Just moments ago, as Yoriichi Tsugikuni approached the end of his natural lifespan, he had suddenly felt the urge to go for a walk.
During that walk, he encountered someone he had not seen for many years—his elder brother, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, who had long since become a demon.
Amid his grief, Yoriichi raised his blade and delivered the final strike of his life toward his brother.
Unfortunately—
At the very moment the blade was about to touch Michikatsu's neck, Yoriichi's heart softened.
In that instant, he hesitated.
In the end, the Nichirin Blade in Yoriichi's hand never truly fell.
...
So… I've died, haven't I?
Death feels far more uneventful than I imagined.
Within a boundless void, Yoriichi's thoughts drifted aimlessly.
As the second son of the Tsugikuni family during the Sengoku period, Yoriichi had lived a life free from want. He had been born with the ability to use Breathing Techniques, possessed the Transparent World, and had swordsmanship talent beyond compare.
His memories replayed rapidly—from birth all the way to his final moments.
The more he watched, the heavier the guilt in his heart became.
Despite possessing talents that no one else could rival, Yoriichi realized that throughout his entire life, he had accomplished almost nothing. He had changed nothing.
The progenitor of demons—he failed to kill him.
Even his most beloved elder brother had succumbed to the Demon king's temptation and become a demon.
He had failed the gifts granted to him by the world. After such a long life, he had ultimately achieved nothing.
That was the conclusion.
Yoriichi continued thinking endlessly within the void, unable to perceive the passage of time.
Everything was emptiness.
The only thing that gave him any sense of existence was the fact that his thoughts had not ceased.
Even after the replay of his life had ended long ago, his mind continued to function.
However—
To Yoriichi's surprise, at some unknown moment, the environment around him began to change.
The endless void faded.
Light appeared.
Among the figures in his field of vision, one seemed vaguely familiar.
A girl who had appeared several times within his sight glanced at him with concern. After hesitating, she discussed something quietly with the boy beside her before walking toward him.
"Um… hello?"
"I've noticed you standing here alone for quite a while."
Sayo looked at Yoriichi, who stood blankly in the street, her face filled with concern.
"If something's wrong, we might be able to help."
Today was Sayo's first day arriving in the Imperial Capital with her childhood friend, Ieyasu.
Originally, they had another companion—Tatsumi, but due to various circumstances, they had become separated along the way.
After losing contact with Tatsumi, Sayo and Ieyasu could only continue their journey toward the Imperial Capital.
After arriving, they quickly noticed Yoriichi standing quietly by the roadside.
There was a heart-wrenching expression on his face, and an overwhelming aura of sorrow seemed to radiate from him.
The passersby, however, appeared accustomed to such scenes and paid him little attention.
But for Sayo and Ieyasu, who had just arrived in the Imperial Capital, seeing him unchanged after passing by several times made Sayo decide to speak to him.
"Yeah!"
Ieyasu added energetically,
"If you're having trouble, just tell me—Ieyasu and Sayo! We'll help however we can!"
As he spoke, Ieyasu confidently patted his chest.
Completely forgetting that he and Sayo currently didn't even have a single coin to their names.
In fact, the reason they had passed by Yoriichi several times was precisely because all their money was with Tatsumi. Now that they were separated, they had no funds for lodging or food.
"...?"
Yoriichi stared blankly at Sayo and Ieyasu, who seemed to be speaking to him.
Confusion appeared on his face.
After being dead for so long, this was the first time someone had spoken to him.
His sluggish thoughts took time to react. After hesitating for quite a while, he cautiously asked:
"Are… are you talking to me?"
'Such a beautiful girl.'
'To die so young… what a pity.'
Even though Yoriichi had noticed changes in his surroundings, he still believed he was in the realm of the dead.
Since he had already died, then this bright and lively girl capable of speaking to him must also be dead.
Otherwise, how could she talk to someone who had already passed away?
"Of course we're talking to you."
Seeing some life return to Yoriichi's previously vacant eyes, Sayo smiled gently.
"I've noticed you standing here for quite a while. Did something happen?"
"If there's anything Ieyasu and I can help with, you can tell us."
"Oh, and we don't even know your name yet."
Back in Sayo's hometown, neighbors helped each other whenever someone faced difficulties.
Even though this was their first trip to the Imperial Capital, Sayo and Ieyasu still carried that habit with them.
So when they saw someone who might need help, they naturally stepped forward.
"My name is Yoriichi Tsugikuni."
"I don't think there's anything you can help me with."
Yoriichi thought seriously for a moment before answering.
"After all… I've already died. I don't even know what help I would need."
After hearing this, Sayo and Ieyasu froze briefly, then burst into laughter.
"Mr. Yoriichi, you're quite the comedian."
"If you were dead, how would Ieyasu and I be talking to you?"
Sayo covered her mouth as she laughed softly.
She clearly didn't believe his claim about being dead.
"I… didn't die?"
Yoriichi froze again.
Subconsciously, he raised his hands—
And saw the hands of his younger self.
Previously, within the void, Yoriichi had no sense of his body. Even when the environment changed, his nearly still thoughts hadn't reacted.
But now—
After Sayo spoke to him...
Yoriichi finally realized something had changed within himself.