Chapter 54: The Heroine Returns to Konoha with the Tsugikuni Brothers (End of Main Text)
[Beheaded...]
[Pierced through the body...]
[Repeatedly cut and sliced...]
[The ugliness of refusing to admit defeat...]
What a humiliation...
The sudden appearance of Iwakatsu's sorrowful voice in my mind startled me. This was... the voice of Iwakatsu before he met me, besieged and killed by the Mist Pillar, Wind Pillar, and Rock Pillar in the Infinite Castle.
I quickly looked at Yan Sheng in front of me and found that he had his eyes closed and looked pained, as if he was receiving something. Could it be that he was receiving his last consciousness from a parallel world?
Feeling the world's foundation stone in my arms getting hot, I subconsciously reached out to touch it, and the moment my fingertips touched it, I knew what was going on.
It turns out that Iwakatsu was on the verge of losing control of his emotions after being defeated by Yoriichi. I happened to be treating his neck injury and we made skin-to-skin contact. Strangely, Iwakatsu resonated with his dying self in a parallel world through the World Foundation on my body and received the memories of his other self before his death.
Because I can sense other people's emotions after I became a demon, and because I possess the foundation of the world and become a conductor, I was able to sense Iwakatsu's inner thoughts as well.
Seeing that Iwakatsu's neck wound had healed, I quickly withdrew my hand from where I had been holding it, not wanting him to relive those painful and resentful memories. Iwakatsu, however, suddenly pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly, his body shrouded in a sorrowful aura as he continued to receive the last consciousness of Iwakatsu from the parallel world before he turned to ashes…
[Did I live for hundreds of years just for something like this?]
Is it because they don't want to lose, and are even willing to become hideous monsters?
Is it because you want to become stronger that you're willing to devour others?
No...
I just...
【Yoriichi…】
I just want to be you...
Iwakatsu's heartfelt words brought tears to my eyes. He only chased after Yoriichi because he admired him, wanting to become a dazzling sun like Yoriichi. But in the end, he went against the grain and became the complete opposite of Yoriichi, disappearing into darkness for the rest of his life. It was truly tragic.
At that moment, a familiar yet strange image appeared in my mind: a blood-red moonlit night that took my breath away. The old man standing before me, though dead, still held a sword in both hands. It was none other than Yoriichi, whose youth had faded away. This was the most profound memory that Iwakatsu from the parallel world had transmitted across time and space.
Not only memories, but even the feelings at that time were conveyed: the intense resentment of never being able to defeat Yoriichi again, the hatred that always made him look so miserable, and all sorts of emotions surging like a raging tide. This even caused Iwakatsu to lose control and sever his brother's body with his sword, and also caused the wooden flute that Yoriichi had treasured for nearly eighty years to fall out.
I will regard this flute given to me by my elder brother as my elder brother.
The image of Yoriichi as a child appeared in his mind. He gazed at the flute that his older brother had given him, a symbol of protection, with great affection. His usually expressionless face was adorned with a rare smile, showing how happy he was and how much he truly loved this gift from his brother.
[Stop talking! I hate you! Just seeing your face makes me want to vomit! Just hearing your voice makes me furious and gives me a splitting headache...]
The urgent voice of Iwakatsu from the parallel world rang in my mind once again, as if he was desperately trying to drive away the younger brother who was smiling at him in his memory, and completely sever the invisible bond connecting him and Yoriichi.
However, contrary to his expressed disgust for Yoriichi, I sensed a deep sadness emanating from Iwakatsu in that world. He said he hated Yoriichi, but tears streamed down his face uncontrollably...
This intense grief even moved Iwakatsu, who was holding me tightly, to tears. It was the first time I had ever seen him cry, and probably the last. It was clear that only Yoriichi could evoke such strong emotions in him.
[...But, as centuries have passed, the most vivid memory remains your face, the one I most want to forget.]
My parents' faces have become blurred, and I can no longer recall the faces of my wife and children; only you remain vividly clear.
Like a unique sun, everyone gathered around you can only yearn for you to reach out your hands, only to struggle and suffer in vain, until they turn into charred ashes...
The voice of Iwakatsu from the parallel world continued to echo in my mind, growing weaker and weaker until it was about to disappear completely, before it suddenly burst into a series of questions in a final burst of energy...
Ah... In the end... in the end I gained nothing. I abandoned my family, my wife and children, my human identity, I slaughtered my own descendants, I even abandoned the dignity of a samurai. After going to such lengths, is it still not enough?
You once said that those who pursue the ultimate path will all find their destination the same, but I cannot reach the place where you are, nor can I see the world you saw. After your death, that lord and I slaughtered all the swordsmen who knew the Breath of the Sun technique, but why does your breath still linger in this world?
Why can't I leave anything behind? Why can't I become anyone? Why are you and I so different? What was I born for? Tell me, Yoriichi!
The sorrowful voice in my mind completely disappeared, and tears streamed down my face. Even though he wasn't my friend and had done many wrong things, he was still Iwakatsu, and I couldn't help but feel sad for his passing.
Even in the end, Kokushi was unable to let go of his resentment, unable to escape his jealousy of Yoriichi, and unable to find a reason for his existence... It was truly too tragic.
"What was the purpose of my birth?"
Holding me, Iwakatsu murmured the same question as his ex-partner from a parallel world who had already vanished. This sorrowful question immediately made me catch my breath, and the words slipped out without thinking.
"Of course, we were born to be loved! I love you! Yoriichi loves you too, and we all hope that you can find happiness!"
As soon as I said it, I wanted to bite my tongue off. How could I have uttered such a lame consolation? Did wishing him happiness mean that I and Yoriichi would abandon Iwakatsu? I feel like I can't face Iwakatsu anymore!
I became uneasy, but Yan Sheng showed a relieved smile. Then, in the next moment, his fangs disappeared, his armor flattened, and his six-eyed appearance returned to the handsome face that resembled Yoriichi's. He turned back into a human.
"My brother has finally turned back into a human." Yoriichi's joyful voice followed, and he said with great agreement, "The song is right, I love my brother too, and I hope he can find happiness."
I quickly turned my head and saw that Yoriichi was standing beside me. Muzan had probably been killing people for a while now.
As expected, he was the most undignified BOSS in history. He died not long after that. I guess Yoriichi killed him as easily as killing a chicken.
My gaze swept around, and I saw the Mist Pillar, Muichiro, talking to Tanjiro Kamado not far away, with Zenitsu and Inosuke still playfully bickering nearby. Besides them, the Wind Pillar was scolding his younger brother, the Insect Pillar was healing the Water Pillar, the Serpent Pillar and Love Pillar were showing off their affection, and the Stone Pillar, sitting against the wall, was being force-fed a mouthful of their lovey-dovey stuff. A group of members from the Hidden Cave were cleaning up the mess, and everyone wisely stayed away, which relieved me.
This was probably due to Shinobu Kocho's influence; she must have realized that Iwakatsu had been injected with the drug that turned him from a demon into a human, which is why the Demon Slayer Corps members weren't overly wary of Upper Moon One.
These thoughts crossed my mind, and I looked at Yoriichi with some hesitation, asking, "When did you get here?"
As I spoke, I subtly slipped out of Iwakatsu's arms. Fortunately, he noticed that Yoriichi seemed to be deep in thought and did not stop me from breaking free.
"I came back after killing Muzan. My brother looked like he was in a lot of pain just now, thanks to Uta for taking care of him."
Yoriichi spoke gratefully, making my lips twitch. His fiancée being held by his brother? Yoriichi's thoughts, as the son of God, were truly beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Suddenly, Iwakatsu, who was watching his younger brother, asked, "Yoriichi, do you still have that flute with you?"
Yoriichi immediately took out the flute he had been keeping in his bosom and said with great care, "I have always carried the flute that my brother gave me with me."
Yan Sheng looked at the flute he had given to Yoriichi with a nostalgic expression, then said somewhat awkwardly, "Keep it. You treat something so worthless like a treasure. You're really something else."
"This flute represents my brother's most precious feelings for me, and it is also my most beautiful memory."
Yoriichi put the flute back in his arms and spoke sincerely, which made Iwakatsu turn his head and look even more awkward, and made me chuckle.
That's great. Iwakatsu sensed the sadness of losing Yoriichi in his parallel world self, and his attitude towards Yoriichi has finally softened.
Upon hearing my laughter, Iwakatsu, realizing what was happening, immediately grabbed my hand and said to Yoriichi, "No matter what, the song is mine, and I will never give it to you."
Yoriichi also took my other hand and said very seriously to Iwakatsu, "Brother, Uta has chosen me."
"The person Ge loves is me; she has already admitted it herself."
"The song's love for her brother is the same as my love for my brother."
Upon hearing this, Iwakatsu made a disgusted expression again, narrowing his eyes and glaring sharply at Yoriichi, "You just have to compete with me, don't you?!"
Yoriichi looked at him sincerely with clear, warm eyes and said, "I have no intention of competing with my brother. If Uta chooses my brother, I will give my blessing, but she chose me, so I cannot let Uta go."
The previous atmosphere of brotherly affection had vanished, and Iwakatsu unilaterally made the atmosphere around us heavy again, giving me a terrible headache.
Then something even more troubling happened. Iwakatsu gripped my hand tightly and said persistently, "Uta, you just said you hoped I could be happy. If you choose Yoriichi, I will absolutely not be happy. Is this what you want to see?"
For a moment, my expression went blank. As expected, people have to be responsible for their words. Yan Sheng's words had gone this far, and I could no longer choose Yoriichi.
My lips trembled as I looked at Yoriichi. He looked at me with some sadness and said, "Will you choose your brother? If so, I will bless you and your brother."
Yoriichi's voice was very sincere, but his eyes were already slightly red, which made me feel endless guilt. How could I let Yoriichi, who had always been so kind to me, be so sad? I simply couldn't bring myself to choose Iwakatsu.
I want to go home! If I go home, I won't have to face this horrible hellhole!
When that thought crossed my mind, the World Foundation in my arms suddenly became incredibly hot. The next moment, I was sucked into a time tunnel that suddenly appeared behind me. Because Yoriichi and Kokushibo were holding my hands, they also traveled through time with me.
A moment later, the three of us emerged from the time tunnel and landed in the sunny Hidden Leaf Village.
Seeing the house next to me, the home where my brother and I grew up, I was excited to introduce it to Yoriichi and Iwakatsu, but I found that their eyes were filled with shock, disbelief, and indescribable sadness.
A sharp pain followed, and I realized that my demonic body had turned to ashes in the sunlight...
The next moment, I opened my eyes and found myself back in my original home, wearing a very formal suit, the same one I wore when I was preparing to attend Naruto's wedding.
Remembering that Yoriichi and Kokushi were still standing outside, I quickly opened the window and saw the two of them staring blankly at the clothes that had fallen to the ground after I turned to ashes. A desolate and sorrowful aura surrounded them, as if they had become unchanging stone statues, seemingly never to move again.
Hey! I'm here!
As I spoke, I jumped down from the second floor, first picking up the World Stone from my clothes that had fallen to the ground and putting it away again, then awkwardly smiling at the two of them.
"Sorry, I startled you both! I didn't expect to appear directly in the sunlight; I completely forgot I had become a ghost! Luckily, my true form is here, and my spirit automatically returned after my ghostly body disappeared. Now I don't even need to research drugs to turn me back into a human! Super convenient! Hahahaha!"
By the end, I had let out a hearty, natural laugh just like my own brother, hoping that this infectious laughter could soothe our frightened hearts.
Because if I were to see Yoriichi or Iwakatsu turn to ashes and disappear right before my eyes, I would be absolutely terrified, and I'd probably burst into tears.
I smiled brightly. Yoriichi and Iwakatsu, who had been staring intently at me with sadness and pain still lingering on their faces, seemed to only then realize that I was still alive. Their eyes shone with boundless joy, and then they both hugged me tightly, making me feel terrible.
Hey! This is such an inappropriate scene! If people see this, they'll think I'm two-timing, and my reputation will be ruined!
I wanted Yoriichi and Kokushiro to let me go, but I felt their bodies trembling slightly. Only then did I realize how much damage the scene of me turning to ashes and disappearing had done to them.
I reached out and gently patted their backs to comfort them. Once they had calmed down a bit, I said with difficulty, "Don't you two feel cramped hugging me? I feel super cramped!"
Iwakatsu and Yoriichi reluctantly let go of me, and were about to speak when I stopped them. I said directly, "I've thought about the previous question. Choosing either of us would tarnish our friendship, so let's just stay best friends!"
This is the solution I came up with while trying to comfort the two of them. If they choose Yoriichi, Kokushibo will be resentful; if they choose Kokushibo, Yoriichi will be sad. It's better not to choose either of them and just remain friends, at least neither of them will be hurt.
To achieve a friendship ending, I first chose Yoriichi, who was the easiest to fool. I held his hand and said very sincerely, "Yoriichi, you said you wanted to be with me forever. Actually, being friends can be just as good as being together every day. Let's be friends forever. This time, I swear I will treat you as my best friend, just like Iwakatsu!"
Then Yoriichi was indeed fooled. He didn't seem to realize the difference between being friends and being husband and wife. He not only nodded in agreement, but also seemed quite happy because of my vow.
As expected of the son of God, he truly has a clear mind. Although Yoriichi once kissed me, I have always felt that he doesn't seem to have any worldly desires.
Having dealt with Yoriichi, I looked at Iwakatsu, who had a disapproving expression, and pulled him aside. In a very serious voice that only the two of us could hear, Iwakatsu said, "Iwakatsu, you said that you wouldn't be happy if I chose Yoriichi, so I won't choose him. But in order not to hurt Yoriichi, I won't choose you either. Let's just be friends like before. If you don't want to, then we can't even be friends anymore."
Yan Sheng looked at me as if he had a thousand words to say, but faced with my resolute gaze, he finally said "Okay" in a huff, which made me feel relieved but also a little sad.
I've successfully established a friendship with Yoriichi and Iwakatsu, and from now on, we'll only be friends. No matter who my future husband is, it can never be either of those brothers.
I just hope that they can meet girls they truly love and start families in the future, so that I can confidently find a suitable person to marry.
I felt a pang of sadness and melancholy, but then I smiled and pulled Iwakatsu back to Yoriichi, announcing, "Iwakatsu agreed! From now on, the three of us can still be together like before!"
Yoriichi smiled with delight upon hearing my words, genuinely happy that the three of us could get along as we used to.
Iwakatsu, on the other hand, had a serious, expressionless face and didn't seem very happy, but that was always his expression, and Yoriichi and I were used to it.
Suddenly, the distant bells rang, and I immediately exclaimed, "Oh no!" "Naruto's wedding is about to begin! Let's hurry!"
I quickly grabbed Yoriichi and Iwakatsu's hands and ran forward. The free wind blew on my face, making my heart feel open and expansive.
Looking left and right at Yoriichi and Iwakatsu, whom I was dragging along, a bright smile appeared on my face. Although there were many regrets and reluctance, it was enough that we could still be together like before!
【END】
Author's Note: So, in the main story, the heroine and the Tsugikuni brothers achieve a friendship ending. Although the author wanted the heroine to win over both brothers, JJ (the author's character) disagrees, *shrug*. See you in the epilogue!
Hope you all like it. Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 21:00:54 on March 5, 2021 and 18:56:46 on March 7, 2021!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the nutrient solution: Su Yue (1 bottle);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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