Kokushibo's face was deathly still; Chika's actions had effectively bound her to him.
He could abandon the illusory God of Cry and use the shameful method of severing an arm to break free from the restraint of one hand, but Chika's other hand was tightly gripping the Crimson Blade, which was stuck in his body, making it a double shackle.
Kokushibo struggled desperately, much like Akaza in the Mugen Train arc, but in fact, his situation was even more dangerous than Akaza's at that time.
He didn't want to die. He became a demon to become stronger and catch up with Yoriichi's unattainable figure. But now, he hadn't achieved that goal and Yoriichi's figure was still so unattainable. He was unwilling to accept it!
Countless crescent-shaped sword energies struck Chika's body, but Chika's expression remained unchanged, which made Kokushibo feel as powerless as punching cotton.
"Get out of my way!!!"
The area centered around Chinatsu and Kokushibo had become a living hell, making it impossible for Mitsuri, Tanjiro, and the others who had already arrived to get close.
Amidst the dense crescent-shaped sword energy, only two figures could be vaguely seen. Mi Li covered her mouth in shock with one hand.
"Breathing sword technique? What style? I don't recognize it at all! Could it be that the person fighting Chika is a swordsman?!" Mitsuri exclaimed in disbelief.
"No, it's definitely a ghost!"
Tanjiro's expression was solemn. His nose was very sensitive. Although the air was filled with the sword energy of the Breathing Sword Technique, a very strong demonic aura emanated from the center of this sword energy.
Is it the second or the first of the upper moons?
Tanjiro's Nichirin Blade trembled slightly. He wanted to go and help, but under the overwhelming power of the Moon Breathing Blade, which resembled a slaughterhouse, he couldn't find an opportunity to rush in. A deep sense of powerlessness welled up from his heart.
"Sister...please, please be alright..."
Time passed second by second, and the sun, which was gradually rising from behind Kokushibo, continued to shine through the trees and was about to shine on Kokushibo and Chinatsu.
No, the light has already reached Kokushibo!
Although it was only a little bit, a ray of sunlight did shine on his back.
This was a pain that was hard to describe in words. Kokushibo screamed in agony, and under such excruciating pain, he focused all his mental energy on the regeneration of his body.
Regenerate! Regenerate! Regenerate!
Give me another one!!!
I am a demon. I possess a body far superior to that of humans, allowing me to live much longer, regenerate my body to maintain peak physical condition, and hone my swordsmanship over countless years…
I'm a ghost, I can regenerate!!!
A strong obsession resounded in Kokushibo's heart. While being exposed to sunlight, he was constantly generating chunks of flesh, trying to make his regeneration speed surpass the speed of being burned.
If he can do that, regardless of whether his strength can surpass that of the Demon King Muzan, he will at least become someone that Muzan envies, and Muzan will have to call him "big brother".
Fantasy is beautiful, but the sun is cruel.
Under the scorching sun and the influence of the crimson blade embedded in his chest, the regeneration rate of his flesh could not keep up. Kokushibo gritted his teeth in resentment, and his defeated body gradually detached from the human form, transforming into a true monster.
However, Chinatsu was not frightened by Kokushibo's change, because under the sun's rays, whatever he did was futile, and the more he struggled, the uglier he became.
"Regeneration...keep regenerating...I'm a ghost..."
Kokushibo's eyes twitched, and suddenly a familiar yet unfamiliar voice seemed to ring in his ears.
[Is your brother's dream to become the strongest samurai in the country?]
Whose voice is that? Yoriichi's?
Yes... that's his voice, Yoriichi when he was a child.
[I want to become as strong as my brother. Then I'll become the second strongest samurai in this country! I'll do my best!]
It was as if young Yoriichi Tsugikuni appeared before him, his face full of innocence, and fragments of the beautiful childhood memories of the two brothers floated into his mind.
But in reality, he was still being scorched by the sun. The intense pain jolted him out of his fond memories, and his ferocious appearance could no longer be described as that of a "warrior."
Kokushibo gazed at Chinatsu in front of him, and in his eyes, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's figure gradually emerged from Chinatsu's body.
How pitiful, brother.
He looked so ugly at that moment. Although there was no mirror for him to see his disheveled and hideous appearance, it was still his own body. He was just deceiving himself and wasn't really stupid.
Scorched by the blazing sun, and with defeat already inevitable, he stubbornly clings to his ugly body.
Pathetic...tragic...shameful...
Did I live for hundreds of years to become like this? Was it because I simply didn't want to lose, so I was even willing to become a man-eating monster, or was it because I chose to devour the lives of others to become stronger?
No, none of that is right.
Yoriichi, I just want to become you, even if it's just to get close to you and see your back, but I can't get to you, even after becoming a demon I can't come to your side.
It's not some all-encompassing world, but the world that belongs to the strong, the world you see. I want to see the world you see, why you are so outstanding, why I can't even stand beside you.
Carrying your "hatred," after your death, Muzan and I slaughtered everyone who knew about the Breath of the Sun. Even after going to such lengths, why did your successor still appear?
Why can't I leave anything behind?
Why can't I be anyone?
Why are you and I so different?
What was the purpose of my birth?
Tell me, Yoriichi!
"You've spent your whole life envying the sun, but you've forgotten that the moon is also a unique existence."
Suddenly, Chika, who had been silent all along, opened her mouth. She couldn't read minds and didn't know what Kokushibo was thinking, but she just suddenly wanted to say this.
Upon hearing these words, Kokushibo's ferocious expression instantly froze.
He fell silent, and his previously unleashed regeneration ceased. His back was scorched by the sun, but the excruciating pain did not elicit any change in his expression at this moment.
"I'm sorry, I'm indeed not Yoriichi's reincarnation, but I believe Yoriichi won't hate you. Go to hell and atone for your sins; perhaps you brothers will have a chance to meet again. At that time, don't hide your feelings anymore; have a good talk with your brother..."
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