The Nichirin blade flashed, painting the air crimson. Three swift slashes, as cold and decisive as ice, had sent Upper Rank Three Akaza flying. This was the same demon who had previously fought both the Stone and Flame Hashira to a standstill, even managing to kill Kyojuro Rengoku. But in front of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, he was like paper, thrown back with ease.
Blood streamed from the deep cuts on Akaza's body. Even a demon's unique regenerative abilities seemed to fail against these wounds. The sight filled him with a profound shock. "No... how is this possible?" he sputtered, his mind struggling to comprehend. "This can't be..."
For centuries, the dynamic had been clear: the Demon Slayer Corps was the sword of the Ubuyashiki clan, and the Ubuyashiki clan was the mind and soul behind the Corps. But it was also known that every Ubuyashiki head, from the moment of their birth, was afflicted by a bloodline curse. Even with the aid of the Priestess Clan, they could barely ensure the family's survival. A normal life was impossible, let alone fighting. Yet, the man before them had shattered that understanding, filling the demons' eyes with dread.
"Hmph. Defeating Akaza is nothing to be proud of."
A cold sneer formed on Douma's face. As he spoke, a colossal statue made entirely of ice erupted from the ground, soaring into the sky. The temperature in the air plummeted to an unbelievable low.
"Head of the Ubuyashiki family," Douma said, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "Allow me to show you the most breathtaking scenery this world has to offer!"
As his words echoed, it was as if an endless blizzard descended from the heavens, seeking to envelop everything. The falling ice and snow seemed to create a profound and inescapable domain of absolute cold. Once trapped within it, even the strongest warrior would be frozen solid and shattered.
"Good," Kagaya said, his voice calm.
Facing the immense ice demon, Kagaya stepped into the air once more. His ancient Nichirin blade suddenly ignited, erupting with raging flames that seemed to stretch for miles. A vast and unstoppable wave of heat roared outwards from him, sweeping in all directions. The sound was deafening as the fiery energy slammed into the icy landscape, vaporizing everything it touched.
In a single moment, the arrogant expression on Douma's face twisted into one of disbelief and horror. "No! I don't believe it! Aaaah!"
Amidst his furious roar, the colossal ice statue exploded. The shattered fragments turned into a storm of countless ice crystals, all whistling through the air as they shot toward Kagaya.
"How easily you are defeated," Kagaya stated, his expression as indifferent as ever.
He swung his sword three more times. The slashes were like a gentle spring breeze turning into rain, effortlessly meeting and shattering every single one of Douma's attacks. Douma himself was thrown backward, streams of blood flowing from the wounds on his palms. But the pain in his hands was nothing compared to the shock in his heart.
In that instant, he noticed something. Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face, which had looked like that of a man in his twenties, now seemed to have aged in a flash. Youth had vanished in a fleeting moment. Could it be? Was this man using some forbidden technique, trading his own life force for this immense power?
Before Douma could fully process this thought, Kagaya's figure blurred, rushing directly toward Upper Rank One, Kokushibo.
From the moment Kagaya had defeated Akaza, Kokushibo had decisively retreated. He did not launch a surprise attack while Kagaya was busy with Douma. He had his own sense of pride as a warrior. He had used the time to observe his opponent, judging his weaknesses to deliver a single, fatal blow. This was how Kokushibo dealt with his enemies.
"Three slashes to defeat Akaza," Kokushibo stated calmly, his six eyes focused. "Six slashes to defeat Douma. Head of the Ubuyashiki family, your ability far exceeds my estimation."
As he spoke, the very air around Kokushibo seemed to vibrate with the sound of countless tiny blades. Gripping his own Nichirin blade, Tsukihiko, in both hands, he began to slowly jog forward. His speed increased, faster and faster, until he was nothing but a blur.
"Die!"
With an explosive roar, a terrifying wave of power erupted from him, engulfing the entire area in a dazzling blast of light.
At that same moment, deep within the Yoshiwara Red-Light District, Tsukihiko watched with a calm expression. On the ground before him, Crown Prince Showa and several other young princes writhed in agony, their bodies convulsing as the demon king's blood ravaged them.
Without enduring the bitter cold, how can the plum blossom release its fragrance?
Though he had caused their suffering, Tsukihiko considered himself a kind and gentle person. It was a laughable thought, but he believed it. He was no devil. He simply wanted to create a world that belonged only to demons. In his grand vision, demons were merely a transition. After them, a true new era for the nation would begin—an era with no demons, only truly perfect beings.
Bang!
On the ground, Crown Prince Showa, covered in blood, slowly pushed himself to his feet. Beside him, the other young princes lay still, their bodies limp and lifeless. The gift of the demon king was not something anyone could easily receive.
"Kneel," Tsukihiko commanded, his voice calm but absolute.
Without a moment's hesitation, Crown Prince Showa, the future ruler of the nation, the renowned Emperor, dropped to his knees. He bowed his head low, devoutly worshipping his new Demon King.
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