"Dispersing into Mist!"
"The air remaining in my lungs should be enough for one last attack."
Trapped in Gyokko's water prison, Muichiro Tokito's air supply was nearly depleted. If he couldn't break free, he would suffocate.
"Mist Breathing, First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze!"
He thrust his sword, causing the water pot's surface to bulge, but it remained as strong as a fortress, unyielding to his efforts.
His attack failed, meaning he couldn't strike again. His dwindling air supply hastened his death.
"Even a thrust attack can't break this Blood Demon Art. With my blade so severely damaged, it's only natural."
"Sigh, it's over."
"If only someone could come to my aid… Master, if I die, please send at least two more Hashira."
"Aoki is here. He's strong. The distant explosion must have been him; it was powerful. I might not have survived that.
He's probably fighting the Upper Moon Tanjiro encountered. He's the only Demon Slayer to have killed an Upper Moon. If it's him, he should be able to defeat that Upper Moon and come to my aid. Though, I might not live that long."
Suddenly, Tanjiro appeared before Muichiro Tokito, smiling.
"Why do you think that way? After all, no one knows what the future holds."
Muichiro Tokito initially thought it was a hallucination, a recollection of Tanjiro's earlier words.
But soon, he realized something was amiss.
"Hm? Wait, Tanjiro never said that. Who said it then?"
As he pondered, Muichiro Tokito's air completely ran out.
"My vision is narrowing… I'm running out of air… I'm going to die."
Tanjiro continued speaking. "When your life ends isn't something you decide. Never give up easily. Someone will help you. Few things are accomplished solely through individual effort; that's why people work together to overcome challenges."
"Muichiro, you haven't done anything wrong. You'll be alright."
Muichiro Tokito's vision blurred. He looked at Tanjiro, uncertain if it was real.
"You never said that! What is this? Shifting the burden to others? That's unacceptable. No one can help me; they're not as strong as I am. As the strongest, I should have done better, but I made the wrong judgment.
I let my position as a Hashira make me unconsciously overestimate my strength. I've made several mistakes, and I'm about to die."
Just as Muichiro Tokito accepted his death, a Nichirin Blade appeared before him.
It was Kotetsu, attempting to pierce the water pot.
"I won't let you die! Hold on! Muichiro-nii-san! Just a little longer! I'll save you!" Kotetsu shouted, stabbing at the pot. "Damn it! What is this stuff? Sticky and disgusting!"
Seeing Kotetsu's desperate attempt to save him, Muichiro Tokito sighed inwardly.
"A Blood Demon Art even I couldn't break… how could you possibly break it? Compared to my life, there are more important things to prioritize—protecting the Village Head. Unfortunately, even that's too difficult for you. Grab as many blades as you can and escape."
Muichiro Tokito then saw a giant carp approaching Kotetsu from behind.
"Why aren't you leaving?! The enemy's behind you! Be careful!"
But Kotetsu, inexperienced, couldn't react in time.
"Slash!"
The giant carp slashed Kotetsu, inflicting several wounds, thankfully none fatal.
"Ugh! That hurts! I'm bleeding."
Despite the pain, Kotetsu groaned.
"What are you doing?! Are you an idiot?! Run! Run!" Muichiro Tokito shouted inwardly, but Kotetsu couldn't hear him.
The carp attacked again. Kotetsu awkwardly dodged, his movements stiff and clumsy—understandable, given his inexperience.
Then, a poisoned needle struck Kotetsu's heart. Without immediate aid, he would die.
"He's been hit in the heart! He'll die! Why doesn't he understand?! You're powerless! Press on the wound and run!"
But Kotetsu, instead of fleeing, took a deep breath and blew bubbles into the water pot.
Muichiro Tokito stared, then opened his mouth, inhaling the bubbles to replenish his air supply.
Tanjiro reappeared. "Helping others is ultimately helping yourself. And humans can unleash incredible power to help others, Muichiro."
"Yes, I know," Muichiro Tokito thought, his eyes sharpening.
The air from Kotetsu gave him the strength to attack. He gripped his almost-loosened Nichirin Blade.
"Mist Breathing, Second Form: Eight-Layered Mist!"
Muichiro Tokito's incredibly fast strikes shattered the water prison.
The Water Prison Pot was broken, dispersing into mist!
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