Five months passed in silence.
Within the ever-shifting depths of the Infinity Castle, time held little meaning. Days blurred into nights, and nights into an endless stillness broken only by the distant echo of the biwa.
For Kokushibo, however, even eternity could grow… stagnant.
And so, once more
He chose to leave.
A Freedom UnspokenMuzan Kibutsuji did not question his movements.
Among all demons, Kokushibo alone occupied a peculiar position. He was neither merely a subordinate nor truly an equal but something in between. Trusted, relied upon, yet never fully restrained unless necessary.
It was not leniency.
It was calculation.
So long as Kokushibo remained loyal, his autonomy was… tolerated.
And Kokushibo understood this well.
The Human WorldThe town was lively even at night.
Lanterns flickered along the streets, their warm glow casting shifting shadows across passing figures. Merchants called out to late travelers, and distant laughter echoed faintly through the air.
Amidst it all
Kokushibo walked unnoticed.
His appearance was altered once more, his additional eyes concealed, his presence muted beneath the guise of a blind swordsman. His steps were measured, unhurried, as though he were nothing more than a wandering ronin navigating the world through sound alone.
Yet in truth
His perception extended far beyond sight.
Through the ability akin to the Transparent World, he sensed the subtle rhythms of life around him the flow of blood, the tension of muscle, the fragile structure of the human body.
Everything was laid bare.
A Sudden DisturbanceThen
A scream shattered the calm.
"Demon! There's a demon !"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Panic spread through the crowd as civilians scattered in all directions, their orderly world collapsing into chaos.
Kokushibo did not move.
He merely turned his head slightly.
And observed.
The Flame DescendsA figure cut through the panic like a blazing comet.
His hair burned like fire, his presence sharp and unwavering. Even before his blade moved, the intensity of his spirit could be felt disciplined, resolute, unyielding.
For a brief moment, Kokushibo's gaze lingered.
"…Not him."
Recognition came swiftly.
This was not Kyojuro Rengoku.
But
Shinjuro Rengoku.
The Flame Hashira of this era.
The PreyBefore him fled a demon one of the lower ranks of the Twelve Kizuki.
Wounded.
Desperate.
Her movements lacked refinement, driven more by instinct than strategy. Against ordinary slayers, she would have been overwhelming.
But against a Hashira
She was already defeated.
Still, survival drove her forward.
Her gaze swept wildly
And landed on Kokushibo.
A lone, blind swordsman.
An opportunity.
A Fatal MisjudgmentShe lunged.
In that instant
Kokushibo's hand moved.
His blade left its sheath with a sound too soft to register.
A single motion.
Precise.
Effortless.
The demon's body halted mid-charge.
A thin line appeared across her torso.
Then
Blood.
Her expression froze, shock overtaking instinct.
She staggered back, her regeneration struggling to keep pace with the depth of the wound.
Behind her
The Flame Hashira arrived.
Flame BreathingThere was no hesitation.
Flame Breathing surged to life.
"Third Form: Blazing Universe!"
The blade descended in a powerful arc, flames roaring outward with overwhelming force. The strike cleaved cleanly through the demon's body, severing her from shoulder to torso in a decisive, final blow.
The battle ended instantly.
Ash scattered into the night air.
An Unexpected EncounterSilence returned.
Shinjuro exhaled slowly before turning his attention to the bystander.
"You there are you unharmed?"
His tone was direct, yet not unkind.
Kokushibo inclined his head slightly.
"I am unharmed."
Shinjuro's gaze lingered briefly on the sheathed sword at Kokushibo's side.
"…That was no ordinary movement," he said. "Even without sight, you reacted faster than most trained swordsmen."
There was no suspicion in his voice only curiosity.
Kokushibo remained composed.
"Habit," he replied simply.
A Man Before His FallFor a moment, Shinjuro studied him.
Then
He laughed lightly.
"Even so, you handled yourself well. It is not often one sees such composure."
There was warmth in his voice.
A stark contrast to the man he would one day become.
Kokushibo observed him quietly.
So this was the Flame Hashira… before loss hollowed him.
Before grief consumed him.
A Passing ExchangeThe arrival of the Kakushi signaled the end of the encounter. They moved swiftly, clearing the scene and ensuring no trace of the demon remained.
Shinjuro adjusted his stance slightly.
"It's dangerous to travel alone at night," he said. "Even more so for someone in your condition."
A pause.
Then, almost casually
"If you possess skill, you should not waste it wandering aimlessly."
Kokushibo did not respond immediately.
There was no need.
Parting FlamesBefore long, Shinjuro was called away.
With a final nod, he departed, his presence fading into the distance like dying embers.
Kokushibo remained where he stood.
For a brief moment
He said nothing.
Then, quietly
"…Interesting."
A Distant WatcherFar from the town, within a quiet estate hidden from the world
Kagaya Ubuyashiki listened as the report concluded.
"A blind swordsman…" he murmured softly.
His voice was gentle, yet carried a weight beyond his years.
The Flame Hashira stood before him, recounting the encounter in full.
Kagaya's expression remained calm.
But his thoughts lingered.
There was something… unusual.
Something not yet understood.
"…Keep this in mind," he said quietly.
Shinjuro nodded.
Unseen ThreadsBack in the night-shrouded town, Kokushibo resumed his walk.
No destination.
No urgency.
Only motion.
Yet even as he moved without direction, the threads of fate had already begun to shift.
Encounters once distant
Were drawing closer.
And the world
Unaware
Was already beginning to change.