Dazzling scarlet flames formed a circle as the blade swept straight across Gyokko's neck. The powerful clash rang out like metal striking metal. Tanjiro leaped up, driving diagonally downward with the strength of his entire body.
Squelch! The head flew into the air in an instant.
It traced an arc through the air and landed squarely on the ground.
Gyokko's severed head stared at his own body in disbelief, the tiny arms on either side struggling desperately.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
How could I have been beheaded so easily? I haven't even used my God's Hand yet, and I haven't shown my strongest form...
I can't accept this. I can't accept this!
Blood flowed, staining the damp cave floor.
A blood-drawing needle shot over from a distance and pierced Gyokko's body before it could disintegrate, collecting his blood.
Lu You walked over and retrieved the syringe once it had finished collecting blood.
"With this, your sister can turn back into a human, Tanjiro."
"Really?!"
At those words, Tanjiro's emotions, already surging from killing an Upper Rank, swelled even further. Tears shimmered in his eyes, and he did not know how to describe what he felt.
Was it relief, or did it feel too dreamlike to be real?
"Thank you, Big Brother You. For everything, all this time."
You don't need to thank me, Tanjiro. I'm only doing this for myself, Lu You thought.
"Tanjiro, if your sister turns back into a human, would you still be willing to fight demons?"
Lu You put away the syringe. Moss covered the damp cave floor, muffling their footsteps as the two walked outside. He glanced sideways and asked softly.
"You're still going to fight Muzan Kibutsuji to the death, aren't you, Big Brother You?"
"Yes. Ever since I learned these things existed, I understood that my mission here was to wipe them all out."
"You've always been helping me, Big Brother You. Now I want to help you too. Besides, I promised everyone I would kill Muzan Kibutsuji!"
"If Mom and the others are watching from heaven, I'm sure they'd support me too."
After everything he had experienced, Tanjiro was no longer a child whose family was his entire world. He also had his master, his friends, and Lu You and Giyu, who had always looked after him.
He would not stop fighting.
Lu You gently ruffled Tanjiro's hair.
"With your current strength, you won't be able to help me, Tanjiro. Once we get back, join the intensive training and recreate the power of Sun Breathing.
"The final battle isn't far off."
"Intensive training? I don't know what that is, but understood!"
The two headed back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters to hand the collected blood over to Shinobu Kocho and Tamayo.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Muzan sensed Gyokko's death, his expression twisting with cold fury. "Brainless trash. He knew the enemy was nearby, yet still dared to let his guard down.
"No, more to the point, why did he stay there instead of going to meet Akaza? Utterly idiotic."
Bang! The stone tiles beneath his feet shattered instantly.
No amount of anger would help. Two Upper Ranks were now missing, after all. He needed to find suitable demons to fill their places. What a nuisance.
Were the Upper Ranks really necessary?
The answer was yes, because he disliked doing things himself.
He had only ever had one goal: to conquer sunlight and become a perfect being.
As long as he had enough subordinates, the Demon Slayer Corps would have no time to bother him, and the search would be far more efficient than if he worked alone.
"None of it matters. They're nothing but rats in the sewers. Even if someone capable of killing an Upper Rank appears now and then, they'll turn to dust a century later."
His slit pupils cold, Muzan swept his sleeve back and turned away, eventually disappearing into the bustling city.
Time flew, and several months passed in the blink of an eye.
The six-month intensive training continued throughout.
One day, having just finished strength training, Tanjiro and the other two boys went to the Butterfly Mansion to have their injuries treated. There, they saw Nezuko standing in the sunlight.
Nezuko gave them a sweet smile.
"Big brother."
Tanjiro froze. Zenitsu froze too, while Inosuke clutched his stomach and burst out laughing.
She had actually done it-conquered sunlight...
This felt rather ominous, didn't it?
Inside, Tamayo looked worried. She knew Lu You's plan, but still felt it was too risky.
Whenever she thought about it, a chill ran down the back of her neck.
"If we lose, perhaps the Demon Slayer Corps will be destroyed once again. Then demons that have conquered sunlight will rapidly spread throughout the country, turning this island into a nation of demons.
"Miss Tamayo, that's what you're worried about right now, isn't it?"
Shinobu Kocho approached from the side, her voice gentle.
"Yes. I can never quite feel at ease."
"It's all right. Even if there's only the slightest chance, everyone is willing to stake their lives on it."
Such was the Demon Slayer Corps' determination to eradicate demons!
A thousand years of grievances had long since become more than hatred that could be put into words. This was a war that would never end until one side was dead.
"It seems you're all thoroughly prepared. Our medicine is just one final step away, too."
Tamayo's eyes flickered, her emotions surging.
"The final battle may be right before us."
Shinobu Kocho looked up at the azure sky, as though she could see her older sister quietly watching her, and could not help murmuring to herself:
"Keep going, Shinobu Kocho. You can do this. You must avenge your sister."
At the Ubuyashiki Estate, Oyakata-sama's illness was steadily worsening. His eyes half closed, he tried to perceive the indistinct future, but could see only a blank.
"Cough, cough!"
As he coughed several times, Amane hurriedly rubbed his back.
"Ever since You arrived, I've no longer been able to sense that hazy future. It makes me a little uneasy.
"But it also fills me with excitement, because it represents a certain possibility. What a contradictory world this is."
Cold sweat beaded on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's forehead as he reflected softly. As that moment drew nearer, the fighters were far from the only ones who felt nervous.
The sky was clear and blue, the sunlight warm.
Holding Nezuko's hand, Lu You slowly walked out of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
"You will change this world. I firmly believe that."
Giyu Tomioka sat cross-legged in his room, his hand resting on his sword.
"If there aren't any demons, maybe I'll be able to date normally!"
The Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, spoke nervously under her breath.
"I pray that all goes smoothly. Namu Amida Butsu."
The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, pressed his palms together, tears filling his eyes.
"Tch. My Nichirin Blade has been thirsting for blood for ages."
The Wind Hashira, Shinazugawa, bared his teeth in a savage grin.
"The final battle is fine, but don't keep staring at Kanroji."
The Serpent Hashira's expression darkened as he delivered his sharp-tongued, prickly remark.
"Even if it's our final performance, it still has to be flashy enough. You, I knew I was right about you."
The Sound Hashira laughed heartily.
"A fine battle. Even my blood is boiling. Let's give it our all together, You!"
The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, smiled and raised a finger.
"Will I really remember what happened in the past?"
The Mist Hashira asked with a blank, innocent look.
"Big Brother You, although I've always been a little afraid of you because of what happened with Kaigaku, thank you for accepting me. And thank you even more for believing in me."
"I'll definitely do what you asked me to do.
"Gramps, I won't back down anymore..."
Zenitsu Agatsuma held his sword, his fingers trembling slightly as he quietly regulated his breathing.
"Goo goo, ga ga! Once this is over, we have to have a match." Inosuke showed no sign of nervousness.
"You've been preparing for this day for a long time, haven't you? You've wanted it to come more than any of us. Thank you, You, for giving me this chance."
Shinobu Kocho watched gently as Lu You and Nezuko gradually disappeared from view, silently speaking those words in her heart.
"Muzan, I'm coming for you."
Before you continue