Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sky above the Yoshiwara Red-Light District erupted in a series of deafening explosions. A wave of immense power surged upwards, shaking the very air. For a moment, it was like the most spectacular fireworks display, but the light faded as quickly as it had appeared, vanishing like a puff of smoke.
With a sharp whistle of displaced air, Akaza and Doma appeared, their bodies covered in fresh wounds. They stood suspended in the sky, surveying the destruction below. They scanned the area, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki was gone. The man who had just unleashed such terrifying power had vanished completely, taking Shinobu Kocho and the other Demon Slayers with him.
Nearby, Kokushibo remained motionless, his two Nichirin swords held loosely. His body was covered in countless new wounds, a testament to the ferocity of the recent battle. Even the eyes on his beloved, self-regenerating blade, Kyokokukamusari, had been shattered.
"I can't believe it," Akaza muttered, wiping blood from his chin. "An Ubuyashiki who should have been on his deathbed… to think he had that kind of power hidden away."
Doma nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You're right. I could feel it. He was pouring every last bit of his life into that fight."
"That's exactly what he was doing," Kokushibo said, his voice low. He had been silent until now, his mind still replaying the brief but incredibly intense battle. He had been savoring the memory of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's swordsmanship.
Kokushibo had unleashed techniques he had honed over centuries, yet Kagaya had managed to parry and deflect them. He had not only blocked Kokushibo's most ferocious attacks with an ancient Nichirin sword but had then responded with nine consecutive strikes of his own. Each slash felt like it belonged to a completely different Breathing Style. The final strike was the most astonishing; it seemed to be a physical manifestation of Kagaya's own life force—his essence, his spirit, and his will all condensed into one terrifying attack. It was a blade of pure determination, and it was unstoppable.
However, Kokushibo knew the truth. To wield a sword with such power came at a cost. It was a technique that burned away the user's life.
Buzz…
Suddenly, a powerful voice echoed directly in the minds of the three Upper Ranks. It was a command, cold and absolute.
"It's Lord Muzan!" Akaza gasped.
"He's summoning us! To the center of the district, now!"
Without another word, Kokushibo, Akaza, and Doma transformed into streaks of light, hurtling towards the deepest part of Yoshiwara. Across the district, the other members of the Twelve Kizuki heard the same call. Gyokko, Hantengu, and the sibling pair of Gyutaro and Daki all began to move. Even the Lower Ranks were stirring, all converging on a single point.
Swish!
At the same time, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Shinobu, and the others appeared just outside the border of the Yoshiwara Red-Light District. The moment they were clear, the world around them changed dramatically. The oppressive darkness vanished, replaced by the brilliant, scorching light of the sun.
"Oh my god… it's… it's daytime!" Shinobu exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"But how is that possible?" Mitsuri Kanroji asked, shielding her eyes. "We were just in complete darkness. That means… that whole place…"
Tanjiro stared back at the district, his heart pounding in his chest. "Demons are supposed to be afraid of the sun. But Kibutsuji Muzan… he can create a place where the sun doesn't exist?"
For as long as any of them had been Slayers, the sun had been their greatest weapon against demons—even more certain than decapitation. Yet Muzan had somehow transformed the entire Red-Light District into a pocket dimension, an illusionary space shielded from the real world's sunlight. The realization of his power was terrifying. In such a short time, Muzan had become unbelievably strong.
Cough!
A harsh sound cut through their shock. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had been standing tall and powerful just moments before, suddenly doubled over, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the ground. The change was immediate and horrific. His face, which had appeared youthful and dignified despite his illness, was instantly covered in a web of deep wrinkles. His body seemed to shrink, all the strength and vitality draining out of him in a single moment. It was as if he had aged decades in a few seconds.
"Master!" Shinobu cried out, rushing to his side. "What's happening to you?"
"Is this the price?" Mitsuri asked, tears welling in her eyes. "Was this the price for using that power? Why… why did it have to be this way?"
They had suspected it when they saw him fight, but seeing the consequence with their own eyes was heartbreaking.
"This can't be…" Tanjiro whispered, watching in horror. Zenitsu and Genya were equally stunned, their faces pale. Genya, in particular, felt a storm of emotions. He had been furious with Kagaya, believing the leader had possessed this strength all along and had chosen not to use it, which led to his brother's death. But now, seeing Kagaya's tragic state, his anger dissolved into a confusing mix of guilt and sorrow.
"Everyone… don't be sad for me," Kagaya said, his voice now weak and strained. He used his Nichirin sword as a crutch to hold himself up. "My only regret… is that I didn't get this power sooner."
He looked at them, his aged eyes filled with a deep sadness. "Even if it only gives me a single day… at least more of my children in the Demon Slayer Corps can live on."
His words broke through their restraint. Shinobu and Mitsuri began to sob openly. Even Genya, who rarely showed his feelings, felt a profound sadness grip his heart. He had been wrong. He had completely misunderstood his leader's sacrifice.
"We will return to the Ubuyashiki Estate now," Kagaya declared, gathering the last of his strength.
A fierce wind suddenly swirled around him, enveloping Shinobu, Mitsuri, Tanjiro, and the others. In an instant, the gust became a powerful hurricane, lifting them off the ground. Their figures vanished from the spot, transforming into a rushing whirlwind that sped towards the Ubuyashiki home.
Even if he was going to die, Kagaya Ubuyashiki would do so in the ancestral home he had fought so hard to protect.
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse