"Huh?" Kaigaku frowned deeply. "At this point, I have nothing to say to you."
"Is this how you treat your former benefactor?" Zenitsu sneered. "No wonder you turned into a demon and betrayed everyone, not even caring about Grandpa."
When he and Inosuke went through the Stone Hashira's special training, they learned about his history with Kaigaku from the Stone Hashira.
Because Himejima Gyomei had mentioned it to Mizuki at the time, they knew that Kaigaku had studied alongside Zenitsu under the previous Sound Hashira, Old Man Kuwajima.
"Because you are this kind of person—you were before, and you still are... Am I right?" Zenitsu pointed at him angrily, his eyes filled with contempt. "You ungrateful beast!"
The veins on Kaigaku's forehead gradually became prominent and fierce, as if he were about to explode.
But in an instant, his angry expression suddenly ceased, his face calmed down, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"As expected, I never liked you from the start, Zenitsu."
"I also..." Zenitsu's eyes were cold as he prepared to reply.
Kaigaku raised his head slightly, a hint of pleasure in his expression: "That Old Man, he committed seppuku by now, right?"
"With a Disciple turning into a demon, he couldn't escape the responsibility of suicide."
A vein popped on Zenitsu's forehead: "You truly are a beast. Grandpa was so good to you. Knowing that turning into a demon might kill Grandpa, don't you feel any guilt?"
"Guilt? What a joke!" Kaigaku scoffed mockingly. "I don't care about people who look down on me!"
"No matter when, I will only follow those who can properly evaluate me!"
"It's good that that Old Man died. I put in so much effort, yet he wouldn't give the successor position to me, but foolishly wanted me to share the inheritance with trash like you."
"I don't care if you were a Former Hashira or whatever. I don't care about that senile Stinky Old Man!"
"Hahahahaha..."
Zenitsu lowered his head, clenching his fingers into fists, making a crunching sound.
"Heh..." Zenitsu gave a cold laugh. "I actually thought you might have retained some conscience."
This guy can no longer be called human... No, he hasn't been worthy of being called a person for a long time.
A person who has lost all moral sense is akin to livestock.
Zenitsu suddenly felt relieved. He couldn't believe he had wasted so many words talking to this guy.
But no matter what, there was one thing he wanted to share with the other party—he wanted to see the expression of impotent rage on his face.
Zenitsu said coldly, "I regret to disappoint you, but Grandpa is still alive."
Kaigaku was stunned for a moment, then chuckled: "That Old Man, has he lost all face?"
"Could he be afraid of death?"
"Don't compare Grandpa to maggots like you."
He actually wished Grandpa was afraid of death and would sacrifice some dignity.
But if it weren't for the Master risking his reputation, Grandpa definitely wouldn't have complied.
Kaigaku returned a cold smile and was about to reply when Himejima Gyomei, standing in front of him, suddenly pressed his palms together and recited a Buddhist chant.
"Namu Amida Butsu..." Tears streamed down Himejima Gyomei's cheeks. "It seems there is no need to seek an answer..."
"Seeking an answer?" Kaigaku twisted his neck and looked at him.
"Ah, you couldn't possibly be talking about what happened back then, could you?" Kaigaku realized, shrugging indifferently. "If you want to ask, just ask?"
"I just wanted to live."
"Just wanted to live..." Zenitsu muttered to himself. "Selling out your comrades just so you can survive."
"Don't act so self-righteous, Zenitsu." Kaigaku sneered, having likely heard the contempt in Zenitsu's voice. "You cowardly trash only know how to abandon others and run away."
Zenitsu's gaze grew colder: "That's still better than you, a beast, betraying your comrades."
Kaigaku suddenly snapped, waving his hand and shouting, "What did I do wrong? All I wanted was to live!"
"As long as you live, everything is worth it."
"...So that's what you think." Himejima Gyomei slowly lowered his clasped hands and gripped the Nichirin Blade at his waist... No, it shouldn't be called a Nichirin Blade.
It was merely a weapon forged from the same material, Scarlet Ore and Iron, consisting of a broad axe and a flail linked by a chain, which looked incredibly imposing.
Seeing this, Zenitsu also gripped the Nichirin Blade at his waist.
"As long as we kill you... as long as we slay Muzan, Grandpa can live openly in this world."
Hearing Zenitsu's words, Kaigaku's eyes darkened.
"You still don't understand..."
"Fine, I'll let you see the insurmountable gap between humans and demons."
Kaigaku shook his head, looking utterly exasperated.
He had understood this back when he was a Demon Slayer Corps Swordsman.
Compared to humans, the side of the demons was stronger.
This was evident from how hidden the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters was.
If they weren't afraid of being hunted down by Lord Muzan, why would they need to hide their headquarters?
While they constantly boasted about killing Lord Muzan, they actually lacked the strength to directly confront demons.
The fact that the Upper Rank Demon Moon hierarchy hasn't changed in hundreds of years is the best proof.
This was a conclusion he reached through personal experience with that monster-like individual...
They couldn't win.
He couldn't imagine any possibility of defeating the opponent; he could only bow his head and beg for mercy.
He didn't find this shameful. Just as he said, as long as he could survive, everything was worth it.
Therefore, he had now obtained even greater power.
A powerful strength far surpassing that of humans.
Overestimating their abilities.
This was Kaigaku's true feeling.
Kaigaku tightened his grip on the sword hilt at his waist.
It was a demon blade, just like Kokushibou's, transformed from his own flesh and blood.
To avoid having to re-adapt, he chose the same style as the Nichirin Blade he used previously.
Zenitsu mocked, "Did you lose something in your head after turning into a demon?"
"Demons are definitely stronger than humans?"
"Maybe, but what right do you, garbage and a Dead Last Failure, have to boast?"
At least he didn't feel any pressure from this guy.
He was far inferior even compared to the previous pair of demon siblings, let alone the other Upper Ranks.
Zenitsu even suspected that Muzan had a screw loose if this kind of trash counted as an Upper Rank Demon Moon.
Likely because he had been mocked as a "dead last failure" too many times, Kaigaku's sanity began to crumble, and he shouted, "Don't compare me to trash like you!"
He took the initiative to attack, slashing his sword toward the two of them.
"Thunder Breathing, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!!!"
Dark lightning scattered outward from Kaigaku like a spiderweb, crackling continuously.
"Do you see?! This is the power of a demon! Power that transcends humanity!" Kaigaku yelled with a fierce expression. "Can human Breathing Techniques achieve this level?!"
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