He was still at a disadvantage...
Unwillingness and anger filled Kokushibou's heart.
It didn't understand why, after sacrificing everything to become stronger, it not only failed to catch up to Yoriichi but was now even suppressed by a junior Sun Breathing swordsman.
Initially, to become a samurai, he trained diligently every day, his palms raw and his body aching so much he struggled to sleep. Yet, Yoriichi, who had never trained, easily surpassed him.
Then, Yoriichi's initiative departure allowed him to achieve his childhood dream. He thought his strength was sufficient, but another encounter with Yoriichi shattered that notion.
The entire samurai corps he led was almost completely annihilated under the demons' attacks, and even he was helpless against such monsters at the time.
However, such a monster was decapitated by Yoriichi with a single strike when he appeared.
At this point, he had become a perfect being, impeccable in both swordsmanship and character. Jealousy and hatred replaced the original calm in his heart, once again burning through his organs.
To catch up to Yoriichi, he abandoned his wife and children and joined the Demon Slayer Corps.
But even so, he still couldn't reach that dazzling figure. Later, he even abandoned his human identity, transforming into his current ugly form, yet he was still defeated by the withered Yoriichi with a single blow, almost losing his life.
"It's not fair… Why do guys like you exist in this world! Completely negating all my efforts!"
Veins bulged on Kokushibou's face. He used blade of vain cries to parry Musashi's attack, roaring furiously at him. His rationality was being consumed by anger.
A large number of crescent blades surged from the blade of vain cries, finally blocking Musashi's slash, but the blade of vain cries also had more than half of its blades cut off by Musashi's attack.
The crimson Nichirin Sword collided with the blade of vain cries, and another branch blade of the blade of vain cries was severed.
Now, the blade of vain cries was almost cut back to its original form by Musashi, with only two or three branch blades remaining on one side.
"This power also represents responsibility.
You clearly belong to the Moon of innate strong individuals; heaven has also bestowed upon you power beyond ordinary people. Why do you use this power for comparison instead of protection?"
Musashi looked at Kokushibou's angry expression, attacking while explaining his perspective and questioning him. He had understood the reason for Kokushibou's anger from his words—it was nothing more than jealousy of Tsugikuni Senior and his talent.
But Musashi didn't think this was something to be jealous of. Kyojuro's words and actions had always influenced him, and he had adopted them as his own code of conduct, forming his own beliefs.
In his view, great power also entails greater responsibility. This was not something to be celebrated. If he could, he would even wish to exchange his power for a happy and complete family, where his mother hadn't died, and his father wasn't so unfeeling, living a lifetime like ordinary people.
"My current strength is something I've gained by abandoning countless things, but what about you guys? Why do you guys inherently possess such immense power and talent?"
Kokushibou roared furiously at Musashi, simultaneously launching attacks like a furious storm. The incomplete blade of vain cries swung continuously through the air, and countless intricate, interwoven slashes, accompanied by crescent blades, simultaneously assailed Musashi, leaving no gaps.
Moon Breathing, Ninth Form: Decaying Moon, Continuous Face.
"Sun Breathing, Eighth Form: Scorching Sun, Shining Wheel."
Musashi swung his Nichirin Sword, and circular flame slashes radiated outwards from him, incinerating Kokushibou's slashes.
"Moon Breathing, Fourteenth Form: Catastrophe, Heavenly Full Crescent Moon!"
Seeing Musashi's attack about to land on him, Kokushibou gripped the blade of vain cries and slashed forward in a semicircle. Countless massive crescent-shaped blade winds flew out, as if to sweep away everything in their path.
The crescent-shaped blade winds collided with the Shining Sun Wheel, dispersing the Shining Sun Wheel, which had been weakened by the Ninth Form. Simultaneously, the crescent-shaped wind blades also dissipated.
"If I could, I would rather not have this power and instead live a peaceful life in a world without demons."
Looking at the repelled Kokushibou, Musashi spoke his true feelings.
Hearing Musashi's words, a surge of anger welled up from the bottom of Kokushibou's heart, and at the same time, past memories revived in his mind.
...
"Compared to discussing sword techniques, I actually prefer to fly kites and play Sugoroku with my brother."
After Yoriichi displayed his talent in swordsmanship, Michikatsu Tsugikuni immediately asked him how he achieved it. However, Yoriichi was completely uninterested in it. Despite his immense talent, he preferred to play with himself.
...
How wonderful it would be if heaven could bestow talent upon those who diligently pursue it…
This was Kokushibou's long-held thought. He diligently studied swordsmanship but made slow progress, while Yoriichi, with his immense talent, showed no interest in it at all.
To be almost the same as him… This is… an insult to me!
The things he valued so much, the things he would stop at nothing to obtain, were perhaps less than a single house in the eyes of these two. Kokushibou felt greatly insulted. Everything he had worked for was seemingly belittled as not worth mentioning by the other party, while what he had abandoned was what they desired to possess.
"You… are insulting me!"
Kokushibou's anger surged. He gripped the blade of vain cries with both hands, his eyes filled with hatred as he looked at Musashi.
Musashi was bewildered by Kokushibou's anger and couldn't understand how he had insulted him. He had merely spoken his true feelings to him.
However, he didn't dwell on the question too much. Seeing Kokushibou's stance, he also responded seriously.
"Moon Breathing, Sixteenth Form: Moonbow, Solitary Crescent Moon!"
Kokushibou swung the blade of vain cries backward, and then several giant blade winds descended from above in front of him, accompanied by countless giant crescent blades.
The attack sealed all routes around Musashi, making it seem impossible to avoid.
Facing the situation, Musashi exhaled a white rainbow from his lips, lowered his center of gravity, and the flame Demon Slayer Mark on his forehead glowed brightly.
"Sun Breathing, Tenth Form: Sun Flame, Burning Heaven!"
The Nichirin Sword slashed upwards and forwards, and several Hashiras of flames, like a volcanic eruption, rose from the ground, spreading towards Kokushibou, engulfing all the giant wind blades falling from the sky along the way.
The crimson light shone on Kokushibou's face, reflecting a crimson color in all six of his eyes.
Seeing this, Kokushibou immediately wanted to dodge. He knew that none of his sword techniques could withstand this attack.
However, Musashi's attack, similar to his previous one, completely sealed off all his escape routes.
A Hashira of flame engulfed half of his body…