Even so, Kokushibo felt no regret!
As long as he could slay the chosen one before him, he believed it was worth it—even if it meant his own death. This single strike contained all the hatred and rage he harbored for those blessed by the heavens!
'I didn't expect Moon Breathing to have a Seventeenth Form!'
Recalling the overwhelming power of Kokushibo's previous strike, Ren felt a surge of secret alarm. However, he also keenly noticed the blood staining Kokushibo's clothing.
"It seems that although your strike is powerful, it places a massive burden on your body. And..."
Ren's gaze sharpened as he stared intently at Kokushibo, his tone shifting abruptly. "If I'm not mistaken, you drew inspiration from Sun Breathing for that move, didn't you? That is why you were injured!"
"What?!"
Kokushibo's expression changed instantly. Shock was written across all six of his eyes.
"How could you possibly know that!"
"How do I know... Heh, naturally it is because I can also use Sun Breathing! Let me see... it should be used like this!"
"Sun Breathing, First Form: Waltz!"
As the words fell, Ren closed the distance to Kokushibo with blinding speed, swinging his heavy Nichirin blade with violent force.
The strike was as swift as a gale. Due to the friction with the air, scorching sparks ignited along the blade, reflecting in Kokushibo's wide, trembling pupils.
"No, it's impossible..."
Seeing his younger brother Tsugikuni Yoriichi's Sun Breathing once again caused such a profound shock to Kokushibo's soul that he momentarily failed to swing his sword in defense or leap away.
By the time he regained his senses, the heavy Nichirin blade was already carving toward his throat!
"Dammit!"
Kokushibo's face paled as he threw himself backward, but he was ultimately a step too slow.
Although he avoided the direct edge of the heavy sword, he was grazed by the scorching sword qi surrounding it. The energy was sharp and burning, easily slicing through his neck.
At this moment, Kokushibo's neck was left with only half its flesh connecting his head to his body.
"This immense power... it truly is Sun Breathing!"
Kokushibo cried out in shock. Having sparred with Yoriichi countless times, he knew the power of Sun Breathing all too well, which was why he had dithered just now.
"But why? Why do you know Sun Breathing? Those swordsmen who knew Sun Breathing should have been wiped out by Muzan-sama and me long ago!"
"Furthermore... since you already learned Sun Breathing, why didn't you use it to fight me before!"
"Why? Because Sun Breathing doesn't actually suit me," Ren replied with a light laugh, flourishing his sword.
"Sun Breathing is the power of the sun. But so what? I will continue to evolve and grow stronger until I surpass everything!"
"Even the sun cannot keep up with the speed of my evolution! One day, I will surpass it and become even more scorching and brilliant than the sun itself!"
"..."
Looking at Ren's confident demeanor, Kokushibo fell silent. At this very moment, the youth truly appeared as radiant as the sun!
Through the Transparent World, Kokushibo could see clearly: Ren's battle spirit was rising continuously, even surpassing his own.
'Is this what it means to be favored by the heavens... Truly disgusting!'
"Whether it is Yoriichi or you, I really cannot stand the sight of people like you! Enough talk. Show me your moves!"
"Moon Breathing, Seventeenth Form: Sun and Moon's Mutual Grief!"
"My thoughts exactly! Thunder Combat Technique: God of Thunder's Heaven-Slaying Slash!"
By unspoken agreement, both men swung their blades in a fierce simultaneous assault. When their swords collided, a deafening roar erupted between heaven and earth!
...
"Oh my! It seems Kokushibo-sama is having quite a lot of fun. That boy named Ren is indeed very powerful. I wonder if you are just as strong as he is?"
Doma wore a gentle and hypocritical smile as he looked at Uzui Tengen. The iron fans in his hands unleashed waves of bone-chilling wind that swept toward the Hashira!
"Blood Demon Art: Freezing Clouds!"
In an instant, the surrounding temperature plummeted. Uzui Tengen's expression shifted as he quickly retreated.
'I heard from Shinobu that this guy can create tiny ice crystals. If inhaled into the lungs, they freeze the tissue. It's the ultimate counter to all Breathing Styles... but that won't work on me!'
"Take this!"
Uzui Tengen shouted, pulling out three explosive beads and hurling them at Doma.
Seeing this, Doma couldn't help but feel surprised. "Ara? What is this? Do you really think you can hurt me with these little round balls?"
"Of course not!"
After throwing the beads, Uzui Tengen produced three kunai from nowhere and threw them with precision, striking the explosives mid-air.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Upon being sliced by the kunai, the beads detonated instantly. Successive explosions roared through the area.
In a flash, flames shot into the sky, igniting the entire street and turning the surroundings into a sea of fire.
The burning flames completely evaporated the frigid storm Doma had just conjured. Even Doma himself, caught off guard, was caught in the blast. His head was blown off, and his body was momentarily swallowed by the inferno!
But Doma was Upper Moon Two after all. His regeneration speed was incredibly fast; soon, his severed head had fully reformed.
"I see. Using the heat from the explosions to evaporate my Freezing Clouds and ice crystals? A clever trick. This way, the power of my Blood Demon Art is greatly reduced!"
"Hmph, I'm just getting started! Look out! Sound Breathing, Fourth Form: Constant Resounding Slashes!"
Uzui Tengen swung his blades violently toward Doma's head, his arms bulging with strength as he gripped his dual Nichirin Cleavers.
Rumble—
Suddenly, a scorching aura radiated outward from him as the center!
The dual Nichirin blades in his hands became as hot as glowing iron. Without a doubt, these two blades had transformed into burning Crimson Blades.
Ever since Ren had publicly demonstrated the Crimson Blade, Uzui Tengen had attempted to unlock it upon his return.
In terms of physical strength among the ten Hashira, he ranked third, second only to Ren in first place and Himejima Gyomei in second.
Consequently, he had successfully unlocked the Crimson Blade quickly. He simply hadn't needed to use it against ordinary Berserk Demons.
And Doma, as Upper Moon Two, was the perfect candidate to be the first soul to fall under his Crimson Blade!
"Upper Moon Two... Shinobu's older sister, Kocho Kanae, was killed by you, wasn't she? Today, I will take her revenge!"
"Is that so? Then let's see what you're made of!"
Despite the disadvantageous situation, Doma still wore his gentle smile. He waved his iron fans to cast a Blood Demon Art.
"Blood Demon Art: Lotus Vines!"
As he spoke, over a dozen frost-covered vines burst from the ground, lashing out at Uzui Tengen like a swarm of dancing poisonous serpents.
"This kind of attack is useless against me!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Uzui Tengen swung his blades with rapid precision. The scorching Crimson Blades easily severed the encroaching vines. Without losing any momentum, he charged toward Doma, his sharp dual blades aiming straight for the demon's throat.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]