Chapter 45: (Demon Slayer) – CHAPTER 44: The Best Opponent Ever!!
From Tamayo's perspective:
Under the soft light of the lamp, a young man walked in, with a straight, dignified nose and gentle eyes.
He seemed to have a mysterious aura, just like the handsome boy in mythology who attracted goddesses. Just the blink of his pure eyes could make the women of the world become obsessed with him.
Even she, a woman who has lived for over four hundred years, has to admit that in her four hundred years of memory, she had never seen such a handsome young man.
From Yuri's perspective, he had to admit that Tamayo was just as beautiful as Kanae and Shinobi.
Tamayo is a petite young woman with long, dark brown hair parted in the middle and tied into a large, low bun, which is held in place by a tama-kanzashi floral hairpin.
She has large, gentle eyes that initially have no pupils, only a lavender haze that fades to dark purple the higher she goes, and strikingly red lips in contrast to her pale skin.
Tamayo wore a mid-length dark purple hōmongi kimono decorated with wavy light purple tree branches and red flowers, and a cream taiko musubi obi to tie it at her waist, as well as simple white socks and violet zōri sandals. These four hundred years have created a different kind of elegance in her, one that would make any man lose consciousness for a moment upon seeing her.
Of course, Yuri admires not only her beauty, but also her contribution to the original work. In the end, if there is someone who made the greatest contribution in the battle to kill Muzan, there is no doubt that it was Tamayo.
She would rather sacrifice herself, but also plant a variety of mixed toxins in Muzan with her own power and add a powerful debuff that makes him age nine thousand years, this directly changed the entire situation of the battle.
It was precisely because of Tamayo's toxin, the old wound that Yoriichi left on Muzan, and the damage from Kagaya's previous trap that the Demon Slayer Corps had the chance to kill Muzan.
"Kanae, that was the one I was talking about, the only devil worthy of redemption—Tamayo-san."
Hundreds of years ago, Tamayo, who was still human, suffered from a terminal illness that could not be cured with medicine. Later, she was tricked by Muzan and turned into a devil. After becoming a devil, she ended up killing her own family before finally being unable to control herself. After regaining her sanity, Tamayo had deeply regretted what she had done and finally defeated her instincts as a demon with her perseverance.
Because she was proficient in medicine that could increase the possibility of overcoming the sun, Muzan forcibly took her away. Tamayo knew that she could not resist Muzan, so she could only try her best to suppress her emotions and work to find his weaknesses.
Finally, when Yoriichi appeared, Muzan was severely injured in the battle and escaped. However, Tamayo finally broke free from his control because of Muzan's rapid weakening condition and suppressed the pain of mourning the death of her family, while a deep hatred burned in her heart against Muzan.
To repay Yoriichi, she told him everything she knew about Muzan and his past. Yoriichi asked her to help the Demon Slayers Corps defeat Muzan. Although she was worried that she, who was also a demon, might be executed by the Demon Slayers before she could take revenge, she eventually agreed to Yoriichi's request.
In order to defeat an invincible monster like Muzan, Tamayo came to the conclusion that the only way to win was to turn Muzan back into a human being. Since she herself is an excellent doctor, she began researching drugs that can turn demons back into humans.
Her origin was told to Kanae by Yuri.
It can be said that she is an admirable existence.
In particular, Kanae respected Tamayo even more after learning that she was working on a drug to turn demons into humans.
"Tamayo-san, I am Kanae Kocho of the Demon Slayer Corps. I will be responsible for taking you to the Butterfly Mansion to help you with your experiments."
Seeing Kanae's excited look, Tamayo was a little surprised.
Over the years, almost no member of the Demon Slayer Corps would be as kind to a demon as she was.
Tamayo was a little confused, but after talking to Kanae for a bit, after learning about her thoughts, her eyes became much kinder when she looked at Kanae, as if she was looking at a daughter.
"Winters-kun, I'm a little jealous of you for having such a beautiful and kind wife." Tamayo said jokingly, noticing the intimacy between the two.
"I envy myself too."
Yuri took a few bottles from her arms.
"Tamayo-san, these are the blood of Lower Moon 5 and Upper Moon 2 respectively." Yuri paused and pointed to another bottle, "And this bottle is the blood of a human girl. It is very likely that she ate or came into contact with the Blue Spider Lily."
Yuri's words caused Tamayo's expression to change.
She subconsciously grabbed Yuri's hand and asked nervously, "Are you sure?"
"There is no guarantee, but there is a high probability of it."
In fact, the Blue Spider Lily existed in the Taisho Era, and both Tanjiro and his mother Kie had seen this flower.
Its location is where Yoriichi is buried, but because this flower only blooms for a short period of time and only appears during the day, neither Muzan nor the demons have ever been able to find it, and only Kie and Tanjiro have seen it once.
Also consider that Nezuko received Muzan's blood, and after sleeping for a few years, not only did she not need to eat people, she also overcame the sun and could also use her demon blood art to heal humans.
There is a high probability that Nezuko came into contact with or ate this flower near her home when she was a child.
"Then, let's leave now. I need a safe environment for my research."
Tamayo held Yuri's hand tightly and looked at him pleadingly.
"Sure, Tamayo-san, please pack your things, we'll be leaving tonight."
Having said that, Yuri looked around and didn't seem to see Yushiro.
"Do you live alone, Tamayo-san?"
"What's wrong? I've been alone all these years."
Tamayo had already turned around and started packing his things. It was strange to hear Yuri's words.
"Well, it's nothing. I just feel like it's a bit lonely here..."
Yuri didn't pay attention to such trivial details, but he was worried about Tamayo.
However, as he spoke, his waist hurt.
"Yuri..." Kanae pinched his waist and complained softly, "I'm still here..."
"Hehehe... I'm just worrying about Tamayo-san normally."
Yuri smiled and held Kanae's hand.
"Winters-kun, I'm done. We can leave at any time."
............
............
The three of them left Kyoto.
After seven or eight miles, as the carriage was swaying towards the Butterfly Mansion, Yuri suddenly stopped the carriage.
"Kanae, you and Tamayo-san go back to the Butterfly Mansion first."
This time, there was an expression of anticipation and fighting spirit in Yuri's eyes.
"The best whetstone I could wish for has appeared here."
Yuri jumped out of the carriage and glared at the person in front of him with burning eyes. With his hands clasped in front of him, Akaza nodded as the two women in the carriage left. His current and main target was the human in front of him.
The carriage gradually moved away and disappeared at the end of the road. Seeing this, Akaza lowered his arms and looked at Yuri.
"You were the one who defeated and killed Douma, right?"
Akaza bent his knees in a half-crouching position, extending his right arm with his fist half-closed facing his body and bending his left arm with his palm open.
"Kekkijutsu—Destructive Death: Rashin!"
Akaza manifested a light blue snowflake-shaped compass below him with numbers ranging from 1 to 12.
Just as he was about to advance towards Yuri, he saw a pair of eyes that he had never, not even in his 130+ years, seen. They were red and had a six-pointed star design that seemed to be spinning.
At that moment, he heard Yuri mutter.
"I hope you don't disappoint me, Akaza."
Tsukuyomi
Tsukuyomi World
Under the blood moon, the sinister world created by a powerful spiritual power welcomed the new visitor.
The three days of fighting seemed to have passed in a single instant.
"Tsukuyomi!"
"Tsukuyomi!"
"Tsukuyomi!"
........
"Tsukuyomi!"
Thirty consecutive days without sleep or food had left both of them slightly tired.
Akaza is exactly what Yuri thought. Akaza was the best opponent he had ever had since arriving in this world.
So far, this is the eleventh time he will use Tsukuyomi.
Surprisingly, Akaza still maintains his technique with extreme calm.
Akaza is proficient in unarmed combat, his 'Rashin' allows Akaza to sense a person's "Fighting Spirit", a person's will to fight, which he uses to achieve various effects during combat. First, he is able to determine anyone's strength with a glance, such as when he realized Kyojuro was a Hashira just by looking at him during the Infinite Train arc.
Secondly, Akaza is able to detect the presence of his opponents in his immediate surroundings (even in his blind spots) and can use this to predict where and how his opponents will attack him.
This technique allows Akaza to tell where his target's weaknesses are located and instinctively targets them.
With this, the accuracy of Akaza's attacks are greatly enhanced, to the point that Tanjiro stated that it was as if magnets were pulling his fists towards his vital organs, and even described them as having "unparalleled precision".
Furthermore, the stronger a person's Fighting Spirit, the stronger their 'Rashin' response will be. His Fighting Spirit detection is so accurate that he can find Tanjiro's location in his surroundings and fight and overpower the headless Giyu in the Infinite Castle Arc, meaning he is performing these feats while basically being deaf and blind.
[A/N: MEGA SPOILER!! BOOM!!]
[Destructive Death: Rashin] was still active, but this time he felt it…
Yuri's strength had been reduced to the level of a Tsuguko.
However, the weaker Yuri became, the stronger the power of the sun in his body became.
"I see!"
After a few moments, Akaza finally understood.
"You're using me as a sharpening stone to improve your skills!"
"Oh~ So you've realized? Alright Akaza, let's go all out now!"
After saying that, Yuri drew his Nichirin and charged forward while spinning and twisting his upper body in a circular motion, unleashing a 360° slash.
"Hinokami Kagura—Second Form: Clear Blue Sky!"
"Destructive Death – Crushing Type: Ten Thousand Flashing Willow Leaves!"
Sensing the strength of his opponent's attack, Akaza immediately attacked with all his strength.
The fist carrying the sonic boom collided with the blade carrying the power of the sun, and the sound of collision rang out, but then, a fiery hissing sound rang out from Akaza's arm.
Yuri's blade advanced, burning Akaza with the power of the sun.
The bones of his fists, wrists, forearms… In the blink of na eye, Akaza's body was cut like paper.
His pupils shrank and he immediately stopped his movements.
The collision between Akaza and Yuri's attack ended in Akaza's defeat.
Akaza felt the crisis of death clearly. At that moment, he turned around and punched with the only remaining side of his body.
"Destructive Death: Disorder!"
His punching quickly reaching the target, Akaza created a barrage of large shockwaves, destroying anything in front of him.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
There was a smile on both of their faces, even in the midst of a fight of a level that would be fatal for most people, they were both having fun.
Yuri smiled and his body suddenly advanced at high speed, dodging Akaza's punches.
"Is this all you've achieved by training for over a century?"
There was a collision, and the blade wrapped in flames left blood stains on Akaza's body, causing him to be thrown back.
Yuri advanced following him while leaving a trail of flames on the ground, always keeping the same distance from him!
First form: Waltz
Second form: Clear Blue Sky
Third form: Raging Sun
Fourth form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun
Fifth form: Setting Sun Transformation
Yuri's every attack was faster and stronger than the last!
Sixth form: Solar Heat Mist
Seventh form: Beneficent Radiance
Eighth form: Sunflower Thrust
Ninth form: Dragon Head Dance with Sun Halo
Tenth form: Fire Wheel
Eleventh form: False Rainbow
Twelfth form: Flame Dance
In an instant, Yuri used all of the forms of the Hinokami Kagura.
Yuri continuously performed all twelve forms of Sun Breathing in repetitive succession to increase the precision and agility of his movements and attacks.
"Hinokami Kagura: Thirteenth form: Full Solar Cycle!"
(End of chapter)
Hey!! How are you? I just want to let you know that these days I ended up not being able to do any updates on Patreon or WN, because I had to resolve a legal issue. Next week I will need to go there again, so I want to make it clear that if I end up not doing the update on any day next week it will be because of this.
Give me some power stones there you go~😉