Tanjiro continues to move through the everlasting changing fortress. He hears the screams of agonizing death as his comrades and demons die. 'I can't figure out which way's up or down. And there's so much going on! Kibutsuji's is somewhere and has Tamayo as his hostage, everyone's separated, and the fortress is altering around, making us suffer higher casualties! It's just like the demon from the abandoned mansion! But I already have the scent of him. If I can trace it, then I can find him easily!'
In a bottomless shaft, Muzan still recovering from the sneak attack still holds Tamayo as her hostage. "Now that was indeed a foolish ploy, my dear Tamayo. Staying close to me as of now has guaranteed your death."
"And like I said before, I'll take it as atonement for my sins. I am more than ready to sacrifice my life to keep you from Tanjiro!"
"A sacrifice that will be in vain. So, I might as well deal with the resistance right in front of me." He proceeds to change his flesh but suddenly feels pain in his flesh manipulation. "Nngh! What was that?!"
"An effect from the drug. It'll keep you from using your abilities for some time. The next few hours you'll be unable to attack anyone. So, am I dying in vain?!"
"Lord Muzan."
"What is it Nakime?"
Nakime who is now the Upper Rank 4 was completely connected to the entire castle. "Tanjiro Kamado is has tracking you through your scent. It's only a matter of time until he finds you."
"Of all times!"
"It looks like the odds are against you, Muzan!"
"Don't be so certain. Nakime, why don't we keep him occupied?"
"Of course, Lord Muzan."
Then fighting through the pain, Muzan begins to form a flesh cocoon that also hold Tamayo. "What are you doing?!"
"Because of what you said, I'll stand no chance against him. So, I'll need to buy myself time. Which means, my Upper Ranks will act as the Hashira's opponents. And once this side effect is done, I'll emerge stronger than ever. But don't worry. You repent soon." The flesh surrounds Muzan and it starts to absorb Tamayo. 'No! He's forcefully creating a cocoon and is trying to counteract the drug that make him human! He's also plotting to absorb me! So, please... someone... help me!'
'Tamayo's scent, it's gone!' Tanjiro realized. 'I won't let anyone else die! I'll stop you Muzan Kibutsuji!' Tanjiro blitzes through the cast killing any demons in his path. But as he keeps running, a wall compartment slams him through other walls. Recovering from the wall, he gets back on his feet, he finds himself in a new room filled with pillars.
"How many months has it been since our last encounter?" Tanjiro recognized that voice. "From what I've heard, you defeated, Gyutaro, and Hantengu. And you've unlocked your mark. You have become stronger from what I've seen before."
"I can even tell that you're different, Kokushibo." Tanjiro turns around seeing the powerful Upper Rank before him.
"It would seem as if you've become vitiable to Lord Muzan. You temporary became a demon. And you were able to withstand the sunlight."
'That's why he taunted me before.'
"I do have a mission. To bring you to him." He then unsheathes his sword. "But that doesn't mean you have to go... in one piece." Kokushibo then notices Tanjiro's mark. "Oh, I see. You now have shortened your life."
"What?"
"The scar on your forehead has altered into a mark."
Tanjiro then notices the same marks on Kokushibo. 'I wasn't fully aware of those marks on him until I unlocked mine. I honestly thought they were and effect or a family mark. But now I realize the heavy gap between us was extremely huge. But what did he mean by shortened my life?' He remembered back to when Yoriichi's soul spoke with him. "And when Muzan confronted my older brother, he lied and said that those who had the mark, would die at the age of 25."
"So, you still believe in that lie?" Tanjiro asked.
"It's not a lie. Many marked demon slayers were around during the Sengoku Era and there was not one who lived over 25."
"You could be right. Not one could've lived that long, because you and Kibutsuji just slaughtered them."
"What's done is done. We can't change the past. All I can do is carry the burdens of the spoiled blood."
Tanjiro unsheathes his sword and steps forward towards Kokushibo as the former does the same. Both swordsmen got close enough and the real fight went underway. They strike their blades at each other and the pillars around them are slashed up and destroyed. 'I see. He has improved.' Kokushibo commended in his thoughts. 'The mark is indeed improving his abilities. But it's also grown darker. Has he found a way to make it permanent?' Tanjiro then goes on the offensive pushing Kokushibo back.
'This speed, it's slowly putting on par with him. If I can keep this up, there's a slight chance I can defeat him!'
Sun Breathing, 3rd Form:
Raging Sun
Moon Breathing, 1st Form:
Dark Moon, Evening Palace
Tanjiro sends two curving slashes at Kokushibo, but the former sends a crescent slash to counter the attack. "Hmmm. You have indeed improved, Tanjiro Kamado. Taking on one of my attacks without suffering a scratch. But I still wonder, how will you still triumph over my power?" Kokushibo flash steps at Tanjiro swinging his sword at the Sun Hashira's neck. But Tanjiro stands his ground pushing the demon's blade back. "Reinforcing every muscle in your body to ensure you don't lose your footing. Very impressive."
The Sun and Moon breathers continue to clash blades. 'It's beginning to look obvious. Moon Breathing is second to best when it comes to raw strength. But it's more than just that alone, it also requires a heavy amount of air to breathe. And Kokushibo has 400 years, giving him endless time for him to become Muzan's strongest subordinate.' More pillars became shredded in their clash. 'Even after all this time, I can't tell if I'd closed the gap between us, or he's made it even wider!' As they push through their swords, Kokushibo recognized Tanjiro's.
"Wait. That blade!" He began to have flashbacks of his final fight with Yoriichi. How aggressive, the power, the sound. "How... How do you have... THAT BLADE?!"
Tanjiro then notices his own blade. "It was given to me by a young swordsmith. It resided in a mechanical doll that resembled Yoriichi."
"You're comparing that monster to a doll? Such disappointment."
Moon Breathing, 6th Form:
Perpetual Night, Lonely Night - Incessant
Sun Breathing, 4th Form:
Burning Bones, Summer Sun
The more forms they unleash, the other finds a way to counter it. 'We're getting nowhere. But I can't let up for even a second. If I do, he'll find an opening.' Their sword clashes could be heard around the castle. It felt as if two gods were in combat with each other. "Tell me. If Kibutsuji does absorb me as a demon, do you think he'll share the immunity of the sun with you all?"
"I won't know, not until I ask him at least. But for now, orders are orders."
Moon Breathing, 4th Form:
Solar Rings, Frostmoon
Kokushibo performs a small circular cyclone of slashes at Tanjiro.
Sun Breathing, 12 Form:
Flame Dance
Tanjiro cuts through the cyclone canceling the attack but was slightly grazed having his right cheek cut opened. "More and more time just being wasted. Just accept your fate and surrender."
"I won't! I still have a future to live through, a family to look after, and someone to share love with!"
"A future where your life will be short lived? How sad." Kokushibo blitzes at Tanjiro only for the former to react and counter his attack, putting them both in a standstill. "We can fight all we can until Lord Muzan has fully recovered. But you'll run out of air for your lungs. You cannot win. Lord Muzan has planned this final confrontation for months, and now victory has come to the demons at long last."
"That's how he thinks!" Tanjiro rebuked. "Kibutsuji has always underestimated how humans think, all because he was the true demon! And yet here we all are, fighting and growing stronger! In this past year, we've slayed many of your kind, including most of the Twelve Kizuki! And on top of that, three of my comrades and friends have awakened their marks, defeating many of the Upper Ranks!"
"Then they have signed their death warrants"
"You need to wake up. Kibutsuji will say anything, will say anything to get what he wants! But I won't let him continue his rampage! He has lived for too long! So, we will bring him down once and for all! But first, I'll have to get through you, the biggest obstacle!"
Kokushibo and Tanjiro charge at each other; but once they get close enough, the Upper Rank thinks a step ahead and sends two vertical slashes from both sides that are covered with moon crescent blades and delivers a third going downward.
Moon Breathing, 2nd Form:
Pearl Flower Moongazing
'Not even you can overcome this attack. Any escape route is blocked, and you won't be able to counter all three strikes. The only chance you have for survival is to block the upward slash. You receive damage from the side strikes, but it won't be fatal. You'll bleed out, and it'll allow me to carry you to Lord Muzan.'
'Three attacks. And not a single solution for me to escape unharmed!' Tanjiro thought. 'He's trying to immobilize me so he can deliver me to Kibutsuji on a silver platter! But I still have one attempt!'
Synchronized Breathing Style
Sun Breathing and Flame Breathing, 9th Form:
Divine Sun Dragon of Purgatory
Tanjiro's blade is enveloped into a dragon that was even bright than before. He jumps avoiding the side attacks and breaks through the third attack, then slashing off his hands and slice though Kokushibo's neck. 'I... I did it. Even if he'll heal from those wound, I was able to land a hit on Kokushibo!'
Kokushibo who was bleeding could not believe it. Someone else aside from Yoriichi was able injure him. 'Again! It's happening again! How can I be the strongest if a mere weakling is able to land a blow me?!' He kept panting in anger until he regained his composure. "Purgatory."
"Huh?"
"That unique technique of yours, 'Divine Sun Dragon of Purgatory' and purgatory means Rengoku. Then I could assume you've combined Sun Breathing, and Flame Breathing's strongest form, because of the Flame Hashira. You have grown beyond my expectations. You've have indeed grown stronger." He regrows his hands and his neck heals. He then grabs his sword and dashes at Tanjiro. "But this strength will not save you." Kokushibo violently swings his sword down at the Sun Hashira until he is brought down to his knees. Kokushibo gets behind him and prepare to swing down on his spine. "You have indeed earned my respect, Tanjiro Kamado. So, this is where our paths separate." As Kokushibo swings his sword down, he then senses another flame blitzing at him. He looks to his right and is surprised to see Kyojuro Rengoku.
Flame Breathing, 1st Form:
Unknowing Fire
This surprise attack throws Kokushibo off balance and is forced to defend himself. But the attack never lands, and he realizes that Kyojuro used himself as a decoy to get Tanjiro to safety. "Guess I got here in the nick of time."
"K-kyojuro?"
"Glad to see that we're reunited, Tanjiro. Rest assured, but I will be taking on this traitor."
"N-no." Tanjiro says catching his breath. "I need to defeat him. You won't be a match for him."
"Did you not forget that it was also the Hashira that received training in the past month and a half? And besides, the last time I saw this Upper Rank, I could do nothing but watch as you all fought him until the sunrise."
"But..."
"Tanjiro, you've been given new orders. Currently, Hashira Agatsuma and Tsuguko Tsuyuri are confronted by Upper Ranks 3 and 2."
"What?!"
"So, Akaza has found the Thunder Breather and Doma is relucted to join him." Kokushibo realized. "This may prove interesting."
"Then, what about Tengen, or Shinobu? Don't you think they would be going to-"
"They are coming here Tanjiro." Kyojuro said. "They along with most of the Hashira. This demon, Kokushibo is the closest to Muzan Kibutsuji. And if you keep fighting him alone like this, you'll forfeit your life. They'll join me soon Tanjiro. And right now, you friends need you."
"K-kyojuro..."
"I'll be fine. Don't forget, always hold your head high. Set your heart ablaze."
Tanjiro shaking breath stops and he regains his confidence. "You're right. I should help them." He walks out of the room, but Kyojuro says one more thing.
"I heard your synchronized breathing style technique. it was indeed spectacular."
Hearing those words, Tanjiro's moral is heavily boosted, and he runs out, leaving Kyojuro and Kokushibo all alone.
"Sacrificing yourself so that he could live. It's a damn shame."
"It's fine. I only wish to clash swords with you until my comrades join us. So, let us fight to our heats content."
"Very well."
(Notes)
My apologies for the month-long hiatus, was just thinking on how to write this chapter and watching other anime.
I wanted to finish Tanjiro and Kokushibo's rivalry with one final attack. So, now he'll be helping Zenitsu and Kanao fight Akaza and Doma, with Inosuke, Nezuko, and Genya joining them.
The next chapter will have seven of the Hashira fight Kokushibo.
And just so you know, the following fights will be Kokushibo, Doma, and then Akaza.
Stay tune.