A burning sensation assailed Kokushibou from that half of his body; even with his body's strength, a forearm and the section from his shoulder to his right abdomen were still incinerated by the flames. However, he had already passed the blade of vain cries to his left hand, so the weapon was not further damaged.
The effects of Sun Breathing were evident; the regeneration of the burnt half of his body was slow, but since it wasn't a direct strike from a Bright Red Nichirin, it was still recovering, albeit slowly.
If Musashi's Bright Red Nichirin had struck directly, combined with the characteristics of Sun Breathing, Kokushibou's wounds would likely have lingered for hundreds of years, much like Muzan's.
Musashi did not let this opportunity slip, closing in to shorten the distance with Kokushibou once more. Although he had many long-range attacks, their power was weaker, and their effect in suppressing demon regeneration was also less potent.
Damn it… regeneration is suppressed…
Having spent many years with Yoriichi, Kokushibou naturally understood Sun Breathing's characteristic of restraining demons, but this was the first time he had personally experienced its power.
"Moon Breathing, Tenth Form: Piercing Slash – Waning Moon Through Leaves!"
Facing Musashi who was right before him, Kokushibou swung the blade of vain cries with his left hand. Two giant, swirling, intersecting crescent moon-shaped sword slashes originated from the blade, attacking the charging Musashi.
"Sun Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Wheel Mirror."
Musashi, still moving forward, casually waved his hand, and a circular mirror formed of blazing flames appeared before him. The crescent moon-shaped sword slashes struck the flaming circular mirror, were blocked, and gradually engulfed by the flames.
However, this was not the end. Musashi drew his Nichirin Sword across the flaming circular mirror in front of him, and flames immediately clung to the Nichirin Sword.
"Sun Breathing, Seventh Form: Solar Flare Dance."
The next moment, two Nichirin-shaped sword slashes, remarkably similar to the crescent moon-shaped sword slashes Kokushibou had just unleashed, were released from the blade. The two sword slashes swirled and intersected, rushing directly towards Kokushibou.
A sense of powerlessness… a deep sense of powerlessness impacted Kokushibou's heart. No matter what technique he used, the opponent could easily neutralize it and deliver an even more powerful counterattack.
The feeling was slightly different from when he faced Yoriichi. At that time, Yoriichi nearly instantly killed him with one blow, and the feelings he experienced included anger, unwillingness, and fear…
But when facing Musashi, what dominated his heart was that helpless feeling of being at a loss.
Due to the close proximity, Kokushibou found it difficult to evade this attack. Even with his full effort to dodge, he was still struck by the sword slash, creating a wound that pierced his entire body from his right shoulder to his left abdomen. Combined with his unhealed previous wounds, Kokushibou's body was already battered and broken.
Waves of burning pain assailed him. Seeing Musashi's effortless demeanor, Kokushibou knew that he might be buried here today.
The vow he once made would be broken tonight. Although Yoriichi had died, now another person just like him had appeared.
Why does the world always produce these favored individuals… Even if I abandon everything to pursue, I still can't reach them…
In the end, I abandoned my family, my wife and children, and even my human identity… And the result… is still no good?
Kokushibou began to doubt everything he had done up until now. At this moment, he felt somewhat lost.
Seeing Kokushibou seemingly stunned, Musashi felt a little confused. Under the Transparent World, he couldn't discern any movement from Kokushibou, but he wouldn't show any martial ethics towards such a demon who persecuted humans.
Musashi swung his blade again, and the flames wrapped around the Nichirin Sword made Kokushibou feel the intense heat assailing him.
The Nichirin Sword cut into his neck, able to decapitate him in an instant.
Musashi hadn't expected such a long and fierce battle to end this way, but the next moment, he noticed something was wrong.
At least… I can die with honor…
Kokushibou's mind calmed down. He no longer thought about other things. Yoriichi had died because his lifespan was exhausted, and he once thought he would never have the chance to die honorably again.
But tonight, encountering Musashi gave him this opportunity once more. Thinking that he could die at the hands of someone as powerful as Yoriichi, Kokushibou could accept it.
A hint of serenity appeared in Kokushibou's eyes. At the same time, after Musashi cut his Nichirin Sword into his neck, countless blades covered with eyes emerged from his entire body.
"Moon Breathing, Fifteenth Form: Falling Moon – Heavenly Burial."
As Kokushibou's voice faded, his head was also cut off by Musashi.
But the next moment, the demon blades extending from Kokushibou's entire body glowed with a moonlight-like radiance. Immediately after, countless crescent moon blades were released from these blades, as if to shatter everything around them.
Can I perish with him…
The severed head gazed at Musashi. Because he regarded Musashi as being in the same category as Yoriichi, Kokushibou no longer even cared about his obsession of never being able to lose to anyone again. In his view, the one who killed him was Yoriichi.
Facing the attack at such close range, Musashi had already anticipated it. He had already thought of a solution when he chose to continue decapitating Kokushibou instead of retreating.
"Sun Breathing, Ninth Form: Solar Halo Waltz."
The color of Musashi's Nichirin Sword deepened again, becoming a profound golden-red like the sun.
The next moment, flames erupted from the blade, even obscuring Musashi's entire figure. Immediately after, Musashi swung his blade horizontally forward.
A semi-circular flaming slash engulfed all the moon blades in its path, and then that slash suddenly erupted, vertically releasing countless dense, arc-shaped flaming slashes.
The area in front of Musashi seemed to form a sun. All the crescent moon blades released by Kokushibou were completely swallowed, the moonlight devoured by the sun's brilliance.
Seeing the situation before him, Kokushibou felt somewhat relieved. Even the attack he launched at the cost of his own decapitation was still easily neutralized by the opponent. He understood that he had no possibility of defeating the opponent whatsoever.
Until the very end… I couldn't even harm you in the slightest…
His body had begun to dissipate, and Kokushibou felt a slight sense of relief at this moment.
Yoriichi's figure reappeared in Kokushibou's mind. Even though he had long forgotten the faces of his parents, wife, and children, Yoriichi's face had always remained in his mind, and even in this last moment of his life, it was still Yoriichi he remembered.
In the end… what you said was verified one by one… everything about you was passed down… your name is remembered by the world… and I… left nothing behind…
...
"Brother, you think too highly of us. We are merely two passersby in the long history of humanity. Babies with talent far surpassing yours and mine might be being born somewhere in the world right now. I believe they will eventually reach the same realm as you and I."
...
You once said that those who pursue the ultimate will all reach the same destination in the end… But I couldn't do it… In the end, I couldn't see the world in your eyes…