers instantly. Yoriichi was no exception.
He had long seen Ren and Chitoshi as his own children. Hearing of Chitoshi's death felt like a cruel hand crushing his heart.
Worse still, Ren, as Chitoshi's brother, had witnessed his death. The despair he endured must have been unimaginable.
And he, Ren's master, had failed to be there, offering no comfort in that moment.
Guilt and regret surged within Yoriichi.
"Chitoshi… was he killed by… a demon?" Yoriichi asked, his voice hoarse with grief.
"No, he didn't die by a demon's hand," Ren said through gritted teeth, each word deliberate. "He was killed by the Demon Slayer Corps."
"What?!" Yoriichi's head snapped up, stunned.
"How laughable, Master," Ren said with a cold laugh. "We gave everything to the Corps, risking our lives to slay demons. And what did we get?
I lost the use of both arms and was cast out. They hounded me relentlessly, and in the end, they killed Chitoshi.
I can't accept that my family didn't die by demons but by humans—my former comrades. It makes me feel like a joke."
"No, Ren, it's not like that…" Yoriichi began, instinctively trying to console him, but Ren cut him off.
"Master, do you know? When I was drowning in despair, utterly broken, the one who lit my path and gave me hope was the demon I loathed my entire life!" A bitter, desolate smile curled Ren's lips as he spoke slowly.
"Looking back, my first half of life was an utter failure. I lacked your transcendent strength, your innate genius. Without Lord Muzan, my life would've ended at the pathetic age of twenty-five.
It was Lord Muzan who gave me new hope. He freed me from endlessly mourning at Chitoshi's grave, granting me the power and courage to avenge his killers."
Ren paused, his gaze distant, as if lost in painful memories.
"I once despised demons, driven by a single goal: to eradicate them all and cleanse the world. But now I see it was never those monstrous demons that pushed me into despair and torment—it was the comrades I trusted most! Yet the demon I saw as my enemy, Lord Muzan, gave me new life and strength."
Yoriichi fell silent, his once-unshakable resolve wavering. He began to understand why Ren chose to become a demon.
Ren exhaled heavily. "Master, I've imagined meeting you again.
I wanted to say I'm sorry for disappointing you, for shaming you.
I failed to uphold my principles, walking a path of no return. But I don't regret it. Given another chance, I'd make the same choice."
He looked up at Yoriichi, a smile on his face. "Thank you for teaching me. With Chitoshi gone, you're my only family left. If you wish to kill me, do it now. If I die by your hand, I believe Chitoshi wouldn't blame me."
Ren met Yoriichi's eyes, seeing hesitation, struggle, and pain. He added softly, "But if you don't want to kill me, please don't stop me.
I will avenge Chitoshi. Those who scorned us, master and disciple, will pay."
With that, Ren walked toward Yoriichi.
Yoriichi's grip on his Nichirin Blade tightened.
He studied his disciple. Years had changed Ren's appearance and demeanor, his body reeking of blood—a scent Yoriichi despised.
But Ren's eyes remained unchanged.
His blade wavered, tightening and loosening, yet he made no move. He stood still as Ren passed by.
As Ren neared the edge of departure, Yoriichi spoke. "Ren, you can avenge Chitoshi, but why kill the innocent?"
"Master," Ren said, pausing without turning. "How innocent were you? How innocent was Chitoshi?
Who spoke for you?"
Yoriichi fell silent, sighing deeply.
He turned, his gaze complex as it rested on Ren. "Promise me this ends here, alright?"
Ren's eyes shifted to the distant Water Hashira. "When he dies, it ends."
Yoriichi took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Ren. I can't let you continue this mistake."
His hand tightened slightly, an invisible pressure enveloping Ren instantly.
Ren's raised foot froze midair, then lowered.
The moment it touched the ground, black chains snaked up Yoriichi's legs.
Yoriichi's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected his disciple to dare attack him.
But he quickly noticed something amiss. With a slight effort, the chains began to crumble, and Ren's face twisted in pain.
"Ren, you…"
"If the chains break, I die," Ren said. "Master, the choice is yours."