Chapter 69: The Hidden Reincarnator, Vincent
Muzan Kibutsuji materialized in the crater. His expression was grim. He was now in the form of a young boy, and behind him, a tentacle-like appendage still connected him to the narrow "rat hole" he had used to hide.
Muzan hadn't actually left Kyoto. It wasn't that he couldn't. In truth, only Hantengu's clones had been destroyed; his main body, the tiny [Fear] demon, had been completely unharmed, preserving most of his combat power. If he had wanted to leave, a sudden attack from both him and Hantengu would have been unstoppable for mere humans or even the Hashira. Except…
Muzan looked up, his crimson eyes staring at the man standing beside the crater under the silver moon. His gaze was a mixture of hatred and disgust, but also an irresolvable fear.
After the battle, Muzan had indeed recalled Kokushibo's dying roar. But he had dismissed it in an instant. For a being with a near-endless lifespan to engage in a life-or-death struggle with a mere insect who would live for a few short decades—how foolish was that?
And yet, in the end, Muzan had ordered Hantengu to remain in Kyoto with him. The reason was that he remembered, in the final moments of the battle, that this human who could wield the power of the [Sun] had chosen not to grab for his head, but had instead cut down Nakime's body. He had realized that his opponent didn't truly want to kill him. Or, perhaps, that taunting offer of a deal had been… serious? The mere thought of this possibility made Muzan unwilling to leave. He had hidden, eventually returning to this underground place, and sure enough, he had once again sensed the presence of the man who had cast the shadow of death over him.
After days of hesitation, Muzan had finally chosen to reveal himself tonight.
"What kind of Blood Demon Art awakens in a demon is something that no one can control," Muzan said. His voice was full of hatred, but lacked its usual sharpness. Instead, it was tinged with a cowardice that he himself did not even notice. "Nakime is dead. Her Blood Demon Art is gone. Even if I were to create a thousand more demons, I could never guarantee that another one with the same ability would appear."
Kaito already knew this. Unlike many, Kaito looked down on the Demon lineage, but he held the Blood Demon Arts in high regard. Among the many demons, he didn't see much potential in the abilities of those like Akaza, who merely strengthened himself, or Douma, who controlled blood and ice. The strength of the ability and the strength of the user were not one and the same.
On the contrary, the abilities of Nakime (controlling the Infinity Castle, teleporting anyone within her perception), Kyogai (freely changing the spatial structure of a building), and Yahaba (controlling the movement and direction of objects with invisible vectors)—these three demons' abilities made Kaito realize the true potential of the Blood Demon Arts. In a way, these abilities all possessed "higher-order" characteristics that Muzan himself lacked. Although their absolute power level was insufficient, their potential was far greater than that of Muzan and his Upper Ranks. These abilities were perhaps the greatest treasures this world had to offer.
A grin spread across Kaito's face. What was so great about becoming a demon? It just gave you a host of new weaknesses.
"Tsk. You really are useless, aren't you, Muzan?"
Kaito stood up, walked to the edge of the crater, and squatted down, looking down on him.
Muzan's pupils constricted, and he instinctively wanted to flee. But then, he noticed that both of the human's hands were wrapped in thick bandages. The right hand, in particular, was so heavily wrapped that he could no longer even make out the shape of a hand.
Kaito saw where Muzan was looking. He spread his arms wide in a completely defenseless posture. "What's wrong? Want to have another go?" he taunted.
Muzan was not provoked. He just looked away. "Hmph. I am simply telling you that Nakime's ability can no longer be obtained."
Kaito just laughed. Of course, his goal was never to have Muzan create another Nakime. Nakime's drop card was already in his inventory. With enough luck, or by paying a high enough price in the Nexus, that ability was not impossible to obtain.
"Since you can't do it, then just give me the source of your lineage: the original formula for the medicine that pharmacist gave you. I can find someone to replicate it myself."
Muzan's several hearts all sank at once. He felt this human had finally revealed his true intentions. He wants… that?! His expression immediately darkened.
"How could I possibly remember something like that!"
Kaito, bathed in the moonlight, glanced at the curse mark on the back of his left hand. His previous actions had not been an empty bluff. Kaito would never bet his life on an opponent's cowardice. Just as in the previous battle, even with both his hands shattered and unable to use Hamon, he had been confident that if Muzan had turned back to fight, he could have instantly escaped the basement and returned to the sunlight.
And now, with this curse mark, he was even more confident that he could suppress any resistance from Muzan. It was just that this "scum of the earth" was indeed quite difficult to kill, especially now that he had been mysteriously "enlightened" in this world. Being able to split himself into hundreds, or even thousands of pieces of flesh, and survive as long as a single piece escaped… in a way, Muzan was a budget version of Majin Buu.
"Muzan, stick your fingers into your brain and give it a good stir. I'm sure you can remember."
Muzan stared at him. After a long moment, he said, "I can give you a sample of my source blood. After you give me the [Blue Spider Lily], I will naturally leave this place. Hmph. I won't do anything unpleasant to those friends of yours." It was half a concession, half a threat.
But the mocking smile on Kaito's face only grew wider. "What you do to those people is your freedom. Of course, whether I decide to slaughter you is my freedom."
"Now, give me a sample of your so-called [Source Blood], and the formula. Then, I will naturally give you the [Blue Spider Lily]." Kaito not only rejected Muzan's terms but upped the ante.
Muzan's lips trembled. If he could, he would tear this man to shreds right now. But…
Muzan had seven hearts, and at this moment, they were all pounding so violently that even Kaito could hear them clearly. The Demon King was likely in a state of extreme turmoil. Because his own life was on the line, he had to act with caution. He could not afford to lose.
Tap.
Kaito's pupils contracted. A figure suddenly emerged from a nearby mansion. He turned his head and saw a person dressed in a kimono, with the exquisite makeup of a geisha. But the sound of their footsteps… was unusually heavy.
Tap. Tap. Tap!
After a few steps, the slender geisha's form began to swell. With a sickening rip, the beautiful skin tore apart, revealing the blond, muscular man beneath.
"Lord Muzan," Vincent said, his previously simple and honest face now animated with a lively expression. "Perhaps you don't need to make a deal with him."
"The [Blue Spider Lily]… 'Mercenary Tao' isn't the only one who has one."
A light flashed in Vincent's hand, and another, identical [Blue Spider Lily] appeared.
Seeing this, Muzan's face lit up with ecstatic joy. He instantly transformed into a blur, lunging for Vincent.
Kaito's eyes narrowed. He gently raised his left hand. "Boom," he said, his voice quiet.
The next moment, a giant fox, nearly a hundred meters tall, materialized out of thin air and, with a single bite, swallowed Vincent and the entire city block he was standing on.
[Secret Rite - Strike of Inari].
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