"Kill me? Why? Do we have some kind of grudge? Why do you want to kill me? Because I deserve to die? Or is it because I said something about Yoriichi?"
Kairo Retsu's words struck at Kokushibo's heart one sentence at a time.
"You need to make that clear—what's the reason you've turned your hostility toward me?"
"It can't just be… because what I said upset you, right?"
Kairo smiled brilliantly as he watched Kokushibo, who kept trying to approach him only to be blocked again and again.
"Actually, you don't need to answer. I already understand."
"I wanted to see you like this—that's why I told you all those truths."
Kairo smiled wickedly. "So! Tanjiro! Do you understand now?!"
"You're the one most suited to sever his head! Do your best!!"
Kairo raised his voice as he shouted:
"What Yoriichi couldn't accomplish before dying—you will finish now!!"
"Use the Breath of the Sun and send him off!!"
As he shouted, Kairo drew his Great Sword and pointed it at Kokushibo, who now held an unimaginable level of hostility toward him.
"This is the former Demon Slayer… the swordsman who betrayed the Corps and became a demon! He's the twin brother of the original owner of the blade you're holding!"
"This isn't fate!"
Kairo's voice resounded clearly in Tanjiro's ears.
"This is a ritual—a ritual to send Kokushibo to atone! Only through this can his pitiful life end with a slightly less tragic conclusion!"
"Tanjiro!!"
Kairo posed the final question:
"Will you do it or not?!"
"I understand!!"
Tanjiro did not hesitate for even a second.
After hearing Kairo's words, he could feel the weight on his shoulders grow heavier…
But it wasn't an unpleasant feeling.
Without delay, Tanjiro pointed his Nichirin Blade at Kokushibo, his well-trained lungs and heart already beginning to push oxygen through his veins.
"I'm going in!!" he shouted, then dashed into the fray where Kokushibo was being besieged.
"I WON'T LOSE TO YOU INSECTS!!!"
Kokushibo roared in reply.
"Except for him… except for Yoriichi—NONE of you can kill me!!!"
"I WILL NEVER ACCEPT IT!!!"
Kokushibo roared as he pushed his body past its limits—even his Upper Rank One demon body was starting to break under the pressure.
Among the attackers, only Gyomei Himejima—who had awakened the Transparent World—could see what was happening within Kokushibo's body.
Organs, muscles, flesh—all were continuously ripping and regenerating as Kokushibo forced his body forward.
"I'm going too."
Kairo held his Great Sword horizontally, readying himself to charge.
But before jumping into battle, he glanced at Kazuma—who was still chugging potion after potion—and they exchanged a quick look.
Kazuma nodded knowingly, then used Sneak and Hide to slip into a safer position where he could maintain oversight and continue his Wide-Range potion support.
Meanwhile, Kairo sprinted directly at Kokushibo:
"Come, Kokushibo!! Kill me if you can!!!"
"ALL-OUT ATTACK!!"
Gyomei shouted, broadcasting what he observed to everyone:
"His attacks now—he's burning through his own life force!"
"He won't last much longer!"
Gyomei continued,
"Once his life force runs out… his head will be vulnerable to decapitation!!!"
"He can see that much detail? Is the Transparent World really that convenient?!"
Joseph Joestar muttered, then suddenly shouted:
"Also—I've been meaning to ask—why the hell does Gyomei sound exactly like me?!"
"Is now really the time for this kind of joke?!"
Kairo roared as he tanked through Kokushibo's blows and ran up to Joseph.
"And Joseph!! Hurry up and use that invincible Hamon of yours to figure something out!!!"
"That's a reference, you're clearly referencing something!!"
Joseph snapped, immediately catching the nuance in Kairo's tone.
"This guy's not someone I can just Hamon away, you know!!"
Even if he could get close, Joseph's Hamon was absolutely capable of harming—or even killing—Kokushibo.
But demons… were still fundamentally different from Vampires or the Pillar Men.
Sure, Kars may have been more terrifying, but the regenerative ability of these demons was monstrous.
In his previous fight with Akaza, Joseph had learned that if his Hamon didn't reach every cell simultaneously, the demon could still separate part—or even most—of their body to escape.
"Shut it!! I'm going in!!"
Kairo roared as he raised his red-glowing Great Sword—fully sharpened and in red blade state.
Screaming wildly, he charged at Kokushibo:
"The Sapphire Star of the New World! Wielding the Terra Red Blade! Has arrived!!!"
At this point, the entire battle had devolved into a war of attrition—blow for blow.
Kokushibo was burning his life force at a terrifying rate.
Once his body gave out, he'd be vulnerable to execution during his recovery phase.
Meanwhile, those besieging him were surviving solely thanks to Kazuma's Wide-Range support—clinging to life through sheer willpower.
Sure, their injuries could be healed…
But the psychological pressure from battle—the pain, the fear of death—was still very real.
If Kokushibo destroyed their brains in one strike, no amount of potion would save them.
The clash of death and agony tested the willpower of the attackers—
While the burning fury drained the body of the one being attacked.
Watching this entire ordeal…
Was Genya Shinazugawa—who had no ability to use Breathing Techniques.
Hiding in a corner, Genya was filled with grief and regret.
Why can't I master a Breathing Technique?
If he could, he wouldn't be so helpless now…
The feelings of powerlessness weighed heavy on Genya as he wondered if there was anything—even the smallest thing—he could do.
All he had was a Southern Barbarian Gun…
But just then—
Someone patted his shoulder from behind.
Genya jumped, startled by the sudden contact.
"Mmfmmf. 'S me."
Kazuma was mid-potion-chug as he greeted him:
"You're Genya Shinazugawa, right?"
"Y-You're one of the Hunters the Crow mentioned…?"
Genya looked at Kazuma uncertainly.
"You're not going to fight?"
"I'm support!" Kazuma declared proudly as he gulped down more potion.
"How do you think they're healing so fast?! It's me, chugging potions like a maniac! Don't underestimate the great Kazuma, bastard!"
"And besides—my actual class is Rogue."
Kazuma said confidently,
"Rogues don't charge into the frontlines! I'd never do something that stupid!"
"But—but—but!!" Kazuma turned toward Genya.
"You want to help, don't you?"
"Do you know how support like us should fight?"
Kazuma flashed a confident grin.
"Fighting doesn't always have to be honorable and flashy, you bastard!!!"