For hundreds of years since the birth of Breathing Techniques, those who could independently develop Breathing Techniques and Sword Forms were all Geniuses.
Even the Five Great Breathing Styles, which are regarded as fundamental Breathing Techniques, have only accumulated a mere ten or so Sword Forms over hundreds of years.
A descendant with such talent at only fourteen years old stirred a long-lost sense of appreciation in Kokushibou's heart.
The last time he felt this way was when Akaza challenged him to a Blood Battle for a position change.
He had originally intended to wait for Akaza to give him more pleasure, but he never expected to meet Mizuki.
It wasn't that he looked down on Akaza; Akaza certainly had talent, otherwise, he wouldn't have become Upper Rank Three, but that was all he had.
Being surpassed by Douma, who became a demon later than him, indicated that his talent was not among the strongest, and he was far inferior to Mizuki.
One less decent fellow.
However, for Kokushibou, there was nothing to regret. Mizuki was still alive, and Kokushibou's heart, which had been calm for hundreds of years, stirred once more.
He wanted to prove to Mizuki.
That he was right... Muichiro was undoubtedly a Genius, but he was still too naive.
The engagement... no, it should be called a one-sided attack, as Kokushibou never drew his blade, merely evading with an air of nonchalance.
Muichiro frowned slightly, relentlessly pressing his attack.
Kokushibou lowered his gaze slightly. This child... should he be called single-minded or something else?
With such an obvious disparity in strength, he should understand no matter how much he struggles, right?
Kokushibou paused his steps, and a slash that he could have easily avoided came straight for his neck.
A ripple appeared in Muichiro's otherwise calm eyes, but it was extinguished by Kokushibou's own hand in the blink of an eye.
The sharp blade was stopped by his not-so-tough fingers, unable to advance an inch.
"Your Sword Form is excellent, but there's a slight stiffness in the transitions," Kokushibou remarked, looking down at the blade. "Is it not your usual sword?"
His swordsmanship was impeccable, and his use of Sword Forms was rarely seen in the world, yet there was a slight sense of obstruction in his movements during transitions.
The only possibility was that he hadn't adapted to the weapon yet.
Even a new weapon custom-made for one's body would feel drastically different from a previously used weapon.
Not to mention, Tokito Muichiro's current blade was just picked up from the workshop.
Although all weapons are of the Katana standard, it's still unlikely to achieve optimal performance perfectly.
This requires a certain amount of time to adapt.
Muichiro's eyes widened slightly. This guy... how sharp... He was about to withdraw his sword and retreat when the corner of his eye suddenly caught Tetsunomori and Kotetsu stealthily emerging from the woods behind Kokushibou, tiptoeing slowly towards the hut.
Muichiro's mind, which was already devoid of many thoughts, crashed for a moment.
These two idiots... do they really think that monster won't notice them doing that?
"Hurry, get in!" As if annoyed by Tetsunomori's slowness at the doorway, Kotetsu pushed his backside.
What are they doing?
These two people... Muichiro's eyelids twitched slightly.
Kokushibou, whose fingertips pressed against Muichiro's blade, turned his head slightly. He really didn't want to pay attention to those two rats. Wouldn't it be better to just run away like rats?
Who knew that instead of fleeing, they were practically dancing right before his eyes.
Seeing Kokushibou turn around, Muichiro inwardly cursed, stomped his feet, and launched himself into the air, kicking towards Kokushibou's chest.
Kokushibou's attention was diverted in time, and he raised his hand to block.
Muichiro successfully used that force to retreat, lowering his gaze to Kokushibou's feet, which hadn't moved an inch.
He couldn't see a way to victory.
Kokushibou said indifferently, "You seem to care a great deal about those two humans."
"That's not a good habit."
Mizuki had fallen into danger precisely because she protected unnecessary humans back then.
Muichiro took a stance: "That's why you can't understand. Demons are just demons; they only wantonly harm others."
Even Muichiro's desire to protect others would not change.
There are people stronger than him in the village, so there's no need to worry. He will stop this monster here.
Very well... Without any warning, the tall figure suddenly appeared right in front of him.
Muichiro's pupils sharply contracted, and his heart stopped beating. Even though he reacted extremely quickly, drawing his sword to strike, Kokushibou gave him no further chance to show off, casually snatching the Nichirin Blade while grabbing Muichiro's collar with one hand and slamming him violently to the ground.
"Ugh~" The pain of hitting the ground on his back made Muichiro let out a painful wail.
"Muichiro's Mu..."
As his mind went blank, a voice seemed to call out in his ear.
Who?
Muichiro's mind was a blank slate.
Kokushibou looked down at him: "My descendant, become a demon and serve Master Muzan."
Kokushibou had held back after all, otherwise, that fall would have killed Muichiro.
He had sacrificed too much for Kibutsuji Muzan's dominion.
Before Muichiro could catch his breath, a slight movement sounded behind Kokushibou.
"Go! yoriichi type zero!"
Even though the actions of the two seemed brazenly obvious in Kokushibou's eyes, hearing a name with 'Yoriichi' in it still caused Kokushibou's heart to involuntarily twitch.
Kokushibou turned around to see a six-armed doll, wielding six Nichirin Blades, attacking him with steady posture.
Kokushibou's eyes darkened slightly.
This scene reminded him of some unpleasant memories.
Seizing the opportunity, Kotetsu quickly waved at Muichiro: "Get up quickly!"
Muichiro didn't have time to ponder the figure that appeared in his mind, forcing himself to stand despite the pain in his body.
"Your Excellency Tokito! The sword!"
Tetsunomori quickly handed the sword he was holding to Muichiro.
"You two..." Muichiro subconsciously took the sword.
Kotetsu whispered, "Quick, while yoriichi type zero is holding this guy off, let's run!"
This brat... he stubbornly refused to give him the key back then... Something seemed to stir within Muichiro's heart.
But... hold him off?
Muichiro looked sideways; the monster who had never drawn his sword against him... had drawn his sword.
It was a demon blade, filled with a putrid stench, its body covered in ugly eyes.
"Moon Breathing, Third Form: Loathsome Moon - Chains!"
Two purple crescent slashes erupted from the blade, with countless tiny crescents attached to the surface of the arc-shaped moon slashes.
The two slashes arrived almost simultaneously in front of yoriichi type zero. One directly shattered yoriichi type zero's body, and the lingering Sword Qi cut through the hut behind yoriichi type zero.
The other, from bottom to top, cleaved yoriichi type zero's head, then cut through a large tree behind it, soaring into the sky.
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