The resolve to die

Bottom of the Infinity Castle.

A wide platform.

Muzan sat quietly on his throne.

for a long time.

Step, step, step...

One after another, heavy and steady footsteps echoed from afar.

A tall figure gradually emerged from the shadows, with a meteor hammer and a broad axe hanging on either side of his waist.

Gyomei slowly forward, finally stopping about thirty meters away from the other party.

At this distance, if he moved even a little closer, his meteor hammer and broad axe could strike his opponent. And at this distance, even if his opponent suddenly attacked, he would have ample time to dodge.

Sensing the well-dressed man sitting in the chair, and the multiple hearts and brains circulating within his body, Gyomei with a slightly heavy tone:

"Oni... Butsuji... Muzan!"

"Yes, that's right, I am the Muzan Kibutsuji you're looking for!" Muzan replied with a light laugh.

Gyomei was silent for a moment, then slowly asked:

Did you specifically send me to you?

Muzan raised his index finger and tapped lightly on the armrest of his seat, chuckling softly:

"That's right, I remember you. When Kokushibo and the Kato Teiichi, you rushed over there!"

"So what?"

Muzan asked, "So, you are the only Demon Slayer in this era, besides Kato Teiichi, who still catches my eye?"

Come, become a ghost!

"I refuse!" Gyomei replied decisively.

"Oh? Can you tell me why?" Muzan asked with Muzan interest.

"There's no need for a reason to refuse becoming a ghost. I will never become a ghost!" Gyomei said firmly.

Muzan leaned to the right, his right elbow resting on the armrest. He slowly raised his arm, gently tapping the side of his head with his index finger. After thinking for a Muzan, he said:

"You can't accept ghosts eating people, right?"

"Isn't this just common sense?" Gyomei retorted.

"What if becoming a ghost meant you wouldn't eat people?"

"What do you mean?" Gyomei asked, frowning.

Muzan did not reply to Gyomei, but instead asked:

"That demon in your Demon Slayer Corps who overcame sunlight must have never eaten a human, right?"

"Nezuko has never eaten a person!" Gyomei replied decisively.

"So, as long as I eat her, I won't have to eat people anymore, and then you, whom I've turned into a demon, won't have to eat people either!" Muzan said, pointing at Gyomei.

"What... what kind of joke are you talking about?!" Gyomei gritted his teeth, trying his best to suppress his anger.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Muzan tilted his head slightly, looking at Gyomei with some confusion.

Do you think this will atone for the sins you committed in the past?

Gyomei gritted his teeth as he spoke, but at this point, his anger seemed to be unable to be suppressed any longer, and he roared:

"No! The sins you've committed over the past thousand years cannot be simply forgiven by saying you won't eat people anymore!"

"Your existence is for today, for this moment, for this instant, to offer your death as a sacrifice to the souls of those you have murdered!!!"

"Looks like another one who's not quite right in the head!" Muzan said helplessly, pressing his right hand against his cheek.

Then, he gently raised his left hand.

With a hissing sound, flesh and blood burst open and crashed into Gyomei.

Gyomei swiftly leaped to the side, taking the weapon from his waist as he did so.

"Stone Breathing, Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice!"

Whoosh!

The meteor hammer, accompanied by a whooshing sound, slammed straight towards Muzan.

Muzan's expression remained unchanged as he continued to sweep his already swollen left hand toward Gyomei's position.

Call--!

The massive, fleshy arm swept across, instantly knocking away the meteor hammer that was originally heading Muzan for Muzan.

Then the massive fleshy arm paused slightly before crashing down directly towards Gyomei.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...

Flutter!

Flutter!

Flutter!

Shinobu Kocho hopped rapidly between the houses, her head constantly turning from side to side, as if searching for something.

Unless a team member is in danger, she has no intention of stopping even when passing by a haunted house.

Her only mission upon entering the Infinity Castle was to find Nakime!!!

This is why, after entering, she immediately borrowed strength from her sister and quickly jumped to the nearby house.

Because, as long as she is a living being, even if she is a ghost, she knows to seek advantage and avoid harm!

Therefore, she would absolutely not be waiting below while the pillar was falling.

However, despite this.

Shinobu Kocho slightly raised her head, looking up at the countless houses above.

"I wonder how much longer we'll have to search!" Shinobu Kocho frowned slightly.

Shinobu Kocho continued her search, and after an unknown amount of time, the Kasugai Crow beside her suddenly spoke.

"Lord Shinobu, Nakime is in this direction! Nakime is in this direction!"

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!...

The deep blue fist shadows flowed like water, relentlessly striking Kyojuro and his companions.

The considerable speed and power transmitted from the Nichirin Blade; the familiar, icy touch of the fist; that fiery yet resolute gaze...

Everything gradually brought Akaza a sense of joy. A wide smile spread across Akaza's face as he looked at Kyojuro before him and chuckled:

"Great job, Kyojuro! You've improved a lot since the last time I met you!"

"Flame Breathing - Second Form - Rising Scorching Sun!"

Kyojuro swung his sword in a sword-fighting motion, blocking Akaza's attack, before replying:

"We've been undergoing rigorous and arduous training these past few days to kill you!!"

Clang! Clang! Clang!...

"Even arduous training can't bridge the gap between us!" Akaza grinned.

"Ah! I know!" Kyojuro replied, then swung his Nichirin Blade forward with both hands.

Clang!

"Therefore, we all came in with the determination to die, in order to annihilate you!!!" Kyojuro said firmly.

"Yes, that's right! That's exactly how it should be! You have to fight with the determination to die!" Akaza laughed loudly.

"Kyojuro, listen up!"

"I have high hopes for you, so if you say you're willing to become a ghost before you die, I can make you a ghost with me anytime!!!"

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I would never say that, not even in my death!" Kyojuro replied firmly.

"Hahaha... Let's go then!"

Akaza laughed loudly.

"Blood Demon Art: Destructive Death - Disorder!"

"Flame Breathing - First Form - Unknowing Fire!"

Happy New Year!