[Time flew by; two years had passed since the Demon Slayer Corps exiled Yoriichi.
But Yoriichi's heart still carried immense guilt and sorrow; he searched for traces of Kibutsuji Muzan every day.
One day, he walked despondently through the forest and visited the Kamado family, the Tanjiro family.
This was where Yoriichi had once lived with Uta. Two years ago, when he first came here, Yoriichi saved the couple from a demon attack and, with astonishing speed, found a midwife to help Tanjiro's wife, Sumiyako, give birth safely.
He completed... what he couldn't help his wife complete back then.
The Tanjiro couple were like them in the past, both having kind and innocent hearts, often helping others for free, and even, by chance, saving the daimyo's wife and children.
After two years apart, the once dilapidated house was now completely renovated, and Yoriichi was infected by their happiness.
There were so many beautiful things in this world; he was very content to have walked this path in the human world.
Heaven bestowed upon him a gentle mother, a kind elder brother, and that beautiful home, but why...
Why was his wish to simply live a normal life... ultimately unfulfilled?
Yoriichi gazed at the sky, his eyes shining with a clear light, and the surrounding sounds of joy were so delightful... This life... even with strength like a god, he couldn't change anything; he was merely a suffering mortal... Yoriichi told Tanjiro his life story, and tears welled up in Tanjiro's eyes. He opened his mouth, but said nothing.
This calm and powerful swordsman before him hid such profound sorrow in his heart, yet he was so peaceful... "Waaah~" As if sensing Yoriichi's sadness, Tanjiro's young daughter reached out and tugged at Yoriichi's sleeve, "Hug... hug."
Yoriichi hesitated for a moment, then lifted the little girl high up.
The breeze was gentle, and the bright sunlight was blocked by the child, but... when that innocent smile, brighter than the sun, entered Yoriichi's eyes...
Tears actually fell from the face of this invincible swordsman. Yoriichi looked at the child, his face streaming with tears.
That innocence, that pure and flawless child's soul.
He truly... truly walked such a long path... After living with the Tanjiro family for some time, no matter how Tanjiro tried to persuade him, Yoriichi did not stay, only leaving behind the earrings his mother gave him and demonstrating the Sun Breathing sword forms.
Those who pursue the path, ultimately return to the same place. The path of life is also like clouds, eventually flowing in the direction the wind takes them.
Yoriichi never considered himself a special person; on the contrary, he was so incompetent, so powerless.
He failed to protect what was important, and he failed to accomplish what he should have in life.
His existence was worthless...]
[Uzumaki Naruto: "Waaah, Yoriichi-san, you'll definitely be happy!"]
[Agatsuma Zenitsu: "Tanjiro... that must be Tanjiro's ancestor, what a marvelous coincidence."]
[Kamado Tanjiro: "Yoriichi-san... saved me, saved my ancestors."]
[Tsunade: "The price of power is already predetermined by heaven; what good is this misfortune, no matter how strong one is?"]
[Meruem: "Still not strong enough! With enough power, anything can be changed!"]
[Chuunibyou Flash: "You confused mongrel, quickly find your own path!"]
Demon Slayer World
Infinity Castle
Kokushibou stared intently at the familiar yet terrifying figure on the screen.
The long blade in his hand creaked, and Kokushibou's six eyes trembled slightly.
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi... you truly were like this from beginning to end."
Countless memories flashed through Kokushibou's mind: their initial playtime, his determination to protect his younger brother, his pity for the weak.
When did everything begin to change? Was it when Yoriichi displayed his talent? Was it when he always spoke so boastfully as a genius?
Or was it, perhaps, his desire to become Yoriichi's heart
[Sixty years passed in a flash. Kokushibo, who was supposed to die before the age of 25 due to activating the Demon Slayer Mark, successfully survived by accepting Kibutsuji Muzan's blood.
He became Kokushibou, the Upper Rank One, a powerful being with infinite lifespan!
His chiseled face was covered with six eyes, but at this moment, Kokushibou's six eyes stared blankly yet horrifyingly ahead.
An aged, familiar figure blocked his path.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi had died at the age of 25; Kokushibou had always believed this.
But he never would have imagined that an old, white-haired Yoriichi would stand before him again!
And then... Yoriichi wept, his eyes still as gentle and pure as ever.
"How sorrowful... Elder Brother," Yoriichi looked at his elder brother before him, feeling immense pain in his heart.
Did he... lose again?
Kokushibou's bloodshot eyes were wide with fury. Was he... being pitied again by this decrepit and ugly creature?!!
However, hearing that address, "Elder Brother," which he hadn't heard in sixty years, an inexplicable sadness welled up in Kokushibou's heart.
It was the last vestiges of love for his younger brother, burned by the raging fires of jealousy.
But having become a demon, he could no longer comprehend this emotion. For a moment, Kokushibou stood frozen.
But in the next instant, all of it completely turned to ashes!
A blood moon hung in the sky, dimming the world.
The moment Yoriichi grasped his sword, a vast power erupted from his aged, decaying body!!!
The terrifying killing intent and pressure made the space behind Yoriichi seem to twist and distort!
The surrounding air seemed to solidify intensely under this aura, capable of cleaving heaven and earth with a single strike!
No… How is this possible?!!!
Kokushibou's heart began to pound violently! His body felt as if it were pressed down by a massive stone, unable to move!
Before him, it wasn't Yoriichi, but a demon god! A giant character for 'Death'!!!
What a joke!!! He had become a demon!!! He possessed endless lifespan! He possessed the power of his peak moment!
This kind of life-or-Death threat, not even the Demon King who granted him power could bring him!!!
"Ah ah ah ah!!!" Kokushibou roared, his eyes turning blood red, desperately trying to move!
But… he still couldn't do anything; under this immense pressure, he could only await Yoriichi's attack.
"I'm coming," Yoriichi's voice drifted on the wind.
The next moment, blood gushed as the long blade sliced across Kokushibou's neck.
"Why is it always you…" The flames that had extinguished reignited fiercely, Kokushibou roared unwillingly, collapsing.
Blessed by heaven, why was that special one always you!
Why, why!!! Why wasn't it me!!!
He also knew that Yoriichi's next strike would surely sever his head!
But—
A gentle breeze swept through the fallen leaves; there was nothing.]
[Agatsuma Zenitsu: "What's going on? Why isn't Uncle Yoriichi attacking!"]
[Sakata Gintoki: "Could it be that he's holding back out of old sentiment?"]
[Akainu: "How can such an indecisive fellow be called a god?"]
[Sengoku: "No… I presume Mr. Tsugikuni Yoriichi has already passed away."]
[Nothing arrived; neither the imagined Death nor a scolding.
Yoriichi, having exhausted his life, could no longer gather strength for another strike. Having exhausted his life, he departed the world standing.
And before him was the path he and his brother could never again cross… "You…!!!" The surging rage materialized, and Kokushibou furiously swung his blade, severing Yoriichi's corpse!
Blood splattered, head separated from body, but what fell from his embrace was… Kokushibou stared blankly at the short flute, split in two, and time seemed to return to his childhood.
"I will cherish this short flute as if it were my brother."
A childhood promise spanned long years, yet ultimately, humans and demons went their separate ways.
Tears, at some point, streamed from Kokushibou's eyes.]
The Seven Deadly Sins World
"Foolish child," the muscular Escanor guzzled wine.
How can a human cross the distance between sky and earth to reach the sun?
Why do they always refuse to recognize themselves?