The ever-cautious Muzan Kibutsuji was not truly present—this was only a fragment of himself. Thus, neither Yōsuke nor Muzan could truly deal with the other.
Both understood clearly: this was not yet the time for their final battle.
The twang of the biwa echoed again. Another wooden door appeared in the void. Its presence signaled what all could sense: this fight had come to an end.
At the rear of the Upper Moons, Dōma sighed regretfully as his gaze lingered on the Butterfly Sisters standing behind Yōsuke.
"What a pity… Next time, I'll be sure to devour you both. You'll be freed from this painful world and live happily with me for all eternity."
The sisters glared at him with loathing, but were powerless to act.
Yōsuke gently laid his hand upon Kanae's Nichirin Blade.
"Blood Breathing, Third Form: Tempest flame Blood Blade!"
The blood along the blade ignited like burning fire. A massive horizontal slash tore forth, sweeping toward Dōma.
"Blood Demon Art: Frozen Lotus Wall!"
Dōma swung his twin fans, conjuring a thick wall of ice in the slash's path.
But the wall crumbled like tofu, offering no resistance as the flaming strike carved through. Dōma raised his iron-hard fans in a desperate guard—yet in the next instant, both fans, along with his hands, were severed cleanly.
"Breath of the Moon, Sixth Form: Perpetual Night, Lonely Moon—Endless!"
Just as the slash was about to cut Dōma in two, Kokushibō unsheathed his blade. With blinding speed, he unleashed a storm of overlapping strikes upon a single point, dispersing Yōsuke's attack.
At Yōsuke's sudden offensive, all the Upper Moons tensed, standing ready for orders.
But Muzan only cast Yōsuke a cold glance, then turned and stepped into the wooden door.
Kokushibō sheathed his blade and followed silently after his master.
The others exchanged uncertain looks. Though none understood Muzan's intent, not one dared to question him.
And so, Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki vanished into the darkness of the door.
Thus ended a battle none had foreseen.
When Muzan was gone, Yōsuke lowered his sword and looked warmly upon the familiar faces before him.
"It's been a long time—Hakuji, Gyutaro, Koyuki, Ume."
Before he could say more, Ume flung herself into his arms.
"Yōsuke-sama, I missed you so much~!"
Yōsuke smiled, ruffling her hair.
"I've missed you as well, Ume."
Hakuji and Gyutaro suddenly dropped to their knees before him.
"Forgive us, Yōsuke-sama."
Yōsuke blinked, surprised.
"Forgive you? For what?"
Shame clouded their faces as they answered in unison.
"We failed your expectations."
Yōsuke helped them to their feet.
"You misunderstand. I've never thought of you as subordinates bound to me. You've never had any obligation to act for my sake. On the contrary… it is I who should thank you."
He spoke gently, but firmly.
"No man is without flaw, no plan without imperfection. Even I did not foresee that all of the Upper Moons—and even Muzan—would appear in this battle. You already did more than enough."
He patted both Hakuji and Gyutaro on the shoulder.
"So, enough with those long faces. It's been years since we've seen each other. Let's sit, catch up, and you can tell me of your lives these past years."
"Yes, Yosuke-sama!" they answered together.
Meanwhile, the Butterfly Sisters were lost in thought.
Dōma, the Upper Moons, Muzan himself—everything that had transpired since their infiltration of the Eternal Paradise Faith had far exceeded their expectations.
Even now, they had yet to fully recover from the near brushes with death that haunted their hearts.
Yōsuke extended his hand toward them with a smile.
"Come. It's time to go home."
Seeing him, the turmoil within Kanae and Shinobu gradually stilled. Taking his hands in theirs, they finally felt safe.
They all returned together to Yōsuke's home.
From Hakuji and the others, he learned of their endeavors in recent years. They had dedicated themselves to gathering information on the Twelve Kizuki. By now, the identities of the Upper Ranks were fully known. But the Lower Ranks shifted constantly—any information collected might already be obsolete the next moment.
Still, before this day, Hakuji and the rest had never once faced the Upper Moons directly. They had not truly known their power.
Recalling Mandō—the bizarre Upper Rank Six whose mirrors absorbed and reflected every attack—they frowned deeply, unease written plainly on their faces.
Yōsuke, perceiving their worries, offered calm reassurance.
"The Twelve Kizuki are Muzan's chosen, the mightiest among all demons. Each one wields unique abilities. If you go into battle unaware of those powers, it is only natural to fall into disadvantage."
Kanae poured tea for them all. Yōsuke lifted his cup, sipping quietly. Ume followed suit, but the taste startled her so much she nearly toppled off her chair.
"Wha—!? It's not sake?!"
Yōsuke quickly steadied her, exasperated.
"Must you react so strongly? Can't I change my palate once in a while?"
Koyuki smiled softly.
"From never without your sake… to enjoying tea. Yosuke-sama, you really have changed over the years."
Gyutaro tried a sip himself, grimaced at the bitterness, and set the cup aside. Clearly, tea was not to his liking.
Hakuji, meanwhile, drained his cup in one gulp and forced a smile.
"Mm… delicious!"
But Yōsuke could tell at once from his strained expression that the words were hollow.
Seeing the Butterfly Sisters still a little restrained, Koyuki gently asked:
"How did you come to meet Yosuke-sama?"
Kanae answered softly.
"He saved me and my sister from a demon. I begged him to take us as his disciples. Since then, Master has guided us with all his heart."
Koyuki's smile warmed.
"How like Yosuke-sama. He has always been so kind. He saved Hakuji, Gyutaro, Ume, and me… and in doing so, saved our very lives."
Kanae's eyes softened as she glanced at Yōsuke.
"Yes… without Master, Shinobu and I would have long been dead. We've always been grateful to him."
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