That Year, the Guy with the Slicked-Back Hair Used X Kyoka Suigetsu

Below the bright moon,

A bright spot of light was steadily rising into the night sky.

It climbed higher and higher.

The higher you climb, the brighter it gets.

Before even reaching the halfway point, it was already the size of the moon.

The light and heat that burst forth in the pitch-black midnight created an unprecedented scene of "two moons in the sky"!

"Anada, what is this?"

"Tap... tap..." The night was broken, revealing a corner of the blue sky. Inside the house, Kie, who was still grieving over Roy's departure, couldn't sleep. So she lit a lamp and, using the few pieces of cloth Roy had bought from the market, started making clothes for each of the children in the family. Suddenly, she saw this scene, her hand trembled, and she pricked her finger with the needle. The pain made her furrow her brow slightly. She put on her clothes and came to Tanjuro's side in shock.

The man had long, fiery red hair cascading down his back, the ends swaying gently in the wind. He looked up as Roy transformed into the moon and soared higher and higher. In his bright eyes, as his gaze shifted, he seemed to see... someone with equally fiery red hair, almost identical to his own... He opened his mouth, reached out and put his arm around Kie's shoulder, and smiled.

"Kie, the child is grown up, just let him be. He,"

"They are far stronger and more radiant than we imagined!"

As soon as Tanjuro finished speaking, Roy's Nen Qi surged and billowed, directly dispelling half of the night sky. With a display more terrifying, brighter, and hotter than the moon, it swept it down with a whoosh, transforming into a Great Sun hanging above its head!

Finally, the darkness of the other half of the sky was completely swept away by Roy's relentless barrage of thoughts from the CD player.

At this moment, in the dead of night, the blue sky and white clouds rushed into my hazy vision. People getting up in the middle of the night, selling breakfast, and men, women, young and old who habitually work late into the night, were all trying to finish their auxiliary work before dawn, as usual. But then... they looked up at the sky and froze on the spot, almost thinking that they had woken up too late and slept straight through to daybreak.

But... the clock hanging on the wall,

The water clock and gnomon used to keep time were constant reminders to them that this was not morning, but... midnight!

So... how did the sun come out?

"Old woman/darling/ Nii-san /fighting-san... wake up, wake up... God... miracle... the great Sun God has descended upon the world once more!" Confusion, excitement, clamor, and shouts swept across the entire Demon Slayer world like a hurricane, reaching every corner of the land... Some worshipped, some prostrated themselves, some burned incense, hands clasped together, chanting incantations, while others frantically snapped photos of a newly produced rare device called a "camera," recording this extraordinary spectacle of "sun and moon shining together" from every angle... Demon Slayer Corps...

With Muzan's death,

The Demon Slayer Corps has no more Demon to kill.

Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who had previously served as the leader, took the initiative to suggest that everyone disperse and await the next summons from "Eiichiro".

At that time, in that Wisteria Forest, Ubuyashiki Kagaya was fast asleep, embracing Amane.

At that time, Giyu Tomioka returned to Mount Sagiri and was drinking all night with his fellow disciples, including Makoto Wakato.

At that time, Obanai Iguro tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night, secretly encouraging herself and thinking about confessing her feelings to Kanroji Mitsuri.

At that time, Himejima Gyomei quietly returned to the temple where he had once stayed, reminiscing about the bitter past and appreciating the present.

At that time, Uzui Edge was enjoying the pleasure of sleeping together with his wife.

but

The moment Roy soared into the sky, reaching the heavens, as if rehearsed beforehand, everyone simultaneously opened their eyes, threw on their clothes, rose abruptly, and slipped out of the house. Looking up at the sky, they squinted their eyes with excitement.

Looking into the depths of the sun through [Concentration], a head of signature fiery red hair danced wildly upside down...

Led by Ubuyashiki Kagaya Rengoku Kyojuro, the Pillars knelt on one knee in unison, their right hands on their chests, and devoutly chanted, "Praise the Sun." Suddenly, streams of [Power of Faith] emerged from their crowns, converging towards Roy Takaten, transforming into a series of notification sounds that echoed continuously in Roy's ears.

[Hint: "Power of Faith" +1 +1 +1...]

It seems,

From then on,

The billions of living beings, represented by the Demon Slayer crew, have gained... Faith!

"Buzz~" The wind of Nen Qi, along with streaks of light, dispersed the white clouds... High in the sky, above the moon, Roy stood at the pinnacle of the world, vaguely sensing something. His brows trembled, and he gained a deeper understanding of "thought," "Faith," and the core that pointed directly to the depths of his soul—the sun.

Vaguely, the [Gate of Cognition] flickers.

As a surging wave appeared in Roy's "Sea of Cognition," it slapped open a tall gate branded with the [Grimacing Ghost Mask],

Soul Reaper world

Seireitei,

The world is still the same world, and the Seireitei beneath my feet is still the familiar Seireitei.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sat cross-legged on the veranda of the small courtyard, basking in the sun.

Since his last parting with Roy, and witnessing Roy's "grateful" slash, this greatest Grim Soul Reaper of the millennium has frequently been lost in thought. Sometimes he'd suddenly freeze in the middle of a meeting, sometimes he'd drift off into a daze while listening to a report, and even... his favorite tea parties were met with a lack of interest from this "Captain-General," who would often stand silently, stroking his long beard. Kyoraku and Ukitake secretly wondered if the old man was suffering from dementia, and they discreetly inquired through Sasakibe Chojiro, who was very familiar with Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

However, he was completely ignored by the other party's inscrutable gaze, who simply said, "The captain is fine, don't worry."

They looked at each other blankly and sent them away...

Today was another mild and sunny afternoon.

In the small courtyard behind the First Division barracks...

As usual, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sat cross-legged in the wooden veranda of the small courtyard, his antique Ryujin Jakka seal, beside him... basking in the sun with his eyes closed.

In front of him,

Dressed in Shihakusho with a high-necked shirt underneath, white-haired and with golden eyes, the Sasakibe Chojiro sometimes dressed in a Western style, was tending to two potted plants in front of him as usual, chatting idly with the old man.

Mentioning the concern shown by the Soul Reaper, including Kyoraku and Ukitake, he gently advised the old man, "Jisai, you've been going a bit too far lately... If this continues, Kyoraku and Ukitake might just bring Unohana out of the sky..."

The fourth division captain, Unohana Retsu, is a medical specialist... skilled in treating illnesses, however...

"I'm not sick."

"I'm not saying you're sick." Sasakibe Chojiro helplessly turned to look at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni: "Everyone is concerned about you. Even Kenpachi Zaraki his impulsive nature, can tell something's wrong with you. He's been asking you to practice your swordsmanship every time, and you've refused. He's almost going crazy."

"Crazy? Good thing he's crazy..." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni Youyou opened his old eyes, looked up at the sky, the Great Sun shone brightly, the sunlight was just right, just like the day he first met the Sun-Earring Boy. Now, recalling it, it felt like a dream, and also like being possessed.

Is it fake?

Obviously not.

"But what if it's true,"

Even with his immense influence and connections, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who was stationed in the Seireitei, couldn't find a trace of the Sun-Earring Boy in the mortal Human World, let alone that garden or that dazzling sword that was almost identical to his own, burning with fierce flames!

The old man fell into a daze again. Seeing this, Chojiro, the Sasakibe Chojiro, finally couldn't stand it anymore. He unusually overstepped his bounds and, as the vice-captain and an old friend, asked the old man, "What did you see inside the door that day that made you so distracted?"

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's sharp and imposing brows twitched, but he remained silent and did not answer.

He reached out a withered hand and placed it on his chest, feeling the heart that, despite over two thousand years of erosion, still beat steadily, hoping it would once again experience an unusual erratic movement... Speak of the devil, and he appears... Suddenly... a portal overflowing with light slowly emerged once more from the sunlight.

The old man was startled, his tall frame jolting violently. Then... he abruptly stood up and grabbed Ryujin Jakka beside him! "What's wrong, Zizai?" Sasaki no Nakajiro frowned, and, as if on cue, blurted out, "The door... which door?" Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni remained silent, his gaze sweeping past Sasakibe Chojiro's shoulder and fixing on his back.

Sasakibe Chojiro, involuntarily narrowed his golden eyes, abruptly following the old man's gaze... Behind him, there was nothing but sunlight, leaving him with nothing but emptiness...

"You can't see it," Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni said quietly, "It was opened just for me, and... and only for me..." Sasakibe Chojiro: "..."

have no choice,

He stood alone, carrying the showerhead, and made way for her.

"Then don't keep people waiting."

The portal was right before his eyes, yet he couldn't see it or touch it... For Sun-Earring Boy, Sasakibe Chojiro had never encountered such a situation. He understood Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, so he simply and decisively sidestepped, letting the old man brush past his shoulder, and walked straight towards the portal he couldn't see. Just as the old man, with his long beard trailing behind him, firmly grasped the cane concealing Ryujin Jakka, and half of his body disappeared into the portal...

Suddenly, he called out, "Zi Zhai, I'm waiting for you to come back. I hope you can give me an answer."

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni paused, neither agreeing nor refusing, then lifted his foot, bathed in the overflowing light, and disappeared into the portal... Youyou breeze rose, carrying spiritual energy that filled the sky...

Watching him leave, Sasakibe Chojiro bowed slightly, then turned back and looked intently at the wooden corridor. As expected... the old man's spirit was gone, but his body remained seated cross-legged in the corridor, an eerie sight!

It should be understood that Soul Reaper is a single life form composed of a pure collection of high spiritual particles; its essence is the soul!

But that "invisible door" is what allows Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni "!

Once again, this overturned the common sense and understanding of Sasakibe Chojiro as Soul Reaper!

He stretched out a hand, grasped a wisp of spiritual energy, and murmured, "If the Soul Reaper can truly die, then is there any need for [Konso]?"

(Note: [Konso]: Due to excessively high Reiatsu, the soul cannot decompose naturally or return to the Soul Society. It must be sent to Hell through a Konso Reisai Konso Reisai. In Hell, they will become "Togabito," enduring endless torment and battles until their sins are purified.) He loosened his grip again, letting that wisp of spiritual energy flow away...

After watering the flowers, he, like last time, secretly became more vigilant and sat down cross-legged next to Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, remaining alert until Yamamoto returned.

Flying, flying... "Squeak~" The "Gate of Bleach" standing in Roy's Sea of Cognition opened a crack, allowing a wisp of consciousness to flow out...

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stepped through the door when he began to stumble and fall, almost as before. When he regained his senses, just like last time, the first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was a familiar figure!

However, this time,

The Sun-Earring Boy didn't carry a knife; instead, he was even more... radiant than when they last met in the garden!

Even Scorching Heat,

Even more unbearable to look at.

Even more unbelievable,

Like the sun, it made him involuntarily squint and grip the Ryujin Jakka in his hand!

"You don't wield a knife, yet you become a knife yourself... You are not the sun, yet you transform into its blazing heat..." The old man's long beard swayed in the wind as he took a step forward, standing beside the Sun-Earring Boy high in the sky, facing his light and heat directly... As thoughts drifted, it seemed as if he had returned to that lush green garden. Only this time, the Sun-Earring Boy's black hair had turned red, as if it were ablaze, and he no longer stood with his back to him, drawing his sword to the sky to absorb the sun's essence.

Instead, he used his own body as the yang, burning himself out... After a long separation, the Transformation were so great, he was like a completely different person!

"..." The wind and light blew... as Roy gradually absorbed the [essence of the sun] and [World Power] brought by the Spider Lily.

The Sun-Earring Boy listened to the panel's notification sound, which indicated...

[The Spider Lily has finished absorbing the essence.]

[Number of flowers remaining: 1745]

Roy's eyebrows twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes... Sensing something, he turned his head to look, guided by the overflowing light. "Whoosh!" Two Great Sun leaped out from the depths of his pupils, more dazzling, blinding, and intense than ever before... far more domineering!

Zhan Yan smiled at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, revealing two rows of white teeth. "Good evening, we meet again."

Night? Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's sharp, weathered eyes, etched with the marks of time, faced the Great Sun without flinching or avoiding it, and he chuckled... The laughter echoed, heavy and deep, seemingly capable of creating a crater if it fell to the ground. He glanced casually at the darkness, now vanished without a trace, and said, his back to the blue sky and white clouds, "Sun-Earring Boy, this doesn't seem like nighttime."

Just call me Roy.

"Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni."

"I know."

"I don't know if you know." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni Ryujin Jakka, looked at him intently and said, "Roy, can you tell me where this is?"

Human World? Dream? Or the Cognitive World?

Roy's mind raced, and he withdrew the recklessly unleashed Nen Qi. Then...

The sun disappeared, the divine light dimmed, and night returned. The Sun-Earring Boy, with his back to the bright moon, reached out with his right hand and tucked it into his hair, pulling his long, fiery red hair back. He winked playfully at Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and said, "What is false may be true, and what is true may be false; what is nothing may be something, and what is something may be nothing." "Why bother with what?"

"Captain, you can treat this place as reality within illusion, or you can treat it as illusion within reality,"

"Just like..."

"A mirage!"