While the group chat continued buzzing with discussion, the battle raged on unabated.
The clash between Esdeath and Kokushibo generated massive shockwaves that swept across the entire area, forcing lower-ranked Demon Slayers to scramble away from their zone of destruction. To onlookers, the two appeared evenly matched. But inside, Kokushibo felt growing frustration, none of his attacks seemed to land properly. It was as though the woman in front of him was toying with him, effortlessly reading and countering every move.
On another front, Shinobu, Giyu, Obanai, and Sanemi had cornered Gyokko and Hantengu simultaneously. Both Upper Ranks were in their final, most powerful forms, yet now they were backed into a corner with no escape. Akaza, meanwhile, was being relentlessly pressured by Kyojuro and Gyomei, his usual confidence crumbling under their combined assault.
Mitsuri and Tengen were locked in a stalemate against Daki and Gyutaro, the Upper Rank Six siblings, who relied on their slippery survival tricks and agile movements to prevent simultaneous decapitation.
Then a beam of deep crimson light streaked toward Daki and Gyutaro.
"Our bodies! We can't move!"
Both siblings froze mid-motion, completely immobilized.
"This is our chance! Mitsuri!" Tengen's eyes flashed with excitement.
He seized the opening without hesitation.
Sound Breathing – Fifth Form: String Performance!
Mitsuri whipped her blade-like whip forward in perfect sync.
Love Breathing – Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Winds of Love!
Swoosh!
BOOM!
"Ugh…"
In that single synchronized instant, Daki and Gyutaro's heads were severed simultaneously. Their bodies disintegrated. In their final moments, the siblings locked eyes, one last glance filled with something that might have been relief, or freedom, or regret. Whatever thoughts passed between them would remain forever unknown.
"Why couldn't they move all of a sudden?" Mitsuri wondered aloud, blinking in confusion.
"Who cares. Let's go help the others."
Tengen dashed off toward the remaining fights. Mitsuri nodded and started to follow, then paused, glancing back at the fleeting crimson flash she had glimpsed earlier.
"That was… him?"
Tetsuya had been watching the battle unfold. He had only briefly halted Daki and Gyutaro's movement using his electrical manipulation. Now the demons were clearly losing ground. Muzan's patience must be wearing thin.
"Useless trash!"
A venomous voice hissed from the shadows. Muzan finally emerged, cursing them all. "I gave you my blood, and this is all you can achieve?"
Having lost all composure, he allowed his true form to surface. Long white hair cascaded down his back. Multiple mouths lined with razor-sharp teeth sprouted across his limbs and torso. Dark crimson scale-like growths covered his body, especially his forehead and lower half.
This was Muzan Kibutsuji in his complete, monstrous state.
Then, with an explosive eruption from beneath the earth, he burst onto the battlefield. His furious gaze swept across the chaos and locked onto Mitsuri, who was heading toward the other Hashira still battling Hantengu.
Nine thorned, bone-tipped tentacles erupted from his back. His arms transformed into vicious, barbed whips. With a savage swing, he lashed them straight toward Mitsuri.
"!!!"
Mitsuri was a single breath too slow. On pure reflex, she swung her whip-sword in front of her face, hoping to deflect the incoming strike.
"Finally decided to show your face, coward."
An indifferent voice cut through the air. Tetsuya appeared in a flash of crimson lightning between Muzan and Mitsuri, smirking faintly.
"What—?! My body…!"
Every single one of Muzan's thorned whips was instantly ensnared by coiling strands of red lightning. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't move an inch. The electricity crawled across his flesh, seizing control of his own limbs.
'Wrong! This is wrong! I have to get out of here!'
The desperate urge to flee surged through Muzan's mind, but his body refused to obey. He poured every ounce of strength into breaking free. Veins burst beneath his skin from the effort. It was useless.
"We spent three days planning this. And now you want to run? That would be embarrassing for me." Tetsuya spoke casually, almost bored. "Demon King or not, you die here."
He glanced over his shoulder. "Mitsuri, you okay?"
Realizing she had been shielded, Mitsuri slowly lowered her guard. She exhaled in relief and nodded gratefully.
"I'm fine. Thank you."
Then she hurried off to support the other Hashira.
"Who… are you?!" Muzan snarled through gritted teeth, glaring at Tetsuya with bottomless hatred.
"Can I stop holding back now?"
A voice rang out from the distance, Esdeath, finally losing patience. Toying with weaklings had grown tiresome and insulting to her pride.
"Yeah. Do whatever you want," Tetsuya replied, completely ignoring Muzan.
"Excellent. Now… are you all ready to be buried in ice?"
A terrifying grin spread across Esdeath's beautiful face. At the same moment, the immense, long-suppressed power of ice she had been restraining finally erupted. A freezing storm raged across the battlefield. In an instant, hundreds, thousands, of demons were flash-frozen solid.
"Whoa! She's really… stealing the show!"
Tengen exclaimed, eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. Right now, in his eyes, Esdeath was the undisputed star of this festival.
"That woman…!"
Sanemi shuddered. The "discipline" sessions he had endured had instilled a deep, instinctive fear of her. With a furious roar, he charged toward Gyokko, venting at least some of his frustration on an enemy he could actually reach.
Meanwhile, Tetsuya's gaze swept the battlefield once more before settling back on Muzan.
"Damn you! I am the Demon King! I order you to release me!"
Cornered and powerless, Muzan roared in helpless fury before desperately changing tactics.
"You can't kill me! My body regenerates without limit! I am immortal!"
Tetsuya gave a cold, mocking smile. He raised his hand lightly. Crimson lightning surged, lifting Muzan's entire body high into the air, exposing him for everyone to see.
At that moment, the entire battlefield laid eyes on Muzan Kibutsuji, the supposed Demon King, trapped and helpless.
"Lord Muzan!"
One unfortunate demon cried out, only for his head to explode violently in the next instant.
Silence fell. Everyone stared at the corpse in grim understanding. Did this idiot really not know that uttering Muzan's name triggered instant death?
Then they truly saw how pathetic Muzan looked, suspended, bound, powerless. Almost as one, the fighting slowed and stopped. Everyone sensed that whatever happened next would mark the end of this thousand-year war.
With one final, thunderous crack, the ice statue of Kokushibo shattered and collapsed to the ground. Esdeath stood tall, looking refreshed and invigorated. She turned her gaze toward Tetsuya.
"What exactly are you planning?" she asked.
"What are you actually planning?! You can't kill me! Release me, and I'll grant you eternal life!"
Muzan's threatening tone had shifted to bribery. Parts of his body tried to detach and flee, but the overwhelming lightning barrier prevented any escape. He was completely trapped inside a prison of crimson electricity, unable to move, unable to dissolve, unable to regenerate freely.
"You're so proud of that 'immortality' of yours." Tetsuya tilted his head slightly, ignoring Muzan's near-pleading. "Do you know what happens when I destroy you until even your immortality gives up?"
"Huh?"
Confusion rippled through everyone present. They barely had time to process the words. Suddenly—
"AAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!"
Muzan's agonized scream tore through the night, louder and more wretched than anything they had ever heard.