Shinobu, winter has come.
Flickering sunlight pierced through the clouds, and golden beams dyed the white snow a golden hue. Despite it being snow, Shinobu didn't feel cold at all.
On the contrary, it was very warm.
That must be because... her sun was right before her eyes.
So, Shinobu wrapped her hands around the hands of her exclusive sun and pressed them to her forehead.
You kept your promise.
You saved me... How can I ever thank you?
"Does it hurt somewhere?" Yoizumi looked at Shinobu, who was trembling slightly, with concern, his voice filled with obvious worry.
"No..." Shinobu's voice was very soft.
Her body, which should have been utterly exhausted, now felt incredibly light.
The knot that had bound her for so many years was completely shattered.
The thorns that had trapped the butterfly finally withered.
The butterfly that the desolate autumn wind failed to carry away will now dance freely in the winter sun.
Shinobu gently embraced Yoizumi, hot tears in her eyes, which rubbed against Yoizumi's neck. The tears flowed down his collarbone and over his heart.
Yoizumi obediently raised his hand and gently stroked Shinobu's back.
"You've worked hard."
"Shinobu."
Shinobu, silently weeping, clutched Yoizumi's collar tightly, her tears gradually soaking his clothes, releasing the emotions she had suppressed for so many years.
Sister... The one who killed you is dead.
Right before my eyes... I thought I would be reuniting with you today, but it seems that will have to be postponed for a while.
I'm sorry... Please let me stay by Yoizumi's side a little longer... "Tanjirou!!!" Zenitsu screamed in agony, "What's going on?!"
Who hit him while he was sleeping?!
Is his leg broken?
It must be broken!
It hurts so much, it hurts so much, it hurts so much!!!
Agatsuma Zenitsu was snotty and teary, but he didn't dare open his eyes to look at his legs. Hearing Tanjirou's footsteps approaching, he cried out, asking,
"Tanjirou, are my legs okay? They must be broken, right?"
"It hurts so much, who was so mean?!"
"It's okay, Zenitsu, your legs are perfectly fine," Tanjirou half-squatted in front of Zenitsu, comforting the agitated Zenitsu.
Zenitsu lowered his head with trembling eyes, and when he saw his intact legs, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
It's good that they're not broken... He lay on the ground in relief, but it still hurt a lot.
But... what's wrong with Inosuke?
Such a sorrowful breathing sound.
"Tanjirou, go check on Inosuke, he doesn't seem to be doing well," Zenitsu said, sniffing.
"Okay, Zenitsu, don't move yet."
Clutching his chest, his sternum was broken, and his legs were also without strength. Tanjirou was now moving with the aid of his nichirin blade.
Ah... Inosuke... such a sorrowful scent... Tanjirou saw Inosuke from afar, lying motionless on the ground, his boar mask fallen to the side, his arm covering his eyes, glistening tears falling.
"Inosuke..." The usually boisterous Inosuke was unusually quiet, weeping silently, exuding an aura of dejection.
Tanjirou slowly knelt beside Inosuke, comforting him with his gentle voice.
"I think Inosuke's mother must have loved Inosuke the most."
"Your mother might be watching Inosuke from somewhere."
"Seeing Inosuke sad, she would also be anxious."
"So..."
"Cheer up, Inosuke."
As soon as he finished speaking, Inosuke suddenly got up, his green eyes red and swollen from crying, and he defended himself in a hoarse voice.
"I'm not crying!"
"This great me is perfectly fine!"
"Tanjirou is the one who cried!"
"Yes, yes."
Tanjirou responded with a smile. It seemed he was okay now.
"Tanjirou," hearing Yoizumi's call, he immediately responded.
"Take Nezuko to Uzui Tengen. Her Blood Demon Art can help him remove the ice crystals from his body."
"Yes."
To be honest, Yoizumi couldn't hold on anymore either. His eyes drooped, and his body gradually shrank and curled up in Shinobu's arms.
"Miss Shinobu, please help me take care of Yoizumi-nii," he said, laboriously carrying the wooden box and heading towards Uzui Tengen with Nezuko.
Her eyes focused on little Yoizumi, she meticulously tidied the golden wisps of hair on his forehead, wiped the bloodstains from his small face with her fingertips, and gently stroked his head.
Sleep... I should be the one to say it.
You've worked hard... Yoizumi...
Remember to wake up soon, I'll be waiting for you... "Tengen-sama!!! Waaahhh!" Suma cried incessantly, tears falling like rain, desperately hugging Uzui Tengen's waist.
"Don't die! Waaahhh!"
Uzui Tengen's face was pale, he didn't even have the strength to speak, breathing was so difficult, was he going to die soon?
Yoizumi probably wouldn't be able to treat him.
He couldn't leave any words behind, this way of dying was truly not flamboyant at all.
Makio and Hinatsuru silently shed tears. In the end, having his wives accompany him on his final journey wasn't so bad.
With an apologetic gaze towards his three wives, Uzui Tengen felt his alveoli completely necrotize, and he could no longer breathe.
Brothers, I'm coming to see... (you)
?
Nezuko appeared and placed her small hand on him.
Then.
Uzui Tengen was engulfed in flames, pink flames wrapped around his body. He widened his eyes in disbelief; the fire wasn't hot at all!
"Ah ah ah ah!" His three wives' eyeballs almost popped out in shock. Suma directly cried and pounced towards Nezuko.
"Where did you come from, little kid?! Tengen-sama isn't dead yet! Cremation is way too fast!"
"Big sister is angry, I'm going to spank your bottom!"
"Wait!" Uzui Tengen felt his breathing clear up, and even his frostbitten areas were healed. He exclaimed, "The ice crystals in my body are gone!"
"Mm, Nezuko's Blood Demon Art can dissolve them," Tanjirou said, patting his sister's little head, explaining.
"Hmph!" Nezuko put her hands on her hips and proudly lifted her chin.
"Woo hoo hoo! Tengen-sama, that's great!"
He reached out and caught his three wives.
Sorry, brothers, it seems I can't join you yet.
"It seems I arrived a step too late," Kyojuro Rengoku appeared beside the group, looking at the ruined area.
Upon hearing the news, he rushed over without delay, but still couldn't make it in time. However, two Upper Ranks were slain overnight, with no casualties.
"That's truly incredible!"
"I am so proud of you all!"
"Our Master will be very happy to hear this news!"
The Kakushi Memberss quickly cleaned up the battlefield, bringing the battle to an end.
A dark Kasugai Crow soared across the sky and landed at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, relaying the good news.
"Cough... Haa..."
"Cough cough cough..."
Ever since his body improved, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had never coughed so violently, but upon hearing such joyful news, how could he possibly suppress his excited feelings?
Amane gently stroked her husband's back, and Kagaya excitedly grabbed Amane's hand.
"Do you know what this means, Amane!"
"A hundred years!"
"The situation that hadn't changed for a hundred years has now changed!"
"This is a sign!"
"Kibutsuji Muzan, we will definitely defeat you in this generation!"
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