The slashes of Moon Breathing filled every corner of the space like an endless tide.
Gyomei Himejima swung the Iron Ball and Meteor Hammer in an impenetrable defense, every collision with a Moon Blade erupting in a deafening roar. Sanemi Shinazugawa was like a crazed beast, drenched in blood, yet still swinging his Nichirin Blade as he charged madly toward that figure as unshakable as a mountain.
Even with their Demon Slayer Marks activated, even though both were among the Demon Slayer Corps' finest Hashira, they still seemed so powerless before Upper Rank One, Kokushibo.
Farther away, Muichiro Tokito knelt on one knee. His left arm had been severed at the shoulder, and blood stained his uniform red, but he still gripped his Nichirin Blade with his remaining right hand, trying to stand again.
"Not bad... You have honed your Fighting Spirit to its utmost." Kokushibo's six eyes regarded the three calmly, his tone carrying a trace of acknowledgment for the strong. "But this is as far as you go."
His figure flickered as he slipped past Himejima and Shinazugawa's pincer attack, appearing before Muichiro Tokito in an instant.
The Demon Blade rose high, ready to take the gifted swordsman's head in the next moment.
"Muichiro!" Gyomei Himejima's eyes stretched wide with anguish.
It was over.
That was the thought that arose in everyone's mind.
Yet the expected downward slash never came.
Clang-!
A clear ring of clashing metal rang out.
A figure had appeared between Kokushibo and Muichiro Tokito, though no one knew when.
He held a long blade wreathed in Purple Lightning, effortlessly blocking the Demon Blade that could cleave through anything.
It was Sasuke.
"Our duel isn't over yet."
Sasuke looked at Kokushibo, the Rinnegan in his left eye unperturbed, as though he were merely stating a