The flames of Yosuke's Sun Breathing spread across the sword of Ame-no-Murakumo/Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, and the blade's once-decayed surface once again emitted a radiant white-red glow.
Holding the now-razor-sharp, chilling Ame-no-Murakumo, Yosuke felt a strange power flowing back into his body from the sword. As long as he gripped this blade, it felt as if he could cut through anything.
"Sun Breathing, First Form—Round Dance!"
Yosuke swung the Ame-no-Murakumo in an arc of blazing fire toward the tail of Yamata no Orochi. The serpent's scales, once as hard as steel, were sliced apart as easily as tofu beneath the sword's strike.
Yamata no Orochi let out a heart-rending scream from the searing pain. Its massive body twisted about, and all eight heads turned toward Yosuke, baring their fangs as they lunged viciously at him.
But wielding the Ame-no-Murakumo, Yosuke had no fear of the monster at all. Its scales could no longer protect it. In Yousuke's eyes, Yamata no Orochi was now nothing more than a large moving target.
Yosuke beat the blood-red wings on his back and darted through the air, weaving effortlessly between the serpent's attacks. He continuously unleashed the forms of Sun Breathing, cycling through all twelve in succession, forming a complete loop—the Thirteenth Form of Sun Breathing.
In an instant, the sky was filled with flying scales and shredded flesh. All eight heads of Yamata no Orochi were severed.
The Ame-no-Murakumo seemed like the creature's natural nemesis; wounds inflicted by the sword could no longer regenerate. Decapitated, the enormous serpent collapsed with a thunderous crash, convulsed several times, and finally died.
Yosuke let out a relieved breath. He hadn't expected the mythical beast of legend to truly be slain by his hand.
But just as he intended to regroup with the others and continue the battle against Kibutsuji Muzan and the Priest Master, he discovered that Muzan and the Priest Master had already subdued everyone.
While Yosuke had been fighting Yamata no Orochi, the Priest Master realized the moment Yosuke obtained the Ame-no-Murakumo that the serpent wouldn't be able to hold him off for long.
So Muzan proposed a plan: while everyone's attention was focused on Yamata no Orochi, they would seize the others and use them as leverage against Yosuke.
The Priest Master accepted Muzan's proposal. He used Word-Spirit: Force to crush everyone under overwhelming gravity, while Muzan aimed his blood whips at their heads—ready to pierce their skulls the moment Yosuke made a move.
Yosuke cursed himself for being too focused on slaying the serpent and neglecting the others' situation.
Those captured by Muzan also blamed themselves deeply for becoming leverage against Yosuke.
"Don't worry about us! As long as you can kill Muzan, our deaths will be worth it!"
"Humanity can no longer endure the torment of demons. For the sake of a new era, our sacrifice has meaning!"
The Hashira ignored Muzan and the Priest Master threats and urged Yosuke to strike. In their eyes, Yousuke now had the absolute strength needed to destroy both Muzan and the God Lord.
"Yōsuke-sama! Do it! Isn't this your wish? Your wish is also our wish. As long as it can be fulfilled, nothing else matters to us!"
"Master… being able to meet you and go through everything together has already been enough…"
Hakuji, Koyuki, Gyutaro, Ume, and the Butterfly Sisters all pleaded with the hesitant Yosuke, hoping he could set aside his emotions and cut down the true sources of all evil.
Muzan twisted his face into a cruel grin.
"Looks like we've returned to that moment a thousand years ago. Back then, you chose to kill a hundred innocent humans just to slay me. So now—will you abandon your comrades for the same goal?"
Yosuke clenched his teeth, torn. On one side were the comrades he cherished; on the other, the sworn enemy he had battled across a millennium.
But Yosuke had already made his decision.
"I've said before—I'm a selfish person. Back then, I could kill those innocent people without hesitation—not only because of my responsibility, but because they had nothing to do with me. I could justify it with righteousness and offer their souls consolation in death.
But… you all… I can't do that to you…"
Ignoring the cries urging him to fight, Yousuke looked at the Priest Master.
"In the Black Coffin, the offer you made—does it still stand?"
"Of course," the Priest Master replied without hesitation.
"But the terms must change."
Suppressing his excitement, the Priest Master said, "State them. As long as it's within my power, I will agree."
"I have only one request. Let them live."
The Priest Master pondered briefly.
"I can agree to that. As long as the Rule Power within me remains intact, then fate can no longer bind me. Every person here will live. But… you know what your ending will be."
Muzan sensed something was wrong and immediately drove his blood whips toward the captives.
"Kotodama: Reject!"
The Priest Master's power repelled Muzan's attack, hurling him across the battlefield.
"You betrayed me!" Muzan shrieked.
"Hardly," the Priest Master said calmly. "We merely cooperated. But now I've found a better partner. So… you're out."
After sending Muzan flying, he used Word-Spirit again, suspending sharp earthen spikes above everyone's heads.
The Priest Master turned to Yousuke.
"I've shown my sincerity. If you break your promise, the moment you move toward me, these spikes will pierce their skulls.
I can't kill only because the Rule Power restricts me. But if I intend to kill, even the rules cannot stop me—they'll merely inflict backlash and weaken me for a while.
And you need not fear betrayal. You and I both bear Rule Power. My promise to you becomes a manifested rule itself. Even if my Rule Power remains whole, I cannot violate a vow made to you.
Now… show me your sincerity, Yosuke."
The sky was already beginning to brighten. Sunrise was approaching. Yosuke looked at everyone, a gentle smile forming on his lips.
"Once everything ends…
Hakuji, Koyuki, Gyutaro, Ume—open a dojo together and pass on the Suryu style you've inherited.
Kanae, Shinobu—open a medical clinic and continue saving lives.
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke—stay friends and support one another. And Tanjiro… I can tell Kanao likes you. So give her happiness, all right?
And to all members of the Demon Slayer Corps—the age of demons is over. I believe each of you will find your own happiness. I'll always be praying for you."
"A thousand years… I'm tired. I'd like to rest for a while…"
Yosuke's words were as heavy as prophecy itself. Everyone roared in despair, trying to stop him.
"Well then… goodbye."
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