Tsunayashiro Tokinada's eyes were wide open, filled with rage.
—Kaede!!
In an instant, a woman's voice, appearance, and smile flashed through Tokinada's mind like lightning.
Although this sudden image lasted only a brief moment, and the information contained in those few words was minimal, relying on his many years of keen intuition, he instantly knew who the newcomer was.
"Tōsen Kaname!"
He gritted his teeth as he spat out the name, his voice filled with anger and unwillingness.
However, his response was not words, but a second slash that followed closely behind.
With a "swish," a sharp blade wind swept past, and blood instantly gushed out, staining the ground.
"This slash is for the Shinigami who died unjustly at your hands."
Tōsen Kaname's voice was cold and firm.
"Back then, you used your noble status to escape punishment. What will you do now?"
Although he couldn't see Tōsen Kaname's expression at the moment, Tsunayashiro Tokinada could sense Tōsen Kaname's triumphant mood of having avenged himself from his tone.
He endured the pain on his body, his pale lips trembling slightly, and his voice was fierce: "You bastard…"
Before he could finish speaking, with a "swish," the third slash arrived.
Tōsen Kaname emotionlessly swung the sharp blade in his hand, and blood splattered.
He lowered his gaze, and countless complex emotions seemed to surge in his eyes, as if he was recalling past times.
"This slash is for myself."
Tōsen Kaname's voice was low.
"Speaking of which, Tsunayashiro Tokinada, I have to thank you."
"If you hadn't provoked me back then, saying to my face that you were the murderer of Kaede."
"After I miraculously survived, I wouldn't have worked hard, vowing to become a Shinigami and change all of this."
Tsunayashiro Tokinada gnashed his teeth in hatred.
Although the three wounds were not fatal, being unable to see and in an extremely oppressive environment still filled him with fear and extreme anger.
The continuous loss of blood made him gradually feel a chill, which spread from the wounds to his entire body, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
He resented, "Tōsen Kaname, I should have killed you directly back then!"
"How dare you, a mere Shinigami, retaliate against a noble!"
"It was just a woman!"
He had never expected that a blind man he had teased out of playful amusement back then would become his death warrant in the future!
"Yes, a woman…"
Tōsen Kaname sighed softly, his voice filled with endless melancholy and regret.
He gently raised his eyebrows, looking at Tsunayashiro Tokinada, his eyes full of complex emotions:
"To you, she might have just been an ordinary soul in Rukongai, dispensable, but to me…"
"You deprived me of the only ray of light in my life."
"Noble?"
"Heh… The Forty-Six Chambers are all annihilated. Who can save you now?"
All annihilated!!?
As soon as these words were spoken, the expression on Tsunayashiro Tokinada's face, a mix of hatred and rage, suddenly froze.
After his breathing stopped for a second, he immediately roared, "Impossible! Tōsen Kaname, you must be lying to me!"
"How dare a mere Shinigami defy the rule of the Forty-Six Chambers?!"
"Kyōraku, quickly tell me, all of this is false, right?!"
The reason he could still be so arrogant was because of the elders of the Forty-Six Chambers.
Like the last time he killed a colleague, a crime that clearly warranted imprisonment in the Underground Great Prison, but in the end, due to the elders' strong arguments, he was only sentenced to house arrest.
This time was no exception.
But now… someone told him the Forty-Six Chambers were all annihilated.
How could he believe it, how could he dare to believe it!
As if losing color in his eyes, Tsunayashiro Tokinada's gaze became hollow and desperate.
At this moment, Kyōraku Shunsui sighed.
"I'm very sorry, Tokinada."
Kyōraku Shunsui's voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"What he said is all true."
"The entire Forty-Six Chambers were killed by Aizen."
"And Aizen is the Shinigami who sold you the Hollowfication powder back then."
"Now he has fled to Hueco Mundo, colluding with Menos Grande, and the evidence of his crime of attempting to overthrow Soul Society is conclusive. Even without Tōsen Kaname… you probably wouldn't have survived."
"Besides this, do you have any other last words?"
"As a fellow disciple of our teacher, I don't want to see you suffer like this…"
"But why did you collude with Aizen?"
Who colluded with Aizen!
Tsunayashiro Tokinada felt a surge of frustration and wanted to curse.
Before he came into contact with that guy, he didn't even know his identity!
He only knew that he had extensive connections and immense power.
If he had known from the start that behind that guy was Aizen, someone who sought to overthrow the Shinigami order, he would never have made contact.
Unfortunately… it was too late to regret now.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada still wanted to say something to salvage the situation, but Tōsen Kaname interrupted him:
"Captain Kyōraku, there's nothing to discuss with this scum."
"You promised me back then, you haven't forgotten, have you?"
"No, it's just…"
Kyōraku Shunsui's slightly complex gaze deeply lingered on Tsunayashiro Tokinada, then he raised his eyes, looking at Tsugikuni Yoriichi who was watching from not far away.
He sighed deeply:
"Never mind, one must bear the consequences of one's actions. Tokinada, your current predicament is simply fate."
"Yoriichi, let's go."
He decided to leave everything here to Tōsen Kaname to handle.
After they left, whether Tsunayashiro Tokinada lived or died would no longer concern them.
Although they were fellow disciples, and Tokinada had studied under Yamamoto Genryusai for a period back then, Kyōraku Shunsui did not want to do this.
But… this was undoubtedly the most suitable way to handle the current situation.
He couldn't dishearten the others.
Furthermore, Tsunayashiro Tokinada had already been spared once back then, and now he had committed another heinous crime… This was a crime that even endless imprisonment could not absolve.
Not to mention the Forty-Six Chambers were all annihilated, with no one to judge…
A hint of melancholy flashed in Kyōraku Shunsui's eyes.
Yoriichi followed behind, not speaking.
Just as he was about to step out of the building, he vaguely heard the sound of a blade cutting through the air from behind him.
Along with it came Tōsen Kaname's soft thanks.
… …
"The matter is basically over, Yoriichi, what do you plan to do next?"
Outside, facing the setting sun, Kyōraku Shunsui's voice was complex as he looked back.
"Are you going to pursue Aizen into Hueco Mundo to arrest him? Or will you continue to stay with our teacher and study?"
"I've generally heard from our teacher about the details of your battle. Aizen is proficient in all four skills, and his spiritual pressure is even comparable to our teacher's."
"Although you can surpass Aizen by virtue of your physical prowess, I remember that he also has an Ichimaru Gin by his side, right?"
Kyōraku Shunsui hesitated to speak.
Yoriichi waved his hand: "Don't worry, Senior Brother, I have my own plans."
His spiritual pressure was far inferior to Aizen's.
Although he was still very young, it couldn't be denied that in his current state, even if he encountered Aizen, it would be difficult to capture him alive.
If his spiritual pressure were at the first rank, in the Bankai realm, Aizen would never be able to break through, because ultimately, defense is linked to the amount of one's spiritual pressure.
Unfortunately, there is no if.
So he planned to continue training.
Incidentally, he would use the Dangai to reach the Human World, and utilize the different time flow mechanisms between the two worlds to further excavate the abilities of his Zanpakuto itself.
This was what he intended to do in the future.
As for Ichimaru Gin… due to the special nature of the mission, he could only rely on himself.
Seeing Tsugikuni Yoriichi's confident demeanor, Kyōraku Shunsui nodded slightly and then remained silent.
The two arrived at a fork in the road and parted ways.
A few days later, Yoriichi returned to Demon Slayer Corps.
… …
Upon arrival, it was deep night.
All was silent around him.
In the mountain forest, Yoriichi looked around.
Moonlight poured down like a waterfall, and tree shadows swayed in the wind.
Not far away, a dilapidated house stood quietly.
A gentle breeze blew, making a creaking sound of decay.
A familiar feeling washed over him like a tide.
Before Yoriichi could determine the source of the familiar feeling.
A piercing roar suddenly erupted from down the mountain.
Like metal rubbing.
Screech—!
Immediately after, a burst of fire shot up into the sky, instantly illuminating the night!
Yoriichi's gaze swept over.
It was a train that had overturned and exploded.
A burly man swung his blade, severing the train, and leaped out of the carriage.
The burning blade in his hand, reflecting his dark red, golden-tinged hair, became even more striking.
As the train was cut open.
He landed steadily, turned to look at the unharmed passengers inside the carriage, and with raised eyebrows, let out a loud laugh:
"Hahaha!"
"Not bad, Tanjiro Kamado, you are as strong as ever!"
"Now that even Lower Moon One has died by your hand, successfully protecting these weaklings, it seems you will soon master the complete Sun Breathing!"
"I have high hopes for you!"
As his voice fell.
Tanjiro Kamado, clutching his nichirin blade, slowly walked out of the carriage.
His chest heaved violently.
The white mist escaping from his mouth with each breath was clearly visible.
And in stark contrast to his heroic demeanor, was the shy smile he showed after hearing the man's words.
"Not at all, Kyojuro Rengoku is the one I should learn from. I…"
His words stopped abruptly.
Yoriichi didn't listen any further.
Only because he suddenly remembered everything about this place.
Turning around, the house in his line of sight was so conspicuous.
If he remembered correctly, this was where he and Uta lived when they were children, and it was Uta's former home.
It seemed that people had lived there until a few decades ago.
Although it had been renovated several times, and there were clear differences from its appearance three hundred years ago.
However, the surrounding mountains and topography would not undergo significant changes in just a few hundred years.
Thinking of this, a clear hint of nostalgia appeared in Yoriichi's eyes.
And at this moment,
Yoriichi's eyes suddenly looked in one direction.
In his perception, a demon was rapidly approaching there, and its demonic aura was very strong.
—Upper Moon?
The thought settled.
Bang!
Down the mountain, as a figure descended from the sky, a cloud of smoke billowed up.
Directly opposite the smoke.
Tanjiro Kamado and Kyojuro Rengoku, who had not yet settled the passengers, were immediately drawn by the sudden commotion.
Whoosh!
Akaza casually waved his right hand, and the swirling wind blew away all the surrounding smoke.
His pale golden eyes quietly watched the two, a hint of excited smile on his lips.
"Ha! Demon Slayers!"
Akaza, following Kibutsuji Muzan's will, had taken a great risk to come to the place where Tsugikuni Yoriichi once lived in search of the blue spider lily.
Because Kibutsuji Muzan felt that since Tsugikuni Yoriichi was so special, it might be due to the surrounding geographical environment.
As a result, Akaza had just arrived when he witnessed the scene of Lower Moon One being brutally beaten and killed.
—Weaklings, how boring.
Compared to finding the blue spider lily, he preferred to fight a strong opponent—Tsugikuni Yoriichi, the one who made Kibutsuji Muzan fear and Kokushibou die.
This was also one of the reasons he accepted this mission. He wanted to see what kind of person the one who killed Kokushibou was.
Although he had not yet met Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
However, meeting these two seemingly strong but actually weak individuals was also a pleasant surprise.
Akaza smiled and adopted a fighting stance.
"Fight me! You two!"
Kyojuro Rengoku watched him silently.
In Akaza's eyes...
[Upper Moon...]
[Two!]
It was so striking.
Although the Demon Slayer Corps had once slain Upper Moon One.
But that was merely due to the Breathing Technique originator's efforts and had nothing to do with them, the Hashira-level swordsmen.
A few days after Upper Moon One died, Tsugikuni Yoriichi disappeared, and no matter how much the Demon Slayer Corps searched, they couldn't find him.
And it was from that day on that the demons' behavior became increasingly low-key, and for a time, even the casualties among the swordsmen decreased.
Even if they, the Hashira-level swordsmen, learned Sun Breathing, to test their strength, they could only do so against their comrades.
This was meaningless.
What they truly desired was to fight an Upper Moon, only then could they judge whether the Demon Slayer Corps had truly entered a period of prosperity.
Humanity's future could not be placed on one person's shoulders.
Kyojuro Rengoku was one of the swordsmen pursuing the Upper Moons.
Of the twelve forms of Sun Breathing on the surface, he had already learned six.
By fusing it with Flame Breathing, his strength was at least twice what it was before.
Coupled with Sun Breathing's unique demon-slaying effect.
Could he defeat an Upper Moon?
Now, it was time to verify it.
"Hiss—!!"
Kyojuro Rengoku took a deep breath, his voice resounding loudly: "I am a Hashira-level swordsman, Kyojuro Rengoku! State your name, demon!"
"Akaza." Akaza smiled, extending a finger to point at Tanjiro beside Kyoujurou, "Kid, what's your name?"
As he spoke, his eyes narrowed, clearly noticing the Nichirin earrings hanging from Tanjiro's ears, swaying in the wind.
Their sun-like shape illuminated him.
Akaza suddenly understood, the corner of his mouth curving into a crescent moon, his expression growing increasingly excited:
"So that's it... You're the one who killed Upper Moon One!"
"Huh??"
Tanjiro was inexplicably stunned.
Killed Upper Moon One...
Who?
Me?
He was about to explain.
The next second.
Whoosh!
Tsugikuni Yoriichi instantly appeared in the middle of the three.
His white haori, swaying in the wind, was as light as falling snowflakes.
He looked sideways at Akaza, his tone serious: "Do you know my elder brother?"
"Where is Kibutsuji Muzan?"
As his voice fell.
"Hm!!"
Akaza's expression was startled, and he couldn't help but take half a step back.
His dynamic vision had completely failed to perceive this man's appearance.
In his perception, this man didn't even exist!
How could this be!
There's no such human!
Thinking of a crucial point, Akaza's pupils suddenly constricted.
His eyes widened, his voice filled with disbelief:
"Human, you've actually entered the supreme realm! What is your name?!"
Tanjiro answered Akaza at this moment.
"Mr. Tsugikuni!"
Tsugikuni...
Akaza's gaze swept over the Nichirin earrings on Yoriichi's ears, identical to Tanjiro's.
His breathing suddenly stopped.
...
If nothing unexpected happened...
He had met the real deal.
Akaza's thoughts spun like a storm.
The human who entered the supreme realm and the human who once slew Kokushibou, were they the same person?
No one had told him about this!
—Lord Muzan!
He eagerly tried to contact Muzan.
However, the connection appeared for only a fleeting moment, his vision was deprived for 0.36 seconds, and then it suddenly broke off.
As if seeing some unspeakable terrifying thing, it actually made Muzan, on the other end of the bloodline, tremble with fear!
Akaza keenly sensed these emotions.
At the same time, he also felt Muzan's lingering relief and lucky.
As if to say—this guy is indeed still here, I truly had foresight.
...No way?
You just ran away?
Akaza felt a bit of a toothache.
No, since becoming a demon, this physiological defect of toothache had disappeared.
At this moment, what filled his heart more was disbelief and the horror of being abandoned.
At this moment, he finally understood Muzan's purpose in setting up this mission...
However, when Tsugikuni Yoriichi truly appeared, it was already too late.
"You..."
Akaza secretly gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed intently on Tsugikuni Yoriichi, his entire body's muscles tensing.
At this moment, both Tanjiro and Kyoujurou seemed somewhat overshadowed.
"Answer my question."
"Demon."
Yoriichi's tone was indifferent.
Akaza raised his head, his posture wary, but his aura remained high, and he suddenly clenched a fist and raised it.
Poised for action.
Creak—!
"My name is Akaza! Not demon! Remember my name, human!"
Yoriichi paid no attention to this statement.
In his perception, Akaza had consumed many humans and was an unforgivable existence.
Since he was unwilling to answer, Yoriichi didn't waste any more pleasantries with him.
With a swing of his blade.
Instantly, Akaza was beheaded.
His high-flying head still retained an excited expression,
But then, amidst the inversion of his vision, it suddenly reversed, twisted, becoming incredibly hideous.
Yoriichi saw the girl beside him, and the man behind him.
The girl seemed somewhat incredulous.
Her flickering pink pupils seemed to ask, why did such a thing happen?
With just one encounter, Hakuji was beheaded?
Who exactly was this man?
Since her death two hundred years ago, she had become a soul, quietly following beside Hakuji.
She watched Hakuji take revenge for them step by step, turn into a demon step by step, become Akaza, lose his human identity...
Whenever Akaza ate humans, she wanted to stop him.
However, in her soul state, she couldn't touch Hakuji at all.
She had originally thought Hakuji was going to kill someone again today.
But the result was unexpected.
Hakuji was the one who was killed instead...
Seeing this situation, her feelings were somewhat complex.
She didn't know whether to be happy or sad...
Akaza died, what would happen to Hakuji?
What would happen to her?
She really wanted to grow old with Hakuji, but unfortunately, she had died two hundred years ago.
Just as Koyuki was worried about their state.
Yoriichi looked at her quietly and asked, "What are you to him?"
"Hm?"
She seemed to know Yoriichi was referring to her.
Koyuki was startled.
"You... can you see me?"
Yoriichi nodded.
Koyuki let out a breath.
Although she found it quite unbelievable that a human could see her, she still slowly began to speak in a soft voice:
"I am his lover."
"Thank you for your intervention, for freeing him."
"You're welcome."
Yoriichi shook his head.
Facing Akaza's furious gaze, he slowly inserted the blade into the demon's body.
With a whoosh.
The soul was extracted.
Akaza... no, Hakuji's eyes widened: "Human, what did you do!!"
His chest was pierced by a red chain.
He looked down and saw that most of his blue tattoos had disappeared.
The forgotten memories from before also surged into his mind one by one.
A phantom figure suddenly appeared in his peripheral vision.
A face as pink as cherry blossoms.
Who is this...
No, who am I?
Thud.
His shoulder was suddenly pressed by someone.
The touch of that strong, powerful hand was so familiar.
The words "Soryu" written on the white martial arts uniform came into view.
Instantly, Hakuji's expression froze.
...
Soon after.
"I'll send you into reincarnation."
Yoriichi slowly spoke.
As soon as his words fell, they caused a shock among a group of people.
Not to mention Hakuji's soul, who had recovered his human consciousness, and Koyuki and her father.
Beside them.
Even though Kyoujurou and Tanjiro were prepared, they still found it somewhat unbelievable at this moment.
Senior Tsugikuni always brought them miracles whenever he appeared.
Last time it was resurrection.
This time it was reincarnation...
Does reincarnation truly exist in this world?
Speaking of which.
Who exactly was Senior Tsugikuni communicating with?
Tanjiro subtly twitched his nose.
He tried to use his sense of smell to find other people present here.
But unfortunately, he found nothing.
Yoriichi quietly glanced at him, but didn't say anything.
He merely said faintly to Hakuji and the others: "Of course, before that, I have a few questions for you."
"Do you know the location of Kibutsuji Muzan?"
Although returning here was for the poem.
But Yoriichi had never forgotten that guy, Muzan.
An enemy he had searched for sixty years...
It's best to eliminate him as well.
"Muzan?"
Hakuji frowned slightly.
Then, he shook his head.
"Not very clear."
"From what I know of him, that guy is too cautious, so cautious that he could be described as cowardly."
"Because of your appearance, he has been hiding in the Infinite Castle recently, unwilling to come out."
"He only dispatches the demons under his command to act."
"My arrival here today is also in accordance with his orders, to search for the place you once resided."
"As for the Infinite Castle... that is Nakime's Blood Demon Art, a spatial type, with an unfixed location."
"But I think one person definitely knows."
"Who is it?"
Yoriichi asked.
Hakuji replied with certainty: "Upper Moon One, Douma."
Mentioning the name Douma, Hakuji gritted his teeth, his fists clenched.
"That bastard has his own territory within the Infinite Castle."
"He is currently the only demon who has pleased Muzan."
"Because he is quite obedient, and at the same time, his followers are of great use in finding the blue spider lily."
"He must have a map of the Infinite Castle!"
"And he must also know where the Infinite Castle is located."
"I can tell you his current location."
"I hope you can rescue all the human women he keeps."
"That guy only eats women."
Upon hearing this.
Yoriichi fell into contemplation.
A moment later.
He nodded: "I understand."
Whether it was Upper Moon One or Upper Moon Two, in his eyes, they were opponents that could be dealt with in a single strike.
It was the same in the past.
Now that he knew their location and names.
Naturally, he wouldn't let them go.
After sending the three into reincarnation.
Only then did Yoriichi begin to act.
He turned his back to Tanjiro: "I'm sorry, Tanjiro, we have to part ways as soon as we meet."
"My time here is limited."
"If you have any questions you want to ask me, wait at the Flame Hashira's residence."
"I will definitely arrive within two days."
Having said that.
Yoriichi instantly disappeared.
Leaving behind the two, filled with doubt, excitement, and looking at each other.