Kagaya's expression froze for a moment.
This outcome was completely beyond his expectations.
A sense of surprise welled up in his heart.
After all, with Tsugikuni Yoriichi's ability, living another life might actually be possible.
Simply because he is a Shinigami.
And given Yoriichi's consistently gentle and kind nature towards humans, if Amane Ubuyashiki were to ask him, he would surely not refuse.
However, Kagaya had no interest in living another life.
He was already utterly exhausted.
His heart only longed to die as an ordinary, simple person.
Even if he could have another life, a healthy body, what then?
All his worries, responsibilities, and missions were here.
As for the Shinigami's world…
"Cough cough…"
Pain suddenly surged like a tide.
His thoughts were pulled back to reality.
Yashiki Kagaya's voice was gentle and firm, but his words clearly carried a sense of refusal:
"Let's discuss it later…"
"Amane, I understand your good intentions and your thoughts, but I am unworthy of it…"
"I haven't done anything, even if I could be reborn, that opportunity should be given to those children…"
Upon hearing this, Amane Ubuyashiki fell silent once more.
After a long while, she sighed softly.
She said no more, seemingly acquiescing to his words.
…
On the other side, the demons that appeared before Tsugikuni Yoriichi were successively cut down by him.
His heart did not stir much at Kibutsuji Muzan's escape.
The night was long and deep.
While swinging his Zanpakuto to slay demons, Yoriichi suddenly discovered another problem.
The reincarnation system of this world had flaws; many souls could not reincarnate and instead chose to stay with their families.
This was by no means a normal phenomenon.
A few years, or even decades, would be fine, but after several centuries, it remained the same.
Yoriichi did not know when this situation arose, but it clearly needed improvement.
Over time, the balance between life and death would be disrupted, and the appearance of demons only exacerbated this imbalance.
Through the descriptions of those demons, Yoriichi understood the root of everything—the blue spider lily.
If he remembered correctly, these flowers bloomed near the Underworld.
Perhaps the answers to these problems could be found in the Underworld.
Considering the unmanaged souls, that place might be a world without a master, just like hell.
Since it was without a master and affected both realms, what harm would there be in letting it have another master to manage it?
Yoriichi suddenly felt that his Zanpakuto represented this aspect of authority.
If there was an opportunity, he could give it a try; this would also be a blessing to all living beings.
With a flash of his blade, another head flew high into the air.
Yoriichi's eyes were as calm as water.
He quietly pondered whether his ability to return was also due to this reason?
Just like his own birth.
If so, then what kind of role did he play in this world?
Was it predetermined by fate?
Or was he the chosen one?
Yoriichi recalled his brother's words to him one by one.
"Both of us brothers are special…"
Before learning Breathing Technique, was his brother special?
Only he was special.
The answer was obvious.
Even if Yoriichi was unwilling to admit it, the truth was probably just that.
He quietly exhaled, his eyes becoming complex.
Then.
Boom!
Thunder raged like a storm, destroying everything in front of him, and in the chaotic environment, Yoriichi could feel the room's regeneration speed slow down significantly.
Presumably, the demon creating the room was running out of energy.
As the thought settled, dozens of miles away in spatial terms, Nakime was panting heavily.
Sweat the size of soybeans rolled down her forehead, soaking her clothes.
Her large single eye bulged, hideous blue veins covered her entire body, and her hair hung wetly over her shoulders, as if it could drip water.
Since becoming a demon, she had never seen such a human.
No, at this moment she even doubted whether Yoriichi was truly human.
She did not know Tsugikuni Yoriichi's identity, but clearly, his performance had surpassed all her understanding.
He could fly, teleport, and release lightning; was this really a human?
Demons didn't even have as many abilities as him!
Nakime even suspected whether Muzan-sama had provoked another Demon King, otherwise how could Yoriichi's performance be so extraordinary.
This was too terrifying; she felt she could no longer hold on, at most ten minutes, and her stamina would be depleted.
By then, her fate was obvious: she would be instantly killed with one slash, just like the other demons.
Nakime did not want to face such an end; she longed to live.
Thus, the desire for survival deep within her heart made her rally again.
She tried to contact Muzan, begging Muzan-sama to give her some blood.
But unfortunately, her contact was like a stone sinking into the sea, yielding no results.
Seeing several more rooms shatter, she could no longer afford to be distracted.
Her eyes widened, rapidly reshaping the rooms, and even her lips and teeth began to ooze visible blood beads under the sudden pressure.
However, this persistence did not yield any substantial effect.
Yoriichi's speed was far faster than she imagined; she had overestimated her own strength and stamina.
In less than three short minutes, a room near her was shattered.
Nakime herself appeared clearly before Yoriichi.
Her eyes were filled with shock and disbelief, her expression as if struck by lightning.
In this critical moment, seeing herself about to be beheaded, she hurriedly shouted: "Wait a moment!"
"I haven't eaten anyone!"
"Please spare my life!"
Thud!
The biwa she used for her Blood Demon Art was swiftly thrown aside, a dull sound echoing, as if declaring "surrender" to Yoriichi.
Nakime's body immediately prostrated itself on the ground.
Seeing this, Yoriichi's sword-swinging motion paused slightly.
After sensing for a moment, he smoothly changed his action, transforming the horizontal slash into a vertical thrust, pinning Nakime directly to the ground.
Then.
"Bakudo Number 30: Shitotsusansen."
Three golden beams of light transformed into shackles, binding Nakime firmly.
Yoriichi continued deeper without even looking at her.
Lying on the ground, Nakime's thoughts became noticeably sluggish.
Watching Yoriichi leave, she felt a deep sense of disbelief.
She actually didn't die?!
What she said was true; she truly hadn't eaten anyone.
Because ever since she became a demon, she had resided in the Infinite Castle, never venturing out.
Her strength had also increased solely through Kibutsuji Muzan's favor, by drinking his blood.
Originally, she had just said it, trying to gain a slim chance of survival, but she never expected…
There was an indescribable emotion in her heart.
Of course, now didn't represent the future.
But Nakime couldn't move and couldn't use her Blood Demon Art, so she could only pray silently in her heart.
She was the last line of defense, and even she had been breached…
Muzan-sama…
You…
…
At this moment, Kibutsuji Muzan seemed to be in a silent world.
He was fully concentrating on transforming himself into his complete form, the true appearance of a demon.
Before this, he had always appeared before the world in human form.
Though convenient for disguise, his strength was far from sufficient.
The demon form, however, was entirely different.
His entire body could transform into deadly weapons.
Whether humans or other demons, they could be easily torn to shreds before him.
Facing Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Muzan was unsure if it would be effective.
But it was his last gamble.
Heavy breathing echoed in his ears.
At the moment of complete form transformation, a loud "bang" resounded.
Muzan, enveloped in a cocoon of flesh and blood, heard the sound of a heavy object landing outside.
As soon as he perceived it, he immediately felt a crisis approaching.
His pupils instantly dilated, and his hair stood on end.
Every organ in his body was frantically warning him to escape, to escape as quickly as possible!
With a "whoosh," the cocoon of flesh and blood was instantly torn to shreds by a fleeting blade.
Muzan appeared instantly nearby like a loach.
He gasped for breath, his face as pale as a corpse.
But the demonic aura emanating from his body showed that he was in his peak state.
His snow-white hair hung by his ears, his limbs tightly wrapped in fur, like a beast.
His blood-soaked body exuded wildness and madness.
His entire body was covered with giant mouths filled with sharp teeth.
It was as if any creature approaching him would be instantly devoured.
As the progenitor of demons, this was also his first transformation into this form.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi watched him quietly, his expression still as usual: "Is this your true form, Kibutsuji Muzan?"
"Evil, burning, and unchanged from four hundred years ago…"
"If this is all there is, then let everything end here."
No matter how Muzan changed, he always remained within the scope of a demon.
Muzan was extremely resentful; Yoriichi's overly calm tone seemed to be belittling him.
Undeniably, this man possessed the powerful ability to instantly kill him.
However, no matter how strong you are, you are still human, and you will eventually die!
"Don't be too arrogant, Tsugikuni Yoriichi!" he roared.
"That battle four hundred years ago was nothing; I just suffered from a lack of information!"
"If it weren't for your Sun Breathing, I would not fear you at all!"
Muzan's tone was full of anger; he vehemently denied that failure four hundred years ago, as if doing so could salvage some dignity for himself.
Yoriichi glanced at him quietly:
"You, the progenitor of demons, when did you become so ugly…"
"Lost is lost."
"Your wounds aren't healed yet, are they?"
He could clearly see the burn marks on Muzan's body that he had inflicted back then.
At this, Muzan was stunned, then immediately filled with rage.
He was truly hateful; this man was actually rubbing salt in his wounds.
Although these were all truths, he simply refused to listen.
Those injuries tormented him incessantly.
Now seeing Tsugikuni Yoriichi, the pain became even more apparent.
Gritting his teeth.
"Ugh!" His flesh instantly transformed into thorny whips, lashing out fiercely at Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
Muzan threw himself wholeheartedly into the battle, trying to find a glimmer of hope for survival.
He tried to kill Tsugikuni Yoriichi through a sneak attack, because his blood flowed on the whips.
If hit, at best one would turn into a demon, at worst be shattered into pieces, or at the very least, have one's flesh and blood corroded by demon blood, leading to a gruesome death.
He believed this strike of his would have some effect.
Back then, he had suffered from being in human form, lacking long-range attacks, and thus Tsugikuni Yoriichi had gotten close and cut off both his hands, almost severing his neck as well.
Since then, he had learned his lesson.
This move was born to slay Tsugikuni Yoriichi or other Sun Breathing swordsmen!
Muzan was full of confidence, yet reality dealt him a heavy blow.
When the whips approached within three feet of Yoriichi, they vanished without a trace, and the subsequent eight whips did the same.
This attack, capable of destroying half a street, had no effect whatsoever at this moment, like foam approaching a strong wind, instantly dissipating into nothingness…
Muzan didn't even see how Yoriichi swung his sword.
How is that possible?!
It wasn't like this four hundred years ago!
Because whether four hundred years ago or four hundred years later, Tsugikuni Yoriichi could instantly kill an Upper Rank Demon with one sword, so Muzan found it difficult to discern how much his strength had improved compared to four hundred years ago.
Now he knew.
The attacks he could see clearly back then were now like an insurmountable chasm; if he couldn't even see the attacks, how could he defend himself!?
Not good!
Muzan instinctively retreated; he thought of a crucial factor and immediately fled.
This man in front of him was no longer the same as four hundred years ago; he had overestimated his demon form!
He should have anticipated it; since he himself could undergo such a tremendous change, making his form close to perfection.
Why couldn't Tsugikuni Yoriichi?
He could already instantly kill him back then…
Now, with that god-like talent…
What then?
Damn it!
Muzan bit down hard on his back molars, feeling for the first time how unfair heaven was.
Since a special existence like himself had appeared, why must other people who surpassed him also be born?
For a thousand years, he had not seen gods or Buddhas, but this man in front of him was a fellow who surpassed gods and Buddhas.
All the hardships and dangers he had experienced in his life came from him!
But he stubbornly refused to die obediently! Why!
Muzan had no time to complain, only exuding intense unwillingness.
Yoriichi watched him quietly, fully experiencing these emotions.
A soft sigh escaped his lips:
"Even back then, I felt that I was born into this world to slay you, but unfortunately, I failed in the end."
"Now I no longer hesitate, but I didn't expect you to still be as arrogant and cowardly as ever. Why won't you obediently accept death?"
"Why do you think… only you are the most special one?"
"All things in the world are interdependent and mutually restraining; humans and demons are no exception."
"You have committed evil for a thousand years. Even without me, someone would eventually appear in the future to slay you. My appearance merely brings everything back to the right track from four hundred years ago."
"Accept the facts."
Saying that.
Bang.
Yoriichi vanished from his original spot.
His Zanpakuto reflected his indifferent countenance, and immediately after, Muzan's panicked and terrified expression was imprinted upon it.
Blood splattered like a fountain.
With a "thud," Muzan knelt heavily due to his forward momentum, his head flying high into the air. He clearly hadn't expected Tsugikuni Yoriichi's speed to be so fast.
Even in his full strength, fleeing three seconds in advance, he would be instantly caught…
This was simply not human!