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"Dragon Hashira-sama...? DRAGON HASHIRA-SAMA!"
The Kakushi operative felt Kaido's breathing growing fainter, his pulse slowing to a crawl.
Hearing the panicked shouts, others rushed over—uncertain what catastrophe had unfolded.
Two figures moved faster than the rest, reaching Kaido's side in heartbeats.
Kanae pulled him into her embrace. Obanai gripped his hand tightly, saying nothing.
"Kaido-kun, wake up! Muzan's gone! Don't you dare fall asleep! WAKE UP!"
Tears streamed down Kanae's face, falling onto Kaido's cheeks.
Obanai's expression was consumed by anguish. "Kaido, open your eyes! You promised to be our groomsman at my wedding with Mitsuri! Are you planning to break your word?? I WON'T LET YOU DIE! WAKE UP!"
Tanjiro approached with Kanao and Nezuko supporting him. Seeing Kaido's closed eyes, his pupils contracted—refusing to accept reality.
"KAIDO-SAN!"
"Kaido-niisan... why did this happen..."
Nezuko knelt beside him, hand gently touching his face. "Kaido-niisan... sob..."
Gyomei and the others arrived moments later. The scene before them was unbearable.
"YOU BASTARD—WAKE UP! If you don't wake up, I'll never forgive you!" Sanemi roared, then grabbed a nearby Kakushi by the collar and hauled him upright. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Kaido still has breath! TREAT HIM NOW—or I'll make you regret it! MOVE!"
The Kakushi snapped from their grief-stricken paralysis, immediately retrieving medical supplies to bandage and stop the bleeding...
"This can't be real. Someone as flamboyant as Kaido couldn't possibly..."
"Namu Amida Butsu... Kaido..."
"White-Hair, wake up already! I haven't defeated you yet! I won't let you sleep! ...Gonpachiro, stop crying! White-Hair's just tired and sleeping—I won't let you cry! sob..."
"Inosuke, you're crying too..."
"I'm not crying... it's just... just... WAAAH..."
Perhaps some unfinished purpose remained. Halfway through treatment, Kaido's eyes slowly opened.
Gazing at everyone, he spoke in an impossibly weak voice: "Inosuke... come here... for a moment..."
"What do you want, White-Hair... sob..." Tears poured from beneath Inosuke's boar mask, but he crouched before Kaido anyway.
"Please... remove... your mask..."
Inosuke didn't understand why—but obeyed, pulling the mask free.
"Inosuke... your mother's name... was Kotoha Hashibira... She loved you... very much... What happens next... I'll show you... your mother's... past... and the truth..."
The critically wounded Kaido locked eyes with Inosuke. Burning his remaining mental energy, he activated Demon Eye—pulling Inosuke into an illusory space where his mother's history and truth would unfold.
COUGH—
Blood erupted from his mouth. His devastated body combined with exhausted mental reserves—he couldn't endure anymore. Crimson tears leaked from his eyes.
"Dragon Hashira-sama, please stop speaking! Otherwise—"
Before the Kakushi could finish, Kaido stopped them from continuing treatment. "Don't bother... I understand... my body's condition... Don't waste... such precious... medicine..."
His gaze swept across every face. He smiled—his final regret fulfilled. But he'd broken his promise to Retsuki...
"I'm sorry..."
Those final words passed his lips. Still smiling, Kaido closed his eyes...
"KAIDO-KUN!"
"KAIDO-SAN!"
"KAIDO!"
"YOU BASTARD—WAKE UP!"
"Kaido-kun! sob... You promised to attend mine and Obanai's wedding! Why would you lie to us... sob..."
"Kaido... you liar..." Obanai gripped his hand, tears finally breaking free.
Giyu stood aside, silent tears streaming. 'Again... I couldn't protect anyone. Always being protected by others...'
"CAW!" After flying non-stop, Kuroha finally reached the battlefield.
Seeing Kaido cradled in Kanae's arms, the crow landed beside them—pressing its head against Kaido's palm, placing it atop its own head. Hoping its master would pet it one more time.
No response came. Kaido's hand slid down Kuroha's head and fell limp.
Kuroha refused to accept reality. It repeated the gesture—until Kaido's hand fell away again. Only then did truth sink in.
Memories flooded back—missions together, peaceful moments at the estate. Tears fell. The pain was unbearable.
[Ding! Detecting host life force rapidly depleting. Activating protection protocol... Initiating... Success...]
[WARNING! WARNING! Detecting massive concentration of Muzan's blood cells within host body attempting to corrode host's form and seize control of host's will! Activating System Life Space for transport and treatment! Initiating... Complete! Beginning transport!]
System Life Space: A space constructed independently by the System. Activates as a protection mechanism when host life approaches termination, enabling life-preserving treatment within. One hour in Life Space equals one month in the external world.
GONG— GONG— GONG—
Three massive bell tolls resonated through the sky. Everyone looked up—golden light descended from above, bathing Kaido's form.
His body began turning ethereal, dissolving into starlight that scattered from Kanae's embrace.
No one could contain themselves anymore. Cries of anguish erupted.
Suppressing his anguish, Kuroha took flight and began broadcasting loudly: "The Eleven Pillars united to slay Muzan! The Dragon Hashira Kaido has fallen!"
"The Eleven Pillars united to slay Muzan! The Dragon Hashira Kaido has fallen!"
"The Eleven Pillars united to slay Muzan! The Dragon Hashira Kaido has fallen! CAW!"
Three repetitions complete, the crow flew back toward Corps headquarters.
Unable to emerge in sunlight, Yushiro clutched Chachamaru while hiding in shadows—watching Kaido from afar.
Hearing the announcement, pain lanced through his chest. "You little punk... how can you just die... it's impossible... Muzan dying, I believe—but you dying? I can't accept that... it's a lie. It has to be... sob..."
━━━━━━━━
Kaido's Estate.
CRASH—
Retsuki was preparing tea for Kagaya in the kitchen when the cup slipped from her hands, shattering on the floor.
Both hands clutched her chest as she crouched down. Her heart felt unbearably painful. Gasping for air, cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
"Hah... hah... it hurts so much. What's happening to me? Why does it hurt this badly??"
Suddenly she felt moisture on her cheeks. Touching her face—tears were streaming down without her realizing.
'Why am I crying? Could it be... Kaido-niisan?? No... impossible. Kaido-niisan promised he'd come back. We're supposed to be together... but... why does it hurt so much...'
Hearing sounds from the kitchen, Amane came to investigate. Finding Retsuki seemingly in agony, she approached to gently rub her back. "Retsuki-san, what's wrong? Are you unwell?"
"Amane-sama, I don't know... my chest just hurts terribly. Like I've... lost something..."
"It's alright. You're probably exhausted. Rest now—don't push yourself. If Kaido-sama saw you like this, he'd be heartbroken."
"Maybe you're right... I'm sorry for worrying you, Amane-sama."
"It's nothing compared to what you've all done. Go rest properly. When everyone returns, I'll tell you immediately."
"Then... I'll trouble you, Amane-sama."
"Of course. Let me help you back to your room."
"Thank you."
Amane ultimately couldn't bring herself to speak of her husband's premonition. Neither she nor Kagaya wanted to believe it was real.
━━━━━━━━
Within Kaido's consciousness, his awareness floated through an endless black void—infinite darkness stretching in every direction.
Nearby, Muzan's soul gazed at Kaido. Recalling the earlier battle, tears unexpectedly fell.
"Ubuyashiki... I must admit you were right. Only Will is truly eternal and indestructible. Will can not only be inherited—it never dies. It can even crush me."
"I witnessed this truth firsthand, trembling with emotion. My body has been destroyed by sunlight—but my Will is eternal, imperishable. I've decided to entrust my Will to Kaido."
"Though his breathing and heartbeat are fading, not all his cells have died. During our battle, I injected massive quantities of my blood into him. That blood is enough to resurrect him."
"Kaido, you will become the Srongest Demon King! Your physique, your power, your soul—all will inherit my will! You won't die—I have no doubt. You will fulfill my dream in my place! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Just as Muzan prepared to act—
An electronic feminine voice rang out.
[WARNING! WARNING! Detecting Muzan's attempt to seize control of host will! Activating protection protocol!]
"Who?? Who's speaking??"
Another voice responded: "Muzan... you really are pathetic."
"Who's there?? Show yourself! Skulking in shadows—what do you want?"
"Skulking in shadows? That phrase describes you perfectly, Muzan."
A figure emerged from the darkness. Upon closer inspection, Muzan realized—this person looked identical to Kaido.
"You... who are you?"
Seeing Muzan's expression, Yukimura found it almost amusing. "Who am I? Heh. I am me. My name is Yukimura. You can also call me Kaido. For clarification—I'm Kaido's inner obsession. His will made manifest."
Somehow, gazing at Yukimura caused primal fear to surge through Muzan's soul.
"What do you want?" Muzan's voice trembled.
"What do I want? Do you remember what I told you before?"
Hearing this, memories surfaced. Kaido's words: 'Muzan, I will personally drag you down to hell!'
"Correct. Exactly what you're thinking. I have one unfinished task remaining in my heart—which is why you're meeting me now."
Muzan couldn't articulate his shock. Human willpower could reach this level of strength?
"Muzan! GO TO HELL!"
"Dragon Breathing, Twelfth Form: Dragon's Glory Illuminates The World!"
ROAR!!
Dragon cries echoed through the void. An auspicious dragon's phantom materialized behind Yukimura. Radiant light erupted, illuminating everything.
The darkness shattered into nothingness. Muzan felt his soul burning under endless flames—agony beyond description.
Flames engulfed him completely.
"NOOOO!"
CRACK—
Finally, Muzan's soul burned away entirely. Like shattering glass, it fragmented into ash—completely obliterated, body and soul annihilated.
Watching Muzan's dispersal, Yukimura turned toward Kaido's unconscious form. "Me... you can rest easy now. Though I'm only your inner will—please live well in this world."
"What happens next is up to you. Let me survive!"
[Understood! Opening System Life Space! Placing target: Host—Kaido.]
Yukimura gazed at Kaido one final time before dissolving into scattered starlight.
"Live well in this world, me!"
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