Kokushibo was holding the small dark red sleeve with his trembling hands. The image of the cloth was reflected in his eyes.
The original jujube red color of the kosode has faded away so much that now, its color is unrecognizable.
The frozen river in his heart finally stirred after 300 years.
"Brother..."
"How could this be..."
His fingers caressed the clothing softly, as if he were afraid it would turn to dust at any moment.
He rubbed the faded family crest on the clothes.
Yes, without a doubt now, this is the clothing of his younger brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Kokushibo stood up lifelessly. A feeling of suffocation surrounded him from all sides.
Even his breathing turns erratic.
"If... if you're still alive... until now..."
Kokushibo choked up as his airflow constricted, barely allowing him to breathe. His body sways as it trembles all over.
"Then... what's the point of becoming a Demon..."
His six sclera flared with golden light, his voice gradually growing hateful and angry as he couldn't contain the frustration and anxiety in his heart.
His organs felt as if he was being kneaded into mud. His hands gradually bulged with rage veins as he radiated anger and envy.
Sreak!
The clothing in his hands is torn apart, completely destroyed into powder.
The veins reached his face as his fangs grew elongated out of his mouth.
With experience honed in 300 years, Kokushibo reined in his anger, frustration, and jealousy into a sharp blade focused on killing anything in front of him.
He SAW Yoriichi's death with his own EYES!
As Kokushibo contemplates, a radio-like static rings in his mind.
"... Kokushibo... where are you now...?"
The hoarse, indistinct voice of Muzan flared through his brain.
Kokushibo concentrated and waited for Muzan's next words.
"... go to... Tokyo."
"..Lower Rank Kizuki... is there.."
".. along with Tsugikuni... Yoriichi.."
Kokushibo was annoyed by this weak signal and vague sound. He was already pissed off; now adding this?
But the moment he heard the name.
His trembling hand stopped as he quickly processed the information.
Click.
Kokushibo sheathed his sword and turned around to the door.
Whoosh!
Bang!
The purple-black figure barreled into the entrance as he ran at full speed in the direction of Tokyo.
The trees swayed strongly along the way, nearly collapsing from the powerful wind generated from Kokushibo's running.
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—Location: Tokyo, Midnight—
The streetlights were shattered on the ground, and the shops and buildings along the street were in ruins.
The fire had spread, and the smoke obscuring the vision was thick. As if people had lit a bonfire in the middle of the city.
Rokuro's eyes rolled back to normal, and his twitching has stopped. His body healed itself back into normal shape after it was deformed by Muzan's forced possession.
"Cough, cough... ha..."
'Was that... the voice of my lord?'
'What did he say?'
Rokuro shook his head and came back to his senses as he realized his situation.
"No! I don't give a damn about that! That's not what's important right now!"
Rokuro focused his attention back to the slayers on the ground. He looked to see Kyojuro at where he just stood.
Only, he didn't find anyone there. Just the pink-haired one was still visible. Two of the demon slayers have vanished from his sight.
It took him a while to understand this information. Maybe because he always shot himself in the head when he was lost in one of his rants and anger, Rokuro's memory and cognitive thought process have long been unstable.
He could take the lone slayer as a hostage or fire his gun to fish out the others.
Instead, he looked around and scanned his surroundings in panic.
In the corner of his vision, a red blade suddenly stabbed up from below him.
"Hiss—!"
)—Flame Breathing First Form!—(
)—Shiranui!—(
(tr. Unknowing Fire)
Sha—
The tip of the blade was wrapped in dazzling flames and instantly thrust to his face!
Rokuro instinctively raised his arms to block the incoming strike.
Puchi!
The sound of the blade entering flesh was heard as blood splattered across Rokuro's face. He snarled and locked eyes with Kyojuro, who finally revealed himself.
"Kuh!?" Rokuro narrowed his eyes. Now that he had a close look at Kyojuro, confusion crept into his mind.
He cut off his arms and quickly separated himself.
Ssszzz—
The scorching flames left a trail on the dark rooftop. Kyojuro landed on the edge and stood firmly.
Straightening up, he puts his katana in front of him.
"Hooo—" White steam slowly dissipated at the corner of his mouth.
During that close encounter, Kyojuro got a good look at the demon's eyes and its kanji.
[Rank][Two]
Judging by the strength of the demon and the characters, it is most likely the one he faced right now is the Lower Moon Two, not the Upper one.
Kyojuro's eyes sharpened as he focused all his concentration and became more vigilant.
Blurgh.
After retreating, Rokuro's severed arms were slowly covered in bulging veins as his flesh and muscles kneaded themselves to grow a new set of arms.
He was confused, as he felt that this person was somewhat different from his memories.
'Well, who cares?'
He smiled hideously, flicking his hands to get his feeling back, and pointed it at Kyojuro, his black military coat fluttering in the wind.
"…I have never forgotten the humiliation you gave me!"
"I spent all these years to become stronger!"
"Until I reached the level of the Twelve Kizuki."
Rokuro's expression became manic. A ferocious tooth tattoo appearing on his face.
Click!
He took out a pistol from his coat and aimed it at Kyojuro.
"Rengoku Shinjuro!"
"Today!"
"It is the day of my vengeance!"
"Prepare yourself! Rengo—"
Tap!
Tanjuro appeared quietly behind Rokuro.
Already in swinging motion with his Nichirin blade.
He doesn't hesitate in delivering the killing blow.
Snick!
The smooth blade chopped down at the base of the demon's neck.
Puchi!
The sound of the blade entering the flesh as it traveled to sever the connection this demon has in the living world.
"!!"
'Since when!?' Rokuro's mind was still playing catch-up.
However, Rokuro's instincts to survive kicked in as his body automatically activated his secret move.
[]—Blood Demon Art!—[]
[]—Kage Ookami!—[]
(tr. Shadow Wolf)
Instantly, Rokuro's body turned into a shadow. His neck escaped dismemberment as he sank into the ground like a mud swamp.
Tanjuro finished his swing as he stood there watching this demon, a little surprised at his lightning-quick reaction.