After successfully guiding everyone, Mizuki let out a sigh of relief.
Her Clone should be able to protect the others for now. If not, she could still chat with Kokushibou and exchange some verbal jabs.
That guy Kokushibou never considered anyone else his opponent from the start. He fought as he pleased, without taking it too seriously.
What an arrogant fellow... Even she fell into the Hands of these guys, so Kokushibou will probably suffer soon too.
Mizuki felt a sudden pang in her heart, as if she was certain Kokushibou would be defeated by the group.
She quickly shook her head; she had no time or energy to focus on him.
She had more important things to do.
At worst, after that scumbag older brother dies, she'll erect a monument for him.
If, after hundreds of years of life, she was still lost at the decisive moment, then she wouldn't need Muzan to act; she would take her own life!
So... next was her battle.
Mizuki looked up into the distance, at the giant cocoon suspended between two tall buildings.
She was almost there... "Mizuki..." Kokushibou murmured.
Even though it wasn't his main body, he already knew that his feelings for this younger sister had not faded or been severed with time.
Even having reached this point, he still hoped she would stand by his side.
Mizuki, holding the scabbard she borrowed from Kochou Shinobu, pointed at Kokushibou and said aggressively, "I'm giving you one last chance. Come to my side! Join us against Muzan!"
Her blood was insufficient to maintain anything beyond her form; after all, she hadn't initially thought her blood would be used in this way.
Kokushibou: "..."
That seemed to be what he wanted to say.
Kokushibou calmly exposed her thoughts: "You're trying to stall for time, aren't you?"
From his understanding of Mizuki, not choosing to team up with others to attack him at this moment could only mean she was waiting for others to gather.
Fortunately, the red crystal form didn't show too much emotional change, otherwise Mizuki would have been embarrassed.
Damn it!
It's been hundreds of years, can this guy stop acting like he knows her so well?
Mizuki grumbled sullenly.
But similarly, the blockage in her heart deepened a bit.
Mizuki sighed, "Brother, is your obsession with Yoriichi really that deep?"
Hearing that familiar address, Kokushibou's body stiffened slightly.
Here it comes again, his sister's lecture.
"So deep that you didn't hesitate to turn yourself into a monster..."
"More words are useless." Kokushibou expressionlessly raised his demon blade, stating his position.
To be honest, Kokushibou didn't dislike Mizuki's discussions with him, but Mizuki's words often precisely targeted his inner thoughts, giving him the illusion of being stripped bare and facing Mizuki naked.
He feared that if this continued, his resolve would waver.
Surpassing Yoriichi had become his obsession; he was willing to do anything for this long-cherished wish.
Even... becoming enemies with this younger sister again... Mizuki was silent for a moment: "...I understand."
"Everyone, be careful." Mizuki instructed the people behind her, "Be careful not to die."
As long as they had one breath left, she could save them.
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Mizuki glanced at Tanjirou's position; she had to wake him up first.
"Shinobu, please go wake up Tanjirou."
"Mhm." Kochou Shinobu, having narrowly escaped death, quickly recovered her spirits.
Of course, this might also be due to Mizuki's presence... Just as everyone was in a standoff, the unconscious Tanjirou once again arrived at that familiar place in his memory.
"Mr. Yoriichi, please have some tea."
"Thanks, Sumiyoshi."
Just like before, he couldn't control his actions and could only act as an observer, watching the actions of this person named 'Sumiyoshi'.
Tanjirou knew very well that this person was his ancestor.
It was this person who inherited the earrings from Mr. Yoriichi.
His ancestor's memory, this memory was so profound that it was passed down through genes.
It must have been a very precious memory for Sumiyoshi.
This time, Tanjirou learned about Mr. Yoriichi's tragic life from his own mouth.
He couldn't save his wife and children, he couldn't protect Mizuki, he couldn't kill Muzan... Tanjirou had already heard these stories from Mizuki, but hearing them from Mr. Yoriichi himself seemed to evoke different feelings.
He felt very sad, not knowing if it was because Mr. Yoriichi's narration was too profound, or if he was influenced by Sumiyoshi.
Of course, it might also be because Young Miss Mizuki often added a few of her own remarks when telling these stories.
For example, Yoriichi was a blockhead, and most of the time, she was the one taking care of him.
Or, for example, although I often went to play with your ancestor, I also helped with chores.
Making those who listened to the stories unable to worry at all, and even think she was full of lies.
Speaking of which... where is Young Miss Mizuki?
He subconsciously turned his head, and Sumiyoshi also turned his head at the same time.
Then, Tanjirou froze completely.
Drool... drool is coming out!
Young Miss Mizuki, holding a child, was completely unaware that her drool was dripping onto the child's face, looking at him with a blank expression... "Compared to careless big men, Young Miss Mizuki is indeed more reassuring." After a moment of panic, when Sumiyoshi's wife, Sumiko, said this with a smile.
Tanjirou sweatdropped, looking at Young Miss Mizuki, who was sitting stiffly in place, holding the child, and thought.
At this time, Young Miss Mizuki's complexion seemed to have completely recovered, plus the drooling just now, had she already become a demon?
But... he saw Mizuki in the shadows, seemingly not yet having overcome her weakness to sunlight.
For Tanjirou, this memory also seemed precious; Young Miss Mizuki at this time seemed to smile more... No, that didn't seem right either.
Tanjirou suddenly thought that Young Miss Mizuki had changed a lot from when they first met, he didn't know when.
Is it because of Young Miss Shinobu?
Perhaps this version of Young Miss Mizuki was her original self, but hundreds of years of loneliness made her wear a mask.
Now she was just taking off the mask and returning to her original appearance.
The two stayed at Sumiyoshi's house for a while, and in a blink of an eye, it was time to say goodbye.
"You seem to regard me as someone special, but that's not the case."
"I couldn't protect anything important. In my life, I didn't accomplish a single thing I should have done. I am a worthless man."
As Yoriichi spoke of his incompetence, Tanjirou felt sad for the man before him.
Please don't... "Please don't say that..." Mizuki's voice rang out, making Tanjirou slightly lost in thought.
He watched Mr. Yoriichi, with a slight smile playing on his lips, turn his back to Young Miss Mizuki.
Actually... what Young Miss Mizuki said wasn't all lies, right?
Mr. Yoriichi... was actually very happy, wasn't he?
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"