Awakening the Demon Slayer Mark was the highest state a swordsman in the Corps could achieve. It was a power that not only boosted one's physical abilities to superhuman levels but could also grant access to the legendary Transparent World—a state of heightened perception where one could see the muscles, blood flow, and movements of their opponent with perfect clarity.
In the long history of the Demon Slayer Corps, only one person had been born with this power: Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He was known as a child blessed by the heavens, a prodigy who had mastered the original Breathing Style, Sun Breathing, and taught its derivatives to the first demon slayers. More importantly, he was the only man who had ever come close to killing Muzan Kibutsuji. He was also the younger twin brother of the demon who would become Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki.
Despite his immense power, Yoriichi had no grand ambitions and only wished for a quiet life. He was a miracle, the only swordsman to awaken the Mark and live to be over eighty years old. For centuries since his death, he remained an insurmountable legend. Now, even awakening the Mark was considered a near-impossible feat, let alone reaching the Transparent World.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki knew this history better than anyone. He also knew that achieving this miracle was likely the only chance his Hashira had to survive. If they failed to awaken the Mark in the heat of this desperate battle, they would be completely wiped out. All he could do now was pray. He prayed that his slayers, his children, could find a path through this catastrophe.
…
Back in the bloodstained Cabinet office in Tokyo, the air seemed to turn to stone. The moment Tsukihiko and Priest Shibei prepared to move, an invisible pressure filled the room, making it difficult to breathe.
Kokushibo, who was observing from a distance, felt the immense force firsthand. He was the most powerful of the Twelve Kizuki, a swordsman with hundreds of years of combat experience. His immortal body and immense demonic power made him nearly impervious to damage, even from modern firearms. But the raw aura now radiating from Tsukihiko and Priest Shibei was so overwhelming that he felt a sense of suppression he hadn't experienced in centuries.
It was terrifying. It was irresistible.
They were strong. Impossibly strong. Both his master and this priest were radiating power on a level he could barely comprehend. And worse, he could feel that their power was still rising. This was only the beginning.
"As expected of Kibutsuji Muzan," Priest Shibei said, his voice echoing in the tense silence. He lightly shook the scepter in his hand, a playful and condescending glint in his eyes. "It seems that over the centuries, you've managed to grasp the power hidden within your bloodline. But unfortunately…"
His voice turned cold. "You still can't release that power completely. In the end, you are nothing more than an experimental subject of our Priest Clan."
The moment the words "experimental subject" left his lips, Priest Shibei's scepter vibrated violently.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
An endless wave of sound rippled through the air, washing over the entire room. In that same instant, Tsukihiko heard countless profound and eerie incantations echoing in his mind. With each chant, he could feel his own body beginning to change against his will.
Could this be the true origin of Muzan Kibutsuji?
The shocking thought flashed through Tsukihiko's mind. After fusing with Muzan, he had analyzed the Demon King's memories and abilities. In the original history, the Hashira, along with Tamayo and Tanjiro, had only won by stalling until sunrise. They had killed the monster but had never truly uncovered his secrets. Muzan's own memory suggested he was created by a doctor who used an unfinished medicine on him.
But that explanation was too simple. It had to be a lie.
The pieces now clicked into place with horrifying clarity. The Priest Clan hadn't just appeared to help the Ubuyashiki; they were the cause of everything. They had created the first demon, Muzan, and then cultivated the Ubuyashiki family and the Demon Slayer Corps to oppose him, creating a perfect cycle of conflict that they could control from the shadows. If they could create a demon, then surely they possessed a way to restrain one.
And that was exactly what Priest Shibei was doing now.
"Feel it," the priest commanded, taking another steady step forward. His expression was completely blank, like the sole ruler of this world. The eerie incantations grew louder, interfering directly with Tsukihiko's body.
Even Kokushibo, watching from the sidelines, felt a deep and primal terror. He had expected an easy victory for his master. He never imagined this priest would unleash such a heaven-defying power from the very start. If Tsukihiko couldn't regain control, they might not leave this room alive.
Whoosh!
In Kokushibo's six eyes, he saw his master's body reacting violently. Countless sharp, whip-like tentacles erupted from Tsukihiko's back, thrashing wildly in an uncontrolled display of power. This only made Kokushibo's expression grow more grim. If his master couldn't even control his own form, they had no chance of winning.
"Heh heh… Priest Shibei, is it?"
Suddenly, Tsukihiko, who had been silent, began to laugh. "Do you really think that everything is under your control?"
Bang!
The moment he spoke, the strange, musical sound of a zither echoed through the air.
Zheng! Zheng! Zheng!
Instantly, the space within the room began to warp and fold, overlapping itself countless times before reassembling into a new, distorted shape.
"Not good…" This impossible sight finally shattered the priest's composure, and his expression changed to one of pure shock.
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