Chapter 16: Four-dimensional space! Born with clarity! The fire of jealousy burns fiercely!
『 Disgust that overshadowed brotherly affection instantly grew rampant due to the "transgression" of crossing class boundaries!
That day, Yoriichi, who always watched his elder brother train from the sidelines, picked up for the first time amid the careless teasing of his father's retainer.
Michikatsu merely stood by and watched.
His younger brother only knew the chants and sword-gripping techniques—it was just child's play.
A gust of wind swept past Michikatsu's eyes. In the blink of an eye, a shadow flickered, and Yoriichi was already standing before their father's retainer!
"Thud—"
A dull sound echoed four times in an instant. Then, before this seven-year-old child, that mighty and skilled warrior collapsed to the ground like a clumsy target, utterly defenseless!
Even the bamboo sword in his hand split in two, breaking right before Michikatsu's eyes.
By the time Michikatsu regained his senses, it was all over. His mouth hung open in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. He wanted to say something, but at this moment, no words came out!
A vast abyss surged forth, threatening to swallow him whole!!!
What... just happened? His younger brother, that weakling...?!
Only now did Michikatsu realize—years of relentless effort were nothing but a joke in the face of his younger brother!!!
That retainer, whom he had never once defeated, had now been effortlessly crushed by Yoriichi.
Absurd... How utterly absurd! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Orochimaru (Naruto): "Marvelous! For a seven-year-old child, his instincts and combat reflexes are beyond imagination! A being born powerful?" ]
[ Gabriel (Gabriel DropOut): "I think I understand now why he's called a god." ]
[ Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto): "That was amazing! What's the name of that move? He knocked out that big guy in just one hit!" ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "So this... is Mr. Yoriichi?" ]
[ Miyamoto Musashi (Type-Moon): "Exquisite. If he keeps growing, he might one day surpass 'emptiness' itself." ]
[ Hawk Eye (MCU): "As I suspected. This man is a natural-born prodigy of the sword." ]
[ Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen): "Hehe~ No one's paying attention to that little guy? Looks like he's about to break." ]
[ .....]
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"That's right...!"
A flicker of rage flashed in Kokushibō's eyes.
Why didn't you show that talent from the beginning?!
Why hide it? Why must it be my own brother?!
.....
Butterfly Mansion, Demon Slayer Corps
"Whoa! I feel like Mr. Yoriichi at seven was stronger than I am now!"
exclaimed Agatsuma Zenitsu.
"No need to feel—he just was,"
Inosuke retorted, picking his nose.
"Hey, you jerk!"
"...With enough strength, you can protect your family, right, Mr. Yoriichi?"
Tanjirō murmured with a faint smile, glad that Yoriichi had found his path.
Yet... Tanjirō hesitated.
Why was Mr. Michikatsu's heart so twisted?
Shouldn't older brothers love their younger brothers?
—
『 The news of a seven-year-old child defeating a seasoned warrior in four strikes quickly reached their father's ears.
But after that, Yoriichi abandoned his aspirations of becoming a swordsman—he hated the feeling of striking others.
Michikatsu clung to a sliver of hope: perhaps Yoriichi had merely stumbled upon a secret to strength?
Under relentless questioning, Yoriichi revealed the truth—but his words defied comprehension.
In Yoriichi's eyes, all living beings were transparent. He could observe the lungs' movements, the bones' alignment, the muscles' contractions, and the blood's flow.
This clarity was innate to him.
And this flawless ability made mastering any technique effortless. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Trisolaran Leader (3-Body Problem): "How... is this possible? Is this Yoriichi a higher-dimensional being? Why else could he perceive the world from a four-dimensional perspective?" ]
[ Uzui Tengen (Demon Slayer): "Flamboyant! Truly flamboyant! Perfect transparency, impeccable combat awareness, and this dazzling talent that leaves me utterly blinded!" ]
[ Hawk Eye (MCU): "Truly a natural-born warrior! I'd love to cross blades with him someday!" ]
[ Great Toad Sage (Naruto): "In our world, he'd undoubtedly be another Child of Prophecy." ]
[ Jiraiya (Naruto): "With such power, what destiny awaits him? What does he live for?" ]
[ Ubuyashiki Kagaya (Demon Slayer): "Demons. The man-eating fiends led by the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji." ]
[ Orochimaru (Naruto): "Hiss~ Being labeled as 'demons' must signify they have remarkable abilities." ]
[ Kochou Shinobu (Demon Slayer): "They possess immense strength and bizarre powers. Unless decapitated by a Nichirin Blade or exposed to sunlight, they are virtually immortal." ]
[ Douma (Demon Slayer): "That's right~ Lord Muzan is the strongest being!" ]
[ Albedo (Overlord): "How laughable. A lowly undead subspecies dares call itself the strongest before Ainz-sama?" ]
[ .....]
『 Whenever swordsmanship was mentioned, Yoriichi always grew somber. More than the sword, he longed to fly kites with his brother.
Michikatsu's eyes hollowed as the crushing disparity slowly devoured him in the abyss.
So all this time, his condescending "mercy" as the stronger one had been nothing but self-delusion.
The admiration he'd earned through blood, sweat, and endless suffering paled like fireflies against the radiance Yoriichi emitted without effort.
Insignificant as dust...
They both knew their father would make the obvious choice. Their roles had reversed.
Soon after, their mother fell ill and passed away. Yoriichi broke the news to his brother and announced his early departure for the temple.
He drew a wooden flute from his robes, gazing at it tenderly.
"I will cherish this flute you gave me, elder brother, as if it were you. I will never abandon it."
The child bowed respectfully, then left this cold, loveless home without looking back.
Only when reading their mother's diary did Michikatsu learn the truth: Yoriichi left early to avoid hindering his future. And years prior, Yoriichi had known of their mother's illness.
What seemed like childish clinginess was actually his small body supporting their ailing mother.
Yet Michikatsu had been oblivious.
As he read the diary, sweat dripped unnoticed. His body turned ice-cold, consumed by uncontrollable terror and fury.
In strength... in nobility of character far beyond his years... Yoriichi had surpassed him in every way.
No gratitude. No warmth. Only...
The humiliation of being pitied and a searing hatred for his prodigal brother! 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Ancient One (MCU): "A pitiful soul consumed by envy." ]
[ Nami (One Piece): "Sniff... Mr. Yoriichi was so strong yet so kind, but no one understood him..." ]
[ Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure): "As expected of Yoriichi! Effortlessly achieving what Michikatsu never could! Hahahahaha!" ]
[ Thor (MCU): "An elder brother should be magnanimous! I've never once envied my brother Loki!" ]
[ Loki (MCU): "...? What the hell! You damn #@$%&*...!" ]
[ .....]