Although Kokushibou was surprised by Zenitsu's speed, before he could fully process it, his swordsman's instinct had already driven him to raise his cry of emptiness, attempting to block the powerful blow.
Relying on his battle-hardened experience, Kokushibou blocked the cry of emptiness in front of him, but due to insufficient time, the angle of the blade was not perfect.
By the time he noticed this, Kokushibou no longer had time to adjust.
Sizzle... like a roaring Thunder Dragon, the spirited weapon struck and immediately retreated, Zenitsu's figure landing not far behind Kokushibou.
The next moment.
The demon blade in Kokushibou's hand broke, and a long, narrow gash tore open on his body.
"Cough..." Kokushibou spat out a mouthful of blood.
It was truly unbelievable; among the users of Thunder Breathing, he had never encountered such a Sword Form and speed.
Was it self-created?
"Well done, Zenitsu!" Tanjirou's eyes were almost popping out.
So strong, Zenitsu!
Amidst Tanjirou's joy, a hint of helplessness appeared in his eyes.
It was too fast; he couldn't keep up at all.
Even if Young Miss Mizuki hadn't stopped him just now, he still wouldn't have been able to keep up.
They were holding them back.
Others had the same thought.
Being carried by a brat who wasn't even a Hashira, did they have any face left?
The group quickly seized the opportunity created by Zenitsu, rapidly closing in on Kokushibou.
This time, they couldn't afford to miss!
Mizuki also had a look of relief; she hadn't expected this monstrous brat to have grown to such an extent.
The Sword Form just now was quite astonishing.
But Zenitsu, praised by everyone and appearing like a savior, was not in good condition at this moment.
He grimaced as he turned around; the nerves in his feet were already somewhat numb. The Thunder God was still too much of a burden on his legs.
Even with the help of the Demon Slayer Mark, using it for a short time still made him very strenuous.
Could he do it again?
This crazy idea surfaced in Zenitsu's mind.
He probably could; he felt he could still hold on.
But he had to find the right moment again.
That last strike helped everyone Breakthrough Kokushibou's Sword Form blockade; the next move, he had to create an opportunity to cut off the opponent's head.
"Snow Breathing, Eighth Form: Endless Snow!"
The stunning snow-colored slash went straight for Kokushibou.
If it were a normal situation, he would have rigidly commented on it.
'It's far worse than Mizuki's.'
But now, being forced close by everyone again, Kokushibou could no longer be distracted.
"Stone Breathing, Second Form: Heavenly Face Crush!"
The meteor hammer came head-on, Kokushibou had no intention of meeting it and dodged.
But immediately following was...
"Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Smog!"
A black wind blade, darting out from the side and swinging upwards, forced Kokushibou's body to lean back.
This guy!
Kokushibou observed everyone from the corner of his eye.
Sanemi Shinazugawa grinned, lowered his head, and retreated.
From behind him, what came next was...
"Water Breathing, First Form: Surface Slash!"
The water-blue slash, like a surging wave, went straight for Kokushibou's neck, forcing Kokushibou to lean back even further.
"Flame Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe!"
Accompanied by a top-down flame slash, Kokushibou was forced to retreat further.
"Mist Breathing, Fourth Form: Flowing Slash!"
Using the sharpest and fastest Sword Forms possible, giving this guy no chance to breathe.
"Sound Breathing, Fourth Form: Constant Resounding Slashes!"
"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility!"
From left and right, two completely different yet extremely frequent slashes continuously pressured Kokushibou's last remaining space.
"Beast Breathing, First Fang: Pierce and Shoot!"
"Insect Breathing, Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter!"
Finally, after dodging Inosuke's thrust, Kokushibou had no more room to retreat and was stabbed in the body by Kochou Shinobu's Nichirin Blade.
His body experienced a slight loss of balance.
Kochou Shinobu had no time to be happy; the blades all over Kokushibou's body suddenly elongated, and the sharp tips rushed straight for her eyes.
The sharp blade tip rapidly magnified in her amethyst-like eyes.
But the next second.
"Thunder Breathing..."
A sizzling sound rang out.
Kokushibou, without thinking, dropped his guard in front of him and slashed backwards.
However... "Dream on!" Genya ignored the blades growing all over Kokushibou's body and once again held Kokushibou in a death grip.
"bastard!" Kokushibou's pupils trembled continuously.
"Good opportunity!" Seeing this, Tanjirou's eyes suddenly lit up.
That guy's breathing changed!
It became rapid!
There wouldn't be a better opportunity.
Looking at Zenitsu, who was continuously charging up on the other side, Tanjirou's feet moved faster and faster.
At the same time, Zenitsu's attack arrived first, despite being launched later.
"Thunder Breathing, Seventh Form: Thunder God!"
The slash, without any hesitation or doubt, aimed to cleave Kokushibou and Genya behind him in two.
A centipede dies but never stiffens.
Kokushibou was, after all, Upper Rank One. In this desperate situation, he twisted his body again, narrowly avoiding the crucial position of his neck.
Even during this, the blades bursting from his body, at the instant Zenitsu struck and retreated, left a bloody gash on his waist.
Two arms were severed, one after the other. Genya gritted his teeth and stretched his mouth to bite Kokushibou's neck.
In pain, Kokushibou was too preoccupied to care, because... directly in front, Tanjirou's figure, wielding a Nichirin Blade wreathed in flames, was rapidly approaching.
"Sun Breathing, Twelfth Form..."
"Damn it!!!" Kokushibou let out an unwilling roar!
He wouldn't die here!
He still hadn't... "Flame Dance!!"
The fiery cross-slash left deep marks on Kokushibou's body, almost dismembering him.
His vision rapidly drained, Kokushibou's agitated body stopped, and his mind cleared.
He... was cut.
What appeared before him were the Hashira, looking relieved and letting out a big sigh.
And, further away.
Mizuki, who was stopping the bleeding from the blonde brat's waist, cast her gaze towards him.
Even though her body couldn't convey her gaze, Kokushibou still read her inner emotions.
Was it... pity?
Thump... Kokushibou's head rolled to the ground.
Tanjirou dared not relax in the slightest. He gasped for air, then thrust his Nichirin Blade towards Kokushibou's head.
Even Upper Rank Three possessed the ability to survive decapitation; the First Rank would likely be no different.
Sure enough, as he made his move, Kokushibou's body suddenly moved again.
!
"Tanjirou! Danger!" In his momentary lapse, Genya was thrown off again and could only shout at Tanjirou.
Can he make it?
Tanjirou didn't stop, his peripheral vision fixed on the demon blade slashing towards him.
Damn it!
He won't make it in time!
He would be struck first.
Tanjirou's eyes hardened; he had no thought of retreating.
At least, he had to get this guy's head...
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