In the eyes of humans, demons are hateful and pitiable existences.
But to Kokushibou, the opposite was true: merely sacrificing the pleasure of sun exposure allowed them to break through human limits and become stronger.
This was the most profitable trade possible.
As for eating humans... in Kokushibou's view, this wasn't even a negative consequence.
Existing in this world, humans were constantly preying on each other; demons merely brought this method out into the open.
It couldn't even be called cruel.
There were plenty of things far crueler than demons eating humans.
Turn his sister back into a human?
Turn his sister back into that weak, pitiable creature, struggling painfully on a sickbed from injury, a miserable being whose lifespan is only a few decades?
What dissatisfaction could there be with becoming a demon?
Demons were the most perfect beings, creatures that surpassed humanity.
Is there something wrong with this person's brain? Is he sane?
Kokushibou truly wanted to pry open this person's head and see what was inside.
Garbage?
Boom!!!
Suddenly, without any warning, the rubble on the ground began to shake violently.
Tanjirou's expression was startled and uncertain: "What?"
Kokushibou lowered his gaze slightly.
Something was coming up from underground... Boom!!!
A hole was ripped open in the ground, and golden lightning leaped out, soaring into the dark night sky.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
"It's Zenitsu!" Tanjirou looked up at the sky in delight, but the joyous expression lasted only a moment before being replaced by unease.
Zenitsu Agatsuma landed in front of Tanjirou, bearing the lightning pattern Demon Slayer Mark; he appeared completely unharmed.
Zenitsu, with a white bubble resting on his nose, said faintly, "Thanks to your fight up here, the ground cracked open enough of a gap."
He's still asleep?!!!
No, staying asleep at a time like this might actually be a good thing.
Tanjirou quickly said, "Zenitsu, get out of here fast!"
Just as he finished speaking, before Zenitsu could reply, two beautiful figures crawled out of the hole where Zenitsu had emerged.
The two women knelt on the ground and let out a long breath: "We finally got out~"
Uzui Tengen's pupils suddenly contracted: "Why are you two here?!!!"
Hearing Uzui Tengen's voice, Makio and Suma looked over happily.
"Lord Tenge..." The voices of the two women stopped abruptly, and the joyful expression on their faces froze completely.
"Lord Tengen... your arm..."
Uzui Tengen roared, "idiots! Get out of here immediately!!"
"Eh?"
The two women seemed to understand Uzui Tengen's horrified expression and instinctively looked behind them.
A warrior emanating intense fighting spirit stood under the moonlight; his six eyes seemed to glow red, inspiring dread.
The two women's bodies stiffened and they collapsed onto the ground.
Uzui Tengen quickly stood in front of the two women, shielding them from the pressure.
"Take my wives and leave."
A trace of hesitation flashed across Tanjirou's face. He grit his teeth: "I understand..."
"Hahaha! Tanjirou! I'm back!" Inosuke's loud laughter suddenly came from a distance.
Tanjirou turned back in horror and shouted, "Inosuke! Don't come closer!"
Inosuke didn't stop but instead sped up: "What nonsense are you talking about! I brought that guy's wife with me!"
"On the way to find her, I just happened to run into her escaping from a demon!"
Hinatsuru looked exhausted, panting behind him, clearly not having fully recovered.
When she saw Uzui Tengen's severed arm, sadness welled up in her tired eyes: "Lord Tengen... your arm..."
Uzui Tengen gritted his teeth. What was wrong with these idiots!!
They showed up one after another, precisely when this monster appeared.
Inosuke arrived in front of everyone, only just realizing: "What happened to this guy's arm?"
"Also, why are you all so tense..."
Following everyone's gaze, the tall figure stood firm like a massive city wall, and Inosuke's body instantly froze.
This feeling... "I've grown tired of watching..." Kokushibou quietly swept his gaze over the group. What had happened in the past two minutes felt like a dramatic performance.
It was a wonder he could watch it all without changing his expression.
Mizuki still hasn't appeared. Is she with Gyuutarou?
Or did she not come at all?
When Daki sensed Zenitsu, the entire sequence of events was altered.
From Akaza's perspective just before death, he happened to see Zenitsu and Inosuke running from a distance.
Subsequently, Muzan's attention was highly focused, occasionally checking the demons' perspectives as if monitoring surveillance footage.
Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tanjirou.
These three brats occasionally went on missions together.
If Zenitsu was present, it meant Tanjirou might be present; if Tanjirou was present, it meant Mizuki might be present.
To be safe, Gyuutarou directly reported this to Muzan.
The final result was the arrival of Upper Rank One.
Nearly ten minutes have been wasted here.
Did she not come? Mizuki.
Kokushibou no longer wanted to wait.
Sensing the change in Kokushibou's presence, everyone's nerves tightened as if facing a formidable enemy.
The pressure from this guy was simply too immense.
"Take my wives and run as far as you can!"
The moment the words fell, Uzui Tengen, holding his Nichirin Blade, charged toward Kokushibou.
Tanjirou had no way to stop Uzui Tengen; he no longer had a blade for fighting.
But... "Lord Tengen!!!"
The desperate voices of the three women rang out.
That monster didn't give them a chance to escape at all.
Uzui Tengen's tall body was instantly cut in half at the waist, and his entire person was flung away like shattered wood.
"Cough..." Uzui Tengen coughed up a mouthful of blood. His vision quickly blurred, and he could vaguely make out three beautiful figures running toward him.
The horror on Tanjirou's face had not yet faded when that terrifying figure reappeared in front of Inosuke.
With a single downward slash, Inosuke had no power to parry, and blood spurted from his chest.
Zenitsu's figure flashed behind Kokushibou, intending to deliver a fatal blow.
But the disparity in strength was too vast; by the time Tanjirou reacted, Zenitsu was already falling through the air, his chest stained with blood.
The next moment... that Asura-like figure appeared before him, raising a long blade high.
Tanjirou was powerless to resist when he suddenly felt an impact at his waist. He stumbled a few steps, regained his balance, and looked back.
He saw the sight of Nezuko being cut in half at the waist.
"Nezuko!!!" Tanjirou's eyes were splitting with rage as he let out a roar and charged forward, holding his broken blade.
"Ah!!!"
The figure vanished from its spot, and then a calm voice sounded behind him.
"You are not worth one ten-thousandth of him..."
Note:
Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!
I wish you all a year filled with blessings, success, good fortune, and happiness!
Important Announcement:
I will be on Lunar New Year holiday starting February 15th, 2026, and will return on February 23rd, 2026. During this time, I will focus on resting and spending time with my family.
During my break, I will prepare some new chapters, which I will post regularly after the holiday ends. Please stay tuned — the following parts are very interesting!
Thank you so much for your incredible support. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!