With its even stronger Mental Power, the Transparent World of the Meikyō, with its wider scope, has already seen the appearance of Kokushibo's resurrection.
In the original timeline, Kokushibo saw his current appearance through the reflection of his sword blade and died because he was so ugly.
In reality, it's about seeing oneself in one's current state, which is completely contrary to one's original dream of becoming the strongest samurai. One feels that one's current monstrous appearance is not worthy of being called a samurai, and the obsession in one's heart dissipates, naturally turning into ashes and dying.
However, Meikyō is not sure whether Kokushibo will still act this way now.
"Perhaps... the surprise prepared for Muzan Kibutsuji will also be effective against Kokushibo."
The image of Tsugikuni Yoriichi's face, representing Yoriichi Type Zero -0, flashed through Meikyō's mind.
Thinking of this, Meikyō made a mudra with her hands.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
A wisp of white smoke appeared, and Meikyō had transformed into a young samurai with a deep red high ponytail, red irises, a pair of pendants hanging from his ears, and wearing a red haori.
"Oh, right, and this too."
Meikyō took out the charcoal-black Nichirin Blade from among the several swords tied to her back.
"That should make them exactly the same."
Seeing the sounds of two people and a ghost fighting in the distance, Meikyō rushed forward without stopping.
"Sun Breathing, Tenth Form, Shining Light!"
"Stone Breathing, Fifth Form: Tile Wheel Gyobu!"
Rengoku Kyojuro and Himejima Gyomei both leaped up and slashed at Kokushibo below.
"Moon Breathing - Tenth Form - Piercing Face Moon Slash!"
Kokushibo unleashed two massive slashes with one hand, once again repelling the two.
"How pitiful, brother."
A sigh followed by steady footsteps caused Kokushibo to pause in his pursuit, then slowly turn his head.
Before him stood a young man whose appearance was almost identical to his own when he was human, who was walking towards him, holding a charcoal-black Nichirin Blade upside down.
"This sword... it's your sword, Yuan Yi... is that you? But I remember you're already dead!"
Kokushibo stared in disbelief at Tsugikuni Yoriichi's face, which had become blurred by hundreds of years of memories yet remained incredibly familiar.
"Brother, do you still remember what you said back then?"
"What... did I say back then?"
"Kokushibo, looking confused."
Even more confused than them were Rengoku Kyojuro and Himejima Gyomei.
Who the hell is this? Kokushibo from before? And judging from what he's saying, is he his brother?
How did he live for so many years? Was he a ghost too?
Regardless, the two took advantage of this time to quickly recover their strength.
"When I was a child, I asked my brother about his dream while he was practicing swordsmanship. He said that his dream was to become the strongest warrior. I said, then I will become the second strongest warrior."
Kokushibo stood there blankly, lost in memories.
"But brother, look at yourself now, do you still look like a warrior?"
Meikyō placed the charcoal-black Nichirin Blade horizontally in front of him.
This hideous monster before me... is it me? My initial dream, the strongest samurai...?
Through the reflection of the light, Kokushibo saw his own reflection on the sword. He was speechless. When he came to his senses, his body had already begun to rot, and the part that fell to the ground turned to ashes.
"I've heard that before a person dies, they see the spirits of their closest loved ones. Yuan Yi... are you here to take me away?"
A slight smile suddenly appeared on Kokushibo's ugly face.
He finally let go of his obsession, and his entire body turned to ashes and vanished with the wind, leaving only a few tattered purple-black feathers and a repaired bamboo flute lying on the ground.
"Phew... I didn't make a move, otherwise I would have spent too much energy on this guy, and I don't know how much time it would have taken for Muzan Kibutsuji to recover, or how much of his strength would have been left."
Meikyō let out a long breath, and then saw Rengoku Kyojuro and Himejima Gyomei at him menacingly.
What are you doing?
"Who are you? Are you a human or a ghost?!"
Rengoku Kyojuro shouted loudly.
Meikyō twitched the corner of her mouth, then Hand Seals to dispel the Transformation Jutsu, and said helplessly:
"It is I, Uchiha Meikyō."
"This..."
Himejima Gyomei and Rengoku Kyojuro looked at each other in bewilderment.
"How did you become like that, and how did you know that person was the younger brother of Upper Rank One?"
In the end, it was Rengoku Kyojuro, who was more familiar with Meikyō, who first voiced his doubts.
"As an excellent ninja, disguise and intelligence gathering are the most basic required courses, right?"
That seems to make sense?
Rengoku Kyojuro scratched his head.
"Namo Amitabha, so that's how it is... But compared to you, why do I feel that Uzui and you are completely different professions? Shouldn't you both be ninjas?"
"I can't help but complain," said Himejima Gyomei.
"Kyōjurō, Kyōjurō, Gyomei and Meikyō, Gyomei and Meikyō! Upper Rank Biwa Demon capable of controlling space has been spotted two kilometers to the left, and Muzan Kibutsuji has been spotted six kilometers to the right!"
Shortly after they dealt with Kokushibo, a Kasugai Crow flew over the three of them and cried out repeatedly.
What is Muzan Kibutsuji's current situation?
Meikyō looked up at the Kasugai Crow in the sky and asked.
Soon, the Kasugai Crow relayed Ubuyashiki Kagaya's original words.
"Muzan Kibutsuji is currently hiding inside a heart-shaped fleshy ball to detoxify. Kochō Shinobu and Shinazugawa Sanemi have arrived at the scene and are beginning to destroy the fleshy ball!"
"In that case, I have a suggestion."
Meikyō turned his head and spoke to the two men and the crow.
"Kochō Shinobu and Shinazugawa have started destroying Muzan Kibutsuji's hiding place. This will delay Muzan Kibutsuji's detoxification and cause him to appear Muzan Kibutsuji. My plan is for Kyōjurō and Gyomei to go to Muzan Kibutsuji's location with the other Pillars to make initial progress, while I will go and deal with the Upper Rank Demon who can only control space."
"This... Meikyō, you are clearly the strongest. Shouldn't you be the one to hold off Muzan Kibutsuji first, and we should go and kill that Upper Rank demon?"
Rengoku Kyojuro, puzzled.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who was hiding in the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and watching this scene through the Kasugai Crow, had the same doubts in his heart.
Of course, they believed that Meikyō was definitely not afraid of Muzan Kibutsuji.
"It's simple. If we can't kill Muzan Kibutsuji directly, then the only way to kill him is with sunlight. But where can we find sunlight here?"
Meikyō explained calmly.
"Since that Upper Rank Demon has the ability to control space, it's very likely that she's the one who teleported us here. Only by controlling her can we teleport Muzan Kibutsuji and the others out. As for how to control that Biwa demon woman..."