Being attacked like this during his "birth" was something Muzan found utterly intolerable.
This was supposed to be the perfect "reincarnation," yet some little girl had ruined it.
The "egg" crafted by Toshu's abilities was supposed to be completely reliable.
But now Muzan could only emerge in this imperfect state.
That youthful form was clearly incomplete.
'Whatever... even imperfect, it's more than enough.'
Feeling the flesh and power within his body--so different from before--Muzan calmed his inner rage.
He turned to face those before him...
Come to think of it, these were all adversaries with history.
Shortly after being summoned, he'd been struck down by Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Kikyo separately.
Now it seemed he had a chance for revenge.
The building had collapsed from the earlier attack, revealing the clouded sky above. The spacious surroundings had almost no cover.
CLANG!
His body sensed an attack. Muzan glanced at the girl whose blade was already swinging toward him.
Assassin.
The Servant who had repeatedly cost him key generals.
Without her, Muzan's progress might have been even faster.
WHOOSH!
Eyes widening as if sensing something, Akame didn't follow through and instead retreated sharply.
Her feet scraped the ground as she slid, bending into a half-crouch. Then she saw what it was.
A tail.
Somewhat like tree branches.
"Is that Life-Dissolving Tree?"
Kikyo seemed to recognize it and spoke up.
"Oh? Woman, you can tell just from that?"
Hearing this, Muzan looked at Kikyo with surprise, not expecting his slight reveal to be identified.
"What's Life-Dissolving Tree?"
"A type of demon tree. Its vines and branches can penetrate any barrier's defenses."
"Did that guy absorb other youkai to synthesize a new body?"
Hearing Kikyo's explanation, Rikuo furrowed his brow.
Though it was strange for a manifested Servant to pursue another body, Muzan had clearly changed dramatically.
"Heh, not like many of us here use barriers anyway."
Inuyasha didn't care much--the only barrier user present was Kikyo, plus perhaps Tessaiga and Tenseiga's sheaths.
"Inuyasha, best not to use Wind Scar..."
"Based on those earlier youkai, he probably has dragon scales too."
Understanding Kagome's warning, Inuyasha chose attacks with more physical damage.
"[Kongousouha]!!"
Countless adamant shards flew out, but Muzan remained unmoved.
CLANG CLANG!
Then everyone witnessed the strange sounds coming from Muzan's body.
The adamant barely penetrated the surface, stuck in the skin without piercing through his small frame.
"What--?"
It was hard to imagine that [Kongousouha], which could penetrate Naraku's barrier, would produce such a result.
"Amazing..."
"My body is forged from Meioju's shell and Kinka-Ginka's flesh."
"Despite such reinforcement, you can still hurt me?"
Casually plucking out the embedded adamant shards, Muzan spoke lightly.
"This guy..."
Rather than damaging him, it was less effective than a light scratch.
The wounds healed easily, and Muzan was quite satisfied with his current strength.
At least far stronger than his previous "Demon King" form.
From now on, "Kibutsuji Muzan, King of Demons" who feared the sun was dead.
What existed now was the "King of Demon Youkai" who had overcome everything and would rule supreme!
"Mm..."
Akame furrowed her brow, finding it difficult to act.
If Muzan's body truly had "Oni-Dragon Armor"-level defense as he claimed, then she was helpless.
WHOOSH!!
A Sacred Arrow was fired--Kikyo testing him first.
CRACKLE!!
"A barrier?!"
But it was blocked by an unexpected shield, significantly weakening the attack.
'Bokusen'ou's barrier?'
Seeing the power at work, Sesshomaru recognized it.
That was the old tree youkai who'd provided material for Tessaiga and Tenseiga's sheaths.
The sheaths he'd forged were notably durable and came with barriers.
"This world is truly wonderful."
"Wonderful enough that I can break through my former limits!"
"That weak demon body could never carry my ideals!!"
"This is the body I've dreamed of!"
Pulling out the arrows stuck in his body and rolling his neck, Muzan stood bare-chested, never feeling more comfortable.
He could use various youkai to compensate for his weaknesses and shortcomings.
His newly crafted body far surpassed the old one. Even emerging before completion, it performed excellently.
"[Magic Dragon Wave]!!!"
Before Muzan could react, Moroha had already launched her hybrid attack.
A pink dragon with gaping jaws rushed forward.
"Hmph, a technique mixing youkai power and spiritual energy?"
"True, dragon scales can't absorb that."
"But..."
Being swallowed by the dragon, Muzan remained unconcerned.
"After breaking through the barrier, how much power remains?"
When everything settled, he lay on the ground mocking them.
"This guy..."
Seeing his brazen attitude, Inuyasha grew furious.
Every single one was like Naraku, excelling at self-preservation.
"Like Naraku, I've come to understand this simple truth."
"Only by staying alive can there be a future."
"Powerful blade pressure, cursed swords, wide-area demon blades, priestess spiritual power..."
"As long as I can block all that, I'll be invincible!"
Muzan slowly rose, his eyes revealing an eerie presence.
CLANG!
'Rider? What did he do?'
Sparks flew. Muzan's eyelid twitched as he glanced at Rikuo, who had somehow closed in and struck him with a blade.
Crack crack...
Ice began spreading from the sword's edge, freezing onto his flesh. Muzan swung an arm and sent him flying.
"Even without defenses, you can do that?"
"What an incredibly hard body..."
Looking at the white ice clinging to the opponent's shoulder, Rikuo commented.
He'd only gotten this strike after bonding with the Yuki-Onna and using [Kyouka Suigetsu]. Despite catching him off-guard, he couldn't even scratch the surface--it was like hitting a solid wall, causing his blade to rebound.
Barrier, penetration, youkai power absorption, high physical defense, regeneration...
Possessing so many traits...
"What do we do...?"
Watching this, Kagome was at a loss. Muzan's performance now seemed far more troublesome than Naraku's.
"This time you have no chance!"
"This time... I will win!"
Obtaining a new body, Muzan declared with post-resurrection confidence, absolutely certain.