Death Throes

"So, can you answer me now..."

Tsukiguni Yoriichi looked expressionlessly at Kibutsuji Muzan, who had been driven into a desperate situation before him, and asked, "What exactly do you consider life to be?!"

But at this moment, Kibutsuji Muzan had no intention of responding to Tsukiguni Yoriichi; his heart was filled with extreme terror and a desperate will to survive!

"It can't be! It can't be!"

"I am the Demon King!"

"I am the Perfect Being!"

"I cannot die! I will not die!!"

An intensely powerful desire to survive stimulated Kibutsuji Muzan, and in a single moment, this evil and potent will to live allowed his mental power to break through a certain boundary.

Then, Tsukiguni Yoriichi heard the sound of Kibutsuji Muzan grinding his molars to dust.

The next second, like a firecracker exploding inside a dirt pit, Kibutsuji Muzan's body disintegrated into a pile of crimson flesh chunks.

These chunks seemed to possess a life of their own, scattering in all directions at an incredible speed, moving too fast for anyone to react, all attempting to flee the area.

Seeing this, Tsukiguni Yoriichi frowned slightly; he had long since sensed Kibutsuji Muzan's movements and had reacted accordingly.

"Clang!"

It was as if it were a single blade, yet also as if it were countless blades.

One could see white blade light filling the entire space the moment Tsukiguni Yoriichi swung his sword, packing the space around him so tightly that not even a gust of wind could pass through.

And when Tsukiguni Yoriichi stopped his swing and assumed a stance to sheath his blade, more than half of the flesh chunks in the air and on the ground had already been sliced in two, falling to the earth and losing their vitality entirely.

However, there were simply too many flesh chunks that Kibutsuji Muzan had transformed into.

Even Tsukiguni Yoriichi could not catch them all in one net, and he could only watch helplessly as a small portion of the chunks slipped into the forest and vanished from sight.

"Sigh."

Tsukiguni Yoriichi wore a look of shame, mixed with a hint of relief.

"As expected, my power alone is still not enough."

"If it weren't for you, Lord Sarutobi,"

"If Kibutsuji Muzan had escaped, my sin would have been too great..."

If Kibutsuji Muzan were to escape this time, Tsukiguni Yoriichi could imagine that Muzan would use his long lifespan to wear him down, only to continue devouring humans without end.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's figure appeared quietly around Tsukiguni Yoriichi.

To be precise, it was not just one figure, but five versions of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Four of the Sarutobi Hiruzen figures stood in a quadrilateral formation, their bodies radiating a purple glow of Chakra.

"Four Violet Flames Formation..."

Looking around the battlefield between Tsukiguni Yoriichi and Muzan, a rectangular barrier of transparent purple flames had appeared at some point, enveloping the entire area, including the small forest.

"Not at all..."

"Yoriichi, your swordsmanship has already reached the pinnacle..."

"I have only made a trivial contribution."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shrugged. Having understood the method Kibutsuji Muzan used to escape, he naturally had countless ways to restrain him using ninja techniques.

For instance, the Sealing Jutsu currently in use was the famous Four Violet Flames Formation.

During Orochimaru's master-killing battle, the elderly Sarutobi Hiruzen had been completely helpless against this restrictive formation, let alone Kibutsuji Muzan, who had already been sliced into pieces.

"Hiss!"

The sound of flesh being scorched rang out as hundreds of flesh chunks, their bodies burning with purple flames, flew rapidly through the air to gather in one spot.

They re-condensed into a tumor-like head.

"Ah!"

In an instant, Kibutsuji Muzan's scream rang out through the night sky once more.

The Four Violet Flames Formation possessed the property of resisting both external intrusion and escape; anyone who touched the barrier would be scorched by the purple energy flames.

Such energy flames were naturally not as powerful as the sun to Muzan, but they were far more intense than ordinary fire.

And the range of the Four Violet Flames Formation was three hundred and sixty degrees with no blind spots; no matter how Kibutsuji Muzan tried to fly or burrow, he was helpless.

"Please! Spare me!"

After the scream, Kibutsuji Muzan's remaining head fully displayed his pathetic nature; without a shred of the Demon King's dignity, he began kowtowing and begging for mercy.

"I promise I won't eat humans anymore!"

"I promise!"

Because it was a head pieced back together, Kibutsuji Muzan's face was cracked and torn, with tears and snot streaming down, looking both ridiculous and laughable.

Everyone present remained unmoved by the pleas of Kibutsuji Muzan.

No one there was a child; they were all adults who understood the trade-offs of pros and cons, so naturally, none of them would suddenly act like a saint.

Furthermore, aside from Sarutobi Hiruzen, everyone present had lost family or friends to demons and harbored a deep-seated hatred for such creatures.

They knew that any promise about not eating humans was as worthless as a fart.

"It's over."

"Demon King..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi placed his hand on his hilt once more, intending to deliver the final blow to Kibutsuji Muzan.

However, he was stopped by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Let this guy die under the sun."

"It's safer that way, and it can be considered a fitting end to his sinful life."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi nodded upon hearing this, agreeing that what Sarutobi Hiruzen said made sense.

Compared to a Nichirin Sword, sunlight was the absolute restraint against demons; sunlight could penetrate every nook and cranny, rendering it useless even if Kibutsuji Muzan were reduced to minced meat.

Thus, Tsugikuni Yoriichi stopped trying to draw his blade and instead sat quietly to the side, closing his eyes to rest.

Although he was resting with his eyes closed, Tsugikuni Yoriichi kept the Transparent World active, watching every move Kibutsuji Muzan made.

Should Kibutsuji Muzan make any unnecessary movements—

The current Kibutsuji Muzan was no longer capable of splitting off any more flesh—

Tsugikuni Yoriichi would make him realize that his escape last time had been nothing more than a coincidence.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paid no mind to the Scum Boss, instead drawing a vial of blood directly from him, intending to use it for research later.

During the blood draw, Kibutsuji Muzan was extremely cooperative and obedient, because he knew that in front of someone like Tsugikuni Yoriichi, No movement could ever be faster than Tsugikuni Yoriichi's blade.

Kibutsuji Muzan cried and begged pathetically for a long time, but seeing that no one paid him any mind, he changed his strategy.

"You are Demon Slayer Mark swordsmen, aren't you!"

"The Demon Slayer Mark is a product of burning away one's lifespan!"

"Demon Slayer Mark swordsmen cannot live long, and the mark cannot be removed!"

"Spare me! Only by becoming a demon can one possess an infinite lifespan!"

Kibutsuji Muzan's voice no longer carried a miserable tone, but was instead filled with seduction and temptation, constantly assailing the minds of those present.

"And demons aren't always afraid of the sun!"

In order to survive, Kibutsuji Muzan revealed a secret he had hidden for a hundred years.

"As long as you find a certain medicinal herb, you can overcome the weakness to sunlight!"

"When that time comes, you can live freely in this world forever!"

"That is not a demon; that is a god!"

Muzan's voice, mixed with longing and unwillingness, echoed in the night sky like the whisper of a devil.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi remained resting with his eyes closed, ignoring him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, meanwhile, was curiously examining the anatomy of Kibutsuji Muzan.

A creature that can completely control its own body.

Even the Breaking the Void and Seeing God and Not Breaking of Guoshu don't have this level of bodily control...

The others, however, were not as calm, as the pursuit of immortality was an instinct for every human.

Not everyone was like Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who was pure by nature and devoid of desire.

And certainly not everyone was like Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had infinite opportunities to explore worlds and basically never had to worry about the issue of lifespan.

Hearing the seductive words of Kibutsuji Muzan, Masahiro couldn't help but feel his throat go dry.

What Kibutsuji Muzan spoke of was not merely becoming a demon, but the chance to become a Perfect Being who did not fear the sun.

Fortunately, although Masahiro was tempted, he still retained his reason; as a veteran of the Demon Slayer Corps, he knew very well that demons were existences that could not be trusted at all.

As for Tsugikuni Michikatsu.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi suddenly opened his eyes.

"Brother..."

"What are you doing?!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's expression was complex; clearly, a struggle between conscience and desire had taken place within his heart.

However, his blade remained firmly pressed against Masahiro's neck.

"I'm sorry, Yoriichi."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu said in a hoarse voice, speaking slowly.

"The Demon Slayer Mark you spoke of,"

"is already spreading across my face."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's expression was resolute, as if he had completely convinced himself.

Indeed, at his temple, a glimmer of red light flickered in and out of existence.

He was truly a talent second only to Tsugikuni Yoriichi; having studied the Breathing Style for only a few days, he had already touched the threshold of the Demon Slayer Mark.

But at the same time, while experiencing this unprecedented power, the sensation of his life force slipping away filled Tsugikuni Michikatsu with immense panic and dread.

"I am still young, I do not want to die yet..."

"Therefore."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu said to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsugikuni Yoriichi, "Please spare that Demon King."

"Otherwise..."

"Your companion's life will be forfeit."

Initially, Tsugikuni Michikatsu had intended to take Sarutobi Hiruzen hostage, but Sarutobi Hiruzen's mysterious identity and unimaginable power made him incredibly wary.

As for Perfect 1, Sarutobi Hiruzen had kept him at a distance to provide support, fearing that if Perfect 1 were discovered by Kibutsuji Muzan during the process of killing him, he might be devoured.

Thus, Tsugikuni Michikatsu had no choice but to settle for the next best thing and take Masahiro, who had been following Sarutobi Hiruzen, hostage.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled.

"It seems that no matter what a person's experiences are, their wretched nature never changes."

Just like Kibutsuji Muzan, and just like the Tsugikuni Michikatsu before him, despite having never experienced the events of the original timeline, he remained cowardly and afraid of death.

And even with the Demon King's cause already lost, Tsugikuni Michikatsu still could not suppress the greed in his heart, betraying his own brother.

"Please forgive the embarrassment, Lord Sarutobi..."

"I beg you to show mercy..."

Although Tsugikuni Yoriichi did not understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, he apologized to him.

Ever since meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsugikuni Yoriichi seemed to be constantly apologizing;

if there were personality tests in this era, Tsugikuni Yoriichi might well be a people-pleaser.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not in the least bit worried about Masahiro's situation; instead, he began forming hand seals.

The process of forming the seals was deliberately slow.

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's movements, Tsugikuni Michikatsu immediately felt a sense of foreboding.

"What are you doing?!"

"Do you not want your companion's life anymore?!"

Masahiro, however, remained very calm, showing no signs of worry at all.

"To regard me as Lord Sarutobi's companion, you really think highly of me."

"But trusting a demon is truly a hopeless endeavor."

On the other side, Sarutobi Hiruzen had completed his Ninjutsu.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

"Lightning Release: Lightning Dragon Bullet!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen spewed torrents of water and electricity from his mouth in succession, which converged in the air into a ferocious dragon of lightning and water.

"Compound Ninjutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"

The savage water dragon, wreathed in scorching lightning, surged forward, crossing the space in an instant to envelop Tsugikuni Michikatsu.

"Damn it!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's expression shifted. Faced with a dragon-like entity that resembled legendary sorcery, he instinctively threw Masahiro, who was in his hand, forward.

He attempted to use him as a meat shield to obstruct its path.

But the Masahiro who was thrown transformed into a puff of smoke, revealing his true form as a wooden log.

It was then instantly pulverized by the claws of the lightning water dragon.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had intentionally slowed his hand seals to give Masahiro time to activate the Substitution Technique.

"What?!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu was shocked by the Substitution Technique he had never seen before. In the moment he was stunned, his entire body was already surrounded by the dragon of lightning and water.

The next second, Tsugikuni Michikatsu was instantly paralyzed by the lightning, then sent flying by the impact of the water dragon.

He flew straight across a distance of a hundred meters, slamming headfirst into the Four Violet Flames Formation!

"Ah!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's body was instantly ignited by the Purple Flame on the barrier, falling into the same predicament as Kibutsuji Muzan just moments before.

"Sigh."

A long, drawn-out sigh drifted over, accompanied by the sound of a violent gust of wind.

It was Tsugikuni Yoriichi, feeling a pang of compassion for his older brother and unable to bear watching him suffer.

With the wind pressure generated by a slash of his blade, he cleared the oxygen from around Tsugikuni Michikatsu, extinguishing the flames on his body.

"How truly pitiful... my brother."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi sighed once more.

The pity he spoke of did not refer to Tsugikuni Michikatsu's disheveled appearance, but rather the pathetic state of a heart that had chosen to become a demon.

But Tsugikuni Michikatsu could no longer hear these words; he had already lost consciousness.

On the other side, seeing his only supporter fall into a coma, Kibutsuji Muzan's mind instantly collapsed.

He first began to hurl insults at everyone present, unleashing the most vicious curses imaginable.

He then attempted to lash out in a frenzy, only to be easily shredded by Tsugikuni Yoriichi once again, his state weakening by another fraction.

In the end, with his mentality shattered, Kibutsuji Muzan returned to his starting point, weeping bitterly once more as he confessed to the sins of his life, desperate to cling to his miserable existence.

But to those who had already experienced his betrayal once, these pleas were painless and meaningless, and everyone waited with great patience for the sun to rise.

Several hours later, Amidst his final, wretched curses, Kibutsuji Muzan was burned to ashes by the sunlight.

Seeing this, Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Masahiro breathed a sigh of relief; the Demon King who had rampaged for a hundred years was truly dead.

At the same time, Tsugikuni Michikatsu actually regained consciousness. Seeing the scene of Kibutsuji Muzan's annihilation, his face turned deathly pale, feeling that he did not have long to live.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head silently.

If Tsugikuni Michikatsu had not chosen to betray them, but instead had honestly appealed to Tsugikuni Yoriichi's sympathies, Out of affection for his brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi might have taught the Immortal Breathing to Tsugikuni Michikatsu.

Although the Immortal Breathing was difficult for ordinary people to master, given Tsugikuni Michikatsu's aptitude, the chances of him learning it were very high.

But now that Tsugikuni Michikatsu had revealed the ugliness of human nature, Tsugikuni Yoriichi would not teach him the method to extend his life, nor would he even mention it.

"One can only say that fate plays tricks on people."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped dwelling on these trivial matters and turned his attention to his system.