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A small cabin hidden deep in the woods.
Mist Hashira, Tokito Muichiro, was trapped inside Gyokko's watery prison.
The Upper Moon Five demon hadn't finished him off right away. Instead, he wanted Muichiro to slowly drown—turning his death into some kind of grotesque "art."
Too confident in his own strength, Gyokko didn't even wait for Muichiro's last breath. He turned and slithered toward the cabin, curious.
After all, the swordsmiths had fought so desperately to protect this place. He wanted to see what was inside that made it worth dying for.
When he stepped in, however, he found only one man at work—completely absorbed in sharpening a blade.
"That's Haganezuka… is he polishing the sword found inside that doll?"
Even from behind, Tanjiro recognized the man.
"The blade of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the swordsman who used Sun Breathing hundreds of years ago!"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice carried a solemn weight.
"Not good! A demon's here! This isn't the time to sharpen swords—run, Haganezuka!" Tanjiro shouted, panic in his voice.
But of course…
His voice couldn't pass through the viewing screen. And even if it could, Haganezuka wouldn't have heard.
Right now, he had poured his entire being into the act of sharpening that blade. Even with the terrifying Upper Moon standing right behind him, he didn't flinch.
Not even when Gyokko whipped him bloody with his Blood Demon Art did he so much as pause.
"Damn you!!!"
That unshakable focus infuriated Gyokko.
To him, concentration was the essence of an artist. Yet here he was—losing to a mere human in the very quality he prized most. Unforgivable. He had to shatter this man's focus.
And so, Gyokko didn't kill Haganezuka immediately. Instead, he tried everything—every trick, every torment—to make him let go of that blade.
But Haganezuka's concentration exceeded all expectations. Even after his body was torn apart, even after he lost an eye, he kept working—silent, unyielding.
"Wooooh! What unbelievable focus. As an artist, he passes with flying colors!"—Deidara, the art fanatic, couldn't help but admire him.
"I thought he was just some weirdo old man, but under that mask he's actually good-looking. And that serious expression? Kinda hot, honestly~"—Ino Yamanaka's eyes sparkled.
"Even battered and broken, not a hint of hesitation… his concentration is something else!""By a craftsman's standards, this man is top-tier without a doubt.""Pouring his entire being into sharpening, with the world around him forgotten—that's a rare state of mastery."
From Qin's Xu Fuzi, to Tengu-yama Hitetsu of One Piece, to Nimaiya Ōetsu of Bleach—the master smiths across countless worlds were moved.
"His obsession has bought precious time for the other side. Things should be shifting about now…"Daoist Wang calculated with a knowing smile.
And sure enough—
While Gyokko was busy tormenting Haganezuka, aid finally reached the trapped Muichiro.
Little Kotetsu, the boy Muichiro had saved several times before, threw himself forward with everything he had. His small body was already shredded by Gyokko's fish demons, but he refused to stop.
He delivered precious air to Muichiro, who was moments away from suffocating.
Watching the boy risk his life for him, something stirred inside Muichiro.
The despair, the resignation—shattered.
With a roar, he unleashed his power. Mist Breathing, Second Form—cutting open the water prison in a single stroke.
Across the multiverse, cheers erupted.
"Fufufu… so what if he broke free? That brat is poisoned and paralyzed. He can barely stand. Nothing's changed—the end is still the same."—Doflamingo sneered.
"Big deal. He broke one technique. Doesn't mean he's won."—The Phantom Troupe scoffed, annoyed at the cheers around them.
"He's spent all his strength just breaking free. That demon can conjure the prison again and again. In the end, death still awaits."—Demiurge analyzed calmly.
"Don't be so quick to decide, Demiurge."—Ainz Ooal Gown's tone was casual, but firm.
On the viewing screen, Muichiro's situation was still dire. The poison needles had paralyzed him almost completely. Even holding his sword was a struggle.
Fish demons that would normally be nothing more than nuisances now looked like deadly monsters.
One of them lunged toward Kotetsu, ready to tear him apart.
And in that instant—Muichiro's sealed memories returned.
The past came rushing back: his gentle father's words, his brother's final message.
Muichiro's "Mu" isn't nothing. It means infinity!
Fueled by that realization, his emotions surged. His blood boiled. Red, flame-like marks spread across his cheeks.
The mark's power burned through the paralysis.
With one sweeping strike, he annihilated the fish demons.
"Wooooohhhhhh!"
Cheers erupted once more across countless worlds.
"I don't know what just happened, but it looks like the Mist Hashira's back on his feet!"
"No way! He was poisoned—how can he move again?"
"It's a flashback power-up! He remembered his past and found new strength!"
"Come on, that's so cliché—even if I do root for the Demon Slayers!"
"No, look closely—it's not just a flashback. That mark… the same one Tanjiro has!"
"So the mark really holds some kind of incredible power…"
"If that's true… then maybe, just maybe, he can win this!!!"
"..."
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