When Kokushibo returned to the Infinity Castle alone.
Muzan, who happened to be in the guise of a geisha, immediately darkened.
Because he was the only one who had returned. The human swordsman using Sun Breathing whom Muzan had seen earlier...
Was nowhere beside him.
At first, the Demon King thought his diligent subordinate had hidden the man somewhere rather than bringing him straight in.
But when he saw the equally grim look on Kokushibo's face.
Muzan understood at once.
"Kokushibo... so, where is the person I wanted?"
His scarlet eyes fixed on Upper Rank One.
Even this supreme swordsman from four hundred years ago felt tremendous pressure.
"That swordsman using the same Breathing Style as Yoriichi..."
"Where is he now?"
Kokushibo lowered his eyes. "My apologies... Lord Muzan."
"I failed you... and let that man escape."
Several veins immediately bulged across the Demon King's currently exquisite face.
He had already been preparing to summon all the Twelve Kizuki back.
To witness the Sun Breathing Successor's fall together.
And now his most trusted subordinate was telling him... the man had escaped?
Did he know how excited, how exhilarated Muzan had been?
It was like being about to enjoy a long-awaited feast, with knife and fork already in hand.
Only to watch the waiter carry away the entire meal before him.
Without getting a single bite!
Muzan grew extraordinarily furious.
"Kokushibo, I trusted you so much."
"What? Have these centuries of practicing swordsmanship actually made you worse?"
Muzan took a deep breath.
Forcing down his anger, he began peering into Kokushibo's memories.
After all, the one before him was the most earnest and diligent of all the Twelve Kizuki.
He could not be too harsh on him.
But asking him to simply swallow this...
Was something Muzan truly could not do.