"Allow me to clarify the conclusion of both your explanations…"
Kagaya broke the silence after hearing the long account about the Babylonian Goddess from Ritsuka and Zelretch.
"So, what you're saying is… that wheel will allow Ritsuka to continue reviving, as long as this world still contains 'Life' within it?"
Ritsuka, whose face was still slightly pale, nodded weakly.
"In theory… yes, that's how it works."
Zelretch then took over the explanation.
"That's correct. The core concept is: 'As long as Life exists, Ritsuka will continue to exist.'"
"Tiamat is the physical embodiment of the Sea of Life. The law of her existence is absolute. As long as even a single form of life exists on the surface of the Earth, Tiamat can never truly die. The concept of 'Death' does not apply to her."
The old magus raised his hand, forming a circular gesture.
"She is a walking paradox. To truly kill her, you would first have to exterminate all life on Earth, including bacteria and microorganisms. Without committing total genocide, she will continue to resurrect endlessly."
Zelretch pointed at Ritsuka with a complicated expression.
"And because Ritsuka has now inherited that essence… he now possesses the same Concept of Immortality. He cannot die unless the Earth itself dies."
"Wow… Ritsuka, you've basically become a nuclear cockroach now. Literally impossible to kill unless the world itself is blown into dust," Koko commented, sounding half-amused and half-impressed.
"Hoo… Master, you've acquired a truly terrifying power. But on the bright side, you've now become an existence that cannot be killed on the battlefield," Nobu added.
Ritsuka shook his head.
"No. I can still be killed," he said quietly.
"Oh?" One of Nobu's eyebrows rose, her warrior's curiosity ignited.
"Interesting. Who, exactly, is capable of killing a being bound to life itself, Master?"
Ritsuka didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly turned toward Zelretch.
"Sensei… what about Grandfather? Do you think he could kill me?" he asked.
"Grandfather?" Nobu, Koko, L, and Kagaya all looked confused.
Zelretch fell silent. His usual playful expression vanished, replaced by a grave seriousness.
"You mean… Yama no Okina?" Zelretch asked to confirm.
He stroked his beard, his brow deeply furrowed, as though calculating an impossible probability.
"Hah… That's a truly difficult question, my student. To be honest, even I can't be certain."
"This is a paradox between 'Absolute Death' and 'Adaptation to Phenomena.' If that Old Man were to impose the concept of death upon you as he once did to Tiamat, the question becomes: which concept would prevail?"
Ritsuka slowly nodded.
Zelretch continued after a moment of thought.
"I'm conflicted myself. If that Old Man were to apply the concept of death to you, would you be killed… or would you instead adapt to death itself?"
"Would he succeed in severing your head and killing you permanently before the wheel has time to rotate? Or conversely… would the wheel rotate first and allow you to adapt to 'Death' itself?"
"HEY! WAIT A SECOND!"
Koko stomped her foot, glaring at Zelretch and Ritsuka with irritation.
"What are you two even talking about?! Grandfather? Old Man of the Mountain? Stop speaking in codes we don't understand!"
Zelretch turned to her casually, as if they had just been discussing the weather.
"Oh, it's nothing, Koko. We're just talking about a very annoying old man. A rather stiff neighbor who has a… peculiar hobby of decapitating rude people."
Kagaya frowned, disturbed.
"Who exactly are you talking about? And… a hobby of beheading?"
"He is an entity who stands at the pinnacle of assassins," Zelretch replied.
"He is the only one who might be able to 'kill' Ritsuka in his current state. Ah, correction… not merely kill."
"He can impose the Concept of Death upon beings that do not even possess death."
"Impose… a concept?" L murmured in disbelief.
"So in your world, there exists an individual capable of manipulating reality's laws and abstract logic at that level?"
"And that is precisely why I hesitate," Zelretch said.
"The real question is: can that wheel adapt against an abstract concept like Death itself? Or is its limit confined only to physical phenomena?"
Zelretch paused, then lifted his head toward the ceiling.
"OIII!" Zelretch shouted loudly, his voice echoing.
"You can hear us, can't you?! Don't run away now! Answer this riddle, Child of Light!"
Suddenly, cheerful laughter echoed from every corner of the room, as if responding to Zelretch's shout.
"Hahahaha! That's a good question! Very well, I'll answer your doubt."
The voice shifted, becoming serious and authoritative.
"The answer is: YES."
"The wheel does not only adapt to Physical Phenomena, but also to Abstract Concepts. That wheel is absolute itself. It will adapt to anything without exception."
The voice paused dramatically, letting the implications sink in.
"So if they were to fight, the scenario is simple: the Old Man's 'Absolute Death' will clash directly with Ritsuka's 'Absolute Adaptation.'"
Everyone in the room fell silent, frozen as they processed the weight of that revelation.
"Not just concepts… and not just phenomena…" Koko muttered softly, staring blankly into the air.
"But adaptation to… everything?"
The silence was shattered by Nobu's booming laughter.
"WAHAHAHA! Did you hear that, Master?! They say you possess power that terrifying! Truly worthy of being my Master!" Nobu roared, clearly delighted by the chaos.
But not everyone was laughing.
"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'VE JUST DONE?!"
L's voice rose sharply, cutting through Nobu's laughter. For the first time, the usually calm detective lost his composure.
"Oh?" the Child of Light's voice responded lightly.
Kagaya, sensing the rising tension beside him, slowly turned his head.
"L…" Kagaya called softly, his brow creased with concern.
"Why are you raising your voice like that? Why are you reacting so strongly to Ritsuka's power?"
L didn't answer immediately. He bit down harder on his thumb, his eyes fixed on Ritsuka as if staring at an existential threat.
"Because I can see the consequences, Kagaya," L hissed coldly.
"I don't know what that being's true objective is… but do you all realize this? By giving that power to Ritsuka, there is now literally nothing that can stop him in the future."
L turned sharply toward Kagaya, his gaze piercing.
"You know human history, don't you? 'Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' That is a fundamental law of humanity, especially when paired with immortality. No matter how kind Ritsuka is now, he is still human, with emotions and vulnerabilities."
"One day… his soul may rot. He may grow angry, disappointed, or lose his way. And when that day comes… when he decides to destroy everything… who will stand in his way? The answer is: NO ONE. That being has just created an apocalyptic scenario with no reset button!"
L then lifted his gaze toward the ceiling once more.
"What are you really trying to create, huh?! Are you trying to give birth to a Savior God… or are you raising a true Demon King?!"
Kagaya fell silent. L's words struck him straight in the heart. As a leader who had fought Muzan—a being corrupted by absolute power—Kagaya instantly recognized the terrifying implication.
Suddenly, a domineering, booming laugh shattered L's argument.
"WAHAHAHAHA!"
Nobu laughed uproariously, as if L's fear were the funniest joke she had ever heard. A dark red-black aura began to pour from her body.
"What a ridiculous concern, Detective!" Nobu mocked, her grin wide and fang-baring.
"So what if he becomes 'corrupted'? What's wrong with falling into darkness?"
Nobu leaned forward, staring down at L with contempt mixed with brutal truth.
"Listen carefully. That 'righteous path' you worship… it doesn't always lead to happiness. It's nothing but an illusion for the weak."
Her voice dropped into a sharp, cruel whisper.
"Look at history. Those who cling to naive ideals like 'Heroes of Justice'… always end up betrayed, hanging from a hill by the very people they tried to protect."
Nobu sneered.
"Rather than being a holy hero who dies pathetically… isn't it far better to become a Demon King who burns everything according to his own will?"
Amid the heated ideological clash between L and Nobu, a gentle voice cut through the tension like water quelling flames.
"Ritsuka…"
Kagaya spoke the young man's name with a deeply paternal softness. Though his eyes could not see, his gaze was warm and directed straight toward Ritsuka.
"Listen to me, my boy. L is not entirely wrong," Kagaya said quietly.
"Your new power is indeed extremely dangerous. But the danger does not lie in how much destruction you can inflict upon the world…"
Kagaya paused, making sure Ritsuka listened carefully.
"The true danger is that such absolute power will slowly erode your humanity. It won't be your body that breaks, but your heart."
Kagaya smiled faintly, filled with genuine concern.
"When you can no longer be hurt, when death is no longer a threat… you may forget what it feels like to be a fragile human. You may forget fear, pain, and empathy."
"So, Ritsuka… I ask you one thing."
His voice became slightly firmer, yet remained gentle.
"Protect your heart. Do not lose yourself in that ocean of power. You have the potential to save the world, that much is true. But understand this, my boy… the greater the power you wield, the heavier the responsibility you must bear."
"Remain human. Remain a savior who possesses a heart."
Suddenly, a bored yet sharp female voice cut through the emotional moment.
"Hee… Don't joke around, Kagaya. That poetic advice of yours… sounds like poison that would kill Ritsuka's potential."
Kagaya slowly turned his head toward the voice. The gentle smile vanished from his face instantly.
"Koko Hekmatyar…" Kagaya's voice was low and piercing, filled with warning.
"What are you trying to do?"
But Koko was unfazed. She grinned widely, her eyes gleaming like a predator spotting prey.
"Nothing at all! I'm just correcting your naive perspective," Koko replied casually.
She began walking toward Ritsuka, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.
"Saving the world? A hero? Ahahaha! Don't make me laugh until my stomach hurts!"
Koko laughed loudly, clutching her head as if the very concept of a 'savior' were the greatest joke of the century. Then, suddenly, her laughter stopped.
"Listen carefully. This world is rotten to its core. Humans constantly wage war, kill, and destroy. Saving a world like this only perpetuates that cycle of stupidity."
"This world doesn't need to be saved…" Koko said, then continued,
"This world… needs to be Fixed."
"Hoo…"
Nobu let out a deep, intrigued sound, her grin widening.
"Interesting… very interesting," Nobu murmured, stepping closer as she enjoyed the ideological spectacle.
Ignoring the sharp gazes of others, Koko slowly moved behind Ritsuka. With a smooth yet possessive motion, she wrapped both arms around his neck, hugging him from behind. She rested her chin on his shoulder, like a serpent gently coiling around its prey.
"Ritsuka…" Koko whispered directly into his ear. Her voice was low, sweet, and laced with intoxicating poison.
"Listen to me. You don't need to be a 'Hero.' Heroes are exhausting. They sacrifice themselves for ungrateful fools."
She tightened her embrace.
"Be a King. No… become a God."
"Hold this entire world in the palm of your hand. Create the ideal world you desire. Force them into peace. Force them to stop fighting. And if they resist, destroy them and rebuild everything according to your will."
Koko smiled, looking like a beautiful demon offering a forbidden apple.
"You have the power now, don't you? So use it."
She caressed Ritsuka's chest, right where his heart was beating.
"All you need to do is sit gracefully upon your throne and become the symbol of absolute fear. Leave all the complicated, dirty, logistical work to me…"
Koko chuckled softly, her breath tickling Ritsuka's neck.
"I'll make sure… the entire world kneels before you."
"KOKO! LET HIM GO, NOW!"
Kagaya's shout thundered through the room, shattering the calm he usually maintained. His face tightened, veins bulging at his neck. For the first time, the leader of the Demon Slayers looked truly enraged.
"Uhuk-uhuk!"
"O-Oyakata-sama, please calm yourself," Amane said anxiously, startled by her husband's shout.
"You're poisoning his mind!" Kagaya barked, his breathing heavy.
"You're trying to drag Ritsuka down a path of destruction! That is not a fate he deserves! Humans must not walk that path!"
Koko did not release him. She merely glanced at Kagaya, a thin, dismissive smile on her lips.
"A path of destruction? Kagaya, you're too idealistic," Koko replied calmly, her eyes sharp.
"I'm not dragging him anywhere. I'm simply… opening his eyes. Making him aware of the absolute potential he possesses."
Koko tightened her arms around Ritsuka's neck.
"What a waste it would be to use a sword this powerful just to cut grass, don't you think?"
Hearing the argument, Nobu only laughed louder. Black and crimson flames flared around her, responding to the surging ambition in the room.
"WAHAHAHAHA! Fascinating! Truly a fascinating spectacle!"
Nobu looked at Koko with appreciation, then turned her blazing gaze toward Ritsuka.
"That Arms Dealer woman is right! My eyes did not misjudge her!"
Nobu spread her arms, her voice heavy with conquest.
"Master! Ignore that boring moral chatter! Become a Ruler!"
"Show me!" Nobu stepped closer to Ritsuka.
"I want to see the form of a human who can conquer the entire world and unite it within an iron grip! Stand at the summit of everything!"
Nobu grinned widely, revealing her sharp teeth.
"Abandon that miserable Hero's path. Surpass Gods, surpass Buddhas, and become… the Strongest."
"Hah…" L let out a long sigh and began walking slowly, his back hunched, moving away from them and toward Kagaya, his eyes never leaving Koko and Nobu.
"From the first moment I saw you… I already knew that, at your core, you are fundamentally 'broken,' Koko Hekmatyar," L said coldly, without filter.
"Your morality is defective, and your empathy is counterfeit."
L glanced briefly at Nobu, then returned his gaze to Koko.
"And now, that corruption has found the perfect catalyst. You've gained a 'Partner' just as insane as you. A Demon King who validates your sick ambition."
L took another step and stood beside Kagaya.
"It seems…" L slid both hands into his pockets, his voice sounding like a declaration of cold war.
"We now have a fatal ideological divide. From this moment on, we stand on different paths."
---
(Note: This group dynamic will frequently heat up. The intent is to build an atmosphere similar to Marvel's The Avengers, where internal conflict often arises not from enemies, but from clashes of ego and principles.
As more members join later, the atmosphere will become even more chaotic. Remember, this chaos is not caused by physical combat, but by ideological warfare and opposing worldviews.
Going forward, don't expect this group to always get along. Like the Avengers, the union of exceptional individuals will inevitably trigger a "civil war.")