Iwakatsu's Betrayal, Kokushibo's Birth!

The turmoil in Iwakatsu's heart refused to settle. His sole goal had always been to surpass his younger brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi. Beyond that, he had no other ambition to strive for.

And now, this dreadful news had arrived. How could Iwakatsu remain calm? Considering his age, he was not far from twenty-five. Did that not mean death could come for him at any moment?

As Iwakatsu wrestled with his thoughts, he recalled a conversation he had had with an unfamiliar demon half a year ago. If he could gain endless life like a demon, would surpassing Yoriichi not be easy?

He simply would not be able to live under the sun. To Tsugikuni Iwakatsu, that was hardly a great price to pay. In his eyes, as long as he could surpass his younger brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, everything would be worth it.

Thinking back to when he had first joined the Demon Slayer Corps and had actually needed Yoriichi to save him, a fire of anger rose within Iwakatsu. At its root was his jealousy of Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Tsugikuni Iwakatsu came back to himself, shook the petals from his shoulders, turned, and left the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, disappearing into the pitch-black night.

In some nameless wilderness, Tsugikuni Iwakatsu traveled through the night and arrived at the place where he had first met that unfamiliar demon.

The moment an eye made of flesh and blood saw Tsugikuni Iwakatsu arrive, it swiftly burst apart. Before long, a red-eyed man in a black kimono appeared before him.

"Tsugikuni Iwakatsu, I knew you would eventually choose to join me. My painstaking efforts have not been in vain!" The man in the black kimono spoke with confidence, as though everything was under his control.

Tsugikuni Iwakatsu had not given it much thought. He did not