Like a god... like a demon...
Muzan's expression shifted between light and shadow, as if he were pondering Teiichi's words.
His eyes were sometimes confused, sometimes angry, as if he was trying to refute, but couldn't find the right words.
After a long silence, he suddenly waved his hand, as if to shake off the thoughts that were disturbing his mind. His gaze returned to Teiichi, his voice low and cold:
"Enough! Let's talk about this when I actually get the Blue Spider Lily!"
"Now, all you have to do is tell me whether you agree to the deal I just mentioned!"
Teiichi stood still, gazing intently at Muzan. His eyes held neither anger nor fear, only an indescribable calm.
After a long while, he sighed softly and stepped forward again.
Why! Why are you humans always so stupid!
Muzan's voice suddenly rose in pitch, carrying an almost frenzied roar.
"You have a chance for eternity right in front of you, yet you choose a short and painful life! What are you so fixated on?!"
Teiichi hand and walked forward with steady steps. His voice was calm and firm, as if stating a simple truth:
You'll never understand!
Life is meaningful because it is short!
The conversation has ended.
Whoosh--!
The gale raged wildly across the battlefield, as if it wanted to devour everything in its path.
Amidst the whistling wind, a barely audible thud rang out.
The next instant, Kokushibo's figure appeared in front of Teiichi, six eyes coldly staring at him.
"Moon Breathing - Sixteenth Form - Moonbow - Crescent Moon!"
Whoosh--!
The enormous alien blade, carrying several massive moon blades, slashed fiercely down at Teiichi.
The moon blade sliced through the air, emitting a piercing shriek, as if it were about to tear Teiichi apart completely.
Teiichi slowly raised her eyes and took a gentle breath.
"Wind Breathing - Modified - First Form - Wind Slash!"
Clang!
A sharp, piercing sound echoed outwards.
The enormous, alien blade was firmly held above by the Nichirin Blade, unable to move.
Teiichi's gaze passed over the intersecting blades and met Kokushibo's six eyes. The next instant, out of the corner of his eye, he caught another figure rapidly approaching.
"Destructive Death - Annihilation Style!"
Akaza's fist, carrying a dazzling blue light, slammed straight towards Teiichi.
Even before the fist arrived, the oppressive force caused the surrounding air to tremble.
Teiichi a slight loosening of his grip, he slammed his right foot against the ground, propelling himself rapidly backward.
However, Akaza clearly had no intention of giving up; his figure followed closely behind.
Teiichi quickly adjusted his grip on the knife, and then...
Clang! Clang!
Two precise strikes repelled Akaza.
However, before he could Teiichi his breath, his eyes turned and he saw a blood whip lashing out at him, and the Kokushibo rapidly approaching.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Four streaks of light—cyan, fluorescent blue, dark red, and scarlet—intertwined wildly in the center of the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
Time slips away, bit by bit.
Seeing that the battle situation showed no signs of improvement, Muzan's patience gradually wore thin, and his face grew increasingly gloomy.
"We can't delay any longer!" Muzan roared inwardly.
Even if Kato Teiichi is dealt with, there are still those pillars that need to be addressed.
And now that dawn is not far off, he can't afford to waste any more time!
With that thought in mind, Muzan abandoned his long-range attack and charged Teiichi.
Clang! Clang!
Teiichi his sword to block the attacks from Kokushibo and Akaza, then glanced at Muzan running towards him, and at the Muzan mouth on Muzan's body.
Hoo-hoo--!
Waaaaah--!
The ear-piercing roar and the howling wind rang out almost simultaneously.
The roar was contained within a few meters of Muzan by the Muzan wind, and could not affect Teiichi.
"Damn it!!!" Muzan roared, his face contorted in rage, before his figure moved closer to Teiichi once more.
Sensing Muzan's actions, Teiichi quickly manipulated a whirlwind to surround himself.
Clang! Clang! Sizzle!
The Nichirin Blade sliced across Muzan's body, leaving a trail of round beads of blood. This attack caught Teiichi guard, causing him to pause slightly.
However, at that very moment, a Muzan's face.
"Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Brambles!"
The blood droplets scattered in the air instantly connected, transforming into barbed wire that pierced Teiichi.
The wire moved extremely fast, closing in on Teiichi almost in the blink of an eye.
1 meter!
Half a meter!
30 centimeters!
20 cents...
Just as the wire was about to pierce Teiichi, the wind suddenly intensified.
The originally straight barbed wire was instantly derailed by the strong wind.
The expectation in Muzan's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by astonishment. He looked up at Teiichi and met his indifferent, cold eyes.
Whoosh--!
A head flew high into the air, Muzan's body remained frozen in place, as if he hadn't yet realized what had happened.
Teiichi slightly raised his eyes, his obsidian-like pupils meeting the scarlet pupils of the head flying in the air for a moment.
Originally Teiichi thought the human-transforming drug wouldn't have much of an effect on Muzan, just like in the original story, and that he would eventually be Muzan by Muzan. But now it seems...
The medicine seems to be working better than expected?
Teiichi glanced at Kokushibo and Akaza who were attacking him, then quickly kicked Muzan away.
He swung his Nichirin Blade backward, and as his muscles stretched, immense force coursed through the entire blade.
The next moment, a low shout suddenly rang out.
"Wind Breathing - Modified - Second Form - Wind Fall!"
Whoosh--!
A massive Wind Blade slashed straight forward from back to front, carrying an overwhelming force. Kokushibo and Akaza reacted swiftly, each unleashing their strongest attacks.
"Moon Breathing, Sixth Form: Everlasting Night, Lonely Moon, Unending!"
"Destructive Death - Annihilation Style!"
Clang--!
Blades clashed, and time seemed to stand still. The three people in the center of the battlefield remained frozen in their clashing blades for a moment.
The next instant, an invisible shockwave rippled outwards, and the three of them were all thrown back.
Teiichi quickly steadied himself, raised his Nichirin Blade, and gently ran his left hand over the blade.
"Wind Breathing - Modified - Sixth Form - Vibrating Blade!"
A brilliant blue light enveloped the Nichirin Blade, while a faint red hue gradually spread across it.
The original Teiichi to fight slowly and drag it out until dawn, since he knew he couldn't kill Muzan.
But... things are different now!
Suck--!
Teiichi stood still, took a deep breath, and then slowly raised his Nichirin Blade with both hands.
"Wind Breathing - Modified!"
Waaaaah--!
The gale roared wildly in the center of the battlefield.
A sense of unease gradually filled Muzan's heart, and his forward momentum came to a halt.
"Secret Technique!"
Teiichi's voice was cold and indifferent, carried by the gale to Muzan's ears.
The fear of being struck by Wind Blade months ago resurfaced in Muzan's mind, and that feeling of helplessness surged up in his heart again.
"Wind..."
"Cut..."
"Various..."
Muzan stood there, staring blankly at the figure in the distance.
The figure was backlit, its face blurred, only the haori fluttering in the wind and the Nichirin Blade held high, its blue and red colors shimmering.
That person just stood there quietly...
Like a god... like a demon...