Searing pain swept through that half of his body. Even with Kokushibo's physical resilience, the flames had burned away one arm and the section from his shoulder to his right abdomen. He had already passed Kyokokukamusari to his left hand, however, so his weapon suffered no further damage.
The effects of Sun Breathing became apparent. The burned-away portion of his body regenerated slowly, but since he had not been struck directly by the Bright Red Nichirin Blade, it continued to recover despite the reduced speed.
Had Chiba Yo's Bright Red Nichirin Blade struck him directly, its power combined with Sun Breathing might have left Kokushibo with wounds that would linger for centuries, just like Muzan's.
Chiba Yo did not let the opportunity slip away. He surged forward, closing the distance between himself and Kokushibo again. Although he had quite a few ranged attacks, they were less powerful and less effective at suppressing a demon's regeneration.
Damn it... my regeneration is being suppressed...
Having spent years with Yoriichi, Kokushibo naturally understood how Sun Breathing countered demons, but this was his first time experiencing its power firsthand.
"Moon Breathing, Tenth Form: Drilling Slashes, Moon Through Bamboo Leaves!"
With Chiba Yo right before him, Kokushibo swung Kyokokukamusari in his left hand. Two enormous, moon-shaped waves of sword energy spiraled across each other as they shot from the blade toward the charging Chiba Yo.
"Sun Breathing, Fifth Form: Inferno Mirror Wall."
Still advancing, Chiba Yo casually swung his blade. A circular mirror of flame appeared before him, blocking the moon-shaped sword energy that slammed into it and gradually engulfing it in fire.
But that was not the end. Chiba Yo swept his Nichirin Blade across the flaming mirror before him, and the flames immediately clung to his sword.
"**Sun Breathing, Seventh Form: Mirror-Turning Flame