A pain not felt for hundreds of years surged through Kokushibou's entire body, forcing him to recall the memory of almost being decapitated that year.
Engraved memories flooded his mind, and the past resurfaced little by little.
From that time... no, it should be even earlier... he had always known about Mizuki's talent... The scarlet blade hurt, but it was far less painful than decapitation.
Mizuki was still forcefully pushing the scarlet blade into Kokushibou's chest; the blade had already pierced through his flesh.
Surprised by Mizuki's speed, Kokushibou stomped his heel, veins bulging on his arm, and tightly gripped Mizuki's wrist, preventing her from advancing further.
Both held their breath, beginning a test of strength.
The scorching scarlet blade emitted a crimson glow, and as the air distorted, the flesh on Kokushibou's chest painfully wriggled, attempting to repair the damage caused by the scarlet blade.
Even scarlet blades have different grades.
Yoriichi's scarlet blade, combined with Sun Breathing and his talent, could almost completely block the regeneration of demon flesh, even for Kibutsuji Muzan.
Mizuki's scarlet blade couldn't reach that level, but it could greatly restrict demon regeneration.
The regeneration speed of Upper Rank demons is such that, as long as it's not a fatal head wound, they can recover instantly, and even a severed arm can regenerate in less than a breath.
Although Mizuki had never eaten human flesh, her regeneration speed was also in this category, though probably not as fast as Kokushibou's.
As Upper Rank One, Kokushibou's regeneration speed was undoubtedly second only to Kibutsuji Muzan.
And now, under the continuous erosion of the scarlet blade, flesh regeneration would inevitably consume more stamina.
Mizuki was still significantly weaker than Kokushibou in pure strength; the pain from her wrist made her clench her teeth.
During their struggle, Mizuki suddenly lowered her head, aiming a pair of sharp, long demon horns at Kokushibou's face.
Such a trick... Kokushibou leaned his upper body back, naturally loosening his grip, and Mizuki, seeing this, exerted force on the hilt of her blade to the side.
"Ugh~" The tearing pain from his chest made Kokushibou let out a muffled groan. He simply gave up the struggle with Mizuki and grabbed one of the demon horns on top of Mizuki's head with one hand.
Mizuki's expression changed slightly. Before she could react, a huge force came from her head, and her scalp felt a tearing pain as it was dragged. The fierce force pulled her to smash onto the ground to her left.
Never having had her demon horns grabbed in battle before, Mizuki was momentarily flustered.
These damned horns!!!
She knew it!!!
These things would eventually be her downfall!!!
This old geezer looks so rigid, but his moves are so insidious!
As her body lost balance, Mizuki steadied herself. Since she was unbalanced to the left, she could only cut through Kokushibou's right chest, failing to cut him in half.
Mizuki rolled awkwardly twice on the ground and stood up, her scalp throbbing.
These horns, I don't need them.
They're useless and easily become a weakness... but Shinobu seems to like them.
And it's not like she can just get rid of them if she doesn't want them; they'll regenerate even if broken off.
Mizuki sighed, looking at Kokushibou with annoyance.
Kokushibou met her gaze expressionlessly, blood dripping from his chest.
Blood trickled down Kokushibou's skin.
This was the most severe injury Kokushibou had sustained in several hundred years. His right chest was completely cut open, and the regeneration-blocking effect of the scarlet blade prevented him from immediately repairing his body, leaving his entire physique bloody.
The impact of the scarlet blade was deeper than he had imagined.
Two breaths had passed, and such a severe injury still hadn't healed.
But Kokushibou was not afraid; instead, his fighting spirit grew stronger. It had been a long time since he was injured.
It had been a long time since he fought.
The reason he spared Akaza's life during the Upper Rank Battle was precisely because he believed Akaza's pursuit of martial arts ideals could please him in the future, right?
But indeed... there's no harm without comparison.
Akaza certainly had potential, but compared to Mizuki, who was already a formidable enemy, the difference was not insignificant.
Perceiving Kokushibou's surging aura once again, Mizuki slightly focused.
Kokushibou's fighting spirit was soaring, and so was hers.
Her body had been rusty for hundreds of years from constantly hiding.
The battle with Akaza ended too quickly, she didn't even get to warm up.
Of course, it would be even better if Kokushibou were as weak as that.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the fighting spirit in each other's eyes.
Kokushibou remarked, "Speaking of which, it's been over four hundred years since we last fought like this."
Mizuki raised an eyebrow: "Huh? Is your memory only seven seconds long? Or has your brain gone bad after becoming a demon?"
"The Entertainment District incident was only a couple of months ago, wasn't it?"
Kokushibou said calmly, "No, that time I only saw someone in a frenzy."
Honestly, he later regretted not taking Mizuki away when she was weak.
After all, reunion was not easy, and his mind was a bit muddled.
Mizuki took a deep breath, a deathly smile gracing her face: "You can wait to die."
Kokushibou's lips curved: "Heh, you can try."
He suddenly felt like agreeing with Mizuki; seeing someone angry was indeed quite satisfying.
This person seems to be feeling smug about something.
Mizuki's lips curled unnaturally, but it was fleeting, as if it were just an illusion.
If only she had been more serious then... Mizuki's body relaxed slightly.
Hmm?
Weren't you tense just now?
This is... As Kokushibou was surprised, the sword in his hand involuntarily lowered a bit.
Mizuki exhaled: "Speaking of which, elder brother, I think I'm in love."
...Kokushibou said calmly: "Is there something wrong with your head?"
He thought this girl had finally understood, but what the hell is being in love? Who cares if you're in love or not?
What nonsense.
A vein pulsed on Mizuki's forehead, and her youthful face twitched: "I thought, since you're still considered an elder, I should inform you before I kill you."
"Otherwise, it would seem like I have no manners."
Kokushibou was expressionless: "You never had those to begin with."
"My mistake." Mizuki smiled faintly, "Go to hell, you old fossil who knows nothing of love."
Mizuki's aura instantly surged, and in a breath, she raised her blade and slashed at Kokushibou.
"Angry?" Kokushibou dodged her erratic slash.
"No, I'm not." Mizuki smiled.
Kokushibou sighed inwardly: "...Just to ask, is it that brat who uses Sun Breathing?"
Mizuki's expression stiffened: "What kind of eyes do you have?"
"That ninja?" Kokushibou began to use the process of elimination, "But he already has someone by his side..."
Boom!
A powerful, heavy blow interrupted his words.
"...I thought so..." Kokushibou's tiger's mouth was somewhat split open, "That blonde brat?"
"It can't be that boar, can it?"
Mizuki fell silent; she had said too much.
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