Chapter 21: The sun is lost—
『 Time flew by, and two years had passed since the Demon Slayer Corps exiled Yoriichi.
However, Yoriichi's heart was still burdened with immense guilt and sorrow. Every day, he searched for Muzan Kibutsuji's whereabouts.
One day, he walked through the forest dejectedly and visited the Kamado family, Sumiyoshi's family.
This was where Yoriichi had once lived with Uta. Two years ago, when he first arrived, Yoriichi saved the couple from a demon attack and quickly found a midwife, helping Sumiyoshi's wife, Suyako, give birth safely.
He had accomplished... what he couldn't do for his wife back then.
Sumiyoshi and Suyako were like them in the past, both possessing kind and pure hearts, often helping others without expecting anything in return. By chance, they even saved a daimyo's wife and children.
After two years, the previously dilapidated house had been completely renovated, and Yoriichi was infected by their happiness.
There were so many beautiful things in this world. He was very satisfied to have experienced a journey in the human world.
Heaven had bestowed upon him a gentle mother, a kind older brother, and that beautiful home, but why...
Why couldn't his wish for an ordinary life... ultimately be fulfilled?
Yoriichi looked up at the sky, his eyes gleaming with a clear light, and the surrounding sounds of joy were so delightful...
In this life... even with god-like power, he couldn't change anything. He was just a suffering mortal...
Yoriichi told Sumiyoshi his life story. Tears welled up in Sumiyoshi's eyes. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
This calm and powerful swordsman in front of him harbored such profound sorrow in his heart, yet he was so peaceful...
"Wah~"
As if sensing Yoriichi's sadness, Sumiyoshi 's young daughter reached out and tugged on Yoriichi's sleeve,
"Hold... hold."
Yoriichi hesitated for a moment, then lifted the little girl high up.
The breeze was gentle, and the bright sunlight was blocked by the child. But... when that innocent smile, brighter than the sun, entered Yoriichi's eyes.
Tears actually fell from the invincible swordsman's face. Yoriichi looked at the child, his face covered in tears.
That innocence, that flawless child's soul.
He had truly... truly come a long way...
After living with the Kamado family for a while, no matter how Sumiyoshi tried to persuade him, Yoriichi didn't stay. He only left the earrings his mother had given him and demonstrated the Sun Breathing sword forms.
Those who pursue the ultimate path will return to the same origin. The path of life is like clouds, ultimately flowing in the direction the wind goes.
Yoriichi never considered himself special from beginning to end. On the contrary, he was so incompetent and powerless.
He failed to protect what was important and failed to accomplish what he should have in life.
His existence was worthless... 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto): "Wuwuwu, Uncle Yoriichi, you will definitely be happy!" ]
[ Zenitsu Agasuma (Demon Slayer): "Sumiyoshi... that must be Tanjiro's ancestor, what a wonderful fate." ]
[ Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer): "Mr. Yoriichi... saved my ancestor." ]
[ Senju Tsunade (Naruto): "The price of power is already predetermined by heaven. This misfortune, no matter how strong one is, what good does it do?" ]
[ Meruem (HunterXHunter): "Still not strong enough! As long as one has enough power, anything can be changed!" ]
[ Gilgamesh⦍ Chūnibyō⦎ (Type-Moon): "Lost mongrel, quickly find your own path!" ]
[ .....]
〜Demon Slayer World〜
Infinity Castle
Kokushibo stared intently at the familiar yet terrifying figure on the screen.
The long sword in his hand creaked, and Kokushibo's six eyes trembled slightly.
"Yoriichi... you were truly like this from beginning to end."
Countless memories flashed through Kokushibo's mind: their initial playtime, the determination to protect his younger brother, and compassion for the weak.
When did everything begin to change? Was it when Yoriichi displayed his talent? Was it always boasting about being a genius?
Or was it his desire to become Yoriichi...
—
『 In the blink of an eye, sixty years passed. Michikatsu, who wouldn't live past 25 after activating his demon slayer mark, successfully survived by accepting Muzan Kibutsuji's blood.
He became Kokushibo, Upper Rank One, a strong individual with infinite lifespan!
His chiseled face was covered with six eyes, but at this moment, Kokushibo's six eyes stared blankly yet horrifyingly ahead.
An old, familiar figure blocked his path.
Kokushibo had always believed that Yoriichi had died at the age of 25.
But he never imagined that an old, white-haired Yoriichi would stand before him again!
And then...
Yoriichi cried. Those eyes were still as gentle and pure as ever.
"How sad... Brother,"
Yoriichi looked at his brother before him, a great sorrow welling up in his heart.
"Had he... lost again?"
Kokushibo's bloodshot eyes were wide with rage. Was he... being pitied by this old and ugly creature again?!!
However, hearing that "Brother" he hadn't heard in sixty years, an inexplicable sadness welled up in Kokushibo's heart.
It was the lingering love for his younger brother, burned by the raging fire of jealousy.
But as a demon, he could no longer comprehend this emotion. For a moment, Kokushibo stood frozen.
But in the next instant, all of it turned to ashes!
A blood moon hung in the sky, and the world lost its color.
The moment Yoriichi gripped his sword, immense power erupted from his old, decaying body!
The terrifying killing intent and pressure made the space behind Yoriichi seem to warp and distort!
The surrounding air seemed to solidify intensely under this aura capable of severing heaven and earth with a single strike!
No... how could this be?!!
Kokushibo's heart began to pound violently! His body felt as if it were pressed down by a giant boulder, unable to move!
Before him, it wasn't Yoriichi, but a demon god! A gigantic character for 'Death'!
What a joke! He had become a demon! Possessing infinite lifespan! Possessing power at its peak!
This life-and-death threat, even the Demon King who granted him power couldn't bring him!
"AAAAH!!!"
Kokushibo roared, his eyes turning blood red, desperately trying to move!
But... he still couldn't do anything. Under this immense pressure, he could only wait for Yoriichi's attack.
"I'm here,"
Yoriichi's voice echoed with the wind.
The next moment, blood gushed, and the long sword sliced across Kokushibo's neck.
"Why is it always you..."
The extinguished flames reignited fiercely, Kokushibo roared unwillingly, collapsing.
Favored by heaven, why was that special one always you!
"Why, why!!! Why wasn't that person me!!"
He also knew that Yoriichi's next strike would surely sever his head!
But—
A gentle breeze swept through the fallen leaves, and there was nothing. 』
『 .....』
〜Myriad Worlds livestream Chat〜
[ Zenitsu Agasuma (Demon Slayer): "What's going on? Why isn't Uncle Yoriichi attacking!" ]
[ Gintoki Sakata (Gintama): "Could it be that he held back out of sentimentality?" ]
[ Akainu (One Piece): "Can such an indecisive fellow be called a god?" ]
[ Sengoku (One Piece): "No... I presume Mr. Tsugikuni Yoriichi has already passed away." ]
[ .....]
『 Nothing came. Neither the imagined death nor the scolding.
Yoriichi, having exhausted his life, could no longer deliver another strike. Having exhausted his life, he simply stood there and departed from the world.
And before him, was the path he and his brother could never intersect again...
"You bastard...!!!"
The surging rage materialized, Kokushibo fiercely swung his sword, severing Yoriichi's corpse!
Blood splattered, and his body was separated from his head, but what fell from his embrace was...
Kokushibo stared blankly at the two-halved flute, and time seemed to return to his childhood.
"I will cherish this flute as I would my brother."
A childhood promise spanned across long years, ultimately leading to a path where humans and demons were irreconcilable.
Tears rolled down Kokushibo's cheeks, though he couldn't recall when they began. 』
『 .....』
〜Nanatsu no Taizai World〜
"Foolish child,"
The muscular Escanor gulped down large amounts of alcohol.
How can a human cross the distance between the sky and the earth to reach the sun?
Why do they always refuse to acknowledge themselves?
—