Kokoro trembled with fear.
Countless sword slashes landed all around him!
If even one of the three combatants made the slightest mistake, Kokoro would be reduced to nothing more than scattered flesh.
Yet, just as Kokushibo had said before, fools often possessed absurd luck. The torrent of sword strikes carved around him with miraculous precision, leaving behind only the outline of his giant centipede form.
The accuracy was so ridiculous that it almost seemed intentional.
Meanwhile, Kokushibo was calmly exchanging blows with the two powerful insect-like demons before him when he suddenly noticed a giant centipede scrambling across the battlefield. For a moment, he thought he was imagining things.
Then one of the enemy combatants kicked it back toward the rear lines.
"Run! This isn't a fight you can survive!"
The warning sounded noble enough, but Kokoro nearly burst into tears.
He had originally come here hoping to feast on weakened enemies and earn some merit. Somehow, he had been kicked all the way back toward Nakime's position instead.
Before he could even complain, Heiglar grabbed him.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Using Kokoro's unfortunate body as a shield, Heiglar blocked Gyutaro's flying Blood Sickles and Daki's razor-sharp obi attacks.
The impact shook the surrounding ground.
In that instant, Kokoro completely abandoned any remaining dignity.
Survival instincts overwhelmed everything else.
Unfortunately for him, Heiglar had no interest in protecting him. After using him as a disposable shield, he casually tossed him back toward Gyokko and the other Upper Moons.
Gyokko looked down at the battered centipede with amusement.
His strange eyes narrowed as a mocking smile spread across his face.
"Well? Do you still dare insult my art?" Gyokko asked. "Say a single sentence praising one of my pots, and perhaps I'll spare your life."
Although Kokoro lacked overwhelming strength, one thing remained consistent:
His aesthetic judgment was impeccable.
Running away earlier had simply been the rational choice.
Knowing when to retreat was a valuable survival skill.
But praising Gyokko's pots?
That was a matter of principle.
The remaining portions of Kokoro's centipede body fused together, returning him to a humanoid form. Two enormous centipedes coiled behind his back like living appendages.
His expression was filled with determination.
"Even if the gods themselves descended today, your pot would still be asymmetrical!"
The battlefield fell silent.
Kokoro had chosen death.
No matter what happened next, he would never compliment that hideous artwork.
Then he pointed directly at Gyokko.
"And your face is just as flawed as your pots!"
Those words struck deeper than any sword.
Gyokko froze.
The asymmetry of his pottery was already a sensitive subject. Kokushibo often "praised" it in precisely that manner, and every time it left a scar on Gyokko's pride.
But now this insignificant insect had insulted his face as well.
The humiliation was unbearable.
Nearby, the clones of Hantengu struggled to suppress their laughter.
Sekido's lips twitched.
Karaku nearly doubled over.
Even Aizetsu's perpetually sorrowful expression gained the faintest hint of amusement.
Gyokko exploded.
"You insolent wretch!"
He charged forward instantly.
Kokoro charged as well.
The demon and the insect collided head-on.
The Hantengu clones watched quietly from the sidelines.
Regardless of his eccentric personality, Gyokko remained Upper Moon Five.
His strength was undeniable.
Kokoro moved first.
The giant centipedes behind him lunged forward, clamping onto Gyokko's arms. At the same moment, he drove a claw toward Gyokko's chest.
Gyokko refused to retreat.
The claw tore away scales and flesh from his body, but Gyokko immediately counterattacked.
Several Demon Fish emerged around him.
Poisonous needles rained down like a storm.
Kokoro's body was riddled with wounds.
For a brief moment, neither side gained a decisive advantage.
Meanwhile, the Lower Rank demons had finally survived the earlier barrage of attacks and could spare a moment to observe the battlefield.
The difference in strength was astonishing.
They had required their combined efforts merely to defeat a single evolved Manjushiro.
The Upper Moons, meanwhile, were facing such opponents alone.
Especially Kokushibo.
He was simultaneously battling two monsters of comparable power.
Yet what none of them realized was that Kokushibo was becoming increasingly irritated.
Why was nobody helping?
The demons vastly outnumbered their enemies.
Why was no one joining the fight?
He could defeat these opponents himself, but doing so required effort.
A coordinated assault would have ended the battle long ago.
Unfortunately, nobody moved.
Gu Tianmo and Fuji Ame attacked together once more.
CLANG!
Kokushibo raised his flesh blade and blocked.
Yet despite the successful defense, another wound suddenly appeared across his body.
At the same time, the crushing weight surrounding him intensified.
By now, Kokushibo had largely deciphered their abilities.
Gu Tianmo possessed a technique that allowed one attack to bypass a successful block and still inflict damage.
Fuji Ame's attacks continuously increased the gravitational force acting upon his target.
A troublesome combination.
Kokushibo vanished from his position.
The Transparent World fully activated.
His six eyes observed every muscle contraction, every flow of blood, every minute movement.
The living blade in his hand twisted and expanded, becoming even more grotesque.
He inhaled deeply.
Air flooded his lungs.
The pressure around him exploded outward.
For the first time since the battle began, his aura completely surpassed that of both opponents.
Moon Breathing, Fourteenth Form:
Catastrophe, Tenman Crescent Moon!
A vast network of crescent-shaped slashes erupted across the battlefield.
Countless moon blades crossed one another as they surged toward the two enemies.
The density of attacks was lower than some of his other forms.
The destructive power, however, was overwhelming.
Gu Tianmo's right arm was severed instantly.
Fuji Ame suffered even worse.
His head flew from his shoulders.
Recognizing the opportunity, Kokushibo surged forward.
He intended to eliminate one opponent before regeneration could begin.
But Gu Tianmo immediately intervened.
Their coordination remained flawless.
As Kokushibo pressed the attack, another wound opened across his body due to Gu Tianmo's cursed technique.
"Tch."
Even Kokushibo clicked his tongue.
That ability was becoming increasingly irritating.
Abandoning his sword for a split second, Kokushibo drove a palm strike directly into Gu Tianmo's chest.
BOOM!
The impact launched him backward.
For a brief moment, Fuji Ame's body stood exposed.
Kokushibo immediately exploited the opening.
His blade flashed toward the neck.
Yet at that exact instant, Fuji Ame's true body slipped from the severed head and burrowed into his torso.
The apparently defeated body suddenly moved.
Its sword plunged directly into Kokushibo's chest.
Elsewhere, the Lower Rank demons gathered together to spectate.
Most had wanted to assist.
However, Muzan's order had already arrived through Nakime's surveillance.
"Do not interfere."
The command echoed through their minds.
"You are far too weak to participate in that battle."
"If the Upper Moons require assistance from Lower Ranks, then they are worthless."
Naturally, Muzan's real motive was somewhat different.
Watching Kokushibo struggle was surprisingly entertaining.
Nakime remained silent.
She could relay Muzan's orders.
Questioning them was another matter entirely.
Still, she could not help speaking.
"Lord Muzan… don't you think this is somewhat…"
Before she could finish, Muzan casually brushed back his hair and scoffed.
"Somewhat what?"
He smirked.
"I am merely allowing Kokushibo to sharpen his abilities through genuine combat."
Nakime said nothing further.
Muzan appeared thoroughly satisfied with his own reasoning.
Moments later, he sent another command.
"Akaza. Gyokko."
"End your battles quickly."
"Then gather and observe."
"Opportunities to witness a fight of this caliber are rare."
Having received Muzan's order, Gyokko immediately lost interest in playing around.
His expression turned serious.
Blood Demon Art: Thousand Needle Fish Kill
His body shot forward.
He slid across the battlefield with astonishing speed, his movements resembling a serpent gliding across water.
The polished scales covering his body reflected light from every direction.
Kokoro could no longer track him.
"You slippery fish-faced lunatic! Stand still!"
Kokoro wildly swung the centipedes behind him.
His attention fractured for only a moment.
That was enough.
Gyokko instantly appeared before him.
A grotesque grin spread across his face.
Then he struck.
The blow landed directly against Kokoro's head.
The impact shattered bone and flesh alike.
Kokoro's body crumpled.
His regeneration failed to keep pace with the damage.
Within seconds, the unfortunate demon collapsed into a mangled heap.
Thus ended Kokoro's short and miserable battle.
And despite everything…
He never once admitted that Gyokko's pots were beautiful.
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