Episode 70: Ignorant Muzan, Encountering His Own Nightmare
『 These two items were more precious than anything to him, containing his last hopes in this life.
However, even this small wish might be threatened in this world filled with ghosts and demons.
Thus, he understood that the power within him was the key to eliminating demons and restoring peace to the world.
At that moment, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, with the determination to completely eradicate demons, joined the Demon Slayer Corps, becoming one of its members.
At the same time, this event made the situation more favorable for the Demon Slayer Corps, or rather, for all of humanity in their fight against demons.
Because after Yoriichi Tsugikuni joined the Demon Slayer Corps, he taught his ability—the Breathing Technique—to the other members.
Among them were the five strongest swordsmen,
Based on Yoriichi Tsugikuni's Sun Breathing, they created the five basic breathing techniques: Flame, Wind, Water, Thunder, and Stone.
In the following centuries, these breathing techniques branched out into more varieties.
But that's another story. 』
『 .....』
~Chat Room~
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "So powerful that others couldn't even learn his abilities." ]
[ Paimon (Genshin Impact): "And because people couldn't learn it, other abilities evolved from it." ]
[ Xingqiu (Genshin Impact): "This gentleman is truly righteous." ]
[ Jing Yuan (Honkai: Star Rail): "Even so, he probably didn't want this kind of life. He clearly had a fulfilling life already." ]
[ Kyojuro Rengoku (Demon Slayer): "The breathing technique used by this legendary swordsman is too powerful. What our ancestors used were just imitations developed from it." ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "Something feels a bit strange." ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "Why does it feel so familiar?" ]
[ .....]
『 Inside the screen
With the help of the Breathing Techniques taught by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the Demon Slayer Corps of that time found it easier to fight demons.
This slightly eased Yoriichi's worries.
On the other hand,
Since Yoriichi Tsugikuni's disappearance a long time ago,
His elder brother, Kokushibo Tsugikuni, had inherited the family business, married, had children, and became the head of the family.
During this time, he hadn't been idle and had continued to practice his swordsmanship without stopping.
In the end, he felt that he had obtained what should have been Yoriichi's, becoming an enviable figure.
Hearing praise every day, Kokushibo Tsugikuni's special feelings for Yoriichi gradually faded.
Until one day, when the brothers met again, the jealousy in Kokushibo's heart towards his younger brother resurfaced.
The scene shifts to that moment:
It was a cold, windy night.
Kokushibo Tsugikuni led his family's team on a night operation, only to encounter a monster called a "demon."
It was so fast that he and his subordinates couldn't react in time.
Except for Kokushibo, the others were all taken down by the demon in an instant.
Just as Kokushibo Tsugikuni was about to be knocked down and completely defeated,
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who had become a demon slayer, arrived just in time.
He used his frightening power to instantly eliminate the demon that was causing trouble.
"???" The fallen figure entered Kokushibo Tsugikuni's eyes, shocking him.
Not only because his younger brother, whom he hadn't seen in over a decade, had suddenly appeared,
But also because of his younger brother's terrifying strength,
The power to defeat that powerful demon with a single blow,
Seeing this for the first time, Kokushibo Tsugikuni was extremely astonished.
Although he was excited to see his younger brother after many years,
After defeating the demon, Yoriichi Tsugikuni apologized to him in a particularly calm tone:
"I'm sorry, elder brother, I couldn't save them."
Yoriichi felt particularly guilty for not being able to save the other party's subordinates in time.
"It's okay, it's really okay." Kokushibo Tsugikuni lowered his head weakly, his voice soft.
He didn't blame the other party at all, but rather blamed himself.
If he weren't so weak, his soldiers wouldn't have died here.
This thought,
Even hundreds of years later, after he had become the demon "Kokushibo,"
He would still be speechless when he recalled this scene.
That night, his younger brother not only became a frighteningly strong person but also a pure and flawless one.
It was probably that night that the power that erupted from Yoriichi Tsugikuni deeply shook Kokushibo Tsugikuni.
This directly ignited a new flame of desire in Kokushibo Tsugikuni's heart. 』
『 .....』
~Chat Room~
[ Hatake Kakashi (Naruto): "I didn't expect that the weak child from back then is now a strong person in front of his elder brother." ]
[ Shinomiya Kaguya (Love Is War): "But, this elder brother was already jealous of his younger brother before, so now..." ]
[ Yoshimori Sumimura (Kekkaishi): "What's there to be jealous of? Why not just work hard yourself if you're not as good as others?" ]
[ Tokine Yukimura (Kekkaishi): "But, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's talent is beyond what can be achieved through hard work." ]
[ .....]
『 Later stories slowly unfolded on the screen.
In order to catch up with his younger brother's pace and obtain that great power,
Kokushibo Tsugikuni ruthlessly left his wife,
Abandoned the Tsugikuni family's generational business and threw himself into the Demon Slayer Corps, becoming a demon slayer, fighting on the front lines alongside his younger brother Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The ever-proud Kokushibo Tsugikuni, at this moment,
Faced with that unparalleled power, could only keep running, staring intently at his younger brother's advancing figure.
However, at the same time, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's life continued to unfold unhurriedly.
After successfully rescuing his elder brother Kokushibo and others from danger,
Yoriichi, based on his innate understanding, quickly created the ultimate breathing technique—
The Original Breathing, Sun Breathing (Hinokami Kagura).
This supreme breathing technique had an extremely strong suppressive effect on demons.
Unfortunately,
Such a powerful breathing technique was too difficult for others to master.
Although Yoriichi taught this technique to his Demon Slayer Corps companions without reservation at the time,
Even his own elder brother, Kokushibo, was unable to master Sun Breathing due to insufficient talent, and could only learn the simpler Moon Breathing.
The situation was similar for the other members of the corps.
Sun Breathing was too difficult, and they still needed to fight demons. To pass on such a difficult-to-learn breathing technique would be too time-consuming.
Thus, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, based on his own Sun Breathing, guided everyone to develop breathing technique styles suited to their individual characteristics.
Flame, Wind, Water, Thunder, and Stone.
This action greatly enhanced the overall strength of the Demon Slayer Corps, allowing them to hunt demons more easily. 』
『 .....』
~Chat Room~
[ Kokushibo (Demon Slayer): "...." ]
[ .....]
~Demon Slayer World~
~Infinity Castle~
Upper Moon One - Kokushibo watched Yoriichi Tsugikuni creating breathing techniques on the screen.
He felt a deep sense of unwillingness in his heart.
He himself was only able to create the inferior Moon Breathing because he couldn't master the Sun Breathing.
But...
Even if the moon is bright, how can it compete with the sun?
He still couldn't compare to this existence, who was a child of destiny.
Although he used to be jealous of his younger brother, now...
"Hehe, in the end, I still defeated you."
"My, good younger brother..."
Kokushibo, or rather, Kokushibo Tsugikuni, said softly.
~Demon Slayer Corps~
Watching this scene on the screen, all the Pillars present looked at the Nichirin Blades in their hands.
"As expected of the legendary swordsman of the past."
"Even though our ancestors couldn't master the divine skill of Sun Breathing, the simplified Flame, Wind, Water, Thunder, and Stone original breathing techniques are already so powerful."
"We in the Demon Slayer Corps must be grateful to him for being able to possess so many breathing techniques today."
"But, why did he do that thing later?"
Shinobu Kocho, holding the Demon Slayer Corps' records in her hand, suddenly spoke.
Ever since they learned that the person on the screen was the Demon Slayer Corps senior of the past, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
They went to find the historical records of that time.
But later, they were surprised to discover.
That powerful existence later disappeared without a trace.
What's more, after doing that thing, he directly withdrew from the Demon Slayer Corps.
Shinobu Kocho said that she couldn't understand this.
"Clearly, he possessed that kind of powerful strength."
.....
『 Then, when the topic of inheritance was brought up again,
Kokushibo Tsugikuni directly raised his doubts:
"Yoriichi, I am truly grateful that you taught us breathing techniques and swordsmanship,
"But speaking of which, these abilities that allow us to directly fight demons, if we of this generation are gone and no one takes over, won't they end up in the trash heap of history?"
"Brother,"
Yoriichi interrupted Kokushibo before he could finish speaking,
"Don't worry about that."
Although Kokushibo's mood was as agitated as boiling water at this moment,
Yoriichi still had that unchanging calm look.
He responded easily to his elder brother's concerns:
"Compared to the great river of history, the two of us are just fleeting figures."
"Don't worry about inheritance. I have a feeling that one day, people will be able to subdue those demons."
"And I believe that there are already talents with even greater gifts than ours secretly growing in this world."
"We, who are getting old, should just focus on our own path."
At this point, Yoriichi Tsugikuni smiled for the first time.
All the veterans of the Demon Slayer Corps present were stunned at that moment.
They thought that the arrogant Yoriichi Tsugikuni would never show a smile on his face.
Unexpectedly, he showed a sincere smile.
However, Kokushibo Tsugikuni, who was standing aside, always felt that Yoriichi's words were perfunctory.
He clearly possessed such strong strength, and power that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to dream of, but the answer he gave was so understated.
It was truly sickening... Kokushibo spat inwardly.
From then on, Kokushibo Tsugikuni's jealousy towards Yoriichi Tsugikuni grew like weeds day after day, becoming more and more deeply rooted.
On the screen, time passed silently.
After a long period of peace, Yoriichi Tsugikuni and his elder brother Kokushibo Tsugikuni joined hands,
Throwing themselves into the Demon Slayer Corps' long-planned battle—
That was the operation to pursue the progenitor of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji.
The moment they faced Muzan in direct combat, Yoriichi awakened an astonishing power in the surrounding swordsmen, including Kokushibo Tsugikuni.
That was... the Mark...
This action significantly increased the combat power of all the Demon Slayer Corps members,
And everyone's morale was boosted.
Everyone kept shouting:
"The golden opportunity to defeat Muzan is right in front of us!"
"!!!!!!!!!!!"
At that moment, everyone truly believed in their hearts,
That the so-called Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji would soon be defeated at the feet of these brave warriors.
The threat to the world seemed to be that with the efforts of their generation, future children would be able to grow up in peace and tranquility.
However...
Soon, none of the warriors who awakened the Mark lived past the age of twenty-five, confirming the ancient legend,
All bid farewell to the world at that age, as if by fate.
For a time, a cloud of gloom enveloped the Demon Slayer Corps.
Seeing this scene, Kokushibo Tsugikuni, who had also awakened the Mark, naturally quickly realized that,
The candle of his life might also be burning to its end.
He, who was already extremely afraid of death, felt panicked by this life manipulated by fate.
Why? Why must I leave this world like this?
No, I must not die like this. I still have too many things to do; how can I stop abruptly on the path of life?
Thus, Kokushibo Tsugikuni, who lived in that era, began to have thoughts of escaping his lifespan problem.
But it was this fear that continued to swell in his heart, and eventually, he even conceived a forbidden idea.
If he could live forever, he would have endless time to refine his swordsmanship;
If he had eternal life, he could forever escape the shadow of death;
If he could be immortal and surpass his younger brother Yoriichi Tsugikuni's dream, perhaps it could come true.
Once this idea took root in his heart, it grew like a virus in Kokushibo Tsugikuni's thoughts.
Soon, driven by these thoughts and desires,
Kokushibo Tsugikuni, the elder brother of the strongest demon slayer Yoriichi Tsugikuni,
Betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps' beliefs.
He went to the Demon King Muzan, drank his blood, and transformed into the strongest sword demon,
Also, becoming the first string demon under the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji,
That was the later Upper Moon One - Kokushibo.
In the days that followed, looking back at the moment of his transformation, a self-deprecating, bitter smile appeared on his face. 』
『 .....』
~Chat Room~
[ Sanemi Shinazugawa (Demon Slayer): "The elder brother of the strongest swordsman of the past actually betrayed them later?" ]
[ Kanna(???): "Seriously?" ]
[ Saitama (One Punch Man): "This elder brother actually did such a thing?" ]
[ Jiraiya (Naruto): "One is in the Demon Slayer Corps, and one has become a demon, will there inevitably be a battle between brothers in the future?" ]
[ .....]
~Demon Slayer World~
~Infinity Castle~
After seeing this scene, the Demon King Muzan turned his gaze to Kokushibo behind him.
It was this guy.
Who found him in the past, saying that he sincerely wanted to join him.
And, it was also the other party who finally killed Yoriichi Tsugikuni, allowing him to destroy the Demon Slayer Corps once.
Unexpectedly, the other party was actually the elder brother of that existence.
"Interesting, a battle between brothers? Hehehehe."
"Since you are already dead, don't appear again."
.....
『 The screen started to turn again.
It was a particularly bright night.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni was wandering in a bamboo forest, planning to clean up those annoying demons.
But just then, he ran into the Demon King Muzan, who was accompanied by Tamayo.
At that time, Muzan Kibutsuji looked like a wealthy family's young master, and his sorrowful eyes faintly revealed a faint red glow.
Such a handsome face would definitely fascinate many young girls if it were put outside.
But, it was this person who immediately made Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was meeting him for the first time, feel that something was wrong, and had an indescribable bad feeling.
The aura he felt from this guy made Yoriichi Tsugikuni clearly recognize that,
The man standing in front of him was the Demon King he had been looking for for a long time - Muzan Kibutsuji.
An idea suddenly popped up in Yoriichi Tsugikuni's mind:
Perhaps, he came to this world to eliminate this evil thing in front of him.
"Oh? Another one with a sword?" Muzan Kibutsuji also quickly noticed Yoriichi Tsugikuni on the opposite side.
But at this time, he didn't care, after all, there were many people dressed like Yoriichi Tsugikuni in this world.
Therefore, Muzan, who hadn't felt the danger approaching step by step, felt particularly bored.
He glanced at Yoriichi Tsugikuni with a disdainful look and said leisurely:
"Another one coming to die?"
"Honestly, I really don't want to waste time with your bunch of trash here."
"Who exactly are you?..." Although he had almost guessed who the other party was,
But Yoriichi Tsugikuni was afraid of accidentally hurting someone, so he asked.
Of course, at this time, Muzan Kibutsuji despised ordinary people like Yoriichi from the bottom of his heart.
"Who I am is not important, anyway; it's meaningless to explain these things to a dying person."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni was not angry after hearing this, but instead asked faintly:
"Oh? Why do you think I will soon become a dead person?"
"Why?" Muzan Kibutsuji said as he slowly turned to Yoriichi Tsugikuni: "I am already tired of you trash who use breathing techniques for a thousand years." 』
『 .....』