Illusion

But the next moment, under the terrified gazes of the two, the corpse that had fallen to the ground stood up once more, its severed head lying on the ground revealing a defiant expression.

The "headless corpse" leisurely picked up its own head and placed it back on its neck, grinning at the two in front of him: "Surprised? Shocked?"

At this moment, a single word Muzan had once said popped into Yoriichi's mind: Damn it!

What was the point of fighting this thing!

Muzan had always told him: "You will be the pinnacle of combat power in this world. You'll kill anyone who stands in your way, slay any demon!"

Now Yoriichi wanted to grab Muzan and ask him what kind of monster this was!

Tsugikuni Kokushibo's expression was also grim. Already injured from the fight, he couldn't escape now, nor could he win.

Yoriichi took a deep breath and slowly looked at this demon whose combat power was severely off the charts. Without even glancing at Kokushibo, he said, "Brother, you should run. I'll cover your retreat."

Tsugikuni Kokushibo, who had been intending to flee, froze at his words. His expression turned even uglier. He fiercely snatched the Nichirin Blade from Yoriichi's hand, pulled him behind him, and stood in front of him. "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself to save me! I'll cover your retreat, you run!"

Kagetsuki Chiyo watched the two people standing motionlessly on the ground. The transparent screen in front of him, like a mirror, displayed the events within the illusion. Meanwhile, Muzan's voice echoed in his mind:

"Don't just play around. I want you to change Tsugikuni Kokushibo's mindset."

Chiyo pouted. "Boss, I just create illusions, I'm not a psychologist."

"I don't care."

Chiyo scratched his head. "Fine, fine. I'll do my best."

Muzan's voice came again from his mind: "I'll give you a reference for the illusion."

The next moment, a story of immense capacity entered his mind. Chiyo's head even ached intensely for a moment as he absorbed so much information.

"Hiss—"

Enduring the pain, he seemed to manipulate something in the air.

Naturally, no one could defeat the existence that was the ceiling of Demon Slayer. However, creating a false scenario was child's play.

Kagetsuki Chiyo's actual strength wasn't much, but his Blood Demon Art was useful. Although it had a long setup time, once someone was trapped in an illusion, it became easy to manipulate, and it was very difficult to see through.

Within the illusion, Tsugikuni Yoriichi knew his brother was no longer capable of fighting. He grabbed Kokushibo and took a step back, dodging an attack. At the same time, he snatched the Nichirin Blade and held it against the demon, while with his other hand, he forcefully threw Tsugikuni Kokushibo away.

"Tsugikuni Yoriichi!!!"

Tsugikuni Kokushibo flew backward, roaring in anger.

In reality, Tsugikuni Kokushibo's body instinctively stumbled, breaking free from the illusion's range, though this was naturally due to Chiyo's deliberate control.

Having escaped the illusion, Tsugikuni Kokushibo barely managed to steady himself. He looked around in surprise and confusion, then quickly reacted, drawing his sword and charging towards Kagetsuki Chiyo.

But the next moment, he entered the illusion that Chiyo had set up.

In the illusion, Tsugikuni Kokushibo killed Kagetsuki Chiyo with a single blow and returned to the Demon Slayer Corps with his brother, who had served no real purpose.

Years later, he could never defeat Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and the gap between them only widened.

He awakened the Clear World and the Scarlet Traces.

But he also learned that he would die at 25. Unwilling to accept death, he encountered Muzan and became a man-eating demon under Muzan's command.

Soon after, he learned that Yoriichi had encountered Muzan and nearly killed him. However, due to his failure, and because he, Yoriichi's brother, had become a demon, and because Yoriichi had let Tamayo go, he was punished for multiple crimes and expelled from the Demon Slayer Corps.

Coupled with Muzan deliberately hiding from Yoriichi afterward.

Yoriichi, born to slay the Demon King, never had the chance to fulfill his destiny.

At 25, he thought Yoriichi was nearing his death. That day, he recalled various memories of Yoriichi during their time in the Demon Slayer Corps, feeling a pang of pain. That day, he endured discomfort and drank many bottles of alcohol, but could not find solace in intoxication.

He vaguely felt like he understood something, yet also felt like he didn't.

From then on, he would only focus on improving his strength.

Many years later, he suddenly saw the elderly Yoriichi under a thatched roof in a forest.

He heard Yoriichi's story.

How he was unloved by his father as a child but cared for by his brother.

How he met Uta after leaving home, only for her to be killed by a demon.

How he wanted to do something useful by slaying the Demon King but was powerless.

Then he learned his brother had become a demon.

Alone in the world, he actually just wanted a warm family, a small house, and to be able to reach his wife and children.

But everything was gone.

Kokushibo listened to Yoriichi's story and silently departed.

Many years later, Kokushibo encountered an aged Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

"Brother, how tragic..."

As that sword came down with unmatched power, a flicker of terror flashed across Kokushibo's face, followed by a sudden look of acceptance.

But after that one blow, he, only severely injured, did not welcome a second strike. He looked at his brother, who had lost his life.

Thump—

A bamboo flute fell to the ground. Kokushibo bent down to pick it up, momentarily speechless.

Had he been wrong?

For the several hundred years that followed, he had been so clear-headed and desperate, yet also so lost and muddled.

Until centuries later, in the Infinity Castle, a young man fought him. Through his Nichirin Blade, Kokushibo saw his own reflection. His brother's words echoed endlessly in his mind:

"Brother, how truly tragic..."

So much meaning was contained within those words. Tsugikuni Michikatsu suddenly felt as though he truly understood. The blade sliced across his neck, and he closed his eyes.

Everything before him dissolved into darkness. Was he going to hell?

But gradually, a figure shifted from blurry to clear. Nearly five hundred years of memories blurred like a dream. In an instant, it was as if he had awoken. The dream was quickly forgotten, leaving only a few unforgettable feelings.

The figure before him became distinct.

Who was it?

His memories before entering the illusion returned. Tsugikuni Michikatsu stiffened. Glancing down, he saw the sword he had dropped on the ground when he entered the dream. He quickly grabbed the hilt with one hand, stepping back defensively.

"Mission accomplished, Lord Kokushibo. Farewell~"

The Demon chuckled and its form vanished.

But another voice came from somewhere unknown: "Don't worry, I didn't harm any ordinary people."

Nearby, Yoriichi also emerged from the illusion, looking confusedly at the scene before him.

Didn't I throw my brother far away?

Wasn't he supposed to be holding off that Demon, trying to last until dawn?

But then, Yoriichi also realized. Of course! It was an illusion!

Tsugikuni Michikatsu curled his lip. What did that Demon want? Why set up such an illusion?

And what did "mission accomplished" even mean?

"Let's go."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu glanced at Yoriichi, sheathed his sword, and walked away.

Yoriichi looked around and saw the man who wanted to become a Demon Slayer, now lying asleep not far away. "I'll take one person."

"Hurry up."