Struggling on the Brink of Death (Happy New Year, everyone! A 4,000-character chapter-please keep reading!)

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

Tsugikuni Yoriichi stared expressionlessly at Kibutsuji Muzan, who was already trapped in a desperate situation, and asked,

"What exactly do you think of life?!"

But Muzan had no mind to answer Tsugikuni Yoriichi. His heart was filled with terror and an overwhelming will to survive!

"No! No!"

"I'm the Demon King!"

"I'm a Perfect Being!"

"I won't die! I won't die!!"

The overwhelming urge to survive spurred Kibutsuji Muzan on. At one moment, his evil and powerful will to live broke through some boundary.

Then Tsugikuni Yoriichi heard Kibutsuji Muzan literally bite through his own back teeth.

The next second, like firecrackers exploding in a pit, Kibutsuji Muzan's body burst apart into a pile of crimson chunks of flesh.

As if they were alive, the chunks scattered in every direction at incredible speed, leaving no time to react as they tried to flee the area.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi frowned slightly at the sight. He had noticed Kibutsuji Muzan's movements long ago and had reacted accordingly.

"Clang!"

It was as if he'd made one slash—or countless slashes.

The instant Tsugikuni Yoriichi swung his sword, white blade-light filled the entire space, leaving no gaps around him.

When Tsugikuni Yoriichi stopped swinging and settled into his sheathing stance,

most of the chunks in the air and on the ground had already been sliced in two. They fell to the ground, completely lifeless.

But there were simply too many chunks that Kibutsuji Muzan had turned into.

Even Tsugikuni Yoriichi couldn't catch them all. He could only watch as a small number of chunks vanished into the forest.

"Alas."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi looked ashamed, though there was also a hint of relief.

"It seems that my strength alone still isn't enough."

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

"If Kibutsuji Muzan had escaped, the guilt would have weighed heavily on me..."

If Kibutsuji Muzan escaped this time, Tsugikuni Yoriichi could imagine him outliving Yoriichi with his long lifespan, then continuing to eat people without end.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's figure appeared silently around Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

More accurately, there wasn't just one figure—there were five Sarutobi Hiruzen clones.

Four of them stood at the corners of a square, their bodies radiating purple Chakra.

"Four Violet Flames Formation..."

Looking around the battlefield where Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Muzan had fought, a rectangular barrier of transparent purple flames had appeared at some point. It surrounded the whole area, including the small grove.

"Not at all..."

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

"I only made a small, insignificant contribution."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shrugged. Now that he knew how Kibutsuji Muzan had tried to escape, there were countless ways a Ninja could restrain him.

The Sealing Jutsu being used now, for example, was the famous Four Violet Flames Formation.

During his battle with Orochimaru, old Sarutobi Hiruzen had been completely unable to deal with this restraining barrier. Kibutsuji Muzan, already cut into chunks of flesh, stood even less of a chance.

"Sizzle!"

The sound of flesh burning rang out. Hundreds of chunks of flesh, engulfed in purple flames, swiftly gathered together in midair.

They reformed into a tumor-like head.

"Ah!"

Kibutsuji Muzan's scream rang through the night sky once more.

The Four Violet Flames Formation resisted both entry and escape. Anyone who touched the barrier would be burned by its purple energy flames.

The flames weren't as powerful against Muzan as sunlight, but they were far more intense than ordinary fire.

And the Four Violet Flames Formation covered every direction, with no blind spots. No matter whether Kibutsuji Muzan went up into the sky or down into the earth, he was helpless.

"Please! Spare me!"

After screaming, Kibutsuji Muzan's remaining head showed off his craven nature to the fullest. He had none of a Demon King's dignity and simply kowtowed, begging for mercy.

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

"I promise!"

Since his head had been reassembled, Kibutsuji Muzan's face was covered in cracks. Tears and snot streamed down his cheeks, making him look utterly ridiculous.

No one present was moved by Kibutsuji Muzan's pleas.

They weren't children. They were adults who understood the consequences of their choices. Naturally, they wouldn't suddenly show him mercy.

Besides Sarutobi Hiruzen, everyone there had lost family or friends to demons, and they hated those creatures deeply.

They knew that a promise not to eat people was as worthless as a fart.

"It's over."

"The Demon King..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi placed his hand on his sword hilt again, ready to deal Kibutsuji Muzan the final blow...

But Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped him.

"Let this guy die in the sunlight."

"That'll be safer, and it'll bring his evil life to a fitting end..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi nodded, agreeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had a point.

Compared with a Nichirin Sword, sunlight was what truly countered demons. Sunlight could also reach everywhere, so turning into chunks of flesh would do Muzan no good.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi no longer tried to draw his sword. Instead, he sat quietly to one side and closed his eyes to rest.

Though his eyes were closed, Tsugikuni Yoriichi kept the Transparent World active, watching Kibutsuji Muzan's every move.

If Kibutsuji Muzan made any unnecessary movements—

Muzan couldn't split himself into any more chunks now.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi would make him understand that his escape last time had been nothing but a fluke.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paid no attention to the Scum Boss, simply drawing a tube of blood from him to use in future research.

During the blood draw, Kibutsuji Muzan was very cooperative and obedient. He knew that in front of someone like Tsugikuni Yoriichi,

no move could be faster than Yoriichi's sword.

Kibutsuji Muzan begged and wept miserably for a long time. When he saw that no one would listen, he changed tactics.

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

"The Demon Slayer Mark is the result of burning through your lifespan!"

"Demon Slayer Mark swordsmen don't live long, and the mark can't be removed!"

"Spare me! Only by becoming a demon can you gain an endless lifespan!"

Kibutsuji Muzan's voice was no longer pitiful. Instead, it was full of temptation, constantly assailing everyone's minds.

"And demons aren't always afraid of sunlight!"

To survive, Kibutsuji Muzan revealed the secret he'd hidden for a hundred years.

"Just find a certain medicinal herb, and you can overcome the weakness to sunlight!"

"Then you can live forever in this world, free to go wherever you want!"

"That's not a demon—that's a god!"

Muzan's voice, filled with longing and resentment, echoed through the night sky like the devil's whisper.

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

Sarutobi Hiruzen curiously examined the structure of Kibutsuji Muzan's body.

A creature that can completely control its own body...

Even Guoshu's Breaking the Void and Seeing God and Not Breaking don't allow that kind of control over the body, do they...?

The others weren't nearly as calm. After all, immortality was a primal desire shared by all humans.

Not everyone was like Tsugikuni Yoriichi, naturally pure-hearted, without desires.

Nor was everyone like Sarutobi Hiruzen, with endless opportunities to explore different worlds and little reason to worry about his lifespan.

Hearing Kibutsuji Muzan's seductive words, Masahiro's mouth went dry.

Muzan wasn't just talking about becoming a demon. He was offering the chance to become a Perfect Being who wasn't afraid of the sun.

Fortunately, though Masahiro was tempted, he still had some sense left. As a veteran of the Demon Slayer Corps, he knew all too well that demons couldn't be trusted.

Meanwhile, on Tsugikuni Michikatsu's side...

Tsugikuni Yoriichi suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"Brother..."

"What are you doing?!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's expression was conflicted. He had clearly struggled between conscience and desire.

But he still held his blade firmly against Masahiro's neck.

"I'm sorry, Yoriichi."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's voice was hoarse as he spoke slowly.

"That Demon Slayer Mark you mentioned..."

"Has already spread across my face."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu looked resolute, as if he'd completely convinced himself.

And indeed, a faint red glow was flickering at his temple.

His talent was second only to Tsugikuni Yoriichi's. After just a few days of learning the Breathing Style, he'd already reached the threshold of the Demon Slayer Mark.

But along with experiencing unprecedented strength, he'd also felt his life force slipping away. That had filled Tsugikuni Michikatsu with panic and fear.

"I'm still young. I don't want to die..."

"So..."

Tsugikuni Michikatsu spoke to Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

"Please spare that Demon King."

"Otherwise..."

"Your companion's life will be forfeit."

At first, Tsugikuni Michikatsu had wanted to take Sarutobi Hiruzen hostage. But Sarutobi Hiruzen's mysterious identity and unimaginable power made him wary.

As for Perfect 1, Sarutobi Hiruzen had sent him to wait at a distance, so that Kibutsuji Muzan wouldn't notice his existence and devour him while they were killing Muzan.

So Tsugikuni Michikatsu had no choice but to settle for taking Masahiro, who'd accompanied Sarutobi Hiruzen, hostage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled at the sight.

"Looks like no matter what a person has been through, their craven nature never changes."

Just like Kibutsuji Muzan and Tsugikuni Michikatsu here. Neither had experienced the events of the original story, yet both were still greedy for life and afraid of death.

And even with the Demon King's defeat all but certain, Tsugikuni Michikatsu still couldn't suppress his greed and betrayed his younger brother.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Lord Sarutobi..."

"Please show him mercy..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi hadn't understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, but he still apologized to him.

Ever since meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsugikuni Yoriichi seemed to have been apologizing constantly.

If personality tests existed in this era, Tsugikuni Yoriichi might well have been a people-pleaser.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't worried about Masahiro at all. Instead, he began forming Hand Seals.

His Hand Seals were unusually slow, though.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu saw Sarutobi Hiruzen's movements and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

"What are you doing?!"

"Don't you care about your companion's life?!"

Masahiro remained completely calm, just as unconcerned as Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"To think you'd consider me Lord Sarutobi's companion. I'm flattered."

"But trusting a demon really is beyond saving."

At the same time, Sarutobi Hiruzen completed his Ninjutsu.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Lightning Release: Lightning Dragon Bullet!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen spewed water and lightning from his mouth in succession. They converged in midair into a ferocious dragon of lightning and water.

"Compound Ninjutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"

The vicious water dragon, wreathed in crackling lightning, surged forward. In an instant, it crossed the distance and engulfed Tsugikuni Michikatsu.

"Damn it!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's expression changed. Faced with a dragon-shaped attack that looked like something from a legend, he instinctively threw Masahiro away,

trying to use him as a human shield to stop its advance.

But Masahiro, once thrown, turned into a puff of smoke, revealing a wooden log in his place.

The Lightning Water Dragon's claws instantly ground it to dust.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had deliberately slowed down his Hand Seals to give Masahiro time to use the Substitution Technique.

"What?!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu was stunned by the Substitution Technique, which he'd never seen before. While he was frozen in shock, the Lightning Water Dragon had already surrounded him.

The next second, the lightning instantly paralyzed Tsugikuni Michikatsu, and the water dragon's impact sent him flying.

He flew a hundred meters through the air and slammed headfirst into the Four Violet Flames Formation!

"Ah!"

Tsugikuni Michikatsu's body was instantly ignited by the Purple Flame on the barrier, leaving him in the same predicament Kibutsuji Muzan had just faced.

"Ah..."

A drawn-out sigh rang out, accompanied by a fierce rush of wind.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi had taken pity on his older brother and couldn't bear to see him suffer,

so he cleared the oxygen around Tsugikuni Michikatsu with the pressure of a blade's swing, extinguishing the flames on his body.

"How pitiful... my older brother."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi sighed again.

He didn't mean that Tsugikuni Michikatsu looked pitiful. He meant that his older brother's heart was pitiful for choosing to become a demon.

But Tsugikuni Michikatsu could no longer hear those words. He had already passed out.

Elsewhere, when Kibutsuji Muzan saw that his only supporter had fallen unconscious, he immediately broke down.

First, he hurled abuse at everyone present, raining down the most vicious curses.

Then he tried to lash out, but Tsugikuni Yoriichi easily cut him apart again, leaving him even weaker.

In the end, Kibutsuji Muzan, completely broken, returned to his old ways. He wept bitterly once more, endlessly repenting for the sins he had committed throughout his life in an attempt to cling to life.

But for those who had already experienced betrayal once, his words meant nothing. Everyone patiently waited for the sun to rise.

Several hours later,

amid Kibutsuji Muzan's wretched curses, the sunlight burned him to ash.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Masahiro both breathed a sigh of relief. The Demon King who had terrorized the world for a century had truly died.

At the same time, Tsugikuni Michikatsu actually regained consciousness. Seeing Kibutsuji Muzan's destruction, his face turned ashen, and he realized he wouldn't live much longer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen silently shook his head at the sight.

If Tsugikuni Michikatsu hadn't betrayed them and had instead appealed to Tsugikuni Yoriichi's sympathy,

then, out of affection for his older brother, Tsugikuni Yoriichi might have taught Tsugikuni Michikatsu Immortal Breathing.

Although ordinary people found Immortal Breathing difficult to learn, Tsugikuni Michikatsu had a good chance of mastering it with his talents.

But now that Tsugikuni Michikatsu had revealed the ugliness of human nature, Tsugikuni Yoriichi wouldn't teach him a way to prolong his life. He wouldn't even mention it.

"All I can say is that fate plays cruel tricks."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped concerning himself with these trivial matters and turned his attention to his system.