Nightmare on the Night of a Red Moon (
Summary[]
Genya's Blood Demon Art of trees ensnares Kokushibo.
Despite deflecting Genya's shot with his blade, Kokushibo sees the pellets have redirected themselves and punch into his body. He notices Genya and sees that, along with his new appearance, his shotgun is changing form. Suddenly, the pellets in his body begin to soak in his blood, sprouting into giant trees that prevent him from moving; Genya's own Blood Demon Art, and he was able to achieve so by absorbing his hair and a piece of his blade. Now trapped and unable to fight, Kokushibo watches as the Hashira all converge on him at once; he is disturbed by the feeling that his life is being threatened and his core seizing up. His composure crumbles in a detestable way as it brings back memories from 400 years ago.
That day, Kokushibo was out at night during a blood moon when he saw something he could hardly believe. His brother had approached him, now appearing old and decrepit; it had been 60 years since they last met, meaning Yoriichi was now in his 80s. He had thought it to be impossible and questioned how he still lived. He began asking how he survived, given the curse of the mark supposedly killing him before the age of 25, when Yoriichi tearfully spoke and extended his sympathies towards him. "The old and ugly creature that was once my little brother... had pity for me", Kokushibo had remarked. Despite this, he himself was not angry; for 60 years, he had been an eyesore in his life, but the voice calling out to him was hoarse.
"I was confused... by my own unexpected unrest."
The sensation of seeing Yoriichi crying before him, whom he had known was emotionless for most of his life, gave him a feeling of confusion; he was confused by why he was unsettled to see him. He knew then that he had to kill Yoriichi and remove the last fragment of his life as a human. He was an old man past his prime, but he remained a Demon Slayer, someone he had to kill. However, Yoriichi's sentimentality disappeared as he reached for his katana and took his stance. Instantly, Kokushibo felt as if rocks had appeared on his shoulders as the weight of the air increased with his intimidating aura; Yoriichi had no openings in his stance.
Yoriichi slitting Kokushibo's neck.
His brother told him he was about to strike, but before Kokushibo could react, Yoriichi had already slit his throat. Boiling with rage, he turns to face him and asks why he had to be the special one. Despite bearing the mark, he continued to live, and the technique he displayed demonstrated his power and speed had not waned in the slightest. The vivid memories of his 60-year-long grudge returned. Like jealousy burning his bones, his existence was to transcend the laws of the natural world and live as if he were favored by the gods. Declaring that he hated and wanted to kill him, Kokushibo prepared for the next strike despite knowing it would kill him.
His speed, which had pushed Muzan into a corner, was nothing short of godly. He waited with a feeling of dread and unrest, as if his insides would burst into flames, but his wait was for nothing as Yoriichi never struck again; he had died standing up, his katana impaled in the ground.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kokushibo
- Genya Shinazugawa
- Muichiro Tokito
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Gyomei Himejima
- Yoriichi Tsugikuni (Flashback)
Events[]
- Muichiro Tokito, Genya Shinazugawa, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Gyomei Himejima vs Kokushibo.
- Genya awakens his own Blood Demon Art from Kokushibo's flesh, forming trees that trapped Upper Rank One.
- Trapped and watching his opponents closing in on him, Kokushibo reminisces on the feeling from a similar memory.
- 400 years before the battle, Kokushibo encountered Yoriichi, who was still alive and in his 80s despite the mark.
- Yoriichi was saddened by Kokushibo's transformation, while he in turn was bewildered by his show of emotion and his own feelings.
- Yoriichi struck Kokushibo with a slash to the throat, too fast for the demon to react to.
- As he waited for the next attack, Kokushibo saw Yoriichi had died on the spot.