Kokushibo just cut Genya's left arm off. Before the poor slayer could even feel the pain, the Upper Rank the other arm, leaving Genya without a single arm. And then, he cut Genya in half. "You're not dead, even if I cut you in half... Maybe that's because you eat demons. Three-hundred years ago, I met another swordsman like you, who ate demons. But he died when I sliced him in half. But in your case, do I have to severe your head?" asked Kokushibo. "There's not reason why a fake demon like you should keep living."
(I have to reattach my arm!) thought Genya, moving his body how he could, trying to reach for his arm. Fortunately, before the boy could get even more injured, someone else arrived. "Wind Breathing: Fourth Form -- Rising Dust Storm!" Sanemi had arrived, forcing Kokushibo to jump away from Genya. "The Wind Hashira?" wondered Kokushibo. "That's right. And this wind is going to severe your head, asshole!" exclaimed Sanemi. "Aniki..." muttered Genya. "You're really useles, little brother," said Sanemi. "Why do you think I killed our mother taht day? To protect you. You could have found a house for yourself, had a family and get old. To fix the things we couldn't do for our mother and our siblings..."
"Aniki... I'm sorry," said Sanemi. "Brothers and Demon Slayers... This brings back so many memories..." muttered Kokushibo. "HOW DARE YOU CUT MY LITTLE BROTHER? I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU, NEVER!" shouted Sanemi, sprinting forward in Kokushibo's direction. However, Kokushibo attacked too, launching little moons to Sanemi, but the Wind Hashira lowered himself and slipped under Kokushibo's legs. Then, he released wind, and Kokushibo jumped. "First Form -- Dust Whirlwind Cutter!" exclaimed Sanemi, destroying a few pillars. But then, to counter, Kokushibo extracted his katana once again, blocking Sanemi's blade. "Moon Breathing: Fifth Form -- Moon Spirit Calamitous Eddy," he said. Sanemi jumped just in time, right before being sliced by Kokushibo's sharp moons. "You keep repeating those blows without even swinging your sword!" exclaimed Sanemi.
Kokushibo dashed forward, but Sanemi wasn't unprepared. "Wind Breathing: Third Form -- Clear Storm Wind Tree!" he exclaimed, countering Kokushibo's blows. "Very well. Your physical skills reached their peak," said Kokushibo. (I keep having goosembumps... Those guy's techniques are incredible...) thought Sanemi. "Interesting! You're a demon worth living!" he then exclaimed, smiling.
"Wind Breathing: Second Form -- Claws-Purifying Wind!" exclaimed the Wind Hashira, attacking Kokushibo. The demon's katana got hit. Then, Sanemi appeared from behind, but Kokushibo managed to turn in time and blocking the Wind Hashira's sword with his own. But then, Sanemi tried to stab Kokushibo's chin, but the demon noticed and dodged. But the sword Sanemi tried to stab Kokushibo with wasn't his. It was Genya's sword, which he was holding in his right feet. (My sword!) thought Genya, realizing. (He continues to keep up with my techniques... He may not be my nephew, but this sensation is so nostalgic it makes me want to try harder!) thought Kokushibo. "Moon Breathing: Sixth Form -- Perpetual Light, Lonely Moon, Incessant."
In a blink of an eye, everything in the room destroyed, and of course, Sanemi got hit. (What's happening? I can't see a thing, pillars are blocking my sight...) thought Genya. "You resisted for a long time, but it's over for you now. If you move, your guts will spill out," said Kokushibo. But strangely, Sanemi smiled. "Catnip for cats, rare blood for demons," he said. Suddenly, Sanemi attacked again. "What's up, man? I see you're a bit staggering! The scent of my blood intoxicates demons, and this blood is the rarest of rarest, it's a once in a lifetime, goddammit!"
"Wind Breathing: Sixth Form -- Black Wind Mountain Mist!" exclaimed Sanemi, as Kokushibo barely dodged. (That guy... Despite his injures, he can still move? Compared to the other Hashiras I've met, this duel would have already end with the others," thought Kokushibo. "How much time since I last felt this intoxicating sensation? After all, it's rare blood..." he muttered.
Elsewhere...
As the fight goes on, Goku was running as fast as he could to reach Kokushibo. Behind him, Giyuu and Shinobu. "Hey, slow down a bit, Goku!" exclaimed Giyuu. "Hell nah! Muichiro and the others are risking their lives against my uncle, I have to hurry!" replied Goku. "You're not forced to follow me. When we're there, I'll fight Kokushibo alone," he added. "Alone? Do you have any idea how strong that guy is?" demanded Shinobu. "I do. I know what you're thinking: 'You barely defeated Akaza, how do you hope to beat that guy?', that what's you're thinking," said Goku, still running, "But I don't know why, I feel like I haven't reached my full potential... Something's still sleeping inside me. Maybe, the demon form I unlocked earlier is not the only thing I can still achieve."
Back on the battlefield...
Just when Sanemi was about to succumb to Kokushibo, two other allies arrived. "You've done great, Shinazugawa, but now we'll handle this guy!" They were Rengoku and Gyomei. "I encountered Rengoku on the way here, and since he wasn't fighting any important enemy, I decided to bring him with me," said Gyomei. "Shinazugawa... Stitch your stomach wound. We'll fight this guy in the meantime," he added. "Okay... Thanks," muttered Sanemi. "It's been a long time since I fought a such strong opponent, I almost forgot how it feels fighting one of the Twelve Kizuki..." said Rengoku. "And now I'm standing in front of the strong of them all, it's a real honor!" he then exclaimed. "You're the one who trained my nephew, right? You're the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku..." muttered Kokushibo. "Yes, I am! Do you want to see something really cool?" asked Rengoku. Slowly, on his neck, a flame-like mark appeared. (He... Awakened the mark too?) wondered Kokushibo. "Let's go, Himejima!" exclaimed the Flame Hashira, as he dashed forward in Kokushibo's direction. "Bring it on!" said Kokushibo. Without hesitation, Gyomei swinged his spiked flail towards Kokushibo, and the demon dodged. "Flame Breathing: Third Form -- Blazing Universe!" exclaimed Rengoku, getting incredibly close to behead Kokushibo. "Ha! I almost got you!" exclaimed the Flame Hashira. "Your turn, Himejima!"
"Stone Breathing: Second Form -- Upper Smash!" exclaimed Gyomei. His spiked flail threw right in front of Kokushibo, who dodged. But then, the chain of the spiked flail wrapped around the demon's neck. (I can't cut this chain!) he thought. "Flame Breathing: First Form -- Unknowing Fire!" exclaimed Rengoku. Unfortunately, Kokushibo managed to slip away from Gyomei's chain and dodge, jumping backwards. (We have to resist until Goku-kun gets here... I know he'll come...) thought Rengoku. Kokushibo dashed forward, aiming for Gyomei's neck. But the result was the demon cutting some pillars. The Stone Hashira had jumped, and now he was ready to strike again. He attacked Kokushibo with both his axe and his spiked flail, but as usual, Upper Rank One dodged. "My turn!" exclaimed Rengoku, jumping in Kokushibo's direction.
"Flame Breathing: Ninth Form -- Rengoku!"
"Moon Breathing: Second Form -- Pearl Flower Moongazing."
The two of them clashed. Kokushibo's sword broke. (I made it... I broke his sword...) thought the Flame Hashira, sweating and panting. But then, Kokushibo's katana regenerated. "Even if damaged, this katana can regenerate. Attacks are useless, you pathetic human," said Kokushibo. Rengoku, who had a cut on his face and on his left arm, smiled. "Proud to be a useless human, like you say."
"I thought it wouldn't be necessary..." muttered Gyomei. "I wanted to keep it for Muzan, but since the situation is getting bad, I have to use it now!" he exclaimed. Suddenly, on the Stone Hashira's forearms, a black pattern appeared. In that moment, Gyomei showed everyone his mark. "I didn't know you had a mark too, Himejima!" exclaimed Rengoku. (My legs are shaking and my conditions are bad... Please, Goku-kun, don't be late.)
Elsewhere in the room, after a lot of attempts, Muichiro finally managed to pull Kokushibo's sword out of his body. The boy fell on the ground, but without the sword anymore. "Anf... Anf... Himejima, Rengoku, I'm coming..." he muttered, standing up. "Hey, Tokito-san..." muttered a voice. Muichiro turned and saw Genya. "Genya, you're alive!" he exclaimed. "I'm sorry to ask you this, but... Could you please reattach my body? And also, could you bring that lock of hair over there and make me eat it?" asked Genya. "I want to fight until the end. I want to protect aniki..." Muichiro nodded. "Got it. Let's fight together until the end."
"So, you have the mark too..." muttered Kokushibo. "I feel sorry for you. Whoever unlocks the mark, will die at twenty-five, without exceptions. At least you're not born with that mark," he explained. "So, Goku-kun who's born with the mark won't die at twenty-five, right?" asked Rengoku. "That's right. Also because he has demonic cells inside him, of course," said Kokushibo.
Speaking of Goku...
Our little hero arrived in front of the door of the room. "Open, you fucking door!" he exclaimed, kicking the door. From the inside, Rengoku felt Goku's kick. (He's here...) he realized. (Please, whoever is fighting inside this room... Hold on a little while, just for me to open this door. I'm coming to save you!)
Chapter 62 - End.