"Can you please stop chasing me? I've been running from you for two days already!"
The sun was blazing, burning down through the forest. I stayed under the trees, avoiding direct sunlight. This was my third day out.
"Shut up! Today, I'll kill you, you devil!"
The one chasing me was Fushigawa Miyabi. He hadn't changed much—just taller, hair longer. His white haori had the word "kill" on it, and he left it open in front, showing his chest. He gripped a Nichirin sword tightly, hot on my heels.
How did I even meet him? Well… it's a long story, but I'll keep it short.
I had left Infinite City to see if I could earn anything useful. On the first day, I wandered into town. I just wanted to stroll around—but I turned a corner and ran straight into him.
Most people find love around a corner. Me? I found a god of death. It was night, I'd disguised my face and scent, yet he recognized me.
He hesitated, then swung his sword. I ducked, dodging just in time, and ran. Who wants a fight when there's nothing to gain? I thought he'd give up eventually—but he chased me for two whole days and nights.
"You're so ungrateful! Even as a ghost, I saved you!"
Fushigawa Miyabi's face twisted in a frown as he held the Nichirin with both hands.
"Second Form… Claw Claw… Kotofu!"
Four claw-shaped wind blades shot toward me.
I turned my head, curious why he hadn't answered me yet. Knowing him, he would have argued. But I barely had time to think before spotting the blades and the falling trees.
Cursing under my breath, I stopped and activated my defense.
"Chiyang… Yu!"
A red light sprang from my hand, enveloping my whole body. It solidified instantly into an unbreakable armor that blocked the wind blades.
"Wow… ruthless! If I hadn't raised my defense, my head would've been chopped off—well, not really…"
"Better dead!"
Seeing his attack fail, he clenched the hilt and swung again. I didn't run this time—there were no trees to hide behind, and running would expose me to sunlight.
I raised my bare hand, caught the blade, and smiled at him.
"Stop chasing me. How about we sit down and talk?"
He didn't answer. He stepped back, crouched, pressing the Sun Blade with both hands.
I didn't move—but suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest. I rolled to the left and ducked behind a huge rock.
"Sneak attack… clever…"
The wound healed quickly. He didn't know how to use the red sword properly. I muttered, frowning:
"If you hit me again, I'll hit back."
Fushigawa Miyabi breathed deeply, controlling his anger. He sheathed the Sun Blade but still glared.
"Why did you run?"
I scoffed. A whole team had been there—if I didn't run, they'd be dead.
"Survive, or they catch me…"
His roar startled me. His veins bulged, but… there were tears in his eyes.
"But that's where you wanted to go… I can't bring you to the ghost camp."
He clenched his left hand into a fist, resting the right on his sword.
"Didn't you want to see us?"
I could hear the hope in his voice.
How could I want that? I knew from the original story—they were fine in the Demon Slayer Corps. I didn't want to lie.
"If I'm honest… never."
His body froze. He gripped the Sun Blade tightly, eyes bloodshot. He drew the sword, face serious.
"So… we have nothing to say to each other, then."
He lunged, swinging the Sun Wheel Sword at my neck. I dodged, splitting a boulder in half.
I dusted myself off and smirked.
"Blood Demon Art… Blood Shadow Clone!"
In an instant, my body split into twenty copies, all identical. I sent them to attack him while I ran into the denser forest.
He waved his sword, cutting at the clones, but there were too many. He couldn't see me and could only yell:
"You bastard! I'll kill you!"
I ignored him, running freely. These clones would delay him for a while. After all, he wasn't Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and he couldn't use the red sword. Plus, my clones could restore themselves.
But then… one of my clones vanished.
Impossible. Fushigawa Miyabi couldn't have destroyed it in five minutes.
"Did he activate his markings?"
I ran back immediately. If he had… it would be serious. I didn't want him to die.
Back at the clearing, I saw him panting on the ground. No markings were active. Then I noticed someone else next to him.
Yellow short-sleeved shirt, wide-leg pants, red haori over it, a forehead tattoo… It looked just like Yuichiro Tsugikuni.
I shuddered. He was cosplaying, yet uncanny.
"Your Excellency…?"
The man had scarlet eyes. He looked at me calmly, like he felt nothing. For a moment, he didn't answer my question, then said:
"Long time… no see. You've… changed?"
From his tone, I knew immediately. It had to be Yuichiro Tsugikuni.
I froze, fear bubbling in my chest. My voice caught, and I stammered:
"You… how did you—"
Before I could finish, Yuichiro interrupted.
"I don't know."
Perfect. That explained the extra Pillar appearing out of nowhere. That explained the new Sun Breathing user. This was… a shock.
Fushigawa Miyabi, standing nearby, glanced at me with a puzzled expression.
"Wait… they know each other?"
I forced myself to stay calm. Running wasn't an option—it was still daylight. I had one thought:
Get your brother here and deal with this!
I quickly sent a mental signal to Kokushibo, warning him Yuichiro was here, while thinking of how to escape the gaze of this god of death.
"Um… can I… leave now?"
"No!"
Before Yuichiro could answer, Fushigawa roared. I looked at him—he had already stepped forward, gripping his Nichirin sword tightly.
Yuichiro drew his Nichirin from his waist slowly, his calm voice chilling.
"I… will take you back to the Demon Slayer Corps."
I felt helpless. If I hadn't come back to check… nothing would have happened. Curiosity really does kill the cat.
Fushigawa acted first. He lunged, his sword turning into a green wind blade aimed straight for my throat.
I ducked, bracing myself with one hand, and before he could react, I touched him with my right hand.
A red light burst from my palm, enveloping his entire body. The light solidified into armor, wrapping him completely.
"What… what is this?!" Fushigawa panicked.
The red light was mine to control. The armor I created held him completely frozen. His sword arm moved endlessly, but he couldn't step or swing anywhere.
Seeing him struggle, anger and frustration twisting his face, I felt a strange thrill.
"Tsk tsk tsk Come on, chop me You can't move~"
I floated up, taunting him, forgetting entirely that Yuichiro was still there—the god of death himself.
And then… I realized too late. A Sun Blade was resting on my shoulder.
Pain shot through my neck, sharp and blazing.
"You…!" I cursed, clutching my neck in panic and stumbling backward.
"Ah! I'm… dying… wait? Eh?"
I touched the wound. Just a few drops of blood. The pain vanished. Yuichiro hadn't even used the Sun Breathing fully.
"Go back with me."
His voice was calm, emotionless. But to me, it was like a fuse had been lit.
"I'm gonna say this… you disgusting pervert! A monster that came back to life! How dare you—?!"
I couldn't help throwing in some sharp words, letting my anger spill out.
Yuichiro tilted his head, expression blank.
"What… language are you speaking?"