A huge black shock wave radiated outward from Muzan. The floor beneath his feet cracked and rose inch by inch, then was blown high into the sky. Every crow in the air above fell dead in an instant.
This was one of Muzan's trump cards. Anyone caught in the blast would have their nervous system disrupted, leading to violent convulsions, paralysis, and ultimately—swift death.
"I've been waiting for you… for a long time."
James unleashed the largest Revolving Heaven technique he had ever performed. A brilliant blue light shield enveloped him, blocking everything in its path. Not even a speck of dust could break through.
Impossible! Muzan screamed in his heart. How can he still move?!
There was no time to be distracted.
The Demon Slayers behind James had already arrived in front of Muzan, their blades flashing with deadly intent.
"Rock Breathing – Type 4 – Rhyolite: Speedy Expedition!"
"Wind Breathing – Form 1: Dust Whirlwind Slash!"
"Snake Breathing – Fifth Form: Long Winding Snake!"
"Water Breathing – Seventh Form: Shizuku Ripple Thrust!"
"Love Breathing – Type 2: Regretful and Hesitant Love!"
"Mist Breathing – Form 4: Horizontal Slash!"
"Sound Breathing – Fifth Form: String Performance!"
"Thunder Breathing – Seventh Form: Flaming Thunder God!"
—
The battlefield exploded with motion. Blades flashed everywhere—every inch of space was filled with slashing, roaring energy. Anything in the path of these swords was instantly torn to pieces.
I can't take this head-on!
Muzan slammed his fanged legs into the ground. The surface cracked beneath him, and the recoil launched him backward.
But just as he was about to regroup, a hidden figure emerged behind him.
Tanjirou, who had been lying in wait with a cloaking talisman, took a deep breath. A visible stream of air surged into his lungs, as if he were inhaling the very world itself.
His red hair danced in the wind, and in his crimson eyes, a spinning lotus flower ignited with flame.
"MUZAN!!!"
Muzan's head jerked around in shock just in time to see a golden-red dragon of flame charging toward him, tearing through the battlefield and leaving a deep chasm in its wake. At the head of this fiery dragon—Tanjirou, eyes burning with determination.
"KAMADO TANJIROU!!!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The impact shook the world. Tanjirou's blazing red Nichirin Blades slashed mercilessly into Muzan's body.
"Red Lotus Breathing – Round Dance: Infinite Cycle!"
Strike after strike, countless golden-red slashes rained down. Flaming rings formed in the air, each slice leaving deep marks across Muzan's body. Although his monstrous regeneration healed each wound in an instant, the attacks never stopped.
Tanjirou's brief but overwhelming assault gave the rest of the Demon Slayers the chance they needed. Those wielding red blades swarmed in like a tidal wave, surrounding Muzan entirely. Dozens of blades now filled the battlefield—an impenetrable net of steel and fire.
CUT HIM TO PIECES!
Muzan roared toward the heavens.
Countless shockwaves burst outward, colliding violently with the flurry of Nichirin Blades. But there were simply too many attacks—Muzan's defenses couldn't keep up. The ancient demon who had lived for over a thousand years was now experiencing the sensation of being cut apart.
Seizing the moment, James transformed into a streak of blue flame and shot across the battlefield, straight at Muzan.
Muzan's expression twisted. He immediately redirected all his whip-like tendrils toward James, abandoning his defense against the others.
Now's my chance! James thought.
Tanjirou's hands bled as he forced the golden-red flaming dragon forward. The creature roared and clashed with Muzan's whips, its scales scraping against the tendrils with a sound like metal grinding against metal.
Thank you, Tanjirou.
Time seemed to stop.
James' vision became clear—flaws appeared on every surface, weaknesses revealed themselves. His Nichirin Blade glowed blue, and immense energy gathered at his feet.
BOOM!
The ground shook like a cannon had fired. James surged forward, sword raised high.
A thousand slashes in a single second!
Before Muzan could respond, James' snow-white blade—coated in blue flame—pierced between Muzan's eyebrows.
So this is… death?
"Sword Prison!"
A flash of pure white light erupted. The sword's speed defied the human eye. In an instant, Muzan was reduced to countless fragments. Under James' limit-breaking red sword technique, even Muzan's regenerative power couldn't save him.
The flesh fragments squirmed on the ground. But the Demon Slayers swarmed in, slicing and slashing until every piece was destroyed.
NO!
NO!
I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
But there were no second chances now.
"I won't give up…!"
The remnants of Muzan charred, cracked, and finally turned into ash.
—
"…Ah?"
"Did we… did we actually win?"
Tanjirou stared at his bloodstained blade in a daze. Silence fell over the battlefield. No one could speak. Their emotions were too large, too heavy, to be captured in words.
James finally broke the silence.
"This place is about to collapse. Everyone, retreat!"
Far away, a Demon Slayer Corps soldier waved to them and pointed toward the opened escape tunnel.
BOOM!
Chunks of the Infinite Castle crashed down from above. Cracks spread across the floating platforms, which began collapsing one by one. Dust and smoke filled the air—like the end of the world.
A thousand years of hatred… finally ended.
Countless bloodstained tears, flowing through generations, were buried along with Muzan's ashes.
As they emerged from the tunnel—
The sun had risen from the eastern horizon. Its warm light shone on their faces, driving away the darkness that had hung over them for so long.
Someone began to sob.
Then another.
Soon, the battlefield was filled with the sound of weeping—relief, joy, grief—all mixed into one. Demon Slayers hugged each other, laughed and cried, waving their swords in the air to release everything they had held back.
Even the Hashira could not hold back their tears.
"Sister… did you see? We killed Kibutsuji Muzan. We won!"
Shinobu's purple eyes brimmed with tears. Kanao gently embraced her, and the two sobbed together, their shoulders shaking.
"Grandpa… I avenged you. We did it… Muzan's gone. Can you hear me…?"
Zenitsu finally broke down in tears. Ever since learning of his grandfather's suicide, he had buried his emotions deep. Now, with the battle over, they poured out uncontrollably.
The Snake Hashira removed his bandages at last. Shimizu bowed his head and offered a heartfelt apology to his brother Genya. For everyone, this war had finally come to an end.
"Tanjirou, are you okay?"
James looked at the boy, who hadn't moved since emerging from the tunnel.
"I think I hear them… saying I'm amazing."
Tanjirou smiled, two lines of tears flowing down his cheeks. In his mind, his mother, siblings—they were all there, smiling and waving goodbye.
James gently placed a hand on Tanjirou's head.
He felt his own eyes moisten. Yes, he was human too—he could feel all of this, deeply.
Thinking of his own family… James suddenly missed Wangyue.
—
In a nearby box specially prepared for them, Tamayo and Yushirou had also emerged. Tamayo was visibly moved, constantly wiping tears from her eyes.
"Tamayo-sama, I… I have something I want to tell you."
Yushirou stuttered, his cheeks red.
"I want to start a new life. Tamayo-sama… would you join me?"
His voice shook, but he said it clearly.
Tamayo looked at him, surprised.
"We've always been together… and we'll stay that way, until the day I grow old and die."
Yushirou's face flushed completely—and he fainted on the spot from happiness.
At last… history had turned a new page.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)