The skin on Yoizumi's body cracked inch by inch, like parched earth.
He took a heavy breath, toxins and blood surged within him, and the pain from his body was so intense that he didn't even feel the slightest bit of agony as his flesh dissipated.
Shinobu shook her head, tears streaming down her face.
She raised her blood-stained hand and firmly grasped Yoizumi's gradually fading hand, trying to make it stop.
"No… no…"
Yoizumi opened his mouth, but his dry throat couldn't produce any sound, while Muzan still clamored in his mind.
"How is this possible! I clearly gained an extension!"
"How could I dissipate!"
"Stop! This is my body!"
In his consciousness, Yoizumi held his nichirin blade; the frosty white nichirin blade was the only bright color in the dark sea of consciousness.
Yoizumi lowered his eyes and swung his blade without hesitation, severing the Muzan before him.
Muzan wailed, struggled, and made a spectacle of himself.
Yoizumi seemed to have understood the reason.
Because of the Vitality Enhancing Drug, the blood belonging to Muzan within his body was gradually awakened, and because the Mark came at the cost of overdrawing life.
The constantly aging and dying blood was regenerated and reorganized by Yoizumi's regenerative abilities.
Gradually, Muzan's blood was replaced by his autonomously generated blood.
His scorching body was due to these two bloodlines fighting for dominance, which also led to Muzan taking over Yoizumi's body.
But just now, because of Miss Shinobu's wisteria poison, Muzan's blood was severely damaged, and the weakened Yoizumi finally gained the upper hand…
His weak body was embraced by Miss Shinobu.
Yoizumi's somewhat vacant gaze fixed intently on Miss Shinobu, unable to let go.
Miss Shinobu's tears fell on his face, dripped into Yoizumi's eyes, and then slid down the corners of his eyes.
He wanted to apologize, he wanted to wipe away Miss Shinobu's tears.
But his heavy eyelids prevented Yoizumi from opening them, and his vision plunged into darkness.
Shinobu held Yoizumi, her shoulders trembling slightly, silent tears falling onto Yoizumi's face.
Yoizumi wanted to open his eyes, but he had no strength; he couldn't even lift his hand.
"Yoizumi, shall we… shall we go back to Butterfly Mansion?"
Miss Shinobu's voice was right by his ear; she swallowed all her cries, because Yoizumi didn't like her to cry, he liked her smiling.
Shinobu desperately suppressed her heart, which felt like it was dying from pain, and the uncontrollable tears, forcing a smile onto her face.
Yoizumi, you promised me.
To always stay with me.
It was as if she was back on the night her sister died, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and a glimmer of light fell on her sister's pale, paper-like face.
Her sister didn't make it, and now, the sun shone on Yoizumi's blood-stained face.
Was she, once again… only able to watch an important person leave?
She pressed her face against Yoizumi's cool cheek, and the hand that had been cut by the nichirin blade slowly hooked Yoizumi's pinky finger.
You clearly promised me.
You said you'd be fine.
That day, you smiled gently, took my hand, and solemnly promised me.
"I won't die."
"This is a promise to Miss Shinobu."
But now… in Shinobu's tear-blurred vision, Yoizumi's eyes were tightly closed, his entire face covered in bloodstains, and those sapphire eyes that always looked at her so gently, seemed as if they would never look at her again…
Liar… liar… Yoizumi… you said… you wouldn't lie to me…
The strength with which she hooked Yoizumi's pinky finger increased little by little, while her other hand brushed away the messy golden hair from Yoizumi's face.
I really hate people who lie to me… Please don't make me hate you, okay… I beg you… don't leave…
"Mmm…" Tanjirou, who was unconscious, slowly opened his eyes, looking blankly at the sky.
It's morning…
Tanjirou sat up abruptly, tears welling in his eyes.
Finally… finally… Muzan is finally dead.
Mom, Takeo, Shigeru, Hanako, Rokkuta.
We did it!
Yoizumi-nii and I did it!
We avenged you…
Tanjirou sniffed, but then suddenly smelled a vast sadness permeating the air, and felt an unconscious confusion in his mind.
Why, even though Muzan was defeated, were everyone still so sad?
This feeling of sadness… just smelling it made Tanjirou feel a pang of bitterness in his heart.
"Tan… Tanjirou, you're awake."
Muichiro looked at Tanjirou, hesitating, his eyes avoiding Tanjirou's crimson gaze.
What's wrong with Muichiro?
Tanjirou blinked, his eyes searching everywhere for his brother's whereabouts.
Yoizumi-nii must be in a lot of pain after so many injuries in this battle, right…
Yoizumi-nii… Yoizumi-nii…
Tanjirou's pupils suddenly trembled, and he swallowed.
Why… is Yoizumi-nii's aura so faint… it's as if… as if… he could disappear at any moment.
His legs uncontrollably went weak, Tanjirou tottered towards Yoizumi's aura, nearly stumbling to his knees, but Muichiro reached out and supported him.
After seeing the scene before him clearly, Tanjirou's breathing hitched.
"Haa… ah…"
Tanjirou shook his head, a look of immense pain on his face, and broke free from Muichiro's hand in a daze, running step by step to his brother.
Seeing Miss Shinobu holding his brother in a daze, no matter how much Tanjirou didn't want to believe it, there was nothing he could do.
The truth was right before his eyes…
Yoizumi… ge…
Yoizumi-nii… no… don't…
Tanjirou tremblingly grasped his brother's hand, pressing it against his forehead.
Yoizumi-nii… your hand is so cold… it's okay… I'll warm it up for you… Don't worry!
So… so… Tanjirou cried.
Please open your eyes… look at me.
Look at me…
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"