The deaths of Doma, Nakime, and Hantengu finally gave everyone a moment to breathe.
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Sanemi, and Tengen were all gravely wounded, their strength greatly diminished. Even with the healing efforts of Shinobu and Kanae Kocho, it was but a drop in the ocean. For their greatest enemy—Kibutsuji Muzan—had yet to be defeated.
Facing the combined assault of Muzan and the mysterious Priest Master, Yosuke struggled to hold his ground. His upper garments had long since been shredded in battle, and his exposed torso was covered in deep scars.
To break the power of the Kotodama (Word Spirit) technique, Yosuke needed to offer his heart as the price to awaken the system's hidden power. But ever since he had been trapped within the Black Coffin, his connection with the system had been severed—leaving him on the defensive, barely managing to withstand the relentless onslaught of Muzan and the Priest Master.
Sensing the deaths of Doma, Nakime, and Hantengu, Muzan scowled.
"So even with my power, they couldn't kill them? Useless filth!"
Muzan's momentary distraction opened a narrow window.
"Blood Breathing, Fifth Form: Blood Flash!"
In an instant, Yosuke vanished from sight, reappearing before Muzan. The blood-forged blade in his hand swung mercilessly toward Muzan's neck.
"Kotodama — Reject!"
Snapping back to awareness, Muzan uttered a single word of power. The impact sent Yosuke flying, smashing him hard into the wall.
"Master!"
"Yōsuke-sama!"
Seeing his struggle, the exhausted Demon Slayers—who had just barely triumphed over the Upper Moons—didn't even stop to recover. They charged together toward Muzan and the Priest Master.
From within the rubble, Yosuke staggered to his feet. Seeing everyone rushing forward without hesitation, his eyes widened in alarm.
"Don't come any closer!"
But he was a moment too late.
"Kotodama — Force!"
In a blur, the Priest Master appeared before them, unleashing a crushing wave of gravity that pressed everyone to the ground. His icy eyes swept across the group.
"Those of you fated to die… it is time to accept it. Kibutsuji Muzan—kill them all."
Muzan clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Tch… You can't even kill them yourself? What a nuisance. Fine—I'll gladly grant them death!"
Countless whip-like tendrils burst from Muzan's body, lashing forward with blinding speed toward the immobilized Demon Slayers.
Pinned by the Priest Master's overwhelming gravity, they could only watch in helpless terror as Muzan's tentacles shot toward them.
Yosuke moved with every ounce of strength he had left, desperate to stop the tragedy about to unfold. But his old power was spent, and his new power had yet to awaken—he couldn't reach them in time.
For the first time in his life, Yosuke felt utterly powerless. He cursed his own weakness, his inability to protect anyone.
Then—a familiar voice echoed in his ears.
The scene around him shifted. Yosuke found himself in a strange, radiant space, surrounded by faces long gone.
His father, Takuto Ubuyashiki, regarded him with a grave expression.
"Have you truly given up, Yosuke?"
Seeing those familiar faces, the man who had held strong for a thousand years finally broke. Tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrollably.
"Father… everyone… I've already… run out of options…"
Takuto's heart ached to see his child weep in despair.
"My son, this is not the time for surrender. Your comrades are still waiting for you—to save them."
Yosuke's mother, Mikako Ubuyashiki, drew him gently into her arms, her gaze filled with warmth and sorrow.
"I'm so sorry, Yosuke. We placed all this burden upon you alone. But no matter what happens, your father and I will always love you."
When Mikako released him, Kaori stepped forward. Her eyes shone with compassion as she wiped away the tears on Yosuke's face.
"Brother Yosuke, please—no matter what happens, don't lose hope. I will always pray for you."
Then Yoriichi Tsugikuni placed a hand on Yosuke's shoulder.
"Do you remember the battle we once fought side by side? I always regretted my own carelessness—my failure to finish Muzan. Only later did I realize the truth: I had given up in my heart. Yosuke, you still have a chance. Do not make the same mistake. Let us lend you our strength—one last time."
Behind Yosuke, countless figures appeared—past heads of the Ubuyashiki family, the Hashira, and many more.
Not only them—faces he did not even know had gathered as well:
Tanjiro Kamado's late family, Sabito and Makomo, Inosuke's mother, countless fallen Demon Slayers—every soul who had perished to the demons' cruelty.
The small space was filled with the spirits of the dead, all burning with a warm, radiant flame.
"Go, Yosuke Ubuyashiki! We believe in you! You can sever this chain of sin once and for all!"
Yosuke's eyes cleared of doubt. Straightening his back, he stood tall once more.
Back on the battlefield, fiery embers swirled around him—each light a soul entering his body, merging with his strength. His entire being was soon enveloped in flame.
At that moment, the long-silent system finally responded.
[Rule energy within the Priest Master's body successfully analyzed. Derived abilities will no longer affect the host.]
Bearing the hopes of all humanity, Yosuke charged forward—straight toward Muzan Kibutsuji.
"Sun Breathing, Seventh Form: Setting Sun Transformation!"
In a blazing instant, Yosuke flashed beside Muzan, his inverted stance unleashing a horizontal slash wrapped in searing flame like the sun itself.
In that split second, every one of Muzan's whip-like tendrils was severed.
Standing protectively before the others, Yosuke raised his sword toward Muzan and the Priest Master, his voice firm and resolute.
"This time—I will never give up!"
Everyone stared at Yosuke in disbelief, for beside him stood the silhouettes of many familiar souls.
Tanjiro saw the family he had lost long ago.
Inosuke finally beheld the mother he had never met.
Shinobu and Kanae saw their parents.
Hakuji saw his master; Koyuki, her father.
Giyu Tomioka saw Sabito and Makomo.
Gyomei Himejima saw the children he once sheltered.
Muichiro Tokito saw his brother, Yuichiro.
Sanemi Shinazugawa saw his mother and siblings.
Kokushibo—once Michikatsu—saw Yoriichi again.
All who stood on that battlefield saw those they had yearned to meet once more.
Though they now existed only as spirits, each lent their final strength to this moment.
The will of humanity—burns eternal.