Kokushibou had never underestimated his sister; in fact, a sense of shame would naturally arise within him when comparing himself to her.
He was not only inferior to Yoriichi, his younger twin brother, but also to Mizuki.
He had known this humiliating fact hundreds of years ago.
From childhood, his sister, who had only secretly practiced with a wooden sword in her room, was able to catch up to him and even surpass him in just a few years after joining the Demon Slayer Corps and undergoing System training.
Even in the activation of the Demon Slayer Mark and Transparent World, Mizuki was a step ahead.
If Yoriichi's strength was one that he couldn't see the back of from the very beginning, a strength that was difficult to catch up to even with all his might.
Then Mizuki's strength was one that Kokushibou could only watch helplessly as she gradually approached and surpassed him; no matter how much he advanced, Mizuki's pace was always a little faster than his.
This feeling gradually faded into the depths of his mind many years after Mizuki and Yoriichi died.
And now, that feeling was back.
Kokushibou spat out a mouthful of blood, the piercing wounds all over his body slowly recovering.
That Blood Demon Art... he hadn't seen Mizuki use it in previous battles.
Kokushibou knew his sister's wild and imaginative performances too well; she probably deliberately held back, just to ambush him at a critical moment.
In fact... although he thought his sister was a bit too dark, the general direction was correct.
After her Blood Demon Art evolved, Mizuki did indeed consider saving it for a crucial moment, especially when facing her own brother.
Given that Muzan could only resort to a 'delaying' tactic, this ability was best saved for her own brother.
But Mizuki didn't expect Muzan to be so unreasonable, bringing Kokushibou along for their 'bro-meetup'.
Now, with the Demon King and Upper Rank One in front of her, if Mizuki still thought of ambushing Kokushibou, she might just get overturned.
And it would be a huge overturn; there would be no need to fight, Muzan's victory could be declared directly.
Mizuki's attack had not stopped; she had to seize the opportunity before Muzan reacted, to break their chance of teaming up.
Her Blood Demon Art's current suppression of regeneration was no less effective than that caused by a scarlet blade or sunlight.
As long as the injuries inflicted were severe enough, even Muzan would find it difficult to recover immediately.
Yoriichi had already proven this point with his actions.
The suppression of the scarlet blade was something even Muzan could not avoid.
Mizuki swung her Nichirin Blade, and the white Nichirin Blade in mid-air seemed to ignite a spark, instantly staining the blade with a scorching red glow.
A merciless slash aimed at Kokushibou's neck.
She wasn't sure if Kokushibou had overcome the weakness of his neck, but what Upper Rank Three could do, there was no reason Upper Rank One couldn't.
But no matter what, decapitation was still the most effective method.
Kokushibou's injuries had not yet recovered, and the suppression of regeneration was far more potent than he had imagined; facing Mizuki's attack, he unhesitatingly chose to temporarily avoid its sharpness.
However, Mizuki had no intention of letting him off so easily. A streak of fresh blood overflowed from Mizuki's palm and flowed along the momentum of her swing towards the blade. Upon touching the scorching scarlet blade, the blood dissolved into droplets, emitting a sizzling sound like evaporation, rolling along the blade tip and falling into the air.
Crimson blood droplets floated before Kokushibou's eyes.
Kokushibou instinctively felt danger from these blood droplets.
The blood droplets suddenly exploded in front of Kokushibou, and countless blood threads, taut as steel wires, splattered out at an extremely fast speed.
That method again!
Kokushibou's gradually recovering eyes clearly saw the path of the blood threads, and he tried his best to dodge.
But because of the close distance, he could only protect vital areas like his neck and head; his body was once again riddled with holes.
Muzan was almost affected, retreating to a safe position, his brows furrowed.
What a useless fellow, to be suppressed like this. Is he still harboring human emotions, reluctant to strike?
Or is it... Muzan shifted his gaze back to Mizuki.
Their figures gradually overlapped and intertwined, the clanging of weapons and sparks from colliding metal blades shining in the dark night.
Something isn't right... a hint of hesitation appeared in Muzan's red eyes.
This woman... there's something off about her aura.
It wasn't until this moment that Muzan truly noticed Mizuki's condition.
It was neither like that monster, with an aura as restrained as an ordinary person.
Nor was it a powerful aura like Kokushibou's.
The sensation of her aura gave Muzan an indescribably strange feeling.
But soon, Muzan's puzzled eyes suddenly constricted, trembling slightly.
It's a difference in life essence!!!
That woman... she didn't just simply overcome sunlight, but evolved to be like him... no, even more perfect... she overcame sunlight... just as that woman said, she is the truly perfect ultimate being.
Muzan clenched his jaw, his facial expression visibly turning ferocious.
What a joke.
He absolutely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
Suddenly, just as his face was contorted in rage and his mind was heated, a blade emitting a scorching aura reflected in his eyes.
Accompanied by a mocking remark.
"What are you getting angry about all by yourself?"
What?
What is Kokushibou doing?!
Muzan's pupils slightly contracted, and he instinctively swung his hand forward.
A sharp flesh whip cracked with a sonic boom towards Mizuki's head, leaving no doubt that if this strike connected, Mizuki's head would explode on the spot.
Mizuki ducked, a bead of cold sweat trickling down her forehead.
As expected, so fast.
He was more than just a little stronger than the Muzan she faced in that Dream Demon's dream.
Although she had anticipated it, it was only when truly facing this monster that Mizuki understood what Yoriichi meant by 'even a slight touch could be fatal'.
This speed was completely beyond what a human could withstand.
Her physical fitness simply couldn't keep up with this monster; the difference in Physique was not even on the same Rank.
If relying solely on reactions, it would be very difficult for a human to avoid attacks of this speed.
But fortunately, the activation of Transparent World had a very effective counteracting effect against such direct attacks.
The moment Muzan raised his hand, Mizuki noticed the movement of his body's muscles through her Transparent World vision.
The blade struck Muzan's shoulder, severing his arm in one slash.
Muzan, who hadn't suffered such an injury in hundreds of years, his pupils trembled violently, and a thought frantically grew in his mind.
This woman... could it be that she deliberately lured him out?
From the very beginning, was she planning to trick him out with the thought of overcoming sunlight, which he yearned for?
For a moment, Muzan felt an icy chill run straight to his bones.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"