"Demon Slayer Corps… Flame Hashira…"

Kokushibo looked at Kyojuro, who had just arrived, and a flicker of nostalgia flashed in his eyes. "It's been a long time… since I last saw a Flame Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps…"

"Hmm! So you were once part of the Demon Slayer Corps! And yet you chose to become a demon—what a shame!"

Kyojuro spoke to Kokushibo with his usual cheerful expression, forming a stark contrast to the older demon's oppressive and somber aura.

But that was just Kyojuro—like the Flame Breathing he had mastered, he radiated warmth and brilliance simply by standing there, dispelling the darkness around him with light and heat.

Perhaps only someone like him could truly master Flame Breathing—or even, perhaps, the Sun Breathing.

Kokushibo clearly didn't appreciate Kyojuro's words. Without replying, he raised his blade and unleashed a crescent-shaped wave of sword energy.

Two massive arcs of crescent sword aura shot forth, and within each larger slash, countless smaller crescents were nested, all rushing toward Kyojuro.

But Kyojuro didn't dodge. Flames erupted along his Nichirin blade, and as he swung it, the fire surged forward like a blazing whirlpool, engulfing everything in front of him and blocking the attacks head-on.

Flame Breathing, Fourth Form – Blooming Flame Undulation!

While Kyojuro was fending off Kokushibo's assault, Takeo charged toward the Upper Rank demon as well.

The mist carried by the wind briefly concealed his form, and when it dispersed, Takeo had already closed the distance to Kokushibo's side.

Wolf Breathing, Fourth Form – Wolf Strike in the Mist!

Swoosh Ting—!

The crisp sound of blades clashing rang out across the warehouse, like the toll of a bell heralding the start of a counterattack.

Since Kokushibo's appearance, this was the first time he had used his sword to directly block the attack of a Demon Slayer Corps Hashira. It was a sign—he was finally taking the fight more seriously.

It also meant that Takeo and Kyojuro had managed to apply real pressure on him.

"It seems… this is your first time fighting side by side… and yet you already have this kind of coordination…"

That thought briefly crossed Kokushibo's mind.

He looked at the two swordsmen working together and quietly acknowledged their synchronization.

Although Takeo and Kyojuro had never fought alongside each other before, they required no words. With just a glance, they could tell what the other intended to do.

Kyojuro took the lead in drawing Kokushibo's attention, while Takeo seized the openings created in that moment to strike at Kokushibo's neck.

Though their strength hadn't yet reached its peak and was still far from maturity, their seamless cooperation alone posed a genuine threat. If it had been a more careless Upper Rank demon, the two working together might have already claimed a victory.

Blades of sword energy, searing flames, and the resounding howls of wolves filled the warehouse, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

The force of their three-way battle stirred clouds of dust and shook the very ground beneath their feet.

Under the impact of their clash, the massive warehouse began to collapse rapidly.

Outside, Yamada and Sakura—barely holding on—dragged the injured Demon Slayer Corps members to safety. As they turned back to look at the crumbling structure behind them, awe and disbelief surged in their hearts.

This is what it means to be a Hashira. This is what it means to face the Twelve Kizuki.

Their battle existed on an entirely different level—one that ordinary Demon Slayer Corps members couldn't even begin to comprehend.

They couldn't follow their movements at all. All they could see were flickering afterimages darting across their vision.

Amidst the clash of blades and the collapsing shadows of the warehouse, the three figures finally separated.

Now, standing atop the ruins, they readjusted their stances and faced one another.

Kokushibo gazed at the two warriors before him. His six eyes, sharp and penetrating, seemed capable of seeing straight through their bodies—assessing everything from muscle tension to spiritual focus.

After a long pause, he finally spoke to Kyojuro:

"Your bodies… have been tempered by countless trials. Your mastery of Flame Breathing… is exceptional. But ultimately, you are still human…"

Takeo glanced at Kyojuro out of the corner of his eye. In their earlier clash, both had been struck by Kokushibo's crescent moon attacks.

But while Takeo's wounds had already begun to heal rapidly, Kyojuro's had not.

He was forced to rely on his breathing technique to staunch the bleeding, and deep, visible wounds still marred his body.

Kokushibo was right—the human body was simply too fragile compared to that of demons. Even the enhancement from Breathing Techniques had its limits.

What made it worse was that Kokushibo, despite being a demon, also wielded a Breathing Technique himself. As both demon and swordsman, he was able to reinforce his already immense power with layered strength—widening the gap between them even further.

"What are you trying to say?"

Takeo asked coldly, meeting Kokushibo's gaze without flinching.

Kokushibo looked at them and said calmly, "Forget about Sun Breathing… and become a demon.. This flame Hashira will also gain demon healing and will become much stronger. I want you two to think about it."

He actually wanted both Takeo and Kyojuro to become demons.

"I see!" Kyojuro shouted, instantly understanding Kokushibo's intent. "But that's impossible! The Hashira will never become demons! None of us will!"

Though Takeo didn't say anything in response, he stepped up beside Kyojuro, clearly expressing his stance through action alone.

As he moved closer, he heard Kyojuro whisper under his breath:

"Takeo, we have to stall him. Don't let him escape."

"…I know."

Takeo was about to ask why, but when he glanced at the horizon and saw the morning light beginning to bloom, he understood immediately.

Dawn was fast approaching.

Even if they couldn't defeat Kokushibo, if they could delay him long enough—trap him here until the sun rose—it would be their victory.

They had to keep him in place. No matter what, they had to expose him to sunlight.

But Kokushibo seemed to realize this too. His tone lowered, tinged with quiet regret:

"I see… That's unfortunate. It seems I no longer have the time to persuade you."

The Demon Slayer Corps had been fighting the demons through the night. By the time Takeo had arrived to support them, the sky was already beginning to lighten.

And since it was still the end of summer… the dawn came swiftly.

That would be good—if they were facing an ordinary demon.

But when it came to dealing with an Upper Rank… honestly, Takeo wasn't confident he could delay him.

Still, with Kyojuro at his side, maybe—just maybe—they had a chance.

After rejecting Kokushibo's offer to become demons, silence fell once more over the ruins.

Two seconds passed.

Then, all three launched into battle again in perfect unison.

From Kokushibo's grotesque longsword—covered in countless eyes—several sharp, branch-like blades suddenly extended outward. With their emergence, stronger and faster crescent blades shot forth from the weapon.

At the same time, Takeo and Kyojuro struck from opposite sides!

The Fifth Form of Flame Breathing and the Sixth Form of Wolf Breathing were unleashed simultaneously—wolf howls and tiger roars echoing together as the twin attacks converged on Kokushibo from both flanks!

Moon Breathing: Eighth Form – Moon-Dragon Ringtail!

Flame Breathing: fifth form – Flame Tiger!

Wolf Breathing: Sixth form – Flame Wolf!

The massive blades of fire and fury clashed with the overwhelming might of the Upper Moon. Flame erupted skyward, and moonlight glinted beneath the dawning sky, colliding violently on the battlefield.

Shockwaves from the three-way clash exploded in every direction, sweeping away the scattered debris across the ground.

The sounds of blades clashing, fire roaring, and battle cries rang out without end.

During the fierce battle, the color of the sky gradually deepened into crimson.

The sun was about to rise.

"What a pity…"

Kokushibo voiced his regret once more. His gaze shifted to Takeo—but only briefly—before finally settling on Kyojuro.

His original mission today was to eliminate Takeo, the one who had practiced the Sun Breathing. Yet he had delayed, partly out of admiration for Takeo's talent.

Of course, his desire to uncover the origin of Sun Breathing after all these years was also a factor. But regardless of his reasons, the fact remained—his task was still incomplete.

Though not all his goals had been met, at the very least, he needed to accomplish the primary one.

_________

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