It had been countless years since the failed operation to annihilate Kibutsuji Muzan.
Yosuke had now survived in this world for nearly a millennium.
"If this world had rankings, I'd probably be the longest-living creature… No, that's not right—Muzan was born a few minutes earlier than me." Yosuke mocked himself with a bitter smile.
During this time, he hadn't been idle. He had created countless demon crows and scattered them across the world, hoping to catch even the slightest trace of Muzan's whereabouts.
But unfortunately, it was all in vain.
Ever since that failed assault, Muzan had vanished without a trace. If not for the unending appearance of new demons around the world, Yosuke might have thought Muzan had truly died.
"How timid you are, Muzan. By now, you're probably groveling somewhere, calling someone else your master. How shameless." Yosuke sneered inwardly.
After suffering severe losses in that battle, the Demon Slayer Corps had gradually recovered. Yosuke's demon crows reported sightings of Demon Slayer squads across the land.
Those who had fought alongside Yosuke for years—Hakuji and Gyutaro—had grown tremendously in strength, likely reaching the level of the Upper Moons. Meanwhile, Koyuki and Ume, though not as strong, were still beyond what the Lower Moons could contend with.
One night in Hamasaki City, Yosuke walked the streets with the four of them.
"The demon we just ran into was way too weak. Couldn't even take a single punch from me. So boring," Hakuji said, stretching with his hands behind his head, looking utterly disinterested.
Scratching his cheek, Gyutaro muttered just as wearily, "Hakuji-san's too fired up. He could've left it to me. My sickles are starting to rust from lack of use."
"Enough," Koyuki urged. "Yosuke-sama said the Demon Slayers will be here any moment."
Hakuji's face twisted in annoyance. "Tch. Those damned Slayers. The weak should know their place! We've been helping them kill demons, yet instead of showing gratitude, they keep targeting us!"
Ume remained quietly at Yosuke's side, not joining their quarrel.
Suddenly, Yosuke murmured, "They're here."
The next instant, two figures appeared before him.
One of them had golden hair with fiery red tips and bold, black eyebrows. Yosuke's eyes widened in a daze.
"Rengoku… Shinzuka Sho?"
With a blazing voice, the man declared, "Rengoku Shinzuka Sho is my ancestor! My name is Rengoku Makijūrō, the current Flame Hashira!"
The other man, appearing much older, introduced himself solemnly: "I am Kuwaijima Jigorō, the current Thunder Hashira."
Memories flooded Yosuke's gaze, and he murmured unconsciously, "So… it's already come to this time."
Suddenly, Makijūrō pulled out a weathered, ancient book and began flipping through its pages. His expression hardened as he looked up at Yosuke.
"Yosuke Ubuyashiki, the Demon King. In the failed assault against Muzan, you took the lives of over one hundred twenty humans. Just like Kibutsuji Muzan, your name is written in the Demon Slayer Corps' records of demons to be exterminated!"
Hakuji, Gyutaro, Koyuki, and Ume froze, staring in disbelief. The Yosuke who had always helped humans hunt demons… had once slaughtered humans himself?
Akaza erupted in fury. "Impossible! Yosuke-sama has fought alongside us to slay demons for humans—how could he ever harm them?! You dare slander him? Unforgivable!"
Even Gyutaro, usually indifferent to most things, unsheathed his blood sickles. His pupils shrank into pinpoints as he glared venomously at Makijūrō.
Makijūrō snapped the book shut, not responding to Hakuji's outrage. His voice grave, he said, "Jigorō-san, it seems we have no choice but to fight today!"
Jigorō drew his Nichirin blade and nodded silently.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Channeling his strength into his legs, Jigorō burst forward like lightning, charging straight at Yosuke.
"Blood Demon Art: Leaping Arc Rampage!"
Gyutaro spun his sickles, blood slashes swirling around him to form a barrier, successfully intercepting Jigorō's Thunderclap and Flash before it could reach Yosuke.
Gyutaro scratched his cheek, his expression dark. "Tch. Yosuke-sama said not to kill humans without reason. But if you attack first… then killing you wouldn't break his command, would it?"
With that, Gyutaro instantly lunged at Jigorō.
"Blood Demon Art: Circular Slash Dance – Flying Blood Sickles!"
Blood spiraled around his sickles as he unleashed a storm of relentless strikes.
Forced into desperate defense, Jigorō struggled to withstand Gyutaro's ferocity.
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Seeing Jigorō trapped, Makijūrō attempted to aid him.
"Destructive Death: Compass Needle – Crown Splitter!"
Hakuji intercepted, launching a powerful rising kick from below, shattering Makijūrō's technique.
"Your opponent is me! For insulting Yosuke-sama, I'll make sure you suffer the consequences!" Akaza roared. Snowflake patterns spread beneath his feet as he charged Makijūrō.
Yosuke made no move to stop them. On the contrary, he watched with intrigue, curious to see how powerful this new generation of Hashira truly was.
While Hakuji and Gyutaro's wounds healed instantly, Makijūrō and Jigorō—mere humans—could not recover in kind. Injuries multiplied across their bodies as the battle dragged on.
Overwhelmed by their relentless assault, the two Hashira were on the verge of collapse.
At that moment, a Kasugai crow descended from the sky.
"Attention! Attention! Rengoku Makijūrō, Kuwaijima Jigorō—do not engage with Yosuke Ubuyashiki! The Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, is en route!"
Recognizing the voice of their master's Kasugai crow, the two Hashira hesitated. But neither dared ease their guard—Hakuji and Gyutaro showed no signs of relenting, and letting down their defense for even an instant meant certain death.
"Stand down, Hakuji. Gyutaro." Yosuke's calm voice rang out.
Though puzzled, neither would ever defy him. They immediately withdrew, returning to his side.
The respite allowed Makijūrō and Jigorō to catch their breath—yet Jigorō suddenly collapsed, his legs giving out beneath him.
Makijūrō hurriedly examined him, only to find the wounds on Jigorō's body seething with poison.
By the time Sakonji Urokodaki arrived, he found Jigorō limp upon the ground. His brows furrowed deeply.
"So… I was still too late."
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