From their hidden vantage point, the Hashira and trio of Slayers stared in awe and disbelief.
"Is that… Kokushibo?" Giyu's voice was a rare whisper.
Sanemi's fists clenched. "What the hell is he doing here?"
Mitsuri's eyes were wide. "He… stopped that attack. He's helping Sahiru?"
Obanai narrowed his eyes. "This doesn't make sense."
Zenitsu was trembling. "T-Tanjiro… are we dreaming?!"
Tanjiro didn't answer—his eyes locked on Sahiru, whose aura had shifted once more.
Scarlet light burned violently in his eyes. The gentle grief from moments ago was gone—replaced with a rage too deep for words.
Sahiru stared at Hiyori with a glare that could kill.
"You," he growled. "You chose this path. There's no going back."
Hiyori giggled, madness dancing in her glowing red eyes. "You're right, Sahiru. Just like him." She turned to Kokushibo. "Isn't that right? You were human once too… and chose to become something more."
Kokushibo's expression didn't change, but his tone was laced with venom.
"I live in regret every day. I despise what I am. But you… you revel in this. You're nothing but a maniac."
Her lips curled. "Oh, the self-righteousness. Spare me." She twirled her scythe with deadly elegance. "Once I rip out Sahiru's heart, I'll become Muzan's strongest. Upper Moon Zero will be mine."
Kokushibo raised both blades, six eyes burning. "Then face us both."
Sahiru raised his sword slowly. "Let's end this."
The forest trembled.
The world held its breath.
Sahiru Orasawa and Kokushibo—two walking myths—stepped forward together.
From the trees, Kanao whispered, "They're moving…"
Gyomei knelt, beads in hand. "Their breathing is… aligned."
"Unbelievable…" Inosuke muttered in awe.
The battle erupted in a flash.
Kokushibo danced with Moon Breathing—his crescent slashes bending the very air, warping the space around them.
Sahiru spun and surged, his Facade Breathing bursting with color—violet and scarlet tearing through the night like lightning through a storm.
Their blades moved in harmony—flawless, lethal, precise.
But Hiyori was no weakling.
Her Demon Leaf Breathing bloomed with chaos. Every motion scattered razor-sharp leaves soaked in blood. Her scythe moved like a whirlwind, blocking, parrying, and slicing with savage grace.
"This isn't just a fight…" Tanjiro whispered. "It's like watching gods clash."
The forest was shredded. Trees fell. Earth cracked.
And just when the tide began to turn—when Sahiru and Kokushibo had gained the edge—
PLING
The eerie strum of a biwa echoed through the sky.
"No!" Sahiru shouted.
Kokushibo's body shimmered—pulled away in a swirl of black mist.
He vanished.
Back to the Infinity Castle.
Sahiru stood alone now.
Breathing hard.
Blade shaking.
Eyes still burning.
Across from him, Hiyori smiled, licking blood from her lips.
"Now… shall we dance alone, Sahiru?"
The onlookers felt the shift.
And for the first time in decades—
—they feared for the strongest.