"I can't hold on much longer! Now! Everyone!"
Uesugi Sasuke's voice, like a star that had exhausted all its fuel, became a hoarse, almost inaudible message after its final outburst, searing itself into the mind of every survivor on the battlefield.
His body had lost all its strength, and the blood spilling from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth rapidly congealed in the cold wind before dawn. The Six-Tomoe Rinnegan that had shone with divine majesty was now as dim as a gemstone covered in thick dust.
The enormous prison of flesh created by Chibaku Tensei was throbbing violently, its surface constantly bulging and tearing with sounds that set teeth on edge. Muzan Kibutsuji's undying will to survive was frantically eating away from within at this prison built with divine power.
Was it over?
Was this as far as they could go?
Tanjiro gasped for breath, his lungs feeling as though they had been filled with scorching iron sand. Kyojuro's Flame Breathing had shielded him from fatal attacks, but his body had long since reached its limit. Sasuke's desperate roar struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
No.
Not yet.
Mr. Sasuke had already done everything he could. With that broken body, he had created this one-in-ten-thousand chance for everyone.
I have to answer him.
Move! Tanjiro Kamado! Move!
He struggled, trying to tighten his grip on his Nichirin Blade again. Its hilt was covered in blood and sweat, so slippery he could barely hold it.
Just as his consciousness was about to scatter, the entire world seemed to have been paused.
The clamorous battlefield vanished. Muzan's roars, his companions' shouts, and Sasuke's labored breathing all became distant background noise.
He saw it.
On a quiet, snowy night, his father dragged his ailing body through the swirling snow to offer